Friday Smiles, Snippety Christmas challenge! aka Rudolph day.

{ For WOYWW post, please scroll down, or click here - thank you}

Here's some of my Annie's Friday Smiles and entry for the Christmas challenge over at Scrappy Mo's.

Also there is a Double embossing challenge over at Our Daily Bread so going to try join in with it, too. First of all, to the snippetty card for ODB and Scrappy Mo's challenge

If you look on the post below .. or click here .. you will see the beginning of this card.
The background cardstock began its life as two different colours of bonbons from a year ago or perhaps two. Actually dry embossing the two joined pieces (with CB Christmas Snowflake folder) really made it look even more special!
Had this verse printed and cut already. The gold embossed "Stampendous" Luke 2:11 stamp is really special. I love the fact that in it Christ is called our Saviour and LORD, to all who come to Him.
SB die-cut is SB Divine Eloquence, Britannia Poinsettia dies set also used in three colours.

Now to my Friday Smiles.. this is my favourite bird.. (or one of them, as we have so many really). It's an Eastern Rosella. As I came around the garage, here he was - looking rather lost .. Took a number of shots of him walking up and down the fence top, and a *video.
Then... the one who he was waiting for appeared. (*Once I've worked out again how to compress them to upload to You tube, I will post video, too.)

..." okay! so where've you been? 'bout time! I've been here for ages..."

... "sorry traffic hold up.. so what's the plan? something okay up there, you reckon?.."

... "Mm? not sure??"

"Nope, looks pretty empty up here, wait on .. till I look some more .." ..

" mm... that's right ... I'm waiting again..."

What these Eastern Rosellas were doing wasn't clear, as this was taken on full 24x zoom. Maybe eating the salty seaside flavoured moss on very top of neighbour's roof ventilation hole, as it looked like he was eating it. I had the feeling the one left on fence was either a juvenile, or not interested.

One last Smile pickie: this is the flowering succulent in the courtyard garden (where I take card photos), love the tiny yellow buds, so pretty and delicate.. the bright pink is a poinsettia! flowering now for seven months. Really Downunder it should've been pruned last month, so that it flowers for our next winter in June/ July, but it still looks too nice.

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 as have not commented on many from last post .. but will do you first, sorry. 
 May God bless your day and those you love, wherever you may be.

Shaz in Oz.x

In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:6

1. Di's 200th Snippety challenge - Used all snippets, except for card base. 
2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

3. Rudolph day challenge over at Scrappy Mo's 

4.ODBDSLC260 Double Embossing (heat and dry) Our Daily Bread Challenge blog.

WOYWW + Snippetty Penny Black "You are the Bestest"!

Hullo everyone... a little late yet again, however this is desk time of the week, Wednesday  .. over at Julia's for WOYWW or What is On Your workdesk Wednesday!

Desk 1: The main desk as left it last night, was sorting out what papers was going to paper-piece part of the LOTV teddy bear with balloons stamp on the left. On right was beginning of Christmas card as realised it was after 25th which is start of Rudolph day challenge better get my skates on to post it before 31st.

Desk 2: Had saved some Christmas bonbons (see photo below) to up-cycle some of the lovely card. Have dry embossed the joined cardstocks, to go in ODB Challenge double embossing. The stamp is gold embossed, ie wet embossed hence double embossing.. when I finish the card.

 

Okay :D .. mm, I now know just how to get up most of the spilled embossing powder from one's craft room carpet! Take out one hand broom, your sheet of printer paper and brush!
Was really grateful, as it wasn't as bad as I thought. The carpet had been cleaned yesterday so that was a double blessing too. God is good.

Two cards made in hurry from left over bits and bobs. Both images were coloured up when made this card here - see details no. 4 Penny Black "You are the Bestest" stamp.
The background on top card (Birthday card for missionary in Fiji) was an inked embossing folder from a while ago, sprayed with diamond dust glimmer mist, but you can't see that. SB Petite ovals on the digi verse: "the Joy of the LORD is your strength" is from WAW. Purple edged punched border (Arrow punch by EK Success ) background was already made up too again a previous reject, but cut the corners (CB Vintage corners).

  Fancy SB labels, with Snippets of old DP. Had already printed Bible verse digi, also from WAW; card for Sue in UK suffering from cancer. I do love these verses .. a favourite psalm.
Psalm121: 1, 2 "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 
My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

Today's Aussie shot is from my sister: "This is the view from our campsite today, (near lake Eildon, Victoria) plus our cheeky visitor at lunchtime!
He kept sliding down the awning frame (whhh-heeee!!!). Apparently they will land on your shoulder. Didn't think I would ever see a king parrot up close with the speed they fly down the side of our place at home."

May God bless your day everyone and thanks so much for all your wonderfully, encouraging comments, too.
{EDIT: And a very special welcome to Marcie - who according our head, Julia is a soon to be blogger, Julia says she reads WOYWW posts but tad shy at joining ~ YET!} 
Shaz in Oz.x

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: .. for without Me ye can do nothing." John 15:5

 

 Also want to join cards over with:
1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on card.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/
2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

WOYWW 333, et al.

Hi there folks - back after wee break, but still doing catch up, on computer and other things :D

As we are in middle of another week, time for WOYWW Or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Julia's blog at the Stamping Ground is home base for WOYWW, over here.

This was my desk a few days back or actually the dining room table :D Ten days ago, was able to go to my second ever craft show (first in 2010). Small by O/S standards, about 8 stalls with our kind of craft (mainly a Quilting show) .. but I was greatly blessed indeed. Any more, would've been too much! Head was spinning as it was. Oh, and you should've seen what I didn't buy :D
Dies ( two on left) on sale + embossing folder $3.95, on "would like" list, as was Inca gold rub, Gilding flakes, Ultra Fine glitter, clear fine glitter paste + wanted to try cosmic shimmer glue. New diamond dust spray, tape x 2, DI pads x 2. "Baby " word die is for card am supposed to be making, in budget if not on sale. Ribbon, lace were bonuses. Clear stamps (2) made in Sydney by ArtStamps, good price, too. I have set limits on what I pay for items. I also learned lots as they had great demos, however with blogging, we know heaps more that lots of folks there.

Have found going through my images some are unpublished. After blog search, etc don't seem to have been blogged. Only realised after went to show explain about the first ones to a friend as good way of using up soft Prima flowers from stash.

Not great shot of these, taken on my phone, I think and sent off before another was taken.

Used a favourite CB folder Stylised flowers, some Bible verses, one digi the other stamp, Prima flowers and ribbon, pearls etc.

Used SB  Octagon dies for centre stamp by Artneko ( "He Who Obtains has little...He who gathers has much." from book of Proverbs) is embossed. Centre piece is CB Oriental folder inked in black. Used double layer of contrasting ribbon and scored lines on base of card.

Used a rose digi on this.. and don't ask me where from now.. after all file searching, backing up, sorting done in last few days you'd think I know.
SB beaded ovals were also done with clear EP, + SB Fancy labels die used. Verse is a stamp from 1990's from Psalms "He shall give His angels charge over the, to keep thee in all thy ways" 
Ah, what a great promise of God's keeping is that?

This is a mystery plant seen in park near my brothers in Brisbane. I am pretty sure it is a native but not sure what. have done google search with no result, if any can help from downunder (or elsewhere) would love to know.
EDIT 9.11.15: Have had this plant confirmed by ABC Gardening Show as Schotia brachypetala or also known as the Parrot tree.. it is from South Africa. :D

Okay, here is your beach fix, folks .. a lovely isolated beach a bit north of here, pretty to look at but dangerous for swimming because of rips and holes in surf. (Taken on my phone so a soft image)

   Well, thanks so much everyone for popping over for peek an chat..

So very, VERY glad... to have our own ShazSilverwolf back on WOYWW - been following her progress from the big surgery, as many others have on  Doug's blog post .. tab at top of sidebar if you want to catch up. ... a BIG Welcome Back, Shaz!!
 .. dont worry if you are too tired to comment, just to know you are back is such a blessing.

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

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91: 1, 2 ,11

 

  PS Special prayers for Brenda L. while I was not blogging her darling hubby Dwayne, lost his fight with cancer.   see latest post. (Friends Craftin' with Friends)

 

Also joining cards 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  

Thankfulness With Joy = Contentment

Hull everyone,  just letting you know things are a little busy with family et al here, so taking a wee break from blogging. Am well and thoroughly enjoying our spring time :D

Sharing with you a beautiful digi image with some favourite flowers, forget-me-nots and a thought of great wisdom.  

Indeed we can add to our joy by counting our blessings which are so many.  This truly helps to bring things on a clearer perspective. 

Thankfulness leads to joy - twins that lead to a contented heart.

~ ~ ~

I was sent this today by a very dear friend. Thought how well it tied in with this post which I had  already begun, so add it here. May it bless you also.

The Pickle Jar

 The pickle jar as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside the dresser in my parents' bedroom.  When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets and toss his coins into the jar. As a small boy, I was always fascinated at the sounds the coins made as they were dropped into the jar.  They landed with a merry jingle when the jar was almost empty. Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as the jar was filled.

 I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar to admire the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's treasure when the sun poured through the bedroom window. When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the kitchen table and roll the coins before taking them to the bank. Taking the coins to the bank was always a big production.  Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box, the coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his old truck. Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would look at me hopefully. 'Those coins are going to keep you out of the textile mill, son. You're going to do better than me. This old mill town's not going to hold you back.' Also, each and every time, as he slid the box of rolled coins across the counter at the bank toward the cashier, he would grin proudly. 'These are for my son's college fund. He'll never work at the mill all his life like me.'

 We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping for an ice cream cone. I always got chocolate. Dad always got vanilla. When the clerk at the ice cream parlor handed Dad his change, he would show me the few coins nestled in his palm. 'When we get home, we'll start filling the jar again.' He always let me drop the first coins into the empty jar. As they rattled around with a brief, happy jingle, we grinned at each other.

 'You'll get to college on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters,' he said. 'But you'll get there; I'll see to that. No matter how rough things got at home, Dad continued to doggedly drop his coins into the jar. Even the summer when Dad got laid off from the mill, and Mama had to serve dried beans several times a week, not a single dime was taken from the jar. To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me, pouring catsup over my beans to make them more palatable, he became more determined than ever to make a way out for me 'When you finish college, Son,' he told me, his eyes glistening, 'You'll never have to eat beans again - unless you want to.'

 The years passed, and I finished college and took a job in another town. Once, while visiting my parents, I used the phone in their bedroom, and noticed that the pickle jar was gone. It had served its purpose and had been
removed. A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the dresser where the jar had always stood. My dad was a man of few words: he never lectured me on the values of determination, perseverance, and faith. The pickle jar had taught me all these virtues far more eloquently than the most flowery of words could have done.

 When I married, I told my wife Susan about the significant part the lowly pickle jar had played in my life as a boy. In my mind, it defined, more than anything else, how much my dad had loved me.

 The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Mom and Dad sat next to each other on the sofa, taking turns cuddling their first grandchild. Jessica began to whimper softly, and Susan took her from Dad's arms. 'She probably needs to be changed,' she said, carrying the baby into my parents' bedroom to diaper her. When Susan came back into the living room, there was a strange mist in her eyes.

 She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand and leading me into the room. 'Look,' she said softly, her eyes directing me to a spot on the floor beside the dresser. To my amazement, there, as if it had never been removed, stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already covered with coins..

 I walked over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins. With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the coins into the jar. I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying Jessica, had slipped quietly into the room. Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I felt.
Neither one of us could speak.

 This truly touched my heart. Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life, for better or for worse.

 God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for GOOD in others.

 The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched - they must be felt with the heart ~ Helen Keller

 Thanking the Lord for each of you, and praying for you that the LORD would be your Strength and Guide through each and every day,

Shaz in Oz.x

PS commenting will be limited, but appreciate everyone of yours..