Favourite Creations of 2013 ~ Aka Debby of Scrapjourney.

Hullo there everyone .. this year has been mixed for me but in spite of it all I have been very, very blessed and able to complete a goodly amount of crafting etc.

A favourite blogger of mine Debby of  A Scrapjourney wants us to share our favourite creations of 2013.

I love and really admire her work and did attempt a card in 3d style like her's (see here) but her's are so good decided not to put it in.

 

So here goes.. very hard to pick and Debby kindly said one extra or so was ok! :D Links are embedded in titles below, if you want to see how was made.

 
Brayered Stampscapes Card (with video)

 

 Illuminated Psalm 62 vs 8 ~ Step by Step Calligraphy

 

 PanPastel ~ Tutorial, Tips + Ideas

 

Baby card ~ Hudson/ Peter (Rabbit) comes to stay

 

Versamark With Chalks/ Panpastels

Spellbinder Borderabilities Dies ~ Curved 

Thanks so very much for each of you who have been my Wonderful Encouragers for 2013 and before. 

You really do make it all worthwhile!

I thank God for every single one of you and pray His blessing and keeping upon you in 2014. And in every day He gives us, may we draw closer to Him, or if we know Him not - may it be the year, week or day we do come to know Him as our own Saviour.
 love Shaz in Oz.x

A special welcome to two folk who joined this month.. but as they are Google plus folk I cant join their blogs.  They are Linda Knox and Willie. Although I think worked Willie's out and joined her's :D

May God bless your Christmas ~ Thank you dear Encouragers!

Hullo there everyone, I do pray you are managing to be on schedule for whatever you have to do today.

I just wanted to take the time to thank each you for the great blessing of your encouragement over the year and to pray the LORD's blessing upon each of you and those you love this Christmas time and His keeping upon you all for the coming year.

 

God Sent Us A Saviour

If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator.

If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need was forgiveness,
so God sent us a Saviour.
-Roy Lessin

For unto you is born this day... a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

I will just close with quick card made as an upcycle from one received last year very simple!

Thank you so very much for popping over, 

Shaz in Oz.x

I would like to enter these into:

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes (W).
 Di's Snippets - http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/pixies-snippets-playground-week-103.html

Male cards ideas ~ Fathers Day Cards

{Please note this is a post done while back, BUT not published - I had a fall last week and need to take things easy - sorry for lack of comments - am on the mend ~ *grin* God is good, and just must be good too.}
Hullo there everyone!!

Well, ages ago now I made thse cards for my calligraphy class (years 7/ and 8, about 14 yrs) to write their verse by hand inside with a verse for their dads for fathers day. Ours is the first Sunday in Sept here.

This image is embossed, coloured with Promarkers and is a discontinued SU set.

Same stamp, labels 8 fancy dies - hand cut to frame it - embossing folder is Bubble from CB.

Same as above, script embossing folder from CB.

This is same folder as top one (Sorry - cant remember the name of it) have hand cut around frame, to mount it up on DP (Kaisercraft I think).

Gracie's frame embossing folder, the printed image  and verse is from an old calendar and re-sized.

Same as above.

The children did very well they chose one the little poems I had brought along and wrote in their own hand the verses - they really surprised themselves - it is was a great blessing!
If you want to see more of their work from the calligraphy lessons look on this post here and here.

Here is my Oz pickie as will not be up to doing a WOYWW post this week - sorry. Not crafting anyway. 

 

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.Psalm. 19:1

There is the large gumtree on left of photo and snippet of tree on right is a the Macadamia tree. Amazing clouds this evening!

Many thanks every one of you for popping over for a peek and chat and may God bless your day wherever you may be! 

Shaz in Oz.x 

I would like to enter these into:
Our Dis Snippets Challenge - Snippets Rule
http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/pixies-snippets-playground-week-103.html 
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes (W).

Stamping Sensations free and easy (monthly)

WOYWW Embossing tip + Flowering Mother-in-law Tongue

Hullo there everyone - YES! 'Tis Wednesday and desk showing/ sharing and all that  time again!! Pop over to Julia's to see what I am raving on about - we all join together to share and learn on a world wide desk hop. Here is my messy desk!!

As you can see I am making a card or two actually! One on right is the upcycled card with Tree verse and also poinsettias made with Britannia die. 

Also card on the left I am making a baby card for my sister but has come to a halt as she does not know middle name and want to put details on that scrappy piece (at the moment, which change it) on left of the card.

Here is my favourite tip this year .. to cut a fine edge around a die cut, simply emboss the piece you want to cut then use the very outside edge for your cut line.. and then sits nice and neatly on it too. Easy peasy! as you have embossing mat etc already from doing original dies cut it is quicker and more accurate than tracing around it.

Now quick show of cards made.. 

These were made same as the ones on last post - see below! Also on it is a poem if you want one to put inside your Christmas card free to use it.

 This one was made with same dies up above from Britannia - really love them! and thee snowy cottage image was a photo on a card of my friend's home in Nettleham (Lincolnshire). I made her this card with a image from photo, on fancy labels 8 spellbinder. The "Joy' was a Srapmatt's piece discontinued sadly as tried to buy some more. Snowflake EF is also Disc. was cuttlebug one.

Now for the Australian photo of the day the Mother-in-law's tongue is flowering again... has been from months tactfully this one was beauty though!!

Many thanks every one of you for popping over for a peek and chat and may God bless your day wherever you may be! Shaz in Oz.x 
EDIT: Am sorry, commenting will be hindered a little as had a bit of fall this afternoon and laid up - am fine, but cant sit much on desktop. Will do best on mobile :D but it is an ancient model. (like me! *grin*)

I would like to enter these into:
Our Dis Snippets Challenge - Snippets Rule! (W) 
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes (W).

Stamping Sensations free and easy (monthly)

Poem ~ What if there was NO Christmas? + Memory Box Card

Hullo there everyone! well on the homeward run here - or hope to be as far as the card writing goes.. I had not time to post them but here are few had done to share.

Each year also write a poem to include on the inside of the cards I make, and this years is below .. and if you have need of it use it by all means. Had meant to publish it a month ago but some people are slow!! this is how it is in the card - but different font. 

And the angel said unto them,  

“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2.10-11

What if there was NO Christmas?

What if there was no Christmas star

To guide those wise men from afar?

What if there were no angels to sing

And announce the birth of a newborn King?

What if no shepherds wonderingly did come

To worship at the Birth of God’s only Son?

No straw-filled manger in which Mary laid,

The LORD Jesus, her newborn babe.

But the LORD Jesus did not stay as God above,

He chose a manger & cross to show His great love.

In Jesus’ coming, the JOYful promise of sins forgiven;

For by our faith in Him, we have a home in heaven.

S.L.G 11.11.13

Truly how empty our world would be without the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ. Our calendar year is told from His birth, so much would change if Jesus was not born as the babe in the manger.

But most of all, His coming meant there was a Way of Salvation, through faith in His death upon the cross, we have the certainty of a home in heaven (for further details see here). 

Here are some of my cards for 2013; made over 70 and gave some away as a pre-Christmas gift. These were made with snippets as is the one below. I start after Christmas, late Dec. - Jan. as we have summer holidays here and try to make about a third of them then. I really enjoy them.

These were made from a set of "Pass It On" cards (come in sets of 25 bought over here in Oz) with verse 

"the Father sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world" 

Used varying folders and adornments on them.

 

This card is made with a memory box decoration die, and also the embossing under the ribbon is from Sizzix Embossing Folders - Christmas Set #6, EK Arrow border punch. The verse embossed in gold EP is from Our daily Bread.

Many thanks every one of you for popping over for a peek and chat and may God bless your day wherever you may be! Shaz in Oz.x

I would like to enter these into:
Our Dis Snippets Challenge - Snippets Rule! (W) 
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes (W).

Our Daily bread Challenge - Double embossing. on second card, ODB stamp embossed plus Sizzix border (Tues)
Stamping Sensations free and easy (monthly)
Scrapping Everyday Miracles - Christmas Theme (28th 12)

EDIT: how very thrilling, this bottom card was awarded the Shining the Light Award Challenge! 

Spellbinder Borderabilities Dies ~ Curved + WOYWW with Snippets!

Hullo there everyone. Yes! today = WOYWW yet again.. and yes, look how few days till the 25th! However have made all my cards and very glad of that, and started writing on the card list :D

For the uninitiated WOYWW ~ What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday DO pop over at Julia's blog HERE....  Today's desk is showing a new Spellbinder Borderabilities Curved die. Had to make some cards for gift, so here I'm playing!! Have had this digi beautiful paper printed but unused for about 2 or 3 years - sad! (by Donna of Bearly My Designs) but used them both up now!

The verses are ones printed out for free from WORD ART Wednesday - See freebies over at Karen's blog here! use top tabs to chose just printables.
Just love this wonderfully, encouraging verse from Isaiah 40 ³¹ "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Here is the finished card... used Spellbinder fancy ovals, and few pearls.

 Snippets card for a quickies (see here) used Marianne butterfly dies and K Kingdom folder. the green paper was actually off back of envelope but too nice to throw away!!

This card annoys me a tad as did not have enough time! Only remembered to do it few hours before needing to post it; had interruptions as well. Ah well, I do hope they like it even if I can see two things which really annoy me! I really wanted to make it special as it had to go all the way to Zambia. Spellbinder hearts, Cuttlebug "Love" EF, Cuttlebug Vintage comers, and Martha Stewart Layered arches punch at bottom - all snippets.

The pickies from Oz today - 

 This is a commonly called a Scribbly Gum ( see small pickie below and you will see why! a small insect burrows underneath and it looks like scribbles, but does not really harm it). 
You can see how tall it is it by the lady in blue on middle far right of picture. This one is in our Botanic Gardens and on quite lean! the one behind it is one also. I really love them.

Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and chat, and may God bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in Oz.x
Our Dis Snippets Challenge - Snippets Rule!

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes.

Student's Illuminated Calligraphy ~ Lorikeets feeding + WOYWW

{Warning picture heavy post.}

Hullo there everyone, have been absent a lot of late - BUT today is time for WOYWW - DO  hop over to What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday over at Julia's blog HERE.... 

Finally after much procrastinating, am posting the calligraphy works by my final lot of students doing the calligraphy course (which have been teaching for years now). I've decided this will have to be the last year as health suffered.  

However the results are such a great blessing, and the LORD graciously answered much prayer, for which I am very grateful.
So here is my Desk a few weeks back!

 

 Here are the five students texts as group then will show them one by one by students, aged 14 years, approx - at our church school. In no particular order. For their previous project please see here:

Illuminated text by Talitha in Oz.

Illuminated text by Timothy in Oz.

Illuminated text by James in Oz.

Illuminated text by Katelyn in Oz.

Illuminated text by Brianna in Oz.

As normally include some Oz photos here are some photos of a Rainbow lorikeet feeding in our garden, and just loving the dwarf Coral tree/ Erythrina.

 

Well, in haste, so must close. 

I thank  you so much for taking the time to pop over for a peek and chat; and I pray the LORD may bless your day wherever you may be! I will return comments as able but I DO appreciate them so very much if I dont get back to you,

Shaz in Oz.x

I would also like to join with:

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes.

How glue on a ink pad? + 3D Vellum card + Nativity with Pan Pastels

Hullo there everyone! 

Well, what a shock it is that we are starting another week again, and the last one in November and we all know what that means!!! Ah, might as well make the best of it. :D

Here is my first snippety card for Di's Snippets challenge, and it was a "make in a hurry" card. Needed a "cheer-you-up" card for a friend recently diagnosed with cancer. She still is not very well, but praying she will feel the strength of LORD through those praying for her in the rough treatment. It  is a lovely verse, from Word Art Wednesday :

 "In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence and His children shall find a place of refuge." Proverbs 14:26.
The flower in 3D was one done aged ago and sitting on my desk waiting for use, and the verse was likewise. So the two came together to make this card, with Vellum on the frame - frame is a combo made with Marianne die, Labels four of Spellbinders. 

Second card is a  Nativity with Pan Pastels background done ages ago and then thought would go well with the Cottage Cutz diecuts which Victoria of Furry Crafts kindly sent me earlier in the year for more see here The frame was made but mounting on black and converting a Spellbinder Fleur de Lis Square die into corners, see post here.

Last thing for day is just in case folk don’t know!

I had found a couple of my favourite SU Ink Spots were without sticky on back.  So thought and prayed as to what could glue them on? As this was pigment ink and very moist not like dye ink at all, it was trickier than most. So thought of best “sticker” I know as far as crafting goes and used some Dimensional Magic by Ranger and it works a treat!! Stuck these on a some months back and still going strong I really like it as it does not clog like glossy accent either.

Well in haste so must close. I thank  you so much for taking the time to pop over for a peek and chat; and I pray the LORD may bless your day wherever you may be, Shaz in Oz.x

I would also like to join with:

Our Pixies Snippet-y Challenge snippets rule! Snippets on both cards!

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes.

Hazelnuts Christmas challenge extra

Jan's Birthday card - Painting made into Digi Image

Hullo there everyone, just a brief post today.
I made this card ages go now for my step mum, Jan's birthday in April. I really really loved it. The focal image is a digi image I made from one of Jan's watercolour paintings. {Just print it out in size you want in high resolution on good card}

When visiting them this painting below was on their lounge room floor, ready to go to an exhibition, and I took this photo on my mobile. Then asked dad if he would email me the photo they always take before framing, as thought it would make a great card. Dad paints too, but mainly oils and have shown his works before too here and here.

As you can see this is nothing like the original one which I printed out for the card the colour is not quite right. Used LOTV sentiment and two types of snippets of DP to match the image. Spellbinder scallops rectangles to mount it and scrap of SU ribbon bow was tied with bow easy.

Thanks all you dear folks, I am very busy and not quite 100% so blogging is limited. I hope to show the calligraphy texts by my class later this week (when have sorted out the images).
Thank you for popping over for a peek and chat, and may God bless your day wherever you may be , Shaz in Oz.x

Our Pixies Snippet-y Challenge snippets rule!

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes.

Candy Winners - thank YOU ALL my Wonderful Encouragers!

{Sticky post please scroll down}

Hullo there you dear patient folk!
As this was a Blogavesary candy the plan was to draw on 1.11.13 as started blog on the palindromic date of 01.1.10. However health and circumstance delayed it.

My two faithful Monkey assistants here have supervised the legality of the draw... had I reached into the said hat sufficiently? after stirring up entries enough? We culled out those comments who had not joined our blog. Those who had put on a pickie on their blog were given two entries :D

So without any more ado first candy prize drawn out - was...drum roll....

 1st prize ~ Anne in France ... 

and then as had teeny bit more surprise candy drew another name and it was...

2nd prize ~ Betsy

  - who does not do papercraft, so will make her some cards as a gift :D

Still had teeny bit of candy left so we drew third name and it was.....

3rd prize ~  Sharon of My craft cupboard

So will those three ladies email me their addresses, please?
Sorry to all those other wonderful folk whose names were in the candy draw and so faithfully follow and encourage me over the past three years.

 You all mean so much to me, so asking the LORD to bless each of you, especially for your great kindness, Shaz in Oz.x

Eva's card ~ Versamark With Chalks + Snippety card

Hullo there everyone!
Here is a card made for a friend some time back now... my friend had just received the diagnosis for her thyroid cancer and was not good stage - however with prayer, and faith in our merciful God, we are very hopeful for her. She isn't that old, with young family too.
 The verse is:
"My heart and flesh faileth BUT God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever."
Amen, what treasure that is!

Martha Stewart deep edger daisy punch and Word Art Wednesday verse, with Marianne rectangle die and the versamark background + Panpastel/ chalk method as shown on this post here - love it! 
Memory Box leaf swirl, and flowers from the Ribbon Girl in UK, dont use them often enough mainly because they dont post well but this was hand delivered. Also used a heart hat pin, I always hide the pointy sharp tip end of these well under card, as hate the thought of someone being pricked by them.

This card was all snippets. I had embossed the purple card as test run with new Embossabilities folder ages ago new - and the dies *flowers, *vase and *"hi" were test cut out with my Olivia cuttlebug alphabet set, a few years ago now. Unfortunately as I had to send it quickly, I took the photo at night in hurry. It does not look as pretty mauve in colour of real life. Added pearls to adorn flowers and dot of the "hi".
* I added double-sided tape to all these fine cut items prior to cutting them, to easily attach  and surprisingly was fine although floating around for years in snippety drawer.

Nice and brief today - thanks so much for popping over for a peek and chat..
.. and if you have joined this blog as one of the really Wonderful Encouragers, please pop over to this post here and join in the fun of the blogaversary candy, drawn tomorrow Nov 12th!

Shaz in Oz.x

I would also like to join with:

Our Pixies Snippet-y Challenge snippets rule! Snippets on both cards!
Lets craft and create - (card two) Challenge #82 is Clean and Simple (CAS)

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes.
Papertake weekly - anything goes!

Thank YOU to my Wonderful Encouragers - Blogaversary Candy!

Candy Now closed - Drew three winners - will post soon.


{EDIT - 01.11.13 -  plan was to draw candy today, 1st Of Nov. - but things are very busy till 12.11.13, plus not 100%, so will draw candy on that date. Hence candy is open for few days longer.}

Hullo there everyone - this blog soon has its third anniversary. On 01.11.10 this 'ere 'umble blog was started. I started it by accident (see first post here - a test run & it worked!!). So the LORD has blessed it.

Blessed by so many precious friends and wonderful encouragers, I really appreciate you very much so want to offer a teeny-tiny bit of crafty candy to all you wonderful folk who follow this blog.

Here is candy. Butterfly is sample of one on offer.
 **Joy butterfly die is embedded in foam, cuts beautifully. See card with die cut here .
**Country Companions Friends stamp, cute and versatile. ** Pearls to embellish!

Candy can to go overseas, as is very light, so this is for ALL this humble blog's Wonderful Encouragers, that is, ALL those who have joined this blog.

1. please leave a comment on this post below 

2. then put (if you would be so kind) put a link on your sidebar; an extra entry in candy if you do so :D

Please do check you are one of the merry band, as on my first candy someone was drawn who was not, and had to redraw. New Wonderful Encouragers are very welcome to join following this blog!

Many thanks to one and all of you! What a pity I cant send some to all of you!

May the dear LORD bless your day wherever you may be,                               

Shaz in Oz.x