WOYWW 333, et al.

Hi there folks - back after wee break, but still doing catch up, on computer and other things :D

As we are in middle of another week, time for WOYWW Or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Julia's blog at the Stamping Ground is home base for WOYWW, over here.

This was my desk a few days back or actually the dining room table :D Ten days ago, was able to go to my second ever craft show (first in 2010). Small by O/S standards, about 8 stalls with our kind of craft (mainly a Quilting show) .. but I was greatly blessed indeed. Any more, would've been too much! Head was spinning as it was. Oh, and you should've seen what I didn't buy :D
Dies ( two on left) on sale + embossing folder $3.95, on "would like" list, as was Inca gold rub, Gilding flakes, Ultra Fine glitter, clear fine glitter paste + wanted to try cosmic shimmer glue. New diamond dust spray, tape x 2, DI pads x 2. "Baby " word die is for card am supposed to be making, in budget if not on sale. Ribbon, lace were bonuses. Clear stamps (2) made in Sydney by ArtStamps, good price, too. I have set limits on what I pay for items. I also learned lots as they had great demos, however with blogging, we know heaps more that lots of folks there.

Have found going through my images some are unpublished. After blog search, etc don't seem to have been blogged. Only realised after went to show explain about the first ones to a friend as good way of using up soft Prima flowers from stash.

Not great shot of these, taken on my phone, I think and sent off before another was taken.

Used a favourite CB folder Stylised flowers, some Bible verses, one digi the other stamp, Prima flowers and ribbon, pearls etc.

Used SB  Octagon dies for centre stamp by Artneko ( "He Who Obtains has little...He who gathers has much." from book of Proverbs) is embossed. Centre piece is CB Oriental folder inked in black. Used double layer of contrasting ribbon and scored lines on base of card.

Used a rose digi on this.. and don't ask me where from now.. after all file searching, backing up, sorting done in last few days you'd think I know.
SB beaded ovals were also done with clear EP, + SB Fancy labels die used. Verse is a stamp from 1990's from Psalms "He shall give His angels charge over the, to keep thee in all thy ways" 
Ah, what a great promise of God's keeping is that?

This is a mystery plant seen in park near my brothers in Brisbane. I am pretty sure it is a native but not sure what. have done google search with no result, if any can help from downunder (or elsewhere) would love to know.
EDIT 9.11.15: Have had this plant confirmed by ABC Gardening Show as Schotia brachypetala or also known as the Parrot tree.. it is from South Africa. :D

Okay, here is your beach fix, folks .. a lovely isolated beach a bit north of here, pretty to look at but dangerous for swimming because of rips and holes in surf. (Taken on my phone so a soft image)

   Well, thanks so much everyone for popping over for peek an chat..

So very, VERY glad... to have our own ShazSilverwolf back on WOYWW - been following her progress from the big surgery, as many others have on  Doug's blog post .. tab at top of sidebar if you want to catch up. ... a BIG Welcome Back, Shaz!!
 .. dont worry if you are too tired to comment, just to know you are back is such a blessing.

May God bless your day wherever you maybe!
Shaz in Oz.x

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91: 1, 2 ,11

 

  PS Special prayers for Brenda L. while I was not blogging her darling hubby Dwayne, lost his fight with cancer.   see latest post. (Friends Craftin' with Friends)

 

Also joining cards with:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on both cards.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 

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

Thankfulness With Joy = Contentment

Hull everyone,  just letting you know things are a little busy with family et al here, so taking a wee break from blogging. Am well and thoroughly enjoying our spring time :D

Sharing with you a beautiful digi image with some favourite flowers, forget-me-nots and a thought of great wisdom.  

Indeed we can add to our joy by counting our blessings which are so many.  This truly helps to bring things on a clearer perspective. 

Thankfulness leads to joy - twins that lead to a contented heart.

~ ~ ~

I was sent this today by a very dear friend. Thought how well it tied in with this post which I had  already begun, so add it here. May it bless you also.

The Pickle Jar

 The pickle jar as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside the dresser in my parents' bedroom.  When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets and toss his coins into the jar. As a small boy, I was always fascinated at the sounds the coins made as they were dropped into the jar.  They landed with a merry jingle when the jar was almost empty. Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as the jar was filled.

 I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar to admire the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's treasure when the sun poured through the bedroom window. When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the kitchen table and roll the coins before taking them to the bank. Taking the coins to the bank was always a big production.  Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box, the coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his old truck. Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would look at me hopefully. 'Those coins are going to keep you out of the textile mill, son. You're going to do better than me. This old mill town's not going to hold you back.' Also, each and every time, as he slid the box of rolled coins across the counter at the bank toward the cashier, he would grin proudly. 'These are for my son's college fund. He'll never work at the mill all his life like me.'

 We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping for an ice cream cone. I always got chocolate. Dad always got vanilla. When the clerk at the ice cream parlor handed Dad his change, he would show me the few coins nestled in his palm. 'When we get home, we'll start filling the jar again.' He always let me drop the first coins into the empty jar. As they rattled around with a brief, happy jingle, we grinned at each other.

 'You'll get to college on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters,' he said. 'But you'll get there; I'll see to that. No matter how rough things got at home, Dad continued to doggedly drop his coins into the jar. Even the summer when Dad got laid off from the mill, and Mama had to serve dried beans several times a week, not a single dime was taken from the jar. To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me, pouring catsup over my beans to make them more palatable, he became more determined than ever to make a way out for me 'When you finish college, Son,' he told me, his eyes glistening, 'You'll never have to eat beans again - unless you want to.'

 The years passed, and I finished college and took a job in another town. Once, while visiting my parents, I used the phone in their bedroom, and noticed that the pickle jar was gone. It had served its purpose and had been
removed. A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the dresser where the jar had always stood. My dad was a man of few words: he never lectured me on the values of determination, perseverance, and faith. The pickle jar had taught me all these virtues far more eloquently than the most flowery of words could have done.

 When I married, I told my wife Susan about the significant part the lowly pickle jar had played in my life as a boy. In my mind, it defined, more than anything else, how much my dad had loved me.

 The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Mom and Dad sat next to each other on the sofa, taking turns cuddling their first grandchild. Jessica began to whimper softly, and Susan took her from Dad's arms. 'She probably needs to be changed,' she said, carrying the baby into my parents' bedroom to diaper her. When Susan came back into the living room, there was a strange mist in her eyes.

 She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand and leading me into the room. 'Look,' she said softly, her eyes directing me to a spot on the floor beside the dresser. To my amazement, there, as if it had never been removed, stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already covered with coins..

 I walked over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins. With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the coins into the jar. I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying Jessica, had slipped quietly into the room. Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I felt.
Neither one of us could speak.

 This truly touched my heart. Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life, for better or for worse.

 God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for GOOD in others.

 The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched - they must be felt with the heart ~ Helen Keller

 Thanking the Lord for each of you, and praying for you that the LORD would be your Strength and Guide through each and every day,

Shaz in Oz.x

PS commenting will be limited, but appreciate everyone of yours..

Friday Smiles, Snippety Entry for Scrappy Mo's Christmas challenge! aka Rudolph day.

Well it's a bit late, but seems the way.. Here's some of my Annie's Friday Smiles and entry for the Christmas challenge over at Scrappy Mo's.

To the Smiles, I showed some of these on my WOYWW post and folks seemed to think the orchids, etc were mine .. but these are all taken in my friend's garden - Elaine and Mal, who is the one who grows the orchids. I have notated these but must point out these are my guesses so any experts I am happy to correct their names.

Common spotted orchid .. I think? Elaine said it was an orchid this was best name I could find.

Most of these are Cymbidiums except for the very large white flower below which I think is a Cattleya. Isn't God's creation just marvellous .. yes, truly a marvel!

Now my entries for Scrappy Mo's Christmas challenge. I have six cards but of course we can only have one entry. Lots of snippets were used here .. and yes some made too :D
Mostly was just using ink dusters, masks and inks .. started over on this post here. The first card was a real snippet the verse was cut in another die .. but crookedly and couldn't waste it so re-cut in SB deckle ovals.

These cards are all made with one stamp. I really love this stamp. It is great verse and also love the way it is done ie layout of verse. I like the Christ of Christmas to be front and centre of my Christmas cards. I love to point the way to  Christ who is my Saviour and Friend, and this verse does it well.

May the LORD richly bless you and those you love today and in the week ahead that the LORD has given. 
If you are struggling with burdens or cares, take to them to the One Who understands - like no-one else! For in Him we find Strength, Peace and Rest; freely given to all who call upon Him.

Love and prayer for each of you dear ones out there. You are such a blessing to me,

Shaz in Oz.x

 ^"Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."
Psalm 73: 25,26

Things are pretty full on here so this is a scheduled post and will link over when time permits.
1. Rudolph day challenge over at Scrappy Mo's

2.Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on second card.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 
3.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

Flower Fairy Centre Fold card + Di's Snippets + WOYWW

Well it is obviously Wednesday today, even if it really has taken me most of the day to realise it.. so Wednesday means the great worldwide Blog-hop around desks of the world for WOYWW or What is On Your workdesk Wednesday.. pop over to our Julia's Stamping Ground! 

To my desk- several again:

Here smooched mixture of inks on embossing folder and then spritzed it well with water, then embossed it .. one worked better than the other but both not too bad. Re-spritzed with Diamond Dust glimmer mist for more blending too.

So this was few days later, yesterday in fact and well into the making of this card. This was one big learning curve. Half way through said why do I pick such tricky designs??
Nellie Snellen Ribbon border die in left foreground, on right pink ATG, almost done card in rear, next to it Darice Nature Border EF as well. Had to cut this apart into two pieces as it was not quite lined up properly - a first! but needed it cut, as wanted the same part at front and end of greeting anyway.

Completed centre step fold card. You can see the Darice Nature border EF (with pink glitter) at the either end of front section, greeting printed then embossed it quickly with clear EP.
HAPPY 4th Birthday, dear Emily!
The flower image is here and 3D'ed, mounted on SB Fleur de Lis rectangle in lovely pink foiled card, also ribbon border on side. The front cross section and sides also have Taylored Expressions Eyelet Scallop border die. Used this Template here for the Centre Step Fold card

I think the flower with this flower fairy is the candytuft but maybe not one by Cicely Mary Barker, as could not find who created this image. A Google reverse image search just took me back to unnamed page from which I pinned it.

The verse on the inside of the card printed on some DP

Today's desk this afternoon at 3pm approx. I had a fellow crafter Sharlene to visit .. so here she was paused mid stamping as she was copying images from my Bible verse drawer. You can see a completed page to the top left, cuppa finished and ink pad just used .. Sharlene was out cleaning stamps, as like mine cleaned as I stamp; a habit from when started in 1990. Most of these are from that era, very few bought this century.

One of two Aussie shots today, was at my friend's place and had my camera in hand... a bird of paradise or native Strelitizia.

From the same garden.. a bush orchid growing on the flowering bottlebrush, both natives. Looks like a wandering choko vine too :D My friend Elaine and hubby, Mal have many more amazing orchids which I took that day. They could hold their own orchid show :D

 I will comment as able ~ still a little behind, but getting there :D

Thanks so much every one for popping over for a peek as chat, and may God bless your day wherever you may be!  Shaz in Oz.x

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me." Micah 7:8 

Linking the Emily's card up to:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on Emily's card (the lovely pink floil was used on one other card and have another piece for one more I hope, not bad out of an A4 sheet :D)

 http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

2. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au.
3. http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/week-329-sparkle.html   Allsort challenge is Sparkle .... well it is hard to see but it is there on the front piece :D

4. http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/roses-of-inspiration-38.html

Positive + Negative Use of Die cuts + WOYWW

Well, here we are in middle of another week also time for WOYWW Or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Julia's blog at the Stamping Ground is home base for WOYWW, over here.
To my desk..  late Monday, as it is clear now, a bit boring.

Those of WOYWW might remember seeing this Elizabeth Crafts Quietfire die over on Shazsilverwolf's blog about a month ago. Well, loved it, hunted for it and found it overseas, but way out of my price range. Recently sourced here in Tasmania for good price, plus cheap post cost so arrived Monday, had to use it that day!!  It is big die but I knew that. Here am using it on a piece of photo paper made ages ago, which was ink smooched with DI + then lightly damp, crumpled cling wrap was laid over it.

After cutting the die (had to turn it a few times as had sticky paper on back) decided to use both positive and negative, too nice to waste negative. Lightly embossed the die so could see where to put the negative bits.. rather like a jigsaw puzzle, fun!

This is the positive, a very small card (14.5 x 10.5cm), as small as I make them so thought it was good way to test this die. Used also the teeny snippet left for a border with Scallop die. EF is Lattice by Sizzix. Entering this in my as my third NBUS, over at NBUS Challenge no. 5 - woohoo!!

Simple card, with rounded top corners and piece of green gold mesh underneath.

Well, it is spring downunder, so a few Aussie photos. This is single Italian lavender bush under dwarf Eureka lemon tree, dwarf because the way it is pruned. Huge lavender is good insect repellent for lemon tree. The bees love it and lemon flowers too. Aren't they a pretty flower?

A big welcome to three new friends also who have become Wonderful Encouragers of this blog - Swissie of Swissie's World, met Swissie's though Cuttlebug Mania. http://livfrische48.blogspot.com.au

Also a near neighbour - Maxine D. of KiwiMe's creations .. yes, she is from NZ, and has lovely creations too! 

I met Jeanne J. over at Darnell's .. this wonderful lady helped arrange Darnell's amazing array of prizes for NBUS challenge, she has an instructive blog called A Kept Life.

   so please pop over and give them some encouragement today! if you kindly join this blog please let me know so can link over too.. ta!

Well, thanks so much everyone for popping over for peek an chat.. will return visit as soon as able; things are busy til weekend.
May God bless your day wherever you maybe!
Shaz in Oz.x
PS Special prayers for Brenda L  and her dear hubby,  see latest post.(Friends Craftin' with Friends), also dear Shazsilverwolf and her hubby Doug (there is tab on my sidebar for updates).
 

Also want to join over with:

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on both cards.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 

2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au   
3. NBUS Challenge no. 5  first card

Friday Smiles + ODB Colour Challenge + NBUS

{Sorry - WOYWW Post below here}

Hullo all - again :D yes, another post this week .. So much to celebrate, y'see! 

'Tis Friday, so I'm linking over to Annie Friday Smiles :D 

Also as said on Wednesday post Darnell has NBUS Challenge no. 5 - woohoo! Millions of prizes!...so do pop over there now! 

Oh and the second million of prizes is over at Word Art Wednesday .. they are Celebrating 200 posts, with a BIG prize list, too!

 Am sharing some of my Smiles first:

Downunder we are in SPRING.. I love spring .. and autumn :D Here is our Lytopspernum Cardwell in flower plus 'Superb' Grevillea.

Here are today's blooms - God's handwork is simply gorgeous. Images above were last week in full bloom, some are falling now. Here are some flies (!) on it + one of the hard shelled beetles that love roses, hibiscus, anything really!

Local creek down the road - we were having lunch at a creekside restaurant, when there were suddenly loud yells + splashes, these canoes were launched with great gusto for a paddle.

Now how made first card, I wanted both of the die cuts to be gold embossed.

Smooshing with Versamark prior to adding EP

Here's finished die cut, embossed where needed. Die cut from SB Elegant Ovals is my NBUS or Never Before Used Schtuff.

Here is my entry for the Our Daily Bread colour challenge shown above. Lattice die is from Papertrey, also embossed in gold. The DP is a digi from my Pinterest page here. The gold stamped verse is one from 1990 (a snippet stamped ages ago) from Sonlight Impressions Ca. US. I love the promise of this verse.. truly perfect peace is found by simply trusting in our God.

Over on this post HERE this card was started, you see there the corners are made from SB Fleur de Lis square die. The "thank you card" begun for dad to give to someone, made using one of dad's paintings as a digi image.Used a 1990 "thank you" stamp unnamed, plus S.U. DP from 2006. (bad colours, sorry, camera was being repaired)

Thanks so much for popping over for peek and chat .. will return your visit as soon as I can, as do love to see your work too. :D I apologise a have not commented on many from last post .. but will do you first, so sorry.

May God bless your day and those you love, wherever you may be.

Shaz in Oz.x

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3

Linking over to following challenges:
1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets, esp on card 1 http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/  
2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes, both cards  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au  
3. NBUS no 5.(ends 11:55 p.m. PST Sept 18, 2015) Card 1  http://www.djkardkreations.com/2015/09/its-here-nbus-challenge-5.html 
4. ODB Colour challenge - card 1 http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/odbdslc253-color-challenge.html
5. Over at Allsorts they want to see lots of layers. card 1  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/week-327-lots-of-layers.html