Christmas 2021 - God Leaves the Best til Last.

 The Christmas story is probably the best known of all ALL Bible stories. Everywhere the Word of God it has been shared. The crux of it is Christ’s first coming is as the babe, Jesus, for He was born to die as our Saviour.

*****

Meditating upon this story, I wondered if ALL of the heavenly hosts were there rejoicing? or a select multitude of heavenly host to serenade the arrival of the LORD Jesus? 

In any case, they made a lasting impression in eternal matters on humble hearts! For God’s word is eternal and so was their announcement!

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13-14 

Glory to God in the highest.

Peace, goodwill to ALL men.

Well, we certainly need that today “PEACE, GOODWILL TO ALL” 

- as in the time of Jesus’ birth. 

Jesus was born in troubled times, as today. 

Roman rule is little like the rule of today. There were distinct classes strongly separated in Judaism, and Romans and non-Romans. Jesus came to break down those barriers with PEACE, GOODWILL TO ALL!

I wonder what the baby Jesus would think of it all today, as newborn of today? As a babe seeing faces in masks, not learning proper facial recognition… NO! let’s not go there. 😷🤔

Instead, let us focus on our beautiful Saviour’s First Advent. 

Yes! There is more than one Advent. 😃❤️☝️

Thank the LORD for that! 

That is the brightest part of this story, you know!

This is NOT a one off! JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!

YAY! He IS coming again!

(See verses here Luke 2:10-38)

As we look at this story it’s really a story of Willing and Waiting Hearts.

The Anticipating Cast:

**Elizabeth and Zacharias parents of John the Baptist. (See Luke 1:5-25 here)

Elizabeth is Mary’s cousin. They’d long prayed for a son, but it was impossible. Until God’s miracle and John was born! “they were both righteous before God” v.6

**Mary and Joseph (Matt. 1:19-21 and Luke 1:26 -56)

Like Zacharias and Elizabeth they were “just” and “blessed, highly favoured” .. these are waiting, anticipating, believing Old Testament saints.  

**Shepherds Luke 2:6-18 

**Wise men Matthew 2: 1-13 

These believed “as it was told them”, so many do not do so today 🙏🙏🙏

**Simeon and Anna Luke 2:21-39

These last two are truly remarkable! 

Both are “righteous before God”, both for many decades we’re praying waiting with such anticipation for the Promised Messiah. 

Both had been told of God that they would see Him! These are Simeon’s words when this promise was fulfilled. I love this!

Luke 2:29-33 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

“A LIGHT to lighten the Gentiles and the GLORY of Thy people Israel.”

********

Am I, are we willing joyfully awaiting?

Waiting right now, today, this moment for our coming King. 

For our LORD Jesus’ Second Advent?

 HIS COMING IS AS SURE AS THE DAWN

Do we walk daily in the light of “Perhaps today?” 

Because truly perhaps 🤔  it IS TODAY! 

May we be ready waiting as we’re Elizabeth, Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, Wise men, Simeon and Anna, who waited so long too. 

For joy, today perhaps it is that He returns for the second time? 

Amen even so come, Lord Jesus!

 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Rev 22:20

Bless, LORD God of glory, bless us ALL, in spite of our great sinfulness. 

This Christmas time, may we remember afresh the promise of your coming again. May we daily desire to walk in the light of Your Son’s Return for His own, looking forward with anticipation as they did so many millennia ago.

Oh Father, please save souls today, all over our poor, sad world today, for ETERNITY’s sake, please, in Thy great mercy, for Thy Eternal glory. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, especially if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement.

Prayer hugs,🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz.x 

I’m sorry I’ve been so quiet … various reasons, time just seems to shrink!

Just sharing a few cards, one at top is a simple upcycle with a stamped verse in Gold EP, it’s a set by Colorado Craft Co. 

Belo card is showcasing a scrap piece of acetate, with inks on the back, with die cut rectangle frame and two Simon Says dragon flies also in scrap card. The stamp “happy birthday” is by Lawn Fawn “too much to say” set. Acetate technique done here or just scroll below.. have more to share of them too.

The second image the red zygo cactus isn’t in flower now, was a wee while back but so Christmassy. 

If you are not sure if you are a Christian, a Christ follower, please read this post here - Who or What is a Christian?

Joining up to:

1 Word art Wednesday Anything goes! http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ 

2. Snippets cards, and look, it is the grand prize draw. Do join in Do!

http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2021/12/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge_0458224053.html

Curving Straight Edge Die cut, Christmas + WOYWW

Hi another week flying by. Suddenly hit me Christmas is almost here bar two months.
Mm, how many cards had I done?  Shocked at how few I'd done as I cleaned (yes still!! so many piles knocked over but two big boxes to go.)
To my desk! Please pop over to What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday or WOYWW over at Julia's Stamping Ground.

Yes, you can see my desk is clear almost! All piles here done. Just mid stream organising nice new drawers. Small pile under table is 3/4 done. Then the two dreaded boxes. Hopefuly most is recycle paper waste .. or might find my two missing dies!! Found two didn't know I'd lost on desk! In bags admittedly all intact.
A technique new to me to share today. Haven't seen how to do it so this how I did it! Putting a straight diecut on curved edge. Firstly extended it. This isn't actual die length.

 Then stretched with bone folder just the outer attaching edge, added some small slits around sam outer edge. Attached with DST as shown.

 This was an upcycle of very pretty card. Lacey edge (Dienamics) gave it real pop in matching mirri card.

 Finished card didn't need any more! Already for coming birthday.

 Christmas cards, another upcyle. A bit of dry embossing and a digi verse, from Luke. Like cards to always reflect the real reason of Christmas.

.. then a make with pieces from a few Christmases ago never used. Christmas masking with gold paste.

 Now to Aussie shots. Our giant pineapple plant, which was growing like Jack's beanstalk has a baby! Also see two stages of plants... one top in front and another plant behind.

 The wonderful 250+mm rain we've had here means it should be juicy! Am praying same for drought affected farms in NSW & Qld. Cute brommeliad flowers if you look closely.

My BiL shared these on What'sapp. The kangaroo waiting (?) for the sunset.

The heavens certainly declare the glory of God. (Psalm 19.)
Sorry such a picture heavy post. Made around some desks lady week. Hope I can again today. God bless you all.. and special prayers for my friends affected by Hurricane Michael (3rd worst hurricane to hit mainland USA). The home I stayed in with my friend has no kitchen, ceiling caved in she's with her son am hour away. Her daughter's home had several trees on it. So VERY many homes and livelihoods affected. Praying for all suffering ones. May they find comfort strength and help at such time.... Lord bless keep and strengthen you. Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X

 
Linking with:
1.Desky share at WOYWW over at Julia's Stamping Ground.
2. SNIPPETS PLAYGROUND. Both are snippets
3. Word Art Wednesday

Watercolour paper from Cereal Box - GD Snippets Playground

Hi there everyone. A huge surprise last month, was asked by Miss Di of Snippets playground - would I be able to do Guest Designer on 3/12? Of course, I say! Truly honoured! Warning lots of photos, but fun things are learnt in this card! Experiment plus.. A peek!

Yes ... it maybe observed Christmas is rapidly approaching so of course I had to make a Christmas card!

 So take a cereal box... and turn it over and colour on the white/ cream side with  watercolour markers, I used Tombows as shown. I roughly coloured, just made whole area was well covered and roughly blended. What totally shocked me is how brilliant this was as a watercolour blending background.

  Cereal box makes awesome watercolour paper - y’see the top coloured sealed layer (which becomes the base) keeps it in shape beautifully. The white underside (now top) is perfect for smooshing and an absorbing surface for watery medium...
Yay, and it’s free, I’ll be getting everyone to save me cereal packets. Tried it with brushos too, and worked just fine, however remember not all card is created equal.

 Added Shimmer spray as water medium well spritzed till blend then waited till dry, may heat dry.

Use a background die  to dry emboss on the watercolour shimmer background as above.

 Die cut a background, also out of cereal packet, then smoosh the diecut with Versamark, then emboss with silver, I did this one twice as missed bits on first pass.

 So this gorgeous piece below, with embossed die cut attached is simply a bit of a cereal packet or box!

All the card is snippets except for base, used snippets for silver on flowers and flourish, also flowers had a blue water colour cereal leaf. Verse also snippets, shaded whilst still in die, highlighted with silver pen around edge.

 Items used on this card:

Britannia poinsettia die set

Papertrey Moroccan screen die
Joy! Small leaf Flourish
Xcut Victorian die set
Stampendous Christmas verse stamp
EDIT: So excited ... this card made top 3 at WAW.

 Don't forget now to pop over to Miss Di's playground for a peek! and watch out for Parsnip's shenanigans too, no telling what he is up to at this time of year!

May God bless you in your day wherever you may be, and thanks so very much for all your kind encouragement even when I'm not a good blogger. :D

Shaz in Oz. X

⁷⁸ Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on High hath visited us,
⁷⁹ To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, 
to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke1:48, 49

Also Linking to:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/ 
2.http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/chnc-challenge-362.html
3.http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/chnc-challenge-extra-for-december-2017.html
4. Christmas theme for December at Crafty Calendar rhttp://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com.au/ 
5. Bugaboo Merry and Bright Christmas theme challenge http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/day-one-holiday-chaos-bugaboo-way.html?m=1 

Scrappy Mo's Christmas Challenge - Upcycling!

Well, flying in with quick post of some very quick Christmas cards here.. over at Scrappy Mo's it is Christmas challenge time with Rudolph day. As time was of the essence, I made two quick cards from two cards received last year.. really did not do much to them as they were already very nice.

Really love this card, it says:
" Wise men still seek Him. The first wise men gave Christ treasures from their kingdoms, Today's wise men give Christ the treasures of their heart."
Holley Gerth.I like the One Who is the real reason for Christmas to be on every single card  I make, that's the whole point. Added a star and bling plus gold background to this.

Very simple card this as the glittery dove made it easy. Found my star bling which will add to the stars if I think they look okay.

This is our red poinsettia in the courtyard .. it has been flowering its heart out for three months, here is back here on the 13th July post. it loves this spot!

Just along from it is the pink begonia and there is also a Vinca, I call it a weed flowering plant.. it grows where it wants not where you want it. :D

Well everyone, dont forget to pop over to Mo's for the Christmas card challenge .. this will be ending all too soon, as the year is racing away!

Please say hi - to let me know you've been by! 
May God bless your day wherever you maybe!

Shaz in Oz.x

 
"*For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 

 

* this prophecy regarding the LORD Jesus was written approximately 700 years before Christ came.

Linking up to:

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

WOYWW 7 + Scrappy Mo's Christmas card challenge!

Been a bit AWOL ... last week, internet was down for days so no WOYWW.

So here I am back for WOYWW 364 or What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday -
our SEVENTH anniversary - WOW, indeed!!

Hosted kindly by dear Lunch Lady Jan (Thanks, dear LLJ!). Our wonderful Queen of Deskland, Julia, is having a wee break, before surgery. Each and every day, am praying for dear Julia for her surgery, + post surgery recovery. Please pray for her too :D for complete and full recovery.

Okay so you can see some Christmas cards being up-cycled today.. or last night.. Its the 25th so do pop over at Scrappy Mo's Christmas card challenge - aka Rudolph day (you've until 31st of May). You can see that have two old cards - one finished, making up the other. Trimmed down 'cos the sentiment was not very apt, + base too big anyway. Now very happy with them, two more done, so nice!
Not any atc's in sight but one will be made + posted within 24 hours, God willing.
Actually supposed to have birthday card made too ..  that's why there is aqua blue Cheesecloth at back right, it was tie-dyed - anyone remember that?? If you want details, will be shared on 15th June, once birthday arrives.

Adding a little DI Antique linen to the white digi Bible verse "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift"  printed out ages ago. Mounted the tag with gold snippet with Kaisercraft labels die ... extended a tad. Added some red bling - here are the two cards below.

 

This card is totally made up of snippets. Joy Vintage Flourishes Butterfly, MB Whimsical flourish Swirl, stamped embossed mounted verse (SB Labels 11, verse stamp by Print Blocks 1994) were made for another card and rejected. Finished it for a dear friend's birthday on Sunday. Added lace from stash.

Now to Aussie shots... this is at a fav. spot, about 7 minutes walk from here. As you can see, it's a favourite walking spot of humans + seagulls... the silver gull below amused me as he was taking a paddle.. more than likely looking for sea worms, while the waves went in and out! as you can see by the subtle light, it is late afternoon.

 

God's creation truly is breathtaking .. our evening skies and lights on water have been so special in this autumnal weather we're having.

Happy WOYWW 7 everyone! courtesy of Nikki C

Thanks so very much for popping over! 

Please say hi - to let me know you've been by! 
May God bless your day wherever you maybe!

Shaz in Oz.x

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ."

Galations 2:16

Linking up to:

1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au 
2. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on all of the cards.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

3.. Scrappy Mo's Christmas card challenge - aka Rudolph day.

4.  Stamping Sensations May Challenge - anything goes, as long as it is stamped

5.  Cuttlebug Mania - use embossing with CB.

WOYWW + Ink Resist Butterfly Card

Mm, been bit absent, but here today for WOYWW or What is on your workdesk Wednesday over here ..at our Julia's of the Stamping Ground!   

Am praying along with lott of other folks for Gods blessing upon our dear head desker's health in the days ahead.
To my desk this morning:

Desk as left last night, sometimes set up my desk for next day at night when I've an idea in my head and want to get a head start on it. You can see I've butterflies on the brain! First effort will be binned I think, back left masked piece. (What I did not realise was that the cheap sponge sticks I used to add ink were going to disintegrate whilst being used with DI. Result: teensy splotches from bits of sponge detritus all over it..) Over at Mrs A's it is R for Recycle (hence the ice-block cardboard box) + R for Ruby Red.  needed an encouragement card, thought this would be good way to make one. Have ink blocks lined up at front of desk with Stampendous butterfly clear stamps on them. There is also  Kaisercraft set on desk too, a long narrow set.

I stamped them in Versafine black onyx with clear EF and coloured with Tombows, adding some red with blending pen to begin developing background on panel, yet to finish it.

A run of butterflies indeed! this was NOT going to be a butterfly card, but daisy card. After doing the ink resist background (SU French Script background stamp, Versamark with clear EP) with Kaleidocolor Riveria ink pad, however, it took a totally different tangent. Took out dies MB Vivienne butterfly with MB Nottingham Flower border instead, added sequins and pearls. The verse "With God all things are possible" is a Print Blocks from 1990's. Snippets used on this card.
To the Aussie shots now:

As I go around the water and land I notice there are often odd combinations of birds that work together. A good lesson for us I think, and this pelican and silver gull seemed to have a good understanding, tolerating one another.

This was a spot where people launched their boats for fishing on the creek, and the creek flows out to sea not that far upstream. I think these two were hoping I had some fish feed on offer as no doubt fish are cleaned, etc nearby here.

Thanks so very much for popping over! 

Please say hi - to let me know you've been by!

Shaz in Oz.x  

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him." 11 Chronicles 16:9 

I would like to link over to:

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

2. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on all of the cards.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/  

3. Simon  Says - (Monday Challenge) Emboss it - embossed the two stamps used.
4. CuttleBug Mania - Flowers  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/may-flowers.html
MB Nottingham FLOWER border.