Sunday 8 November 2015

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 202

Well, we made it to Sunday without the Playground being totally wrecked by all the fireworks, bonfire and general shenanigans! It's been a giggle hopping round after Sarn and watching how many of you agreed to bring food and hooch for the party. Ha, 'hopping' around was the order of the day as well for sure.

Anyhow, I did manage to make a snippets card for today, did two almost the same and it took me two days in between resting up. There's this one below, and I also switched the clothing, book colours and snowflake edged background for light and dark blue on a second card:
I used:

- 5" x 5" square white card blank

- a Hobby Art clear stamp set called 'Have A Very Mice Christmas' and Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink. I used just one of the five different mouse stamps to create a little choir by stamping, masking and more stamping - the masking instructions came with the stamp set

- then added the sentiment and some musical notes that also come with the set

- coloured the choir using Whispers pens. Am afraid it's quite patchy (made all the more so by the photo of course) and Pro Markers would have been a better choice but I couldn't lift the big rack/set across to my desk whilst balancing on one leg :)

- using a snippet of red card (probably SU's 'Real Red') and the Martha Stewart Punch Around The Page (PATP) 'Aspen Snowflake' set I created a 'frame' for the image

- trimmed the image down to fit and rounded the corners using an X-Cut corner rounder punch

- tickled the little choristers' ruffs with clear Wink of Stella just to add some glisten

- glued the layers onto the card blank and called it a day

Isn't it strange how we go mad for particular products and then almost forget we have them as styles move on and our own crafting style changes/evolves? I went really dotty over Martha Stewart punches a few years ago including the PATP ones - and am ashamed to say I have loads of them languishing here. Time to play with them a bit more I think!

The stamp set I used today really is adorable, it comes with five little meece stamps as I already said - one in a stocking, a chorister as I used today, one in a fur trimmed cloak and Santa hat, a fairy and also a modern mouse in a duffle coat. It also has little extras such as the sentiment (a bit cheesy - snigger - but really quite perfect for the images!), music notes, a plum pudding, piece of cheese wrapped in a ribbon and two teeny meece. So, you get loads of lovely stamps in the one really cute set - and I reckon that might be a pointer to this coming week's prize :)

But first, let's run through the weekly picks. I had the usual tough time choosing the 'final cut' from all of the possibles I'd jotted down - and if your snippets make doesn't appear as a pick it certainly doesn't mean it's any less fabulous!

I totally love this card, made by Jackie T. A darling image and all those lovely die cut snowflakes make it really pretty and very special.

Sonia brought us yet another fabulous make this week - this is one amazing bottle for sure! Beautifully decorated, and as always, Sonia has given lots of detail about how to do it can be found on her blog.

Kate is someone else with masses of patience. What a wonderful scenic representation of London - it's so detailed and I'm not surprised it was a hit with one of Kate's sons.

Oh this is such a fun card, made by JaneW. Do hope over to Jane's blog for a closer peek - this is the inside of the card and the outside is also great. It's a 'man flu' card :) Very clever and the details of how Jane made it are on her blog post.

I absolutely adore this Christmas card, made by Helen. It's just perfection, such a lovely design, beautifully made and coloured - and the addition of little snippets to paper piece the 'trio's' hats/scarves is brilliant!

Em hopped in waving a brilliant mug - perfect for filling with chocolates, sweets or perhaps Snowman Soup ingredients.  I do so love this, and it's an unusual make for the Playground - with a link to a tutorial in case you fancy having a play!

And we have two new Playmates this week:

This is a CD cover mini album, made by Kavita. So cute, and I love the little bears - made by quilling - amazing result and doubtless they took an absolute age to make!

Love this Halloween card, brought to show by Amanda (Purplemurtle) - love all the Autumn colours and the little kitty in the pumpkin :)

Welcome to the Playground girls - it would be lovely to see you again!

Bit of a drum roll now as it's time to choose the winner of the stamps (Woodware 'Christmas Bells' plus the four singles donated by Greta) from last week - and the winner is:

Oh WOW Eeemeli, I'm so, so pleased your name finally came out as a winner! Eeemeli has played with us since February of this year and has featured in the weekly picks but sadly my little welcome to her was in the week that I lost a lot of the post afterwards including the weekly picks and new folk and couldn't retrieve much of it. But just so you know, this was the very first card that Eeemeli brought to show us in week 162:
Clever isn't it? I do love the idea of offsetting the inner circles - a great way to use snippets and also a super design!

I don't have your address Eeemeli, so can you please drop me an email (di_wray@hotmail.com), and the stamps will be on their way to you as soon as possible.

And the prize this coming week is, as I expect you already know:
It's a Hobby Art clear stamp set called 'Have A Very Mice Christmas' - exactly the same as the one I used on my snippets card - along with a sheet of instructions to make the 'chorister mouse' masking process easier to work out - although you would still have to cut two little masks out of course. The larger mice are between 2 and 2.5 inches in height BTW. It's not a massive prize in the great scheme of things, but there are lots of elements to play with - and I know lots of you just play for fun a lot of the time. 

Even if you aren't into 'cute' and don't want to be in with a chance of the prize, I do hope you find time to come and play anyhow :) 
 
The Snippets Challenge will run for one week and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 14th November. The gates will open again at midnight UK time on the same day.

Maximum of three entries and please also link back to the Playground in your blog post to be eligible for the draw. As always, I only include folk who say a positive 'yes' for the prize in a comment.

Mr Linky is below - please let me know if you have any problems linking, it's easy for me to sort out so don't struggle on alone :)

Have a great week - here's hoping things are more peaceful in the Playground, although I suspect there'll soon be Christmas in the air of course! I just can't wait to see what's on the 'mischief agenda' for that ............ not :)

Quick update on the toe/foot saga. I had to hop back to the docs on Friday as any improvement to date had been minuscule and the first lot of pills were finished and can't be repeated straight away. But the blood tests did point to grout (as Sarn calls it!). So now I'm on a strong dose of steroids for a few days - plus the strong painkillers. Quick edit at 11pm on Saturday, pain isn't as bad, and there's a more noticeable reduction in the redness and swelling - plus the joint is itchy albeit still painful (apparently a sign that the attack is subsiding). Bit scared to hope but perhaps things are finally turning around.

All this means that I haven't managed to package and post off your prizes from last week - I'll do it just as soon as I'm able, I promise!

However, there's absolutely nothing wrong with my ears, eyes and sense of smell - just thought I'd warn you, in advance of any more mad plans for the Playground :)

And of course, it's also Remembrance Sunday today - 'Lest we forget':

Coming from a family with a long military background, and being brought up as an Army child, today is always very poignant - as will be Wednesday 11/11 of course.


Di
x

60 comments:

  1. So pleased your gouty toe seems to be responding to the new medication Di and it's a miracle with your problems this week you have managed to keep up to date with everything and make a cute card with those lovely stamps. What a great idea to stamp and mask to create a whole micey choir and I love the PATP snowflake background too. Congratulations to Eemeli for winning the draw last week and again what a fabulous lot of highlights with some very clever creations. Hope your toe continues to improve, fingers crossed (not toes though!!!)

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    1. I meant to say that we watched the Remembrance Concert from the Albert Hall this evening and I always find the part where all the poppy petals fall from the ceiling during the two minute silence so moving. I believe every petal is a life lost! Your photo is lovely and poppies are my most favourite flower especially in a mass like this. Now must go to bed! x

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  2. I'm so glad to hear your gout condition is finally turning around the other way! I know that's not an easy one to deal with, but hopefully you're getting some relief now. Your meeces are adorable and I love that pretty punched frame! Yes! You need to use those punches more often!! I never invested in them but they're clearly a great crafting item!
    Congrats to Eemeli on her win and to all of the spotlighted creations this week! You all keep me inspired from week to week - even when I'm partying hard in the playground :) (koff koff)
    I'm playing just for fun this week, but thanks just the same! I have so many mouse images I've lost count!

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  3. Dear Diane saddened to hear grout is giving you so many problems but from the short time I have come to know you I know you are one strong gal....Kudos to you for always being so cheerful and encouraging. I am so thrilled you featured my altered bottle. I am so intrigued by some of the creations you featured and will be visiting them soon. I keep saying this but I do love your playground...its such a friendly place and ooh a big yes for the amazing stamp set!
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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  4. Hoping your foot is soon behaving itself! Adorable card, Di! I have a bunch of punches, too--some never used. Sure wish my LSS hadn't gone out of business as she had a "garage sale" twice a year & gave us store credit for our stuff that sold--miss that! Lovely, creative picks--congrats to all! I'm playing just for fun.

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  5. Hope your foot continues to improve Di, I'm a wuss when it comes to sore feet! Gorgeous card, love those sweet mice, and what an awesome showcase too! Just playing for fun this week, Cathy x

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  6. Hi Miss Di & the lovely Parsnip.
    Yes please if I'm lucky.
    oooooooooooooo! sorry to hear about you health probs.
    I do hope the medication works, and you will soon be out of pain.
    My Dad used to suffer with that and I do know it is so painful, and hard to move about much because of the pain.
    Super picks of the week as usual, and congrats to them all.
    So glad a person won the prize this week that hasn't won before, as it's nice for everyone to perhaps get a chance.
    Love the choir miceeeeeeeeeeeeee and you fab designed card.
    The punched doily is so lovely.
    Thank you for all your hard work involved in this wonderful challenge.
    PS. will be sending around some Honey for Parsnip for his help too.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  7. Good morning Di the tablets should have tour gout under control pretty soon..poor you . it's something you could certainly do without so soon. Sending a hug and soothing words :-) Lots of lovely picks again to see in the playground well done everyone. Your card is a real cutie and I'm with you about MS punches. ...mine started gathering dust when my Hb bought me my big shot a couple of years ago. Take care I will be back to play soon and it will be just for fun this week. Hugs xx

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    1. Poor not tour....bloomin predicted text eh!!x

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  8. Clever bit of masking with the mice to make this lovely card. Please put my name in the hat this week - thanks. Pleased to hear your poor foot seems to be on the mend fingers (or toes) crossed!!

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  9. I love your card - the choir is so cute - great masking skills! I'll be playing for fun later this week.
    Hope your foot continues to improve.
    Kath x

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  10. Hope your foot continues to improve Di!
    Thank so much for choosing my card in this week's picks :0)
    Love your card this week...that choir of mice is so cute!
    Helen x

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  11. Fab makes and selection, lovely prize too - just uploaded mine

    Happy Sunday

    Kathyk

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  12. Glad that nasty old gout is getting a bit better. What wonderful picks and woo-hoo to this weeks winner! I just love the way you masked and stacked those caroling mice. I have done this to make a penguin pile before. It is a great effect! As for this adorable mouse set, I will say a big yes please, since they are enough to melt your heart.

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  13. Your card is really cute and fun, Di!! Love it soooo much!0. Great use of this pretty stamp set! It's very festive in red and white and makes me smile so much! The MS borders punch is perfect for this card!
    Great picks also this week, love so much the 3D mug! Such a clever idea!
    Your photo is wonderful, so impressive!

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  14. I am totally in awe of your masking skills - you masked that tiny tail! Gorgeous card, and fab picks, many thanks for including me among them.
    Glad to hear the foot-in-hell (be careful if you read that out loud) is improving, hope it makes a full recovery soon.
    Yes please to the draw this week but if I win I am NOT going to mask any tiny tails!
    Jane

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  15. Hi Di, So beautiful is your card l love the images of those little mice and sentiment so perfect together with a gorgeous background and die also amazing masking details................congrats to yet another fabulous show case and well done Eemeli enjoy your goodies so pleased too Di the medication is taking effect hopefully you will be free of your pain.........take care x

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  16. Love your mices! love hobby art although I have never got any of their stamps somehow, so it's a YES pleeeease from me!
    gorgeous picks again too.
    Sending healing thoughts..............can't imagine how painful......xxx

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  17. What a sweet choir! I can hear their harmony! Love your picks and will be back for a closer look around in a bit. Promised DT I'd help rake the yard. Ugh! What was I thinking?!!

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  18. Super cute card Di, love how you've masked them into a choir. I'm going to make sure I enter this week for a chance to win x

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  19. Sorry Di, forgot to say, pleased there is some improvement with your foot, hope it continues to get better x

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  20. Sorry to hear you have 'grout', Di - gotta stay of the port girlfriend! Glad it seems to be getting better with treatment and hope you are back to normal soon :) Love your card - the MS punch frame is gorgeous, well worth getting out and using again, and those meeces are adorable! Great showcase again this week - most inspiring. Playing for fun again this week. Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  21. Glad to hear the toe is feeling better Sarn won't be able to out run you now! and loving that mice card I've just recently found the Hobby Art shop and my first purchase has had good use so far would love for my robins to have some friendly mice to join them :) and wow incredible showcase ...once again! x

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  22. Wonderful card, Di and great weekly picks.
    I hope you will feel better soon.
    Yes please for the prize.
    Hugs, Valerija

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  23. Love your singing mice, Di - and that border is so fun! I got my package - YEA!!!! I will be emailing you tonight. I think I should still pass on the drawing, since I so recently won! You are so generous, Di!

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  24. Hi Di your card is gorgeous. Thank you for choosing my card this week. I am playing just for fun again this week Have a great week. Hugs Jackie

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  25. Thanks for putting up mention for my entry. Means a lot :)
    I was saddened to know you are having problem with your foot, hope you recover at the earliest.

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  26. Your card is very sweet, Di.
    Just playing for fun this week with a few Christmas tags.
    Sorry you are having a rotten time of it. It's no fun being in pain :(
    Wish you better soon. x

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  27. Squeak! Thanks so much for choosing me as a pick of the week, Di! I'm so honored!
    Hugs,
    Em x

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  28. Hello Di,
    so sorry to hear that you have not been well - hopefully you will now have a speedy recovery.

    I do know exactly what you mean about neglected craft stash - oh the guilt!!! Sometimes I think that it is more the thrill of buying it than actually using the stuff. Oh well never mind!! I will carry on going to CAA - craft addicts anonymous!!
    I'm just playing for fun this week thanks.
    Hope you have a great week.
    Eve xx

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  29. Not taking the blame no more, yes it was Sarn who 'made' me do it last week and can see you saw right through her antics.

    Those meeeeces are so cute out there caroling to their hearts content Di.

    B x

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  30. Hi Di TLC Paulette does free digis a couple of times a week http://createwithtlc-createwithtlc.blogspot.co.uk/

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  31. Cor . . .what brilliant masking you've done there Miss! Outstanding work and 10/10 for patience.

    Loving all the showcased projects and I'm waving hello to the newbies.
    Congrats to Eemeli on her win.

    Playing just for fun thanks.
    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  32. Ooh I have not played along for ages but thought I would pop over and see how things are going. Love you red card and I know what you mean about the punches....must play with mine again.
    Kyla

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  33. Glad to hear your foot is better Di! Love this creation in red, soooo Kissmasy! Love these meeces, brilliant masking and that Martha Edge punched border enhances the beauty of this creation! A big "yes" Di!
    Congrats to Eemeli! Brilliant picks!
    Have a Fabulous day!

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  34. Wooohoooo! That is me on the winner's podium. So hilarious to see my old make from week 162. I've just dropped you an e-mail with my postal details.

    What a fabulous card this week, Di. I thought it was a ready made stamp and also a ready made die for the frame, but no, you've done it all by yourself. More work but a fantastic outcome. Love the simple look (that did not come with a simple effort).

    Will be trying my luck also this week so YES please for the prize. Probably there hasn't been a winner who has won two times in a row, but there is first time for everything, lol :)

    Happy-happy-happy!

    Hugs,
    Eemeli

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  35. Hi Miss Di

    Here at last .. .. I understand if I get detention (and my Mum will say I deserve it too).

    Loving your card using that great stamp set! Fabulous masking!

    Just playing for the sheer pleasure of it .. .. and the smug feeling of using up a few snippets .. .. so please don't put me into the draw.

    Hope you are feeling lots better now.

    Love Jules xx

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  36. A gorgeous card, Miss Di! Lovely picks too! Only sorry I missed the party...looks like it was a bit wild from the empty bottle store, lol! Glad to hear you are improving and hope you are back to full health very soon x

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  37. I love your mousey choir Di, great fun. Quite a lot of patience involved too I should think.
    I,m glad your toe is improving and hope it is soon fully better.
    I have just linked my card, so yes please for the draw.
    Jean x

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  38. You are simply amazing, Di! I truly thought you might take it easy and give the Playhouse Challenge a break, but look at you, grouty toe and all! Your card is terrific and you've outdone yourself again on all the well-deserved spotlights! I hope you have continued to improve each day!! Hugs, Darnell

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  39. Hello Di, I do hope your toe is soon completely better. I do know how painful gout can be.

    Your little choir of mice is adorable. What a lovely card and great masking skills.
    Congratulations to Eemeli for winning those lovely bells and singles and again the makes you highlighted were all very special. yes please to the draw. Barbxx

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  40. Hi Di hope your toe is improving. Finally found time to join in again. Yes please to the stamps.

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  41. I love your meece choir - so sweet and brilliantly done. I hope your toe is getting better. I have a pain in my foot but can't get it looked at for a few weeks yet!
    I'm just playing for fun as I won the other week.

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  42. Hi Di...something very different from me today...snippets of icing instead of paper ;0 xx

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  43. Happy to have used up some more snippets!
    Count me in for the prize draw x

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  44. My mojo has left me but I managed to use up some snippets on a tag so I'm linking up! Your card is so adorable and cute - right up my alley - I love cute critters! That would be a big YES for the prize hehe. Congrats to all the winners and picks! So sorry to read about your gout as I understand it is very painful. Hope it clears up soon!

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  45. Yay. Used up snippety snippets so I can come and play. Keeping a low profile after that rocket went the wrong way. Dun finck that duck will ever be the same again. Good thing is his feathers will grow back just not necessarily in the same place. Hugs Mrs A.

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  46. Just playing for fun this week.
    Auditions are also starting for the panto. Anyone interested please see me and Sarn in the potting shed 9am sharp Friday .
    hugs Mrs A.

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  47. So sad to hear you are suffering from the grouts Miss Pixie! You sure that Sarn ain't been loading your drinks with more of the hard stuff?! She totally got me off me face last week and I could swear I was seeing flying pink effelumps too! My mister got well annoyed when I turned up with weeds hanging in my ears and he found frogs in my wellies too, so I ain't on a good one this week, roll on Xmas and another of Sarn's awesome parties!!
    Back to normal so many beautiful creations from everyone, loving that cup going to have to check that out as I'd love to create one of them, Your card is gorgeous and so are the mice and as I don't have any mice in my stash would like to go in the draw for them please. Gorgeous photograph for Remembrance Day, my thanks go out to all that have served or are serving too, we owe a lot to them always. I hope you have a better week Karen xx

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  48. Hope your foot is better soon!!! Lovely card, and yes please for the prize (love how you masked the mice into a group!)

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  49. Oooo i'm loving all the masking, before i saw the stamp set, you would have thought it was an actual stamp, and you have reminded me to dig out my MS punch again too, Luv Sam x

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  50. I do hope your grout has got better and you are pain free again. Love your wonderfully masked mouse choir and applaud your patience. Well done Eemeli and the fabulous picks. I'm only here for a bit of fun and promise not to pass on any germs. I can see Parsnip has been a very busy bear and has cleaned up all the mess from bonfire night - that will definitely get him on Santa's 'nice' list xx

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  51. I love your card and how you've created a great scene with the stamp. Masking is such a clever technique!
    I would love to be entered into the prize please, they are a fabulous set of stamps.
    Thanks ever so much.
    Janice x

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  52. Please enter me for the prize. I hope you are better soon

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  53. Wow.....what amazing masking!! Your mouse choir is wonderful......church mice? I say "Yes, please!" for tossing my name into the hat. I like cutesy stamps!! :)

    I hope you will be truly on the mend very soon.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  54. added another entry, and yes please to the prize

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  55. Hello Di
    I do hope that your new prescription does the trick - I will cross my fingers and toes (best that you don't try that though!!)
    Please don't worry about commenting on my blog post as you need to rest.
    Hope you feel better very soon.
    Hugs Eve xx

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  56. Hi Di, so sorry to hear about the gout. Hope you are making a good recovery and are able to rest. Lovely, inspiring picks and a definite yes please to the meecy stamps. Take care Xx

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  57. I didn't think I would be able to squeeze in card making this week but I had great fun with a new owl die and had to whip one up! I am so sorry that you're continuing to have trouble with pain and try not to tire yourself out Di. I do say yes to the adorable little mouse stamp set , which would be wonderful for Christmas cards and tags

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This is a public blog. Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog or entering a piece of artwork into a linky do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog and in so doing have published their own personal details and consented to my use of that personal information should they be selected as a winner or to accredit work.