Christmas 2021 - God Leaves the Best til Last.

 The Christmas story is probably the best known of all ALL Bible stories. Everywhere the Word of God it has been shared. The crux of it is Christ’s first coming is as the babe, Jesus, for He was born to die as our Saviour.

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Meditating upon this story, I wondered if ALL of the heavenly hosts were there rejoicing? or a select multitude of heavenly host to serenade the arrival of the LORD Jesus? 

In any case, they made a lasting impression in eternal matters on humble hearts! For God’s word is eternal and so was their announcement!

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13-14 

Glory to God in the highest.

Peace, goodwill to ALL men.

Well, we certainly need that today “PEACE, GOODWILL TO ALL” 

- as in the time of Jesus’ birth. 

Jesus was born in troubled times, as today. 

Roman rule is little like the rule of today. There were distinct classes strongly separated in Judaism, and Romans and non-Romans. Jesus came to break down those barriers with PEACE, GOODWILL TO ALL!

I wonder what the baby Jesus would think of it all today, as newborn of today? As a babe seeing faces in masks, not learning proper facial recognition… NO! let’s not go there. 😷🤔

Instead, let us focus on our beautiful Saviour’s First Advent. 

Yes! There is more than one Advent. 😃❤️☝️

Thank the LORD for that! 

That is the brightest part of this story, you know!

This is NOT a one off! JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!

YAY! He IS coming again!

(See verses here Luke 2:10-38)

As we look at this story it’s really a story of Willing and Waiting Hearts.

The Anticipating Cast:

**Elizabeth and Zacharias parents of John the Baptist. (See Luke 1:5-25 here)

Elizabeth is Mary’s cousin. They’d long prayed for a son, but it was impossible. Until God’s miracle and John was born! “they were both righteous before God” v.6

**Mary and Joseph (Matt. 1:19-21 and Luke 1:26 -56)

Like Zacharias and Elizabeth they were “just” and “blessed, highly favoured” .. these are waiting, anticipating, believing Old Testament saints.  

**Shepherds Luke 2:6-18 

**Wise men Matthew 2: 1-13 

These believed “as it was told them”, so many do not do so today 🙏🙏🙏

**Simeon and Anna Luke 2:21-39

These last two are truly remarkable! 

Both are “righteous before God”, both for many decades we’re praying waiting with such anticipation for the Promised Messiah. 

Both had been told of God that they would see Him! These are Simeon’s words when this promise was fulfilled. I love this!

Luke 2:29-33 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

“A LIGHT to lighten the Gentiles and the GLORY of Thy people Israel.”

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Am I, are we willing joyfully awaiting?

Waiting right now, today, this moment for our coming King. 

For our LORD Jesus’ Second Advent?

 HIS COMING IS AS SURE AS THE DAWN

Do we walk daily in the light of “Perhaps today?” 

Because truly perhaps 🤔  it IS TODAY! 

May we be ready waiting as we’re Elizabeth, Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, Wise men, Simeon and Anna, who waited so long too. 

For joy, today perhaps it is that He returns for the second time? 

Amen even so come, Lord Jesus!

 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Rev 22:20

Bless, LORD God of glory, bless us ALL, in spite of our great sinfulness. 

This Christmas time, may we remember afresh the promise of your coming again. May we daily desire to walk in the light of Your Son’s Return for His own, looking forward with anticipation as they did so many millennia ago.

Oh Father, please save souls today, all over our poor, sad world today, for ETERNITY’s sake, please, in Thy great mercy, for Thy Eternal glory. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, especially if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement.

Prayer hugs,🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz.x 

I’m sorry I’ve been so quiet … various reasons, time just seems to shrink!

Just sharing a few cards, one at top is a simple upcycle with a stamped verse in Gold EP, it’s a set by Colorado Craft Co. 

Belo card is showcasing a scrap piece of acetate, with inks on the back, with die cut rectangle frame and two Simon Says dragon flies also in scrap card. The stamp “happy birthday” is by Lawn Fawn “too much to say” set. Acetate technique done here or just scroll below.. have more to share of them too.

The second image the red zygo cactus isn’t in flower now, was a wee while back but so Christmassy. 

If you are not sure if you are a Christian, a Christ follower, please read this post here - Who or What is a Christian?

Joining up to:

1 Word art Wednesday Anything goes! http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ 

2. Snippets cards, and look, it is the grand prize draw. Do join in Do!

http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2021/12/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge_0458224053.html

Alcohol Ink meets Acetate + WOYWW, NBUS! Snippets.

 Yes, it’s Wednesday again and popping in with a desky share + all the cards made of late - especially a "new to me" technique!

Desky share for WOYWW - What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday, over HERE 😁 at Julia's … today’s is full of inky fun, with alcohol inks. Watched this video here by Jennifer McGuire on alcohol inks + acetate, so playtime fun! Alcohol inks arranged them in colour categories and scrap pieces of acetate, all but one piece from packaging, ie throw out acetate. This desk shows a large package piece, it’s covered all over with a mixture of traditional Christmas colours. 

Don’t have a proper red so mixed it with adding colours, ie yellow to burgundy, some golden sheen from gold and same with proper Christmas green. Basically use what have.. added pearl mixative + blending fluid. If don’t like a section clean it off and start again. I wanted a good mix as planning to use it with die cuts on cards, an example below.

TIP: *turn it over to shiny bottom of acetate for best effect. That's what I did for all if them. 

*IRL this is MUCH more vibrant, golden sheen on it not showing. 

*If using silver mixative, the pearl mixative use sparingly away from silver, it dulls it.

Cards made, the first is with Christmas coloured piece, snippets, acetate, gold, printed WAW verse from years ago. NBUS is acetate technique.. nativity die is CCD, SB ovals, EF Couture Creations Disc.

There are other cards sent to missionaries for birthday, they are with variety of colours. There are at top three show colour combos together, one incomplete. Under the acetate was laid a piece of pre-embossed silver card.

Tried to use colours that go together, have two more made but not photographed. Verse is unmounted unknown brand from eBay, gold inked embossed.  Die is Simon Says "Etched Laurel Leaves".

Top photo is how I mixed the colour on these Christmas cards, it was pearlised silver Designer paper print and just added ink on top, have made another batch of these cards, shared last time, post below. As you can see it lightens and smooths out as it dries.

These Christmas cards were similar to ones in post below. This one however shows a stamped MB ornament + Prickly Pear nativity stamp, side gold distressed embossed piece is Sizzix Botanical 3D EF. Verse 1990s wood mount.

Now made 42 Christmas cards, aiming for 60, ideally 70 by end of Oct. Give some away, so mail them first. Also try to mail in Nov. Our post prices have really gone up for overseas, if yesterday’s were anything to go on! 😳

Here is a very special birthday card, I have made it before, with Cheery Lynn Choochoo die + MB landscape die. Recipe here, every bit of this card, with the exception of the black base is recycled cardstock, cereal boxes, etc. painted and coloured all of them, so LOADS of SNIPPETS, as is first Christmas one. Not sure which to pick, prob this...

Now to Aussie photos. Our garden has continued its abundance of blooms!

This rose is incredibly rare, grown roses here since 1974, but never seen a Siamese twin before like this, had its own conjoined stem, as well as flower bud. Called Firefighter, cross between Papa Meillan + Mr Lincoln - a stunning, fragrant red rose. Raised money for Rural Firefighters or RFS, hence name.

Last two are tranquil skies, reflected water and skies are such a beautiful combo, this is 5 mins from my home. So very blessed of God by His creation.

Well, that’s it for today, hope this finds you well, I’m on improve hopefully after problem molar extraction.

 Thanks for visiting especially, if you have time for a chat, I'll do my best to reciprocate, but mobile is bit tricky. 

Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x

Thought for the day:

A firm atheist was CS Lewis. THEN God opened Lewis’ eyes to TRUTH - of Salvation by faith in the LORD Jesus Christ. He then became one of the greatest exponents of Christianity in his day.

Just think - IF we could get to heaven by being good, doing it our way, then why did Jesus die?

Why suffer death upon the cross for our sins and the sins of the whole world? Why? Because there was no other perfect substitute to pay for the price of  our sin with His blood.

Latest post on Wonderful Words of life is here, excerpt below.

“ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? 

Luke 11:9-13

PRAY IN FAITH, BELIEVING, praying to our FATHER.

Yes, our FATHER DELIGHTS IN OUR PRAYERS.           

NEVER forget the GOD FACTOR in our every day!

The LORD alone can bring good out of evil...”

Joining up to:

1 Word art Wednesday Anything goes! http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ 

2. Joining with the NBUS Challenge .. three NBUS - Never Before used Schtuff https://mynbus.blogspot.com/2021/10/nbus-challenge-31.html

 1. Technique - on first Christ card 2. Die Simon says laurel leaf die cards 1 and 2.

3. Snippets cards, two main snippets cards are first and last still not sure which to upload! http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2021/10/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge-413.html

4. Embellishments at Allsorts- http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2021/10/week-645-embellish-it.html the Embellies are on Christmas card acetate, bling on star, and blings on stars on inky card on second set of Christmas cards.

5. http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2021/10/chnc-challenge-563.html crafty hazelnuts Christmas card challenge, all Christmas cards.

6. http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com/2021/10/craftyhazelnuts-patterned-paper-october.html

Patterned paper is the white DSP silver card, I inked up with Christmas star card.

Galaxy Background Birthday With Beccy’s Digi + WOYWW

(Note: those who receive email subscriptions, this will be the last time they will come from Feedburner, as well as Follow-it. Feedburner for this blog will be disabled, but not deleted. Then if it changes it’s “no update policy” I can reactivate it. If you only have Feedburner and do not receive Follow-it, please subscribe to Follow-it by this link here.  Or the box on top of desktop sidebar. Thank you! ❤️.)

Well, yes, I’m back! 😃 I’ve been absent for some reasons, mixed, will share below. First of all as it’s Wednesday, time for another WOYWW, What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday. Over HERE 😁 at Julia's, Queen of Deskland, there's worldwide desks there is loads of fun!

My desk is quiet today but loads to share… inky fun a few weeks back! The inky background was built up in various stages of ink applications, brights first as shown, mostly Distress Ink, but if didn’t have shade wanted, just substituted. Then added deep colours in black, Chipped Sapphire blue, deep brown.

The latter just in selected areas not all over. At the end water is put into one hand then clapped over it to get a spread out sprinkle, coming from various directions, used paper towel to lift water and colour after 10 to 30 seconds. Then flicked with small short paint brush iridescent medium mixed with white reinker on mat, and also DI blueprint sketch. Pretty much followed video below. Card down below.

Video on HOW TO creating background - link here if not showing.

I’ve been crafting in weeks of absence, although not blogging on here. I’m not as well some days, need more rest plus other time demands.

Here is card above for Mister six, it was a shaker card, the real colour is the shade on left. (I’m linking this card over to Beccy’s Digi Challenge here - check it out do, she has freebie images and paper, really lovely!)

 Cards galore to share, way behind on Christmas cards. First lot of Christmas cards are using a NBUS paper bought near Llandudno with Margaret, it is white frosted and silver Christmas pack, we went halves, I’d bought an ombré pad with Marilyn in Florida on same miracle trip in 2018, and combined the two on this set of cards.

The nativity die in silver is by Impressions Obsession, MB Star die set and 1990s wood mount Joy stamp. Bottom sentiment set is Colorado Craft nativity set.

 More Christmas cards using a new to me NBUS 3D Botanical folder by Sizzix.

Technique is sanding foil card for emphasis as shared on Loll’s blog.

With Britannia dies poinsettia, lge medium die. Verse is old 1990s Joy to the world stamp PSX, heat embossed. Made multiple in two styles, haven’t photographed the other.

For the Aussie shots… a bit of garden, when I’ve been well that’s where I’ve been! Had help too, as too much for my little hands.

The first collage, has three roses that my dad planted here from cuttings in 1974! Still same bushes!! Cuttings were from a high school friends mother’s rose garden. Very special, and I’ve just been in touch with that very same friend, after more than fifty years, which is an added blessing!

The 3 dozen rose bushes this year have responded to extra TLC due to our month long lockdown (NO CASES here, in God’s mercy). Once over, I’ve been visiting lonely friends or folks in nursing homes with flowers, see two bunches ready to go in top left image - mixed bunches of sweetpeas and roses. Delivered two more today. As I chat a lot, it takes time!😂 

Also sharing a collage of seascapes, as we’ve had amazing skies on my walks, so very blessed to live where I do.

That's it for today. 

 

Hope this finds you well (for you🙏), praying too that God will richly bless and keep you safe and those you love, too. 

Re health: lately been really unwell with lower molar extraction, which is still causing issues, but will, in God's mercy, improve. 😁

Thanks so much for popping over and saying hi, I really appreciate you very much, will do my best to reciprocate, hopefully tooth pain and my oomph 🙄🙏 will co-operate.

Prayer hugs,🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz.x

Thought for the day. 

Although no craft blog I have been posting regularly on my Christian blog!  Today’s verse and share is in second part an excerpt from my last post. 

When I was first teaching in Melbourne there was a lovely landlady, she had a favourite saying:  “ Sufficient unto the day!” 

Meaning she’d done enough for today! 

I’d really want to finish it for her, as it was a verse from the bible, which Jesus shared to encourage folks. 

It was part of the well known Sermon on the Mount which are chap 5, 6, 7 of Matthew.

Basically this verse says 

DON”T WORRY! 

Easy to say, hard to do. 🤔🙏

But let’s look at the verse. *Take no thought, ie don’t worry about tomorrow. Be prepared, but don’t worry.

Note the LORD Jesus emphasised “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”! 

That’s the bit I wanted to add for Mrs Graham. 

Grace is only given for today.

Today’s worries are enough.

So don’t borrow tomorrow’s as well! 

For more info, including story on dear Corrie ten Boom, 

 please continue reading over here.

Linking up to:

1 Word art Wednesday Anything goes!  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ 

2. Joining with the NBUS Challenge .. three NBUS 1. Technique- Galaxy Background, a fascinating learning curve. 2. Ombré Christmas card set, NBUS paper inked in ombré pad. 3. EF 3D my NBUS on poinsettia card.

3. Snippets playground - poinsettia card as snippets used on all cards to be truthful, but prob most on those. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2021/09/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge-412.html

4. Allsorts Challenge anything’s goes with option of nature. Space card, poinsettia card. http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2021/09/week-643-anything-goes-with-option-of.html

5. Simon Says Monday Challenge. Touchy Feely … Shaker card and 3D embossing card with shaped poinsettia. https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=24992

CAS Simple Stencil on Brusho + WOYWW

 For those who've subscribed and are wondering why you've two different subscription in your inbox? It’s because Feedburner hasn’t made up it’s mind what it’s doing it seems. I don’t want to cancel it and just keep follow.it, as I really prefer Feedburner’s simpler format, with no adds. Nor do I want to cancel follow.it as took ages to set up. Not sure what Feedburner will do, so just will wait and see?!... apologies. 

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Well, everyone I’m back again with another WOYWW, What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday. Over HERE 😁 at Julia's, Queen of Deskland, there's worldwide desk exploring to be found - so please join in, do! As my title indicates there is brusho in the mix.

The design is similar to that I’ve done before but not like this, which uses TH mosaic stencil, and mauves are the order of the day because it’s favourite colour of a dear friend for her birthday card!

The completed card, used SB fancy oval die, stitched oval die, MB Prim Poppy. Brusho background is from food packet, plus other snippets in die cuts, frame, so off to Di's Snippets playground.

Framed text is coloured, 23 carat gold leaf, begun on last fortnight's post below. We all need to look up, not within or around, that is discouragement.  The upward look, looking unto Jesus.. that indeed is peace,  by faith alone in the Prince of Peace.

This next card is a technique of alcohol ink (actually mauves but look more blue!) on ordinary kitchen alfoil, which I adhered first on scrap cardstock. Once coloured and completely dry, I dry embossed it. Frame is Stitched rectangle, and flower is MB. Saw a example of this on Loll's blog, ages ago, but her alfoil was leftover, was used to keep her desk clean! Must admit alcohol is tricky on Alfoil as we call it(kitchen foil), found not to spray it, just add the liquid alcohol to alcohol inks, not spray or blow very much at all as dries too quickly. 

Birthday stamp is by Lawn Fawn, Too much to say! 😁 as this is a NBUS technique and medium to me, I'm popping over to Darnell's NBUS Challenge. 

(EDIT: links to inspiration post from Loll HERE. Two other similar ones, but diff technique HERE and HERE. The original card was a google image and couldn’t ever find it, just had Lolls watermark, otherwise would never known. Suspect it was on Splitcoast stampers.)

This card again is 

using the lovely penguin set from our very dear ShazSilverwolf at 2018 crop in Llundudno.

 They’re called Angry penguins, however I think they look like they’ve attitude instead?!! Also coloured with brushos, technique here with previous cards - Kazelkraft (145) Angry Penguins stamp. Also more with same image used here.

Now

, a few Aussie photos to close, some fortnight lilies and then some from yesterday's walk, so tranquil. 

That's it for today.  

Hope this finds you well (for you🙏), praying too that God will richly bless and keep you safe and those you love, too. Thanks so much for popping over and saying hi, I really appreciate you very much, will do my best to reciprocate.

Prayer hugs,🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz.x

Thought for the day:

Except below is from my Christian blog post yesterday.

 “This too Shall Pass..“ link Here.

“. . in the Bonhoeffer movie this was a prayer he prayed with a young man weeping inconsolably in the cell next door. Bonhoeffer cried out to him, the guard remonstrated at first, then allowed him to speak. ”

Linking up to:

1 Word art Wednesday Anything goes!  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ 

2. https://www.welovechocolatebaroque.uk/2021/08/august-favourite-stamps.html well this penguin set must be one of my favourite sets this year, this is about my sixth card with them! All male one for birthday, not usual Christmas cards I was told. Living in Oz I'd never think of them as Christmas stamps!

3. Simon Says Monday Challenge - Dry Embossing the alfoil floral card https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=24711

4. Allsortschallenge.blogspot.com http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2021/08/week-6378-add-some-sparkle.html?m=1

Add some schparkle to quote Darnell.. used 23 carat gold leaf on the illuminated text, and alfoil on floral card both have lots of schparkle which photos dont entirely capture. No worries if not okay.. ie not schparkly enough. 😊