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

Wednesday 11 January 2017

WOYWW + Butterfly Challenge Z for Zero and/or Zucchini

Hi everyone, well the days are rattling by in January, am combining this post - for WOYWW and Butterfly challenge over here Z is for Zero and/ or Z is for Zucchini
As we're far ahead of UK could still make this an early Wednesday post + catch it for Mrs A's challenge. I'd been seeing so many nice zucchini cards ( Mrs A. defined it as greens through to yellows, so favourite shades there) I just wanted to enter.
So without  any more chat here's my desky share for WOYWW or What is on your Workdesk Wednesday (pop over to Julia's and please join in - in about 17+ hours when it is posted in UK c. 6am GMT !).
Yes, it's a bit of a mess, I'm blaming Jules for this. You see, Jules had brushos for Christmas and over on this post HERE she made a card with her new toys. She explains on next post how it was made it + with what colours.
So out come my brushos, have couple of challenges in minds. I really should be doing DT cards, but here I am playing!! I went for greens and yellows, of course. First stamped two sheets of cut watercolour paper with Versamark + discontinued S.U. background called "On the Spot" (now Spots and circles are like zeros, or so I think?). Used white embossing powder on Versamark, then sprinkled the brushos dry on card. *Lime green, *olive green, moss green, *yellow ochre + yellow were used. *these are mixed coloured brushos, totally love the ones that are mixed colours that just go pop!
So these were my sheets, made a spare sheet for a Die cut with left over from watercolour pieces.
I was also thinking of entering some other challenges hence the debossed clear embossed snowflake folder in blue, still wet. We'll see if that happens... watch this space  (oh, and just a wee whisper, I've been accepted for GDT too, from Here!!! Wow, still shocked!!! Very *thankful.)
* thankful - my word for 2017 ... over at a dear friend Debbie's blog - see here - she was talking on her word for the year and asked us what our word was if we had to chose one?? Two weeks back I did a card, which had a thankful verse on it, and it was on my heart. A favourite verse of mine is:
"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1Thess 5:18. Thankfulness is to be in rough times of illness or sorrow, as well as the smooth paths.. it can be very testing to be thankful in all things but
"we can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth us". Phil 4:13
Note: the all things and everything.. )
 For my finished card I used a butterfly Die from China, only arrived yesterday, also my real favourite the Memory Box Pinpoint Circles. I die cut the two pieces from butterfly adhered it on the Circles (or zeros?). Large piece cut with SB Pierced Rectangles. Left enough space for small "thanks" stamp on circle die ( also from set from China) which I green embossed. I'm making a number 
of cards as a gift for friend, so making an assortment.
This is my snippets card. Y'see, it started off the one above. When the butterfly die came yesterday decided to try it and the square set, so cut the two white pieces from snippets. Had on my desk a piece of gloss brusho left over from Christmas card, and used it on back so then hunted through the pile on left of my desk of pieces waiting to be carded and found the "On the Spot" piece made while back. It matched.. so this card was born. The happy birthday was from same stamp set as "thanks".
So to the photos of Oz, yes been on the beach again with family so here are so pickies of our lovely summery skies and the water was simply perfect.. although there were a few bluebottles around so we didn't stay in the water too long, and were very watchful.
View north and south. We were under a casurina, so did not need our brolly (umbrella). :D
Some surfboard riders came down while we were sitting on the beach, and so put on a show the orange surfboarder (first shot) was amazing but only have one shot of him the other fellow on white one was pretty good too.
 
 
Also an update on our pineapple, (see here) it's grown a little but what I love is the purple flowers it has from all the recent rain and sunshine its loved it and so the bromeliad like flowers are showing.
Well that's it for today... dont forget to pop over and join in Bec's Anything Goes January challenge .. you might win the prize :D
Thanks so much everyone for popping over and saying hi!
And may God bless your day wherever you may be!
Shaz in Oz.x

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Josh 1:9

 Joining up with: 
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au  

2. Di's snippets Challenge    http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/  
3.#231 Any thing Goes at :  http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.com.au/ 
4. Challenge at Dies R Us. Anything goes using die cuts (butterfly). http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.com.au/  

5. Simon Says Monday Challenge - Be Square - snippets card has butterfly on square stitched die cuthttp://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=7935
6.  Use something new (butterfly die) Simon says Wednesday Challenge
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-new-something/  
 

51 comments:

Megan J said...

Hi Shaz, I was just thinking of you and up your post came on blogger :-) wow what a stunning set of cards, your friend will be very happy with the cards you are making, I love the butterfly die you have used, I have also done a little shopping in China, so cheap and all cut wonderfully, the embossing folder I got is brilliant too. The brusho backgrounds look great love how the colours blend and they look super with the crisp white. Hope you and yours had a great Christmas and have a wonderful, happy, safe and healthy 2017... stay cool have a fabulous week... Megan

Betsy said...

Hello Shaz! Lovely card as usual. The butterfly is perfect. Gorgeous ocean shots. You make me long for warm weather my friend. We have about 48 inches of snow in our yard right now with more on the way. Spring is coming!!!
Blessings,
Betsy

Anne said...

Your cards and backgrounds are gorgeous, thank you for the detailed instructions! You have a wonderful way with colours and design layouts, stunning! Bravo mon amie! I am soooo looking forward to blue skies and sunshine, today is damp, cold and grey...brrr! Yes we must learn to be thankful even for the weather! Watching your little pineapple grow is exciting!I love to see such natural wonders unfold, God is amazing! xx

Aileen said...

Shall some great photos here, perfect weather for it hey. Wishing I lived by the beach, its so hot inland.

anyway what a wizard you are with those brusho's unbelievable. I want you to send me a card and I will send you one of my coloured ones. I cant brusho to save myself always ends up so so heavy.

your carder just brilliant, congratulations.

Jules said...

Hi Shaz

Oh wow!!!

Your creations are brilliant .. .. I don't mind getting the blame for making your desk a mess .. .. and I bet you don't mind the mess after finishing up with such beautiful cards.

I love them both, but I am always drawn to blues so the last one would be my favourite (even though both are gorgeous).

Great photographs of Oz. I can't even imagine what it must be like to be able to walk to such wonderful places and take pictures.

There is one photograph missing though .. .. and that is of your hands. Were they super multi-coloured after finishing with your brushos .. .. or is it just me who gets ultra messy?!?!?.

Thank you for the shout out. Hope you are having a good day.

Love Jules xx

Mrs A. said...

Going off at a tangent here. I'm fascinated by the little drawing pins you have stuck in the top of the brusho pots I guess to stop the powders from coming out. . Great idea. Love those panels you have made up . Colours are just as envisaged. I love it when knew stuff arrives in the post. I had Le Plume II water colour pens arrived yesterday and just had yo have a play with them last night after we were let out!! I love how your card has come together. So glad you managed to join in my butterfly challenge. Hugs Mrs A.

Tina Z. said...

wow, this is gorgeous, I love your technique and design.
Thank you for joining us at the Butterfly Challenge.

Preeti D. (aka Dutt Preety) said...

Wow!! Gorgeous work. Im loving the colors.
Happy new year!!
Cheers
Preety

Chris said...

Wow Shaz, I do love those gorgeous Brusho backgrounds they look amazing! Great design too with those pretty die cut butterflies.
Beautiful photographs, I'm now sitting here on a damp cold January afternoon dreaming of sand, waves and watching surfers!
Chris
x

Di said...

Now I really need to revisit my Brushos when I get back home! Your work is fabulous and I adore the butterfly card Shaz.

Hugs

Di xx

Debbie Harris said...

A little messy in deed, but WOW! I loved this card in all its bright color and beauty and the butterfly finished it off perfectly.
What a joy to come for a visit and see the beauty of where you live, thank you for sharing with us.
Now that pineapple... Oh so cute!I'm enjoying watching it grow. :-)

Thank you, sweet lady, for sharing my link.
I believe THANKFUL is a fantastic word!

God's blessings~~

Berina RGA said...

Beautiful cards Shaz!! Such lovely pics!!

AlisonC said...

I love brushos, they are such fun. You've prompted everyone to get theirs out and get messy. The pinpoint circles work so well with the background colours. Love them. x

Pia S said...

When visiting the Azores about a decade ago we visited a pineapple plant. I was shocked to learn how long it takes to grow one (18 months?) how come they're not more exoensive? Looks pretty in purple. About your cards, I think you managed to make them so similar but yet so different. I think this is how I should do this year, especially for Christmas cards as I need so many, like 70 something...

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Your brusho background cards are so pretty!
The pineapple is coming along. I had no idea it would have purple flowers!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Congrats for your GDT, Shaz!! You well deserve it! :)
Your Brushos backgrounds look amazing in both the palettes and such a great idea the white embossing, the result is really beautiful!
Beautiful carfs with them, and love the butterfly in the circle

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

...Seeing your fabulous beach shots is so lovely for me now, here there is very cold! :D

Liz said...

Two beautiful cards, Shaz, the Brusho panels are stunning. TFS the photos, the skies are a very different colour from the ones we have in the UK at the moment! xx

Kathleen said...

Totally love those colours and the two fabulous cards that you have made with them.
Fabulous photo's too.

Kath x

Brenda said...

What beautiful cards Sharon! I love your brusho backgrounds, they are just stunning. I loved Jules' too! She is so talented and got the hang of the brusho's right away! I need to get my couple out and have a play with them after seeing all these masterpieces made by all of you guys. So these bluebottles, are they a type of jelly fish? They kinda look like jellyfish. And they sting too, but your type looks like they give even more of a sting. I know there are certain types that are worse than other types. Yikes! I'd be on the look out for them too!!! The view, stunning-wish I was on that warm beach soaking up the sun!! Instead I'm sitting here while it is sleeting outside. lol But we are in for a warm up towards the end of the week and should hit 60 degrees. Mind you it just was 11 degrees, which is better than negative numbers, but with the wind chill, we were down even lower. Soak up some sun for me my friend! Hugs,
Brenda

sharon said...

Wooow Shaz I do love the cards made with the brushos!!! very interesting,
I will have to google them.
Gorgeous photos's! you do live a beautiful part of the world :)
Enjoy your week.
hugs
sharon :)

kiwimeskreations said...

Shaz these are absolutely gorgeous - love the brushos and how you have used them - the butterflies are stunning.
Blessings
Maxine

Helen said...

Loving the greens and yellows.. what a great post. happy WOYWW Helen #2

Neet said...

Hi Shaz, got a little confused with the number of posts so early on a WOYWW day and then it dawned on me about the 17+ hours - doh!
Loved the Ozzy photos, made me so wish I could go and sit on a beach like that - minus the bluebottles. Got to look those up as they may not be the same as the ones here in England, and also the casurina as I don't know what that is.
Anyway, to your Brusho backgrounds. Love those little critters, especially, like you, the ones that burst into a myriad of colour. You have made some very pretty cards with those backgrounds and the butterfly (new) sets the card off to perfection on each colourway.
Keep going my friend, you create some beauties.
God Bless, Neet xx 4

Annie said...

I love the butterfly cards you've made this week. It's always nice to see how they go together. Fab beach pics and the last pic is so colourful. Gorgeous.....lots to be thankful for.
Have a great week.
Hugs,
Annie x #16

SumBunneh said...

Wow.. I adore my Brushos too but not had then out for ages... maybe when I finish my current card I can play with them.. they always remind me of tie-dye and I love how anything really does go with them.. lovely makes :)

My word for 2017 is BETTER. So far so good.

Have a great week.
Erika #9

glitterandglue said...

Hi Shaz. Those backgrounds and cards are simply lovely. Well done. I love using brushos - even though mine are nearly 20years old now they are still as good as new to use.
Lovely warm-weather shots to look at on a fiercely windy day here in North Wales.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #3

Kathyk said...

Great makes and beautiful pix

Have a wicked WOYWW

Kathyk
#15

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Shaz, gorgeous cards, love the Brusho backgrounds. They are always such a surprise, aren't they? Glorious scenery as always. getting very cold here, had some frost, and may get snow towards the weekend, but thats quite rare for us. Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #7 xxx

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

I absolutely ADORE your colourful backgrounds with those white circles! And thanks for smuggling a bit of summer into my cold January! Happy WOYWW! zsuzsa #20

Sharon said...

Beautiful, beautiful cards. I love the backgrounds. They are fantastic! Thanks for all the lovely sunny photos. I could certainly use them. It is that time of year when I am getting tired of winter and cold and snow. Your photos remind me of warmer days ahead and fun times in the sun!

Happy WOYWW
Sharon K #38

Jan said...

Great WOYWW TFS. Happy New Year xx Jan

Ginny Maxam said...

Hi Shaz, Such beautiful cards today, reading your blog is like going to Christian stamp and photo camp! I like how you store the brusho's too. These cards are really so pretty and cheerful!! Thank you for joining us in The Word Art Wednesday anything goes challenge, Have a wonderful week! Ginny M, DT

Lindart said...

How I wish I could jump into that ocean! Very cold here, high winds, snow, then rain, then ice. . .much rather be where you are! Lovely pineapple, so nice to see it's progress. Your 2 cards are beautiful, the butterfly die cut is awesome! Thanks for sharing, Lindart #39

Tertia said...

Love those cards, I am just not getting the hang of this whole background, art journal thing. Mine looks terrible!
Love all your photo's and that pineapple sure looks like its going to be rather large.
Happy WOYWW!
Tertia #10

Twiglet said...

Lovely sunny effect from those Brusho pieces Shaz. Your photos always make me wish for warmth and sunshine - it's chilly and very windy here today - snow forecast for end of week.x Jo

Dorlene Durham said...

Great pictures! I love your background pieces and the gorgeous cards you made with them. So fun! I need to do that more since I really do like making my own background pieces. Have a great week! Dorlene #44

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two beautiful cards Shaz, I love the brusho backgrounds that you've made and the gorgeous sunny photos of the beach too. Just when the temps here are dropping too.

Sue xx

Unknown said...

Hi Shaz! What fab colours those Brushos have might have to get some... Love the cards and photos too. Sez x #51

Lynn Holland said...

You can't beat a bit of mess especially when you get good results.
Oh to be on a great beach and blue skies - bliss
Lynn 5

Unknown said...

Hi Shaz, i do love brusho paints especially if you sneeze upon just opening the pot....and love your word choice for the year, gratitude is not something we necessarily see alot of...Donna xxx #45

Robyn said...

loving all the colors including the pineapple! I'm at a loss with Brushos, I like control!
I'd love to see what you do with Quietfire Dies!
Robyn 1

Conniecrafter said...

those backgrounds look wonderful, they do look like fun to play with and I like how you finished them off for cards!
Congrats on the design team!!
That pineapple is really coming along and is just beautiful!!

sandra de said...

Hi Shaz, lovely effect with those brushos and just love the cards you have created.
sandra de @22

buterfliecrafter said...

I really should get my brushos out and play with them, love your backgrounds and cards. Druling over your aussie pics as usual. Happy WOYWW, Vicky #12

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Brilliant cards Shaz, great use of the Brushos. They are great fun aren't they?

Lovely warming photos too, it's so cold over here at the moment.

Love and hugs
Maarit

LilArtsyWoman said...

Two very beautiful cards. I have Ken Oliver's color burst and will give this technique a try with that. Great pics of the beach...they make me feel so warm and happy while I sit watching snow. (lol)

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated WOYWW. I know that I would enjoy using Brushos - they are on my wish list, but I am not spending on craft supplies now, as I attempt to pay off my credit card debt - so not much chance of getting my hands on some for a couple of years. My word for the year is Relax - which I am getting better at. Ali x #29

RosA said...

Hi Shaz,
I'm not keen on zucchinis so you almost lost me at the title :) but then I saw what you have done with the brushos - gorgeous! The cards all look fabulous!
Great beach pics! We are over near the northern beaches this weekend, but really it's way too hot to actually be on a beach! Fortunately we are in air conditioned comfort. This heat is trying to kill me :(
Might email you shortly. Comments via phone are tricky :)

Kath Stewart said...

beautiful cards Shaz...looks like you had lots of fun creating those gorgeous backgrounds...thank you so much for sharing with us all at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge...hugs kath xxx

Teresa Kline said...

pretty cards, the backgrounds are stunning...fabulous photos too...thanks for sharing! I am so glad you played along with us at simon says stamp wednesday challenge!

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