Friday Smiles, Snippety Entry for Scrappy Mo's Christmas challenge! aka Rudolph day.

Well it's a bit late, but seems the way.. Here's some of my Annie's Friday Smiles and entry for the Christmas challenge over at Scrappy Mo's.

To the Smiles, I showed some of these on my WOYWW post and folks seemed to think the orchids, etc were mine .. but these are all taken in my friend's garden - Elaine and Mal, who is the one who grows the orchids. I have notated these but must point out these are my guesses so any experts I am happy to correct their names.

Common spotted orchid .. I think? Elaine said it was an orchid this was best name I could find.

Most of these are Cymbidiums except for the very large white flower below which I think is a Cattleya. Isn't God's creation just marvellous .. yes, truly a marvel!

Now my entries for Scrappy Mo's Christmas challenge. I have six cards but of course we can only have one entry. Lots of snippets were used here .. and yes some made too :D
Mostly was just using ink dusters, masks and inks .. started over on this post here. The first card was a real snippet the verse was cut in another die .. but crookedly and couldn't waste it so re-cut in SB deckle ovals.

These cards are all made with one stamp. I really love this stamp. It is great verse and also love the way it is done ie layout of verse. I like the Christ of Christmas to be front and centre of my Christmas cards. I love to point the way to  Christ who is my Saviour and Friend, and this verse does it well.

May the LORD richly bless you and those you love today and in the week ahead that the LORD has given. 
If you are struggling with burdens or cares, take to them to the One Who understands - like no-one else! For in Him we find Strength, Peace and Rest; freely given to all who call upon Him.

Love and prayer for each of you dear ones out there. You are such a blessing to me,

Shaz in Oz.x

 ^"Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."
Psalm 73: 25,26

Things are pretty full on here so this is a scheduled post and will link over when time permits.
1. Rudolph day challenge over at Scrappy Mo's

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

Flower Fairy Centre Fold card + Di's Snippets + WOYWW

Well it is obviously Wednesday today, even if it really has taken me most of the day to realise it.. so Wednesday means the great worldwide Blog-hop around desks of the world for WOYWW or What is On Your workdesk Wednesday.. pop over to our Julia's Stamping Ground! 

To my desk- several again:

Here smooched mixture of inks on embossing folder and then spritzed it well with water, then embossed it .. one worked better than the other but both not too bad. Re-spritzed with Diamond Dust glimmer mist for more blending too.

So this was few days later, yesterday in fact and well into the making of this card. This was one big learning curve. Half way through said why do I pick such tricky designs??
Nellie Snellen Ribbon border die in left foreground, on right pink ATG, almost done card in rear, next to it Darice Nature Border EF as well. Had to cut this apart into two pieces as it was not quite lined up properly - a first! but needed it cut, as wanted the same part at front and end of greeting anyway.

Completed centre step fold card. You can see the Darice Nature border EF (with pink glitter) at the either end of front section, greeting printed then embossed it quickly with clear EP.
HAPPY 4th Birthday, dear Emily!
The flower image is here and 3D'ed, mounted on SB Fleur de Lis rectangle in lovely pink foiled card, also ribbon border on side. The front cross section and sides also have Taylored Expressions Eyelet Scallop border die. Used this Template here for the Centre Step Fold card

I think the flower with this flower fairy is the candytuft but maybe not one by Cicely Mary Barker, as could not find who created this image. A Google reverse image search just took me back to unnamed page from which I pinned it.

The verse on the inside of the card printed on some DP

Today's desk this afternoon at 3pm approx. I had a fellow crafter Sharlene to visit .. so here she was paused mid stamping as she was copying images from my Bible verse drawer. You can see a completed page to the top left, cuppa finished and ink pad just used .. Sharlene was out cleaning stamps, as like mine cleaned as I stamp; a habit from when started in 1990. Most of these are from that era, very few bought this century.

One of two Aussie shots today, was at my friend's place and had my camera in hand... a bird of paradise or native Strelitizia.

From the same garden.. a bush orchid growing on the flowering bottlebrush, both natives. Looks like a wandering choko vine too :D My friend Elaine and hubby, Mal have many more amazing orchids which I took that day. They could hold their own orchid show :D

 I will comment as able ~ still a little behind, but getting there :D

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

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me." Micah 7:8 

Linking the Emily's card up to:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on Emily's card (the lovely pink floil was used on one other card and have another piece for one more I hope, not bad out of an A4 sheet :D)

 http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

2. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au.
3. http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/week-329-sparkle.html   Allsort challenge is Sparkle .... well it is hard to see but it is there on the front piece :D

4. http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/roses-of-inspiration-38.html

Positive + Negative Use of Die cuts + WOYWW

Well, here we are in middle of another week also time for WOYWW Or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Julia's blog at the Stamping Ground is home base for WOYWW, over here.
To my desk..  late Monday, as it is clear now, a bit boring.

Those of WOYWW might remember seeing this Elizabeth Crafts Quietfire die over on Shazsilverwolf's blog about a month ago. Well, loved it, hunted for it and found it overseas, but way out of my price range. Recently sourced here in Tasmania for good price, plus cheap post cost so arrived Monday, had to use it that day!!  It is big die but I knew that. Here am using it on a piece of photo paper made ages ago, which was ink smooched with DI + then lightly damp, crumpled cling wrap was laid over it.

After cutting the die (had to turn it a few times as had sticky paper on back) decided to use both positive and negative, too nice to waste negative. Lightly embossed the die so could see where to put the negative bits.. rather like a jigsaw puzzle, fun!

This is the positive, a very small card (14.5 x 10.5cm), as small as I make them so thought it was good way to test this die. Used also the teeny snippet left for a border with Scallop die. EF is Lattice by Sizzix. Entering this in my as my third NBUS, over at NBUS Challenge no. 5 - woohoo!!

Simple card, with rounded top corners and piece of green gold mesh underneath.

Well, it is spring downunder, so a few Aussie photos. This is single Italian lavender bush under dwarf Eureka lemon tree, dwarf because the way it is pruned. Huge lavender is good insect repellent for lemon tree. The bees love it and lemon flowers too. Aren't they a pretty flower?

A big welcome to three new friends also who have become Wonderful Encouragers of this blog - Swissie of Swissie's World, met Swissie's though Cuttlebug Mania. http://livfrische48.blogspot.com.au

Also a near neighbour - Maxine D. of KiwiMe's creations .. yes, she is from NZ, and has lovely creations too! 

I met Jeanne J. over at Darnell's .. this wonderful lady helped arrange Darnell's amazing array of prizes for NBUS challenge, she has an instructive blog called A Kept Life.

   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; things are busy til weekend.
May God bless your day wherever you maybe!
Shaz in Oz.x
PS Special prayers for Brenda L  and her dear hubby,  see latest post.(Friends Craftin' with Friends), also dear Shazsilverwolf and her hubby Doug (there is tab on my sidebar for updates).
 

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. NBUS Challenge no. 5  first card

Friday Smiles + ODB Colour Challenge + NBUS

{Sorry - WOYWW Post below here}

Hullo all - again :D yes, another post this week .. So much to celebrate, y'see! 

'Tis Friday, so I'm linking over to Annie Friday Smiles :D 

Also as said on Wednesday post Darnell has NBUS Challenge no. 5 - woohoo! Millions of prizes!...so do pop over there now! 

Oh and the second million of prizes is over at Word Art Wednesday .. they are Celebrating 200 posts, with a BIG prize list, too!

 Am sharing some of my Smiles first:

Downunder we are in SPRING.. I love spring .. and autumn :D Here is our Lytopspernum Cardwell in flower plus 'Superb' Grevillea.

Here are today's blooms - God's handwork is simply gorgeous. Images above were last week in full bloom, some are falling now. Here are some flies (!) on it + one of the hard shelled beetles that love roses, hibiscus, anything really!

Local creek down the road - we were having lunch at a creekside restaurant, when there were suddenly loud yells + splashes, these canoes were launched with great gusto for a paddle.

Now how made first card, I wanted both of the die cuts to be gold embossed.

Smooshing with Versamark prior to adding EP

Here's finished die cut, embossed where needed. Die cut from SB Elegant Ovals is my NBUS or Never Before Used Schtuff.

Here is my entry for the Our Daily Bread colour challenge shown above. Lattice die is from Papertrey, also embossed in gold. The DP is a digi from my Pinterest page here. The gold stamped verse is one from 1990 (a snippet stamped ages ago) from Sonlight Impressions Ca. US. I love the promise of this verse.. truly perfect peace is found by simply trusting in our God.

Over on this post HERE this card was started, you see there the corners are made from SB Fleur de Lis square die. The "thank you card" begun for dad to give to someone, made using one of dad's paintings as a digi image.Used a 1990 "thank you" stamp unnamed, plus S.U. DP from 2006. (bad colours, sorry, camera was being repaired)

Thanks so much for popping over for peek and chat .. will return your visit as soon as I can, as do love to see your work too. :D I apologise a have not commented on many from last post .. but will do you first, so sorry.

May God bless your day and those you love, wherever you may be.

Shaz in Oz.x

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3

Linking over to following challenges:
1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets, esp on card 1 http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/  
2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes, both cards  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au  
3. NBUS no 5.(ends 11:55 p.m. PST Sept 18, 2015) Card 1  http://www.djkardkreations.com/2015/09/its-here-nbus-challenge-5.html 
4. ODB Colour challenge - card 1 http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/odbdslc253-color-challenge.html
5. Over at Allsorts they want to see lots of layers. card 1  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/week-327-lots-of-layers.html 

Extend or Enlarge a Die + 200th WAW + Snippets + WOYWW

Well yes, we could say how quickly this year is going .. but we wont, eh? However it is Wednesday.. so several link overs needed.

So over to Word Art Wednesday .. they are Celebrating 200 post, with a BIG BANG!
Plus to desks of the world for WOYWW or What is On Your workdesk Wednesday.. pop over to our  Julia's Stamping Ground!
AND Darnell's there is NBUS Challenge no. 5 - woohoo!!...so do pop over there now! 
To my desk- several, again in fact:

Woohoo!! Lookee-see! what has arrived downunder in record time. I know Miss posted this goodie bag of two dies on Thursday, it arrived chez moi today - Wednesday. ie five post days to get all the way to get to the other side of the world. A scenery die for MB and a Choo Choo train from Cheery Lynn. Thanks Miss! really 'preciate it so very, very, very, very much! and look at the ultra cheery and cute card below too from pixie post :D
On my desk I was working on Christmas cards, Monday was trying some CAS designs - masking inking + stamps. Love stamp press for this, so stamp is still on there but it has been cleaned - tend to be fussy about that .. not at all tidy, but do clean stamps :D

How to extend or enlarge a die .. lots know how but some don't. Took me a while to sort it out. This is a Googled digi saved + added words. Cutting with a Spellbinder Pierced rectangle.
1. Cut in two stages Place how far the first cut has to go to and pull the top plate just bit back from bottom so where you dont want to cut is protected. You can enlarge Embossing folders similar way see here.
 

2. Lift off diecut and turn it over, tear off edges of side that is cut. Work out (as best you can with finger feel) where the dots and cut match ( also check on other side to see it is right cut)

3. Then put top plate (yes, well worn) on top. Pull it back from where the piece is already cut.
Note several things - PASS 1: the die is face down PASS 2: die is face up so you can see it better.
I use clear re-positionable tape at all times when doing this. See the clear tape on sides, also note the end of die has the cut piece going over the top of it.
4. The same principle works for shortening a die too; as on card last week here for square die, made it into smaller rectangle. Any questions etc, please ask. May not have made clear enough.

The card finished. A Father's day card (6.9.15 downunder) for my darling dad. Cant see it, but digi is 3D - if you look really closely you can see in middle where dots don't quite meet; as first time had extended this die. Think I could do much better next time.
This is my NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff) card ..  the very first time I'd used this beautiful die..

My second card is one done ages ago now, for a friends birthday on 5.8.15. begun on this desk here. The label with birthday greeting is one of SB fancy labels set. The white embossed square, is meant to be used with vellum and hand work, but have embossed it with mat + handcut.

Two Aussie shots today both floral variety; yay! it's Spring downunder!
With days like today, which was picture perfect, we are really being blessed. This is a Begonia flowering its heart out in courtyard garden. The vase below has been replaced since then, is a mixture of very fragrant sweet-peas, lavender + roses (Guitar, Sutter's Gold, + Delores).

Thinking of and praying for our dear friend, ShazSilverwolf and Doug, plus family as well (click on Shaz's blog image at top of sidebar, for Doug's updates).

Well, thanks for peeking everyone, happy WOYWW and may God bless your day wherever you may be,  

Shaz in Oz. x

Jesus said:  "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away." Mark 13:31

Challenges I am linking over to:
1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on both card http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/  
2..Word Art Wednesday - anything goes, both cards    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au
3.NBUS no 5. ends 11:55 p.m. PST Sept 18, 2015   http://www.djkardkreations.com/2015/09/its-here-nbus-challenge-5.html

Distress Inking Embossing Folders +Digital Images + WOYWW

{WARNING - Pickie overload yet again!}

 Hullo everyone! it's desk time of the week, Wednesday  .. over at Julia's for WOYWW or What is On Your workdesk Wednesday

Desk earlier today. I have a Fathers' day card to make for this weekend (Fathers day in Oz). Using one of the Sea images made back here. Have inked up with DI Stormy sky + Salty Ocean, spritzed with water in mini mister, slowly embossed to allow ink to absorb, 3 or 4 times through the Cuttlebug.

Have two folders inked and embossed, CB Divine swirls and Bubbles. Latter was inked with DI Frayed Burlap, Antique Linen, Dried Marigold. They're drying outside in sun below. Blues also sprayed with Diamond Dust Glimmermist.

Print out for two cards from my Pinterest. I print digi images with basic Canon inkjet printer, and use Coated Matte Inkjet paper, on high resolution printing. Background is from Saved to Print board and Cats here (painting by Ann Mortimer). 

 

First card, using Spellbinder Botanical die set, with print out from above, and SB Fancy Labels with embossed stamp from Ezekiel 34:26 Showers of blessings, a wonderful promise - a very cheap unmounted stamp from this eBay site here.

Birthday card for Sue who loves cats + green, paintings by Anne Mortimer are wonderful, so glad to find them + be able to pin them. All die cuts are from SB Marvellous Squares, medallions from centre die, shortened the second biggest square to a rectangle on the verse die, can see on one side the dots don't quite line up. Very tricky, best done with prayer :D Dry embossed the DP with Regency Swirls.

Aussie images of the day: Finally visited my neighbour's two Orchid houses, and have three shots today but much more to come. These are all Cymbidium Orchids. Remember it is spring down under.. God's creation is indeed glorious.

 

A VERY big welcome some new wonderful encouragers!  Blogging is a blessing indeed. A BIG thank you & welcome to each of you, to Bejay Roles in UK no blog but loves Oz, Carrie Sheridan (if you have a blog please let me know so can encourage you too). Last but not least - to Natalie of "Delightful Details" .. a very BIG welcome!!

Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek as chat, I will return your visit as soon as I can!
May God bless your day wherever you may be! Shaz in Oz.x 

^{... " and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. " Ezekiel 34:26} 

Linking both these card up to:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on cards. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 
2..Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au.
3. Cuttlebug Mania Challenge .. anything goes .. yay!