Happy News day = Resurrection Day! + NBUS Masking + Sweet 'n Sassy

 Well, YESS! today is a day of great rejoicing as my title shares. 

Today is Resurrection Day!

Can you imagine the depth of sorrow among the women and disciples upon the first day of that week so long ago? 

They thought all was lost - Jesus dead upon the cross of Cavalry, then buried in stone tomb.

 

BUT INSTEAD - their grief would roll away as surely as that giant stone did at the tomb's door!

Sorrow - turned to joy!

 That is what to do with our troubles today - tell them ALL to Jesus.

 

 He is the Burden Bearer, He will uphold us in our every care!

"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
² And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
³ And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
⁴ And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
⁵ And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
⁶ He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee,
⁷ Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
⁸ And they remembered His words," Luke 24:1-8 (emphases mine)                               .

The STONE rolled away - what was unseen in the purpose of the cross is now seen! The same with our burden today - one glorious day the purpose of these trials will be revealed and as it says in 1 Cor 4:5 ".. every man shall have praise of God."  🙏💙🙏  What a day to look forward to, dear ones!

 

 

 

 I think this image of an empty tomb encapsulates Resurrection Day.  

The work of the cross  - the death, burial and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ, the Son of God our sin-bearer on the cruel tree.

May our Father God help us to walk every single day in the glory of resurrection day!
Satan is the defeated foe, for evermore the victory is in Jesus, as we rest and trust in Him alone! 

This hymn came to mind, I serve a Risen Saviour... may it bless your heart as it did mine.

To Him alone be all the glory, honour and praise, with much thanksgiving for Resurrection day!

Hymn sung below by Mennonite Youth choir. (link here if missing)

Now to share a couple of cards followed by Aust pickies of course.

The First card is my NBUS (Never Used Before Schtuff) - and of course, it is two lots of new schtuff! This CAS card was a really quick card. I suspect attempt two wouldn't be the same but I will find out as going to make a set or that is the plan!  

 

The gorgeous Dandelion stamp was borrowed, was teaching a friend how to use her new stamp platform, so used my new verse stamp (from Sweet n Sassy "Fear not" set) and her new dandelion stamp. It's a clear cling by Card Deco Essentials, on bottom it says Holland, maybe a brand from there? other name is www.findittrading.com CDECS098. 

Black embossed both stamps with Versafine Onyx Black and clear EP, gloss doesn't show in image, then masked a circle with die cut on scrap card and taped down + inked up with ink dusters. White splatters added too. Love this verse too!

  From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: 

lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2

Here is the last of the cards made thus far with Altenew Beautiful Bergenia 3D EF, inked top side of folder 3x with Oxide Seedless Perserves.

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. Ps 62:5

This image shows the shimmery spray used, used SB Majestic Circle die set, and Sweet 'n Sassy, Wait on LORD set. 

Love both of these verses. The disciples could have clung to them both in their grief on Resurrection Day.

Lastly some Aussie shots - floral and scenes. The cosmos have taken months to decide to flower - just as went to rip them out! The hibiscus is a stunning one at our church. Last two photos were out and about nearby.

Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek and chat!
May God bless your day wherever you may be. 
  Will do my very best in commenting, and truly appreciate your visits!
Shaz in Oz.x 

Linking up to:

 1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes, all three cards   http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au  

2.  https://mynbus.blogspot.com/2023/04/nbus-challenge-49.html  NBUS items are stamps from Fear not set and Dandelion stamp on first card. 

3. Allsorts challenge Anything Goes / option spring garden  First card

What Cost is Today? + NBUS Challenge + Oxides Altenew Beautiful Bergenia 3D Folder

 As I thought on this Friday's purpose thoughts wandered to childhood. I don’t know about you, but growing up in the 60's that little question - COST was very important to us in everything. 

Treats were that - treats not like today, or perhaps I should say last year. This year that focus has returned.

My favourite thing as a child were the hot cross buns of Good Friday… yum! Lightly toasted, eaten warm with butter & cinnamon sugar melting into it. Yes, it’s on today’s menu 😋

This simple acrostic came to mind, so relevant today …. COST

  C Christ  (Messiah - Anointed or Promised One)

  O Omniscient Omnipresent Omnipotent 

  S  Salvation - in our LORD Jesus Christ's own Sacrifice

  T Trinity - Three in One God

The very first time the reality of what Good Friday COST our Saviour hit me was 4th January, when twelve years old.

  God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM.               1 John 4:9

  

Was in a park by the beach, five mins from where I now live - I loved books! I’d won a book prize at the Scripture Union Beach mission. 

 

Collecting that book prize gave me a far greater prize. 

For the first time, as the teacher talked to me, I saw Jesus, hanging on the cross, for my sins - I saw my sin put Him there. 

What cost indeed!

AND LOVE, Jesus' deep LOVE kept Him there!

That memorable day, when I saw Jesus on the cross for my sin, has lived evermore for me in these words of this hymn. (or see link here)

There is sadness in the GOOD FRIDAY story. 

There is pain in the story. 

There is death. 

But there is more. 

 

The whole story includes Love's beauty of Easter. 
The triumph. 
The joy.

I would dearly love that all who read this might know or already KNOW that Beauty, Triumph, and Joy.. in our Lord Jesus.

 

Now sharing a couple of cards - and used new Sweet 'n Sassy stamp set - so they are NBUS (Never Used Before Schtuff)! 

Yippee. So thankful for my friend Marilyn who forwards US mail to Oz.

 The verse up closer - a great favourite of mine.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; 

but of power, 

and of love, 

and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7
 

Well, a continued theme from this post back here - with variations, of course. I am still using Oxides mostly - though for that blue one I used mixture of 3 inks, Oxides + DI with Altenew Beautiful Bergenia 3D EF.

Technique- smooch all over top surface of EF with chosen ink, inked three times, and emboss each time, without shifting the folder on bottom side. 

I also lightly water spritzed the last smooch to activate the oxide, pop the colour and even out the tones. 

I chose top side to ink up but optional.

The New stamp set is called "Fear Not set" and is over here!

On the 80th birthday card I used another older set - called Wait on the LORD.

 

An Aussie views to close with to brighten your day - north and south view from a nearby lookout.

 

 Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek and chat!
May God bless your day wherever you may be. 
  Will do my very best in commenting, and truly appreciate your visits!
Shaz in Oz.x 

Linking up to:

 1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes, all three cards   http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au  

2.  https://mynbus.blogspot.com/2023/04/nbus-challenge-49.html  NBUS items are stamps from Fear not set. 

3. Allsorts challenge Anything Goes / option spring garden  First and last card  Both have spring flowers on them

4. https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=31110    Simon Says MONDAY Challenge - add texture -  cards 2 and 3.
 

Beccy's Place - Booklovers + Out of this world NBUS, Snippets House Moving Bugaboo + WOYWW

 Popping in with a quick post (after a lo-oong hiatus, health up and down, ie the usual, more in thought of the day...) to link up this card set with a few challenges. Hope, God willing, to post Good Friday + Easter Sunday with some more cards and short post.   

Okay it’s WOYWW day again ie desk day, I'm a bit late I think, in Aussie its hard to know! See "What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday", over HERE 😁 at Julia's .. so where’s my desk!?

Here I using a new digi from Beccy's place - used Promarker colours knew my friend would love rather than coloured image in set. Called Booklovers - here! On table is  the usual assortment,spray bottle, WOYWW sign, usual lighthouse cord pull (a mystery person gift at craft crop at Llundudno, 2018), glue, scissors, Memento Summer Sky Spot ink pad and brushes used to lightly dust the image edges for pale blue highlight,+ grounded it with lightest cool Grey 1.

 It's very versatile set either male or female, looks great with tartan for a male, used birthday voucher. If go to above link you'll see I used one of Beccy's cards as my inspiration. My special friend's birthday is Good Friday, so she has it to open then, I "Expressed' it as our mail is slowww.

Completed card - the DSP also Digi. By AMB (how I found it from a google image) called Wisps of Yellow Florals (but as much blue as yellow, load of papers in set for $2.99 AUD as was half price).

 Here's Mister Ten's card. 

His birthday is TODAY! this sadly is a discontinued set of Beccy's. 

Our birthday boy LOVES green, and yes, the grass is green and sky is blue! But today I took liberties and so used mixed brushos on the watercolour paper *Firstly though used Memory Box Stars Stencil (disc.) x 2 as its small A2. Didn't have glitter paste so just added TH Rock crystal glitter to paste before it dried. THEN I added the brushos. (Exciting plus, this card won at Simon Says Wednesday Challenge,  very blessed - thank you, Lols for letting me know too 😄💙)

Thought I'd taken a photo of colours used but didn't - sorry! 

Life doesn't wait for me to catch up! 

Have more cards to share but will add to end new two posts, Fri and Sun.

Last card is a house warming, also not received but they dont look either. Its a CAS of this one HERE. 

 Digi is house moving digi from Bugaboo. Not sure if disc.? I made digi for greeting

Now to Aussie shots: surfers on boards on first 😊

Two seascapes from recent walks. Now autumn, my favourite season and we get amazing skies to go with our stunning seas... more on next two post too, as had visitors and took pickies.

 Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek and chat!
May God bless your day wherever you may be. 
  Will do my very best in commenting, and truly appreciate your visits!
Shaz in Oz.x 

Thought of the Day:

 We are approaching Easter - the verse that was echoing in my mind in the sleepless, early hours this morning was this - ".. My body .. broken for you.."

.. it was of course  Jesus speaking at the last supper (repeated in 1 Corinthians 11 by Paul). Jesus was with His twelve disciples, one of whom He knew would sell Him for forty pieces of silver! 

Sell Him to be crucified... and much more that - His body broken many times over (Isaiah 52:14 His face was ".. marred more than any man"), skin lacerated by Jewish 39 lashes, beaten by sticks of Roman soldiers, crowned with thorns, mocked & spat up upon, etc .... 

His own Father in Heaven left Him alone to die  - His Father unable to look upon the sin of the world Jesus bore on the cross.

This was hardest for Jesus to bear - separation from His Father because of my sin.

As I thought of all Jesus went through it encouraged me. 

I know He is always understanding...

When no one else gets is, Jesus does!  

How His joy in my heart strengthens me to cope in body's weakness at times.

FAITH in Jesus is not empty, but living, vital, eternal! 

A comfort - which words will never describe!

Praise God for the Easter story - it makes life is worth living! 

******

Linking up to:

 1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes, all three cards   http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au   
2. Di's Snippety challenge 451 - Used snippets, die cuts, and embossing pieces almost most things on House moving card

3. Beccy's place - two entries card 1 and 2 - APRIL CHALLENGE 

4. Allsorts challenge Anything Goes / option spring garden first card

5. https://mynbus.blogspot.com/2023/04/nbus-challenge-49.html 

NBUS items 1. Booklover set. 2. card two was  NBUS technique, trying brushos after past stencil glitter then brushos! all on  water colour paper and worked a treat!

6. all three cards https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-104/

7. https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=31110 

Simon Says MONDAY Challenge - add texture - added to card 2 and 3.

Oxides Relief with Altenew Beautiful Bergenia 3D Embossing Folder + WOYWW

(Warning - photo heavy post)

Well, blink and tis almost month’s end! Today is also Australia Day. Certainly sunshine meant a good beach day, but not for me. I will say though I love Australia & believe I’m most blessed of God to live where I do!

A day late, but I’m joining in WOYWW (do join in please here at Julia’s, and bring a late note like me) 😂. Have so much unshared on blog. Before Christmas I made gift sets of cards so sharing some here.

The beautiful folder is a NBUS Altenew beautiful bergenia 3D EF (a link here) but kinda my technique. Technique done many times but this time I tried it Distess Oxides just to see if it worked. As desk shows I did lots of scraps in the many shades. THEN tried DOX after using the dye inks. 

Technique- smooch all over top surface of EF with chosen ink, inked three times, and emboss each time, without shifting the folder on bottom side. 

I also lightly water spritzed the last smooch to activate the oxide, pop the colour and even out the tones. 

I chose top side to ink up but optional (I marked it too as annoyingly Altenew hadn’t labelled this one, so mix up is easy. Usually named side is top but not always).  

Here are some of the cards I made back in November, and some for next months birthday, some are explained underneath.

Used DOX Duck-egg blue. Verse a digi of own creation. Favourite of Ps 37 below is DOX Lemonade. Green is Aridondack. Simon Says greeting hugs prayers, just for you, Kaisercraft I think.. 

The two scenes are ancient brayered pieces in my snippets drawer. Stampscapes used on NBUS EF canvas + HB stamp first outing, as is die from Scrappy Mo's Candy when had heart attack June 2020. EF is Dot Matrix, Sympathy die is Elizabeth Craft Design poss disc.?

These are two birthday cards made with TH Rock candy with DST on top of cut down old birthday card tops. Now done all Feb cards. Many male and others not shared yet. Last card, a batik technique shared link in post below, with recipe, HB is from top edger die set like the Thinking of You used on previous card.

Now to Aust photos, today truly was as beautiful as this one, taken a fortnight ago.

Second photo is bird box is a nesting box for Eastern Rosellas, one of them is at the side, waiting to pop back in box, bit blurry cos I was in a hurry, was inside, taken through door screen too. Last count four babies inside, fluffballs, not fledged yet, acc to family. They’ve had about eight couples nest in it, I think this is Ross and Ella no 8. Underneath sharing pineapple will add second photo tomorrow in daylight as it’s much bigger now.. 

These two stunning creations are Hibiscus Harlequin Beetles, they are sucking insects so not altogether good for the health of the plant, but I still wouldn't kill them.

It's a friend's photo in Sydney yesterday on an early morning walk, on FB. Have seen them but not common.

Many thanks for popping over especially if you have time for a chat.

God's blessing in all things,

Prayer hugs,  Shaz in Oz.x

Thought of the Day:

These are the verses preached on 1st Feb 1788, closest to 26th Jan 1788 when they landed. Aust is very diverse and multicultural, we are very blessed of God. Richard Johnson was the first fleet’s chaplain, he was most grateful to God for His great mercy in bringing them safely through such a long and hazardous journey. 

I’m amazed at the bravery of all immigrants in all generations, including, in Bible times, Abraham who left in obedience to God’s command and he knew not whither he went. 

So it is really for us all today!

We might know our name, our address, etc. but we really DO NOT KNOW what a day will bring forth - that’s why THE Anchor that these verses speak of is so VERY IMPORTANT. 

A very wise servant of the Living God was the Rev. Richard Johnson, his choice was truly an Anchor for every single Australian (& for us all), no matter origins of birth, for 1788 and in 2023. 

Psalm 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me? 

13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

“Richard Johnson was a grateful minister and worshipper on that first Sunday in February. He would have felt that both he and all those in the First Fleet had so much for which to be thankful to God.” Quote is linked to source.

Linking over to the following:

1.  WAW Word Art Wednesday - http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ ANYTHING Goes. Three Altenew cards, Stampscapes and pink Rock candy birthday card. 

2. NBUS Challenge https://mynbus.blogspot.com/2023/01/nbus-challenge-46.html - the following cards  - the three Bergenia cards, the two brayered cards. NBUS listed on post with cards.

3 Snippets playground - https://pixiessnippetsplayground.blogspot.com/2023/01/challenge-446.html    All cards have items from snippets drawer it’s hard, but think the oldest snippet wins and that’s the brayered Stampscapes card, it has multiple snippets all but base in reality.

4. Allsorts Challenge - Spots and/ or stripes. I think dots are also spots 😊 used the TH Dot matrix EF used on the sunset sympathy card with deer silhouette.  Image die is a VERY LARGE DOT silhouette 😂.    http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/01/week-712.html?m=1

5. Simon Says Monday challenge https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/  Beautiful Blooms - all three Embossed Altenew EF cards.

6. Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Anything Goes. - Sympathy card, Stampscapes card, Lemonade DOX EF card, Batik technique birthday card, Humming Bird birthday card   https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-102/