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 29 March 2017

WOYWW with Power Poppy + Scrappy Mo's Christmas Challenge

Warning - picture heavy post :D

Hi everyone, well the days are rattling by in March, wow blink and they're gone!
Have some steps of the making yesterday for a special birthday with a Power Poppy Digital Image of a trout. Step 1: Cut, then coloured  the base, added some glossy accents with brush for splashes in image, trialed colours for fish on base. Used SB Pierced rectangle to pierce large rectangle main image.
Step 2: Prismas laid out, just about to colour top image as intend to 3D the image. Looked up a couple of images for colour and tone ideas, etc.
Step 3: Here's finished rainbow trout, which are actually found here, though not naturally. Trimmed it and also the pop up pieces have been cut around and rounded with rounding tool as well. I then adhere  to base image with Silicone glue for dimension + flexible when mailing..
Finished card. Used a piece of glossy Brusho snippet to cut out Happy Birthday (Elizabeth craft designs, I think) "70 " is from discontinued CB Olivia alphabet. DP is a digi I scanned and changed colours, the original colour is snippet on birthday greeting.
 

Sprayed it with glimmer mist plus the glossy accent to make it really looking wet.
My Rudolph day card (25th till end of month) thrown together last night, in less than half hour from my Christmas snippets box. Gotta love snippets.
The verse is digi "The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world."
A good thing to remember at Easter time which is approaching! Dies - SB Petite ovals scalloped + Cottage Cutz pierced ovals, Stencil piece, from ages ago, by Dreamweaver with gold paste. Kaisercraft corner rounder punch used. EF, cant recall done last Christmas.
Today we had a big trip and hour half south to visit family We used to often visit this place when we lived down this was it has two good beaches to choose from..
Big beach and Little beach we called them .. original, huh??? this tiled piece was on one of the amenity blocks .. there were a number done in 2001.

Big beach above and below


Little Beach above and below.
Looks beautiful and serene today .. with small surf but wont be tomorrow. Up north in Qld. Cyclone Debbie hit and much damage there. We had low over us which is heading north, and joining up with ex-TC Debbie heading south - tomorrow we are in for a wet, wild day again - gale force winds big seas and rain+.
God willing, it wont be too big a dump of rain as we are still rather waterlogged from the 17" or 425mm dump from a fortnight ago.
That's it for today - thanks dear wonderful folks - you are all such a blessing to me!
.. thanks so VERY much for all your lovely comments and may the LORD bless your day wherever you may be!
Shaz in Oz.x

Linking over to:
1. Rudolph day challenge over at Scrappy Mo's
2.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

Friday 24 March 2017

It's Happy Smiles Day over at Annie's 😊

WOYWW post below... see HERE, folks.

If this iPad will play ball I will post a quick post for Annie's smiles..Over here 😊
I had some visitors a few weeks back, two different lots, and we had the best of fun..

Today, I'm sharing some of the pickies. 'Cos it's summer here or it was then, when we went swimming.
Has turned a bit cooler since then, but still went swimming this week.
And here it is!!
It is a very large rock pool, naturally formed in part and added to by man. We swam in it, on our beach holidays as children.
It was built in early 1960's, I think it said on the sign.
We had so much fun - it very deep at the deep end but shallow closest to us, there is natural rock platform for diving off too.
I do hope you enjoyed the pickies .. I also have another swimming place, which I swam at this week, on my WOYWW post below this.
Thanks for popping over for some smiles, please do say hi to let me know you've been by.
God bless and keep you throughout all your way.
Shaz in Oz.x

"I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me..The LORD is on my side; I will not fear:  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." Ps 118:5 & 8

Wednesday 22 March 2017

WOYWW + Penny Black Bejewelled + Snippets

hi there one and all,
Firstly to my desk ..... 
Well here tis pretty boring .. I'm tidying up desk working area from making two DT cards which naturally I cannot show you! As Julia would say there are two pairs of scissor .. different sizes, different uses!! Lovely pad and ribbon that may give a clue for one of the two cards. There is at right rear, a corner rounder punch large size by Fiskars, (another hint) which I love and works much better than first one I bought, which was a dud (of different variety, but same brand, which Spotlight changed over for me even though i couldn't find my receipt pretty kind I thought). And you can see the clock says it is past three in the afternoon, when I took it. Two monkeys are falling over because a wooden stamp fell off its perch and knocked them over..
I've some cards to share also,which if finished mostly as presents to folks who had birthdays at end of Feb. and beginning of March. I've some friends who Iove hand made cards and don't have time to craft.. and when pennies are running out due to an oversupply of birthdays in one month or two, this is good route to take 😁
Cards I: Last month for my sisters 60th I used stamp, called Bejewelled by Penny Black see HERE .... step by step shown.
  Then mounted stamped image upon card. Used a new birthday die I bought on very cheap sale, Poppy Stamps Happy Birthday Die cut to in purple and laid it on vellum.
Card 2: I love this card, it was so snippety, everything was just bits laying around craft room, cardmaking detritus. Verse printed off ages ago most of sheet used, I inked up the background I. These colours cos it's my friends favourite colour, that and butterflies so had to get out the butterfly punch and ribbon, too.The DP was a kind gift from RosA of WOYWW! Thank you, Ros.
Card 3:  Also a Bejeweled images, I used the Sue Wilson "Just for You" Greeting Die for it, with contrasting mounting colours.
To the Aussie shots... I've just come back for the loveliest dip ( ie swim) down at the jetty and the water after all our rain in past week(450 mm or 18 inches) was so bubbling fresh there. Loved it. 👍 Very, very God-blessed to live here. 😃
 Here 'tis, the jetty! Saw lots of seabirds today, as there was some  Cunjevoi (it's an Aboriginal name, they ate it apparently, now used for bait for some fish) they're off jetty pylons, or on rockshelf, brought in by high seas. See photo. The sea birds like to eat them,  especially the oyster catchers.

Well that's it for me today, thanks so very much for popping over for a peek and chat, your comments mean a lot to me. 
I want to take a moment too, to thank all who've become real encouragers over the six years of blogging and especially those who've taken the time to join this blog too! ❤❤❤
You are so very much appreciated.
Shaz in Oz.x

"Inasmuch ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." 

Joining up with:
1.Word Art Wednesday - anything goes  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/
2. Joining in over at playground used snippets on all but entering card 2. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/pixies-snippets-playground-week-273-and.html
3. http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com.au/ Use bright colours and PB, first card.

Wednesday 15 March 2017

Bokeh Method Take 2 -Bizzy Becs DT -

Well, 'tis the 15th of the month so time for another DT post for Bizzy Bec's! Thought we'd take another look at the Bokeh method!   (Japanese: [boke]) is the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus parts of an image produced by a lens)
Here's a peek!
LESSON 1: dont get it too wet or it will dry blotchy like mine.. I used distress inks  on watercolour but worked out afterwards used the wrong side of watercolour paper pad too.
LESSON 2
: think re-inkers would be better but dont have many of those.
LESSON 3:  when you die cut use heaviest quality piece of acetate as you can get, mine was. Scrap I had was from a lid, but noticed the video (link here) she had trouble with that. The white bubbles are overlapped and are done with chalk ink, it is better really if you dry between, I also did the different sizes it three (odd numbers -> better balance) of larger size then five (or so of next size and more of last size.
Have cut the two lots of prim poppies and arranged them on the oval die cut of Bokeh background. One bud I chose to use reverse side of bud, (ie turned it over so it faced other way). Shaped all flowers accordingly with shaping tool on mat.

Items used:
Watercolour Paper
 

Ranger Mini blending tool 
Distress inks - varied
Spellbinder Elegant Ovals
Cottage cutz stitched oval
(fits the spellbinder ovals perfectly)
Impressions Obsession Greeting die set.
This background was made see here, on last month's post..applied bokeh background then added the diecut frame with Tonic scalloped rectangle die, Butterfly is Joy Vintage Fourish butterfly and the thanks is CB Olivia alphabet die . discontinued years back.
Now to the Aussie shots.. on a drive up into the hills behind out town at lookout looking over it and some of lovely greenery up there too!

 You may like to join in with the March Anything Goes challenge over at Bizzy Bec's ... you just might win that stamp or die prize!
I really appreciate all who call by to say hi! and also would love it if any of you have time to pop over and comment on my DT post over here at Bizzy Bec's blog!
 May God richly bless your day wherever you may be! 
Shaz in Oz.x

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galations 6 vs 9 

Linking up to:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes     http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au  
Used snippets, watercolours and white card on dies.. I really love how dies are snippet users!  my first card's bokeh background was originally made two years ago.. see here!!!
2. Di's Snippety challenge - http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com.au/
3. Allsorts Challenge Week 406 - For Ladies and Girls 
4. Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - For a Special Lady/Girl 
  (second card with scalloped bordered frame made with Tonic dies.)

Wednesday 8 March 2017

WOYWW = Brushos with Cling wrap meet Birch tree Die!

hi there one and all,
Firstly to my desk, as it is WOYWW or What is on your Workdesk Wednesday (pop over to Julia's and please join in, do!).
Desk shows some brushos with cling wrap method, which I made after reading this post on Loll's  blog called "Stamping with Loll".

As you can see I've some watercolour paper on which I've liberally sprinkled brushos (Cobalt, Crimson, Yellow Ochre + Black), spritzed with water and shimmer mist, added crinkled damp cling wrap to it and left to dry.
The birch tree die is a CCD to quote RosA, or a cheap china die (look under Lazy Lady on eBay with birch tree in search. I wanted to make this die into a frame although it was meant to be cut out and laid on top.
As you see I managed it, it was tricky die cutting meant you didn't run it through all way either end, but stopped just before it ran out. Then taking a craft knife (which requires a strong, skilful hand and I don't own either!), I trimmed along the top in small cuts to lift out sections between the trunks. Not perfect but most folks wont notice.. just fusspots like me:D
Shimmer on the watercolour paper, pretty pretty and quite cool, eh??
Finished card, added a piece of vellum and a die cut "happy birthday" by Elizabeth Craft Designs from Bizzy Bec's
 
As you can see the details of the cuts .. the die does cut off bottom and would've done if I'd rolled it through both ends. You can also see the rather imperfect cutting :)
I've made another one of these cards with Penny Black stamp "Bejewelled"... shown first on this post here... have couple more to share yet, too, waiting in wings.
This card was shown back here - in different format and said I didn't like it.. so here is the transformation! LOVE it now!

Thought it time for pineapple update... just a reminder .. this image below is how it was like just after Christmas. So it is half way through its growing stage I would guess,  maybe ripe in May?
 
We've had some very big seas, this was taken late yesterday afternoon!
There is an east coast low several km south of here, off the coast, hence the big tidal swell, and crashing wind-swept waves..
It really was a strong wind and we felt for this pilot flying into the wind trying to land his plane .. which he did .. see image below.
 


Thanks so much everyone for popping over and saying hi!
And may God bless your day wherever you may be!
 Shaz in Oz.x
         Ask, and it shall be given you; 
Seek, and ye shall find; 
                                            Knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" John 7:7
And a very special welcome to Andrea of ARTY ANDREA who has joined this 'ere 'umble blog..  Andrea is from WOYWW and I'm pretty sure she's joined my blog before but blogger can be tricky and its lovely to have her here, again!
Joining up with: 
1. CAS Watercolor challenge - http://caswatercolour.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/cas-watercolour-march-challenge.html   Must be CAS design (including open space) and follow challenge theme The main part of your design must include watercolouring or a product that uses water. 
 2. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au  
3. Challenge 240 Anything goes .http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.com.au/ 
4. Artistic Inspirations #174 Anything goes
5. Simon Says Monday Callenge - make your Own background. tree card. http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/

 

Sunday 5 March 2017

Bizzy Bec's Anything Goes - Slate Blue, Glossy accents + Memory Box dies.

Hullo one and all, 
'Tis time yet again for another "ANYTHING GOES" challenge over at Bizzy Bec's for the month of March! Join in, please do, you just might win the prize of stamp or a die! here's a wee peek at my card... yes, it is a slate blue butterfly with glossy accents :D

Decided it was time to use dies, much neglected, but loved none the less.
 I do love memory Box and Bec has some of best prices around - check out here! if the one you want isn't on the list Bec will do her best to source it for you!
Here using the MB Vivienne die, with some slate blue designer paper, it was a bit pale so added some more depth of ink colour with assorted shades of Distress ink * Stormy sky, etc.
I took a piece of white card and die cut the Memory box Piestra Tile die,( available still, although not listed in 531  Memory Box items on website, so just check with Bec).
I then inked in Black Onyx Versafine the "sending hugs" sentiment from Lawn Fawn "So Much To Say", and heat embossed in EP. Do love this sentiments stamp set!
 
Coating the butterfly in glossy accents in stages, top first then under layer as didn't want them to stick together.

Adding the Designer paper inked onto back of MB Piestra tile die cut.
  Decided I need a few small hearts so took the Impression Obsession Heart  hearts die.
Cut a few and added below, after coating with glossy accents.


A photo of Australia today... a view taken at dawn from the train on my mobile phone just out of Brisbane... There were three hot air balloons taking off, but because of the sun angle my camera on mobile only caught one.
Well, that's it for today... dont forget to pop over and join in Bec's Anything Goes "March" challenge .. you just might win the prize :D
May the LORD bless you and those you love, wherever you might be. 
Thanks so much for popping over for a peek and a chat. 
Shaz in Oz.x

PS a special welcome to new encourager + a new blogger - the lovely Dorlene of http://craftsinthecommandcenter.blogspot.com.au/
Check out her lovely spot and creations ... and leave her some encouragement along the way. Thank you, dear friends.
EDIT: Delighted that this card made the Top 3:D 
Thank you, Mrs A!

"He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven"
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...