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

Wednesday 16 September 2015

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
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

40 comments:

My name is Cindy said...

Hi Shaz, I'm a big fan of using the negative space from dies - sometimes they look just too good to throw away - so I really like what you have done here. There is a decidedly autumnal feel here in the UK already - lucky you to be looking forward to Spring and Summer! Happy WOYWW, Cindyxx #34

Annie said...

Love the new die and what you've done with it.....great effects. I'm a real lover of lavender too and have planted many new plants in our new garden....hoping they grow well and bloom next year.
Hugs,
Annie x # 14

sandra de said...

Lovely use of the die and I would not even think of using the negative. You are so clever. My lavender bush is in flower and simply stunning as well. Have a lovely week.
sandra de @26

Neet said...

Can only see you flower pictures, internet here in Spain a bit hit and miss for me. One thing I know thought, Shaz, is that what you make is beautiful. Will be beach Sunday when I am home.
Hugs, Neet 7 xx

CraftygasheadZo said...

What a great idea to use both +/- sides of the die. Beautiful photos! Take care Zo xx 36

Twiglet said...

Oh such clever happy birthday cards there Shaz. The lavender has just died off here but I do have a couple of nice ones for my new garden. Yours are stunning. x Jo

Glenda said...

What a great die my friend! Love the card and those photos of Springtime are amazing. Here we are going into fall and we are all looking forward to much cooler temps!
Glenda #35

Barb said...

Hi Shaz, That is a great die and I really like what you've done with it. Positive and negative both look great. I love the photos of the bees with the lavender. Bees are very special to us. We used to be called the 3B's by our family and friends and I painted plates with 3 bees on when I used to china paint.Hugs, Barbxx

Tilly Tea Dance said...

Very effective use of the positive and negative die cuts. Both positive in my opinion!I love the italian lavender too. My next batch of needle-felting threatens to feature lavender (though they may end up looking more like foxgloves!). Happy crafting :-)
Max, #44

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Hi Shaz, I can see why you wanted that die - it's really nice and probably very useful for all those birthday cards. Beautiful cards! I can just about smell the lavender and lemon tree from here. Have a great week! zsuzsa @ InkyDinkyDoodle #38

Betsy said...

Well Shaz, you know I'm not a card maker, but I have to say that I think it was really clever of you to use both images in your cards. They look great! I have a lavender plant that is almost done for the year. My favorite color is purple so of course I adore lavender. The smell is heavenly.
Blessings,
Betsy

Di said...

Beautiful cards Shaz - I do so love the die you used. Stunning indeed!

Guess what, at Longleat we went into an enclosure (HUGE) full of Lorikeets. Given a little pot of nectar each and they absolutely went crackers - due to my back I just took photos although a couple still came to check me out :) You lucky lady!!

Hugs

Di xx

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I love the positive/negative Happy Birthday, that's a really fun pair of cards!! I'd buy those :-) lovely pics of the flora and fauna too, I love seeing your photos :-)
Hugs, LLJ 12 xxx

Monica said...

it is fun to use thereverse of a dye cut and it turned out very well. Hugs Monica #50

Shoshi said...

Great use of the positive and negative of the die, Shaz and I love the colours too! What fabulous lavender. As you know I love lavender. Nice to see the Aussie bees doing their stuff down under and pollinating all the flowers! Thanks for your visit and your lovely comment - so glad you like the little purple box. My friend's gifts will all be on the lavender theme so I thought purple was the best colour for it! It's great to hear good news of Shaz's progress in hospital, isn't it. I think about those 2 all the time and keep wondering how she's getting on.

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #30

Anne said...

Love the cards Shaz - I like to use positive and negatives as well. Lavender is one of my favourites as well. Anne x #34

Kathleen said...

Two fabulous cards and I love that background you created. Great die.

Kath x

Julia Dunnit said...

I am a huge Quietfire fan and bought the same size die but 'Seasons Greetings' and am really excited to use it. Your idea and cards are sensational, just love 'em. It's kinda second hand enabling!!

Cathy said...

Hi Shaz, lovely cards, that paper is beautiful definitely too good to waste the negative. I've been perusing the store link! Thanks for that too, Cathy x

Unknown said...

Love how you used the negative space of your die! And your lavender is just gorgeous. I can almost smell it here. Happy WOYWW!
Carol N #43

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Lovely photos and great use of the die-cuts. Have a great week and happy woyww, Angela x 29

Unknown said...

You say, "Simple" I say, " Both are quite eye catchers". My lavender didn't survive the winter last year and yours looks lovely. Thank you so much for taking time to post your very creative art with us this week at Word Art Wednesday in our 201st AG challenge!
Blessings and Hugs, Carole

Helen said...

the cards with both positive and negative dies are gorgeous! Your lavender looks amazing, (didn't know there was an Italian variety, know the British and French varieties.. anyhow, it's fabulous, bet it smells glorious) Happy WOYWW Helen 5

kiwimeskreations said...

love how you have used both parts of that die Shaz, they are two beautiful cards.
Thank you for the welcome too.
Blessings
Maxine

Marilyn Mathis said...

I love how you used the both the positive and negative for the cards. I have tried that sometimes. The cards are great! Thanks for the beautiful photos of the blooms. Aren't you glad it is spring? Hugs.

MaryH said...

Sharon, brilliant use of your new bold die. I like the way you've used the negative & positive results from the die cutting, on this splendidly patterned paper. It looks marvelous as the inlay against the white embossed pattern, and again, equally impressive - with the leftover pattern from the die cut, allowing the white lettering to show off. Just gorgeous, on both cards. Also enjoyed the area photos very much too. Some amazing closeups on your photos. I think Spring has arrived for you! Enjoy. TFS & Hugs

Robyn Oliver said...

Hi Shaz just popped in to check your desk this week, no post from me - too busy elsewhere. Fabulous cards - cool how we can use the pos/neg diecuts. Enjoy your week RobynO

RosA said...

Hi Shaz
I like the leftover bits too. Usually keep them, especially when they are interesting shapes. Great colouring on your card.

Conniecrafter said...

Glad you were able to get the die and it looks great both ways, love the embossing folder and the mesh you used on these too!
Oh my is that lavender every beautiful and it looks great under that tree, looks like the bees are really enjoying it too!!

KT Fit Kitty said...

Gorgeous cards! Love how you made two cards from the die-cut! Your lavender is beautiful! I love to see bees - they are so important to our ecosystem! Have a wonderful day!

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Such gorgeous cards, the die is simply fabulous, so beautiful with the snippet you had.

Love and hugs
Maarit

Mrs.D said...

Hi Shaz, I saw that die on someone's blog too and had to have it. So useful. Like the way you have used the negative, very effective. Will try that when I get home.
Chris.

Anne said...

Beautiful, gorgeous cards! Thank you for the details on them! I adore lavender, one of my fav and we have some 25 planted out plus many more cuttings, around 6 different types. Your photos of the bees on them are lovely! It's Autumn here....not wanting to wish my life away but I am looking forward to Spring!!!!

Shelly Schmidt said...

I always love to see what you are up to : ) Fun idea to use the positive and negative from dies- the papers you used are just beautiful!

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Shaz, it's so wonderful to see you. Yes, I think Feedburner is having problems still. So glad you came to visit, and I love your post today. Such beautiful lavender, and it's huge and so amazing how God has designed it all to work so beautifully together! I do love the positive and negatives of dies, and your cards are beautiful! Hugs!

scrappymo! said...

So fun to see the positive and the negative die cuts used. Great background paper behind the second one too!

Thelavender under the lemon tree is huge and looks wonderful!

Pia S said...

Great tip on how to use negative die cuts! Same materials yet completely different looks created.

Charity Morris-Chamberlain said...

These are so beautiful and so are the pictures you posted of the pretty flowers and bee! I love the technique you used as well as the colors! Fantastic! Thank you for playing along in the Word Art Wednesday Challenge! Have a blessed day!

Charity - DT Member - Word Art Wednesday
http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
http://collectivecreativity.blogspot.com (my personal blog)

Sandra said...

Oh my, you weren't kidding about that amazing lavender plant...it's huge and beautiful! I've enjoyed looking through your pretty blog.

Jocelyn aka JoBear2 said...

Beautiful cards Shaz! I never think to use the negative diecut of something. I also have Spanish lavender in flower - it looks amazing & the bees love it :-)

Jocelyn x

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