August Christmas Challenge - GDT for Rudolph Day!

Hullo there everyone!
A great privilege today as sharing with you my first card for the Guest Designer for Scrappy Mo's Christmas challenge - Rudolph day which runs from the 25th of each month to the end - in this case the 31st of Aug.
As Mo is in Canada you have extra time if you're in different time zone, as I am!

As I'm still not well, my goal was easy if possible. Took the verse already made up from from snippets in my Christmas bits box, "For unto You is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD", from Luke.
I like the One Who is the real reason for Christmas to be on every single card  I make, that's the whole point.
Next goal was to use "neglected" dies. I found in my box of tricks a a new- bought-on-sale "American Crafts glitter card" in 6" x 6" pad. Decided to try this and love it. It is fab! So thin, cuts well and glitter stays put.
Used it on the Martha Stewart leaf punch, Memory Box Piestra die, Memory box bauble die.

So added ribbon, bling and silver thread and that was it! you can see glittery bits better on this photo.

Well, short and sweet from me here today as still recovering (see previous post - if you didn't know I have been very ill).
I keep forgetting how slow I have to take things. I maybe slow at returning your very kind comments too. 

Lord bless you and keep you all.

Shaz in Oz.x 

"But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10

Also linking up to:

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 

Cards for Charlotte ~ Music on Vellum, Ink Resist, LOTV + Penny Black

Hullo there everyone - well have been working for the last four weeks on this order for an elderly lady who wanted these five cards made on behalf of her ten year old great-granddaughter. It was a very specific request - and needed a poem also written for inside the cards. As it is personal and relatively long I wont share it. The styles as you will see are quite varied.

1. She is a Bass clarinettist, and Gran wanted that emphasised so did 3D of digi image I downloaded from Google, added a digiatl greeting to base card. Used SB labels 8 Fleur de Lis, and Sizzix note die. Embossing folder is CB large music one, used on vellum with lovely tinted colour to it... with MS Shell border punch, ribbon from stash and gold pearls.

2. This is Hero arts background stamp with white embossing and ink resist - showing method on my desk tomorrow for WOYWW. Used SB Petite Ovals and multiple Scallops, with rosebud lace and pearl strip.

3. "LOTV All Wrapped up" stamp on watercolour paper used water colour pencils, with glittery highlights. DP is from old stock, the centre embossing in white is from CB Caramello, SB Fancy Ovals for central image, corner in Mirri card with Marianne Corner die. SB Petite oval and SB fancy labels attached to end.

4. Penny Black "You are the Bestest" stamp .. usually see it in orange and greens, but this lady wanted mainly mauve, so used artistic licence on the daffodils :D. This is really not my normal style as used a fussier layout, but again this lady likes fussy. Lots of features I dont normally go for, not sure if like it... love the Primsacolors though, which used on the image. Corners on left are actually part of square Fleur de Lis cut up. SB Hexagons and cut outside the die - see this post on how to do this. Snippet of lace found in sewing cabinet.

5. Another music one on vellum again but with stamped and gold embossed image, from Victorine Originals bought on eBay years ago now. Corners are Gold Mirri snippets CB Vintage corners, "Charlotte" is from Olivia CB alphabet. The SU Itty Bitty banners die was extended for this banner, with a really old unnamed "Just for you" wooden stamp about twenty years old! Lace, bling, and ribbon from stash.

I will comment as able but time online needs be limited, I will do my best. However I really want to thank you so very much for popping over for a peek and chat. May God bless your day wherever you maybe.

Shaz in Oz.x

Would like to join these over with the following:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on all card .. that's me!  - but will enter card 4 and 5.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

2..Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au (Card no 2 and 3)

Favourite Items + Brenda's five year candy!

Hullo one and all - over and B.'s website or Brenda of Flora Fantasies she has a candy.. but an ultra special one, five years blogaversary!

.. and she wants us to:

Share your all time favourite crafting item by entering a piece of artwork using it, it can be a stamp, dies, fabric, colouring medium, just whatever you find you return to time and again. And I will be sharing one of two using my favourite P107 as well !! Share your all time favourite crafting item by entering a piece of artwork using it, it can be a stamp, dies, fabric, colouring medium, just whatever you find you return to time and again. And I will be sharing one of two using my favourite P107 as well !!..........
On 5th March I will do a random draw of all entries for seven winners who will all receive two sets of dies.....

So here is one or two of my favourite much-used things!!

 Firstly it is the Fleur de Lis labels 8 die.. how many times is this my "go to" die?? 

{see link here for technique to do double mounting makes  a beautiful die look even more striking! 

And this one here for it doubled up - here} 

Secondly it is the Word Art Wednesday Bible digital verses (which are by Karen see her blog here  mostly for free here .. I love Karen's verses ~ so well done!).
I use them, praying as I go seeking to choose ones that will meet the needs of the heart for the ones for whom they are intended.  
God's word has more power than any other word.

Looking through my posts both these items appear frequently!

Also a favourite of mine are roses.. sadly do not use that often. This beautiful digi paper by Donna of Bearly My Designs.

So that s my offering for today. Happy 5th anniversary B. and thank you dear friend for the great blessing of your blog and your encouragement as well! Thank you for those who kindly comment and will reply as able, 

Shaz in Oz.x

Would like to join these over with the following:

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

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

Spellbinder Borderabilities Dies ~ Curved + WOYWW with Snippets!

Hullo there everyone. Yes! today = WOYWW yet again.. and yes, look how few days till the 25th! However have made all my cards and very glad of that, and started writing on the card list :D

For the uninitiated WOYWW ~ What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday DO pop over at Julia's blog HERE....  Today's desk is showing a new Spellbinder Borderabilities Curved die. Had to make some cards for gift, so here I'm playing!! Have had this digi beautiful paper printed but unused for about 2 or 3 years - sad! (by Donna of Bearly My Designs) but used them both up now!

The verses are ones printed out for free from WORD ART Wednesday - See freebies over at Karen's blog here! use top tabs to chose just printables.
Just love this wonderfully, encouraging verse from Isaiah 40 ³¹ "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Here is the finished card... used Spellbinder fancy ovals, and few pearls.

 Snippets card for a quickies (see here) used Marianne butterfly dies and K Kingdom folder. the green paper was actually off back of envelope but too nice to throw away!!

This card annoys me a tad as did not have enough time! Only remembered to do it few hours before needing to post it; had interruptions as well. Ah well, I do hope they like it even if I can see two things which really annoy me! I really wanted to make it special as it had to go all the way to Zambia. Spellbinder hearts, Cuttlebug "Love" EF, Cuttlebug Vintage comers, and Martha Stewart Layered arches punch at bottom - all snippets.

The pickies from Oz today - 

 This is a commonly called a Scribbly Gum ( see small pickie below and you will see why! a small insect burrows underneath and it looks like scribbles, but does not really harm it). 
You can see how tall it is it by the lady in blue on middle far right of picture. This one is in our Botanic Gardens and on quite lean! the one behind it is one also. I really love them.

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
Our Dis Snippets Challenge - Snippets Rule!

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes.

Eva's card ~ Versamark With Chalks + Snippety card

Hullo there everyone!
Here is a card made for a friend some time back now... my friend had just received the diagnosis for her thyroid cancer and was not good stage - however with prayer, and faith in our merciful God, we are very hopeful for her. She isn't that old, with young family too.
 The verse is:
"My heart and flesh faileth BUT God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever."
Amen, what treasure that is!

Martha Stewart deep edger daisy punch and Word Art Wednesday verse, with Marianne rectangle die and the versamark background + Panpastel/ chalk method as shown on this post here - love it! 
Memory Box leaf swirl, and flowers from the Ribbon Girl in UK, dont use them often enough mainly because they dont post well but this was hand delivered. Also used a heart hat pin, I always hide the pointy sharp tip end of these well under card, as hate the thought of someone being pricked by them.

This card was all snippets. I had embossed the purple card as test run with new Embossabilities folder ages ago new - and the dies *flowers, *vase and *"hi" were test cut out with my Olivia cuttlebug alphabet set, a few years ago now. Unfortunately as I had to send it quickly, I took the photo at night in hurry. It does not look as pretty mauve in colour of real life. Added pearls to adorn flowers and dot of the "hi".
* I added double-sided tape to all these fine cut items prior to cutting them, to easily attach  and surprisingly was fine although floating around for years in snippety drawer.

Nice and brief today - thanks so much for popping over for a peek and chat..
.. and if you have joined this blog as one of the really Wonderful Encouragers, please pop over to this post here and join in the fun of the blogaversary candy, drawn tomorrow Nov 12th!

Shaz in Oz.x

I would also like to join with:

Our Pixies Snippet-y Challenge snippets rule! Snippets on both cards!
Lets craft and create - (card two) Challenge #82 is Clean and Simple (CAS)

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes.
Papertake weekly - anything goes!

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, Pineapple update + Peter Rabbit

{Warning picture heavy post}

Hullo there everyone ~ in a hurry, as we've visitors arriving today, but are very welcome! I have a pineapple update, some craftiness + the happy mail continues - isn't it fun?? What wonderfully kind, caring folk there are at WOYWW - Julia's idea all those hundreds of weeks and posts ago certainly was wonderful idea for true lasting friendships. To my desk!

For those not in the know - WOYWW is What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday, check it out over with our Julia @ Stamping Ground
 
At back centre on my desk, near stamps waiting to be put away, is the wonderful bonus Chevron embossing folder, (with a sample done as well in silver and black Stazon ink) from the so very kind Maureen (aka Scrappymo) who sent it to moi, as a RAK - thank YOU Maureen!
 
  Thank YOU also for the lovely WOWW4 ATC's - *beautiful bird one from Elizabeth Silverscrapper, and card shown on left of desk (+ on top left), and *love the vellum embossing from Margaret /Glitter and Glue (front right on desk and pictured top right here), also was a card  back centre on desk.
In today's mail brought these from Ros C of Oz.  
Such beauties all of them, and they are little snapshots of the crafty interests and skills of their creators - they really are to be treasured! 

Here on the right is a Peter Rabbit baby card made for Hudson Peter some time back (full post below) or click here.

 Pineapple update:
 {it is of the Brommeliad family, for those who did not see the previous posts - link here.}
 It was grown from top cut from a bought sweet rough pineapple, and  not watered much, or treated with any TLC, took about eighteen months to shoot flower on lower left, (picture 1) and will now sucker new plants.  

Photo number 1. 6th Feb. 2013

Photo 2. One month later - 6th March, 2013

Photo 3. 27th April, it was nearly 30cm or 12 inches

4. Taken yesterday, 18.6.13. as you can see it starting to ripen, is well over  the length of the ruler on left  - so heavy it needs to be staked.It has sunny position, with some shade. 

This pineapple growing reminds me of how we need also to grow in things of God - to know Him, as He wants to know each of us personally, through the LORD Jesus - He loves and cares about each of us, and what we are going through now.
I thank God for the way He really is blessing this little plant! what joy!
To close here is the latest you tube of the rainbow lorikeets - I put it on "Annie's Friday Smile" post.

 

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

I will comment as time permits but thanks you so much those who take the time..you make my day!  :D

Shaz in Oz.x

Baby card ~ Hudson/ Peter (Rabbit) comes to stay

Hullo there everyone!
Well this card was made a while back now but not blogged, and one of my family asked recently where it was, as it was known I had made one ~ so Nat this is for you! and of course, for Felicity and Nick, and little Hudson Peter!

Here 'tis! 

 Here you can see the details of the card - some time back at a sale at Spotlight store here in town, they were getting rid of some gorgeous Beatrix Potter items. Managed to buy some before they were all gone! (yay, thanks LORD!) this set came in half a dozen scrap book pages of 12 x12" for scrapping.

 I don't scrap and when going through my sheets came across the set, and thought:"Mm, I could fiddly cut out the corner feature from page of the Peter Rabbit, for my card feature..". It does have glitter on it but hard to see and so does DP. 

Here on left is close up and popped it on little mounts. On right is computer generated birth details for card and greeting, the cut in Octagons from Spellbinders. The background designer sheet is from same set. The pearl swirl was also another fab find, bought on sale ages ago in stash (was so excited when realised it matched! I do pray when making cards and does help :D). Lace is from Kaisercraft, with Martha Stewart Deep Edger Blossom Eyelet border punch, in co-ordinating papers.

Thank you so very much popping over for a peek and a chat (you make my day)  :D and may God bless your day wherever you may be,

Shaz in Oz.x

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Papertake Weekly challenge- Hullo boys (and it a welcome to a new boy in town here)

Totally Papercraft Friday Challenge - Feeling blue

Cute Cards Thursday -  Once upon a time ..(..there was little rabbit called Peter...)
V's Sweet Ideas - Baby cards (June Challenge)

LOTV Bears with Ribbon and Lace

Hullo there everyone, just very quick post with cards made a while ago before eye surgery. 

I had these LOTV images on my desk (dont you love them?? I do!).

These are two of the results; the others were made into baby cards not shown yet.  The images were on their sheet of six, no longer available as such sadly but images still are in other ways.

Used my spellbinder hexagons for both cards, recipes below.

Thanks so much for popping over for a peek and chat, I will comment as able but I really thank you for taking time to chat!
May God bless your day wherever you may be,
Shaz in Oz.x
I would like to enter Card 1 in:
1. LOTV Thursday Challenge @ Lili's fairies Lace - MS punch lace edge.

2.Word Art Wednesday challenge ~ Anything goes.  
3. Penny Black Saturday May Challenge Anything Goes 

Card 1:
Both Cards ~ Spellbinder Hexagons, plain and scalloped edge. 
Forever friends "Petal Pattern" embossing folder.
Cuttlebug greeting "Thanks" from Olivia alphabet
Marth Stewart Shell  Punch edge with pearls, and ribbon in ribbon binding (oh, I love that sort of ribbon).
Card 2:
Cuttlebug Love set (disc.) embossing folder
Taylor  Eyelet Border die
Ribbon from "Joyce, across the Pond" love it too! thank you, dear friend!
Snail embellishment from Afflleck's in Manchester.

Rose of Sharon, Pineapple Growing Update + WOYWW

Hullo everyone, Wednesday again!! So WOYWW post (What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday) over with our Julia @ Stamping Ground. 
Not much to show for the crafty side except card already made before cataract surgery last week (going well, thanks for prayers/ thoughts, MUST be patient in healing process :D).
Our autumn is just amazing, stunning days as the photos show, our garden is in view.

First a flower named after me, (Sharon, well not quite) called Rose of Sharon. This name is loosely used for many plants, including bulb plant mentioned in Song of Solomon in the Bible.  Ours is tall, about 12 foot.

 Yes, that is how blue our skies are we are very, very blessed.. about 15 - 25c for our autumn days.

 Here are links to help with what we in Oz commonly call Rose of Sharon, is of Hibiscus family - see links:

Don Burke, the Aussie definition  and  Hibiscus Mutabilis 

It opens white, turns pink to rose red, then the tight curled up rose red bud drops on the ground.

  Also thought that should update the Pineapple growing  here - just to refresh you memory on previous two posts - see here and here, was palnted from top of shop bought fruit.

Photo 1: 6th Feb. 2013

Photo 2: 6th march 2013

It is of the Brommeliad family, for those who did not see the previous posts -link here.

Photo 3: Then we have it 27th April 2013, 7 weeks later and it is nearly the full 30cm or 12 inches. Wont get much bigger - just ripen on bush.

Well, a snippets card here - funny how you have stash for simply ages then come across it and think YES! ideas pop into mind. 

A little Robin said to another Robin....
Well, this  is one. I finally used up these two feathered robins, so cute, bought few years ago, realised the border was the perfect match, also for ages neglected. 
Tree was my own construct out of scrap+ Pan pastels to get the lovely texture on colouring (lost on photo). Leaves a Martha Stewart punch, bought pre-punched on eBay + Distressed Strips Cuttlebug folder. My friend's birthday card, her name is Robin so very appropriate ... off to play in the Snippets playground! wahoo!
Thanks so much for popping over for a peek and chat, may God bless your day wherever you may be,
Shaz in Oz.x
PS. I will comment as able struggle with some as they will not magnify, or have black backgrounds.
I find its really the hardest. not sure why.
 I highlight the page in blue so writing is white and background is blue then can read them so much easier..  even if pickies look a little weird :D

Upcycled Christmas Cards Continued

(No WOYWW post this week, things are just too busy to link up - sorry :D Commenting likewise limited - apologies again. I have post on brayer and cling wrap, aka Maggie Silvercrafter's,  started too for next week, God willing.)

Hullo there everyone! Just sharing some more upcycling with you!  Here are two more cards reused from Christmas stash ~ saved shop bought cards given to me, now to re-use!

So here is the original card, I loved the gold, slightly raised, embossed edging of poinsettias on this card - but it was not one you could cut up!

So instead I cut out greeting carefully instead.

Here I am adding bit of backing of card to cover the gap from cut out rectangle of greeting.

Here is the completed card as you can see I used a scalloped rectangle in gold to just edge it then popped it, added red card on white - very simple, but I like it! That image is just too good to throw away.

The second card in centre was a gift card from my friend, Steph. I liked it and even though it had small dent on it, I used up some more snippets to make this card. Spot embossed white card was left over from another card. Silver ribbon bow another snippet from crackers, covering where tag hole was. Used favourite corner - MS Layered arches.

Even though this is not a WOYWW post will close with a tradition here - almost anyway, here is a photo from Oz, last week at our local markets.

Heliconia - called Parrots Beak, with miniature roses, for more info click embedded link. God's creation never ceases to amaze me with its variation.. and yes they do grow here in gardens, although they are tropical, if you keep them out of frosts inland. Here on coast we dont get frosts.

Thanks so much everyone for popping over for peek and chat. 

Shaz in Oz.x.

 I would like to enter the following challenges:

 Challenges 4 Everybody: Anything goes.(15th)

Pixie's Crafty Workshop: Use your snippets up. (second card)
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge - We dont want Any Snow (first card)
5. http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/chnc-challenge-extra-for-february.html