Cuttlebug Plus Wedding House Mouse + WOYWW

Hi there everyone, yes .. tis  Wednesday! Popping over to deskland at Julia’s Stamping Ground! Check out the friendly, creative, “germ-free” 😁 bunch at Julia’s blog with “What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday”!

My desk today: “Much a do about nothing” really, as was like this when went to bed last night. I had finally finished image on last week’s post and trying to sort which red in card and ribbon too. Funny isn’t how many shades there can be of one colour yet none really just right?
Also is stamped greeting the Bird Stamp is a Sheena Douglas Little Bit Sketchy 2 - Faith. A beautiful sentiment for Today! 

Will, God willing, finish card next week.

This is an aside, in case others are like me and ignorant on new Eco Printers. I do a lot of printing, good one died, had two printers die in 4 years. Bad landfill issue, so found these Eco printers are answer. They dont use cartridges! YAY!

On the side are the ink tanks, there is supposedly 2 years of ink there, when it runs out its only (at today's prices) $Aud20 to fill each colour again. I've 3 yr warranty on it too, good shop around & found this one in my budget. They don't do duplex printing, but pretty much everything else I use.
Now to sharing quickly the steps of the bird colouring (this is for me later, more than anyone, so no need to read it).

The technique is one Beccy of Beccy’s place uses over here.

Image is stamped first in Memento ink Sand on Kraft card. As I didn’t have enough greys in alcohol pens I substituted.

These are colours used in background. Here are stages. It’s done by a stippling affect, I think! ..that’s what I did anyway. Technique I used on shading of just background was used in Impressionism. First to use it was Georges Sérat, called Pointillism.

The background is with alcohol inks - the bird, etc is with Pencils, my sister ages ago upgraded her Prismacolours. Sooo I was given her first set as Birthday-Christmas pressie otherwise I’d not have them.😉

Had fun here, finished image, before die cut shading on first desk. BTW my friend's name is Robin, hence turning this bird into a robin, a change from original bird. It's her 70th, so very special card!
Next wedding card!

Now the card started last week finished, the first post on it here with recipe. Folder is CB plus disc folder. Greeting is digi using SB Elegant Ovals second smallest die.

The Aussie shot today is sooo colourful, courtesy of family member from WhatsApp. This is one colourful Holden, I love the beautiful rollers in the background, a good looking surf, no doubt what he was checking out.

I pray you’re all well. I’m feeling a bit peeky here, so taking it easy. The world is so variable at the moment, it’s very much wait and see, and go with whatever turns up.

Late here again, nighty night, was bit better commenting last week, hope to pick up in next few days.

Praying for each of you and your dear ones.
And that you’ll all be kept safe in all things.

Love and prayers,

Shaz in Oz.x

Thought for the day:

These two verses came to mind in relation to the variability of the storm we’re going through at the moment.

Yesterday, today for ever, 
Jesus is the same.

All may change but Jesus never,

Glory to His name.

Linking Over To:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. Two cards  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/
2. I'm running over to join in with  the House Mouse crew! Over at Anything Goes Monday House Mouse challenge! This stamp is Wreath - Mudpie and Friend.

Engagement card - House Mouse Wreath stamp + Cuttlebug Plus Folder

Hullo there everyone.

Here is my latest favorite method of a card make, as seen on Debby's wonderful blog.

I had been in correspondence with Debby of "A Scrapjourney", as she does these amazing 3D cards, beautiful they are - peek here  at her blog - and SEE how she does her 3D cards - here...

My cardstock I had was not the right weight, and so we worked out what I needed here in Oz was 160gsm card weight. I rang around local stores and finally tracked this one down (which is a dream to use) at a local office supplies. Okay was not cheap, but really was able to feel surface of card before bought it, plus helps local store! When used it for this card just fell in love with it is worth every penny, or cent - so silky and smooth and went well with Caran d'Ache pencils.. Curiously it is made in Austria. If you want to know how to work out paper weights in various countries this is good Wiki post here

The layers coloured as Debby does on her blog, I did three layers *bottom layer on lower left *the second layer cut around wreath edge on bottom right; then added *third layer of just the mice on top right. Adhered with Silicone Glue, as shown on her blog.

I also saw this method on Debby's blog, if you notice, a  lot of her card are inserts or used to mount on another layer with the same die. Used used this method with SB Beaded Ovals, 2nd smallest die on this card here - looks really great with any die but the key is to really just emboss as it is on the monkey card. 
The folder on the is card is a Cuttlebug Plus "He loves me" not sure if still available as had it for ages now. Used pearl paper for it, added rose lace edge and Martha Stewart Punch Shell (?) added with pearls.

 I have had this stamp and embossing folder for ages now and never known quite how to use them. I tried out but nothing more. And here they leapt together just beautifully and love them both wow! The stamp needed to be done in Versafine, as it is very detailed.

One thing that pinks that always puzzles me is how different they can photograph. I used the SU chalks (differing shades) on background, three different shades to especially to tone exactly with card I was using, yet on this photo they look like two different tones. As you can see added some ultra fine glitter to the image too.

Many thanks every one for popping over for a peek and chat, will return visit as able, and may God bless your day wherever you may be.

Shaz in Oz..x

Would like to link over with:

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes 

Pixies Playground - Snippety challenge  (pink snippets) woo hoo swings tis, for me!!

WOYWW! Wow, is the year flying or what?

Ah here we are everyone ~ another Wednesday!

Suddenly realised yesterday it was six weeks to Christmas!

Happy WOYWW everyone!! (WOYWW = What is On your Workdesk, Wednesday?) Do join us learning as we lean over desks and work spaces around the world! Pop over to Julia's hosting blog - Stamping Ground!! 

Now to matter in question the desk!
It looks much busier than reality as have been away for two weeks from WOYWW. Until the last two days this room has been totally neglected. However some things are afoot (YAY)!

Top right: Quite a few weeks ago you saw the start the Gumblossom Card   (see this post here). Images were sent to me by Ros.A. of WOYWW! it's peeking out at top right of photo, (along with one of my coloured poppy ATC from Artneko, yet to be finished properly).

Well, Ros and all, have posted the Finished card few days back now - see here for the details. 

On that post (one below) you will see the photos of visit to Annecy in France. It was a thank you card for the friends of my family we saw there, as Annecy is the City of flowers - hence a flower card.

Some amazing shots!
It is sooo beautiful, and I feel so very blessed of God to have actually been there. You see these places when you watch Le Tour de France and so such things.. and yet never dream you will end up going there..

Top left on desk shows some Stampscapes I had been playing with - one was new stamp from March purchase, not used. Was practising the overlapping techniques Kevin shows on his videos (see here).
Lower left shows a card finally finished posted below (was on desk two weeks ago).
 Centre shows brayer resist, with two "Stampin' up" stamps, still wet that is why it so vibrant.
It is done with the same stamp pad which I used for hummingbird card. I  called the pad Calypso but want to correct it - it is Kaleidocolor  - "Riveria"! so apologies, I think someone said they were going to hunt it up.

This card is an image from Elusive images, inked up on watercolour paper and coloured with Promarkers, and tiny bit of iridescent medium you dont see this. Cutting embossing folder is Cuttlebug Plus, a2 "Carly" bought on eBay, they are too dear anywhere else.
Inked it whit chalk pad while still in folder to make raised bits pop.
As this is snippets (done in two separate bits last year), and dark pink is also from my snippets drawers, I would like to enter in Di's Snippets challenge - please Miss, please!

Below is the very favourite scene of mine where I live - and looking toward the little island not far from where I live. Such lovely weather at the mo. Don't you love the sea grass on the sandhills? God beautiful creation..

One very sodden Rainbow Lorikeet, after a bath in our bird bath! They are so funny they go in and out, and in and out then nearly cannot fly away they are so sodden!

Please dont forget to enter in my thank you to all my encouragers second anniversary candy (CLICK HERE)!

Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek and chat, and may the Lord bless your day wherever you may be!
Shaz in Oz.x 
PS A big welcome to this blog's lovely new encouragers ~ Arty Andrea, and Ali of Teddy Bob crafts, 
 Shelly of My Creative Rumblings and also Ginny of Maxam Made :D 

PPS. I maybe a bit slow coming around to comment!
After doing this post, I left for the skin specialist and came back with 5 stitches in right hand (skin cancer, an SCC)- so will reply as able :D 

Happy WOYWW, and Brayer with Cuttlebug plus!

Hullo there everyone – well here we are again with yet another WOYWW on its way - wait we haven’t caught up yet from last week – please!!

For those not in the know the acronym WOYWW stands for “What Is on Your Workdesk Wednesday?” For those of you who would love to join in the fun of looking at work desks around the world, do join in the fun, and take a trip over to Julia's Stamping Ground!

 

 Here is my desk today – I liked better yesterday when the cards were being made (for all details on the brayer marbled green cards see here ) and now am just try into get inspired for the rather large calligraphy verse you see have printed the words out on the printed sheet at the back of the desk – a rough layout idea. The green card here I have entered enter this in the PanPastel Challenge – “Anything Goes” a brand new challenge blog, so do join in!

Also on my desk you can see some Chinese calligraphy shown better in the close up photo below. It was a present at Christmas from my sister and brother in law as they had been to China for the year – now wonder if any of you can read Chinese characters. 
I cannot – but since I do calligraphy they thought I would like my name in calligraphy – Chinese style.

It is a very good addition to my room at present in computer room but when craft room eventuates I hope to put it in there.

In the centre of the desk is this stationary set from Rwanda – it is made by the orphaned children over there out of Office scraps here is a close up my friend are missionaries to Rwanda (see previous post here) and they are home on furlough and they brought this lovely gift bag home with two gifts in it this one the stationary set from them and the little Rwanda hut carving for our mutual friend Bonaventure – he bought it of his own volition as a thank you for support for him. The dear, kind man – my friend here in Oz, Elaine and I occasionally as led may send him a small gift for his needs. He was doing Bible study this year under Chris. Thank you Bonaventure!

 

There is one new card on the desk the beginning of which you can also see in the photo with the Rwandan items. It is a brayer card too and have made it up simply with the Cuttlebug plus folder Carly, I think it is called, a favourite Lavender Fairy stamp I have had for over twenty years and some ribbon binding.

Well thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and a chat and don’t forget to join in the candy thank YOU for my Wonderful Encouragers click here or post below!

May God bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in Oz. x

Unity Stamp - Five Designs For Christmas!

Well it is dawning upon me that the 25^th December is drawing nearer (or galloping might be more appropriate). Card making is in hand for a variety of cards. Here is how one stamp can be used with various mediums and have different looks – so boredom does not set in!
These Unity stamps are great value (pre cut foam mounting at reasonable price) Itty Bitty by Unity stamps, A Child is Born. 

The centre of the first card I have showed before – the method of doing centre stamped image is here in detail. Summary of metallic centre piece is - used Versamark pad + layered up a number of embossing powders (each layer adhered with Versamark) then cook it with heat gun. So it goes Versamark + Embossing powder + cook again.

Used clear embossing powder, pearl, little copper and finally two layers of silver (cooked with heat gun after each layer) to give the gorgeous effect. A fun method to play with! Then stamped in black on clear acetate, & adhered with Dimensional magic. Used Candy Cane embossing folder extended, labels four Nestabilties for frames and ribbon + bling.

The card above right is explained on the post below - or click here 

The next one on left is a brayer card. I ended up sponging too, so you could see the words through the white embossing of stamp. See an excellent example of this method see this exquisite card on Lisa's blog. I was reminded of this method on her lovely Lisa's Craft Garden, see here.

For this I used the Kaleidocolor Blue Breeze Dye ink pad, with Cuttlebug Plus embossing folder Brocade Window, + pearls. The paper I used is lustre white and has a lovely sheen but you cannot see that.

The green, gold, black one is done with the Nellie Snellen Ovals - and needs repeating as little bit of gold lifted when gluing it down. Like the design though, and has Martha Stewart punch in the corner.

The bottom left card is another brayer/sponged card, Adirondack inks + white embossing powder on glossy white cardstock. I also used the left over bit of the frame from the Nellie Snellen Rectangle which I had after cutting the mount for the second card above in blue and silver -thought it was too lovely and different to throw away.

I mounted it on  blue card cuttled with Cuttlebug embossing folder Moroccan Screen.


For those of you who are on the WOYWW blog hop with our Julia this Wednesday when we check out the desks of the world, sorry but I shall be AWOL. Too much on the plate at present. So this post is instead of one then.

For any of you who are my Wonderful Encouragers of this blog - I want to you to join us in some candy, which is a very big THANK YOU for all your encouragement over the past year this blog has been in existence - thank you so much and see this post here.

Thanks everyone for dropping by for a look and a chat! May God bless your day wherever you may be,
Shaz in Oz.x

WOYWW What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 114

Well, this past week has just re-emphasised how very wonderful the crafty folk of WOYWW are! After my query last week on finding a larger embossing tan mat, the very generous Elizabeth found one for me somewhere not too far from her, and offered to post it as a RAK (random act of kindness)! Thanks for the offer, dear friend across the seas!

However it was something that Lisa of Lisa's Craft Garden said in her comment which sent me off to our local store (Clark Rubber) to see if they had a rubber mat similar to my 5 x 7 tan embossing mat. Pictured in a close-up on my desk is my black mat (the size of cuttlebug plate). Although not quite as flexible as the tan mat, it works a treat and embosses beautifully as you can see by the sample shown and have used it since on other items. I will just keep it for when need big one but at the grand price of $AUD3.60, it beats about $AUD25.00+ on eBay! 

No more detailed photo of my desk this week as it is actually bare - this photo above was taken on Monday when I was playing before packing up. The piece of embossed quilted tan-coloured card was done with the embossing mat and gutter guard - in case you dont know what I mean see this post here for more details.

For those of you who are wondering why we are looking at work desks...do join in the fun take a trip over to our hostess, Julia, at Julia's Stamping Ground!

 

Here are some cards made this week. First one is a Crafty Secrets Rose stamp, Cuttlebug Roses Embossing folder (which was distressed and rubbed over with White chalk ink pad) and the Blossoms Spellbinder on the background.

I coloured the inked, embossed Rose Stamp image with Promarkers and sprayed with Diamond Dust Glimmer mist. Also used are the Blossom Spellbinders in various layers. Cardstock very providentially came yesterday and it was called Rose Garden! :D

On the second card ( I really love these colours):- the brayered colours on Kromcote paper and method of applying colours are explained on the post here.

Used the Dragonfly K Kingdom Embossing Folder 073 at Fat Cats Card Corner - really great value folders these and love this one. It is on white core cardstock and distressed to pop the embossing.

Also used the discontinued Meadow Stamp Set from Elusive Images, with the square Fleur de Lis Spellbinders in black card.

 The last one was actually made last week for my neighbour's 60th, with the Cuttlebug Plus Brocade Window - how I love this folder! I used the white chalk ink pad on the folder before removing cardstock to give the lovely, velvety emphasis to embossed outline.Then used the Unity Stamp, "Itty Bitties"- Beauty, coloured with Promarkers again and some pearlised paint.
In closing I just want to say my thoughts and prayers are with all where there is unrest and need in their land - from Somalia to London, the LORD knows them all and for them I pray.

Well thanks for peeking everyone, happy WOYWW and may God bless your day wherever you may be, 

Shaz in Oz. x

PS. For all those who sent cards to cards to Sheree in Vancouver Island for Ethyl, she received 29 cards from the kind folk of blog-land, and for those on WOYWW who sent one - thank YOU! 

If you did not receive the email from Sheree about the prize draw please let me know and I will send it to you. It was to be sent out to all who sent cards.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 85

WOYWW - here 'tis again!!
The start of another Wednesday, and a topsy-turvy week with computer issues has not been all joy, but hey! I am here and I want to say a really big thank you to everyone who stopped by my place last week for first intro in WOYWW ... what fun it was! have made heaps more friends on blogs and seen (and learnt) so much!!

One new addition in my craft cupboard is a spice rack!


Mm! I know a spice rack, but hey! it was there, all beautifully crafted by my father (originally for his wife in their former residence) and on the scrap heap so to speak (no room in his new abode, nor in any one else's as a spice rack) and there was space in my cupboard saying: "yes, please!" and so here you see it with my embossing powders, glitters, brads and other odds and sods..joy all around! :)


Here also is my table and the fun I have had with my brayer doing some marbled paper for cards (if you want to check these out there is post below on how to do this method), and on this table are:
1. the card I was looking for when I did in my mock marble post on Monday, will show it below in close up.

2. new things for the week -the other Cuttlebug Plus folder (I showed the first one last week) and when I said had two I was asked what the other was? and this is it - the fancy labels and have stamped one of the labels so you can see how it is cut embossed and then I also coloured through the back section. I stamped one of my new Our Daily Bread Stamps on the fancy label -ah!

3. The Brocade Window is also at the back (next to my bug) and it has a small roll of ribbon under the clear acetate film that is on the back of the folder and you lift this film and then use chalk or ink to colour the raised embossed portion. (hope I made this clear? see last weeks post if not sure)

This card is done with the green colours in my post for the marbled background and then stamped with my Lizard stamp (from MY Stamps in Oz in late 1990's) and the Pocket Silhouettes from Stamping up and then mounted rather simply, on a mock lizard paper, black and green card and ribbon.

Oh, and to find out what WOYWW is and to join in the fun, drop by Julia's Stamping Ground!   Happy WOYWW, everyone!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 84

Well this will be my very first post on the WOYWW challenge and thought I would join the fun today as have been playing with two new items and thought I would share a little about them.
In today’s mail from US came my anxiously awaited Cuttlebug Plus and have I been excited by them, they are beautiful! You can see one of them (I bought two) on my rather tidy desk (no! that is not usual). It is just that yesterday was a major clean up, and now I can’t find my Stardream papers… looking hard, and guess they are in a safe place!

The Elusive Image Stamps are my one and only which I bought off a UK eBay site. Love them, they colour beautifully, and so thought would use them for the 60^th card I have to do and when  the Brocade widow folder came today thought I would try them together. I have a few words to say on these folders.
All the You-tube videos I watched said the Cuttlebug sandwich is A+B folder& card+ B plates. However there is no way it was going to go through my Cuttlebug, and yes! I did take the backing card off it (as on one site they said this is the issue).
I discovered the best thing for my machine is A plate + two shims (one thick one thin), and C plate worked for my machine. My advice is to try it out for your machine. And also you do not need the large plates which some sites (mainly Provo craft) say you need for these extra large folders.
They work perfectly for your standard plates, which are slightly larger than the folder. I then lifted the back flap on the folder and used foam to highlight the raised embossing with the White Chalk ink pad…lovely and fun!
What do you think?

Oh, and to find out what WOYWW is and to join in the fun, drop by Julia's Stamping Ground!   Happy WOYWW, everyone!

P.S.

Thought I would update with a pickie of how the card looked finished..so here 'tis, plus a close up of details.
   It looks almost velvet-like with the white chalk ink on top of the Elegant Eggplant paper by Stamping up, I edged with with black card and Lively Lavender (Stamping Up) on white linen cardstock to finish. I used a ribbon in same colour to attach the Nellie Snellen ribbon tag, and few pearls to adorn. There are actually spots like empty holes (indents) in the folders so looks like you are meant to put bling of some sort there!