Thank you for taking time to visit, and I hope I am even a tiny bit helpful as I have been helped and blessed by so many others. I have been doing Calligraphy since teens, and card making for many years as well. In 1990 I delighted in the joys of stamping with ink and embossing after a trip to Cairns, Qld. In 2009 I discovered the brayer, 2010 the Cuttlebug, also have now taking to reading up on crafting blogs and lo! Here I am, on one of my own.

I live on the coast of eastern Australia. I am a Christian. I trusted in the LORD down here at the beach, amazingly it is not far from where I now live. It was over 50 years ago, after a Beach Mission Service at the age of 12 years

Monday 9 September 2013

Thomas is FOUR! Monkeys say Happy Birthday!!

{Warning - picture heavy post}
Well, sorry for long silence. I have been creating, as needs must, just not up to blogging as well, thanks for your patience. Have card today for a very special member of our family who has just turned four years old!!
 It is an easel card - used this tutorial for easel card - see here
Here on this photo am trying to work out what paper/ embossing folder to use as background for the card. Main elements have been done, number four is Tim Holtz Grunge board which was first coloured with distress ink pads two different colours, (trying to get bamboo look) then covered in Dimensional Magic.
 Used some monkey DP made up into 3D figures. The top and bottom are border parts on DP.Paper chosen and now final bits of layout for leaf features being tried. Used swirls/ leaves from assorted dies, some Marianne, some Nellie Snellen.
 Then had greeting which is mounted on Fleur de Lis labels 8 by Spellbinder, and wanted a neat outline around it for top piece.
It is best to emboss  this first, then mounted on top to get clearer cut out line - see stages.
Photo top left is embossing on Cuttlebug. Photo top right is accenting it with embossing tool, as shown on lower left photo. Then carefully cut around it and any slightly rough edges smooth off with sanding block. Mount on mounting tape.

 The completed card. Added some string and buttons matching the DP (done with the button maker which don't use enough) to hold up the easel. By the bye, Thomas' favourite toy is Monkey, and so he is number four monkey {or maybe Thomas is? :D}
Many thanks for popping over for peek and chat - I really appreciate all your kind words, more than words can say. 
[Also special welcome to newest follower Peg Robinson, but I cant find your blog Peg, to encourage you also - so if you have one please let me know.]
May God bless your day wherever you may be, Shaz in Oz.x
I would like to enter this into:

28 comments:

MagsB said...

This is such a fun card, the monkeys look amazing! Thanks for your photos, it's fascinating to see a 'work-in-progress' become the finished article!

I hope you are enjoying Spring in Oz!!

love Mags B x

Elizabeth said...

Hi Shaz, glad to see it is that your busy and not ill that's stopping you from blogging ... much better that way :) This is such a fun card - love all the monkeys scrambling around the number and peeping out from the undergrowth. A monkey was my favourite soft toy too - my beloved uncle brought it home from Germany for me. Like the walk-through of how you put the card together too - it's interesting to see how an idea develops into the finished project. Take care, hugs, Elizabeth xx

brenda said...

What a real fun card for a little one Shaz, I am certain he will love it's appeal.

Take care,

B x

Craftychris said...

ooh its brilliant! You are so clever! I haven't been blogging or crafting much lately. Life keeps getting in the way. xx

Mrs A. said...

Your special Birthday card is the tops! Is Dimensional Magic the same as Glossy accents? Hugs Mrs A.

Jocelyn aka JoBear2 said...

Great FUN card Shaz! I bet Thomas will love it.

Jocelyn x

Carol Willis said...

Love this Shaz, great Monkeys.
Hugs
Caz x

Betsy said...

Such a great card for a four year old!!!!! I'm sure he will love it.
Blessings,
Betsy

Karen Letchworth said...

You are SO creative. I'm sure he will LOVE this sweet card you've made. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I completely understand about not being able to participate as much, as I've been in the same position lately. But I'm always SO BLESSED to see your wonderful creations shared in our challenges and I pray that God will bless you as you create and share. God is SO GOOD, and I praise and thank Him for you. Take care and keep in touch.
Blessings,
Karen
Word Art Wednesday

Kathleen said...

Fabulous creation, love the glossy 4.

Kath x

Di said...

Fabulous card Shaz - love those little monkeys! Fascinating to see the stages you went through to get such a delightful result.

Glad all is OK with you, I was wondering.

Hugs, Di xx

sharon said...

I am sure that Thomas will be pleased with his birthday card.
The monkeys hanging from the number 4 are so very cute.
I hope that you are feeling better.
hugs
sharon :)

Gail said...

Hope you're feeling better!
This card is wonderful, and I'm sure it was well received!

Joyce across the Pond said...

Great card - a lot of work involved my friend.
Sorry I've not been in touch...life has been a bit askew recently - sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago and we head off to Jersey on Sat so don't think there'll be too much long walking...but I trust I will be able to walk along the beach and think of you when you speak of going for a walk on the beach etc.
Hope you are well...

Mrs.D said...

Good to see you back on the blog, even if it is a one off. The card is super, hope he enjoys it and after his birthday his mum files it away in one of those special places like we do all the beautiful hand made cards and all the otehr gems of our chidren's growing up.
Great that you managed to put in picture of the process, really useful. Thanks you.
Chris

Rossella said...

What a gorgeous card
Rosie x

Glenda said...

This is just adorable!

MaryH said...

This is such a delightful card for youngster. So much to see on it. Love the S/Binder you chose to embellish it, and I'll be checking out that easel tutorial. Nice to see a post from you, and hope your health & energy level are improving a bit each day for you. Miss seeing your wonderful posts, but totally understand. One must do what one has to, with proper priorities in order! TFS & Hugs

Anne said...

What a stunning card which I hope Mum and Dad will keep for him for years to come! Absolutely fab....I think Daniel will want you to make his cards instead of me from now on!!!!! Praying for your health, energy and travel. God bless you dear Sis.

JoZart Designs said...

Hi Shaz, thanks for popping in on me. I too haven't been blogging too often. Ah yes! it was fun when we got together in Manchester. You would love their Liverpool store... it's 10 x bigger on two floors.
Take care and hope you are keeping OK.
We are nervously awaiting for DD2 in Germany to have her little boy.... only 2 weeks to go.
Jo x

scrappymo! said...

What a wonderful 4 year old's card. It is going to be truly loved!

I hope all is going right with you...I am just getting back into routines here...will check back on your blog posts to catch up with you!

Neet said...

That is absolutely fantastic. Love the number and the little monkeys climbing all over it.
Hugs, neet xx

ike said...

What a fun card and I love the diddy little monkeys :-D Great to have you back again :-D

Hugz
IKE in Greece xxx

Sarah C. said...

Wow, Shaz! Those little monkeys are so cute and such fun! Great job! They're amazing! I'm not surprised little Thomas liked them! Any child one would I think...perhaps big ones, too!! ;-)

~Sarah
ofsimplethings-sarah.blogspot.com

Irene said...

A brilliant birthday card for a special 4 year old.
luv
irene
xxxx

kay said...

This is brilliant,love the detail x

Debs Willis said...

Brilliant card Shaz, love the monkeys :-)

Sarn said...

Fabulous 4th birthday card Shaz. Sure to go down well.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

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