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 2 September 2020

Calligraphy First Birthday, Optical Illusions + WOYWW

Hullo there, everyone, and yes 'tis Wednesday so it’s time to pop over at Julia’s Stamping Ground, where we see desk of marvellous inspiration worldwide.
This desk is actually a few weeks ago as was preparing for a birthday pressie and card. This is an Aussie bird, of course, a Kooka, or more correctly blue winged kingfisher or colloquially called kookaburra.
NOTE: I did NOT draw this image, it’s taken from web.
 I tried unsuccessfully to find who it was by, to give them credit but it wasn’t clear on google image, I suspect it’s an old one. I did very light grey print out of image on good art paper, hand coloured it with Prismas and did calligraphy with dip pen and Calli black ink "Oliver sleeps here".

I wasn’t really well when did this and writing was shaky, but did my best, coloured image with pencils.
Here is a pickie I took of our Kookas on good camera a few years a good.
The card is LOTV Image (a NBUS had for years), used some random DP, with TH EF called dot matrix, edge die is old one by Nellie Snellen, fitted circle die with number on is also from an old Nellie Snellen Lace Circle set (this is smallest die, never knew it cut this shape till made this).
Next two are some quick makes a while ago as needed cards, one old brayered inky stamp, not sure what stamp set, edge die disc ODB, Corners SB square die piece cut up.
Love this Sweet n sassy verse stamp, had pre-stamped.
Its card for a very dear friend. Braid is old NBUS, corners are Lala Land filigree, DP printed from stash.
 
Last card is for a very special mathematical lad in our family, he loves maths like my dad. Dad was the first person in Aust to do the diploma of Mathematics from the London University, by correspondence in early 1960’s.
So I made an optical illusion card for Thomas‘ 11th birthday on 26th Aug. last Thursday.
Digi was freebie that came up in google search of “optical illusion”.
Now Aussie photos, some flowers from our garden, my friend’s favourite colour is red 😁.
This pot plant is a mystery plant, a succulent is all I know for sure, a type of kalanchoe according to Google.

These are taken in our Botanic gardens the other day.
Last is a beach photo, we have had lots of wind lately.
Thanks so much those who’ve popped over for a peek and chat. I loved Le Tour de France Sprint win on Monday leg by our little Aussie sprinter, Caleb Ewan - he wove his way through from 300m out from 18th to 1st, a breathtaking overhead view! 
Praying God’s keeping upon you and those you love,
Prayer hugs, 🙏🤗
Shaz in Oz.x
Thought for day: 
This verse on card above, the full verse is 
“Cast thy burden upon the lord and He shall sustain thee; 
He shall not suffer the righteous to be moved” 
Psalm 55:22 is always uplifting.. because it points us to the Lord, He never fails when we seek Him. Such a comfort and strength in every circumstance, and only ever a prayer away. 
Over here is the first post since heart attack on Christian blog.
Sharing cards with following:
**All cards shared with Word Art Wednesday.. link here.
** NBUS challenge = NBUS= Not Used Before Schtuff  https://mynbus.blogspot.com/2020/09/nbus-challenge-18.html 
Baby card, NBUS is Image, LOTV, DP Unkown, Circle Die, but octagon  with number is NBUS Nellie Snellen.
Allsorts theme chosen by Kath is “Going round in Circles” How I often feel 😁 = LOTV Image baby card has lots of circles or dots, and also the Ocaragon is actually a circle die byNellie Snellen circle die old set, as is NS border die and has dot edge EF is TH Dot Matrix.
**Not sure if can add second card of Optical illusion 11th birthday, but if can, adding it too, as has dots or circles all over it. 
Was hard on your eyes working on this card! Had to cover some of image as made me go cross eyed. 

31 comments:

loz said...

Fabulous cards Shaz. Love the Kooka image and your calligraphy is so beautiful...Loz

Regina said...

Your cards are so pretty and I wish I could do calligraphy. Have a blessed week!

Betsy said...

What a beautiful post my dear friend. I love the beautiful cards, all of them. I thought your printing was perfectly fine and noticed no shakiness. It's getting so late tonight that I think I'll go to your other blog tomorrow morning when my brain is actually functioning.
My phone completely died today and I had to get a new one. A big expense, plus reinstalling everything and the learning curve too! I went from an iPhone 6 to an iPhone 11! There were a LOT of changes to the phone itself. Then the SIM card that came with the new phone was damaged somehow. It wouldn't let me set it up and with COVID, most stores won't help at all. I finally found one Verizon store who was willing to help me and found the SIM card problem. He turned the phone itself on but I had to install all of the apps again.
So, that was most of my day.
Take care my dear friend. Rest and recuperate.
Blessings,
Betsy

Ali Wade Designs said...

Happy WOYWW. Gorgeous cards, all of them, your colouring and calligraphy is fantastic. I am starting another lettering challenge today (did a 1 week one last month and really enjoyed it), so hoping that I can do my own card tags etc soon. I am watching Tour de France every day. Lots of shouting at the tv!! Caleb's win was amazing. His speed when he suddenly went for it was incredible. Ali x #4

Neet said...

What wonderful pictures Shaz, I love you sharing your Oz shots.
You don't say how you are but reading between the lines you are still some way off 'being right and proper' as we say up north. Still I am in awe of your pencil drawing - that is beautiful and will be extremely well received i am sure.
Love the other cards too and the optical illusion one reminds me of an artist who specialises in optical illusions, Victor Vasarely - think he is Hungarian. I came across him years ago and bought a little book of his paintings, fascinating. Look him up,, you will see the scale of his work and be astounded I am sure.
In the meantime, take care
God Bless, Neet 5 xx

Sarah Brennan said...

What gorgeous cards Shaz and you have certainly broken into your NBUS. I must admit that I can't see anything shaky about the lettering. Good to see you again this week and praying things are still heading in the right direction. Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #6

Lunch Lady Jan said...

The scenery has been amazing on the Tour for the past few days - how can they cycle up all those mountains like that? Superhuman! Caleb Ewan did brilliantly, I cheered him on, thinking of you, lol! Your cards are wonderful but the optical illusion one is my favourite, so clever. How interesting to hear about your dad, what an achievement that was - we have a very mathematical family too, nearly everyone has worked in computing, data analysis etc etc. Hope your recovery is still continuing and you're feeling better.
Hugs LLJ 2 xxxx

glitterandglue said...

Hi Shaz. Are you feeling a load better now? I haven't been around for four weeks, so don't know who has been on WOYWW and who hasn't. Lots of great cards and gifts - and some lovely Aussie shots. It has been incredibly windy here too, and is currently throwing it down with rain! Oh well, so much for summer...
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #3

Craftychris said...

Ooh the gift for Oliver is stunning! Beautiful cards you have made and gorgeous Aussie photos, thank you! Take good care of yourself and stay safe! xxx

kiwimeskreations said...

Beautiful projects Shaz - love the plaque you made for Oliver, and the card is a sweetie. The optical illusion one is stunning.
Your photos are gorgeous - as ever
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Susan Renshaw said...

Lovely cards - I love the optical illusion one!
Been very windy here too!
Happy WOYWW, Stay Safe, Keep Well! Susan #13

Annie said...

I'm late visiting today because I've had lots of customers all needing their sewing doing quickly so I had to get that done before I joined in the fun today.
Really lovely cards this week....I just wish I could do lettering like that...it doesn't look shaky to me at all. Gorgeous Aussie pics as always...thanks for sharing them. I really hope you're still making a good recovery.
Hugs,
Annie x #7

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Shaz, love the Kookaburra piece, it's lovely. We saw some of them a few years ago, we had a day out at a place called Birdland, they have all types of birds there, and the only King Penguin colony in England. THe Kookaburras were so noisy, lol. Lovely cards, I especially like the optical illusion one. Our grandson is studying Maths at Leicester Uni, he's always had an affinity with numbers.Stay safe, have a lovely week, hugs, Shaz #14. X

Helen said...

beautiful cards, Shaz and calligraphy. Didn't get to visit in my lunchbreak like I often do as I didn't have time for one! Stay safe and take care, hope you are taking it easy. Helen #1

Stacy Sheldon said...

Hi Shaz, you have such interesting plants where you live ( it always makes me smile to see the blooms) I love all your cards, hope you are continuing to do well. ~Stacy #27

Crafting With Jack said...

Hi Shaz , beautiful cards , love the kookaburras. I always want to sing “Kookaburras sit in the old gum tree, Kookaburras sit in the old gum tree, laugh Kookaburra, laugh kookaburra, gay your like must be” xAngela #28

Karen said...

Wonderful cards and I love your sweet Kookaburra drawing, what a nice present. Pretty flowers and beach photo too. ~ Blessings to you

My name is Cindy said...

Great cards this week - but I do love the optical illusion one! Kookaburra's are such pretty birds, remember seeing them when I was in Oz many, many years ago! Have a good Wednesday, stay well, stay safe, Cindy #15

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Shaz, great photos today. Lovely selection of cards too. Those Optical Illusion cards are gorgeous. Sadly we should have been going to France this summer but it had to be cancelled. We were going up the mountain to the area where we normally go skiing which is part of the area where the Tour de France takes place and then down to Annecy but maybe we'll do it another year God willing. Take care and have a happy creative week, Angela x10x

Wendy L said...

Lovely lots of circles on one of your cards, thank you for joining us at Allsorts, xxxx

Anne said...

Love your kookaburra drawing! It is gorgeous and your calligraphy, although not perfect to someone who knows calligraphy, looks superb to the rest of us! Loving all your cards too, thanks for the heads up on the optical illusion. I know a boy who would like that!!!! As we go into autmn it is so lovely to see your summer blooms coming and the beauty of God's creation awakening. I always love seeing your photos! xx

Twiglet said...

Kookaburras always fascinate me - it's in the kingfisher family I think - we just have tiny little blue/orange ones that whiz along a river bank. Your post is lovely - so many fab crafty things and lovely Oz pics. Thanks for sharing. Keep well and stay safe. xx Jo

Shoshi said...

Lovely cards as always, Shaz, and I particularly like the Optical Illusions! Fabulous, and gorgeous colours. They look so 3D. Lovely to see the kookaburras too. I've always loved Australian wildlife (hence my username and logo!) - always fascinating.

I hope you are feeling a lot better now.

Happy WOYWW and God bless,
Shoshi x #12

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh Shaz, bless you, I see no sign of shakes in Oliver’s present, really! Hope you’re feeling stronger everyday now. Beautiful cards and I love the optical illusion card, what a great idea! It’s like ironing striped shirts - gaze for too long and your legs wobble! Is that a magnolia in the botanic gardens? It’s gorgeous.

Brenda said...

Wow Sharon, your bird card is stunning! I love your penmanship, I see no signs of any shakes in your calligraphy! It looks beautiful framed for sure! I loved see a photo of the real birds too, they are beautiful. The little one year old card is adorable, the image is just too cute and I love the design of this card. The next two are just so pretty, love your ink blending on the first one-it is so cas, but so elegant. The second one the colors are so pretty, loving the silver touches as well. Just so elegant looking too. But that last one, the optical illusion one is amazing! I love the colors you used and I love it matted in on the mirror card. I'm sure the lad loved this card! How cool that he loves math like your dad did. And how cool that your dad was the first person in Aust to do the diploma of Mathematics from the London University!!! Wow! Very cool! The flowers are so beautiful, the succulent one is so different and pretty. Your Botanical gardens are so beautiful looking, I can imagine how fun it was to walk around in it. And of course I always enjoy the beach photo's. Praying for God to keep his healing hand on your heart!!! Love, hugs, prayers to you sweet one, Brenda

Mummylade said...

Thank you for playing along with us at Allsorts with your lovely creation!

Darnell said...

As always, my dear Shaz, your post is a delight from start to finish! Your wonderful creative works of art and photographs of nature always leave me with a smile on my face! Thank you for brightening my day!! And thank you for sharing with everyone at NBUS! Keep safe! Hugs, Darnell

Karen Letchworth said...

Wow...I must say that God has certainly given you amazing talent. I'm SO super grateful that you're willing to fellowship and share your art in our challenges, Shaz. It means so much to me, and I hope you enjoy playing along even half as much as I LOVE having you do so. Your art and your heart are a blessing. Take care and have a blessed week, my friend.
Karen
Word Art Wednesday

www.karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com - my personal blog (I'd love to have you visit me sometime)

CherylQuilts said...

Dearest Shaz! It's so wonderful to read your blog post today and see your beautiful cards and the wonderful photos of some of the glories of God's creation! You live in a beautiful place, and you take lovely photographs. I especially love your sweet Kookas! They sure are beautiful and sweet together! I was unaware of your heart attack (with my being laid up too), but I continue to pray that God will restore your health. It's good news that the doctor said you are recovering from the heart attack issue. It's hard getting older, isn't it? But God is always with us through the ups and downs of this life. And then someday we shall see Him face to face and have no more pain, sorrow, or sadness. What joy that day will be! Hallelujah! Sending tender hugs, love, and continued prayers, precious friend! xoxo

Pia S said...

Lots of beautiful photos in this post. The framed gift to Oliver is so beautiful and the graphic card also jumped out to me. Fantastic pattern and colors. I hope all is well.

LilArtsyWoman said...

Thanks for the opportunity to view these lovely, beautiful cards as well as your surroundings.

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