Baby Shaker Card + WOYWW

Hi there everyone.
Wow, a new month! I lost August I’d decided when I was still writing July on dates in fourth week of August! 😆 Once the first “ember” month is here, the year gathers momentum even more and licketty-splits along! It’s Wednesday so time for WOYWW or What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday over at Julia’s at the Stamping Ground! To my desk:

Yes, mid-creation again. A baby shaker card, did it once before about four years or so ago. It looks like multiple cards are on make, and you’re right. It’s an ultra special card, and didn’t quite crack first pass to my satisfaction, so reserved it for prototype and a generic baby card.  On left is lovely SU paper disc., was 12 x12”. Managed to scan it and print off an equally good copy (after arguing with my newish scanner for 1/2 an hour). Rest is usual scissors tape, open drawers exploding into workspace.

On far right is this! which just arrived in mail from US, a card colouring topper to colour, isn’t it lovely? Love that verse .. from a FB Christian Cardmakers Group I belong to. Will be doing it after calligraphic piece, which is next on agenda, if time permits, as have a “must-make” list.

Problem is this Memory Box Die was made by a non crafter... or so I think. 🤔 see that cute little coat hanger for the baby suit?
Well, it’s attached to Die, not detachable and the cause of my grief  in troublesome die cutting of just wee suit for shaker part. I did attempt when last used it to remove it but impossible.

Here’s the finished first card. It’s a welcome for little Baby Oliver Charles. He’s named in his second name after his great grandad, my darling dad, who passed last August. So very apt little Oliver also arrived in August.

You can see the middle one is shaker section then two regular triple mounted ones on either side. The Baby Die is Nellen Snellen. Greetings etc are digis, and Kaisercraft label on bottom. 

A4 EF is Crafts-Too, called “Dottie” I love it, and works treat on my newish electric Couture Creation machine with B plate and base sandwich. Didn’t like recommended sandwich, this works best IMHO.

Aussie photos are local, just skip if you like. Haven’t had time to copy up the family current outback trip.

First are two sea photos clicked when good swell, on walk end of last week.😊

Next is in frontyard, Birdsong (Orange!) grevillea, White Leptospernum, (or tea tree) in full flower for spring.

The next is backyard, a callistemon (Mr Foster) or bottle brush, with a rainbow lorikeet who was playing: “You can't see me?!!”

Last two on walk yesterday.. love second one with elkhorns on trees, and evening light.

Well, that’s it today, pray you’re well, and every blessing of the Lord wherever you maybe. 

** Especially praying for Bahamas and the assault of Dorian, the (thankfully now lower Cat. 2) hurricane is now heading up US east coast.🙏🙏🙏

Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. Xx 

Thought for the day:

Well, you may not know but I’ve another blog over here and the latest post share the background of this beautiful hymn. Truly there is no other Friend so true as Jesus!

He never fails and He understands us like no one else does. In time of need He is there, I know the Lord Jesus is the only reason that I’m still here!

Linking up:

** Snippets of all sorts used on this baby card, all white except base and stripe was original 12" square piece used "sticky out  bits" (am sure that's a crafter's term😉) to neaten it up for scanning.  Off to playground yay! http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2019/09/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge-360.html?m=1
** Word Art Wednesday

** https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
** http://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2019/09/challenge-104-use-shapes-on-your-card.html?m=1 used die cut shapes of baby suit shape on card.
** https://pathofpositivitychallenge.blogspot.com/2019/09/challenge-72-opt-twist-curiositysept.html?m=1
I think shaker cards are always s curiousity, and this one even more than normal. 😉

Gilded Watercolour Tissue technique + Annie'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..
Okay, some of these are borrowed - again!!!

First of all a card to share ... 

 This card is another gilded tissue watercolour method, technique on posts here and here .. linking this one up to CAS watercolour challenge!
Dies (Memory Box Pippi + Swirl) + Stamping (SU) + Tissue .

 Now to my Fridays Smiles. Firstly some Aussie shots .. the first one is from a friend in SA - she posted it on FB today and said it's ok to share. 
It is at Pewsey Vale, SA.

THIS brings a smile - my first flower on the Phaelenopsis dear nephew gave me at Christmas, with many more buds on the way! God's creation is amazing. Lovely winter sunshine today on my walk to our beach.. lifesaver's sign at flags said water temp was 19c, not bad eh?? Gulls and Terns enjoying it too.

 Sunset a few weeks ago down at the jetty ...

Now to some borrowed funnies.. from FB too.

 

WARNING: 

A BAD VIRUS is going around called Housework. 

If you feel the need to start housework, stop immediately. This virus wipes out your social life and "me time". 

If you should come in contact with housework go straight to the nearest shop & buy the only known antidote which is called CHOCOLATE. 

Please forward this warning to your friends immediately. They may be infected already!!!

  

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 more than words can say.
Shaz in Oz.x 

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.  Ecclesiates 3:11 

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

2. CAS July Watercolour Tissue Challenge

3. http://lemonshortbreadchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2017/07/challenge-46-anything-goes.html

4 .Mix It up Challenge "Anything Goes + optional twist of Distressing" Distressed with Gold EP  

The Christ of Christmas + Friday Smiles 200!!

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. 
(Big congrats to dear Annie for her 200th Friday smiles post)

As well, it is rapidly heading towards Christmas!
We celebrate ahead of lot of other folks, here in Australia in our time zone. 

This card is an upcycle and I made it for my best friend Robin (just for record I have lots of best friends, my best Friend of all is Jesus :D), the verse is a favourite of mine for Christmas time ..
"The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world"..
...the greatest gift of all was the LORD Jesus. (Robins are very cute and make me smile.)
The EF was smooched with gold ink to make it stand out and added bit of ribbon and bling to it.

 I love Christmas, I realise not everyone does, but even when I am sad Christmas things make me smile.
Most of all for me as a Christian is the Christ of Christmas that makes me smile. We really dont know when Christ was born and to be honest it doesn't really matter (if it did, we would know).

The reason I love the verse above is because it gives the real reason of Christ's coming. He came to be our Saviour. 

God, the Father, knows what it is to suffer loss, to be deeply sorrowful and afflicted, He suffered when he gave His own Son for us, that first Christmas. 
His Son, the Lord Jesus, gave up His heavenly home for a stable and human frame instead of His holy Home.
We can't imagine what it was like for Him, the King of Glory, Who knew no sin, to be made sin for us... when He bore our sins upon the cruel cross.

Another upcycled card.

I love this card... it tells the story of Christmas, of the Nativity, foretold thousands of years before, and the cross which lay ahead. It tells of the ones who saw the star, the humble shepherds and wise-men who followed it from afar.
It tells us of the happiest thing that happened to the world, the Gift of Salvation through our SAVIOUR the LORD Jesus.
(**and the twist for challenge below is that Christmas leads us to the cross)

This card shows those humble folk who came to see... see the Saviour sent by the Father. They were poor but honoured by God to be at Jesus' birth. 
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;
and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen,
yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
I Corinthians 1:27-29

As it is Friday Smiles - extra smiles for you.

Loved this one as it is so true .. God is our greatest Friend, but our dear earthly friends bring a smile to our face too.

 .. hope it brought some smiles to your face!

Happy Smiles day everyone!! 

and may God richly bless your day wherever you maybe,
and may the real reason of Christmas shine brightly in your home and heart.

Shaz in Oz.x

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to-night.

O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.

How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His Heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,

The dear Christ enters in.

EDIT: A dear friend commenting below suggested this video was a good one for this time of year
- I agree with her.

Well, I'm delighted to welcome new wonderful encouragers ..
Jan of http://serendipity45.blogspot.com.au/
Lois of http://lilartsywoman.blogspot.com.au/
You will learn much from these clever crafters.. a pleasure to visit..
.... so do pop over to their blogs and give them some encouragement! 

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

2. link up with Annie's Friday Smiles.

3. Crafty Hazlenut's  Extra Christmas challenge  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com.au/

3. Robin card  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/chnc-challenge-312-cute-or-anything.html  

4. Simon Says Wednesday - Make it sparkle. Last card  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-make-it-sparkle-3/ 
5. Crafty Cardmakers, the second card - **with the cross http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/179-christmas-with-twist.html

God Is In It - so Trust in the LORD

Dear ones,

Do you ever start something without any clear idea of where it is going, but knowing in your heart that you need to do it? Well, this post and this card I am sharing today are a little like this.

This card is for a very dear lady, for whom my heart is really burdened and as I prayed for her earlier, I felt impressed that I needed to write a post about it. This card began in the same way as this post, without any clear idea.. but took some snippets... loads of snippets in fact!
Heidi, for whom this was made, is struggling with a very hard thing in her life - she suffers from desmoid tumours. They grow anywhere, around vital organs requiring massive surgery for removal. Heidi is facing yet another one of these, tomorrow sees her excellent surgeon. She does a wonderful job full time running a Bible Book and Tract Depot. I get a big order from her each Christmas, and her ministry is invaluable.
Recipe: background is CB Kimmy Luvs EF extended .. embossed ages ago. The die cut in second was coloured and folded years ago. Not even sure what it is. I stamped the "Trust in the LORD" stamp in white EP. Made flowers from scraps with my MS hydrangea punch, the border is MS Floral vine, both were from newly given ones.

 So why does God allow such a horrible condition,.. one which took her own mother at such an early age. My title God is in it.. is there for a reason, God does have a purpose in this and every hard thing allowed in our life..
Are we willing to learn to know Him better through such hard times? or perhaps even come to salvation in His Son Jesus through such trials?  
Regular readers of this blog know that I have had many health struggles; one in July this year where I almost died again.
I, years ago was mad at God for what He had done in making me the way He has.. but passing years and the Spirit of God working in my life have taught me to be grateful for those thorns in the flesh.
As Paul himself said in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9:"...there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
⁸ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Are we willing to simply TRUST in the LORD???
Yes,  as Paul was told - "God's grace is sufficient".. for us.
When I was very ill in Intensive Care a few month back, the LORD God, my Saviour and I shared a time of fellowship so deep and rich like you never have when the path of life runs smoothly, so yes! it is worth it ALL for that! I am sure Heidi would concur.

I chose this image of Oz for a reason... this is a grey day but there is a bright clear shining light pouring forth from  the centre of the sky and reflected in the water below... Our Lord God, loving heavenly Father and His comforting Spirit is like that light. He shines ever so brightly comforts us through His word ever so deeply.
"..when I fall, I shall arise, when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me".
Micah 7:8
Are you in darkness?... cry out to the LORD! He is longing to hear from all who are weary and heavy laden.. for He alone can give us true lasting peace and rest.
To read of fifty years walk with our dear LORD God, read this post here.
It might bless your heart to read the comments of others too below it as they share what God has done for them.
God made us with a free will, that is why there are Aleppo's and other such grievous battles going on today!
For man is lover of self.. he doesn't want to know God, we are naturally, by nature, haters of God, not lovers of God.
But oh, how He longs to free us from our sin and that we might know Him!

I pray this blesses your heart and lifts your eyes to the beautiful face of the lovely Lord Jesus... our Sin-bearer upon the cruel tree - where He bore all our sins and rose again vistorious over death..
Praise His name for this... a great thing to be thankful for indeed.

Thanks so much for popping over for peek and chat.. you are really appreciated!

May God bless your day wherever you maybe!

Shaz in oz.x 

"Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. 8Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me." Micah 7:7,8

I would like to link up to the following:

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

2. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on my card.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/  Only item not snippet on this card is the base piece!

3. Brown Sugar challenge anything goes.  http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/challenge-225-anything-goes.html

WOYWW + Total Snippets Card x 2

Hi everyone time yet again... blink! blink! and it's time for another desky share in Deskland! Come and join up with WOYWW or what is on your workdesk Wednesday - over at the Queen of desks, our wonderful Julia!

My desk this morning.. I had received yesterday one of the Chinese dies from eBay, a large snowflake - this one only took two weeks, it was about $3. Have some more coming too. It cuts well, the card in front was masked and its for a FB challenge where we had to chose a colour chart choice this was mine (see below). I also wanted to make a card for dear lady ill in nursing home hence the verse I chose to out on this card.

TamuraColor1 Color Palette

When you dont quite have right colours you substitute ..or that's what I did. Took white snippet from a reject card, and the butterfly stamp set (by Stampendous). Masked off section and pearl embossed butterflies then inked with three colours dont think I like the grey with it , London Fog by Memento. Verse is one I have on my bedroom wall how I need it too.
"Trust in the LORD, Rest in the LORD, Wait patiently for Him. Fret not thyself."

I made another card with Midnight 1 Color Palette

When I have a colour challenge I go to my packets of snippets as they're all in colour sorted. All these including the verse + image came from snippets folders. Even die cut the green piece as well as embossed it, for another card but not used it. So this card went together very quickly not like the first one.

A great verse for us to remember...
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not His benefits."
How we are blessed in our lands for freedom! Image is digi and by Nicecrane but not longer available

The finished card... now to our Aussie views, on our Sunday icecream drive again!

Summer has come downunder... here 'tis warm already and in shorts and top till late in evening as evenings are balmy - salad weather. We need rain of course, but stormy season is here, so had little last night. There have been bad bushfires already down south of here so I pray summer is kind to us.

Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and chat, may our God bless your day wherever you maybe... especially the USA, with the uncertain election.

Shaz in Oz.x 

"Trust in the LORD, Rest in the LORD, Wait patiently for Him. Fret not thyself." 

Psalm 37:5, 7

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on my card.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

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

3. Cuttlebug Mania Challenge and the theme this time is 'Tic, Tac, Toe' (used Embossing , Animals , and ribbon on second card)
  

NBUS - Brushos explored - What fun!

Hi all - over at DARNELL'S - over here - is the NBUS Challenge please join in! but be quick sticks as it ends soon on 5th Sept! I'm scurrying in, hurrying like! Curiously my NBUS or Not Used Before Schtuff is same as Darnell's on her post!

Righto - Brushos  - am total newbie at using them! Stamped resist on first effort with a Stampin' up background stamp called "On The Spot" bought second hand on eBay, never to my recollection used by moi on card before. Stamped in Vesramark, clear embossed and heat set. Sprinkled three colours (okay - cant remember know one was lime green). The sprayed with water can see gold bottom of water spray.

End result - today was Father's day in Oz, so gave it to my darling dad today. He's 87 and not in best of health, but ever so grateful he is still able to enjoy a day out with his family. The lime was with diluted brushos lime green, embossed with CB bubble EF twice. Used CB Olivia alphabet to do Happy Dads day, added twine.

Want to apologise for lack of commenting, am still not 100% and when am able to am visiting dad who's just moved to a nursing home two weeks ago. However will hopefully catch up in next few days.. but no promises will just do my best. I thank you one and all for your kind and caring comments ... bloggers truly are great!

Linking up to NBUS Challenge at Darnell's! 
and Word Art Wednesday - anything goes     http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au 
 

And a big welcome to new blogging friend here, first for months :D
Greta of GG Creations has a great blog of amazingly diverse but creative cards please do take a peek.

Lord bless your day everyone and thanks so much for popping over and saying hi!

Shaz in Oz.x

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6