A warm welcome to all my visitors,

Thank you for taking the time to come and look at my blog, I really do appreciate it. I would love you to leave me a comment, even if it’s just to say Hi. It means I can come visit you!

All my designs are original, so copyrighted to me. If I have been inspired by someone elses work, I have named them in the post, and where able, I have provided a link.

Please feel free to use my designs for inspiration, I just ask you to credit me, and provide a link back to my blog.

Thanks, Shaz XX

Wednesday, 6 January 2016

WOYWW #344

Happy New Year to everyone, and lets hope it's full of all the good things we'd wish each other. First WOYWW of the year, and here's my offering:
Not a total mess, I'd obviously just swept a load of bits into the bin. The surprising thing really should be the amount of Christmas stuff still on my desk. I have to admit that normally all my Christmas stuff is long since cleared away, me being sick of the sight of it by now. But this year that hasn't happened, and I've been getting ideas for Christmas cards  popping into my head. Which may be because I decided definitely there will be no mass production of the same design this year- I think thats what really bores me. Plus, by making 4 or 6 of a design, I can use a lot more stamps than usually see ink. So thats what I've been doing, and later in the week I'll start blogging the cards I've made.
This is what was in two of the padded envelopes you can see in the picture. Whilst making a couple of the cards, I used up almost all of my red flatback gems, (holly berries) and I discovered I had no dark orange/coppery coloured ones, so I ordered 3mm and 4mm sizes of dark red, dark orange and a golden brown. I added a haematite/pewter colour too, as I don't have any black that are fairly sparkly. I have some black, but not as much sparkle as these.Right, time to get yourself over to our lovely Julias, at The Stamping Ground, and link yourself if you haven't already. See you later folks.

27 comments:

Helen said...

I've always had enough of Christmas cards by Christmas, so it's great that you are still inspired - and a great head start on next Christmas! Love those packs of gems. Helen #?

buterfliecrafter said...

That's a whole collection of gems. Vicky #9

Annie said...

Oh Shaz I am so impressed at you already getting going with Christmas cards for next year.....my intention is good every year but it never happens lol.
Really hope we can all have lots of creative fun time in 2016.
Hugs,
Annie x #20

Barb said...

Hi Shaz, Well done making an early start. I like the glittered images and goodness that's a lot of gems you have there. Have a very happy 2016. Barb x #28

Anne said...

hello Shaz and a happy New Year. I should do what you are doing and start my Christmas cards now. had to buy some as I just ran out of time. It really grieved me - I've so many stamp sets etc and I was not over keen on ones I saw for sale. Ah well hope to do better this time round. Anne x #34

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Brilliant to see Shaz, so utterly pleased. I am sorry have been AWOL been unwell..never to my recollection used those falt back gems although do have some now. Not holly berry ones though. Would if had some of them.
Happy WOYWW, so nice to be back in Deskland again, too!
Shaz in Oz.x #19

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Robyn Oliver said...

Hi Shaz, making your cards throughout the year is the way to go, it worked so well for me last year, but must say I am having time off Christmas cards this month. Have a great week RobynO#21

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Hi Shaz! A fairly neat desk! You made me want to buy some of those gems, even though my new year resolution was not to buy so much craft stuff! Darn! I'm so weak willed when it comes to art products. I'd sooner give up chocolate, LOL! Happy WOYWW! zsuzsa #39

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oooh! Love those gems - who do you order from - err, if you don't mind sharing that info! I have decided that I am going to make Christmas cards throughout the year too - there is a challenge site that have quite good prompts - ABC Christmas challenge - it's in my challenge list on my blog - not so good this time though - anything goes…huh!!! It has a new challenge every two weeks Have a great week! Hugs, Chris#38

Julia Dunnit said...

Gah, week one and you're already enabling! The trouble with gems is that one colour is not enough. And they are small enough to feel as if you're not overdoing it, until about bag number 20! Glad you're getting to use newer stamps and things, I bet you feel Christmas card-y now because you were ever so slightly out of action when they were due for making last year!

Unknown said...

I'm impressed! Making Christmas cards! Love the gems, great way to add bling! And I don't like to mass produce either, I also want to use a variety of stamps. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Carol N #43

glitterandglue said...

Hi Shaz. Wow! Already crafting in the new year - well done. I've not thought about ideas for Christmas cards yet, although I have had to be really busy with birthday cards!
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #2

Christine said...

Well done with the start for next December!!! Hope you can keep it up, I've started following Merry Monday Christmas in the hope I will be able to keep up and be ready by December.

have a good week
Christine

Bishopsmate #53

lisa said...

Well done you getting ahead with your Christmas cards. I think I may have to do the same thing as mass production bores me too and I usually run out out steam. You look as though you've got the sparkle covered too!!
Happy New Year
Hugs Lisax #18

Stacy Sheldon said...

I am nodding and grinning because, that is exactly how I do mine. ( a whole bunch of them do get made in January and February each year) ( in less than 6 of anything) there is an "Christmas card" challenge at scs and my own goal is to make 4 cards each month. ( but, I tend to work ahead in the winter and skip June and July when its just too hot to stamp here) :)
~Stacy #55

CraftygasheadZo said...

Those gems look lush - I confess I often buy clear ones and colour them with my Copics to match my project. Mainly as I never think ahead when creating and go with the flow! Sending you & Doug best wishes. Take care Zo xx 42

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

And a Happy Ne Year to you and yours, Shaz. Your comment about Christmas made me smile as one of my ladies said today, "Oh, it's so nice not to be making Christmas cards." I don't usually start in class until Hallowe'en is done and dusted, but the group were insistent they wanted to begin earlier this year. I think they regretted that decision and I know I was sick of the sight of them by the end!

Fiona #56

Unknown said...

It's funny, I'm not tired of my Christmas stuff either. I want to keep stitching some more reindeers--can't help it! Happy new year, and here's to a wonderful 2016. Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #41

Clair said...

I'm still working with my holiday stash as well. I'm enjoying scrapbooking some of my recent photographs, but I must admit I'm a little bored with the red/green combination now! :)

There are some challenge blogs that encourage year-round card making, so you might find them useful if you want to keep up the momentum!

Clair x
WOYWW #25

Sharon said...

I'd keep going while you're still inspired lol. I don't know about you but sometimes it takes me a while to get in the Christmas mood.

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Shaz, I think this is the best time to make Christmas cards while you still have the feeling. Thanks for the visit to mine, have a great woyww and happy crafting, Angela x 32

Neet said...

They look great - where did you buy them (the gems).
Glad you and Doug are enjoying yourselves and making a good start to the New Year.
Hugs, Neet xx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I had planned to visit last night, but right after I linked to Julia, my electricity went off. It came back on a short time ago, so now I'm trying to catch up with everyone. I can't believe you are already starting on this year's C cards. But I sure like those gems. They are really lovely colors. Thanks for visiting while I was offline. Happy WOYWW from #1.

Shoshi said...

I love gems! You know you can buy clear ones, shake them with some alcohol ink of your choice in a little bag, and lo and behold you've got custom coloured gems!! My favourite time of year is early Jan. because it's as far away from Christmas as it's possible to be lol!! I haven't made any Christmas cards for years and my hubby sends the cards these days. You have been on my conscience, Shaz, and I must apologise for not contacting you before - to thank you for the quite beautiful card you sent - so much appreciated!! am amazed at how much you have been able to make since your operation - you must be more dedicated than me, to overcome the lack of mojo. I'm only just getting back into things. I agree that tidying up the studio is a step in the right direction and will probably help motivate me some more.

I hope you are feeling a lot better and stronger now. I'll email you.

Happy New Year and happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #22

Art Joy of Sharing with Peg and Shel said...

I know what you mean about the repetitive card making. Loads of lovely gems you have there. Peg 66

Unknown said...

I love those gems too although I can't seem to find a place that sells them here. the colors you chose are perfect! As for the Christmas stuff, each year is different and you certainly had a different kind of year! Give yourself a break and it will all get put away when you are ready to. I always enjoy seeing the different techniques you use to create your cards! Thank you for the visit earlier. Diane #35

Anonymous said...

Oooh pretty sparkly things! Excellent!

Also I Christmas craft all year round whenever I get the urge so I understand things being out. I also don't mass make as that is boring and a chore rather than fun and creative. I try and make at least a couple at a time though to make sure I get through the number I need to!

Thanks for sharing, and have a good week!
Catherine #38

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