Google Changes - May Lose some Followers from 11th Jan 2016

Hi all just a quick update in case you don't know the latest news from blogger buzz. You may lose some followers in new year. ie those who don't have a blogger or Google account to sign in.
Every blessing of Lord to you all,
Shaz in Oz. (as doing this on mobile will paste it and can't add afterwards)

Blogger Buzz

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An update on Google Friend Connect Posted: 21 Dec 2015 03:02 AM PST In 2011, we announced the retirement of Google Friend Connect for all non-Blogger sites. We made an exception for Blogger to give readers an easy way to follow blogs using a variety of accounts. Yet over time, we’ve seen that most people sign into Friend Connect with a Google Account. So, in an effort to streamline, in the next few weeks we’ll be making some changes that will eventually require readers to have a Google Account to sign into Friend Connect and follow blogs. As part of this plan, starting the week of January 11, we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count. We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post), that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow. We know how important followers are to all bloggers, but we believe this change will improve the experience for both you and your readers. Posted by Michael Goddard, Software Engineer

Brayered Cards + God's Blessing for a Happy Christmas!

Hi there everyone! 

Well, another Christmas is soon to be upon us :D 

May we manage to keep the focus on the things that are important at Christmas time.

This year is very special one for me - as the insert I wrote for the inside of my cards shows.
Have shared it with you below, and show a few of my cards also:

"...fifty years of walking with the Lord, daily brings the reality of Christmas to me...

Years ago when young, Christmas meant a month's holiday at the beach no matter where we lived. Beach meant Beach Mission, run by the Scripture Union. It's still held at Park Beach after Christmas time today.

Christmastime or shortly there afterward was when I came to know the Lord Jesus as my Saviour as a child on 4.1.1966 at S.U. Park Beach Mission.

This Christmastime it will be 50 years since that day, fifty years of walking with the Lord.

As a child I understood the simplicity of the gospel, trusting in the Lord Jesus as my Saviour, believing He saved me from my sin.

Since then He has been a true and ever present Friend. "

No Christ of Christmas means no Peace.
No Christ of Christmas means no Hope of a heavenly home.
But Joy!
We DO have Christmas, for Christ came that first Christmas.
In Him how rich we are,
When we take the Christ of Christmas as our own  ...
Oh, I long that all knew these riches in Him today. 

These two cards are upcycled from a single card from last year which I cut in half and made two cards out of it, embossed and inked background the verse.
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD." Luke 2:11 is digital image I made and printed out, the double mounting added and makes the card pop.

Here below I am making a bunch of cards.
Ages ago, on this post here I was sent a whole lot of Cottage Crafts nativity die cuts very kindly by Victoria - see her blog Furry Tale Cards and crafts - the post was on the nativity silhouette.....

Brayer background being made for silhouettes (see here for brayer video and more details). The key when doing any blending whether with inks paints or chalks etc. but especially smooth brayering is to get a good base colour down the add to it.
See steps below - the base coat is Peach Bellini. Next add Mountain Rose top and bottom, and then more carefully the strong colour of Purple Twilight ... colours will always fade as they dry. Redo if not deep enough. Used are Adirondack die inks. Patient brayering will remove most if not all boo boos I have found .. gently does it. I actually make boo boo on video and fix it up. I brayer on junk mail as it soft and gives and disposable.

 

Completed card, used some snippets here .. and also the CB Candy strip EF, the EK Success arrow punch, verse is digi with SB Petite oval and scallop, as in above upcycled cards.

Thanks so much for popping over, for a peek and a chat - and every blessing of the real peace of Christmas for you and your family,

Shaz in Oz.x 

Linking up to:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

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

Eamon Henry - Welcome Baby! LOTV Balloon Bear

 Yes, I am still here, and fairly well, yet somehow finding time to blog is harder these days!

I love LOTV and although I dont have a lot of stamps I fell in love with this Balloon Bear last year. When they had free post  to downunder in middle of year I bought it. Was I glad - as now is discontinued!

We recently were blessed with a new little laddie in our family - and for that occasion there was special card required - which is really the reason why I bought the stamp in the first place. This card was CASEd from the wonderful Debby Yates here.

Stamped the image three times on card, and several times on DP for paper piecing as well. Used Versamark and clear embossing; coloured the image on three plain card for layers with Prismacolour pencils and odorless mineral spirits or Gamsol with stumps

You can't see it in photo but there are a total of four layers in the top balloon; no need to colour the covered layers. Adhesive is silicone adhesive like Debby shows on this post here .. but finish mine little differently. I should've taken image side on as well. Dies used are Memory box cloud die and Nellie Snellen baby die, the scallop borders are really Scallop X-cut rectangles but cut as continuous strip. Snippets of DP used - from is SU and Kaisercraft, EF is CB Swiss Dots.

this second card is one of the bleached card I did on this post - showed steps back here (also show how extend rectangle die to make it size I want). The SU Moss green cardstock turned lemon when bleached so really lent itself to this daisy stamp beautifully, coloured with Caran D'Ache pencils.
Stamp is inked in Onyx Black Versafine with clear EP, X-cut rectangle die extended, Daisy stamp is from Artneko - see here, Happy Birthday is Memory box. Snippet of SU green moss used.

I am not linking up to WOYWW or Smiles this week as wrong day anyway - tomorrow and yesterday were busy. But will share the Aussie shots for those who call by anyway!

These were all taken a few weeks ago when out on overcast sumer stormy day - we have had a few of them in the afternoon of late.

This is a sea water rock pool which was made in 1960's and we as kids really loved to play in it, and is still hugely popular today (although not in cool weather). Love the reflections in the water when you look in the actual pool in this.

Well, thanks for popping over - and staying for a peek and chat.

May God bless your day where ever you may be. 

Shaz in oz.x 

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

 Proverbs 18:10

Linking up to:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

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

Fifth Blogaversary Draw of Candy

Okay, now – big drum roll, please! We have numbers in this l'il ole bowl, and draw of numbers match the number up with the list and ..

Ta da!! A big congratulations - the winner of Illuminated text is:

Anne of Teacup Doodles

 A big congratulations - the winner of Holly Die is:

 KT Fit Kitty

Please contact me by this Thursday by email, Kitty and Anne - click here and you will find my email.

I have drawn another name for each item of candy in case I am not contacted, and will re-announce on Friday if not claimed.

And this draw, for those not in the know, is for a very BIG thank YOU to the wonderful Encouragers, as my blog is FIVE years old.

 I was having a little candy as a way of a very BIG thanks to you all!

There is a verse in Proverbs 16:31 in the Bible “The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”

Well in this case, it is a Chinese bowl – but the choice was left up to the all wise One, for His distribution.

 Apologies to all who do not win – it is a shame I don’t have prizes for all of you – I would so very dearly love to!

 I want to close with a very big thank you to each and every one of you for all your beautifully encouraging words on my candy draw post and over the past year - you live up to your name, you very dear WONDERFUL Encouragers. 

Thank you also for the NEW ENCOURAGER'S who have joined since then.

I hope and pray you stay around and enjoy this blog.

A big welcome to following (their blog links are embedded in names):

Ирина Irina 

mamapez5  of Kates Adventures

Diane Baker-Williams of InkyInkyDoodle

 Sofie Vandersmissen  

valerija 

Dr Sonia S V 

 Наталочка Нана

May the LORD bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in Oz.x

 PS I am sorry, I maybe posting but simply dont have time to comment as normal, for which I apologise.

Our Daily Bread Stamps + Christmas challenge at Scrappy Mo's

(WOYWW post is just below this one, thank you!)

Well, have managed to join in with the Christmas card challenge - or Rudolph day over at Scrappy Mo's ~ do join over at Mo's, you only have till 30th this month! 

I guess I wont be the only one with a collection of cards since this is the last challenge for 2015.
And, yes, the year has simply sped by not waiting for me to catch up at all.

Saw this on Pinterest ages ago, original by Darsie Bruno in 2010, when this die SB Fleur de lis came out. Minimal explanation on her page but worked out you cut two of each of the large and small dies and overlay them, mounting tape between layers. The stamp is from ODB Joy to the world set. Used SB ribbon label die extended (see WOYWW post below how to extend dies).

The underlay is beautiful sparkly paper called Pacific blue. Wish the photo could capture it. Embossing folder is CB snowflake one, discontinued. Made three in all, may make one more as have enough blue out of my 12 x12" sheet - has anyone else discovered how good a scoreboard is for accurately drawing lines for measuring??? Had light bulb moment when making this card.

TIP: 1. Once I marked from base exactly how big wanted blue layer, ruled the line down my scoreboard with pen, as shown.

2. Then turned it around the other way and ruled the other line.

3. Then simply cut by hand with my very good long bladed scissors. Job done!

This is wonderful time saver .. just line it up with base, mark both corners where you want and the draw a straight 90degree angle line on score board!

Base was a snippet base from last year in reject pile .. one of corners punched with MS layered arches was not quite right but I think no-one else will notice so a year later I use it :D The two stamps on this card are both quite old and discontinued.

More of the Bonbon or Christmas cracker foiled paper saved from previous years .. nearly used it all up but doing different styles as get sick of same one. these use same embossing folders as dont have many of Christmas A7 and need big ones for this landscape card. Used at last my Penny Black Holly leaves die. Greeting is from ODB Joy to the world set.

 

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 few posts .. but will do you first, sorry. 
 May God bless your day and those you love, wherever you may be.

Shaz in Oz.x

O give thanks to the LORD; for He is good: His mercy endureth forever. Psalm 131:1

Linking over to:

1. Di's 200th Snippety challenge - Used laods of 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. ODBDSLC263 Our Daily Bread anything goes with Religious Christmas challenge.
  All have Christian verses on them all but one from the "ODB Joy to World" set on them.

WOYWW, Bleached Images on Cards + Extending a die

Hi there folks - back after wee break from WOYWW or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday - our Julia's blog at the Stamping Ground is home base for WOYWW, over here.

This was my desk couple of days ago... centre of desk is clear blue box of ink daubers + sponges,  and in very front, I am in middle of cutting a base for the bleached image stamped, bleached then coloured again. I have worked out how far it has to be extended.

When cutting put the piece which you don't want to be cut over the end of the plates as shown.

I have just realised I haven't shown you how I bleached the image in the first place (26.9.15). Trouble is I take photos to do WOYWW then no time to post, will add quick summary now.. sorry, Julia!

Stamped in Versafine Black Onyx, then heat emboss (need to heat emboss to prevent bleach spreading). Use an open image for easy colouring afterwards. Also use a good cardstock. These were SU, except for the purple - a cheap card, unstable when bleach was applied.

It was a  plain, cheap bleach. Frankly do NOT use a good paintbrush to do it, see the stub of mine .. it totally dissolved it. All card bleached white, except SU Moss green bleached lemon. :D

End result - finally blogged card to the left .. see here. Used good Caran D'ache pencils to colour.

Note the instability of the purple on this close up, had to touch it up a bit. Daisy stamp is from Artneko see here
Love this verse, the LORD does  bless, help and keep us, when we look to Him.

Aussie shot -  flowering flame tree among other tropical plants.It really is summertime here, we are in heat wave mode. Can't swim this week with removed skin cancers needing protection, but will be healed soon :D..

If you've made it this far, congratulations!!!!
Have some exciting fun this month too ~ as it is my fifth blogaversary.. so CLICK here for the blogaversary candy please!

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 up to:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

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

More Snippets Cards Ready to go!

Hullo there everyone.. well just doing a very quick update here again of some cards I have made. I posted back on this post here.. the cardstock I had saved from the Christmas Bonbons or crackers .. too good to throw away so putting it to good use, on the cards below.

These were very hard to photograph because of the sheen on the cardstock. Used the Britannia die for the poinsettias and also the labels 4 fro the greeting with the Our daily bread stamps set. use various embossing folder, all CBs and discontinued as quite old now. Mostly from the Christmas Winter wonderland set.

 

Here was trying out my not so old, but very hard Creative memories gilding wax, which upon googling found they recommended softening it with mineral spirits which in Australia is turpentine, (or turps as we call it) and to my delight it worked a real treat.

This card, like the ones above, is also a snippets card well and truly. The base was in my mauve purple bag of snippets, the  background (multiple cuts of the MB Piestra tile striplet die) was left over from another card, the coloured hedgie and butterfly from Penny Black were also rejects from a card years ago now. The verse  from WAW of Isaiah 41:13 also left over. This is what happens when you need a card in a hurry you go through your leftovers :D

  Please check out this month candy for my fifth blogaversary (link here). Candy will go overseas to "Wonderful encouragers" of this blog who chose to enter.

Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek as chat, and may God bless your day wherever you may be!  (behind on commenting but will catch up)

Shaz in Oz.x

 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41: 10

Also linking the two cards up to:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

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

Belated Annie's Smiles, Snippets + Card to share.

Hullo there everyone - yes am still on planet earth!! Just seem to be totally inundated, time-poor, so rather scanty blogging. Had trip to big smoke to docs early this month they are not happy, so having to do more exercise{good for me, and me bones, they're getting thin but I am not ;) } but it takes time.

Have heaps to share. Was going to post for Annie's smiles, yesterday, thought would share the beauty of our garden.. these are all gone now, have six!! more vases of beauties at present, but will share these.

Another new rose called "Summertime 47" - very appropriate, it has been like summer time here .. two swims at the beach this week :D Wonderfully blessed indeed! Deeper one in middle is Perfume Delight - very fragrant, too.

I am enjoying the text which is this month's candy for my fifth blogaversary. (See here - there is a craft die as well) Hand painted with gouache + 23 carat Gold leaf on the word "faith" and the "W". Candy, die and text will go overseas to "Wonderful encouragers" of this blog who chose to enter.
This was our last lot of Sweetpeas, as the recent rain then heatwave stopped its flowering. Text is snippet, as this was done on snippet of paper .. a small piece of work :D plus gold leaf was snippet on a gold leaf sheet.

Another new rose also, had four new ones this year. This is called "Orient Express", also is fragrant. Fragrance is "must have" criteria of new roses. Think there are some "Guitar" there too.

A birthday card which  has flown over to UK for one of our family over there, they dont read my blog so it is okay to post. Frame made with SB Divine Eloquence die, DI were used on watercolour for background which also has glimmermist on it, the gum blossom die is by Ultimate crafts Australiana die.

This very wonderful verse is from Pinterest Bible verses page, originally from this blog here. Truly the LORD is my Strength and Shield.. and enables marvelously throughout each day.

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

Linking up to:
1. Annie's Friday Smiles  

2. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on text and card .. snippet for die cut plus watercolour sheet.  http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

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