Happy 5th Birthday, Princess Emily + WOYWW

Well, I blinked... and it was Wednesday again, no wonder I feel like I have lost September, let alone August.
I read something on a blog that shocked me into action .. some rumour that it was 11 weeks to Christmas. As that was some days ago, I am guessing it is less than that! So my desk today sees the remnant of what this shock caused me to do, to make 18 Christmas cards in two sittings.
For those not in the know - it is time for What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday over at our Queen of desks - Julia.

So at front is tape, a die on left which I didn't even have any intention of using! Two Christmas stamps, one needing cleaning, one unused, on right are the off-cuts from the cards, centre back are sequins for shaker cards.. hint eh?
Cards not in sight 'cos they were out to be photographed, they are for DT posts next month, and multiples of similar cards. Monkeys there as usual waving hi!

Now Princess Emily has her card, so I can share it with you. It is a trifold card. I did some research on Pinterest and made a board of castle cards, as Emily was having a princess party for her fifth birthday. This card was a combination of cards from my board. The template was here on this site - but adapted it. The base of card outline was scrap card then printed off sheets of dusky pink to emboss and use for walls so had enough of the colour (scanned sheet of light pink I had in stash. I knew wouldn't have enough of it as it took quite a few A4 sheets).
Inked up TH Brick folder with grey ink before embossing to define outline of bricks. Did same with woodgrain for the door, and roof with CB bubbles folder. I took the image from her invitation to the party. Some close ups below. Greeting was a digi, and extended a SB greeting die. Added bling all over.

 

Now to the photos of Australia - quite a few this week as was out at my sisters on northern beaches.

The view from verandah. You go down grass reserve, onto the beach. I share this photo to show you how far out to sea the horizon is and that is where the last two photos of the whales are taken. The roos (kangaroos) are to the right under the trees, not in this shot, and the surfer is in middle front.

It is migrating time, this is a mother whale, front and behind is her baby they go north in winter to have their calves then head south for the summer, these two were heading south in very leisurely fashion, came in quite close and playing by diving and flapping the water and blowing also! Took a shaky video (no tripod- on maximum zoom of x24 optical) and if I get my act together might upload it to You tube. If I do I will let you know.

 

That's me for today, I should not be on here as it is... 

Just a reminder that until 30th of September you can enter Scrappy Mo's Christmas challenge - 3rd last one this year!

hugs and God bless you all,

Shaz in Oz.x
PS In answer Nikki's question below, we are not near the bad storms, thankfully. They are down south, in southern NSW and Victoria, and I am praying for them all.

"Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: He is their help and their shield." Psalm 115:11

Also linking up to:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on my card.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

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

Scrappy Mo's Christmas Challenge - Upcycling!

Well, flying in with quick post of some very quick Christmas cards here.. over at Scrappy Mo's it is Christmas challenge time with Rudolph day. As time was of the essence, I made two quick cards from two cards received last year.. really did not do much to them as they were already very nice.

Really love this card, it says:
" Wise men still seek Him. The first wise men gave Christ treasures from their kingdoms, Today's wise men give Christ the treasures of their heart."
Holley Gerth.I like the One Who is the real reason for Christmas to be on every single card  I make, that's the whole point. Added a star and bling plus gold background to this.

Very simple card this as the glittery dove made it easy. Found my star bling which will add to the stars if I think they look okay.

This is our red poinsettia in the courtyard .. it has been flowering its heart out for three months, here is back here on the 13th July post. it loves this spot!

Just along from it is the pink begonia and there is also a Vinca, I call it a weed flowering plant.. it grows where it wants not where you want it. :D

Well everyone, dont forget to pop over to Mo's for the Christmas card challenge .. this will be ending all too soon, as the year is racing away!

Please say hi - to let me know you've been by! 
May God bless your day wherever you maybe!

Shaz in Oz.x

 
"*For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 

 

* this prophecy regarding the LORD Jesus was written approximately 700 years before Christ came.

Linking up to:

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

WOYWW - again here at last .. take 2

Hi one and all. Well time will tell if this time I actually get to publish this post. this is a repeat of last weeks post I did up but blogger ate it right at the end when was adding another image.
I've never lost a whole post before.
Anyway this is to join up with WOYWW or what is on your workdesk Wednesday over at the Queen of desks, our wonderful Julia! And as it is spring downunder am sharing some spring shots too.

First photos are of a gift surprise from Shaz Silverwolf, Lunch Lady Jan and Queen Julia .. these three very special ladies put their heads together and came up with this "cheer you up parcel" for little old me.. and yes, dear ladies I've used some of those things this week!

Aren't there some yummy goodies here??... wow wow wow!! :D thank you ever so VERY MUCH!

To my desk last week... I was in middle of making a card for a cute little one year old in our family. It is his birthday today, the 21st! .. one year old, a real miracle baby, too. And what bundle of mischief he is. I have this set of Tim Holtz numbers and as you can see some are huge, so call for huge card. I sprayed the number 1 with Dylusions and a silver cosmic shimmer spray.

I've added this so you can see how big it is by the ruler on the side. I dont have an A4 Embossing machine, my biggest is big Shot, so I turned the CB 5 x 7" Domino folder four times, but if you're careful it is is not even noticeable the overlapping. The eye is very forgiving.

Leptospernum Cardwell, or white tea tree bush, out the front with grevilleas and other natives... it is very pretty in spring.

Osetospernum, or African daisy comes in all colours and very pretty too, very hardy both of these.

I love the gorgeous details up close of this plant. It has a really shimmery petal and has different colours according to angle of the light.

Been busy in the backyard too, finished the roses, all three dozen mulching etc had a helper this year a lovely Philipino lady, Jenny, from down the road, and great weeder. A big help indeed.

Our single lavender plant under the lemon tree is still going strong. Jenny was amazed that is one plant, and also impressed by the old gnarled stem is has a the base. The white one in the other bed is also going well, they help deter insects. And I love them!

Okay this wasn't on last weeks post but not game to alter order of photos .. after all that's what caused last weeks glitches.. so here is the card finished at the end..

The elephants are some die cuts sent to me by my friend in USA Mehrll, I detailed them in fine black pen and shaped them too. The EF like honeycomb is a Kaisercraft one, which I inked up for highlights, rest is DP from Stamping Up. The sentiment is digi.

Well, happy WOYWW, everyone ... and thanks again to my very kind three bloggy mates .. so very kind to send me new things to try out! 

 Please say hi - to let me know you've been by! 
May God bless your day wherever you maybe!

Shaz in Oz.x 

"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7

Linking up to:

Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au
Die Cutting Divas Challenge #284 ~ Birthday

Snippetty Butterfly Challenge Lavender + Letters

Well, I know I am flying in a tad on the late side but that is better than not at all and since I have actually made two cards for our dear Mrs A.'s butterfly challenge. Had better link over!

Both cards have letters and lavender on them cos I love lavender. I actually made a third card but as it is almost identical to the second one I did not bother sharing it. I was on a roll, I love lavender. 

Sadly I had to make a sympathy card and wasn't sure I liked first one so made second one. But now decided I like them both! funny how things look better in the morning! this emboss resist on watercolour is made with brushos (bought super cheap on eBay), Lime green (its such a fab colour), Rose Red and Cobalt blue - they made the lavender. added some snippets of mauve with butterfly and tag sentiment by Darkroom Door. Stamps are no name, second hand set won in some candy years back. Perhaps hero arts?

A new cheap shop opened in town called Choice, I (bad me) visited yesterday and bought some bargains. The embossing folder for $AU3.49 is really gorgeous, the lavender adornment lower right was part of a set of six, they are gorgeous, as are the iridescent lavender pearls, all new items. The daisy stick on lace down the side is from Shaz Silverwolf. I did a post to thank folks of WOYWW who sent me an amazing gift pack, but blogger ate it last week and did not have time to redo it - hope to God willing tomorrow!

This is the verse, a Print Blocks one from early 1990's, is very appropriate for a sympathy card.
Tell me ... has anyone had issues with rusty Spellbinders??
I was horrified to find this one of mine has rust marks on it. It has been dry scrubbed and added a note to test run on scrap card before using on good card. Not happy really, these are not cheap!

To cheer us all up... here is a photo taken in mid July, just before I was ill, when was walking one late afternoon, notice moon has risen in the sky, the birds are ready to roost and making great noises all around. Love the colours of Gods creation.

 I have some lovely people to welcome to my blog - curious though as two are folk who've joined before, and Ive belonged to their blogs for years .. four at least with Darnell of http://www.djkardkreations.com/... and for some strange reason I cant go onto Darnell's blog.. its not uploading do hope all is well. I tried it in Chrome and also Firefox.. praying, Darnell.

And Brenda also of Inkspired to Stamp

Dawn Larimer has joined as an encourager too, but Dawn hasn't left a comment so cant join her blog, please comment Dawn and let me know so can link over! sorry...

 That's me for today, I should not be on here as it is... 

Just a reminder that the 25th of September is coming up in five days and it is time for Scrappy Mo's Christmas challenge again!
The days are flying by, I saw on Miss's blog that it is less that 100 days to go, so better get my thinking cap on.

hugs and God bless you all,

Shaz in Oz.x

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. "

Revelation 21:12

 

Also linking up to:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on my card.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 

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

Watercolours + Embossed Darkroom Door Collage Stamp - Bizzy Bec's

Hi everyone - just popping in with quick post of some watercoloured poppies for Bizzy Bec's! Please pop over here, would love it if you leave a comment on this post here!

I bought from Bec this *Darkroom Door collage stamp, which I embossed in gold EP, and heat set. Then painted image in watercolour, using the Distress Inks, smooched on a ink block and on laminated sheet. * this stamp not on Bec's site, but she can get it for you! at a great price!

I really love this card and it looks wa-aaay better in real life, sadly sometimes photos never do a card justice and red colours are one these!

The completed card:
I used Glossy accents on poppy and Our Daily Bread die set called "Lacey layered Square Dies" - it is square but I extended it into rectangle (see tutorial on this here). Can be ordered from Bec.
The "smile' stamped greeting is also a greeting from Bec - Lawn Fawn "So much to say" a really great sentiment set!
Background designer paper - Paper Pad "Wild Rose Blackberry Lane", bought from Bec.

.

Darkroom Door link here

Well, short and sweet today. I am really tired and a tad annoyed with blogger. I had another post done and lost the lot, so this is take two.
No idea why. It is just very clunky of late.

I hope to post more later but things are still very busy and energy limited. Thank you all for being patient and I am very grateful too, for I have new folk to welcome, too which will do soon, God willing.

I end with a verse I really need, a favourite of many folks.
May our great God bless you all, you are really appreciated.

Shaz in Oz.x

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Also linking up to:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on my card.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 

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

Bizzy Bec's September Anything Goes Challenge

(NBUS post just below, please scroll down. Thank you)

Firstly I want to apologise for being a really bad blogger at returning comments, it wont be any better for wee while either, but will do my best! Do appreciate you all though. 

A CAS card here today as did not have much time, made in an hour quite late at night last night, I had seen the idea on Pinterest, so knew where I was going which helped immensely. Didn't quite have right dies but didn't matter. Late at night is not ideal, but hey it was done! here is my September DT post.

To join in with us over at Bizzy Becs ANYthing Goes Challenge - please pop over here!

Frame made with Cottage Cutz Stitched Ovals, as they fit perfectly into most of Spellbinder oval sets - bonus!

Floral ovals - largest die
 Cottage Cutz Stitched ovals

Vivienne Butterfly die

I cut the purple snippet first and made the largest Flora l oval. I then cut I think it was the third of the CC Stitched ovals to get the frame. I've found these are totally interchangeable with my SB oval dies, like the spellbinder ovals never are!

As you can see I popped the frame up on mounting tape. Decided to leave base card un-embossed. I normally emboss but was on a schedule here! Cut two Nellie Snellen Fanciful flourish (Small) and joined them in middle. Cut Vivienne butterfly die in the firm Parchment cardstock, coloured a thin sheet for underneath the butterfly, which I fussy cut out.
Shaped the wings with a pencil, rolling it around it, then popped them up on pop dots and added some bling. Card mounted on same card as top and declared finished. Wanted greeting but nothing looked right so left it plain

Thanks so much for popping over for peek and chat.. you are really appreciated!

May God richly bless your day wherever you may be!

Shaz in Oz.x

O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 107:1

Also linking up to:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on my card.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 

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

NBUS - Brushos explored - What fun!

Hi all - over at DARNELL'S - over here - is the NBUS Challenge please join in! but be quick sticks as it ends soon on 5th Sept! I'm scurrying in, hurrying like! Curiously my NBUS or Not Used Before Schtuff is same as Darnell's on her post!

Righto - Brushos  - am total newbie at using them! Stamped resist on first effort with a Stampin' up background stamp called "On The Spot" bought second hand on eBay, never to my recollection used by moi on card before. Stamped in Vesramark, clear embossed and heat set. Sprinkled three colours (okay - cant remember know one was lime green). The sprayed with water can see gold bottom of water spray.

End result - today was Father's day in Oz, so gave it to my darling dad today. He's 87 and not in best of health, but ever so grateful he is still able to enjoy a day out with his family. The lime was with diluted brushos lime green, embossed with CB bubble EF twice. Used CB Olivia alphabet to do Happy Dads day, added twine.

Want to apologise for lack of commenting, am still not 100% and when am able to am visiting dad who's just moved to a nursing home two weeks ago. However will hopefully catch up in next few days.. but no promises will just do my best. I thank you one and all for your kind and caring comments ... bloggers truly are great!

Linking up to NBUS Challenge at Darnell's! 
and Word Art Wednesday - anything goes     http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au 
 

And a big welcome to new blogging friend here, first for months :D
Greta of GG Creations has a great blog of amazingly diverse but creative cards please do take a peek.

Lord bless your day everyone and thanks so much for popping over and saying hi!

Shaz in Oz.x

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6