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

Saturday 26 March 2016

"It is Finished!" Finished work - once, and for all!


It's Easter time, and really it's not about the bunny, but the lamb..
The Lamb of God... as John the Baptist said of Jesus: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world".
Two verses (along with others but two main ones) repeat in my mind at Easter time.
The first verse is John 19:30
{Credit: excerpt Dayspring post as coincidentally they also spoke on "it is finished".}
 
Jesus said, “It is finished.” 
With that, He bowed his head and gave up His spirit

"I had read this Scripture in John 19 so many times – the last words Jesus spoke on the day He was crucified. There’s such gravity in that moment. Imagining the Son of God, our Savior, with His battered and broken body nailed to a cross, stirs up a sense of both sadness and shame. ...
 Most every time .. my focus was on what happened, the events themselves, and less so on those three simple words He spoke at the end: “It is finished.”
A few months ago, Pastor Rodney Holmstrom spoke on this Scripture before a large congregation. He challenged each of us to really consider those words. In that moment, he said, Christ was not simply stating the obvious - that His earthly life was over. He was declaring that our sins were forgiven once and for all, their price paid by His sacrifice."
"It is finished" last of Jesus' seven sayings on the cross. ... 
It meant that salvation was bought! paid for in full!
 The battle against sin's punishment was won, once for all.
By one man's sin (Adam) sin entered the world,
"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin". I John 1:7b
His blood bought our salvation..
We can never ever earn it ourselves.
... being a member of a church, a religion
or any other thing we do, it all is as nothing - it will not buy your salvation.
Only one way through the perfect Son of God.

(This is a very early text done in 1992, executed in water colours, ink and 23 carat Gold leaf. I chose this verse because it was the verse that lead to my salvation (see here) .. and it is pivotal in my heart. I now have another layout hanging on our loungeroom wall.)
The second verse that rings in my heart at Easter time - after Jesus cry of
"It is finished!"
 is the angel's saying at the empty tomb:
"He is not here, for He is risen as he said."
What a joy it is to serve a Risen Saviour! Our God is not dead ... He lives ..
And how do I know He lives? ... as the hymn says "He lives within my heart!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF6aBDS3drA
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this post. I pray it blesses you – for how richly I am blessed as a result of this gift of salvation at a young age.
I did not know unless someone had told me, someone had asked me.
So this is why I share it with you today. Praying for you.
Shaz in Oz.x

Christmas Begin the Easter Story - Scrappy Mo's Christmas Challenge!

Hullo everyone, lobbing with a quick post here - for Scrappy Mo's Christmas card challenge - aka Rudolph day over here! 
Of course - Christmas cards start the Easter story, don't they?
.. the coming of Christ as wee babe!
First card is an upcycle card - Christmas card re-made, nice and quick with few bits added. As it says: " the wise still seek Him".
  ... and why did Jesus come? ..that He might die on the cross, suffer death and be cut off, separated from His Father in heaven - when He bore our sin!
 .. for He cried out on the cross: "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" .. 

He was forsaken by God the Father because He was bearing our sins,
 .. dying for my sin and your sins. 
Praise Our God - He didn't stay dead, but He rose again.. and:
"He is not here, for He is risen as He said." Glory Hallelujah!
This is the stamp that was on my desk two days ago, NOEL by Magenta (gift from Ginny of Maxam Made, I just had to pay post cost to Oz :D).
Embossed in gold EP. Touched up with watercolour pencils.
Cut up letters then edged cut plain edges on the edge of Versafine +EP.
Rounded corners, embossed large Ultimate craft folder - Christmas collection, gold vellum strip also embossed, popped up letters in staggered fashion.
Added pearls, ribbon and ribbon slider verse:
"The Father sent the son to be the Saviour of the world."
1 John 4:14
Well, I'm delighted to welcome new wonderful encouragers. Wow! Such creative work on both blogs, so a very big welcome to:
.... so do pop over to their blogs and give them some encouragement!

Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and please stay and chat.. May the LORD God bless your day, wherever you may be!
Shaz in Oz.x 
 Joining up with: 
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

Wednesday 23 March 2016

WOYWW, again Already!

Flying in with really quick post - pickies? plenty - yes Words - not much!
Its WOYWW or What is on your workdesk Wednesday over here ..at our Julia's of the Stamping Ground!  To my desk today:

Okay, my desk has been stationary for last 3 days .. been busy sorting paperwork, of a boring quantity so wont rattle on about that. Was wanting to use up this "reject" image with Darkroom Door Butterfly Post Collage, used Cosmic shimmer of varying shades.
Had a die cut - but it needed extending so stopped to think about it, or not! (how to extend a die - here). At rear is NOEL stamp (gift from Ginny of Maxam Made, I just had to pay post cost to Oz :D) ready for Rudolph day in 2 days over at Scrappy Mo's. (or that's the plan :D)
Two male cards from last month for family. This is with shimmery gold mist + green Distress inks, embossed with fern EF by Sizzix, added hand cut Geckos - discontinued stamp (c. 1990's) stamped on cork. Also used IO Greetings Top Edgers trimmed.

A Digi card freebie from Google search, 3D the frog and printed the greeting using DaFont Old Typewrite font. Scalloped Rectangle by Xcut was also extended. (Started this card 3 times, you wouldn't believe issues I had cutting it !)
Again to the Aussie shots take by sister on Holidays on South coast of NSW.. a Goanna .. a very large lizard.
Some more rock pool, at sunrise... very peaceful.
Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and please stay and chat.. May the LORD God bless your day, wherever you may be!

Shaz in Oz.x 
Let us pause to remember the real meaning of Easter time: 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John :16


Those of you who join  up with  Roses of Inspiration over at the lovely Stephanie's, 
this will be her last blog hop this week so pop over and send her blessings.


 Joining up with:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au
3. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on both cards.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 

Saturday 19 March 2016

Friday Smiles + Darkroom Door Collage - Butterfly Challenge

Well time has flown.. and so Friday smiles here (on Saturday!) and just trying to slip in for the Butterfly challenge - Buttons and/or Bronze..
  (mind you my efforts are tad dubious - struggled to add any buttons, as simply couldn't find mine! they are in one of those very very safe places).
First it is a very large smile... not one of my creations, but from Scrappy Mo!
  Those of you in the know, are aware Mo runs a challenge on 25th of every month called Rudolph day. Apparently, so the note inside the card said, when the prize was drawn last month, my name was drawn out. Mo forgot to take a photo of said name drawn by Mister Random & his wife Dot Org (as Darnell calls them :D).
So Maureen drew another name, photographed that for the post, + very, very kindly
sent this off to me.
I was unaware of this, would
have said not to worry, as that was fine by me, happy to pass it on and such! but very dear and very kind Mo gives out two prizes.. one of them all the way downunder!
Love her card .. with those VERY pretty pretty papers the photo doesn't do it justice

 .. thank you, Mo..
..and everyone! get your cards ready as the 25th is less than a week away.
This card is a total snippets card, from start to finish as is the one below, talk about being economical here!
They both could be NBUS cards too as have some "Never Used Before Schtuff on both of them as well! (so two of my goals fulfilled for 2016.. to use up what is Not Used Before and scraps!) That makes me smile, DP paper was a print out that lacked oomph! So re-inked it in blue and orange DI with brushes, then sprayed it in shimmery mist. Has a sort of bronze look but not really sure, to be honest bronze confused me.
Used up DP and card snippets in navy, on SB Elegant ovals,
an ODB Bible verse stampand what a verse - "With God, all things are possible" now that makes me smile!
Flowers are punches in navy and bronzish vellum, Nellie Snellen leaf Flourish, border is a Nellie Snellen Royal Scandinavian border die.
When I made this I thought it to be bronzish too, but as mirri card doesn't look like it. EP are metallic three different sorts ..the stamp is Butterfly collage by Darkroom Door with MB Vivienne butterfly die
From Aussie shots, some more smiles here with photos from south coast of NSW by my sister, of Pretty beach.. and its many rock pools ..


Well, I'm delighted to welcome some more wonderful encouragers ..

Gail of I like Paper
And Cheryl of Cheryl Quilts 
Last two had to rejoin because of bloggers shenanigans..
Wow! these do some imaginative stamping and card making!
.... so do pop over to their blogs and give them some encouragement!
Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and please stay and chat.. May the LORD God bless your day, wherever you may be!
Shaz in Oz.x 

"Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. 
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Psalm 147:5, 3
  
 Joining up with:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

Thursday 17 March 2016

Bizzy Becs DT Post: Our Daily Bread Stamps - The Sea single

Hi everyone - big excitement here is my very first mid month post with a tutorial for Bizzy Bec's store blog.
There is also a monthly challenge with a die or stamp prize over here - it is anything goes and is posted worldwide - so do join in please do!
Here is a step by step guide on making a male card - have found they can be tricky, but actually beginning to enjoy them now! I used the Our daily bread Stamp - The Sea Single stamp (link here).

Have the masked image, masked so could extend colouring at bottom of image for reason I will share.
I stamped in Black Onyx Versafine ink and embossed it, did several in case one was a dud but all turned out nicely so bonus! Then I coloured with my Pencils (Prismacolors this time as have several sets) and ink for the sky and the sandy colouring. Used a hand cut cloud mask and Ranger round ink distressing tool (see link here) to get the colouring on the clouds. .
I added some stones from our pebble garden, sand from the side of our house (our house is built on sandy area, very handy crafty wise) .. that's why the teaspoon is there, to spoon on sand. I used embossing paste to attach sand, and Matte medium by Ranger for the pebbles and wee shells from my collection. Some of these came from a visit to Phillip Island in Victoria years ago now, and some from here.
This icecream cardboard box was a great sandy coloured card so used it!
So distressed the embossed card first with distressing tool. Then applied randomly various inks the Tim Holtz Woodgrain Embossing folder by Sizzix. (Link here). Used as you can see some DI as well, Faded Jeans, Spiced Marmalade and Antique Linen (great useful colour this one). I actually just smooched the ink pads directly on and rubbed them around with my fingers but off course less messy to use sponge applicator :D
Use Spellbinder Fleur de Lis Square (link here). I cut largest die for the sea image and cut the pieces of black card into four pieces to make corners.
Here is the finished image, mounted as shown on the flur de lis corners .
Also used * burlap (fringed one side - link here)
Blue card embossed with CB Bubbles Embossing folder. "60" in corner cut with Olivia Alphabet die set (discontinued).
Digi greeting for happy birthday, printed on shiny card. If you use a shiny or really smooth surfaced card you are able to heat emboss it:
1. Smooth over surface to be printed on with embossing buddy
(see how to make one here) before printing 2. As soon as out of printer add clear EP and heat set quickly. Die cut with Victorian Rectangles.

Well, I'm delighted to welcome new wonderful encouragers ..
Wow! these do some imaginative stamping and card making!
.... so do pop over to their blogs and give them some encouragement! 
Kaz of http://nightowlcrafter.blogspot.com.au
Alice P. http://volidicarta.blogspot.com.au

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
"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, .." Habakkuk 3:18, 19a

Edit: this card made top three over at Word Art Wednesday out of over  300+ cards - am I thrilled!!
I would like to link over to:

1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au
2. Roses of Inspiration over at the lovely Stephanie's 
3. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on all of the cards.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 

Wednesday 16 March 2016

Bugaboo Golf Cart - Happy 80th, Uncle Ted + WOYWW!

Well, amazingly in a blink! .. another Wednesday has arrived so that's WOYWW or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday!
 Do join our wonderful head of Deskland, dear Julia of the Stamping Ground, over here.
While you're at it, would you all please say a special prayer for healing for Julia (
and for successful surgery ASAP), fighting a brain tumour - see more on her post here
Okay, two weeks ago exactly this was my desk.. a real struggle going on here .. see that card.. I started it again four times! erk!
Here I was successful in getting the two colours to match, have my Bugaboo Golf cart image printed out ready to make a birthday card. I also had printed some tartan digi paper as golf had its origins at St Andrews in Scotland :D However you will see an issue with the top blue piece, because of cheap card, tape holding it, tore too far down. Hadn't realised the issue at this stage.
At first using Promarkers to colour it.. then had an idea (make it more complicated!! 3D it!). Used CB embossing folder "Branches" to emboss the grass coloured card.

At this stage it seems confusion reigns! Had ditched Promarkers for pencils.
Was onto my third lot of cardstock blue/green. I realised cheap card of number 1 wasn't going to work, so cut number 2.
However the curves of Curved Spellbinder die wouldn't join, ne'er the twain would met!
Here is number 3 all going well!
You will see I have printed the teensy shirt out on the tartan Digi paper so as to paper piece it.
All good, till die cutting time. Sigh, forgot hadn't die cut it, glued 3D images on BEFORE die cutting with pierced rectangles. :(
Fourth start again ... phew! answered prayer, indeed! no mistakes ..the grass embossing flattens somewhat with rectangle die cutting but have to do it before 'cos only green is done. Have large (extra large!) golf ball made with Couture Creations EF "circles" cut with SB. Cut four clouds same size with IO (Impression Obsession) cloud die. While still in die, I rounded them vigorously with my finger nail to get extra dimension to them and make them nice and puffy.
Triple checking I have it right, before I glue it!! the digital sentiments are with Chisel Script, free font by Dafont.com added to Word.
I have tutorial on how to download it here.
Embossed greetings with clear EP, as a dense scrips, printed on smooth card.
If you use a shiny or really smooth surfaced card you are able to heat emboss it:
1. Smooth over surface to be printed on with embossing buddy
(see how to make one here) before printing 2. As soon as out of printer add clear EP and heat set quickly.
Finished card - and jut for the record my very dear Uncle Ted's 80th birthday was just PAR-fect! God blessed in every way.
 To my Aussie shots now.. two taken by my sister (Robyn in Oz :D) on their visit down to South coast of NSW, at a place very aptly named!
Pretty Beach, a real treat visually in every way!
Some lounging lazily kangaroos at nap time in afternoon :D
Here it is ... Pretty Beach, one of its views, God's creation quite takes your breath way. I have few more to share later on.
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

Jesus  said "I say unto you, He that hears My word, and believes on Him that sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24

Linking up to:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au
2.  http://scrap-creations1.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/big-news-going-grey-with-scrap.html Use green!
3. City Crafter Challenge Blog Week 303 ~ Make it Green
4. http://cardz4guyz.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/challenge-111-speed.html  okay golf carts might not speed, that  much but am sure some do go at speed :D
5. http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/anything-goes-challenge.html

Wednesday 9 March 2016

WOYWW, Open Link in New Window on Blogger, Masked Background Stamping

Well, a really great day here again.. 6:30pm as I write. This weekend was Uncle Ted's 80th. All the paternal side of the family were in town, what fun - lovely summery weather, too.
To my desk!
My desk this morning and really no more done on it. I set it up like this before went to bed last night as wanted to remind myself was was supposed to do today. The new Darkroom Door Gum tree stamp set (needing to cut it up hence the rubber scissors out) set from Bizzy Bec's, with Memento ink pads for sunset view with brayer background, hence ink blending mat, and gloss card.
Few points to note:
**brayer now is always stored in plastic bag as found little bits of dust would give imperfect brayer results
***never store it lying on the rubber - as you can get a slight flattening of the rubber. Hang from handle or store upside down. The completed PB card at the back on this post here.
A view you rarely see of my desk .. it is a standing desk, as like to stand when crafting, but as you can see do have a tall office chair to perch on when wanted. Covered this chair with old curtain material, as it was red - see post back here. Brown timber showing under desk at the back is fold up table (freebie). Have set of 12" x12 plastic drawers at left, a glass door cardstock cupboard (freebie) on right which has my rubbish bin on top with cutters and guillotine.
An addition to my post - as few folks dont know this, so thought would inform all WOYWW-ers in case you may not know this.
When you use a "link" widget in your blog (see above) you need to select the wee box under the link which says "open link in new window".
The reason being when you click on a link on your blog, without selecting "new window option", it takes the visitor away from your blog!
Annoying and negative use of your blog.

1. So go into actual post as shown above.. when you click on the "link" tab the link box comes up..
2. And under the link there is a teeny box -  to "open link in new window".
3. Click and select that box. It will stay selected till you deselect it.(Sorry if you know, but just helps those who don't).
A run of birthdays here, this was on my desk two weeks ago, a card for my friend birthday on Sunday too. Used Spellbinders Exquisite Labels 11, and the Nicecrane Rose image was printed up ages ago, cut with SB Labels 11. Greeting (by ODB Discontinued Mini tag) stamped in Versamark + gold EP.
Made these for some cousins at the weekend. So masked the circle off on each of them, then with Inkylicious dusters added colours by Hero arts, small cubes of Butter bar, Orange Soda, and Tide Pool. Oriental stamp by SU with Black Onyx Versafine + clear EP.
 The Aussie shots of the day are down at the North Rock Wall here protecting our harbour and marina - on another icecream Sunday afternoon stroll, you can tell it is summer here still. If you are freezing still or in wet weather hope these shots cheer your day. We actually had an inch of rain overnight in a summer storm, but haven't had much rain so far for 2016.

I'm delighted to welcome new wonderful encouragers - from Darnell's 6 NBUS Challenge (see here) - Sharon of the http://frommycraftdesk.blogspot.com.au/
Neets of http://neetandcrafty.blogspot.com.au/
Laurie of http://stampingupnorthwithlaurie.blogspot.com.au/
Wow! these do some imaginative stamping and card making!

.... so do pop over to their blogs and give them some encouragement!

Thanks so very much for popping over! 
Please say hi - to let me know you've been by!
Shaz in Oz.x 

"Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. 
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:" Deuteronomy 33:25,27a
4. Allsorts Challenge where they want all things feminine http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/week-353-international-womens-day.html 
5. Simon Says Monday Challenge-"Make you own background". Masked ink duster background/ set of three cards
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