Christmas 2024 Christ our Saviour has Come! + WOYWW + Snippets + NBUS

Well, 2024 has simply evaporated! And I haven't blogged since Oct! Happy Christmas everyone, and as it's Wednesday- happy WOYWW,  popping over at Sarah's Craft Shed. Here is my desk, posed a few days ago - Darnell's is the Joy to the World, above it is Mrs A.s, Neet has the Jesus, Mary and Joseph silhouette, she's used all Lavinia stamps, and Chris D has the one next to Neet with the beautiful star.  The others aren’t bloggers, but beautiful too.

This is a NBUS stamp set, the sub greeting. The JOY die is Christmas washi die cut. Linking up to Allsorts Challenge - Use your dies, sub greeting were die cut too. I made all sorts of these but only took this photo! BELOW: This blue in this Solar paste card is NBUS too, other colours are Lunar paste ( on black rectangle die cut,disc then used disc. EF. Below are my Lunar and Solar paste cards, you certainly get some different colours, I've used the Lunar paste before but the blue solar paste is a NBUS, (Never used before Schtuff) so I'm off to HERE - Darnell's NBUS challenge.

Everyone of these cards in the next two photos could be called Snippety but I'll chose the one in middle above which has "Christ is born " stamped in gold over a Shepherd scene. They were all upcycled cards. Very handy. The greeting are either digi or stamped. I made 76 cards, but gave some away. Linking some of 76 to Word Art Wednesday

The top left card tells us the importance of today. Jesus was God's greatest gift to us for through Him we have salvation and the promise of eternal life, if we trust in Him as our Saviour, which I did at 12yrs old down at our creek, see photos below. May we remember in all the gift giving to give the best we can to Jesus as it's His birthday, may we give Him our heart ❤️.. 

These are the beautiful flower boxes taken up in town, I'm glad I took them a week ago, when up there a few days ago the hot dry weather had frazzled some of them.

These are some of my flowers, the Christmas cactus on left, and some of my roses on the right.

Some of our Sunshine 🌞 on my walks. I am very blessed to live where I do. This bird below is a King Parrot, in our rose garden, I think he was eye-ing off the green tomato also growing among roses.

Here, may we always remember:

I borrowed this image from Betsy, Life of a Queen because it said what is often left out at this time of the year. Our greatest Gift is Jesus, may we give our greatest gift back, our heart. Praying this as our blessing in full today. Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x

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"He is not here, for He is Risen, as He said". (+ Snippets, NBUS, Allsorts Challenge)

First of all, though, thanks to all who care enough to pop over  and say Hi. Things are very topsy turvy health wise this past month and look like being that way for a while. Sorry I wont perhaps be as active at returning comments,.

  

Dear Ones, well today is a day of great rejoicing as my title shares.

Can you imagine the great sorrow of the women and disciples upon the first day of the week? 

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

 "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)

I think this image of an empty tomb encapsulates 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 at Calvary - there the LORD Jesus died for you and me!
How rich we are in Jesus if we truly know Him as our own Saviour from sin and love and serve Him.. 
A hymn came to mind as I think upon today, Resurrection Sunday, and as verse 2 says the day of Hus appearing will come at last - one glorious day He’s coming back again! for He promised (John 14: 1-6)! I so look forward to His coming AGAIN!

 It is I serve a Risen Saviour... may it bless your heart as it did mine.
I serve a Risen Saviour by A J Ackley 
I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.

Refrain:
He lives, He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!

2 In all the world around me I see His loving care;
And tho' my heart grows weary, I never will despair.
I know that He is leading thro' all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing will come at last. [Refrain]
 

3 Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind. [Refrain]

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

Shaz in Oz.x

Hymn sung below by Mennonite Youth choir link HERE if not showing 

 

Now to some cards, as most of my cards are snippety, its always hard to pick a snippets card. The first one is  the most snippety! 

Green piece was a watercolour piece done ages ago, added versamark ink on EF & accidentally debossed with poppy stamps folder, so could not use it as intended. 

Recently saw it in "use it!" box desk. Thought, Mm, brayer the beautiful gold acrylic paint over the top, see what happened!? This is it! 

The frame was already cut to right size! that's God's goodness! from a natural coloured cereal box, painted it with same gold acrylic paint. Verse was stamped & gold embossed ages ago, a wooden Stampendous stamp, a favourite verse of mine - "WITH God, ALL things are possible." Mtt 10:26 Frame is a Kaisercraft die. MB butterfly Pippi disc.

Links below to challenge.

Next card - is with vellum, I was given some Prima metallic accents paints for Feb birthday, I've really enjoyed making a lot of cards with them. Have many in wings which hope to share in months to come as health permits.

The frame, punch butterflies (Kaisercraft large, small unknown) and back of embossed vellum were painted with these paints, the frame and one above are Scrapdragon brand, an Aust online company. CB embossing folder disc long ago. Again my favourite bible verse stamp. Used NBUS Prima Iridescent watercolour paints!

Two more cards, I made a number of these, with this NBUS flower stamp die set.

This is an encouragement one with Hero Arts hugs and prayers.

The floral stamp set is disc., though a NBUS! as is mixed Oligagarch (sp?) greetings stamp die set, that was bought recently on Amazon!

 No longer available! I think the EF on background is Altenew 3D folder from memory. Added light spatter in colours used to paint them, with a bit of the gold as well.

These are all NBUS so will pop over to Darnell's challenge. 

Linking up to the following:

1. Snippets playground with green card here

2. NBUS Challenge  here 

3. Allsorts Challenge over here CAS or Anything Goes encouragement card is a favourite and it's CAS

 4. I'd also like to link these cards over to this wonderful challenge- Word Art Wednesday- Anything goes http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/2024/03/anything-goes-weeks-641-642.html?m=1

 

“In the Fullness of Time, He came..” + Snippets Challenge + WAW

    Christmas is a celebration of Christ’s birth, yet He is often banished these days out of hearts and homes, stores and public locations… some even substitute X for Christmas calling it Xmas. 

X is an unknown quantity but Jesus is never that. For He is our LORD, our Saviour and coming King.

There are many prophetic passages promising Jesus would come, starting with Genesis 3:15 - man sinned, so our loving God promised a Saviour.

Another promised our coming Christ oft forgotten is of His second coming: the promise given by the angels when Jesus went back to heaven after His resurrection … .

“… HE SHALL COME AGAIN, IN LIKE MANNER AS YE SEE HIM GO into heaven”

 Acts 1:11

As in the fullness of time, ie God’s time Jesus came the first time, He was born, died and rose again - Paul says here: 

.. but when the fulness of the time was come, 

God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 

to redeem (save, buy back) them that were under the law...” Gal 4:4

With Christ’s coming there were a few faithful ones in total expectation of the promised Messiah.

They were not surprised in unbelief that He should come as a babe not a conquering King was to rescue them from the Romans. 

Here’s a list of five but I’m sure there are more:

Elizabeth - the mother of John the Baptist was believing (though Zacharias, his father was struck temporarily dumb for his unbelief) Luke 1: 5-26, 40-45

Mary - Luke 1: 26-80

Joseph - Matthew 1:15-25, 2:13-23

Simeon - Luke 2:25-35 faithful prophecies were made by Simeon, to Mary.

Anna - Luke2:36, 38, at 84 yrs, she’d long waited, in expection. 

Two gospels tell of Christs birth.

Matthew gives it from Joseph’s perspective and dealing in angel appearances and Magi coming; Luke is Mary’s perspective, each also share their respective genealogies.

Are we likewise expectant that our beautiful LORD Jesus Christ will come again, AT ANY DAY, as promised?

 "THEREFORE BE YE ALSO READY for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.”  Matt24:24

Will Christ find us ready longing for His coming as these faithful ones were at Christ’s first Advent? I pray so with all my heart, perhaps it might be today!

At Christmas time may Christ not be left out - but may we ALL remember the most important gift is not UNDER THE TREE,

BUT WAS PLACED UPON THE TREE TO DIE for our sin.

 

Praying earnestly that the real reason of Christmas shine brightly in your home and heart.

 

Just sharing some cards too, partly so I remember what I've made 😆😅, and sent out! The multi coloured cards are done on black card with Lunar Paste then embossed with various folders. 

Most of my cards this year were recycling, which is what the second one in this list here is, stamped with "Jesus is the reason of the season". Stamps are mostly wood mounts from 1990s.

May God richly bless your Christmas day wherever you maybe! And thank you so much for popping over especially if you’ve time for a comment, you are much appreciated.

 I’m with family and enjoying a lovely low key day. God is very good to me.

Prayer hugs,

Shaz in Oz.x

1. Linking over to Snippets playground with the Recycled card, as all snippets except card base.see here

2. Linking over to Word Art Wednesday for first five cards. link here

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.
 

Foiled - Alcohol Inks + Embossed Foil + WOYWW

 Yes, it’s Wednesday again and popping in with a desky share + cards made of late! Desky share for WOYWW - What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday, over HERE 😁 at Julia's … today is full of inky fun.

My desk this morning - just briefly played with Alcohol Inks on dry embossed silver foiled card (Sizzx chevron 3D)... oh so much fun and came up quickly too, worked out a easy technique on it. You don't need the blower this way ...

Lay around colours in locations of choice, put in centre if too bottom half two careful dollops of alcohol.

And then move it by tilting or tipping it around, and an occasional use of a gloved finger to spread it over how you like it. Easy peasy.

These days, make sure I wear gloves, apron and cover desk with scrap paper, for easy clean up.

Here’s some cards to share not done these bases up but here is one from last week, mailed yesterday.

Die by Penny Black - kind gift when I had my heart attack in June 20, from Scrappy Mo - so thank you Mo my new favourite Snippetty die ❤️❤️ you can use a skerrick strip up with it! Less than an inch roughly. The Dienamics rectangle, and Elizabeth Craft design Birthday die.

A quick CAS card of washi paper, scallop border, with disc. stamp, new fav. PB die.

Also was reminded its Scrappy Mo's Rudolph Day Christmas card challenge so quick entry, had these two elements done in Christmas box. Stampendous embossed greeting. EF 3D of carol think is Gemini brand ..

Baby card: Image from book Beatrix Potter images. SB lattice die, large was used with DP mount, Crafts Too Daisy Lattice EF A4 with pink pearl dits to decorate.

 Celebrate die - Waffle Flower. “It’s a girl!” stamp, PB Hedgie baby set, with baby stats in Kaisercraft labels die.

An Aussie combo shot to end some pretty sunsets.

Not walked as much as not 100%, but this was soo beautiful, have 20sec video if time to watch it, too, link here if missing.

Lord bless everyone thanks so much for popping over esp if you say hi. 

I will do my very best to reciprocate, but sadly cannot comment on embedded comment boxes they block me on iPad.

Prayer hugs, 

Shaz in Oz.Xxx 

Psalm 27:3,5,7-8

 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

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.

 

The LORD is a constant companion to those Who love Him, and yet He is never far away from a seeking heart too that has not yet trusted in Him.

 

Our Saviour Jesus, our God is only ever a prayer away - but He made us with a free Will to chose Him, or not. 

Praying for you dear ones, you’re all so very precious to Him. 

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/2022/04/nbus-challenge-37.html?m=1  first card and baby card, brand new use of gifted pink pearl drops and the Beatrix Potter images, yay!

3. Scrappy Mo’s Christmas Rudoplh days challenge- link up above 👆 

4. Allsorts “I spy something beginning with B!” http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2022/04/week-673-i-spy-something-beginning-with.html loads of options! *card 1 BLUE foiled - *card 2 BORDER scallop edge *card 3 BELLS Christmas embossed at top of card - card 4 BABY card. 

5. Christmas card also linked to Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas challenge http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/

6. Designer paper on second and 4th card ( it’s DP scallop die cut) crafty Hazelnuts DP challenge http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com/

7. Penny Black die used on two cards, one and two so linking this up to Penny Blaxk and more challenge where anything gies with option of Easter. http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2022/04/pbsc-april-anything-goesoptional.html

Rejects Made Good + NBUS, Snippets, WAW

Some special things to share today - do you have some rejects in craft room, wool/ sewing cupboard, garden shed, etc? I do, today I’m sharing a card (or three) in part rejects - made good, also applying other ways.

 “Rejects” - first similar to shared before (left over of said sample, diff. stamp used tho). 

This is a continual lesson to me that something not good, may be made so.

Piece on the left was a whimpy, inky green embossed piece. Nice folder, nice colour, but messed up watery ink idea -> reject pile.

Spied it one day - thought Versamark + perfect pearls - voilá! It’s stunning. 

An oriental folder, so added CCD oriental diecut (up close).

Another reject - copied J.McGuire idea of EF with foiled card + sand top layer off to highlight. Mm, NOT good thick foil, thin cheapie, not so great effect. Then saw this brilliant idea by Maxine also using an Altenew 3D, this a CASE (kinda), Maxine’s beautiful, clever card is HERE! Border floral die MB, Heros Arts Hugs Prayers stamp & die.

Next reject is me  … 

Some who come this way may wonder why I always mention Jesus, & to be BE SURE you know Him as your Saviour or not. This the WHY. 

I've a chronic, congenital (from birth) incurable Malady, (*aka Darnell’s instructions to use malady, a much nicer word😂). 

Drs can’t explain me, only God can! 

I say it’s allowed of God. Originally there were NO mistakes in God’s PERFECT creation, but sin spoiled it… 

NOTE: It is NOT GOD’s choice  -> sorrow, grief, pain, sickness, hunger, famine, wars, suffering, death, a broken world -> ALL is a result of mankind’s sin.

God though (IF we let Him do it) is lovingly working in His way for GOOD!

Especially in me, taking me broken, sinful, lost - saving & blessing me. 

My malady means I’m literally kept alive by medication. No meds I’m dead. Many others are. So not so unique there!

Quite a number of times though, I’ve collected close calls.

God wisely decides to knock off bit more of roughness of this“earthen vessel” 😉 & keeps me here. 😆 

When one lives day by day like this, one knows how SHORT life is - ETERNITY is ONLY ever a breath away. 

Yet it IS for us ALL. 

WHEN God says time to go, I’ll say hallelujah, heaven, here I come - BUT  I speak up lovingly while I can. Each post may be my last. 

We must be ready for eternity NOW - when we are dead, that is too late.

ESPECIALLY TODAY - happiest of the year!

It’s  RESURRECTION DAY.

The FIRST DAY of the week,  almost 2,000 years ago, when our LORD Jesus arose from the dead. 

Jesus did NOT stay dead, He defeated Satan’s  power of death over US. 

Death was punishment for all our sin & wicked ways.

On Resurrection Day the LORD Jesus Christ  miraculously arose from the dead. 

This MEANS we too can live forever with Him, BY FAITH in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

There is an EMPTY TOMB, an EMPTY CROSS, where our sin’s price was paid by Jesus’ blood on Calvary’s tree. Forevermore ALL who believe in Jesus, will live, too. 

***PAID IN FULL***

Jesus, of all preachers in Bible - Old Testament & New Testament was the One Who spoke of hell the most. 

Why? Because He KNOWS hell is as real as heaven.

He DIED TO SAVE US from it. 

Jesus ALONE FULLY understands, He LONGS that we see it all, too.. examples in Matt. 5, nine times by Jesus in just Matthew Luke 16 parable on it.

Are you sure you have this HOPE in Jesus?? We can be absolutely sure, I trusted in Jesus at 12 yrs old, see here - Who or What is a Christian?

 

Here is one more card to share, this is Snippetty, too, actually as are the other two cards. MB Prim Poppy die sadly disc. 

Favourite stamp again Numbers 6:24-26, by Stampendous, gold embossed. Paper is Washi, by the roll, mostly used now; 25 yrs ago was $10 a roll, here, c. $US7. I’ve two different rolls, now it’s prized, so very expensive. Needed  encouragement cards so more will be forthcoming.

This is whole of the passage, love it in a stamp in KJV, as more complete. 

It is a prayer of blessing by Moses for Israel, God’s chosen people, and for us today, too. I pray this verse for YOU and ALL your dear ones. 

The LORD bless you all & keep you all,

Make His face to Shine on you and be gracious unto you all,

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you all,

And give you all His PEACE, 

in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Link Here if not showing.

 And thanks for kindly reading through this far, especially if you have time for a chat. You are appreciated.

Prayer hugs,

Shaz in Oz.x  

Linking up to: 

1. NBUS Challenge Never Before Used Schtuff - EF by Altenew is NBUS in Turquoise  https://mynbus.blogspot.com/2022/04/nbus-challenge-37.html

 2. WAW Word Art Wednesday - http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ prayers turquoise card and washi card. 

3. Happy Little Stampers Anything goes with Dies https://happylittlestampers.blogspot.com/2022/04/hls-april-anything-goes-with-dies.html oriental card 

4. Snippets Challenge - Washi card Poppy card https://pixiessnippetsplayground.blogspot.com/