Thank you for taking time to visit, and I hope I am even a tiny bit helpful as I have been helped and blessed by so many others. I have been doing Calligraphy since teens, and card making for many years as well. In 1990 I delighted in the joys of stamping with ink and embossing after a trip to Cairns, Qld. In 2009 I discovered the brayer, 2010 the Cuttlebug, also have now taking to reading up on crafting blogs and lo! Here I am, on one of my own.

I live on the coast of eastern Australia. I am a Christian. I trusted in the LORD down here at the beach, amazingly it is not far from where I now live. It was over 50 years ago, after a Beach Mission Service at the age of 12 years

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Happy 5th Anniversary of WOYWW + Cards for Lauryn

WOYWW 5  - What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday
In the land of Blog, there is a hop called WOYWW,
For running it, our Head-desker, Julia, must needs take a bow,
All over the world she gathers desks all in a row,
And thereupon we Bloggers our work we do show.
It’s our fifth anniversary which has come upon us now,
So let’s all join together to celebrate our fifth WOYWW!
SLG 2.4.14

Okay for the uninitiated.... the WOYWW or "What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday" is the first, biggest and longest blog hop, in which I have ever taken part! Every Wednesday, if able in fact, since first week in Jan 2011! All the details will be made clearer over here at Julia's blog and see all the exciting desks of the world, folks, do! {Warning - it is addictive}
Well a lot going on my desk today, in Centre a swap atc from all the way in South Africa from Bella. Thanks so much Bella! {also sent one to Julia and one to Anne, (see below) both as a RAK. Have one other one with card face down, on desk for my PiF. On left is some stamping completed ready for attacking (not sure how mixed ideas :D stay tuned). On right is the butterfly stencil from Mrs A. which did trial embossing with.. for Butterfly challenge prize woohoo! thanks Mrs A.! Big Monkey is proudly wearing his WOYWW badge :D
Also sharing a card for Lauryn on desk (please see Lauryn's Facebook updated daily here)..
This card was started back here when showed you how to cut a die outside the image. 
Little Lauryn is fighting leukemia, a VERY big battle for one very little 2 years old girl - see original post here, with her address.. (but Facebook has regular updates). Monday she was in hospital having more transfusions. Some of you who make gifts might like to do that? a wee one, instead of a card to post? and all prayers prayed will help too, as the battle is still ongoing.
Miss Lauryn Newsome
P.O. Box 172
Thornburg, VA 22565 USA
 Also just found there are some digis to buy which will help her with medical costs:
http://lotsofloveforlauryn.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/digi-stamps-sets-for-sale.html
Here is my card (just tip for you ... dont use glossy accents with water markers.. they bled!)
 
And to close here are the shots from Australia today .. from a  walk a while ago I took some black cockatoos on mobile hence poor image, tree was tall. Actually have a number of black cockatoos... several different varieties see here and here for further images etc. second photo is of their view but had to take it from human height not bird height :D. These were the red tailed ones, I think, but we also get the yellow tailed ones in our yard.
Again my time for replying is limited but will get there eventually, even if does take all week.. so thank you for popping over for peek and chat. For those last week who hoped my camera would sorted, have a new one on layby. This one is holding up - just! :D all good.. in end.
May God bless your day everyone, wherever you may be ~ and HAPPY WOYWW5 everyone!
Shaz in Oz.x 
PS Anyone who wants to add a Pinterest blog button please go over to this post on Friday.
My atc's sent and received:  
Left is Bella's. Flower WOYWW5 ATC sent to Anne of Copper Beeches .. she has been poorly.  
Bird ATC WOYWW5 for Julia, and also Bella. I used Our Daily Bread Bird silhouette with Hero arts background stamp plus SU Silhouettes for grassy effect... "friend to friend" is SU too.
Would like to link up Lauryn's card to the following:
 1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on card .. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/
.2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au
3. Penny Back and more challenge - May - anything goes. http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/may-challenge.html
4. Hazelnuts Printed paper challenge , must cover page in printed paper and this was snippets. http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com.au/

Monday 26 May 2014

Butterfly Challenge + Sarns Christmas challenge



Hullo everyone .. just a very quick post to put up some cards made.
First one is for Mrs A.'s Butterfly challenge this fortnight we need to have three elements in a row through centre on our card. So I have chosen the middle one - Wet embossing, Butterflies and Flowers.
This first card is part of background inked up on Friday (see here for how it was made) for the OSA challenge there was a card for inspiration, this card fits criteria there too.
 The stamps are by Artneko from the Spring set, inked in Versafine with iridescent embossing powder. Mounted on black embossed snippet inked up some snippet of card to cut out two butterflies with matching Big and juicy hydrangea ink pad.
Next lot of cards are for Sarn's Christmas Challenge called Rudolph day, over here! requirement is there must be two of them so here are my offering this month, I am bit behind so did extra!
 Embossing and cuttting folder is by Marianne dies, used up snippets of card with holly from Joanna Sheen Signature die. Finally used up two of the "Joy" on my desk for months now !! (three more to go :D) Second ones the stamp is from Our Daily Bread heat embossed with red embossing powder.
I will comment as able but time online needs be limited, I will do my best. However I really want to thank you so very much for popping over for a peek and chat. May God bless your day wherever you maybe.
Shaz in Oz.x
Also would like to join these over with the following:
1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on all card but will enter the first and last ones.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/
.2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au (Card no 2 and 3)
3. Penny Black and more challenge - May - anything goes, with stamping. http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/may-challenge.html
4. Hazelnuts extra Christmas challenge .. see here http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.ca/2014/05/chnc-challenge-extra-for-may-2014.html

Friday 23 May 2014

"Adding a Pinterest Blog Button" Oriental Stamp Art Challenge + Annie's Smiles

Hullo there everyone .. well this post has three purposes. Firstly to share the OSA or Oriental Stamp Art challenge for this week, and secondly want to share how to add a Pinterest Button to your blog.
First to share the desk which was going to share on Wednesday but things intervened.. it is inky as I said. Over here at OSA challenge there was a card for inspiration. 
As looked at shimmer sheet card background I thought of the sunburst to get the effect and as some of you know I have had one of my only Big and Juicy ("Hydrangea") pads out so used it for good contrast first inked in one colour the background base colour then laid over top the contrast in ray pattern by rubbing ink dauber around in the circular pattern. Sprayed with shimmer mist Diamond dust. The stamps and embossing on the central image is Artneko Front facing cats with spring Kanji, on snippet of green coloured with green end of Big and juicy pad cut with Couture creations nesting rectangle. 
The Pinterest button has been on my blog ever since I read about it on my friend's blog Jocelyn of Instead of Ironing Blogspot - over here. This week was asked how it was done. As I had been meaning to share for a while, promised to do it this week. 
I love Pinterest and it really annoys me on there when you find a card but it does not have the correct source for that card!! This button helps you to link to card itself. Jocelyn's post also tells you how to use a Google program to search the origin of an image, (Reverse Image Search) as well if you want to know as well... very helpful.
Here is the direct link to the blog which tells you how to do add Pinterest button.. just a word of warning - it does fiddle with the registry of your blog - so if that scares you, maybe get some help.
  I just did a back up of layout on Blogger (see here), prayed for help and it was fine .. triple check each move, as can be tad overwhelming if not your thing. Not my thing - first time ever done it but it was good. Before you start though think where you want your button to go on pictures as it went to default and did not like it on top right edge where it was put.
I prefer it in the middle as does not interfere with scrolling on either side, so had to go back in and change it.
I also wanted to quickly link over to Annie's smiles.. so if you want some smiles in your day, please pop over to see other posts... some "bloggy" hugs everyone!


I will comment as able but time online needs be limited, I will do my best. However I really want to thank you so very much for popping over for a peek and chat. May God bless your day wherever you maybe.
Shaz in Oz.x
Would like to join these over with the following:
1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on card .. what I want to know is why snippets keep growing faster than you use them? .   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/

.2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au (Card no 2 and 3)
3. Penny Back and more challenge - May - anything goes. http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/may-challenge.html

Wednesday 21 May 2014

Emboss Resist with Hero Arts, Lorikeets + WOYWW

Hullo there everyone - Well, another week of desk hopping here again already over at WOYWW (What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday chez Julia). 
Only one week to the big Celebration of five years of WOYWW! What glorious autumnal day we have here in Oz! Just superb, God-blessed, sunshiny weather. :D Now to matter in hand- the desk:
Mm, actually not my desk this week took a photo but still camera not 100% so this is last weeks desk.. both of them are inky. This Hero arts "Classic Fabric Design"background stamp was inked Versamark + heat embossing with white embossing powder. Then used daubers to ink over using a circular motion to apply ink from Big and Juicy "Hydrangea" pad. Love these daubers. You will see finished card on post below, with four other cards done for an order... please scroll down.
Now to the Aussie photos for today - this Rainbow Lorikeet was having a feed at our Bottlebrush - overlooking our kitchen sink, was doing dishes when he caught my eye! and was he ever the poser?! Have new video of them uploaded last week on You Tube, only two minutes if you want to see them as a group of very noisy birds at feeding time. 
Ooo, do look at me! Do look at me!!
Mm, tastes pretty good right down here... (nectar lovers).
 
 
Thanks so very much everyone for popping over for a peek and chat!
May God bless your day wherever you maybe (sorry in advance ~  I will endeavor to comment as able).
Shaz in Oz.x

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Cards for Charlotte ~ Music on Vellum, Ink Resist, LOTV + Penny Black

Hullo there everyone - well have been working for the last four weeks on this order for an elderly lady who wanted these five cards made on behalf of her ten year old great-granddaughter. It was a very specific request - and needed a poem also written for inside the cards. As it is personal and relatively long I wont share it. The styles as you will see are quite varied.
1. She is a Bass clarinettist, and Gran wanted that emphasised so did 3D of digi image I downloaded from Google, added a digiatl greeting to base card. Used SB labels 8 Fleur de Lis, and Sizzix note die. Embossing folder is CB large music one, used on vellum with lovely tinted colour to it... with MS Shell border punch, ribbon from stash and gold pearls.
2. This is Hero arts background stamp with white embossing and ink resist - showing method on my desk tomorrow for WOYWW. Used SB Petite Ovals and multiple Scallops, with rosebud lace and pearl strip.
3. "LOTV All Wrapped up" stamp on watercolour paper used water colour pencils, with glittery highlights. DP is from old stock, the centre embossing in white is from CB Caramello, SB Fancy Ovals for central image, corner in Mirri card with Marianne Corner die. SB Petite oval and SB fancy labels attached to end.
4. Penny Black "You are the Bestest" stamp .. usually see it in orange and greens, but this lady wanted mainly mauve, so used artistic licence on the daffodils :D. This is really not my normal style as used a fussier layout, but again this lady likes fussy. Lots of features I dont normally go for, not sure if like it... love the Primsacolors though, which used on the image. Corners on left are actually part of square Fleur de Lis cut up. SB Hexagons and cut outside the die - see this post on how to do this. Snippet of lace found in sewing cabinet.
5. Another music one on vellum again but with stamped and gold embossed image, from Victorine Originals bought on eBay years ago now. Corners are Gold Mirri snippets CB Vintage corners, "Charlotte" is from Olivia CB alphabet. The SU Itty Bitty banners die was extended for this banner, with a really old unnamed "Just for you" wooden stamp about twenty years old! Lace, bling, and ribbon from stash.
I will comment as able but time online needs be limited, I will do my best. However I really want to thank you so very much for popping over for a peek and chat. May God bless your day wherever you maybe.
Shaz in Oz.x
Would like to join these over with the following:
1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on all card .. that's me!  - but will enter card 4 and 5.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/
2..Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au (Card no 2 and 3)

Friday 16 May 2014

Oriental Stamp Art card + Annie's Friday Smiles

Over at Oriental Stamp Art challenge #272 there is the challenge to make a card according to the image shown on blog post, kindly arranged each week by Sonia. 
Strips of Washi paper left over, glued to base card. Images two from Artneko Spring set (see on this link and below) stamped on snippet of gold in black and heat embossed. Cut with SB large labels and snippet of black ribbon.
 
This week's Challenge 272 was to make a landscape card with strips of washi or similar paper as background and stamped focal image.

 It was really providential, this week brought a parcel from Annette at OSA and in it there were these strips of washi.. almost as if she knew the challenge was coming up. {A dear friend of mine says: "Co-incidence is God's way of remaining anonymous" and the LORD does use such kind-hearted folk..}
Stamps used on card are from the new Spring set, I think this has to be a favourite collection. You can find them over here.. just beautiful!
(Mm picture is very flat, as was taken with my mobile. My camera and I aren't talking just at moment.. I am praying can sort it without visit to camera shop.. probably related to A.G.E  syndrome).

For today have a smile or two for you.. I wanted to link over with Annie's Smile ("A Stitch In Time") today too, as it is Friday. Pop over here for some more smiles! I saw this this week on my Anne 's blog and loved it..

Gotta love the encouraging thinking of Pooh... as says in the book of Psalms:
"This the day which the LORD has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it"
To follow on from last weeks post where I shared the baby lorikeets, I thought I would share the grown up variety in our garden:
 and there is a video of them.. just uploaded.
Please click the link  below for 2 min video, as cant get this to embed yet. Blogger is not co-operating.
  http://youtu.be/SoD9apPY9Yc
They are very noisy clowns in the garden as you will hear.. just uploaded but took it a while back know.. haven't they the most amazing plumage? very blessed to share this part of the world with them and and you..
Was hiding behind the washing while taking it and they are trying to work out what I am doing at first!! Not the expert and this was just my regular camera. The other day as was reversing in car down driveway, about a foot from one feeding in front yard, he looked at me to see who it was, then kept on feeding. :D
.. hope and pray it makes your day go along with a smile.. 
... every blessing of the LORD upon you and your doings this day, love Shaz in Oz.x
PS commenting as able.. we sleep when you are up, here in downunder :D
Linking over to:
1.. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on card.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/
this card is made of snippetty strips of washi
2..Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au 
3.Over at Our Daily Bread their weekly challenge is "F-L-O-W-E-R word challenge  " - so would like to link up my card to that challenge. Must have four elements starting with letters.. 
http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/odbdslc202-f-l-o-w-e-r-word-challenge.html

Friday 9 May 2014

Birthday card with Monet + Annie's smiles

Well, just a very quick post here .. as have two cards to share here. First one is for a close family birthday.
 Jan is a  watercolour artist so wanted to be special. Great digi image which is called Mrs Monet and Son  by Claude Monet, image was free from my friend Ginny (link here to post) on her blog. Mounted on Spellbinder Fleur de Lis Labels 8 had cut around top layer to match bottom layer.
 Folder is the one I cut down ages ago now .. see this post here - it was 8 x 8 made it a 6x 8 with border die :D (see here) and dont have large machine but so wanted it.
Above is my desk when I was making it.. and embossed with Crafter's Companion Die'sire Embossalicious Embossing Folder - Regency Swirls a black sheet of cardboard then highlighted with pigment ink Blue Glacier Opalite which gives it a lovely blue green sheen on this brown/black cardboard and the one below which is a black-black cardboard. I have three reams half used of black card, and the bottom one is the blackest of them - was using snippets hence different colours. I have them categorized that way, and this Tsukneko interference ink showed what difference the colours make - it was really striking. {as snippets involved all over this card from the gold sheet which was back off another card sent me, digi was printed out in February.. etc. off  to playground!}
This card was made for a friend Karen who was having a rough time with cancer.. and still having it - secondary, so prayer appreciated. Hence the verse I chose, I think from Word Art Wednesday .
right click and chose " save as " for download..
Used the Nicecrane Birds and Blossoms, (with tiny snippet of ribbon, that was all of it). Digi verse I think from http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au.
True living strength and peace is found in the hearts of those resting..and trusting in their God.
and to close wanted to link over with Annie's Smile ("A Stitch In Time") today too, as it is Friday.
Do pop over and peek there as her post will lighten your heart! it is such cutie over there! no, not below :D!
this is me when I first get up... yup, glam puss plus!!
Here is one to make you smile! Okay, not my photo, nor in my garden.. but we do have these rainbow lorikeets here, these are juveniles I suspect!
Aren't they the cutest? 
.. hope and pray it makes you day go along with a smile.. 
... every blessing of the LORD upon you and your doings this day, love Shaz in Oz.x
PS commenting as able.. we sleep when you are up, here in downunder :D

1. Di's Snippety challenge - Used  a number of snippets on card.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/
2..Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au
3.Over at Our Daily Bread their weekly challenge is "Wing it " - so would like to link up second image to that challenge.
http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/odbdslc201-wing-it.html

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Cutting an Image Outside Die + Spellbinder Gold Labels 4 + WOYWW

Hullo everyone! yes it is WOYWW - or What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday  over here at Julia's ("the Stamping Ground blog")..... and here is my desk right now this late Wednesday afternoon in Oz.
 The detritus from one card made and two cards on the go. Middle image is House Mouse balloons, which required cutting out side the circle - see photo below. On right + centre are leftovers from my sister's 60th yesterday (finished card below) include Bow Easy under ribbon, plus snippets which weren't right in back centre. On the left is another  card with watercoloured LOTV image, on the make for card order mentioned last week.
Sometimes the image lends itself to cutting outside the image with die.. so here is how it is done. Pencilled area where to cut in from, carefully cut around that to lift the part that has to go over the die and line up okay for cutting. Card not made yet.
Blue and white tile card on started last weeks desk for my SiL birthday to see beginning just scroll down. Greeting is a digi one formatted in Word doc. Stamps are Penny Black background ones, except Bamboo which is Victorine Original. Punch is EK Success.
Card made for my sister (family name is "Didi" from Diane) made with CB Textile Folder, Spellbinder Gold labels 4 layered, coloured with SU Bashful Blue, digi greeting, ribbon is courtesy of my friend from from Nth Ireland Joyce of crafty Quills.
Here are Didi's other handmade cards - from grandee's Emily (2) and Thomas (4). Cute, huh?
The photo from Oz this week is one from my sister's verandah yesterday morning, when there for her birthday. Someone is catching a wave in centre.. such blue waters! and superb colours of God creation! {a little chillier here now as we head towards winter 10 - 21c temps}
Well,  have to get back to real work :D  and get those cards made.
Commenting is limited as have two commissions - an illuminated text(not started yet) and card order, five in all, so must move along. Will try and get around to all (and more) who call but maybe not till weekend.
May God bless each of you this day in all that you do - and thanks for popping over and making my day.. you bless my heart, 
Shaz in Oz.x
Would like to join over with 
1.Di's Snippety challenge - Used snippets on both card - lots.   http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ 
2. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au
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