Ten Year THANK YOU Blogaversary!! Wow! 😁 Come Join my Blog Candy!

(Drawn here on this post here)

Just popping in to say ... a TEN YEAR Blogaversary is HERE!

On 01.11.10 I started this blog with this post (here), with just calligraphy, and explained name of blog.

So 1st Nov. 2020 is special! 

I wrote my first post on the unusual date of 01.11.10! 

Ah, my very own Palindrome. 😊

  The purpose of THIS post is to say a really huge thank you to all my Wonderful Encouragers! I really did not know what I was starting back then, so many friends made through the wonders of blogland, and met many on international trips. Truly a miracle of God’s goodness!

The prize is below: 

Two options

Option 1:

A Scrapdragon (Aust. company) Happy Birthday die, hand made card with it shown, and 100 mini pearls. Light enough for OVERSEAS post, so goes anywhere... as long as you’re an encourager.

Option 2:

A handmade book mark with a verse of your choice calligraphed on it. Example here:

To enter, you must:

1. Be an Encourager of this blog ie join through the follow button, on side bar (instructions below).
I suggest you check it is showing "un-follow" button - as sometimes blogger plays tricks and un-follows you - it has with me! and had to re-follow blogs.

To follow... then please go to this link here and follow instructions.

So if you are an Encourager of my blog (or Follower) please put a comment below (I don’t know how to do the Mr Linky bit) and you will go into the draw for this candy. 

You will receive two entries as an encourager, and you may chose one entry for each of two candy, or both to one. **Please say clearly which you chose in your comment. 

2. If not yet an Encourager, please do join on link above. I would dearly love you to occasionally visit and comment, and I will happily reciprocate. 

I’m sorry but if you’ve not joined, your entry will not be counted. This is a THANK YOU to Wonderful Encouragers!

3.  I would appreciate it if you would kindly put a link for the candy on your sidebar of your blog, if you have one (EXTRA third entry if you do this so please let me know in your comment if you've added to sidebar). 

4.  It will be drawn on 1.12.2020 (sometime that day here in Australia). No fancy methods for the draw – I will put names in hat, old style!

Many, many thanks again to you one and all.

 I'm hoping for an increase in Encouragers, as its been stuck on 343 for a year or more... so different to 2010, lots more new bloggers then. 

******

To cards. 

First one, part of the candy prize 1, as shown..

A piece of scrap card coloured in blended oxides and spritzed with glimmermist.

2nd sample to give you ideas how this die maybe used. This card is separate to candy, is a serviette mounted background, actually wallpaper oriental design in Blenheim Palace, UK. I've seen it in one of my visits, a beautiful palace, loved the china there too. Both cards have greeting multi mounted with gold in this and silver in candy card.

This HAPPY birthday die is VERY easy to layer and use. Be good on A2 card too. 

When adding to card, use the piece you've removed it from as placement guide as that really helps.

**AFTER a comment on previous post, I thought I’d share this tip for single layer embossing. 

These card fronts below are dry embossed. I've an A4 size machine and love that you can make one layer base cards with embossed fronts.

It beats layering and is great for a CAS look with extra pop!

I've just run the folder through spread out length wise on A4 in opened up 5 x7 cards. I've quite a few 5 x 7 Embossing folders too. The one on right is Enbossaliscious Recency Swirls, on candy card with rounded corners.

On left is a Courture creations 5 x7 EF, and has a perfectly fit border around it.

Thanks so much for your visit, especially I thank you if you're a wonderful encourager and PLEASE DO join in the fun with this candy!

May the Lord bless and keep you all well and safe.

Prayer hugs 🙏🤗

 Shaz in Oz.x 

Edit:  please do not refuse candy because of distance, post cost very little on both prizes.

It will spoil my desire to say thank you, you are so precious to me. 

THANK YOU!

***CANDY IS NOW CLOSED!!***

Today's thought:

In the words of the hymn:

 To God be the glory .. great things He hath done, 

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, 

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,

And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Refrain
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done

Linking over to these challenges:

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

** Di's Snippets Playground Latest Snippets Challenge here - both cards have snippets.** NBUS challenge the Happy birthday is a NBUS “NEVER BEFORE USED SCHTUFF”over here at Darnells.

Draw of #310 candy + Rudolph day

Hi everyone ... 

 Well, 'tis curious the way that things happen sometimes! When first praying over doing this candy, toyed with idea of 28th Feb draw date or a number instead. 
As ordained of the LORD (so I believe) they co-incide on the same day anyway!
As the verse below says.. "the lot is cast into the lap, (or hat in this case) but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD"

All comments on the candy post (see here) were printed off. Checked for who had actually joined blog, non encouragers were removed; added another entry for each who added it to their sidebar, cut and folded and ready to draw!

The person drawn is new encourager as it happens - so  Denise Bryant, (who doesn't have a blog yet 😊)  please email me with your address {my email is here} so I can have the Joanna Sheen gift card sent to you, or small piece of calligraphy if you'd rather!

I drew a second one  ... and Pia would you send me your address too please (Email is here)? as I will send you a small piece of calligraphy as thank you for being a wonderful encourager of this blog! I am sorry you all can't receive a prize.. to be honest it quite blows me away when I think of it of over 300 encouragers, how blessed of God I am, blogging really is rewarding, isn't it? I never quite realised how much till I'd begun more than six years ago now.

My card for Scrappy Mo's challenge this month for Rudolph day from 25th of each month till the last day of month - which in February's case is today!

All **snippets except base, the bookmark on top was sent to me as a bookmark, I layered it up on green card embossed and gold ink highlights. Stamped and music background stamp and gold embossed and then attached tag/ bookmark.. lo, finished! a cheaters card indeed! (** Snippets, so off to the playground yay!)
I love the words of this image... Jesus is the most important gift at Christmas, for in and through faith in Him alone is found Hope, Love and Joy! and I might add peace...

This is just a playing card still not sure it wont be ditched.. its done with Panpastels and white embossing. It lost lot of its definition, that's why am not sure wont remake it.. what do you think?

Well, I'm delighted to welcome new wonderful encouragers ..
Lisa of http://indymermaid.blogspot.com.au
Janet of http://dottyscraftyantics.blogspot.com.au/
Wanda of https://artbywanda.blogspot.com.au/
Kim of http://sarahlizzies.blogspot.com.au/
and then drumroll, please! ..... no #310 is Sam of http://whisperscards.blogspot.com.au/

These clever crafters are a pleasure to visit..
.... so do pop over to their blogs and give them some encouragement!

Thanks dear wonderful friend and encouragers - you are all such a blessing to me!
.. thanks so VERY much for all your lovely comments and may the LORD bless your day wherever you may be!
Shaz in Oz.x 

The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:33

Things are pretty full on here so this is a scheduled post and will link over when time permits.
1. Rudolph day challenge over at Scrappy Mo's

2.Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets first card. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 
3.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

Thank YOU Blog Candy - Drawn at 310 Encouragers!

Hi there dear Wonderful Encouragers of this blog,

I thought it high time that we had a small candy as a little THANK YOU TO ALL YOU WONDERFUL Folk - to all of you dear Encouragers of this blog.
I missed the sixth blogaversary, been hovering in 290's for months, gain one, loose one or two, so decided to incorporate this goal of 310+ with the candy. 

The reason for the number is in the hope it will stay above 300. 😊

This candy is for Joanna Sheen £10 Gift Voucher, see link here!  FREE POST worldwide.

To enter:

1. Be an Encourager of this blog ie join through the follow button, on side bar.
I suggest you check it is showing "un-follow" button - as sometimes blogger plays tricks and un-follows you - it has with me! and had to re-follow blogs.

2. It would be appreciated if  you would put a link on your sidebar, or mention it in a post (add link for this in a comment) step 2 -  gives you an extra entry in candy.

3. Please leave a comment below. (ONE entry for comment, EXTRA ENTRY for those who add to sidebar)

In event a non-crafter wins I will do them a piece of calligraphy ... so if you dont craft and want a piece of personalised calligraphy,  please do enter... also if you prefer the calligraphy that is okay too. Just say!

New Encouragers or followers are very welcome. If they are genuine, not just candy hunters.

Fifth Blogaversary Draw of Candy

Okay, now – big drum roll, please! We have numbers in this l'il ole bowl, and draw of numbers match the number up with the list and ..

Ta da!! A big congratulations - the winner of Illuminated text is:

Anne of Teacup Doodles

 A big congratulations - the winner of Holly Die is:

 KT Fit Kitty

Please contact me by this Thursday by email, Kitty and Anne - click here and you will find my email.

I have drawn another name for each item of candy in case I am not contacted, and will re-announce on Friday if not claimed.

And this draw, for those not in the know, is for a very BIG thank YOU to the wonderful Encouragers, as my blog is FIVE years old.

 I was having a little candy as a way of a very BIG thanks to you all!

There is a verse in Proverbs 16:31 in the Bible “The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”

Well in this case, it is a Chinese bowl – but the choice was left up to the all wise One, for His distribution.

 Apologies to all who do not win – it is a shame I don’t have prizes for all of you – I would so very dearly love to!

 I want to close with a very big thank you to each and every one of you for all your beautifully encouraging words on my candy draw post and over the past year - you live up to your name, you very dear WONDERFUL Encouragers. 

Thank you also for the NEW ENCOURAGER'S who have joined since then.

I hope and pray you stay around and enjoy this blog.

A big welcome to following (their blog links are embedded in names):

Ирина Irina 

mamapez5  of Kates Adventures

Diane Baker-Williams of InkyInkyDoodle

 Sofie Vandersmissen  

valerija 

Dr Sonia S V 

 Наталочка Нана

May the LORD bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in Oz.x

 PS I am sorry, I maybe posting but simply dont have time to comment as normal, for which I apologise.

Belated Annie's Smiles, Snippets + Card to share.

Hullo there everyone - yes am still on planet earth!! Just seem to be totally inundated, time-poor, so rather scanty blogging. Had trip to big smoke to docs early this month they are not happy, so having to do more exercise{good for me, and me bones, they're getting thin but I am not ;) } but it takes time.

Have heaps to share. Was going to post for Annie's smiles, yesterday, thought would share the beauty of our garden.. these are all gone now, have six!! more vases of beauties at present, but will share these.

Another new rose called "Summertime 47" - very appropriate, it has been like summer time here .. two swims at the beach this week :D Wonderfully blessed indeed! Deeper one in middle is Perfume Delight - very fragrant, too.

I am enjoying the text which is this month's candy for my fifth blogaversary. (See here - there is a craft die as well) Hand painted with gouache + 23 carat Gold leaf on the word "faith" and the "W". Candy, die and text will go overseas to "Wonderful encouragers" of this blog who chose to enter.
This was our last lot of Sweetpeas, as the recent rain then heatwave stopped its flowering. Text is snippet, as this was done on snippet of paper .. a small piece of work :D plus gold leaf was snippet on a gold leaf sheet.

Another new rose also, had four new ones this year. This is called "Orient Express", also is fragrant. Fragrance is "must have" criteria of new roses. Think there are some "Guitar" there too.

A birthday card which  has flown over to UK for one of our family over there, they dont read my blog so it is okay to post. Frame made with SB Divine Eloquence die, DI were used on watercolour for background which also has glimmermist on it, the gum blossom die is by Ultimate crafts Australiana die.

This very wonderful verse is from Pinterest Bible verses page, originally from this blog here. Truly the LORD is my Strength and Shield.. and enables marvelously throughout each day.

Thanking the Lord for each of you, and praying for you that the LORD would be your Strength and Guide through each and every day,

Shaz in Oz.x

Linking up to:
1. Annie's Friday Smiles  

2. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on text and card .. snippet for die cut plus watercolour sheet.  http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

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

Fifth Blogaversary ~ Prizes: Illuminated Work + craft die

CANDY IS CLOSED  - draw see here

Hullo everyone - some exciting news today!! 

It is 01.11.15, and if you dont know what that means???
 
I started my blog on 01.11.10 

(yes, it is a palindrome, ie reads backwards and frontwards the same
.. so wont forget it!)
It is this blog's FIFTH Anniversary!

THIS CANDY WILL POST OVERSEAS! 

As I have so many Wonderful Encouragers, who have joined and encourage me during the years on my blog by leaving wonderfully cheering and helpful comments
~ I want to do a BIG "THANK YOU" with a two pieces of candy~

First one is a small (10 X 8cm) framed Illuminated text, it can hang or is self-standing, too.

So this a watercolour and gouache, with 23carat gold leaf illuminated work, with flat gold leaf. Because this frame has no mount you cant do the raised gold leaf, as I like to do.

This verse is the key to our whole lives - if we get this right then we are on the right path.
"We walk by faith, not by sight." II Corinthians 5:7
The key is the word in gold, "faith", if our faith is in the wrong thing, then our feet are on the wrong path.
May our faith be in the One Who never fails, Who said "I am the Way, the Truth and the LIFE", the dear LORD Jesus Christ.

A crafty prize is also on offer of Joanna Sheen Signature die called Holly berries SD001

To enter:
1. You must have joined my blog and become one of my Wonderful Encouragers!

  This is the whole point - it is a THANK YOU to You, those faithful ones! 
New Encouragers are more than welcome :D if you are of the genuine variety!

2. If you are able to, I would appreciate if you could put a link of this candy on your blog's sidebar. Those who take the time to do this, please let me know, as you will get two entries in the candy,  as an extra thank you!

3. Please leave a comment below to say you would like to take part.

If you want the text - put "text" at the end of your comment.

If you want the die - please put " craft die" at the end.

If you want either , please put "either" at the end of your comment.

Is that all too hard? I hope not! I will do a short post later in the week showing the making of the text too.

The candy will be drawn, all being well on 1.12.15, Australian time. 

I will post overseas, I chose light things for that very purpose.

If you're not sure you have joined this blog, (as I forget which ones have joined) just try and join - Google wont let you join twice, this saves you searching.

Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and chat, and most of all may God bless you all for being such WONDERFUL ENCOURAGERS!!

  I really appreciate you all, 

Shaz in Oz.x

Candy Winners - thank YOU ALL my Wonderful Encouragers!

{Sticky post please scroll down}

Hullo there you dear patient folk!
As this was a Blogavesary candy the plan was to draw on 1.11.13 as started blog on the palindromic date of 01.1.10. However health and circumstance delayed it.

My two faithful Monkey assistants here have supervised the legality of the draw... had I reached into the said hat sufficiently? after stirring up entries enough? We culled out those comments who had not joined our blog. Those who had put on a pickie on their blog were given two entries :D

So without any more ado first candy prize drawn out - was...drum roll....

 1st prize ~ Anne in France ... 

and then as had teeny bit more surprise candy drew another name and it was...

2nd prize ~ Betsy

  - who does not do papercraft, so will make her some cards as a gift :D

Still had teeny bit of candy left so we drew third name and it was.....

3rd prize ~  Sharon of My craft cupboard

So will those three ladies email me their addresses, please?
Sorry to all those other wonderful folk whose names were in the candy draw and so faithfully follow and encourage me over the past three years.

 You all mean so much to me, so asking the LORD to bless each of you, especially for your great kindness, Shaz in Oz.x

Thank YOU to my Wonderful Encouragers - Blogaversary Candy!

Candy Now closed - Drew three winners - will post soon.


{EDIT - 01.11.13 -  plan was to draw candy today, 1st Of Nov. - but things are very busy till 12.11.13, plus not 100%, so will draw candy on that date. Hence candy is open for few days longer.}

Hullo there everyone - this blog soon has its third anniversary. On 01.11.10 this 'ere 'umble blog was started. I started it by accident (see first post here - a test run & it worked!!). So the LORD has blessed it.

Blessed by so many precious friends and wonderful encouragers, I really appreciate you very much so want to offer a teeny-tiny bit of crafty candy to all you wonderful folk who follow this blog.

Here is candy. Butterfly is sample of one on offer.
 **Joy butterfly die is embedded in foam, cuts beautifully. See card with die cut here .
**Country Companions Friends stamp, cute and versatile. ** Pearls to embellish!

Candy can to go overseas, as is very light, so this is for ALL this humble blog's Wonderful Encouragers, that is, ALL those who have joined this blog.

1. please leave a comment on this post below 

2. then put (if you would be so kind) put a link on your sidebar; an extra entry in candy if you do so :D

Please do check you are one of the merry band, as on my first candy someone was drawn who was not, and had to redraw. New Wonderful Encouragers are very welcome to join following this blog!

Many thanks to one and all of you! What a pity I cant send some to all of you!

May the dear LORD bless your day wherever you may be,                               

Shaz in Oz.x

Belated WOYWW + Candy announcement

Well, this will be ultra brief so Julia will be delighted as not on here or ought not to be ... as till so late in week is really what was on my workdesk on Thursday, as took it yesterday!

For rest of wonderful world wide desks on "What is on Your workdesk Wednesday!" see over here at our Julia's blog..

It is school holidays here, and I have just come back from visiting family and friends up north and this is my little haul from a visit to a Lincraft store which we dont have here...they had these on sale or the butterfly punch was!! the bling and the stamp cleaner were needed. The flock was something have wanted to try for ages and was ultra cheap so made into my bag too.

Please all are welcome to peek and join in, if desired, in the candy on offer - please read post here - and comment on THAT post if joining in, please.

We start school back next week and hope to show you the bookmarks by my calligraphy students - they are finished. They are now working on their texts - as am busy will try and return comments as able but appreciate all you fine WOYWW folk so very much! sorry for my absence of late.. I had to cut out somethings or else.. you know wot I mean!

May the LORD bless you where ever you may be, Shaz in Oz.x

Penny Black Stickeroos - Moggy style! Aren't they THE cutest?

Hullo there everyone!!  Well, have test for you now.

Most regulars would know I had a few weeks ago some generous booty from the lovely Miss Di over at the play-ground (see this post back here).

Well, so I love these Penny back images ( for which I will never have stamps. I cannot justify the buying of them when flat out categorising the ones I do have! but that is anther story!)..

Sooooo... I came up with this "cheaters" method.. I have scanned the fav. images and printed them out on good inkjet paper, then used them on cards... 
{EDIT: Tip in printing: I put through the printer twice - then they come out as well as original. Also my Canon Inkjet scanner/ Printer isn't a dear one, cheapest around.}

 One below is a REAL Stickeroo and one is NOT (oo-ar!) 

so my quiz today its to ask you, which is the real one one?
Which is "ridgey- didge"? "fair-dinky-di"?

is it number one?

or is it number two??

Made with:   SU Designer papers, both discontinued,

Cherry Cobbler (snippets both these and the DP were too, so joining over with Di's Snippets challenge :D) + Very Vanilla,
 with Nellie Snellen Square Stitch die (gotta be their best one).

Greeting "Thinking about you in my heart, and remembering you in my prayers" is from "Our Daily Bread" stamps, and two different Spellbinder to mount it.
 Posted one to France (other to US), last Friday from here in Oz, and it arrived in Brittany on Wednesday - howzat?

Okay - a prize to one who guesses right - name will go in hat of all correct answers - and draw one - and will send you some images to play with - of your choice, even some brayered backgrounds if you like :D

Date of draw will be after Easter.

Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and chat and may God bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in Oz.x
{EDIT: Only three folk guessed correctly that it was number two - more guessed number 1 curiously.Those who guessed no 2 were Di, Kathleen and Mrs  A. so did a hat draw and winner is:
Mrs A.  ~ yay! so Mrs A., I will be off to email you now - thanks everyone for being such wodnerful encouragers

Candy Results, WOYWW-ers ~ LOOK SEE!

Hullo there every one - first of all apologies for delay in the draw which was supposed to be yesterday!
This weekend was an incredibly busy one both days and only just now had time tonight to do the post although the draw did take place earlier when had some assistance!
 

Enough waffle, to the matter in hand - after weeding out those who were not really Wonderful Encouragers, there were thirty entries. It was BIG THANK YOU to All the Wonderful Encouragers who have joined my blog over the two years, so this was a necessary criteria. Some received an extra entry as they had joined before the candy was announced, and put the candy on their sidebar, so bonus required - just to be fair, it was generally agreed.

Okay no peeking, now there anyone ~ all eyes shut! Must be done fair and square now!

DRUM

ROLL

tah - dah!

Hey, psst! does that look like a WOYW-er has won??? YES!  Julia will be pleased!

A BIG THANK YOU and  CONGRATULATIONS, TOO!

So Scrappy Mo - or Maureen please contact me - and apologies to everyone else - wish I owned a bank and could make everyone who encourages me a winner.. 

.. but  two other names were pulled out of the very colourful Bhutanese hat (gift from sister who visited last year)!

So would Sally H. and Mrs A. please email me as well and will send you a brayer thank you card as well!

Will not have time to do WOYWW (What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday- see here) this week as have another skin cancer excision at skin drs on Tuesday, on foot this time.. hopefully it is that last for a while. It is common in Oz.

I may be able to pop around a bit, but dont think it will not have time to post!

Thanks so much for popping over for a peek and chat, and may God bless your day wherever you may be!

Shaz in Oz.x 
PS and big welcome to the newest Encourager - Catherine, who makes the most amazing pieces of quilling work!