Thank YOU to my Wonderful Encouragers - Blogaversary Candy!

Candy Now closed - Drew three winners - will post soon.


{EDIT - 01.11.13 -  plan was to draw candy today, 1st Of Nov. - but things are very busy till 12.11.13, plus not 100%, so will draw candy on that date. Hence candy is open for few days longer.}

Hullo there everyone - this blog soon has its third anniversary. On 01.11.10 this 'ere 'umble blog was started. I started it by accident (see first post here - a test run & it worked!!). So the LORD has blessed it.

Blessed by so many precious friends and wonderful encouragers, I really appreciate you very much so want to offer a teeny-tiny bit of crafty candy to all you wonderful folk who follow this blog.

Here is candy. Butterfly is sample of one on offer.
 **Joy butterfly die is embedded in foam, cuts beautifully. See card with die cut here .
**Country Companions Friends stamp, cute and versatile. ** Pearls to embellish!

Candy can to go overseas, as is very light, so this is for ALL this humble blog's Wonderful Encouragers, that is, ALL those who have joined this blog.

1. please leave a comment on this post below 

2. then put (if you would be so kind) put a link on your sidebar; an extra entry in candy if you do so :D

Please do check you are one of the merry band, as on my first candy someone was drawn who was not, and had to redraw. New Wonderful Encouragers are very welcome to join following this blog!

Many thanks to one and all of you! What a pity I cant send some to all of you!

May the dear LORD bless your day wherever you may be,                               

Shaz in Oz.x

CAS Ink Blending Dragonfly Card + WOYWW

Hullo there everyone - ultra fast post; wont be able to comment much but will do my best!

Here is my desk as it is Wednesdays big blog-hop over here ~ "Chez Julia's"! You can see desks of the world over there!

Here you spy some inky fun aka Heather Telford style - masked off main section and inking with three Adirondack pads: Lights ~  Cloudy Blue, lemonade and Cool Peri.

One of my nieces (who doesn't look at this blog) loves dragonflies has a birthday soon, so used this unmounted stamp from Stone House Oriental, sent to me in prize a while back with OSA. Top shot has a rough sheet - testing layout.

Here it is... the single dragonfly was coloured with same inks then double embossed in iridescent Embossing powder. Used Hammer card for this and love texture with the inks. This printed sheet was in stash for ages now, waiting for this card! Had printed it out from a formatted Word doc. about two years for another card, and never used it.

Here is the Aussie shot of the day - our cream poinsettia in flower. Actually this is a few months ago, in our winter. It was pruned last week, that reminded me I had not shared it with you! Our red ones are still flowering.

Thanks so much everyone for popping over for a peek and a chat and may God bless your day wherever you maybe.. Please do pop over to the candy for those who have joined this blog as my Wonderful Encouragers - over here!

Shaz in Oz.x

I would also like to join with:

Our Pixies Snippet-y Challenge ~ Snippets rule!!

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes.

LOTV Upcycled Christmas Card

Hullo there everyone ~ thanks so much all your encouraging thoughts and prayers for those in the bushfire areas here in NSW! The weather has cooled down and so the crisis has eased, but no rain of significance where it is really needed as yet, so still in a "Watch and act" status. Sadly two firefighter pilots have died. One delivering water to the fires crashed when a wing fell of his aircraft; the other crashed on his way home and no reason there as yet, so praying for these two families today.

...........................

Well, linking over to Sarn's, where it is getting ready for Christmas with her Rudolph day challenge. I love Christmas with its hope and promise of our Saviour, the LORD Jesus Christ. 

I really think it is is all year around. I try and participate when I am able.

Here is one of my up-cycled cards - from last year. loved the frosty background on this card, it was full of glitter (not that you can see it). So decided to use it with a LOTV image shown here (love Lili of the Valley images) - frosty indeedy! Used square Scalloped Spellbinders to edge the square, and Cuttlebug Vintage corners in same snippet-y red mirri card. Added some more glitter on the image but also is hard to see.

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!

Shaz in Oz.x

I would also like to join with:

 Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge ~ "Peace" is the theme (think is is pretty peaceful)

Crafty Hazlenut's Extra Challenge - anything goes

Our Pixies Snippet-y Challenge snippets rule!!

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes.
LOTV October Challenge - Anything Goes!

WOYWW + Black Silver Oriental Card + NSW Fires

{Warning picture heavy post.}
Hullo there everyone, time for WOYWW - DO  hop over to What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday over at Julia's blog HERE....
 I am working on a card. You know when you get an idea in your head, which doesn't quite work, but you don't want to ditch it, so you attack it from another angle? 

 Well, that is what I am doing today. It is the first bit of play for this month actually as I was away then the room was all packed up (and still not totally unpacked. Oh, and the NBN went in eventually and works just wonderfully!). Over at OSA (Oriental Stamp Art) they are having a Black and silver mingle so making a card for that .. with silver, black card and black ink.

 Saw a  video by Jani Lewis of Paper Compulsions a while ago now. I used that method here but the first folder had too much open space to work successfully, so decided to cut around the image outline and glue it onto another folder from the set, also embossed the inked over with Jet Black Staz-on. Embossing folders are from Oriental set of four by Cuttlebug called "Oriental Weave".
The stamp Kanji also did not co-operate and was revamped. It was supposed to be a framed "Tranquility" kanji like this one from Artneko, but on the slippery silver card it smudged a tad on frame and the English word so trimmed these off and re-framed it - waste not, want not - again!! here tis finished..
  
Here is another part of my rearranged craft room ~ the embossing/ cutting station, positioned behind my desk, near the doorway .. with dies, folders, unmounted stamps in large folder, colouring items etc.

Note the three tools next to Cuttlebug, which  are always handy: 1. the candle end to make it easy to remove tricky dies (just give the rub over the die before cutting) 2. the green handled tool to lift dies when cut off plate, and 3. the invisible tape to attach dies while cutting. Have a Big Shot as well as Cuttlebug because I thought the bug was broken! and bought the Shot! then someone on WOYWW (about two years ago) suggested it was probably a loose screw and it was :D so use one for cutting and the other for embossing.

 

Also today my thoughts and prayers are with the "Firies" (our brave firefighters) down south - we have really had bad bushfires this year - and it is not even summer! There are over 60 fires burning across NSW, too many of which are out of control. A dry warm winter -> lots of fuel!

The real area of concern especially today, Wednesday, is the Blue Mountains townships (surrounding Sydney), where they have lost over 200 homes already and about half that damaged badly.

 I took these with my camera from the ABC news - so heartbreaking to watch.

 

Dear LORD, may you watch over them all today - those who are fighting and those who are waiting to see what is going to happen to their homes and livelihoods, may You give wisdom and grace and mercy where needed to all concerned, keep them safe and meet every need, In Jesus name, amen.

Thanks so much if you have read this far down, and if you join in with me in this prayer .. and for popping over for a peek and chat.

May the dear LORD bless your day where ever you may be!

and .. please dont forget to pop over to the blog candy please, thank you!

Shaz in Oz.x

Would like to link over with:

1. Di's Snippets challenges - used snippets on this!

2. Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes.

Faith as Simple as a Child ~ Illuminated text Psalm 33:21

Hullo there everyone ~ it is a while since I have done an illuminated work so thought would combine one with a beautiful devotion I read in  Our Daily Bread .

  "Dreams of Childhood" by Randy Kilgore. 

{ Daily reading was from Psalm 8* ( see here for verses)}.

As I am teaching at our local church school calligraphy the reading and this verse tie in with my current thinking too.

"Years ago, I asked fifth grade students to prepare a list of questions to ask Jesus, if He were show up in person in the following week. I also asked a group of adults the same question. The results were startling different. The children's ranged from adorable to poignant:

"Will we have to sit around in robes and sing all day? Will my puppy be in heaven? 

Were the whales in or out of the ark? How's my grandpa doing with You up there?" Almost with without fail their questions were free from doubt that heaven existed or that God acts supernaturally.

Adults on the other hand had a totally different line of questioning: "Why do bad things happen to good people? (see here) How do I know that You're listening to my prayers? Why is here only one way to heaven? How could a loving God let this tragedy happen?

For the most part, children live unfettered by the cares and sorrows that burden adults. Their faith lets them trust God more readily. 

While we adults often get lost in trials and sorrows, children retain the psalmist's view of life - and eternal perspective that sees the greatness of God (Ps. 8: 1-2)

God can be trusted, and He longs for us to trust in the way that children do (Matthew 18:3) Passage here

An intimate walk with God, lifts our eyes

from today's trials and into eternity's triumphs.

This Illuminated Bible verse shown is from Psalm 33:21

"For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name."

It shows this type of faith that rejoices in the knowledge and child-like faith in our daily walk with our Saviour. A young wife in our church ordered this for her new husband - which thrilled me.

For those who like a little more detail here are two earlier stages, all that were taken of this work. 

It was done in January 2006, so few years ago now. First small picture above left shows the work inked in, painted with gouache (to see how previous steps are done see these posts here and here). Gold leaf preparation is already built up with glue size. The second small image on right shows the gold leaf applied. The frame was an older one my father used for one of his oils. It was originally a brown neutral toned coloured frame but I changed with navy blue boot polish into the soft grey tones to tie it in with the tabernacle colours I wanted to use.That way did not need to charge for frame and it was a very good one. :D so saving all around.

 To see more information on tabernacle colours - see this post here!

Many thanks every one for popping over for a peek and chat and may God bless your day wherever you may be.

Shaz in Oz.x PS. DO join the candy up above top of this post too, please, or see here. Ta!!

Would like to link over with:

1. Di's Snippets challenges - used snippets on this- ie revamped frame!!! plus if you saw my paint palette is is very snippetty!!

2. Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes.

Emily's Extra Large Owl birthday card

Well, it was a certain little girl's birthday coming up so here we see her card - as it turned out after much chopping and changing.
I usually have rough idea/ sketch at the beginning and sometimes I fly through it, and sometimes sort of hobble through the card. Some are more epic in creation than others and this was one of them.

Half way through I was not sure if liked it or not. The card was made on craft paper, and the DP is one bought ages ago now when someone was selling off stash.The body brown/gold shades were made with some new wee ink pads had bought - lovely frosty shades by Tsukineko Brilliance Pigment Ink, first seen on my friend Anne's blog - then few weeks later saw them (and could try the colours out - joy!! try before you buy!) in dew drops at show, first and only one here in town, and yes splurged a little..
The beak and number was glossed up with Dimensional Magic - like Glossy accents but doesn't seem to clog if store lid side down, love it!
Owl's eyes were done with Spellbinder circles, using black, craft and DP for them.

Back of the card in DP spots from same set - mounted two shapes on black card and then cut around them for fine edging. Then attached them with tabs - two at top near eyes on front side and then one larger tab at the bottom so would stand.

I coloured the feet with ink to match and used more Dimensional Magic to stiffen the feet so they would stand nicely.

Poem and greeting were computer generated - and yes, made the poem up. :D as you can tell! Owl was bought pre-punched with SU set on eBay, but changed shirt colour and colour of the owl to match, the leaves came with them.

Needless to say, when I saw her delight as was up there when she was given it and her big eyes and huge smile of surprise made it all worth it, especially when she realised it was for her. Not normally there when folks open cards, so it made with one special.

Many thanks every one for popping over for a peek and chat and may God bless your day wherever you may be.

Shaz in Oz.x
Don't forget this blog's candy ~ link here!

{EDIT: for those wondering how I arrived at this layout for the card I looked online for ideas then ended up using the SU punched owl for the design - bought pre-cut on eBay. See photo right, for when was working out the hand drawn design and colouring.}

Would like to link over with:

1. Di's Snippets challenges - used snippets on this card

2. Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes (Wed. 16th)
3.Artistic Inspirations - any goes - make it girly (Mon.14th)
4. Stamping Sensations October challenge - all creatures great and small - end of month
5.Penny Black October Challenge - "Spooky!" this Owl as spooky as I go! end of month
{Apologies, as commenting still rather limited .. but thank you so much for each of yours!!}

WOYWW + Calligraphy bookmarks

Well, here is part of the desk today - very much in hurry! Craft room actually is all packed away as having NBN put in there - for those not n Oz it is the new fibre phone and internet lines - we have to upgrade, it is not optional.
I have been wanting this set of Perfect Layers Rulers for while now (they were not cheap) but wow they are fab! (Seen first on Jocelyn's blog - Instead of Ironing blogspot on here lovely cards)
  I have just bought this set from Joanna Sheen ( have free post, even to Oz) as they were the cheapest I could find, on wishlist for sooo long. They really made mounting this set so much easier, and actually made the having to do this the excuse to buy. Still boo-booed twice when could not cut straight because hands dont co-operate, but that is the user not the tool.

These are my students in this years calligraphy class with second project, their book marks; they are now working on their texts - they are years 7/ 8 (about 14 years). This is why have been absent from WOYWW, as have not had time or energy to blog - will be last time I teach a group. Just too draining.

Here is a sunset from the window a week ago when was in Brisbane staying at my family's place - not bad bedroom view is it? In distance is the Brisbane river, not visible as below the tree line.

 First shot shows a subdued scene but second photos is as I saw it - the beauty of the mauve tones of God's creation - the Jacaranda tree in their drive and the sunset light fading in background. 

Click in larger size to see it better.

The purpose of this post is to show my workdesk and link over to Julia's so had better do so - here she is, to peek at all the other folk's desk for What in On Your Workdesk Wednesday, go right over here!!

Happy WOYWW every one and may God bless your day wherever you may be - may or may not be able to comment much, so apologies in advance.

Shaz in Oz.x

PS please dont forget to peek at my blog candy - all welcome to join, please do!!! see post for details please.

PPS. and sorry commenting and internet access is intermittent as being updated to National Broadband Network (NBN) and issues have arisen .. "craftroom-cum-now-computer-room" totally all packed up, while we wait for techno-geeks to work out why it did not go as smoothly as it should have done! I am using the old internet for this post.