Cheery Lyn ChooChoo Die with Memory Box Landscape, NBUS + WOYWW

Hi everyone, 'tis Wednesday so it’s time to pop over at Julia’s Stamping Ground, where we see desks, of marvellous inspiration worldwide. 
Couple of desks shared but none of today as scheduled, busy!

Desk on Saturday, starting a card which really should’ve been mailed a week ago now, but wasn’t made. 
I think there should be a law against having birthdays in first week of any given month! 😁
Don’t you? They always trap me? And have most of birthdays in first week this month and next! 
I’d had these lovely new Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour paints for my Feb birthday, they arrived from Japan a bit late. I’d swatched the colours but not used. I bought them because all the reviews made me think they’d be more like Gouache watercolours than original artist watercolours. I’ve several sets, best is Windsor and Newton set, but not as good as Gouache for my ornamental work in calligraphy. My Windsor & Newton Gouache are only available in tubes. In our weather they dry out too quickly, so very interested in these paints!
Yes!!!! was right, the binder in them makes them dense in colour and vibrant, *opaque too like gouache, not like watercolours which are translucent.. I like these a lot! 
(*although opaque, maybe diluted to almost translucent , but not same as my usual pure watercolour no binders).
Here I’m playing trains and scene building, ain’t growed up yet!😉 These two Dies are almost five years waiting to be used, pretty bad isn’t it?

Prize from Playground in 2015! (Sorry Miss!)
They’re NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff), so off to Darnell’s NBUS Challenge Yay! All cardstock except  black is recycled from cereal, muesli bars, biscuit, tissues box etc. This desk shows the Memory Box Modern Background Die cut x 3 pieces inked up with Memento Dew Drops.

Fun painting these train cars and engine. Researched, of course, the train colours. Decided the nicest ones to use were the Flying Scotsman, loved the colours they even they varied! Added gold highlights with Gold watercolours set by Finetec (left of image on first desk).
Totally not the right colours for this train😉, wrong era as think this Choo Choo Die is US 1850s as opposed to UK 1900 ->.

Handcut a cloud stencil, with ink dusters shaded sky clouds (Adirondack inks x3 used for sky).

Well, here it is finished, everything has multiple shades, eg 4 greens, 3 blues, even in paints mixed that too.

Houses were cut separately and they’re just the white side of the packet used, with roof line painted in. The rail track was made out of another really brown scrap back of box, I scored it lengthways, then cross ways and inked it up and cut to size. Frame is triple cut out rectangle stitched die set A6 by Paper Roses see link.

The timber background is brown inside of cereal box, and then inked in three different types of browny Memento inks. The greeting too is NBUS from disc SU birthday greeting set, bought second hand on eBay. It says: “Happy Cake Day! Oh and and happy birthday too,” .. rather think suits the very dear recipient well. 😁
Now for the Aussie photos!

Two different days, two different skies and moods, but same location! Those are crab excavations around their tunnels in front. When little, we thought they were crab eggs!

There are Pacific Silver Gulls and Crested Terns, in the foreground, pretty much always here in a big mixed flock.

I do enjoy watching the birds, the water and the skies and communing with our Father Who made it all. 
Well, that’s it for me today .. didn’t WOYWW last week.
Did do Friday Smiles post below... pray that all is well with you! I have lifted out my UFO and am working on it, God willing, for next week's Anniversary Reveal! 
I do pray might have it finished for next Wednesday!
 Our 11th WOYWW anniversary!
 Thanks so much if you popped over for a peek and chat. May God bless you all and keep you all safe and well too. 
My love thoughts and prayers are with you all, that you will be kept safe in all this perplexing time. 
Love and prayers, 🙏🏻🤗 Shaz in Oz.x 

Thought of the day:
There are so many gems in Psalms.

David has many a giant to fell in his life, not just one called Goliath. 
Out of trials David learnt where his Refuge was..
More encouragement also on Purpose of Aloneness, see latest post here on Wonderful Words Of Life.

Linking over to:

**Darnell's NBUS (NEVER Before Used Schtuff) May challenge here  

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

** Simon Says Wednesday Challenge is Dies and punches over HERE!

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. 😉

Alcohol ink Yupo Backgrounds + WOYWW

Well, yes it’s that time of week again everyone!! It’s WOYWW or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday... please head over to Julia’s HERE for desks of the world!

Several desks as been doing alcohol backgrounds on the yupo paper bought at Hobby Lobby, with Marilyn last Sept in Florida. Finally had the courage to try it after looking at lots and lots of videos. 

Here is where first started, note messy work is done on junk mail as no clean up then. 😊 Also used a piece of acetate from a box lid as smooching station as it was really easy to use and lift up. Here's acetate after use and cleaned up brilliantly as well as ease of use! 

Secret is less is more, ie stop when you first think stop.The beauty of course is that you can remix and fix any mistakes with alcohol ink. Especially on Yupo, plastic paper, really weird .. but oh so much fun.

 Also used glossy cardstock and did whole lot of them... they’ll be great for Christmas cards. As mostly blues and silver...

Also did some violently different colours for me and loved them too! Not made into cards yet but have two cards to share.

Here is today's desk this morning, now late evening here. All backgrounds are made of Yupo and gloss card, the two Yupo cards are in various stages.

 Two of three birthday cards in first week in May, I have 6 birthdays in 8 days! Wonderful  backgrounds!

These were done with smooching technique where you load up one sheet of card stock and then smooch same size blank paper on the other side. Use blending solution to help move colour and tip sheet or blow to mix more.

Here are the three cards, the first two have Yupo backgrounds which were smooched together, one uses nearly whole sheet (5” x7”).

Flower dies on large one are CCD, on small one Memory Box and Creative Expression wonky rectangles. Both use Elizabeth Craft Designs happy birthday small one.

Showing the layering up here - the layers show I used all of that sheet of yupo with die cuts and background.

This last card is a serviette Card, a small one from my sister have enough for another card. Mounted with natural blue and gold Elizabeth Craft designs Quietfire happy birthday layering on card.

Here are Aussie shots from late last year, still not on walks but my crook knee from fall has actually been bit better last two days so very grateful indeed. Next week my post will be done early at 2pm Wed having hour surgery on SCC on right shin, so won’t be walking soon.

Well, that’s a long post this week.
Thanks for being patient, I do hope it helps someone. 
Happy WOYWW and God bless you all in your day and keep you in your way.
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x
To close this verse is blessing indeed, Lamentations was written at a time of great sorrow, Jerusalem is under seige, cut off on all sides, about to be overrun and in severe dearth, starvation and death all around. 

Yet Jeremiah pens these words. Truly this shows real faith in God. May I likewise be faithful.
 Lamentations 3:25 “The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”
Praying for Sri Lankans in their great loss.

I’d like to link up to:

1. Word Art Wednesday  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/?m=1

2. Snippets Playground, used loads of snippets on those die cuts, brilliant fun, and a serviette lightly used for a card!! http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2019/04/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge_21.html?m=1

3. Simon Says Wed challenge https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-61/

Butterfly Challenge - Twofer Challenge

Hi everyone, dont die of shock second post in less than four days - when was four weeks silence before that!
However, I must join up with two dear friends' challenges - *Mrs A at Butterfly challenge and *Darnell at the Twofer! Didn't manage either of last time, but these options are easier!

Here 'tis!

 Over at the Twofer it's blossoms, Butterfly it's as shown on wheel .. did all but lace!

So did Lavender, Lemon, Light Blue, Layers, and Letters and of course Butterflies! On the Twofer, the items used on both cards were:
1. Blossoms from MB Lavish Branch (very tedious cutting them, in first card they're inside the butterflies) 2. CCD Stitched Flag Dies, 3. Butterfly Punch, 4. Corner rounder punch, 5. Bling same one on both  6. Snippets, except for two bases all else snippets (but playground shut at minute), 7. same DP was used on both, and two different occasions too!

 "Thanks" is from CB Olivia Alphabet set Disc. the "blessed to know you" set below is by MB. EF is Crafts Too.

To peek over at Twofer Challenge - see here ... and the Spin The Butterfly Challenge - see here!

 Now to the Aussie shots... it is pineapple time again. There were two pineapples ripening, I missed out on one as a bird ate it while I was away end of Feb, found top but that was it. Should've picked it before I went, but thought it wasn't ripe enough. This one was small, see my thonged toe on left lower corner, but oo-oooh so sweet, yummo! Best ever!
Centre leaf is lying on the ground, you test if pineapple is ripe by pulling centre leaf. If it comes out cleanly it is ready to eat. Still left it two or three days extra inside though.

Beach shot for those going through withdrawals!! yes, am swimming still though not in that big surf. I go where it is safe, that is too messy for me. Rips plus!

May God bless you in your day wherever you may be, and thanks so very much for all your kind encouragement.

Shaz in Oz.x 

Linking up to:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/
2. At Simon Says Wednesday challenge - Floral Frenzy both qualify for that!   http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/    

Butterfly Challenge (x 7) + WOYWW

Popping in very quickly, for two reasons! It is Wednesday, so over to Julia’s Stamping Ground. Also linking up for another Butterfly challenge entry!!! 
Over HERE #95 Spin The Butterfly Wheel with the letter P.

P is Pearls, Pink, Peach Purple, Paper Piecing, Patterned Paper and requisite butterfly.. yes, I used the lot! However you only need two!

To my desk, or desk 1!

 

 For some reason I'm into stencils for moment.. rediscovering them. This is a NBUS - Hero Arts "Glorious Petal". The inks were smooshed peach, pink through to mauvy purple. Curiously, I did add purple (not shown) but it was muted to mauve.
After smooching inks on craft mat, I added the embossing paste, and layered them on stencil blending in as I went.

 Finished card - patterned paper (free digi download) is paper pieced onto bottom layer of die cut, you cant see it clearly but there are several layers on die cut. MB Pippi butterfly was snippet of card painted with shimmer paints in peach pink purple-mauve.

 Greeting stamped is wet embossed Crafter's Companion ,Popcorn bear set. Pearls added to flowers (MB Lavish Branch) + Butterfly.
Snippets used in making of this card!

EDIT: This card -Top 3  on Butterfly challenge :D

 

 Desk 2: TOP TIP - discovery! for Distress oxides. I'd watched a video on sealing Oxides to make colours pop, they used a glaze by Tim Holtz. Thinking on it later (in my prayer time if truth be known, wandering mind) it came to my mind - Hair spray!!
You see when I set Pan pastels I use hair spray, rather than buying tin of setting spray.  
Sorry didn't think to do a before and after shot - BUT before bottom rows of spots were virtually invisible and other tones not so definite. They popped!

Stamp is Penny Black Terraced Lane - one of scene ones. Stamped in Versafine. Inked with ink dusters + dye inks, happy birthday is again Crafter Companion, stamped with Versafine, and on cork.

Thanks so much for popping over for a peek, especially if you stay for a chat!

May God bless your day wherever you maybe!

Shaz in Oz.x 

Joining up with following challenges: 
http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/2018/02/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge-320.html 
Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au 
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com.au/2018/02/pbsc-february-anything-goesoptional-use_17.html scraps both cards