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 29 August 2018

Stencils Oxides Inky Embossing + WOYWW

Hi everyone.
Glad to be sharing today's crafty desk at WOYWW over at Julia's Stamping Ground. 
For those of you who are regulars to this blog, and wondering what's been happening please read this Post over here on vale Mike in Oz.
A quick post because I've been crafting with a very dear friend.. how wonderful!!
 Using Oxides here blending on top layer of EF for gentle shading underneath then loads of smooshing ink on top as well for real dimensional pop!
Then below is a stencil with blending of Oxides for a wonderfully fun background.
 Loved this result .. stencils and inks all supplies are my friend Anne's..  so can't give details sorry!
Rubbing wax on triple embossed craft cardstock.
The oxides were great on gold cardstock here too!! More wet amd dry embossing.
Finished result certainly worth it! Used silver rubbing wax on dragonfly.
Finished Desk. The plain brown check were simple dry wet embossing combo. Inked up top side of folder and emboss really well with number of passes through cuttlebug to give more dimension.
Card made with Washi tape, peel offs and scored lines. China H.B. die is triple cut in red gold and top layer is washi, all slightly offset for a shadow effect.
A tranquil photo from springtime Oz today after an afternoon's walk. Note wattle flowers in foreground.
Thank you to all who pop over and say hi. 
You really do bless my heart. 
I pray God may bless yours, also. 
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x
A favourite verse in times of trouble but also good for every single day of our lives . 
A proverb to live by, for us all:

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
Proverbs 18:10
Linking also over to:
1. Snippets Playground. Happy Birthday card is snippets
2. Word Art Wednesday

Tuesday 21 August 2018

Vale - Mike in Oz - 6.8.18

My dad reflected to me the characteristics of our Heavenly Father, for our "God is love."
Our dad was love.
It was his strongest characteristic. He loved his family, his friends,
he really loved being Poppa!
His grandchildren held a special place and our Great-poppa loved dearly loved his great-grandies too!
He loved people - teaching, painting, being helpful to any in need, generous, kind.

I'd like to share two memories.
Friday 27th, a good day, dad was very lucid. As I was hunting for something, finding it, dad said: “what was lost, is found”.
I turned around amazed and said “dad, do you know where that comes from?
 It is the story of the three lost things!”

Read in Luke 15, of the lost sheep, lost coin and lost son. At end of each it says “rejoice with me, for I have found that which was lost.” And “there is joy in the presence of the angels in heaven over one sinner who is sorry for his sin.”

We looked on mobile at a painting of the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, carrying his little lost sheep on His shoulders.
That’s us dad, I said. He loves and carries His little lost sheep safely home. Home is heaven.
We read of it, for it is a truly beautiful place, no sin, sorrow, sickness darkness, pain or tears.. it’s as real as the world outside, without all its flaws.
Dad’s bright blue eyes now had a look of wonderment.  I asked if he believed in God and the dear Lord Jesus who came to find and save us? He said clearly, “I didn’t, but I do now.”

I was very privileged to be with my dad on his last day – Mon 6th Aug.

Knowing from personal experience when unconscious you can hear things, voices, etc. I read to him from the old well-worn Anglican prayer book from our youth, read some of the beautiful prayers for times like this, which are full of the glorious promises to each of us from God’s word.
Reading too in same book some of the comforting Psalms, Dad’s breathing became more relaxed, quieter - as the word flowed over his spirit.
I then sang three hymns, I knew he would know * Amazing Grace, *Just A Closer walk with Thee, and * the Lord is my Shepherd.
For Dad now loved the Good Shepherd. 
As we came to:
“…Goodness and mercy all my life Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore, My dwelling place shall be..”
.. dad gave a sigh and passed over.

Dad’s peace in passing was remarkable - remarked upon by many..
 – by family, but most of all by caring wonderful staff at the nursing home, who see this sort of thing often.
In his last few days dad was so very peaceful – for he’d met the One Who is the Prince of Peace.
 
 Thanks so much for all of you who've prayed and sent loving thoughts this way.
You're deeply appreciated. I am taking leave from blogland for few months but will be back, God willing. :D
Lord bless and keep you all and I pray you too like dad ...whether  you are 12 as I was or 89 like my dad, You will come to know the LORD Jesus as our own Saviour. 
If we could get to heaven on our own merit, by what we do, there was no need for Jesus to come and die for us - which is a historical fact. We need the risen LORD as our Saviour today!
Hugs, and may prayers,
Shaz in Oz.x 

(Photos either my own or via Google.)

Wednesday 1 August 2018

Male Birthday card + Penny Black +WOYWW

Hi there! and so little time to blog, so another quick post. Making lots but can share. My dear Dad is still very unwell so prayer appreciated. And it’s What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday for WOYWW.. so let’s pop over to Julia’s Stamping Ground  for desks of the world!    To my desk:

As you can see lots hidden + two completed cards! Hidden? It's for birthdays yet to come. Two cards on top will share below; more watercolour cards, the Penny Back Vine stamp is done in yet another colourway, did three in all, one blue, last post, one in mauve mailed, and one in rose red. To colour them I use a base colour of Tombows (water based marker) then with Pearl-Ex mini watercolours in shade closest to it I pull colour out from dark to light and achieve a glimmery effect. Love it! See below. Also a vague hint re coming event of great import for WOYWW - on Sat 8th. God willing, someone maybe there, namely yours truly. Please keep it all under thick wraps for mo, so please NO commenting of it on interweb (it's also dependent on family situation). You may of course email contact Margaret or our wonderful leader Julia!
 Finished card - used same pattern as one on last post with same dies and embossing folders, so scroll down. The photo below gives the sheen
 This is the mauve one in same stamp etc.

Here is last card for today. it is a male 90th. 

Stamp is a clear set from China. Its for a friend's dad.. not mine. Stamped it on watercolour paper, then sponged sky with hand cut mask, coloured the boat with mixture of Tombows and Pearl-Ex water colours and same for sea. Papers are unknown bargain ones. Die for frame is SB Labels 28. The flag die set is a CCD. Digi for sentiment. "90' is from Disc CB alphabet die set.
Some Aussie shots now of course!
 In winter we get lovely colours on the hibiscus flowering in our front garden. I call it Marnie's, because it is from a cutting of her plant, she is my BiL mother.
 This is sunset at the beach north of here where my family live... love the soft hues of God's canvas!
 Thanks so much for popping over for a peek and chat. time very limited to return your kind comments. So appreciate your patience and kindness in this busy period.
May God bless and keep you safe in your day, wherever you maybe! 
I am praying for rain for us, ALL of NSW in drought, no fodder for sale for farmers to feed their stock in all of our state. It has to be trucked in from interstate. A big brown land desperately needs rain, please LORD.
Hugs and prayers, Shaz in Oz.x

 Verse for today is one of my illuminated ones, done quite a few times. I love the promise of hope in it!! PEACE - real, fair-dinkum peace!
PEACE with God, through our LORD Jesus Christ, our gift for all eternity through faith in Him. How precious is that?!
Also joining up with 
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...