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 13 November 2019

Ros’ French 70th card, Snippets + WOYWW

What a difference a week makes. Things topsy turvey here. Many evacuations yesterday in town, north west south of here, due to severe fire threats across North coast,into Sydney, Hunter district.
Mercifully I'm not near timbered bush but beach. Am continuing to earnestly & often to pray for rain, BECAUSE until we have it , this rollercoaster will not go away. Now watching weekend.
“.. a sunburnt country - of drought and flooding rain” to quote a well known poem. For us, a balance would be good.
My desk is distracted today because I am.
Do pop over to Julia’s for WOYWW or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday at Julia’s Stamping Ground!
On the far left is a contemplative pile... or what am I going to do next? I did actually go with top Brusho stencilled piece from few weeks back, as you’ll see below. At back is usual collection, far right you can just see a messy Milwaukee heat gun, that is 26 years old, still going strong! Well remember it cost an astronomical $60 in 1992! Next is mug of black tea which I think I managed to drink hot, not cold! 
To cards, this first card is order by family member in exchange for one of his birthday gift certificates. Ros' 70th birthday card is of her favourite location in France. The image is a painting entitled Beaune by CP Logan (she’s a French lecturer at Uni, so hope the French greeting from Google is right, it’s supposed to say “Best Wishes on your 70th birthday”).
The corners are from SB marvellous Square, 2nd largest die, EF is Embossalicious Regency Swirls.

The second card was asking to be made! I’d fiddled with this from two weeks ago when it was pastel shades, with TH Mosaic stencil (extended) in glittery paste on base card from recycled food box. Not happy .. added more brushos spritzed and dried. 
Die cut frame with Poppy Crafts Double Stitched rectangles, largest die. Added frame to card base, flat then popped up the internal rectangle. 
Used more snippets to multi due cut MB Chloe stem, extended the stem on the second one, the birthday die, is a CCD. When die cut the rectangle piece flattened the stencilled mosaic which I really liked.
Now the Australian photos today.
Sharing past week on the north coast, sadly 150+ homes and three lives lost at weekend. Last night (Tues12) 50+ homes were lost, 3 were just out the back areas of our town.
This is our town 4pm yest.. 
and 7pm at creek yesterday. The blanket of smoke was actually a Godsend, for the blanket meant the winds and temperatures were not as bad as predicted. 
As the cloud went before the children of Israel and kept the Egyptians from attacking, so the Lord kept worse happening yesterday, as it often is in our lives. I heard amazing stories of people who had everything around them go up in flames but some how they did not!! Prayer works, I've (&others) prayed for such miracles.
And so we pray on for properties, human lives and animals. Many are suffering as the next few photos show from FB. This poor kookaburra south of here, is a striking silhouette on a fiery landscape. The firies are simply amazing. I cannot thank them enough.
This Sat night at Nymbodia, is the area north west of here. Our fire is biggest in NSW, fire front is over 1,000km (621 miles) long 150,000 hectares 370,660 acres, burning since mid  Sept. 
Our fire has joined to four other fires, that make up roughly same size again, so over a third of million hectares, or 700,000 acres.
That is incomprehensible to be honest.
This comparison may help comprehension, as roos flee before the flames.
Numbers are out of date already. As one million hectares burnt in NSW aloneπŸ˜₯πŸ˜₯πŸ˜₯.
Last one for today, such a pretty cactus flower, they last about 2 days, soo big, roses are pretty at moment too but not had rain either of them.
On other news, start new meds on Fri πŸ˜Š. 
Also having at another excision on my right shin on Tues 26th, two inches above last one. 
Life is never dull. It will be stitches in three weeks, this time to make sure it doesn’t open, like last one, stitches only 2 weeks, May 15th. At least looks like this one is not malignant, just very fast growing, glad I jumped on it quickly. 
Well, that’s it for me, I pray with all my heart that this time next week I’ll be sharing rain again. At least all the rain of two weeks ago means 
those areas out west aren’t burning, a blessing indeed. It's places that missed that rain that are burning.
God bless your day wherever you maybe, and keep you and those you love safe,
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x
Thought for the day: 
God sends rain, blessings even to the unworthy..
We're a nation of sinners, who've willfully disobeyed God's holy laws (eg "love your neighbour as yourself").
I must continue watchful in prayer for a sinfilled Oz, as this rollercoaster has not ended.. till rain comes in God's great mercy. 
We never ever do deserve any of His blessings.
Do click on this, and read, it's a beautiful prayer. May God keep tgem all safe, and draw them to Himself too.
Linking up to the following:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. Two cards  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/
2. Snippets playground  http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2019/11/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge-365.html?m=1 card 2 is all snippets except card base. Food packet for Brushos piece.

37 comments:

Mrs A. said...

Oh Shaz, these pictures are just devastating. It certainly is tipsy turkey. We have severe flooding her3 in the Uk. I wish we could divert our rain to you. The whole world needs to take a wake up call but until all Countries come on board the rest are fighting a loosing battle. Hope your keeping ok. My frozen shoulder is still painful but now in stage two . It takes approx 2 yrs to clear up. Will be 1 yr in January. Most painful at night time when
I am laying still. Hugs Mrs A.

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

It certainly is a crazy upside down world of weather Shaz, as I am on the border of the floods recently in the UK I see on the News the devastation caused by the forest/bush fires. I said earlier if only we could shake the world and send the rain down under to douse it all. Lives and habitat destroyed, such a cruel world. We wonder if it is Gods way of cleansing us of evil but it seems that only the good in this world are harmed.
I can understand the distraction today, keep watch and keep safe.
Sending blessings your way thinking of of you Tracey #5 xx
P.S I adore your Mosaic card x

glitterandglue said...

Hi Shaz. Oh my - what devastation is going on in your beautiful land. May our Heavenly Father hear the faithful prayers of His saints and respond with mercy. We here are not following His ways either, and have been called to a day of prayer for our nations this coming Friday.
Love the cards. trusting your distracted desk will soon feel connected again.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #7

Christine said...

We certainly reap what we sow .... not always the guilty ones though. May God bless your country with the rain that is desperately needed.
Thank you for sharing your photos and comments
stay safe and blessed
Christine #27

Annie said...

I've been watching the news with all the fires in your beautiful country....it's so scary. Please stay safe my friend.
Hugs,
Annie x #13

Betsy said...

My dear Shaz, I have been praying for Australia and your photos indeed tell of the devastation that is still occuring. I fear this will be the fate of many until men turn from their wicked ways and their land shall be healed. We have had so many disasters here in the U.S. in the past few years but people don't seem to take heed that turning away from the Lord will wreak havoc in our lives and lands.
I wil continue in prayer, both of Oz and for your poor leg. I appreciate your prayers for my back. The injections didn't seem to do much this time around so still not very active.
Much love and blessings,
Betsy

Kath said...

I hope and pray you will get some rain soon - if only we could send some from the UK.
Kath #19

Diana Taylor said...

Your cards are beautiful Shaz, and the mosaic one is just stunning, what amazing texture and colours, I love it.
I truly hope your prayers are answered soon, the scale of devastation is hard to imagine.
Stay safe Shaz, I'm sending hugs and prayers your way,
Diana xx '18

Helen said...

I was thinking about you when I was watching the awful pictures on the news.> I do hope your prayers are answered soon. the cards though, are beautiful! Helen #3

loz said...

The bushfires are horrible Shaz. Every night I see it is getting worse not better. praying for rain. That poor kookaburra and the kangaroos fleeing the flames. Your cards are stunning.. Loz

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Oh Shaz, I'd wondered if the fires were near and they are, how terrible for everyone, humans and wildlife. I hope that rain comes soon.
Hugs LLJ 9 xx

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Oh dear Shaz. I dont have words for all that is happening at your country. Here in my we have a lot of rain. Nature. I am praying for your people and animals. Your fotos and handmade work is devine. Love all. Sending you hugs and prayes T.

Glenda said...

Your shared photos make it look like the whole world is on fire! How devastating it must be and so frightening as well. I cannot begin to understand what it would be like to lose everything in a fire. Praying for rain for your country.
Glenda #17

StampinCarol said...

My heart just breaks seeing your countryside and nation. Been praying for all. Beautiful cards. The die cut corners are so elegant!
God bless you!
Carol N #22

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

It is a truly sad time. If only we could give you some of our rain I'm sure we would, it's just crazy. Angela x16x

Shelly Schmidt said...

Shaz- the fires look terrible- I have not been keeping up with the news- have been traveling. Glad you are safe- keep the prayers going up!!! Much sin in the US as well!!!
I absolutely love your mosiac card made on the snippet- it is just beautiful!

kiwimeskreations said...

Loving both of your cards Shaz, especially that first one - that is amazing. The brushos/stencil one turned out beautifully in the end

Thank you for joining in the current Word Art Wednesday Challenge
Blessings
Maxine
WAW DT

Anne said...

The beauty of your cards and that stunning cactus flower provide some relief from the photos of the fires. My heart is overwhelmed with sadness and our prayers are pleading for God's mercy for your nation.

Craftychris said...

Oh those fires are awful! I am truly sorry for the loss you are suffering over there. Wish we could send some of our rain to you. We have too much, some areas of the country badly flooded - you need the water more! Your cards are gorgeous! Ros will adore her card and the textured mosaic along with the gorgeous colours and the white die cut make your second card a stunner! Your cactus flower is beautiful. Take care. xxx

Crafting With Jack said...

Those pictures are awful to look at and a dreadful experience for human and creature alike. The photograph with the Kookaburra was so poignant. Such dreadful extremes of suffering, the floods are awful here. Praying for Australia. Love your card x

Brenda said...

Oh my goodness Sharon, I'm so sorry to hear about these fires in your beautiful country! I know we have lots of fires in California right now but had not heard about your country's fires. I'm so happy you aren't near the fires. Please know that I will be praying hard for rain and for the firefighters to be able to get these fires under control as well as for everyone effected by these fires. Your anniversary card is just stunning my friend. Big hugs, love and prayers, Brenda

Brenda said...

Forgot to say that I will be praying for you as well Sharon, when you get your excision on your right shin. Praying that it goes much better this time around and yes, so very happy that it isn't malignant but happy you jumped on it quickly!!! Love, hugs and prayers, Brenda

Di said...

Wonderful snippets card Shaz, as always. Love the background.

The World is in a desperate state right now and I'm hoping so much that your get some rainfall before long, in fact the sooner the better.

Hope your surgery goes well - good that you jumped on it so quickly.

And the cactus flower is truly beautiful.

Hugs

Di xx

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Shaz, it is so sad to see all the fires burning.I do hope you are safe and well.Lovely card. Good wishes for your upcoming treatment. Feeling a little better again today, slow but sure improvement. Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz#2 X

Debbie Harris said...

Oh Shaz...Look at the devastation in your beautiful land. :(
Those photos certainly show the sadness not only for your land but for human life, homes and wildlife, just devastating.
Our country has it's own mess and you wonder sometimes if people just do not get it! It's amazing what is taking place but we continue to pray for hearts to turn towards God.
We have a job to do, pray and share the Gospel to a lost people.
Oh for the love of Christ, may we hold fast to the Truths found in God's Word, and keep looking to the One who is greater and mightier than what this world is going through.

Keep safe and God be with you.

Your cards are as beautiful as always!

Conniecrafter said...

I am continuing to pray that the fires will end soon, we are hearing about it almost daily over here now... may you all stay safe.

Your card is lovely for a 70th birthday, neat that you put the sentiment in French too.
Love your background on the second card, neat how you layered it.

Karen Letchworth said...

Thanks for sharing your art and your post, Shaz. I hope all is well with you. I'd love to have you stop by my blog to read my post as the Guest Designer for the Snippets Playground Challenge. You can find it here:
https://karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com/2019/11/creative-ways-to-use-snippets.html

Blessings to you,
Karen Letchworth

EmmaT said...

Beautiful card, such awful pictures, can't begin to imagine it and i so wish i could send you some of the ridiculous amount of rain we've had here. Hugs Emmax

Darnell said...

I am so saddened by the devastation and understand the despair as we have suffered greatly from drought and fire here in California, too. Of course, the extent of it there is mind-blowing. I'm so glad you are safe and I'm glad you are seeing to your leg, my friend. I'm sending prayers for rain and healing!! Hugs, Darnell

Dorlene Durham said...

Fires have been horrible in California too. It’s so devastating to see. Thankfully, we have not been affected but the air quality is horrible even though we are not close to the fires. It’s horrible. My thoughts are with the people affected by them. Dorlene #29

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

I'm shocked by these devastations! Poor people, animals and plants...Such sadness... Hope that the rain fall down early!! Rain, a lot of rain, please, Lord! Rain to stop all the fires!
I'm glad to hear that you are safe, Shaz! Your cards are very beautiful, and especially love the mosaic one, fabulous colours and effect!

Aimeslee Winans said...

Shaz, the fires are truly heart-breaking to me. I remember first learning about the role of fire in nature and thinking how would I ever learn to be okay with that and accept it as part of life? Kind of the same thing with our hurricanes we have. I just try and remember 150 years ago, we'd all be wishing for today's life. The hardships people endured blows my mind. We've just traded one set for another, I suppose. I will be praying for your excision to go well and your meds to not give you some bad side effect, they all seem to have them nowadays. Couldn't believe my ears on tv yesterday, they kept advertising some drug that is now needed to correct another drugs side effect!!! I'm not kidding you!!! Some drug given for Parkinsons can cause patients to have delusions so they have to take the second drug to control that. Brother! Oh, that flower so so pretty and your card using the mosaic stencil is fabulous, I am so drawn to it! Take good care and God Speed! xoxo

Sarah Brennan said...

I just wish that we could send you our excess rain from the UK. Devastating pictures. Praying that rain comes soon. Love the mosaic background card. Happy belated WOYWW. Sarah #1

Rosie Guiher said...

Just found your blog and wow what lovely cards you have made. I love the second one. The colors and the dimension is great. Sure have seen the fire on tv and pray it ends for you soon.

Shoshi said...

Oh Shaz... reading your post, brings the fires we have heard about into the personal realm. How devastating for those who have been affected. The Fireman's Prayer is very moving. I love your cards, particularly the mosaic one. Thank you for visiting all that time ago and sorry not to have replied - I haven't been in Blogland much recently. Thank you for your kind words about our kitties! We are 100% biased, of course! Our new car is all now complete with the wheelchair crane and the grab handle, and it's just like going out in the old one again!

Happy extremely belated WOYWW and happy WOYWW for this week too! God bless.
Shoshi x

Megan J said...

Hi Shaz, I've been thinking of you and hoping all is well in your part of the world, your area seems to have worn the brunt of the current firestorms in NSW, I hope all will be safe now the area has been burnt. We worry about the valley 200m from us burning every winter (south facing) it last burnt in 1980, a lot of fuel for the fires, if only the greenies would let them patch burn the national parks more regularly we wouldn't have the severe fires we are seeing now. The nearest to us is about 50k's away and has burnt out 165,000 hectares of land, I've been stuck inside when the smoke is bad... prayers for the firefighters and rain to come soon, not just for the fires but the drought ravaged areas too.

Love the green and mauve card with the stenciled detail on it too... Have a wonderful weekend... Megan

LilArtsyWoman said...

Saddened to hear about the devastation in your area. Praying that things will get better. Your cards are always a blessing to view and get some inspiration.

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