Twofer Bird Challenge, CAS Stencil + Mixed Up Bokeh Challenge

Hi there just popping in with it quick challenge over at the TWOFER Challenge it’s birds this month! Conveniently I’d already made a card with birds on it so I just had to make a different one with the same die and stencil.

Different in more ways than one. 

*Different design AND *different purpose.

Using same dies, stencils or stamps. 

I really found this fun, partly becausealready made the purple card - specifically  for the CAS Mixed Up Bokeh Challenge.

The rectangle die I extended to double length on the second card, put it in landscape format. I did double stencilling on corner of a reject Bokeh piece, putting the original stencil back on one corner. I’m learning with mixed media that you can layer over the failed bits, ones you don’t like or die cut them out. It’s funny, I’ve always thought of mixed media as not CAS.

I tend towards CAS, and a lot of mixed media I have seen is most definitely not CAS. So learning all the time, aren’t we!? For those wondering what I’m doing a lot more challenges at the moment it’s because with summer down under and I have more free time to play! These are our summer holidays. I love them. Can’t swim at moment though as have leg infection which is a bit of a shame. But means I can read books and that’s good! 

Items used: Both dies are CCD, masks are 1. From cheap craft shop (Stripe one) 2. Kaisercraft, two Bokeh stencils on Wednesday's desk. Inks Distress and Chalk ink. Ink dusters with DI and TH sponge with chalk.

To encrusted Jewel technique, mentioned on WOYWW, see Loll's magnificent card HERE. Except I used different colours as I've different stash. I've done more of this jewel encrusted technique with layering embossing powder. However you definitely need a heat mat if using a pan or griddle. It went through baking paper. I had a bit of mess, not much but some. One other thing my Shaved Ice melted white. Opaque white, not like Loll's. Even when used green glitter EP on another sample, it was still definitely white/ or really cream. Haven't made the others into cards yet.

MFT Peekaoo window, MB Moonlight butterfly, stamp CCS. TH Mosaic stencil & iridescent paste.

This is totally a CASE from Loll's card. The iridescent EP was winner with purple glitter, EP and turquoise EP with teeny bit of shaved ice. Most blew off on floor as did this one with heat gun. First layer is best as a thick clear then add other layers. Can add glitter which I did, and sequins etc.
Ordered some cheap heat mats on eBay so will try again.
To the Aussie plus shots.

The skies are very blue, no rain for weeks, and the sea is very beautiful, this was the view in the evening of a family members 40th birthday on new year’s eve. It was a memorable day.
They came from Norway for it! I stayed in Norway with them in Aug/ Sept, so this second shot is from Norway.

They lived in the corner flat right at the top of that hill in Trondheim. The hill has a bike lift they lock in and it takes them up! It's a university town.

I’d loads of hill walking there and was glad I’d done some here too. Had an amazing view.

It’s very beautiful as were all the places I visited in my trip, but to be honest I believe I live in the best place in the world and that I am so very blessed to live here!

Thanks so much for popping over for peek and chat. You’re such a blessing to me. Don’t forget my new blog too over there at Wonderful Words of Life. I’d love it if you’d pop over, join and say hi there too. 💕

May God bless your day wherever you may be,

Hugs Shaz in Oz.x 

Today's thought: {**NOT my calligraphy, off Google}.
"The JOY of the LORD is thy Strength." Yes, of ourselves we have no strength. But we do in the Lord. And being thankful in midst of trouble makes us stronger in Him.

Joining up with:

1. Twofer "Birds" Card Challenge

2. CAS Mix Up Bokeh challenge (both cards used dies, stencils, inks TH & chalk, stamps, embossing).

3. CAS stencil - Sponging  (both cards) challenge. Did double stencilling on one and for Bokeh on purple two Kaisercraft stencils.

4. Simon Says Monday Challenge Use Something New

Two new dies, window and butterfly (thanks Loll & Marilyn) plus new technique, encrusted jewel.

5. Stamping Sensations Fabulously Feminine - Encrusted jewel technique card. http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/01/january-fabulously-feminine.html?m=1

6. The Butterfly Challenge Butterfly card "I is for Imperial Purple/Iceburg/Ivory/Invitation/Include a Die Cut/Image can be Digi or a Stamp/Butterfly. Used Purple, Die cut Stamp and butterfly. Entry butterfly card.

https://butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/01/114-spin-wheel-with-letter-i.html?m=1

7.  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ Anything goes.

CAS Stencil Challenge, Snippety Christmas + WOYWW

Over HERE at the Snippets Playground, Miss Di and gang are celebrating their 8th anniversary, 7 for Di, and one to Jules, who ran it for its inaugural year! Congrats one and all. My makes are below. Hint: green leafy ones!
Also Wednesday again! So desky share time... pop over to head desker Queen Julia of the Stamping Ground! 

My desk doing some Bokeh technique -> different sized stencils. Still card detritus around from earlier works. Stamps at back right, dies to left, glue of various assortment. BTW if you're thinking of getting the "Best Glue Ever", I wouldn't. I bought some plus the Gina K Connect glue with my Simon Says voucher. Gina K is 10/10 = excellent. Bad thing is haven't found it available in Oz yet. "Best glue ever" = 0 Used it twice, made mess both times. Too slow to set up. My usual glues Tombow Multi Mono Liquid and Ranger Matte medium both sit up, hold fairly quickly. I like that. Whinge over 😊 it was great to try both. Now for my makes, I've been busy! There's new CAS Stencil Challenge by Loll Thompson's -> stencilling with sponging!!! Warning Christmas cards too!! 

 Inked up.. used my Christmas inks from dear bloggy friend. Used new stencil Shazsilverwolf kind of enabled me to buy. Hers wasn't available here but this one by Echo Park 6 x6" was 30% cost of hers, made two cards. Digi sentiment on first, Poppy Stamps Joy set on second.

These are both entries for Loll Thompson's CAS stencil challenge.. Sponging is needed! The Bokeh might make it too! We'll see.

This base was on desk last week.

The stamp set is by Sweet n Sassy, a Christmas goodie. Love this set. Bought it in Oz
 Not available any more, die is CCD.

Have more but will save them as long enough already! I tried the encrusted jewel technique oh I love it, going to try more of it!! Here are are Aussie shots..
We had a ride on the rainforest rattler. I did take photos of rainforest but binned them. Too blurry. It went really fast! And a real rattler too, really noisy! Views from train .. was 5pm so not bright sunshine.

Pineapple update- as you can see the baby pineapple is getting bigger. Maybe ripe by March? They're slow growing especially with zero rain at moment. It only gets my weekly water.
A bit of news - I've started a new blog called "Wonderful Words of Life" over HERE.
I'd love if you're interested to pop over to say hi.. thanks for calling especially if you say Hi! And may God richly bless your day where ever you maybe.
Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x.

Thought for the day comes from my card. The Wait on the Lord set by Sweet n Sassy is part a favourite Psalm 37. When it says "rest" its the same word also translated "Be still" and means a cessation of activity.. including worrying, fretting... So often we expend fruitless energy thus. We need to be still, rest, fret not, trust more often. For more on this see HERE

Linking up to:
  ** http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ Anything goes
** http://casstencil.blogspot.com/2019/01/january-cas-stencil-challenge.html?m=1
** https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/ both Christmas (2nd) and Sweet n Sassy card
** https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/ Some things new on all cards! Inks, Stencil, Dies, stamps all new.. wow!
** http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/01/january-fabulously-feminine.html?m=1 silver purple glitter card with silver stamped embossing.

WOYWW #500! Brushos Butterflies + Diecuts

{I've just started a new blog HERE too if interested?}
Mm, here we are in 2019. Seems to me yesterday was 2000 in some ways and a new millennium! It's also a big day for WOYWW or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday. It's WOYWW 500! A huge congrats to Julia for hosting so many times! So pop over to Julia of The Stamping Ground HERE .. 

Its also my 8th anniversary at WOYWW! as my first WOYWW was first week in 2011!

My desk is one earlier in week. Trying out some new clear stamps from Sweet n Sassy.. a Christmas addition. 😊

Another desk with some brusho backgrounds. I use scrap cardboard in this case from muesli bars for great watercolour card! Hard to believe below is just a scrap packet base!

Here is the card result a special 40th birthday for a special family member! SB pierced rectangle die, Swirls EF Embossalicious, with stamped watercoloured butterfly by Kaisercraft set of 4.

This card is another colourway for this design here. Also with Elusive Images stamp set.

Rather like the pink lavender and grey combo.

These next ones are also Brusho watercolour backgrounds and they're done as a Christmas present. TH mixed media lace corner, MB swirls, MB butterfly.
Something that made me smile, photographed in a shop!

Now to the Aussie spots. This isnt local but about 30 mins north. Truly blessed to live in such a beautiful place. Photos at sunrise by Nigel in Oz. 😊

Catching an early morning wave! Photo by Nigel in Oz. 
We spent Christmas/ New Year here.

Thought to close. I love this verse, a good one for the start of the year. 

"He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. " Psa. 40:3

Thanks so much for popping over.
A really huge thanks for all your visits and kind caring comments in 2018. 

Happy WOYWW #500!

May God bless you all wherever you maybe. 

Shaz in Oz.X

I'd like to join over with the following:

**  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ Anything goes.

** Simon Says Monday - Partytime! 40th birthday card.  https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=14747
** Simon Says Wednesday - Anything Goes https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-57/
**Theme is New over sweet stamping .. my pink card is using "New" and the stamps on pink mauve card are never used before ink resist card.   http://sweetstampinchallgeblog.blogspot.com/2018/12/team-abi-final-challenge-of-year-new.html?m=1
** The Butterfly Challenge Butterfly card "I is for Imperial Purple/Iceburg/Ivory/Invitation/Include a Die Cut/Image can be Digi or a Stamp/Butterfly. Used Purple, Die cut Stamp and butterfly.
https://butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/01/114-spin-wheel-with-letter-i.html?m=1

Christmas Day 2018 + WOYWW #499 (Day early )

   I love Christmas, I realise not everyone does, but even when I am sad, all Christmas things make me smile. 

Most of all for me as a Christian is the Christ of Christmas that makes me smile. We really dont know when Christ was born and to be honest it doesn't really matter (if it did, we would know).

 I like the scripture of Christmas to be on my cards so use a lot of digis. This blue background, so effective but so simple. Snippet of silver gloss with royal blue alcohol ink and blending solution, overlaid with crumpled cling wrap. Used my snippets gift of Nativityscape, which I so love!

The reason I love this verse below is because it gives the real reason of Christ's coming. 

He came to be our Saviour from our sin. He paid the penalty so we didnt have to.. if we but believe on Him by faith.
Christmas is a picture of love.. true LOVE.
John an apostle , who wrote these words, was an eyewitness to Jesus ministry, His death, to His resurrection and in His appearances for 40 days afterwards, including His ascension to heaven. An eyewitness who saw much more than this.

 Jesus Was born to die, and rise again.
One day as He promised He is coming again. 
Will we be ready for Him?
So many at His birth, His first coming, were not ready.

Now to the desk shots... for WOYWW or What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday. So let's look at desks of the world with Julia of The Stamping Ground HERE .. to my desk(s).

 Using Emboss resist technique. Fern is Elusive Images stamp about 6 years or so old. Ink DI Antique linen base colour, then Tumbled Glass + Cracked Pistachio on ink blending mat. Cards a request pressie, shown below in two colourways. "Just for you" Sue Wilson die and Scallop Edge is a CCD.

Here's the completed cards!

And here's a surprise in mail on Christmas eve! From Jo (or Twiglet). Isn't that one amazing card? Love robins! And one of Tilly Tea Dance's sheep pictures. 

Don't you love it? I do!!! Sooo cute. Reminds me I'm a little lost sheep and the Lord Jesus the Good Shepherd came to find me! Thank you Jo and Maxine! 

Adore your handiwork! 

Look what my crafty friend sent me?! Aren't they droolworthy!
I am so very blessed of God!

Now some Aussie pickies to close:

These pretty parrots are called galahs and they're seed eaters .. I notice they leave the verge across the road unmowed for longer these days. Below is a glorious sunset. You can see rips in those waves.

Praying every blessing upon all who read this, especially those who may have some missing faces at their table for Christmas. 

Our Father God cares and I pray you may seek His comfort at such times.

"..Great tidings of comfort and Joy."

Hugs, Shaz in Oz. X

I'd like to link up to:

WOYWW on Wednesday, over at Julia's http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/?m=1

**Dies R Us  http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.com/2018/12/challenge-111-anything-christmas.html?m=1  #111 Anything christmas

** http://craftstamper.blogspot.com/2018/12/take-it-make-it-challenge-december.html

** http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2018/12/chnc-challenge-417.html?m=1

** http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ Anything goes.

Last Snippets for 2018 Christmas

Well, in two days it’s Christmas!! Do love this time of year. Not everything is done here, but getting there, quickly popping into share my last snippets for the year. 

It certainly is curious that now I’ve made all my cards for this year, I’m having a rolling start on next year! I saw this idea perfect for a pile of white snippets strips, so just had to make them, they were quite quick. 

Two years ago I bought this lovely digi paper of “Scottish tartans”, or that’s what the files are called. I’ve printed out some of four of the six colourways. 

 I’ve mainly used Stampendous stamp of Luke 2:10. Isn’t it beautiful? I do love the scrollwork, added mixture of pearls and liquid pearls. 

Also you’ll notice two of them are debossed in two silver snippets. The die used is a CCD given me by my Florida friend Marilyn. The strips I cut the die piece from were just a fraction too narrow, but as I had a big pile of them I wasn’t going to cut any wider ones!

Don’t think most folks will notice the left edge. As you can see I’ve made quite a few. Two are dry embossed not cut on a scrap of silver card.

I’m also busy making some other cards, requests, for presents but will share them on Tuesday, (or later?) on my Christmas Day post. I’m doing WOYWW a day early, either that or not at all.

Now to the Aussie shots. 

We are having stormy weather so the water today isn't this turquoise. Storms with sunshine, and usual summer humidity, so we won’t be having a hot dinner but usual cold one for Christmas Day. 

I’ve only ever had two hot Christmas meals in my life, once when 8 years, at my Yorkshire nanna’s and then in 1970’s when in our “new” house, we had roast pork, with all the trimmings, I remember that! So here’s more sunshine folks.

Just love the sky in this one! The heavens do show the majesty of God's creation!

Praying every blessing upon all who read this, especially those who may have some missing faces at their table for Christmas. 

Our Father God cares and I pray you may seek His comfort at such times.

"..Tidings of comfort and Joy."

Hugs, Shaz in Oz. X

Today's verse, love Charles Schultz art work. So tasteful and positive.

I'd like to link up with:

** Snippets playground, used snippets on all cards .. https://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/?m=1

** http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ Anything goes.

** Allsorts Christmas Challenge http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/2018/12/december-traditional-christmas-colours.html?m=1

** http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2018/12/chnc-challenge-417.html?m=1

** http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com/2018/12/craftyhazelnuts-patterned-paper.html?m=1