Good Grief! Is Grief good?

 In my youth I often used the Snoopy comics expression of "Good grief!" as my favourite exclamation. 

Once someone stopped me in my tracks by asking:
 "Why do you say that? grief is not good." I was in my teens so did not question my elder.. but now I beg to differ. 

Grief in its own way is good, there is a purpose for good in it.

Yes, this is a very serious topic, but it's one that's been on my heart to share. As some of you know I've had a run of sympathy cards to make. 
Dear friends, precious ones - with whom we've shared many happy experiences over the years, and grown into deep friendship

I also have some very dear friends who've recently lost their deeply loved spouses. 
All these folks are believers in Christ and as believers, followers of the Lord Jesus, and joy! we do have the "blessed hope"(see verse) of His coming and of the resurrection.

The promise of the resurrection and eternal life is by faith alone in our sweet Lord Jesus Christ (not through any good which we've done, as it says in Titus 3).

So is it okay to weep, to sorrow and grieve?

Sometimes we as believers feel bad for feeling sad. 
We should be glad they're in heaven with Jesus!

However it is okay..
... okay to be feeling vulnerable and weepy cos you're mourning, you're hurting for your loss, sorrowing over their passing, but also for hurting over the whole situation for others who have loss too through this..... 

Remember the shortest verse in the bible?

"Jesus wept."  John 11:35

This was because His friend Lazarus was dead. 

This is the conversation in John 11, Jesus with Martha just before v35 before this verse (I've often thought Martha's first comment would've been mine!!)

²¹ Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
²² But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
²³ Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
²⁴ Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
²⁵ Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
²⁶ And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
²⁷ She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
                                                            .... .... .... .....
³³ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.
³⁴ And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
³⁵ Jesus wept.
³⁶ Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Now Jesus knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead...

But in His flesh, in His humanity, in His great sorrow of heart, He wept even though He knew of that joy that was to come.

How much with us, who have this same humanity, but not His omnipotent, omniscient, omnipotent nature???

Don't be down on yourself. God allows us to mourn, He uses it to make us grow closer to Him, to grow more like Him.  To know and love Him better!

 

A poor photo, pre-digital age of a work done for a very dear friend - it is such a great verse. Let us cast our care upon Him, for He cares for us.. but dont use the fishing line trick and pull your burdens back to carry them again... once given to Jesus - leave them there.

Jesus weeps with us, He knows He cares... 

As do I - I weep for those whom I love, who've gone on before me, I weep with those who weep and sorrow with them, it is all part of the healing of a wound... 

And God works in hearts where we see not, in needy hearts and lives and in our own situation. When we reach out to Him - He is our Help, our Guide, our never failing Friend -  and most of all, our Saviour, by simple childlike faith in Him alone for salvation.

I would like to share with you two cards recently made for the passing of a wonderful Christian lady to glory, to be with her Lord whom she loved so much and so well .. dear sweet, precious Sue of the UK. 

May our great God bless everyone who loved her, and keep them in the hollow of His hand and dear Lord, please touch, comfort as only You can all who read this and are grieving, hurting, too.

The recipe of this card can be seen here. Verse is by Stampendous.

The recipe for this card can be seen on this post here.This verse is precious is of those who've gone before by faith in Jesus.
"God Himself shall be with them.. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes".
This from Rev 21:4 talks of the new heaven and those who are there in heaven, where there is no more crying, sorrow or pain, those that are saved walk upon the streets of it (Rev 21:24)    For we sorrow not as those who have no hope..

Every blessing of the LORD everyone where ever you maybe!

Thanks so much for popping over for peek and chat.. you are really appreciated and will, God willing, call back to see your lovely work, too!

Shaz in Oz.x

"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it:.." Revelation 21:23, 24

I would like to link over to:

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

Roses of Inspiration over at the lovely Stephanie's - no#50!!
http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/roses-of-inspiration-50.html
 

Christmas card for Rudolph Day + BIG Announcment!

Hi everyone! A very quick, "sorta-almost-late" entry (just as well it's a leap year and February has 29 days!) for Christmas card challenges and Rudolph day challenge over at Scrappy Mo's. 

It crept up on me - kinda! And had several last years Christmas cards trimmed ready for upcycling - so here is my offering of two!

Has a lovely gold sheen on this original card with "Away in the manger on it ". Just lifted the nativity scene out by cutting around it carefully, mounting on gold card and popping a gold pearl on the star. As you know, I like Christmas cards to tell of the very first Christmas, when Christ came.

Another simple card, just mounted on gold, the white CB candy striped EF was a reject from another card. Verse is digi I made up (Font is Black Chancery, free from Dafont), and SB Ribbon Label die was used, with little gold ink around edges whilst in die.

Now you're probably wondering (or not! :D) what the big and very exciting announcement is? 

Well, it is that I am honoured to have been chosen to join 

the Bizzy Bec's Design Team.
Bizzy Bec's is an Australian crafty website that I have used for a while now!:D

 Bec has things at really competitive prices and is very helpful to get anything available that you may want that is not on the site.. so do pop over.

This is the blog link too, which has regular card postings and the monthly challenge where is it "Anything goes!" and you can won a die or stamp set, posted anywhere worlwide.
On Saturday, 5th I will be doing my first DT post!

Well, I'm also delighted to welcome a new wonderful encourager - Carol of Crafty Carol's Cards.

Carol is also new team member at Bizzy Bec's, and she is a brand new blogger. Please pop over and say hi to new blogger in blogland and give her some encouragement, too. You will make her day happier, as well as mine! 

May God bless your day everyone.. where every you maybe, and thanks so much for popping over for a peek and chat, you really do cheer my heart!
Shaz in Oz.x

I would like to link over to:

1. Rudolph Day over at ScrappyMo's 

2. Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge (use a sentiment) second card.

3. Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra where it's always 'anything goes

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

WOYWW, Serviette card + Balloon Girl, etc

Hi there folks - we already yet again it is WOYWW or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday! Do pop over to our Julia's blog at the Stamping Ground, which is home base for WOYWW, over here.

The frequent visitors to this blog might notice my desk is a tad tidier ... yesss! there is actually space ... yes space! on my desk. Okay had "mahossive" (as Darnell would say) clean up of snippets that were toppling over on left side of desk, culling and resorting. Now I can breath again as I work. However, within one card make have a pile again on left of ones made as when making this card.
My calculation on which die to use were out so successfully wasted several pieces of card.. but now on the way, just working on the Happy birthday to put under image. Have pearls on back right with my embossing powder containers as wasn't sure whether to use black and so clear EP or gold EP on the ODB happy birthday greeting.

On my desk today but at the back usually and out of sight, is the "balloon girl" as I call her, she was made in October for me by Thomas and Emily and flew in when I went to visit them.
Her hair was done a lot better when she first arrived here .. she has fallen out of her basket a few times though, and she is supposed to be me if I recall correctly :D yet to go up in a balloon, though! ;O

 

Back on this post here I was showing you how to make serviettes into DP for cards and this card was started on the desk - this is one half of serviette and the other card is also on link above. The "just for you" die is by Sue Wilson, backed by Sizzix Lattice EP. SB Curved border die also used and snippets of both.

Aussie shots of the day are from a visit last week ... and here are the yellow tailed back cockatoos at their most well behaved!?! they are rowdy bunch!

 

This is their momentary evening roosting spot, overlooking the beach.. not bad, eh? I took some videos too which may get around to loading one day, and also heaps more photos of headland etc.

Well, I'm delighted to re-welcome new wonderful encourager - Jean has rejoined due Bloggers crazy antics ... so do pop over to Jeans blog and say hi!

Many thanks every one for popping over for a peek and chat and may God bless your day wherever you may be.

Shaz in Oz.x

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

Butterfly Snippetty challenge - Four Sympathy Cards

Hullo there everyone! Been AWOL again but popping back with some more sympathy cards which I had to make in rush.. will miss the dear lady for whom these were made. I made them all blue and white as blue was Janice's favourite colour.
As butterflies picture our transformation from a caterpillar into new creature by faith in Christ (Romans 12:1, 2 - the word "transform" is "metamorphosis" Greek word root)  they had all butterflies. 

Then in flew Mrs A's challenge - where the current theme is Butterflies + S is for Stamping and/or Sapphire as an additional option.

I'd like to enter this card into Mrs A's Butterfly Challenge #48 
Congratulations Mrs A. on your 2nd anniversary! (closes this Tuesday, do flutter over quickly, folks).

Darice Nature Border Embossing folder (these are great folders and don't leave edge marks like the earlier CB forms of these border folders did.). Used the Cattails down side, with Bible verse stamped in Versafine Majestic Blue with Clear embossing powder.  Verse "Rev 21:4" is by Stampendous.."And God Himself will be with them.. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. "... what a blessing we have in the Lord.

Crafts Two Summer Days Folder, with pearls
"With Heartfelt Sympathy" stamp from SU "Close as Memory" in Versafine, EP, also etc.

The stamp on vellum in white embossing powder is with an old Elusive Images. It is coloured for the back with Tombow markers, with Rev 21:4  again, and SB Petite Ovals frame. EF is a CB Roses by Anna Griffin... (why does vellum colouring always seem to photograph poorly? it wasn't this bright, oh and the butterfly had to go in that spot, rather than where I wanted it, 'cos someone smudged it)

Last folder is "Tied Together " by Couture Creations, again with pearls added, the  washi is a snippet mounted on another ... :D verse is also stamped on snippet and used the SB elegant ovals. Verse "Rev 21:4" is by Stampendous. All butterflies punched with Sullivan Butterfly punch, I love this one.

Some Aussie sunshine for all you folks over in cold places, although this wasn't that hot the day this was taken as today that rock pool would be full well and truly with children of all sizes....

Well, I'm also delighted to welcome new wonderful encouragers. As we know blogger has had some changes which meant we all lost some (some, quite a few) :(

I can't recall if I've welcomed these before, but a welcome twice isn't a worry!
Forgetting would be :D 

First of all an older follower of this blog, who has shad to rejoin blogs because of blogger changes .. Princess Judy welcome back! :D of "Blog this!".
Another like Judy - who had to rejoin Mehrll of Sharing Simple things - welcome back.

and also to new blogger Sandra of Sandma's cards  - do pop over and say hi to these folks!

and also to Jenny of "Jenfa Cards"

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

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee,  

but to *do justly, and *to love mercy, and *to walk humbly with thy God?"      Micah 6:8

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

3. Stamping Sensations - anything goes http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/february-challenge-anything-goes.html 

WOYWW + Ink Resist with Hero Arts and Distress Inks

Warning: ~ Picture overload :D
 
 Hi there folks - back after wee break, but still doing catch up!! :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!!!

Here was my desk few days back! (Now it's officially a dumping ground so didn't take that). Had to make a batch of thank you's.. so here have taken the Hero Arts Background "Thank You Definition" stamp and inked in up with Versamark embossing powder and heat set it. (The Video plastic case holds my ink daubers and handles - have unmounted stamps, ink spots, etc stored in others, stacked on one another in CD case holder- - for display see this link here)
Chose two methods to ink these sheets up:
1.Ink daubers + distress ink 2. Brayer and Kaleidocolor Calypso

As you can see the brayer wasn't sharp enough on print but really like it for quick even coverage, so still recommend it.Redid it with Ink Blending tools to get more definition, using same ink colours.

Four finished cards, did five in all, but used four... DI inks were good but so were Kaleidocolor - recommend both methods.

DI Victorian Velvet, Dusty Concord, Salty Ocean. "THANKS" if from CB Olivia alphabet set .. discontinued.

DI Peacock feathers, Salty Ocean, Dusty Concord.

Brayer and Kaleidocolor Calypso

Kaleidocolor Calypso & Ink Blending tools.

Now for Aussie shots taken when we went out with dad for our icecream down by the beach.. bit of a Sunday arvo tradition, buy an icecream and take it to some beachy location to eat it. This was one gorgeous day.. with seagulls going a tad crazy.
Mother and toddler below were swamped.. birds were harmless.. no food so kind of lost interest.. note the colour contrast with the deeper water out to sea..

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 

“Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God;
there is none else beside him.”  Deuteronomy 4:35

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

3. Stamping Sensations - anything goes http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/february-challenge-anything-goes.html