I don't know what to write today. I've been a bit in limbo for the past few days as far as crafting is concerned as we lost someone very dear to us crafters and it knocked me for a bit of a six. My desk just has unfinished things on it, or things that went wrong when I tried to do them (ie the journal closed up so you don't see the mess I made of a simple workshop), the two unfinished books.
Our lovely Queen of Enabling, Shaz, left this mortal world on Saturday, after fighting so hard to remain with her beloved husband, Doug. She was one heck of a tough cookie and had suffered so much, but guess her mind was that much stronger than her body and she had eventually to let go. If ever two people were meant for one another it was Doug N' Shaz. Doug has asked that wer write, on their Facebook age, how we met and attach, if we can, any photos we have. Up to now I have not been able to do it, but maybe now I can.
As for photos there is this one from the Crop in 2018 - I have yet to see a photo of Shaz not smiling, that I must use.
Shaz, me and Shaz in Oz
It is from WOYWW that I first knew Shaz but I got to meet her and Doug several extra times at Port Sunny when they came up to the shows. I love this photograph of them both.
Has there ever been a photograph of Shaz where she is not smiling? Even when not well she had a smile for you. She certainly was willing to pass on her knowledge of how to do things and I well remember how she used to bring all of her dies (and she had a helluva collection) just for us to use as we wished at the Crops. One thing I particularly remember is when she started colouring in figures with pencil crayons. I could not believe the perfection she got using them. But she was not satisfied that day at the Crop and she went on to perfect and perfect her technique.
She was amazing in all that she did. She shared anything and everything, techniques she tried out, short cuts in crafting, her immense knowledge of products and her enabling. I think there are many WOYWW'ers who have bought something because they knew they could trust the product because it had been tried and tested by Shaz.
And so today I mourn the loss of a wonderful lady, but am thankful that, as her husband Doug said, she passed peacefully in her sleep. I only hope Doug will keep in touch with us all through the land of blogging and when we can once more meet up again at a Crop, that he will be there as one of us.
Shaz and I shared a love of Steampunk and Dragons in particular. I had this bought for me at a Steampunk Exhibition I went to and intended wearing it at the next Crop (which didn't happen) to show to my friend Shaz Silverwolf.
I will wear it with honour and remember Shaz, our friend and her lovely husband Doug on a special day.
She will be missed by so many, a true legend amongst us crafters.
