Christmas + Snippety Challenge and Inkadinkado Standing Seagull

Well, rushing in just before the end of June here with a post for Sarn's Rudolph Day Challenge which runs from 25th of each month to months end ..

I have been rather bad at making Christmas cards this year and so determined that would get in again this month even if it is last minute before the gates close over there .. thankfully in Oz we are 11 hours ahead of them so gives me bit more time. :D

Here are my two for this month as one of the requirements are that we make two. Tis one was in my Pinterest page,  pinned it from this blog here... this lady (Dutch so need to translate it) makes wonderful cards. Anyway as it turned out had five strips of the vellum already done in gold of this die- started with the vellum snippets (right card) first, then found some more gold snippets for second one.. various punches and dies used also, stamp is an Itty bitty stamp from years back. I like my Christmas cards to reflect the reason for Christmas somewhere hence "For unto us a child is born". Was good to dust this "JOY! Christmas tree border die" off, as had only made a few cards with it. But to be honest they take a while to cut five for each card and glue down - would not want to make half a dozen of cards with them.

 This is the second of the five cards for Lee. I have posted the first one (a brayer Stampscapes card with interesting layout.. it was very popular, was tickled at comments) on post below. Decided to share them in bits, not in one batch as before - with details, will do combined post at end for summary.

This is similar to ones done before see here and was cased from Jobear's card ... here. Stamp is Inkadinkado Standing Seagull INKA-99205-DD wood mounted stamped on snippet of watercolour paper and Versafine Black + embossed. Used watercolour pencils and framed with with spellbinder circles, and coloured ordinary pearls with solver paint to match the embossed mock porthole. White core card was scored at 1cm intervals and distressed to give appearance of timber. The snippet at side was embossed in CB Bubbles folder.  Have used my Xcut scalloped rectangles to make a fine scallop edge. You have to shift them a number of times to extend the die, and only cut one side at a time, but worth it, I think. Maybe one day might shout myslef a fine scallop dies as seem to use them a lot! The knot is sailors knot and pinned it on my page see here. White string was snippet saved from parcel. Corners are a die cut up from set of CB Vintage corner dies.

Well, thanks so much every one for popping over for peek and chat and may God bless your day wherever you may be. Shaz in Oz.x

Would like to join these over with the following:

 1. Sarn's Christamassy Challenge .. Rudolph day make two cards - http://stampingforpleasure.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/rudolph-day-june-2014.html

 2. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on both cards.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

3 .Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

4. Penny Black and more June Challenge - Use a favourite stamp.. Second card - this one has become a favorite for men's cards. http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/june-challenge.html

5. Second card - for the Simon says Anything goes  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-5/ 
6. For once my card suits Hazlenut's Christmas Challenge which is "sentiments" card 1 http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/chnc-challenge-183-lets-get-sentimental.html
and extra Challenge http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/  

WOYWW Ink Resist + Brayer with Stampscapes

Well, here we are in middle of another week and the almost end of of the financial year... and that also means.. the time of Le Tour approaches, Le Tour de France for those who dont know what I mean. This year it starts in Yorkshire and Lisa of Craft Garden blog said last week much was happening in her backyard... she promised to get me some pickies. :D My grandma was born in Yorkshire.. near Barnsley.

It is also time for WOYWW Or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday - here is Julia's blog at the Stamping Ground, it's home base for WOYWW- here. - to my desk.. here  it was late yesterday.

As you can see it is inky time, again! and yes my fingers were very inky!.. am working on last of the cards of set of five for Lee. I am trying to decide which stamp to use on card and an emboss resist. Used white embossing powder with versamark, heat set powder, then sponged with daubers and dye inks - namely two Kaleidocolor pads (Calypso and Riveria) and my one Big and Juicy (Hydrangea) pad at the rear. Think I will be using the Stamping up Daisy stamp...??

Margaret of Glitter and Glue blog sent me this wonderfully blended inky card with atc.. and could not find last week, but found it - joy! .. thank you dear friend!

Well, here are two cards made this past week. The mauve one is one for Lee, which was in process of being assembled on last week's desk. It is with brayered gloss cardstock with Stampscapes. Used a sketch found on Pinterest, which was originally from Splitcoasters. (see here) the bird was the one on last weeks desk.. my stamp flew the other way and found and fantastic shortcut on Picasa for mirror reversing and image - Ctrl + Shift + H.. this simple tip astoundingly turns image to face the other way! Other card was test run for Lee, made using SB Curved Borderabilites, and embossed and inked folder CB Brocade, digi verse from Word Art Wednesday.
Here are the Aussie images for today . This Rainbow Lorikeet was having one big feast in the NZ Christmas Bush  which is full of blooms, he was kind of playing hide and seek with the camera.. to begin with.

A big welcome to two new friends also who have become Wonderful Encouragers of this blog ..  to JD Jill of Ribbon Challenged blog and to Becky of Stamping and Scrapping, so please pop over and give them some encouragement today! if you kindly join this blog please let me know so can link over too.. ta!

Well, thanks so much everyone for popping over for peek an chat.. will return visit as soon as able. Thanks for those who popped over last week, a couple of Google + folk I have not traced yet.
May God bless your day wherever you maybe!
Shaz in Oz.x

Also want to join over with:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on both cards.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 

2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au  
3. Ruby's rainbow Challenge - Stamping -http://rubysrainbow.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/ch-82-stamping.html

Butterfly Challenge Monochrome

{WOYWW post down below ~ thank you!} 
Welcome everyone! Well, a great honour was conferred upon me by dear Mrs A. of the Butterfly challenge - she asked me to be her Guest Designer for this next Butterfly challenge!!!!(see here! for LINK).. 

It is quite an honour, never been one before you see !! :D plus it was for Monochrome ... 

Use just one colour only and had never done that before so two challenges in one!! 
So ended up with much faffing around to make two cards of the fairly simple variety..

,

Card 1 Purple/mauve Two CB embossing folders in Mauve Swiss Spots and Paisley on mauve cardboard background, ribbon, Memory Box butterfly with vellum underneath sprayed with glimmermist (it was cream, been on desk since Feb. reject from another card). Verse is from Word Art Wednesday digi on Spellbinder Petite Scallops, central image is Artneko Iris from Spring collection on Labels 4, stamped and embossed on a brayered snippet and SB Fancy Labels 4 underneath.

Card 2 Blue. Stamped and masked with Kaisercraft Butterfly four clear stamp set plus tiny one from Hero arts. Masked an "off centre" strip  on card base (snippet) with masks. Stamped images with Adirondack archival deep blue. Then sponged with large sponge daubers in blue before removing masks, then continued it after masks were removed a bit lighter, and deeper on edges. Stamped Printblocks with clear stamp " Just for You" in blue archival ink. Mounted simply on blue card base.

Welcome to some new friends also who have become Wonderful Encouragers of this blog ..  

to Alanna of "Alanna's spot in the World",  to Jasleen of "Happily Ever After"

to Annie - who used to be called Aussie Annie of "Memories blog" she had to close her blog down as it was hacked (how sad!) and she has some candy to celebrate her new one.

 so pop over to her and the other bloggers and give them some encouragement today! if you kindly join this blog please let me know so can link over too.. ta!

Well, thanks so much everyone for popping over for peek an chat.. will return visit as soon as able... thanks for those who popped over last week... and may God bless your day wherever you maybe!
Shaz in Oz.x

Also want to join over with:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on both cards.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au 

3.Stamping Sensation..  http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com.au/  Animal antics ... second card with stamped masked butterflies
4. Our Daily Bread Design - One Layer Cards. You must just have only a base or a base with only one layer on top - number 2 http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/odbdslc207-one-layer-cards.html 

WOYWW + ATC for PiF

Hullo there everyone. Well,  think WOYWW is on today. Julia is  just back from her sojourn in Spain... but y'know wot? I think  I had as many visits last week without Mr Linky coming to the party!  That shows the real strength of WOYWW! Anyway I do pray that Julia is fully recovered from her unexpected surgery. Just in case, here is Julia's blog at the Stamping Ground, it's home base for WOYWW- here .....

   Here without any more ado is my desk, to the left is the card I  am working on nearly finished..and yes! lots going on! 5 cards on order for Lee my lady who.likes fancy cards.. this card number 3. Two done and another started. :D with the digi paper on the left. Gumblossom stamps at the back are possibly to use with the gumblossom paper.

My ATC sent to Fiona@ Staring at the Sea

I have  three ATC's arrive, one from Regina M. Hamilton on Left - my PIF,and on right is one from Neet. I had one from Magret of glitterandglue but it is in such a safe place I cant find it at the moment -sigh.. sorry!

Just one card to share .. done my brothers birthday earlier in month done with Stampscapes, used with Adirondack ink and Ink dusters, and debossed piece of metal silver blue with CB folder Floral Screen. Stamp at bottom is SU Itty bitty banners.

Image from Oz: Jetty Beach from the local lookout.

I will comment as able but time online needs be limited, I will do my best. However I really want to thank you so very much for popping over for a peek and chat. May God bless your day wherever you maybe.  

Shaz in Oz.x

Also want to join over with:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on both cards.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 
2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au 

Artneko Large Cranes flying over Water, WOYWW + NBUS Challenge

Edited 13.6.14 - Julia had had keyhole surgery in Spain, hopes to be home by next week.. pray for her for great recovery.. have heard the hospital system there is very good "
Edited 11.6.14  There will not be a WOYWW link today,  Julia, she has been taken ill whilst on holiday and is in hospital. Not life threatening but she is not well. PLEASE do not email her, if you want to send a message, then do it through me.(Jan) May not be WOYWW next week either... Jan xx "
QUOTE OFF Lunch Lady Jan's Fabric Frenzy blog.. see HERE!
 Hullo there everyone..

Welcome to some new friends, to Antoinette, Angela Radford, Gran Margaret, and Louise Ellen. I cant link over to last one, have trouble doing it - is why have not done it for ages -  so sorry. I am sure links are there, but often not straight forward with Google+ etc. - if you kindly join this blog please let me know so can link over.. ta!
 First of all to my desk for WOYWW or What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday, at Julia of the Stamping Ground - do pop over, learn from all around the world!

Left to right: Seagull image ready stamped + watercoloured for card, then in CENTRE is Garfield card made for my nephew a Garfield fan.. See his other cards here . This year decided to do random strips at an angle of orange and black for mounting the comic strip on - saved from Garfield's own birthday which happens last same time each year as Michael's. (have two atc's not shown, sorry! must try and remember for next week forgot to photograph them, from Neet and Margaret - thank you!)

Gift from neighbour, an unwanted CD shelf, now storing stamps and inkpads, all coded and labelled.. Nice!

Finished Garfield card...Stamp HB is SU one + banner die, also with two embossing folders, "Happy Birthday" in blue + orange and black, it kind of looks like tyre tracks is Chevron EF, received as a RAK from our extra generous Maureen, aka Scrappy Mo! thanks dear friend.

This card is for Oriental Garden Mingle with Oriental Stamp Art Yahoo Group.

   I embossed the beautifully etched stamp {http://www.artneko.com/displayItem/A149-0007 A1490007 - Extra Large Cranes flying over Water} **(see tip below) unmounted (NBUS) rubber stamp by Artneko first with black ink with embossing powder. Then water coloured it with Distress inks. Cut it out and mounted on embossing stencil Butterflies. It is an embossing stencil (did it on CB with rubber mat). Hand cut it out (Butterflies by Marianne Design NBUS) after I had inked up with Opalite "Glacier blue". Mounted on Washi (NBUS) paper and blue card, tried to match the paper colours in water colouring of stamp.
 Over at Darnell's playhouse, she's hosting a brand new NBUS challenge. As used NBUS, three lots in fact, am going to enter this card in it.. for those who dont know Darnell's blog NBUS stands for "Never Before Used Schtuff" to encourage us to use up our stash! you have till June 27th to join in! NBUS Challenge #1"Anything Goes" Friendship Theme (card for Mingle for OSA friend so should qualify)

Well, thanks so much everyone for popping over for peek an chat.. will return visit as soon as able... am bit better :D thanks for those who popped over last week...

and may God bless your day wherever you maybe!
Shaz in Oz.x

**(tip from Annette of Artneko) and I find it works a treat:Too many unmounted stamps and not enough Ez mount to mount them?? Use a glue stick on back of plain trimmed rubber stamp, and glue it to an acrylic block (or to a taped down lid of stamp pad if you dont have an acrylic block) and stamp on a firm foam mat .. instant success! so no more Ez mount for me! yesss more money for stash!
.. then write name of stamp on back of rubber and put them in file for ready identifying and ready access after I stamp them in my folder of "What Stamp Is That?" (see here for this, must say it is a fav. tool now!).

Also want to join over with:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on both cards.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 
2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au 

3.Stamping Sensation..  http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com.au/ 
Animal antics - second card with cranes in flight, and Garfield has stamped emobssed birthday greeting so just qualifies. :D

Spellbinder Borderabilities Scalloped ~ Ruby Anniversary + Wedding Card

{EDIT: this is second go at publishing this post. First time it had been in drafts for while then posted. It would not come up on feeds etc plus blocked access to rest of posts quite weirdly, so have rewritten it so hopefully it will now oblige!}

Hullo there everyone.
Just having wee break from blogging the moment as not 100%, so commenting etc is limited, however do appreciate yours very much. I have made these cards earlier in the year as you will see by the dates on the cards. First was for a special family Ruby wedding anniversary.

 CASed from this one here on my Pinterest site. Used the Couture creations Tied together EF,, Spellbinder hearts, and SB Borderabilites Scalloped, digital printed greetings with Roses.

A replica of one above for a wedding, the brides favourite colour is purple, hence the colour choice.

it was a really wonderful wedding of a couple dedicated to the service of the LORD. A marriage begun this way is a blessing to see.
May the LORD be your strength and stay through your days ..
Truly do not know how would get along if He was not so in my life. I was reading recently (see post here) about the kangaroo and the emu being on Aussie coat of arms, was rather taken by these thoughts.
"Two of Australia’s indigenous creatures, kangaroos and emus, have something in common—they seldom move backward. Kangaroos, because of the shape of their body and the length of their strong tail, can bounce along with forward movement, but they cannot shift easily into reverse. Emus can run fast on their strong legs, but the joints in their knees seem to make backward movement difficult. Both animals appear on Australia’s coat of arms as a symbol that the nation is to be ever moving forward and making progress.

These words hang on bedroom wall, first words seen each day, what a comfort!

The apostle Paul called for a similar approach to the life of faith in his letter to the Philippians: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (3:13-14).

While it is wise to learn from the past, we shouldn’t live in the past. We cannot redo or undo the past, but by God’s grace we can press forward and serve God faithfully today and in the future. The life of faith is a journey forward as we become like Christ.

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” —Oatman"

God promises in His precious word.. "As thy days, so shall thy strength be"Deut 33:25...

 I am resting in that sweet promise, O LORD.
Shaz in Oz.x

Would like to link up card to the following: (EDIT: and hope republishing has not messed up link)

 1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on both cards under the hearts for dig verses.. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

.2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au
 3. Bizzy Becs Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
 http://bizzybecsstore.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/celebrate.html