Still Here! Joining Snippets Playground + very belated WOYWW

 Okay, when three bloggers in less than a week contact you to see if you’re okay, it’s a big prompt from the LORD to do a post. Update is below.

First of all sharing multiple cards I’ve made for August birthdays, had a run of them in first month of August.

This is my desk using some Gansai Tambi watercolours and making three female cards, they’re really all birthday cards but one is late so turned it into a bible verse card and as lady has dementia I made it a simple verse “the LORD is my Shepherd”... so belatedly linking over to Julia’s blog post on WOYWW.  Over at Julia’s

First collection are all wood mount stamps and every item is discontinued, stamps are from early 1990s so 30 years old. 

They were coloured according to how I thought the ladies would like them. But one I don’t know the favourite colours, so went with mine 😂

The next card is a CAS washi thank you card, die is Disc. CB die with Olivia alphabet, with simple scoring and peel off borders.

Last is a pop up window card (technique See post here) for Mister Four, image is from a Google add for Paw Patrol.. I think. First photo is me trying to figure out the layout. Ollie's mum made an amazing Paw Patrol cake, so glad they rescued it!! 🤣🤣🤣

Personal update:

A simple reason for silence is poor health. I’ve multiple congenital conditions (from birth) that have affected my health all my life, and been on life saving medications for 55 years. When I had my heart attack three years ago Drs did their usual of thinking ‘they know best’, and refused necessary medication on admission. 

Result is a mild heart attack was not. This has totally affected my health stability. Combined with my 36 y.o very wise local Dr retiring, I have spent the last 18mths trying to source a new one, becoming more ill as time passed due to a Dr who wouldn’t listen. In God’s great mercy, I’m now (last 2 months) under another brilliant medical team and things are starting to stabilise a little, at last. I know that there is a good, God-chosen reason for everything, including this, and THAT is such a comfort at all times.

A Dr who will listen is a rare thing these days. It’s not taught in Medical Schools my Naturopath said (who teaches Physiology to Nurses at our local Medical School on our University campus). New Drs are apparently taught to listen to their learning above the patient! 😳 So grateful my health is improving a little, but I’m not what I was when went on miracle trip in 2018 to visit all my blogging pals. I probably won’t even travel locally far, my system is now too fragile, and won’t be able to blog much, as I’m so slow. 

Crafting still continues though 😆😍 and my garden and other things, I just have more help, God is good, all the time.

Here are some Aussie photos, some of nearby creek, with full moon recently . 

 

Including my garden today in front yard, the natives are in bloom, mostly grevillea (orange = Birdsong, cream = Moonlight), but white flowering bush is Leptospernum or Teatree (we are in late winter Downunder).

Thank you so much for caring bloggers, especially (in order of contact this past 5 days) to Neet, Liz and Brenda L. It’s a beautiful thing in blogland when you’re actually missed by your non appearance!

Also a big shout out and thank you to Julia who actually sent me an ATC for our WOYWW anniversary in May, I was very unwell then and sadly I’ve not acknowledged its receipt either. Here it is with Iris’ hedgie from Lincolnshire.

Thank YOU, Julia and for my new WOYWW badge too, to add to my collection, (especially as I’m not sure you’re that well either)... 😍

I receive a lot of your posts via “Followit” but rarely comment as time and ‘oomph’ is scarce for such things. 

Praying God’s blessing upon you all and those you love, this day and every day ahead till Jesus comes again, just as He promised us (Acts 1:11)!

Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x 

Thought of the day:

For those who wonder why I always do a “Thought of the Day”, it’s because of such events as 26.6.20, when after mild heart attack I nearly died again because was refused required medication. That was time number 7, my complicated Endocrine condition is very rare, hence easily misunderstood. When you nearly die 7 times you totally realise the ‘brevity of life’. Each blog post might be my last, and I always want to honour the One Who makes my life worth living, our beautiful LORD Jesus.

After such an update the verse that leapt out in my mind was Romans 8:28. It’s oft quoted in times of hardship, because it is SO reassuring. 

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for GOOD to them that love God,

to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Note: it's GOOD according to God's purpose... NOT good according what we think it should be!

It’s ALL THINGS … this of course is for those who love Jesus, we can be assured that everything happens for GOOD - and I add for GOD!

Our Loving Father God sees what we cannot, our wondrous God sees the BIG PICTURE.

The WHY behind everything. So when life gets tough it’s such a comfort to cling to “the God of all comfort”.

For some reason we are always expecting life to run smoothly, but this is exactly the OPPOSITE of what our LORD Jesus promised us. 

John 16:33 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.

Our Jesus promised PEACE in Him, but TRIBULATION or trouble in the world, BUT HE has overcome it all, and will give us the victory in it all in this world by faith in Him ... 

The key is to abide, or live in His peace - while in the midst of the world’s trouble. Jesus alone can HELP us do that.

There is trouble in the broken world, because of Genesis 3, man sinned and a curse was put upon all, for all have sinned (See Romans 3:23). BUT one glorious day, ALL CROOKED THINGS will be made STRAIGHT (see Isaiah 42:16)! 

INDEED What a glorious day that will be!

Linking up also with:

1. http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ Anything goes! All cards 

2. What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday - 5 days late! 😅 better late than never. Over at Julia’s 

3. Snippets playground 😃 over here! Card most snippets is all gold, + card with stamped images of Lily, but choosing “the LORD is my Shepherd “ card, these are such old stamps too, so very good to have them out!

4. Allsorts Challenge - https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/08/week-7412.html All Creatures Great and Small - Paw Patrol Window pop up card

Black Ice meets Stampscapes contd, Watercolour Block Stamping + Snippets WOYWW + NBUS

 Yes, it’s Wednesday again and popping in with Desky share for WOYWW - What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday, over HERE 😁 at Julia’s.

Desk shows two A4 sheets cut into four, to make up 8 card. These exceptional papers have been in my stash for at least a decade and lovingly stroked every so often, their colours and gleaming glittery extras all made them special. 

 

They were eBay Freebies from an excellent seller back then called Flissybabes, in UK. I bought loads of mirri card, unavailable here, and in one order she put in these two glittery sheets along with three mirri cerise sheets as a bonus. I was one happy bunny. The card I’m CASE-ing is one in green white with gold, by Darnell 😊❤️🙏. Sent when I was poorly last year, it suits these images perfectly.

Here's completed card for Darnell's NBUS challenge over here!

 Sharing too varied birthday  cards as there are many birthdays in February and March! Mostly male cards too.

This card all snippets so jumping over to Snippets playground here, actually so is watercolour card as well.A cereal box makes great background card.

Firstly there are four of the Black Ice technique (see here). The first is like my last card for my darling dad there. This one is for a dear Nephew. The others are for different family members. All use a Disc. SU paper, except the bottom one for my uncle. I used a scrap piece of card layered with perfect pearls, firstly did dry embossing - unused when made.

Last card was the watercolour technique with tombows on ink black see here, background scrap card from cereal box, with double length brick embossing highlighted in ink.

Then two ladies birthday, first is embossed resist with unknown mauve/ pink perhaps SU inky colours, years in stash.

So ink up embossing folder, emboss.. and ta-da colour embossed.

Next card is also a stash piece done with alfoil layers over scrap cardstock, embossed in folder, then two alcohol inks turquoise and green. MB leaves die cut with Lawn Fawn HB stamp silver embossed.

Now to Aussie photos, the tiniest pineapple ever, it fits in my hand, it wasn’t attached well to plant, so insufficient nourishment. Taken the plant out now. Usually grow like one in front of it.

Still yum, here it is in pineapple patch. 

Then some seaside to cheer you up, bottom one at my sisters, and one down at our creek, that was such a beautiful day.

Had some lovely swims in between huge dumps of rain. Coast is all flooding, especially  north and south less so. Highway north still closed, sadly many lost homes at Lismore, friends included … hope Cathy at Cathy’s card place is okay, I must check. Had water in here, but through the roof.. not the ground.

So dealing with insurers, assessor’s, renovators, etc from deluge Downunder, not badly affected as some, in two rooms, but it’s certainly a to-do and time occupier. Life is never dull, but the LORD makes it all worth while.

Thanks for visiting especially, if you have time for a chat, I'll do my best to reciprocate, but mobile is bit tricky.

Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x

Thought for the day:

“Without me, ye can do nothing.” John 14:5 

This verse comes in the abiding in the vine chapter 15, of Johns Gospel.

And  IN Christ we are able to do all things, out of Him, we are weak indeed. Of myself I have not strength, but in Him He is my ALL in ALL.

And thus Without the LORD Jesus I can do nothing.

My Jesus fills every void in my life.

He makes it complete.

In peace, in war, in the storms of life, Jesus is our Anchor, our Strength, our Stay, our Hiding Place, our Saviour and Friend.

If we but trust in Him - Faith changes things, WHEN it’s anchored in the Lord Jesus Christ..

Without Him,  faith is empty nothing. 

With Him, it’s everything.

Re prayer for Ukraine, I’m certainly praying along with many for Gods mercy upon all especially the innocents. For updates … if you’re on Telegram this is small channel, which has latest prayer needs listed, todays was to pray for orphans and those caring for them, bunkered down as best they can in Kiev. https://t.me/+NxFxDBaeF3ljY2Qy

Joining up to:

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

2. Joining with the NBUS Challenge .. three NBUS - Never Before used Schtuff link above.

3. Allsorts challenge - stamped watercolour, tombiws on ink block then sepia on  seascape image. http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2022/02/week-665-hand-coloured-or-paper-pieced.html?m=1

New Blogger Coming, Altenew Enchanted Iris, NBUS, Rudolph Day + WOYWW

Well, a multi faceted post!  😁 yes! WOYWW or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday over at our lovely Queen of Desks, Julia, Rudolph day again.. tell me how does that happen? And some NBUS!
(Blogger question at end of post).
Now to my desk!

Two cards and a whole lot of sorting needing doing! 
First on right is Christmas card for Rudolph day, on left card is for my friend Iris' 88th birthday, it's already winging it's way to Lincolnshire! 
Thanks so much for sending the stamped diecuts, dear kind Darnell! I do love that set. Perfect for dear Iris!

Desk 2: Here I’m painting the images, sheet underneath is back of used envelope. Found these paints work well as watercolour as well as thicker style of gouache-style painting on card two weeks ago. I did add some Tombows watercolour pens to image, too.

Finished card for Iris. 

Sheen on image is from embossing Darnell did with Platinum Wow EP, I think. 
TIP: After painting images with Gansai Tambi watercolour I reheat set Embossing Powder to make it pop.

Think it's up there with a favourite card!! Several NBUS here so popping over to join in there. The lattice is one, a SB die sent me by Marilyn, kind friend, thank you! The lattice aperture DP piece was cut from was a drooloworthy pad. I thought I’d stroked it long enough, so broke into it, and irises are NBUS to me! Also used Stitched rectangle die for frame, a layered peel off Happy Birthday, dry embossed parchment card with A4 EF in stitched daisy pattern from Crafts Too. Have a few more iris in Black stamping to make one or two cards more too.

Second card was ultra quick card for Rudolph day over at Scrappy Mo’s Christmas card challenge. It is a DL size card, a topper made from an old Christmas card, gold layer up, gold thread three times around with bow,  and some bling. Love the names of Lord Jesus, Immanuel which means God with us, and really wonderful background.

Now to Aussie pickies, first is fading sunlight on a walk the other day, this is the creek a bit further along from usual ones. Then surfs up on local beaches.

First one is by Greg in Oz.

Then the next two are by Robbie in Oz, on an SLR. That’s all for me today, sending love and prayers for everyone everywhere who is hurting. 
Comfort, help and a refuge at such a time is found freely in the LORD to all who seek Him.

Thanks for popping over for a peek and a chat, may God bless you wherever maybe, 

prayer hugs, 🙏🏻🤗 
Shaz in Oz.x

Blogger update:

And the question bloggers might  be wondering- what is this new blogger coming? Well, you've possibly noticed the  pesky little orange tab on lower left of your blogger dashboard saying:
'Try the New Blogger!'
*****

This  is an Article on it by Blogger here! 
I suggest you read it. Last update to Blogger was in 2012, I do recall it, but only know date by search. So if blogger is going to keep going, they do need to update it.
At least Google isn't pensioning it off!

From a cursory research I did on it there were some issues by some folks, noted in mid May. It's with things I don't use, but one issue was with image insertion last month.
I usually wait before adding updates till they iron out glitches. I dont rush in. 

****The update will just happen on your blog, at different times in different locations in June. 
You may change back to old blogger, till end of July. 

I don't think I would.
It will become outdated and not be assisted if you get issues. You may lose some information further down the track if dont accept update.  

I'd also recommend if you can, backing up current blog on Theme tab of Dashboard page, in that page there is a BACK UP/ RESTORE tab. Perhaps do that before June, just in case of issues, but would need to go on computer, as backup file probably too big for mobile device. Pray all goes well with it for us all.
Another blogger tip: 
If writing your posts and having issues, try it on Chrome Web browser. 
Google owns Chrome and Blogger, their software are compatible. Apple definitely is not.
I'm also writing this blog post on Android Samsung phone. Android is also owned by Google. Rarely have issues as all software are compatible on apps.  

Linking over to:

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

** NBUS  Challenge by Darnell or NEVER BEFORE USED SCHTUFF over here  Iris card

** Rudolph Day. Christmas card

**http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2020/05/chnc-challenge-491.html?m=1

** Christmas recycled card -  Wednesday Challenge "Recycled" by Simon Says  
https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/ 
** Happy Little Stampers Anything with Dies.  Iris card.