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

Tuesday 28 February 2017

Draw of #310 candy + Rudolph day

Hi everyone ... 
 Well, 'tis curious the way that things happen sometimes! When first praying over doing this candy, toyed with idea of 28th Feb draw date or a number instead. 
As ordained of the LORD (so I believe) they co-incide on the same day anyway!
As the verse below says.. "the lot is cast into the lap, (or hat in this case) but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD"
All comments on the candy post (see here) were printed off. Checked for who had actually joined blog, non encouragers were removed; added another entry for each who added it to their sidebar, cut and folded and ready to draw!
The person drawn is new encourager as it happens - so  Denise Bryant, (who doesn't have a blog yet 😊)  please email me with your address {my email is here} so I can have the Joanna Sheen gift card sent to you, or small piece of calligraphy if you'd rather!
I drew a second one  ... and Pia would you send me your address too please (Email is here)? as I will send you a small piece of calligraphy as thank you for being a wonderful encourager of this blog! I am sorry you all can't receive a prize.. to be honest it quite blows me away when I think of it of over 300 encouragers, how blessed of God I am, blogging really is rewarding, isn't it? I never quite realised how much till I'd begun more than six years ago now.
My card for Scrappy Mo's challenge this month for Rudolph day from 25th of each month till the last day of month - which in February's case is today!
All **snippets except base, the bookmark on top was sent to me as a bookmark, I layered it up on green card embossed and gold ink highlights. Stamped and music background stamp and gold embossed and then attached tag/ bookmark.. lo, finished! a cheaters card indeed! (** Snippets, so off to the playground yay!)
I love the words of this image... Jesus is the most important gift at Christmas, for in and through faith in Him alone is found Hope, Love and Joy! and I might add peace...
This is just a playing card still not sure it wont be ditched.. its done with Panpastels and white embossing. It lost lot of its definition, that's why am not sure wont remake it.. what do you think?

Well, I'm delighted to welcome new wonderful encouragers ..
Lisa of http://indymermaid.blogspot.com.au
Janet of http://dottyscraftyantics.blogspot.com.au/
Wanda of https://artbywanda.blogspot.com.au/
Kim of http://sarahlizzies.blogspot.com.au/
and then drumroll, please! ..... no #310 is Sam of http://whisperscards.blogspot.com.au/

These clever crafters are a pleasure to visit..
.... so do pop over to their blogs and give them some encouragement!

Thanks dear wonderful friend and encouragers - you are all such a blessing to me!
.. thanks so VERY much for all your lovely comments and may the LORD bless your day wherever you may be!
Shaz in Oz.x 

The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:33

Things are pretty full on here so this is a scheduled post and will link over when time permits.
1.
Rudolph day challenge over at Scrappy Mo's
2.Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets first card. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 
3.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

Wednesday 15 February 2017

Bokeh Technique + Die cutting - Bizzy Becs DT

Hi everyone, 
Just popping in to share a card for a very important young lady ( doesn't look at blogs so it's ok)
 This is also my mid month DT post for Bizzy Bec's.
Okay here is a sneak peek of my card... as you can see it is inky, using the bokeh method, plus loads of die cutting.
So here I am getting inky .. used some Distress inks (Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Pine Needles and Peeled Paint), with some memento inks - Bamboo shoots and Pear tart. One inked "ombre" with Ink dusters. Other, rejected for the moment, was smooshed.
Die cutting the bottom of the sheet with ink ombre piece.
TIP: heard on one of many videos (Lost in Paper?) recently was that if: 

1.keep die cut a base in fun foam piece.
2. squeeze
Tombow glue over fun foam die cut (whilst still in foam base).
3. Let it dry to get tacky, then you have time to position the top die cut well before adhering. Tombow becomes re-positionable after drying some, I guess this may apply to all tacky glues.
The Bokeh part: 1.cut different sized circle dies for a template to ink around.
2. Use sponge applicator and chalk ink and various layers of circles assorted sizes.
3.You need base ink utterly dry avoiding not have greenish circles, ie no ink transfer.
4. It's better to dry chalk ink off as you go, so circles keep more distinctive.

This piece is the smooshed ink sheet with circles on it, will be used later. 
(See also my board BOKEH on pinterest for how to)
Completed card. This is a partial CASE of this card on Pinterest - from Splitcoast Stampers, but couldn't find person's name.
Products used:
Taken while sitting under the brolly (beach umbrella) - the view of Downunder's summer, to brighten your day!

If you have time, I'd really appreciate a comment on my DT post here - thank YOU!
Well, that's it for today... dont forget to pop over and join in Bec's Anything Goes February challenge .. you might win the prize :D

May the LORD bless you and those you love, wherever you might be.
Thanks so much for popping over for a peek and a chat. 

Shaz in Oz.x

"But I will sing of Thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning: 
for Thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble". Psalm 59:16 
Linking up to:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/
4 Use your favourite tool over at Simon Says Monday  challenge - mine .. well, kinda two!! * ink dusters and the dear old *Cuttlebug! http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=8173
5. Hearts and flowers - Allsorts shallenge -Die cut with flowers, a very special card for very special person   http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/week-402-hearts-andor-flowers.html 

Monday 13 February 2017

Penny Black "Bejeweled" Layered Stamping

Well, it is about time I moved into the computer room to do something... it is has been heatwave here for last three days or four! So little done that wasn't necessary... phew, praise God, for the cool change! 
Bad fires in some parts out west of NSW, so I'm praying for all those hardworking farmers, who lost homes and stock and feed. So heartbreaking. Pray for them!
First layers of greens going down - with mini Misti stamping the PB Bejeweled Used Distress inks and Tombow watercolour markers too, and spritzed them before stamping, very lightly.
Flower: Base of DI Tumbled Glass, Tombow purple + Seedless Preserves DI
After test run starting on card proper .. this as a very special card for my sister's birthday. I was using some very beautiful, but expensive linen card, from UK. Bought twenty sheets of it. As I used two on this card, will have to be selective in use, hence trial runs first.
Added some script stamping over background (smudged off some of ink in certain spots) with SU French Script and Memento London Fog. Used Blue PanPastel for the edging highlight.
Three toppers haven't been made up yet, as had to make other cards... here is finished card. Used Poppy Stamps Fancy Happy Birthday, triple mounted on it.
EDIT: this card above was awarded a top five place over at Allsorts .. Wowee!! :D

 
Penny Black Wonderful Day clear set.. did this for a friend, and 3D-ed as I love to do, mixed coloured with pencils + Promarkers. Papers are Digis, have lost original file (in a clean up, bad me), so no name. SB Marvellous Square, largest die also used. Ribbon from stash.
May God bless each of you this day in all that you do - and thanks for popping over and saying hi - you bless my heart, 
Shaz in Oz.x 

A special welcome to these wonderful bloggers who've so very kindly joined this blog .. so very much appreciated, each of them! :D

2. Janis' blog .. love the name of thishttp://herpeacefulgarden.blogspot.com.au/
4. And due to Bloggers shenanigans, of dropping folk off list of followers, Kath had to rejoin.. http://handmadebykath.blogspot.com.au/
5. Denise Bryant, who doesn't have a blog yet. 😊
6. long time visitor who also rejoined Aileen of http://colourandsparkle.blogspot.com.au/
7. a newbie blogger Anne of http://cobnutcrafter.blogspot.com.au/

You will learn much from these clever crafters.. a pleasure to visit..
.... so do pop over to their blogs and give them some encouragement! 

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12
Joining up with:
3. Penny Black try something new - first card, neve stamp and never used with layering before like this http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/pbsc-february-try-something-new.html
4. Hearts and flowers - Allsorts shallenge - flowers on both PB cards  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/week-402-hearts-andor-flowers.html
5. Penny Black - use your favourite stamp - both cards are favourite stamps, one is new favourite second one is an old favourite .. as are all my PB to be truthful as dont have large number!
http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/february-use-your-favourite-stamp.html
6. Anything goes over at https://artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/challenge-172.html
7. http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/challenge-237-rhinestones-andor-ribbon.html (ribbon on second card)
 Happy little stampers *watercolour challenge http://www.happylittlestampers.com/2017/02/hls-february-watercolour-challenge.html
*as used linen cardstock I did watercolour pens on some of this flower plus spritzing with waterbased inks to stamp.

Wednesday 8 February 2017

WOYWW + Birthdays - Red Eyed Green Frog...

hi there one and all,
Firstly to my desk, as it is WOYWW or What is on your Workdesk Wednesday (pop over to Julia's and please join in, do!).
And joining in with Work it Wednesday @Simon Says Stamps (new - new digi, new hessian ribbon, first time used brushos with embossing water colour card, too)!
Okay so I've tricked you... this is last week's desk.. this weeks will come .. but thought better show the piece I was working on that I hid from you first.. note the square die out from SB Marvellous squares as it s used as corners below.
Sizzix folder leaves - from the Peacock set, bought this folder loose on eBay no case.
In case you wnat to know what brushos used. It is Lime green, Yellow, Olive Green, yellow Ochre. I learnt in making this no two water colour papers are equal, the colour didnt move much on this unless you really wet it.. but dried okay. (of course I found a loose snippety sheet of paper and dont really know which one it was)
Didn't have right colour card so embossed with SU Sizzix Lattice folder (extended), and inked it up, ended using other side though.
Finished card, the photo is googled digi of a painting by Pravin Sen of the  Red Eyed frog native to Australia. Stamp, Happy birthday gold embossed, is by Lawn fawn too much to say. The image below shows corners - sorry, it wont go where I want it to, will it?
Okay here is my desk now .. (except one thing has changed, the image on left has been trimmed and edged with soft purple tones. This is a new PB stamp called "Bejeweled" a real favourite already, from Christmas gift. So this the play with it and managed three toppers out of four goes, then made the proper card for tomorrow's birthday. I will be back in day or so with the follow up post, God willing.
Now to the pickies from downunder ... taken on our icecream drive.. a surfer or two, if you look really well, taken on mobile so not really good. .. but hot and sunny downunder!



Well, I'm delighted to welcome a new wonderful encourager ..
JennyL of Jenfa Cards
You will learn much from this clever crafter, a pleasure to visit..
.... so do pop over to their blogs and give them some encouragement! 
May God bless each of you this day in all that you do - and thanks for popping over and saying hi - you bless my heart, 
Shaz in Oz.x 
"Jesus .. is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them". Hebrews 7:22, 25
Joining up to: 
1.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes     http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au   
2. http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
3 .http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=8171 Young at heart ... this card is for my much younger nephew .. who likes frogs

Thank YOU Blog Candy - Drawn at 310 Encouragers!

Hi there dear Wonderful Encouragers of this blog,
I thought it high time that we had a small candy as a little THANK YOU TO ALL YOU WONDERFUL Folk - to all of you dear Encouragers of this blog.
I missed the sixth blogaversary, been hovering in 290's for months, gain one, loose one or two, so decided to incorporate this goal of 310+ with the candy. 
The reason for the number is in the hope it will stay above 300. 😊
To enter:
1. Be an Encourager of this blog ie join through the follow button, on side bar.
I suggest you check it is showing "un-follow" button - as sometimes blogger plays tricks and un-follows you - it has with me! and had to re-follow blogs.

2. It would be appreciated if  you would put a link on your sidebar, or mention it in a post (add link for this in a comment) step 2 -  gives you an extra entry in candy.

3. Please leave a comment below. (ONE entry for comment, EXTRA ENTRY for those who add to sidebar)

In event a non-crafter wins I will do them a piece of calligraphy ... so if you dont craft and want a piece of personalised calligraphy,  please do enter... also if you prefer the calligraphy that is okay too. Just say!

New Encouragers or followers are very welcome. If they are genuine, not just candy hunters.

Sunday 5 February 2017

Bizzy Bec's February Anything Goes Challenge

{Butterfly Challenge on Vellum below or - here!
and WOYWW #400 is Here!!}

Hullo one and all, tis time yet again for another "ANYTHING GOES" challenge over at Bizzy Bec's for the month of February! Join in, please do, you just might win the prize of stamp or a die !!
There was a very special couple who recently announced their engagement and so collected together some favourite wedding/ engagement cardstock and dies .... this card like many came into my head quickly but took a bit longer to make.
Engagement card made with:
Spellbinder Scalloped Borderablities Die
Impression Obsession - Heart of Hearts Die
Similar card to 6 x6 Ivory Cardstock 
Glitter similar to Stampendous glitter and embossing powder set
Embossing Folder Cuttlebug Love set ( Discontinued)
Some clear Bling to finish it off! (NOTE: it's not white card, pale rose pink frosted card) 😊
My desk ten days ago now, for WOYWW, when hiding the card being made at this stage. You can however see the die used for the greeting (back middle), and some loose, small hearts from heart of hearts die (near envelope at top). Will save them for a shaker card.
The true beauty of this card isn't caught by the camera - from the very soft rose pink sheen on the frosted cardstock, to the glittery shine behind the mini hearts dies. I used the shimmery glitter with glossy accents. The Jac double sided paper I used first didn't have enough of the glitter on it for my liking. So squeezed over top of it some Glossy Accents, poured over the glitter and waited it to dry.
Then rubbed off excess when when and truly set. I was really happy then.

I also glued the extra heart inserts into the heart Die with the Glossy Accents too. The greeting was a digital sentiment printed on my inkjet printer then embossed with silver embossing powder.
If it's glossy card then use embossing buddy (see here how to make it, actually prefer them to my bought one) before printing and have EP ready to sprinkle when it comes out of printed, before ink dries. I love how well it fitted with Die from SB Divine Eloquence ..

I did do it in a Word doc. to make sure it fitted, that's the beauty of digis.
Well, that's it for today... dont forget to pop over and join in Bec's Anything Goes February Anything Goes Challenge challenge .. you might win the prize :D
May the LORD bless you and those you love, wherever you might be. 
Thanks so much for popping over for a peek and a chat. 
Shaz in Oz.x

"23 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.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it:" Revelation 21

Gold Embossed Vellum with Butterfly Challenge - Underneath +Umber

Hi there one and all, well lobbing in for very very quick post, as over at Mrs A's Butterfly Challenge it is U is for Underneath and/or Umber!
Yup, it surely sounds hard doesn't it? But curiously, as was musing on it when I was doing something else, an idea flashed into my head! As is my wont when this happens, I scribbled a layout sketch and description on the back of an envelope. I have of course been totally flat strap with a list way longer than any arm, but pressed ahead on this at night instead of TV.
So here my "desk", or actually kitchen bench, dining room side. I was working on a "must do" chart for the church on dining table (only place it fitted) and this in between.
 I stamped two sheets of vellum with gold butterflies, laid out on Mini misti, sure makes it easier. They were small set by Kaisercraft and larger set of butterfly clear stamps by Stampendous, done in versamark then heat embossed in gold.
I coloured UNDERNEATH the vellum in two variations of colours, the UMBER, orange and yellow Tombows. The purple mauve and pink variation - I have a friend ( birthday 28 Feb.) who loves butterflies and purple. As I was colouring I thought I'd do the umber one into a sympathy card, which was of the Lord, as I needed one to give out this morning at church so it's already gone
.
Here I am using PanPastels (Raw Umber) on the embossed verse by Stampendous from 1994, and price on is $14.95, which over twenty years ago was lot more than now. Curious, too, how varied the colour umber is according to whether it is Burnt Umber, Raw Umber or just Umber.

The verse is one from early 1990's Revelation 21:4
 "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:"
 I stamped embossed it onto a snippet, the gold edges are snippets good embossed, and the SB Peitite Ovals are scrap cards also gold embossed.
Taken on our ice cream drive today, the one below is a close up, the beach on southern side is a dog leash-free beach ie unleashed dogs are allowed. How they love it.
 
Thanks so very much for popping over and please let know with a comment that you've been by!
Lord bless you and your dear ones wherever you may be!
Shaz in Oz.x


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