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.
 

Ten Year THANK YOU Blogaversary!! Wow! 😁 Come Join my Blog Candy!

(Drawn here on this post here)

Just popping in to say ... a TEN YEAR Blogaversary is HERE!

On 01.11.10 I started this blog with this post (here), with just calligraphy, and explained name of blog.

So 1st Nov. 2020 is special! 

I wrote my first post on the unusual date of 01.11.10! 

Ah, my very own Palindrome. 😊

  The purpose of THIS post is to say a really huge thank you to all my Wonderful Encouragers! I really did not know what I was starting back then, so many friends made through the wonders of blogland, and met many on international trips. Truly a miracle of God’s goodness!

The prize is below: 

Two options

Option 1:

A Scrapdragon (Aust. company) Happy Birthday die, hand made card with it shown, and 100 mini pearls. Light enough for OVERSEAS post, so goes anywhere... as long as you’re an encourager.

Option 2:

A handmade book mark with a verse of your choice calligraphed on it. Example here:

To enter, you must:

1. Be an Encourager of this blog ie join through the follow button, on side bar (instructions below).
I suggest you check it is showing "un-follow" button - as sometimes blogger plays tricks and un-follows you - it has with me! and had to re-follow blogs.

To follow... then please go to this link here and follow instructions.

So if you are an Encourager of my blog (or Follower) please put a comment below (I don’t know how to do the Mr Linky bit) and you will go into the draw for this candy. 

You will receive two entries as an encourager, and you may chose one entry for each of two candy, or both to one. **Please say clearly which you chose in your comment. 

2. If not yet an Encourager, please do join on link above. I would dearly love you to occasionally visit and comment, and I will happily reciprocate. 

I’m sorry but if you’ve not joined, your entry will not be counted. This is a THANK YOU to Wonderful Encouragers!

3.  I would appreciate it if you would kindly put a link for the candy on your sidebar of your blog, if you have one (EXTRA third entry if you do this so please let me know in your comment if you've added to sidebar). 

4.  It will be drawn on 1.12.2020 (sometime that day here in Australia). No fancy methods for the draw – I will put names in hat, old style!

Many, many thanks again to you one and all.

 I'm hoping for an increase in Encouragers, as its been stuck on 343 for a year or more... so different to 2010, lots more new bloggers then. 

******

To cards. 

First one, part of the candy prize 1, as shown..

A piece of scrap card coloured in blended oxides and spritzed with glimmermist.

2nd sample to give you ideas how this die maybe used. This card is separate to candy, is a serviette mounted background, actually wallpaper oriental design in Blenheim Palace, UK. I've seen it in one of my visits, a beautiful palace, loved the china there too. Both cards have greeting multi mounted with gold in this and silver in candy card.

This HAPPY birthday die is VERY easy to layer and use. Be good on A2 card too. 

When adding to card, use the piece you've removed it from as placement guide as that really helps.

**AFTER a comment on previous post, I thought I’d share this tip for single layer embossing. 

These card fronts below are dry embossed. I've an A4 size machine and love that you can make one layer base cards with embossed fronts.

It beats layering and is great for a CAS look with extra pop!

I've just run the folder through spread out length wise on A4 in opened up 5 x7 cards. I've quite a few 5 x 7 Embossing folders too. The one on right is Enbossaliscious Recency Swirls, on candy card with rounded corners.

On left is a Courture creations 5 x7 EF, and has a perfectly fit border around it.

Thanks so much for your visit, especially I thank you if you're a wonderful encourager and PLEASE DO join in the fun with this candy!

May the Lord bless and keep you all well and safe.

Prayer hugs 🙏🤗

 Shaz in Oz.x 

Edit:  please do not refuse candy because of distance, post cost very little on both prizes.

It will spoil my desire to say thank you, you are so precious to me. 

THANK YOU!

***CANDY IS NOW CLOSED!!***

Today's thought:

In the words of the hymn:

 To God be the glory .. great things He hath done, 

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, 

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,

And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Refrain
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done

Linking over to these challenges:

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

** Di's Snippets Playground Latest Snippets Challenge here - both cards have snippets.** NBUS challenge the Happy birthday is a NBUS “NEVER BEFORE USED SCHTUFF”over here at Darnells.

Christmas Stencilled Oxides Snippets + WOYWW

Well, yes, it’s Wednesday in a blink!  Am hoping to make this short but probably won’t 😆 so thanks ahead for your patience as lots to share! Wednesday time to pop over at Julia’s Stamping Ground, where we see desks, of marvellous inspiration worldwide. 

Desk one was yesterday morning, the night before I’d started on another card batch baking. I’ve one made, took two goes to be happy, but will show next week, it’s going to be nothing like this little ink duster scene, it’s just background. *** BTW for those who asked last week, the ink dusters are by Inkyliscious, UK, I’ve three double ended so with six ends.  Do all colours, my preferred brushes. Easiest to use I think from subtle to deep, used hand cut mask for hills.

BTW for those who asked last week, the ink dusters are by Inkyliscious, UK brand, I’ve three double ended so with six ends, my preferred brushes. Easiest to use I think from subtle to deep, used hand cut mask for hills. 

(Edit to answer further queries: These brushes are in colour families - Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Purple, Black. Clean off excess ink on scraps, do NOT wash. Pink use red brush, brown closest to yellow {for beige} to black. Do NOT use with oxides)

Edit 2: Re Oxides, yes I recommend them. But don't get loads. I've about ten, no intention of getting more. When short of a colour in blending I just use equivalent colour in Distress Inks and it all goes in together just fine. They blend easier, but not better than DI. 

Will add to DI eg NEED Duck Egg Blue yummo! But not adding more oxides

Next desk is late yesterday arvo, quite staged, two piles of completed cards, and on right is the lovely Mo from Scrappy Mo has sent her candy my way. In June, I was quite ill in hospital in Coronary Care Unit, had done my card for Mo’s challenge, but not published. I really wanted to enter every single challenge this year. So of course 😉 I just quickly wrote up my phone in Hospital and entered. I forgot to decline candy and won it! I emailed Mo, saying not to send it cos was so sick thought would never craft again. But dear Maureen said  she didn’t want to redraw she’d wait and see. And Lord in His mercy made me better again. So here it is in Oz! I’m pretty sure the Penny Black heart flower die is a bonus. I can see two gorgeous cards styles for these dies as for NBUS entries. Thanks SO MUCH, Mo!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Now first lot of completed cards are seven in all, these are ones started on last week’s desk.

I did a trial on side of scrap card first, find this helps crystallise ideas. That Holly stamp is a Sweet n Sassy Silhouettes stamp, I am ashamed to say it's a NBUS! No idea how old probably 3 or 4 years! Second lot of cards are snippets, the rectangle is a die cut window left over from another set of ten.

Not happy with this stencilled TH holly stencil, so only did four. The verse is same one on set above, is Stampendous. 

The verse is beautiful - “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

Have quite a few Aussie pickies today.

First the roses still in spring flush, perfect this year, these are incredibly fragrant, Sutter’s Gold.

This is a zygo cactus, was off great granny’s plant..

.. and hippeastrum as we call them, or Amaryllis.

The obligatory sea shots are in our harbour it was really blowing this day so it was a place of shelter. 

Lastly are two photos out far  western NSW, near Texas, Qld.

Two family members are out there harvesting wheat out on far west border of NSW and Qld  .. they’re grey nomads and were  caravanning out there some weeks back, and the wheat farmer asked if they’d come and give a hand at harvest? 

So they did!

As our borders are closed, they’re VERY short of labour. With good rains, they’ve some of the biggest crops ever! Two years so different.. last year was fires and droughts, this year huge crops. God is good. 

**Praying hard the rain keeps away and these wheat crops are harvested dry as rain is predicted today and in days ahead, in this black soil country. Wet it becomes glue. Ugh.

Pray with me for them, please?? 

There are three emus in the wheat field there, they’re vegetarian, so having a great feed. 

(Edit: click on photo and zoom in, emus are visible even on mobile if zoom in, black dots in centre and to right, but obvious emus when zoom in).

This was their sunset the other day, with silos as silhouettes.

This is wheat harvesting photo from net to give you idea. Big boys toys these, so much fun if you love them! Mind you trucks BiL driving is much bigger, its only on farm, and is B-Double .

Well, that’s it for today. Thanks so very much for popping over for peek and chat. I’m praying for you, for your families and may the Lord God keep you all safe. We are blessed, those closed borders make it hard for farmers but means we are lot better off. No cases here in our town or area of NSW since April. Cities have some cases, but not country.

Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x 🙏🤗

Thought of Day:

I think sometimes we forget exactly what the Lord Jesus when He was still on earth promised ..

“These things I have spoken unto you, 

that in Me ye might have PEACE.

In the world ye shall have tribulation: 

but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

 So if things are tough, we should not wonder, God is simply doing as He promised..

IN Jesus, we have peace... IN the world we have troubles!

 However He promised to be with us in it and through it. 

“Be of GOOD CHEER! For I have overcome the world.”

 In the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ we will make it through! 

He didn’t promise ease, but He did promise His presence.

Linking over to these challenges:

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

** Di's Snippets Playground .Latest Snippets Challenge here - Christmas card stencilled recycling rectangular die cut, left over from a frame.

** Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge. Saturday challenge here 

** NBUS challenge the Christmas holly silhouettes is NBUS “NEVER BEFORE USED SCHTUFF”over here at Darnells

Oxides NBUS Christmas Card for Mo’s Challenge + WOYWW

Hullo there, everyone, and yes 'tis Wednesday so it’s time to pop over at Julia’s Stamping Ground, where we see desk of marvellous inspiration worldwide.

My desk as I left it last night! A little messy, on left is the birthday card I mailed today, not finished there on desk, obviously. Mask circle at back is same one I’ve made about six cards with now, back of an icy pole packet! 
Think that's snippets, Miss!! 😊
In front is my entry in Scrappy Mo’s Rudolph day Challenge, shared below. Beside is my silver Bodnant Gardens pencil, always think of Margaret (GlitterGlue) when use it, as she lives near there! ❤
Two brushes, TH spray bottle, clean Darkroom Door mesh stencil, lots of ink pads and couple of stamps at back.
Now to my cards, Firstly Rudolph Card, it’s really unusual but like it. A happy accident!

This stamp set is truly wonderful, by Colarado Craft Company - "Bethlehem's Light", bought it from Simon Says Stamps, at half price Christmas sale. Bought one for me and one for dear kind Maz who mails my US items.❤ Yesterday, had made the background for birthday card.. then suddenly thought these Christmas stamps would look good, too! 

I lined the three stamps in the Craft Too Press to Impress Stamp Platform. 
While had stamps in there, I stamped and heat embossed 14 more! 
That took a lot of time, even though stamping doesn’t, heat embossing does, but oh! I love the gloss of multiple stamps with Versafine Onyx black!
 I love the greeting too... 
“ May the light that 
shone in Bethlehem 
shine in your heart 
this and every Christmas.” 
The spotlight in oxide was a different way of using these stamps. This is a NBUS set (Never Before Used Schtuff), too! Yay! off to Darnell’s NBUS Challenge!

This birthday card is another colour of this card shown back here! This is the third colourway now. Have another one in mind again for yet another May birthday when will be all done! When you’re on a good thing stick to it! 
Now I’m not apologising for so many skies! The Aussie skies in Autumn are simply stunning.

There was another evening walk, very different, but spectacular too but forgot mobile! So just sat and enjoyed the changing colours till they all faded!

These are all facing east. We are on east coast, so these are reflected lights from west, curiously less spectacular..
Well, that’s it for today. 
Some good news though some of our state restrictions are being lifted and am going to be able to visit family at weekend, will still observe all the correct restrictions, though, but enjoy! We have 88 deaths in Aust and although it’s been hard, these restrictive measures have literally saved lives. 
Sweden’s population is 10 million, we are 25 million, so 2.5 times their pop. 
They’ve had 2,355 deaths and no shut down, mostly older folks, we’ve had 88. 
I know what I’d rather do.

Yes, it’s all for the greater good. 

Praying much though for all who suffer from job losses, or worse the loss of a loved one, praying for wisdom for all leaders, to be guided wisely and well.

And God’s keeping upon all who are hurting. 

God bless you all, dear ones,

Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x 
(Edit: re sun and Margaret's question below:
 "At the March (Australian autumn) and September (spring) equinoxes the Sun rises in the east, moves toward the north and sets in the west. These are the only times in the year that the Sun rises due east and sets due west." Sunset sky photos are facing east, the sunset lights are cast from westward setting sun. It was much stronger and not photogenic.

Thought of the day:

These verses always give me such hope!

We are never alone, if we seek the loving help of our Almighty Father God.

If you’d like to read the post called “Are You At Wits’ End Corner?”, please visit my other blog here. 
Thank you 😊 

Linking over to:

1. The mask was made with scrap food packet, so off to Miss' snippets playground here - with a one layer card.. that must be a first! 😊
2. Darnell's NBUS (NEVER Before Used Schtuff) challenge.   https://mynbus.blogspot.com/

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

4. Scrappy Mos Rudolph day Challenge you have till 30th to join! 

5. Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2020/04/chnc-challenge-487.html?m=1
5. Anything Goes over at Simon Says Tuesday https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

NBUS Snippets Stencil with Glitter paste + Distress Oxides + WOYWW

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

My desk yesterday, & today really! Little like last week’s except different colours DI Oxides! for someone special who likes these colours, my niece in Whistler, Canada. It’s already winging its way to her, probably be late as mail for there from Oz is soooo slow! It is along way though, nearly as far as flying to UK. 
The ruler on right back part of glass mat was used to make sure circle mask was in middle of card.One layer card needs accuracy, TH spritzer of water was to damp Darkroom Door small mesh stencil, glue stick, etc always seem to be there, ie WOYWW sign and the lovely lighthouse cord pull from Crop 2018 chez Margaret of Glitter and glue. The stamp is on left, about to be used!

To finished DI Oxides card.

For all details on the card please check out last week’s post below or Here. Used Floral Woodware Silhouette stamp, in Black Versafine and Clear EP, greeting is from Sweet ‘n Sassy Floral greetings.

Close up can see oxidised part of mesh stencil.. and perhaps some of gloss from embossed black stamping. Now my NBUS Snippets card!

It was a curious creation, I often start a card with the having no clear direction! Then others like the first one I have a clear idea. The NBUS items are the Glitter paste and the stencil (Couture Creations Anna Griffin Stencil 8x8 Secret Garden from Scrapdragon in Oz) it is a newly found one, you could say it’s my great COVID-19 purchase of $4.99! I have also bought 100 of   5” x 7” 300g scored cards and envelopes, which arrived today, am looking ahead to Christmas cards! 

Predict you may see some used next week?

Recipe of NBUS Snippets card- took DP in crimson for set I was sent by dear Elizabeth when I won her 100 follower's blogaversary prize, we started in same year in 2010 (thanks Elizabeth!).

All DP and stunning beads lace is from from her set, been stroking them lovingly for 9 years!!! Well, they are snippet so off to playground too - YAY!

The sheen of the Glitter paste was tricky to work out what to use! In end it was the champagne glitter card, a perfect match bought with Margaret in Sept 2018. The verse which is from a favourite Psalm is very good verse stamp from “Sweet ‘n Sassy - Wait on the LORD” set. Embossed in WOW Pale Gold EP.

Sharing how I did this inner outer scallop effect in two tones.

Cut two scalloped circles the same size, then divide one you want on bottom, roughly into 4 segments, and cut. Then insert it in scallops, as shown on first greeting image. It's a bit fiddly, but worth it, need glue to have move time to twist each section into place! Can do with ovals too.

The Aussie sea views were on two different days, from two different ends of the many beaches in town.

The southern Jetty beach is the most popular and safe beach, not very often rips there but have encountered a few. The blue mat down into the water is for a specially built beach wheel chair buggy to take disabled folks into water to enjoy. 
Neet asked last week if they are crowded?? 
As you can see they are not crowded at all. Often when I walk on our beach near home I’m the only one.

The second beach is at northern end of town, looking out to sea you can scroll in, and see a black dot (surfboard rider) catching a wave at left end in middle.

 This is a board rider's beach and very dangerous unless really strong swimmer. I’ve never swum here. Looking north and then south to Jetty.

COVID-19 update- our rates have slowed right down, (thank the Lord) in Oz. Our town's rate last week was 13, today is 14 infections. Stabilised in towns north and south, too, we have plateaued on infection level, deaths too.. gone from 48 to 63, not doubled as before. Good to know it can be done! They’re talking of loosening a very little, the strict controls..  but talk will wait a while, I suspect. Very grateful.
Am really, REALLY praying for UK, USA, but also all the very poor nations, especially for all who are sick and grieving families everywhere. 
May all seek the God of all comfort, Who never leaves nor forsakes those who love Him.
Thanks for popping over especially if you take time to say hi. 
Prayer hugs, 🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz. X

Thought for today:

From Psalm 37 on my NBUS Snippet Card, the verses are very appropriate for us today...

**Commit the way to the LORD! 
**Rest in the LORD! 
** Wait patiently for Him
** Trust in the LORD! 
** Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil!

 Psalm 37 

Linking up with the following challenges:

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

2. NBUS Challenge - second  rose card. NBUS = Nver Before Used Schtuff! Yay! Using more NBUS!! ❤❤❤
https://mynbus.blogspot.com/
3. Di's Snippets Playground, YAY! more snippets on Rose card.
https://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2020/04/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge-375.html?m=1

4. Penny Black and More April Challenge - Anything goes. First card.