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Wednesday, 29 November 2017

One Layer Stamped Christmas card + WOYWW

Hi all, Just quickly popping in for WOYWW for Workdesk Wednesday over at Julia's place!
My desk, post is nice and short as Julia likes it:
Am getting inky here as you can see, it is a mask made with SB largest decoration bauble die, and inking up inside, first with Cloud White chalk ink then added golden glitz to edges and DI inks on centre, in Chipped Sapphire, Dusty Concord, and where star is after inking added Seeded Mustard. Stamp set is unmounted set by Unity Stamp by Itty Bitty, called A child is born 1B-126 about five years ago and particularly like this nativity set, inked in Versmark and Gold embossed with Stampendous fine detail gold EP.
 You can see a very CAS card as over at Stamping Sensations they were calling for one layer cards and this idea popped into my head last night, it took me an hour to make. However it would've been less if hadn't botched the corners. 
Had to cover the just inside corners with gold paper to hide that they didn't match through. Should've used corner die not punch, as card is too thick. 
The verse is from Isaiah 9:16, and on stamp background of main image it ties in Prince of peace which I really like too. Love cards to reflect real reason of Christmas. This verse from Isaiah is on inside of all my cards this year.
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.
Now to Aussie shot taken yesterday on our icecream drive, and yes, another perfect day in photo perfect place. Very blessed indeed.
Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek and chat! 
May God bless your day wherever you may be.
Shaz in Oz.x 
PS have some alcohol ink and die cuts cards below this 

Free from previous Word Art Wednesday, see here.
Also Linking to:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/ 
2. Stamping Sensations, Single layer card.
3.http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2017/11/chnc-challenge-361.html
4.http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com.au/2017/11/chnc-challenge-extra-for-november-2017.html
5. Allsorts Challenge - inspired by a Christmas song ... For Unto Us a child is born, I know the hymn if others dont as dont think it is a common one!  
at 42 comments:

Monday, 27 November 2017

Alcohol Ink + Die Cut Christmas Card- Scrappy Mo’s Challenge

 Warning photo heavy post!
I’ve two types of cards to share today, I’m way behind on sharing cards etc.!
Firstly showing how great die cuts are for using up failed pieces of snippets: this piece of alcohol ink with spray adhesive to attach to acetate, and no! spray adhesive doesn't work on acetate.. see post here (I show warts and all!).
  Add a die cut, and hey presto! a great piece of alcohol under the die cut. 
(this is a CCD, on eBay, also freebie with Cardmaker Mag., where first saw it)
Two cards made with the die cut, managed four out of the scrappy bit of alcohol ink piece. Have to make some more alcohol on gloss, now to use under more die cuts!
Embossing Folder  by Ultimate Crafts Christmas set. Verses are digi by Karen Murray of WAW.
 
Used gloss cardstock, mixed alcohol inks Indigo blue + Mermaid green + silver with blending fluid. With cling wrap moved inks around + kept  hands clean. 
When happy, removed plastic wrap and allow to dry (they were hard to photograph).
 
 
Frame from Poppy Crafts rectangle die set - PCD17-23
Assorted die frames for verses. 
To the Aussie shots now taken when out for a drive last week, we are enjoying amazing weather downunder! See there's a seat  waiting for you to visit - we could take a thermos of tea with us!
 
Well, I'm delighted to welcome another new wonderful encourager of this blog, how wonderful... Rose of Rose’s Art Garden! 
Please do pop over and say hi, as she is a new blogger, too!
I'll try pop by everyone who calls, but time is limited, so just doing my best. 
May God bless you in your day wherever you may be, and thanks so very much for all your kind encouragement even when I'm not a good blogger. :D
Shaz in Oz. X

at 33 comments:

Wednesday, 22 November 2017

Cards In Hurry - Snippets + WOYWW

  Another Wednesday, so a desky share - or What is On Your workdesk Wednesday.. pop over to our Julia's desk for the link up, at Stamping Ground!
To my desk! yup, current desk in very bight sunshiny window area, hence glare on left, should've shut curtains! I love this spot for finishing up and colouring on cards, have number of Christmas cards on go here - three different types, the top set with start masks and dies was blogged on this post here.

 These two cards were made on the run before a trip away in Sept. Love how you can dive into snippets and come up with cards. The top one is a disc. leaf die bought on sale, a NBUS as Darnell would say, as is the orchid EF by Embossalicious underneath. The alcohol ink piece was one from snippets drawer, alcohol pieces look great under die cuts!

 This card is made with two snippets - a verse printed out a freebie from Word Art Wednesday, and the daisy piece is with Artneko daisy stamp set and using the bleach technique where you paint the stamped and **embossed flowers with bleach which neutralises colour then use colours to shade them (** embossing contains where bleach goes).
How I love this verse which tells of the promise of our great God's faithfulness to us! How rich we are in Him!
To the Aussie shots, first one taken in the Japanese garden in our botanic gardens! one below taken at our jetty marina on a superb spring day!
Well, I'm delighted to welcome new wonderful encouragers, first in many months! 
You will learn much from these clever crafters.. a pleasure to visit..
.... so do pop over to their blogs and give them some encouragement! 
They are very new bloggers and present at WOYWW for first time in last few weeks. 
Pop over and say Hi to Crafty Little Miss K and also Heather's Crafty Retreat!

Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek and chat! 
May God bless your day wherever you may be. 
  Will do my very best in commenting, and truly appreciate your visits!
Shaz in Oz.x  


PS dont forget on 25th Nov - 30th is the last Rudolph day too over at Scrappy Mos Christmas challenge.... where did 2017 go?
 "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22, 23


I would like to link these up to the following challenges: 

at 27 comments:

Sunday, 19 November 2017

Blogger Tips on How to build a successful Blog

(Promised this ages ago, if looking for Beccy's challenge, et al. please scroll down, not far!)
 
I started blogging by accident in November 2010 (01.11.10), for my first post see here, I did eight months of blogging before jumping in so had some idea already. 
 Decide which format or platform you want to use, most crafters use Blogger and so I chose that over Wordpress, the other popular platform.
1. First of all -Name of blog.
Make it uniquely yours! Easily identified, see mine above .. it is easily identified, not generic name.
Also if possible have same URL as blog it’s very helpful!
this is mine, for Google search ease.
https://calligraphycards-shazinoz.blogspot.com.au/
If you change your mind later on blog name, it won’t be same URL, hinders google analytic searches.

2.  Search engine accessible.
 Travelling around blogland these days, a lot of folk don't make the best use of how search engines work!! Using this knowledge in post titles they publish.  
Key to being picked up in search engine searches is a good post title.
Look at this post title!
Blogger Tips on How to Build a Successful Blog
***First of all I do have a title. 
Some folks dont even realise they need a post title.
No post title means every single post you write on your blog will have the same URL.

This will be come a problem if you want to join challenges, link over somewhere or send a link to someone for specific post. 
**Give your post a GOOD title.
It is best not to use simply one word. eg birthday, it simply wont come up in any search, too generic.
THINK, ASK:  What might a search engine look for?
Or what might be put in a Google search? 
Tips for blog post title:
A. Name of technique used or explored. 
eg Wet and Dry Embossing on Christmas cards.
B. Name of key product used.
 eg Lawn Fawn Gleeful Gardens stamp set - in 3D style 
I think about what question I would put into a search engine when writing a blog title.

3. Blogging Etiquette - As much as able return visits, and if someone joins your blog don’t ignore them, welcome them and join theirs... if you can find who they are.
 If you join someone’s let them know so they don’t have to hunt for you too.
Simple Blogging courtesy is the key.

4. Images: Use good clear images with simple, clear explanations ...avoid waffle. I’m going to talk in another post about images, photography tips, because image size is relevant. 
(Am writing a post on how to take good photos so watch out for that one)

5. Blogger Tools - Do Use Them.
Use labels on your sidebar and key labels as top tabs in pages on layout.
As you'll see I've several top tabs. Home, Calligraphy, Christian, Tips Techniques,  etc. Labels are handy for quick searches. 
Mine actually need a good spring clean.
Use blogger Gadgets and Widgets (in layout on Blogger) to add a Search bar, Follow by Email etc.

6. Open any link on post in NEW tab... please, please don’t take folk away from your blog by not doing this simple thing, ie a link opens in a new tab, not on page you’re currently viewing.
Blog Post explaining this - see here!
  These are just a few helpful tips. There is much more could share as now been blogging for over seven years, but won’t take up any more time.

 Just adding quickly to this ready post my challenge entry for Beccy's great blog sketch challenge. . here! My take on it below using one of Beccy's gorgeous nativity digital images, a pre-coloured one! 
Not quite happy with it, but one more made! Yay!
 Beccy's pre-coloured shepherd image, ink dusted the background did mask iamge but imperfect masking -> so hand cut another to over lay image, in my easy 3D style (see here), ta-dah! my take on her sketch, no altogether happy but it will do.
Enjoying beautiful weather down under .. a favourite beach north of here!

 Thanks to all my wonderful encouragers on my blog, I feel very unworthy of all you kind folk who’ve joined and keep coming back even when I can’t visit as much as I have in past.
Do pray this post is a help,  will blog photo post soon, God willing. Promised someone these ages ago. 
Prayer Hugs, 
Shaz in Oz.x

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory..".. Ephesians 4:19, 20a
I would like to link these up to the following challenges: 
at 14 comments:

Wednesday, 15 November 2017

Bizzy Becs DT - Wet + Dry Embossing Background Dies

 Hullo there everyone! Another DT post for Bizzy Bec's, few cards with a newish technique used back here! A big peek..
 
Using from Bizzy Becs:
Frantic Stamper Sanharan Screen Background Die
STEP BY STEP:
Cut piece of card coloured or white card of good weight, to fit die for background piece. As you'll see I used two different background dies here.
 Use anti static pad on card first, ink it up lightly with Versamark ink pad

TIP: Put versamark on cutting surface *only, so just dust *gently across the top of the die.
**avoid as much as possible pressing into the crevices of the die pattern.
If you do, you'll need to remove lots of excess powder from wrong place. 
(Wonder why I know)

After inking, work out embossing sandwich for your machine, I used a very thin shim on my machine, instead of thicker usual shim.
Place cardstock on rubber mat, gently lower die, cutting side down on cardstock and run through once. I found once with thinner shim sufficient on my machine.
Dust well with EP of choice, remove unwanted areas with fine paint brush (much less on my third attempt) and heat set.
 If not quite enough embossing, you can carefully repeat, I did on one of mine, and it worked well. Just line up carefully.
The other background die used. First time used, I put in centre pieces of Sue Wilson die. But left it plainer on third card, thought it looked better, less is more.
Use a fine brush to remove excess powder.
  Choose simple overlay of design on top, these Elizabeth Craft Design Quietfire dies are simply perfect.
 Die cut the greeting three times with backing double sided paper on the back.
 Leave greeting in base card and layer the intricate top layers into placed whilst still not separated (see photos). Makes it much easier!
 Loved both these variations, it would look great on deep burgundy cardstock too or green for a Christmas card background.
 Sue Wilson die with and without centre.
 
 Thanks for patience in reading this long post.
Now dont forget to pop over  HERE at Bizzy Bec's and please do join in ANYTHING GOES November CHALLENGE - to win that monthly prize (posted overseas too!).
Pop by Bec's store, too, for her great bargain prices.  



    
Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek and chat!

May God bless your day wherever you may be. 
  Will do my very best in commenting, and truly appreciate your visits!

Shaz in Oz.x 

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." Mark 12:30
  Linking up to:
 1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes, both cards   http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au   
2. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets, die cuts.  http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/
3. http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-snow-white/ could add snow to your project or use a lot of white on your creation.
 
at 19 comments:

Wednesday, 8 November 2017

Calligraphy Eamon Sleeps Here, Starry Christmas cards + WOYWW

(Warning - photo heavy post! )
Hi there everyone, As it is Wednesday, I've a desky share - for What is On Your workdesk Wednesday.. pop over to our Julia's desk for the link up, at Stamping Ground!
To my desk, or actually yesterday’s desk, I’m working on finishing some cards here, was very busy so left mine unfinished.
 Christmas is the theme at the moment as realising how quickly the year is flying away... and not all my cards done. I visited a friend for two nights last week and made her some Christmas cards, and some for myself as well, here’s one. I bought ages ago this silver Cosmic shimmer embossing paste and finally used some of it, very pretty. 
Now to some calligraphy...

I also promised a few weeks ago (see back here) to share the calligraphy “Eamon sleeps here” as it’s been opened I can share it now, remember this is a copy, see original post for details on how I did it.
 Will share Eamon’s Card (previewed here), too.
Eamon’s card was made with a mask, a giraffe mask or stencil bought very cheaply a Chinese one .. but to be honest, it’s only worth what I paid for it, as it’s very thin. Embossed first the stencil in cuttlebug. Then inked up with Distress inks, and sealed in with versamark and embossing powder
Creating a scene with masked off giraffes, sky and grass plain, using ink dusters. Then adding various stamps, Darkroom Door tree set and some Stampscapes too, and coloured it with Caran D’Ache pencils.
Now the Christmas card... used a Memory Box starry night stencil, and paste, adding a layered die cut by Kaisercraft (disc.) of star bought on sale, then added some digi verse, are four of these. The verses are by Karen Murray of Word Art Wednesday (link to Karen Murray Word Art Etsy Shop, currently in recess but email her on site, maybe might be able to buy Christmas set)..

 Now to Aussie Shots, image above was taken on my phone this afternoon after dropping car off for service. Water was soooo pretty, high tide at the creek. The one below was taken when out with dad, we had a cuppa a the Clog barn and checked out the garden display. Love the water dragons on white stones near the water, posing as still as statues, water lilies too very pretty.
Thanks so much for all your loving, caring comments, too! I'm improved in health just this past week which is a really great blessing, and received a good report (for me :D) from my Syd Dr's visit too, much answered prayer. God is very good. 
Crafty hugs and may our God richly bless your day in every way.
Shaz in Oz.x 
“So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.” Psalm 79:13 
I would like to link these up to the following challenges: 

at 29 comments: