Stencilled Stamped Challenges - Friday Smiles, Twofer, NBUS, Butterflies, Snippets Playground,

Hi there everyone! Sooo sorry I’ve been soo silent, but was rather unwell in February, then busy catching up and had a visitor last week. Talk about God’s perfect timing, I was well and the weather was wonderful.😃 A total contrast this week.. more of that anon! I’m  popping into share my Two-fer!

Don’t die of shock but I’m joining in with Darnell’s Two-fer challenge as well as her NBUS, AND Mrs A.'s butterfly challenge this really must be a record for me, I’m so bad at challenges.😆 These are my Two-fers! I will share below. Firstly my desk!

I’m starting the Two-fer on the left, this is a male “Get Well card”, for my nephew. He smashed his kneecap in eight places! Ouch! All wired up, a bad crash - so thought he might need a “Cheer me up!”. I’ve actually painted the background (below the Sunflower mask) a watercolour blue wash, dried it, then stencilled in grey DI in new “Hexagonal pattern” stencil by Caravelle Studio, made in France! Who’d have thought?

To be honest most is lost unless you look closely, can see it a bit through oxides and elsewhere IRL. Used Hero Art “Hugs & Prayers” set.

Interesting thing with two cards, I used same colours, one in DI on plain white card other with oxides on heavyweight watercolour paper. Results oh so different! 

On this card my NBUS is my hexagon stencil, a birthday pressie.. BTW dear, kind Darnell, your lovely, most surprising birthday card arrived safely Downunder, and been duly admired by one and all... thank you.❤️🤗 So VERY kind when you aren’t well.

The second card has a couple of NBUS, too. This is an embossed resist background of the SU French Script background stamp in WOW, White Linen EP - my fav white powder. Added Sunflower (no name stencil) in DI. Two NBUS - Simon Says dragonfly die (love his iridescent cardstock wings) and the Happy Birthday greeting, cheap stamp set picked up from Spotlight.

The last card is by Darkroom Door Butterfly collage stamp, again done with Gansai Tambi watercolours, seem to love them at mo. The die is by Impressions Obsession greeting set. The EF is Regency Swirls Embossaliscious. Now to the Aussie photos, a combo.. some from last week - perfect!

Then a couple from today... it’s been extremely wet we’ve had over 210mm or over 8” in the last two days. Joining up with Aussie photos OVER HERE to Annie’s Friday Smiles, my friends definitely had big smiles when we went swimming at these lovely spots, so VERY blessed to have such weather.

TODAY at 5pm: Seas are big, brown-cream, foamy-frothing and windswept waves. No understanding it though - I saw a man fishing in the debris and flood-filled creek on an outgoing tide. THAT is about as bad as you can fish. 

Well, that’s it for today... thanks so VERY much for stopping by, and especially if you have time to say hi. 

I'm sorry I'm struggling a little in comments, do often visit folks, but on mobile comments often difficult. This is second time I’ve written post (& majorly re- edit this 2nd attempt when photos and text jumped around)! On Wed night I accidentally deleted almost the whole post.😑😉

Loads of thanks and gentle prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x 

Thought of the Day:

Are there things you love to read more than once, in my youth I wore some books out because I loved them so much. This bible passage is one of those .. it’s really a picture of contrasts, for troubled times..

*Hiding me in His safe place the secret of His tabernacle

contrasts with

*He set me upon a rock. 

Does that make sense? .. yes, something that is secure is upon a rock, and if God has me there upon the rock AND hidden in the secret of His tabernacle... 

I cannot be more safe!

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Psalm 27:5,7-8 

And truly then safe in His everlasting arms , I cry unto Him, and I will seek His face, seek the One Who loves me so VERY much. 

Praise His glorious Name above all names.. 

Linking up with following Challenges:

1. Two-fer Challenge... your choice. https://twofercardchallenge.blogspot.com/2021/03/reminder-twofer-card-challenge-36-your.html

2. NBUS challenge- the dragonfly, HB stamp set: Hexagonal Stencil: Darkroom Door Butterfly Collage https://mynbus.blogspot.com/2021/03/nbus-challenge-24.html

3. Snippets card - http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2021/03/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge-398. all my cards have snippets, kind of my thing.. but think most snippets are on dragonfly card. 😃

4. ButterflyChallenge.  https://butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.com/2021/03/154-spin-butterfly-wheel-with-k-for.html see my butterfly card -  the letter is K and I’ve chosen kobi = light pink and Kombu Green = dark sage.. of course a butterfly or two actually!

5. Word art Wednesday Anything goes!  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ Chocolate Baroque - what we love! Stencils of course, so no 1 and 2 .. love butterflies too, but currently definitely addictive stencils, so 1 and 2 cards. https://www.welovechocolatebaroque.uk/2021/03/march-i-love.html

Scrappy Mo's Christmas Challenge, Snippets, Friday Smiles + Blog Continued Recess

Hi there everyone,well amazingly we are into Rudolph Day again, at Scrappy Mo’s from 25th to 31st July!
 Here is my ultra quick upcycle!

A card from 2019, cut up a little, mounted several times in kraft and silver, silver ribbon and verse added and hey presto new card for 2020 collection!

I love the verse printed below:
“the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world”. 
1 John 4:14
This card is all snippets, including the verse, so hopping over to the Snippets playground to join in also, please save me the swings... the slow ones!!
Also sharing some Aussie pickies:
Beaches, surfers, kookaburra in our garden and sunsets.

Mr "Kooka" was on the hunt for worms 😊.. he had two juicy big ones and I told him that's enough! .. garden are roses x 36, lass from down road helping.

.. that's a surfer cutting through the wave below with his board... and another to right. We have had some big seas.

As it's Friday and these make me smile, Im linking up too with Annie's Friday smiles.
Many thanks for popping over for peek and chat I will endeavour to return visits. However, I'm continuing the break from blogging as full recovery a way to go. Full update below. 
Love and prayers for all of you, especially if you've struggles in your lives.
I pray with you all in all your burdens,
prayer hugs,
Shaz in Oz. X
PS I noticed that blogger has changed over and Heritage which I'm using is only available till 24th Aug.
That's bad. I may not be able to blog much after that time.
Unless its corrected and workable on mobile devices??
My previous attempts were a miserable fail.


Health update:

I'm getting better with the two steps fwd one step back routine 🙄

For two weeks had painful cellulitis on left hand, this week much better in God's time. 

Saw Cardiologist and had echocardiogram, yesterday.
Good news is heart irregularities from Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy have (as hoped and prayed) corrected itself.
God is very merciful.
From where I was 4 weeks ago when I'd doubted recovery to now, I'm very grateful.
God is good, all the time!

Its really a testament to answered prayers.

This verse is what I live by each day.
As a result of my health, I've long lived with an attitude I may go to be with the Lord in any given day... and so truly my times are in THY hands.

Snippets Playground, NBUS, with Friday’s 😀 Smiles

Hullo there everyone .. another Friday here in Oz is drawing rapidly to close, so better do my Friday post to link up with Annie's Friday Smiles.. and the Snippety Playground too.

This was on my desk yesterday, I’ve cropped it to show you this was originally one card, but I’ve made it into two beauties, well I think so anyway. Too nice an image not to use!

This is it made up, using some dies and two Our Daily Bread Stamps from a scripture set.

I’ve had these unused for years, I’d tidied them away into an unexpected spot which I came across the other day... as you do! So as they are NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff), I’m off to Darnell’s NBUS May Challenge.
Used snippets in all but base card so off to Snippets Playground, wowee lots of fun today! Big smiles!

Next card is another of the ones I’ve been doing with masking of DI Oxides, firstly shown here.. with full recipe!  Loved this .. used the Sweet n Sassy Scripture set "Wait on the Lord" again.

It’s in mail today as are one of the others. That makes me smile more!

Now for rest of my Smiles... and why wasn’t here on Wednesday for WOYWW??

Well, this scene gives it away, I’d baked a cake and travelled to my sisters.... this cake is a family tradition, called Lady Smith Cake. The recipe apparently goes back to Boer War, when it was concocted after the siege of the town of Lady Smith in Sth Africa. These were ingredients left from siege to bake celebratory cake.. or so legend has it! See on internet (here) there are lots of recipes, stories too. It's what we call a basic butter cake, with additions.

Our mother always swirled the jam, plain layer and spice layer around with a skewer as you can see in the cut cake, and we always have crushed nuts on top not walnuts. Must be raspberry jam too. So grateful we could celebrate together, as our restrictions are being lifted little by little, we are at 97 deaths in our country. We are grateful for our government, who reacted more firmly than other places, which now suffer as a consequence. Our Christian PM has been a real peacemaker in all this, getting all the state premiers together each week to decide what to do. I am really, really praying for so many countries with large death rates, may the Lord bless all who care for ill, especially in aged care.. so hard with minimal visitors. 🙏🙏🙏

Next smiles are from my walk today. 😁😁

... at 4.30pm to 5pm the lights of setting sun are so beautiful and was wearing short sleeves, too as walked, beautiful Autumn weather and we were blessed with good rain during week, and praying for others who need it too.

This large shrub of small tree is called a Banksia and I think the banksia flowers look like candles on it (Banskia genus are named after Sir Joseph Banks, the botanist on the Endeavour with Captain Cook in 1770).

See the lovely lights here ..peering through to the Jetty and boats moored there too.

A final smile. I sent this on Wednesday to someone whose birthday I'd missed.. it did make me laugh!

Well, thanks for popping over for peek and especially if you stay to chat. I shall try to return your kindness, you are appreciated.

May the LORD bless and keep you blessed in all things, and those you love also.

Prayer hugs, 🙏🏻🤗❤️

Shaz in Oz.x

 Thought for the Day:

This verse came to mean a great deal to me many decades ago now.

I remember crying with joy that Someone really understood my predicament like none else. I’d been really ill again and nearly died (no.4), but the LORD graciously carried me through. Sitting alone feeling so sad - suddenly the light of the promise of this verse broke through my grief, my God was there with me, holding my hand, He understood! He got it!

Great is our God and of GREAT power, His understanding is INFINITE! 

Wow! Our omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient God understood it all!

Like none other did, and so I was never ever alone, then or by simple childlike faith in the LORD Jesus!  ❤

Linking over to:

1. Two puss cards are nearly all snippets, so off to Miss' snippets playground... over HERE!
2. Darnell's NBUS (NEVER Before Used Schtuff) challenge.   https://mynbus.blogspot.com/

3. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. Both cards  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/

4 Simon Says Wednesday Challenge is Dies and punches over HERE!

Scrappy Mo's Christmas Card Challenge, Butterflies + Snippets Playground! Yay!

Hi there everyone, can’t believe it’s nearly March, one sixth of year - gone!!

The second Rudolph Day of 2020, is almost over at Scrappy Mo’s - 25th to 29th Feb, funny having leap year isn’t it? Also Friday so popping over to join in with Annie's Friday Smiles!

No desk this week, not much commenting done either so didn’t join in WOYWW. Time is not waiting for me, a beautiful  summer in Oz and life is very, very busy. Was away last week, so catch up this week!
Only one card this time.

All snippets bar the base. The lovely wreath topper was off a last year’s card, it had red glittery touches so added the similar red glitter card to base, also red glitter base to verse. The beautiful verse is one of Karen’s from Word Art Wednesday digis, and it was only a snippet from an A4 sheet of printed verses (must do some more, nearly out).

Love God’s Word on God’s Son’s birth celebration cards. The angels did sing tidings of great comfort and joy... to lowly shepherds in the field, curiously not to wandering kings on camels, coming with gifts for the King of Kings.God loves to honour the lowly. Hence a lowly shepherd lad became a king, King David.
The embossing folder is A6 one from CB Winter wonderland set.

Second card is inspired by one of Loll’s, see here, (issue is Loll used single fairly open  image with matched dies, I had neither), fairly poor CASE, I think. However, know my friend who loves purple and also butterflies will love it. It’s her birthday today, happy birthday, Jen! Gold embossed stamps - flowers, butterfly and greeting is from Sweet 'n Sassy Floral Greeting set by Gracielle Designs. Coloured in Tombows with shimmer.

Now to Aussie photos, firstly two down at the Jetty not walking as much as like but get there sometimes.

I swim down this end of Jetty where grass heads are also picturesque. Love the lights on these. Last one is of a rather boring grey bird on walk to Jetty post office to post some mail.

This grey bird is cheeky fellow, a Butcher bird, they're a small member of kingfisher family, but they have the most amazing repertoire in their music, love their call. Listen here! It really makes me smile! (Link here if video doesn't work)

We have a pair in our yard. Rather cheeky on my clothes line following me expecting meat. No, not from me, provide native plants, a clean full bird bath, with garden full of worms. Hunt their own, I tell them.
Well, that’s me for the day, I’m sorry if not good at getting around, I’m trying my best, and will catch up on some.
Hope you’re keeping well, and pray God’s keeping upon you and all those you love. 
Hugs and prayers, Shaz in Oz.x
Thought of the day:

Well, this verse has long been favourite of mine, in fact Isaiah is fav. book one of mine.
However, this verse, very very often has the last part of the verse and “YE WOULD NOT” is left off. 
This is whole Verse:
 “For thus saith the Lord God, 
the Holy One of Israel; 
In returning and rest shall ye be saved;
 in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: 
and ye would not.”

Yes, the returning and rest, quietness and confidence are our strength!
 .. but not if we would NOT! 
Oh Lord, please keep us usefully surrendered to Your ways, not ours!
*****

Linking up to the following:

1. Butterfly Challenge Of six elements, I chose butterfly, thistle colour (pale mauve) teal green (on very inside of leaves), with two of something - flowers stamped out, then part fussy cut twice.  

2. Snippets playground, all first card snippets except base.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2020/02/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge-372.html?m=1
3. https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-70/
4.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. Both cards.  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au
4. Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas card challenge. Anything goes.  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2020/02/chnc-challenge-478.html?m=0

Friday Smiles + Butterfly Challenge with Flower Fairy

It's Friday and have a few things to share, so thought I'd join up with Annie's Friday Smiles over here. I'm also sharing an entry for Mrs A.'s Butterly Challenge Here... and its Fairies Gnomes and Angels Mrs A wants to see. Here is my entry. 

 As you can see I've taken a brayered snippet on a piece of gloss card, stamped it with Lavender Flower fairy wood mounted stamp from 1990's in Versafine Black Onyx then iridescent EP. The Lawn Fawn Tartan DP went with image perfectly, frame out of stitched Ovals and SU oval punches with pre-stamped greeting. 

 On Wednesday's desk I had a sheet of Penny Black Stickeroos out to make last minute cards. These are two of the five. ODB lacy square die on first. Second card is with adapted dies some CCD and Xcut. Made them longer or shorter to match images. Tad fiddly that's all. 

 Now to my Friday's Smiles, the first were from a walk in an old part of the city when in Sydney last month. One is a beautiful old home with roses and bougainvillea in front yard .. very pleasing to the eye. The second was quite run down but alsobhad a  stunning bougainvillea as well. What made me smile was the fake parrots on the fenceline at the right! 😊

 Last two photos are of our local beach about 7 mins walk from here, one looking south the other looking north. As you can see it gets very crowded here! 😁 Well, it will do once the school holidays begin.. it gets pretty busy in the mornings, you see lots of families and bright beach umbrellas on the patrolled southern section of the beach. Our beaches can be hazardous.

Well, that's my share for today. Don't forget to pop over and see some more smiles at Annie's and wonderful cards at the butterfly challenge!
 May God bless your day and thanks for popping over and saying hi.           Shaz in Oz.x

Today's thought:
The birth of the baby Jesus in a stable, a manger was to share with us His humanity.
He's God's Son Who became a man.. "..was tested in all points as we were, yet without sin" as Hebrews says.

Love was the key. 
God's LOVE, for God is LOVE.

* God so loved that He gave

* Gave His only Son

* If we believe in His Son

*We will not perish

*But have everlasting life!

How good is that?

Have we really believed that?

Linking up also with:

** http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ Anything goes.

**ABC Christmas Challenge http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2018/12/y-and-z-are-for.html?m=1 

Y = Your Favourite or

Z = Zero Embellishments

** http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2018/12/pbsc-december-anything-goesoptional.html?m=1
**http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2018/12/week-497-christmas-flowers.html?m=1 First PB stickeroo card
**http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/2018/12/december-traditional-christmas-colours.html?m=1 First PB Stickeroo card
** https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-christmas-4/ first PB stickeroo.

How Good is this Friday? Christmas Challenge/Friday smiles

 Sharing today a card challenge - at Scrappy Mo's here - Christmas card time, open till 31st. 
Firstly however - How good is this Friday??
Simple answer – very, very good! or to use another verse:"He hath made everything beautiful in His time:.." Eccles. 3:11a 
Why is it Good ?         We often associate with good, that it is something pleasant too, but it is not always! This is THE main exception to the rule. 
On Good friday the greatest Gift was given (see post here):

The blood of Jesus Christ cleanesth us from all sin. I John 1:9b .. this text hangs in our lounge room

 

 1 Peter2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Both these verses are pictured in the communion service as we remember His body given for us (in fulfillment of Psalm 34:20
"He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.", see image below) not a bone of his body was broken, his bones weren't broken but his body was.. it was pierced, by nails & sword.. only scars in heaven!

Amazing miracle of God's WORD and His Faithfulness - over 30 Old Testament prophecies fulfilled when Jesus died upon the cross on this day, so many years ago! (Image from Chick tract - Creator or Liar here)

 On the cross the LORD Jesus spoke seven times .. and after His death miracles occurred (sharing them on Resurrection Day - Sunday).

The Gospels record these things, The four gospels if read in parallel, you can see different writers shared different aspects through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 
(eg Luke looks at Jesus' humanity as I will share below, so differing viewpoints recorded).

I have copied this from Wikipedia here ... but have included the passages completely in the relevant gospel sections below this post for your perusal.

"Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Luke 23:43: Verily, I say unto you, today you will be with me in paradise.

John 19:26–27: Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother. 

Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34 My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?

John 19:28: I thirst.

John 19:30: It is finished. (From the Greek "Tetelestai" which is also translated "It is accomplished", or "It is complete".)-It is Finished. 

Luke 23:46: Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.

Traditionally, these seven sayings are called words of 1. Forgiveness, 2. Salvation, 3. Relationship, 4. Abandonment, 5. Distress, 6. Triumph and 7. Reunion."

Cards for Mo's challenge - Tree Die is a CCD, top Embossing folder is Spellbinders, one on second card is Ultimate crafts. CCD also used on both Digital bible verses. 
It shares the promise of Christmas fulfilled on Good Friday .. of a newborn  Son, Jesus .. He shall save His people from their sins..

 Now to Annie's Friday Smiles.. see over here - your Aussie shots for today. Top one taken on icecream drive, poor quality shot, but lovely time was enjoyed, loved the seagulls swarming on sand, or just flying away for no apparent reason, in large groups.
Shot below was taken on late afternoon walk, daylight saving ends tomorrow so they will be earlier each day..

Thanks to all of you who pop over so faithfully for a peek and chat.
I pray this post might bless your heart as richly or even more so than it did mine.
We are so blessed in Him!
With love and prayer for God's richest blessing upon each of you, in Jesus' precious Name, above all Names,
Shaz in Oz.x  

Linking up to:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/

 2. Simon says Wednesday challenge.. anything goes.   http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/     

 For further reflection: passages which look at the Lords seven sayings, in parallel.

Some people say the scriptures can be conflict, eg. the saying of the centurion. Three Gospels  say "Surely this was this Son of God!", when he saw the earthquake and other supernatural events.

But Luke says "Surely this was a righteous man." 
But both are right you see.. Jesus indeed was righteous and a man and also the Son of God.
I'm sure in those  hours of darkness to 3pm the centurion spoke more than once .. so why not both them. 
God's word is true .. it is man that confuses it! The theological term is evidence of the Hypostatic union - God/man. our Saviour.. 

He knew the frailty of human flesh .. hence "I thirst". 

He knew the desolation of separation hence:

 "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" 
... when He bore our sins .. the sins of all mankind upon the cruel tree.

Matthew 27:46,50 
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,
*** Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
[50] Jesus, when he had cried again with a **loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Mark 15 :33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ***Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
 

Luke 23:34,43,46 KJV
Then said Jesus,
*** Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
[43] And Jesus said unto him, ***Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
[46] And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said,
***Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

John 19:,l27-28,30 KJV
[27] Then saith he to the disciple,
***Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
[28] After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith,
***I thirst.
[30] When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, 

*** It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.