Sunday 29 November 2015

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 205

'Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way - now it's less than a month until it's Christmas Day!' To be sung to the usual tune please - after me now :) I think a touch of hysteria is setting in here to be honest - tons still to do before Christmas but am sure we'll manage somehow!

Here's my snippets card for this week, which I'd like to enter into the current Penny Black Saturday Challenge, 'Dies and/or punches':
I used:

- 7" x 5" white card blank, tent style

- snippet of SU's 'Wisteria Wonder' card stock for the first layer at the top of the card

-snippet of SU's 'Pool Party' card stock, die cut at the top edge using a Memory Box die called 'Grand Merry Christmas Script' and then glued onto the card. This is a great die to have in addition to the plainer  one that many of us already have which is very similar. Important note, if you use this die - remember to salvage the inside of the loop at the bottom of the letter 'y' before discarding any waste from the die cut! I didn't and there was some frantic scrabbling round in the waste bin here - luckily it popped its head out of the bin and beckoned to me almost straight away:)

- next was a snippet of striped paper from Wild Rose Studio's 'Wintry Christmas' paper pack to pull the colours together, added to the bottom half to two thirds of the card front

- the image is one of the loveliest Penny Black Christmas stamps, called 'Snow Family'. It's been around since 2002, the year it was first released, mine is a pre-loved one which I bought last year - thinking it was no longer available. Got that wrong, it is still around to buy new if you look hard enough - ask me how I know :)

- I stamped the image onto a snippet of white card using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and coloured the snow people with Pro markers (only needed grey and pink)

- also stamped the image onto a snippet of pink spotted paper from the 'Wintry Christmas' paper pack and spent ages carefully cutting the hats and scarves out so they could be paper pieced onto the snow people

- trimmed the image down and popped it onto a snippet of SU's 'Wisteria Wonder' card before adding it to the card front

- final touches, a few little Aurora Borealis gems on the image, as the dot above the letter 'i' and three larger ones in the top right hand corner

I'd like to enter this card into the current challenge over at Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge where this week's theme is 'use die cuts and/or punches' as well as Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for November where it's always 'anything goes'. Why not play along too? I just bet you can't avoid thinking of Christmas now we're almost into December - help! 

Straight into this week's picks now:
x
Barb made this great stepper card, using the Presscut dies set that quite a few of us fell in love with and rushed off to buy after seeing Liz using it! I also chose this card as combining the cupcake and the doily is such a fab idea - one I've never thought to do! 

Isn't this a gorgeous Anniversary card? Made by Carole it's really elegant and I just love it! Maybe pink on pink could become the new white on white? :)

We had some banter going on during the week - Carole was going to audition for the role of Rudolph in the Nativity Play (some poetic licence I think 'cos am not sure that Rudolph actually did go to Bethlehem) - this was due to her having a really bad cold and the resulting dreaded red nose - and from my visits I know that many of you girlies have had colds and flu or worse this week. Come on - get well for Christmas please! SaRn cheekily suggested there might be a role for Rudolph the red toed reindeer played by yours truly! It's still a possible although each day sees a teeny bit of improvement!

Oh. my. word! This was one of those cards during the week that just stopped me in my tracks - sheer elegance isn't it? Made by Laurie, who really knows how to nail perfection, and the gorgeous wreath die is a Penny Black one. Rare as hen's teeth in the UK - ask me how I know - so it's on my wish list for after Christmas, ready for next year! Edit: A lovely playmate tracked this down in the UK for me, Black Friday 20% off too :) Happy dance hobble here :)

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I've included this card, made by Susan (rainy) not only because I love it loads - but also because of the fabulous idea Susan shows. How clever is that to take the matching die to a stamp, cut it and then split it in half and separate the two halves for massive impact? Great way to add such a different twist!

I never tire of this type of snow scene with the houses against the sky and hills in the foreground, made by Sue (Zouave). The sleigh adds a real pop and, the part that really tickles me, that curved sentiment stamping is brilliant! It follows the line of the foreground 'valley' and is a reminder to me that polymer stamps can often be curved for maximum impact. I can't work out if Sue has a curved layer of white card and the stamp follows that, or if it's stamped onto a flat piece - either way it certainly works brilliantly! Probably best to use a stamp positioner - firstly to check that the curve is right and also for the placement :)

I thought it would be appropriate to bring us back to a great way to use up lots of little snippets - Sandy made this great patchwork card and I love it! Very cleverly, the 'patchwork pieces' were assembled onto adhesive paper leaving slight gaps for the sparkly glitter to be added. Clever touch!

First of all, I adore this card made by Andrea (Kanda) - someone else who's been suffering this week. I wish I had shares in Kleenex right now! A darling image and of course the LOTV blue papers are just lovely with the white, silver and the poinsettia. But there's such a neat trick - I wonder whether you spotted it? It's the way that Andrea used a bauble die cut out and then stamped her sentiment onto it. I think it's a fabulous idea for Christmas cards, and one I wouldn't have thought of in a million years!

We just have to have this wonderful snowman for our final pick of the week! He was made, after a lot of angst (go read the post, it's really funny!) by Kim (Kimbo). I love the card design where the snowman is sitting in the middle of the swirl - and just adore him! Great use of snippets and would be a really fun card to make - and perhaps not too difficult, unless you lose the embossing folder plus one of the snowman's arms along the way of course :)

I do hope you've enjoyed seeing this week's picks - as always I ponder long and hard. Every single entry is worthy of being a pick, every week. I think I've said before that I make up a pretty long list of possibles during the week as I'm commenting and then have the hard job of paring it down to manageable numbers on Saturday mornings.

I do try very hard to make sure that I don't always pick the same playmates each week - although sometimes that's a really hard call of course. And, I look for inspiration, new and different ideas, how to use your goodies, techniques, tips - and of course ways to use up those snippets :) Oh, and of course cards and makes that just have that WOW factor. Every one of you has that!

We had one new playmate this week:
I've seen Bozena's lovely work around blogland and was so pleased to see her join us this week, bringing such a stylish card too.

Welcome to the Playground Bozena and hope to see you again soon!

And now it's time for the prize draw - the Penny Black 'Little Angel' stamp and/or the Lil' Inker's 'Instant Camera' die:
As you can see, Hazel squeezed into the Playground right at the end at around 10am yesterday morning - which proves that it's never too late to link up if the Playground is still open!

It's absolutely ages since Hazel last won in the Playground, around two years according to my little book, and it's really nice to see her winning as she puts so much time and effort into running a good few challenges herself. Well done! Hazel, I only have your previous address from your last win so can you please drop me an email (see the paragraph below) with your new one and the prize will be posted off to you ASAP this week.

After each post with my email in I was finding a real flood of spam emails (due to spam bots which trawl published blog posts looking for them). Thankfully blocked by my email provider but I still have to scan down them in case they were valid. Rather than do the 'at dot com' business - in future my email won't be within blog posts and it's now on the sidebar just above the Snippets Playground grab button! Always late to the party - that's me :)

We have another 'double' prize this week - I have a lot of Christmas goodies in the toy box and aim to use them up before the end of the Christmas/New Year festivities if possible:
Yup, it's a Memory Box 'Grand Merry Christmas Script' die plus a Penny Black 'Snow Family' stamp - so now you know how come I found out that the 'Snow Family' stamp can still be bought new :)

The Snippets Challenge will run for one week and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 5th December. The gates will open again at midnight UK time on the same day.

Maximum of three entries and please say in a comment if you wish to play and be a possible winner of the prize. Do say if you only want one or other part of the prize (the stamp or the die) but both are up for grabs as one prize of course and will only be split if the first name out only wants one or other of the items, in which case I'll do a second draw for the other part of the prize. And please also link back to the Playground in your blog post to be eligible for the draw.

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 good week!

Di and of course, Parsnip!
x

64 comments:

  1. Ok Di......I know what we will do.....I'll be the front of Rudolph (nose) and you be the back (toe)...I have an image of you and I prancing round a stage in one of those horsey type costumes! Rudolph didn't go to Bethlehem but then think of the kids plays with all those different animals and space creatures etc...I am sure we could squeeze in unnoticed!...hmmmm
    Thanks for the pick this week...but my there are so many very clever people out there (including you)...........some brilliant cards and ideas. Hope the toe is improving...the nose is fine again but have gone through 3 boxes tissues and still blowing..lol...better buy those shares fast! See you deer! xx .......on reading this you would think I had downed a glass or two but I am actually stone cold sober!

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    1. Just read this before bed Carole - now I have to lie quietly stifling my giggles at the visions you've conjured up! :)

      Hugs

      Di xx

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  2. All your cards are beautiful! I have missed the playground antics, and am glad to be reading about them again now I am blogging again! I will have to make some more cards so that I genuinely have some snippets to use to make a card to enter!! Xxx

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  3. At first I thought this was an Impression Obsession image, but then read that it is PBlack...and such a darling image! Love this cozy little Snow family, snuggled up together in the falling flakes. It looks just spiffy in the pinks. And big hugs to Parsnip, and thank him for his email. Be back to visit tomorrow, as I see some splendiferous highlights! Wowsers. I wouldn't like your job!!! Too hard to pick. G'night. TFS. & Hugs to you as well.

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  4. Your card is so precious with those bundled up snowmen caroling in the cold weather! I can't help but smile whenever I look at those adorable little images! Such a great card! Congrats to Hazel on her win, as well as everyone else's spotlighted picks! As much as I'm smiling over your card, I'll have to say yes please to the prize this week! Take care of that toe too please!!

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  5. just for fun this week Miss. hugs Mrs A.

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  6. Great job with the picks, as always, & I adore your card, Di! I'll play just for the die, although I do really love the snow family. By the way, you could enter our Nov challenge at PBSC http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2015/11/penny-black-saturday-challenge-november.html

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  7. Oh, such a great card and those little snow Peeps are adorable :-D A great selection of cards there and Congrats to Hazel :-D xxxxxxxxx

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  8. Good morning Di....we have wi fi here at Centre Parcs and I am catching up with my blogs before everyone is fully up. Your card is a real cutie, the stamp is gorgeous and your use of the die is brilliant......I would love to add both to my stash so yes please count me in this week. I am singing the song as I type and so glad you can finally start a little shopping perhaps? Well done to Hazel I'm delighted to see her win. Huge hugs xx

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  9. Totally gorgeous card Di and you do such a wonderful job with choosing cards to showcase too. I always get inspiration from them. I know I say this every week but I will use some snippets this week - I will - I will - I will.
    Have a good week. Annie xxx

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  10. Your card is lovely! The die script looks wonderful and those snowmen are adorable! Hope you are feeling a little better now...,

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  11. Linking up another card. Just read backand saw that your foot trouble is gout and osteoarthritis. Poor you. My heart goes out to you as I know what you are going through!

    Big hugs to you, my friend...hope you get some more relief soon!

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  12. Wow, amazing cards and so many great tips. I always have a good giggle here too. X

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  13. O and I love your card. Forgive me for forgetting to mention it, I'm commenting first thing using my phone without glasses! The die is great and goes together with the lovely paper and cute image perfectly.

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  14. Great card Di there are so many cute PB snowmen stamps yes please to the prizes this week

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  15. Thank you, Di, for including my card in your picks! Love your snippets card for this week, too. That die is so cool!

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  16. Oh, such a sweet card you made today! Love, love this! So sweet carolers and the merry words look so well on the top of the card!
    Great pics, too, they are so beautiful and I'm very impressed by Carole's card, love so much pink on pink and the sweet diecuts!!!

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  17. Wow love this card! Gorgeous pastels!
    Lucy x

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  18. A fabulous card Di and great picks this week too. I'll be in the playground later this week and would love a chance to win the PB stamp but not the MB die as I already have a similar die.
    Kath x

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  19. Such festive picks you have lined up this week and the prize is super yummy too. A big yes to them if I am lucky to win!

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  20. LOVE LOVE LOVE your cute festive card Di.Brilliant paper piecing!

    Great weekly picks too.
    Congrats to Hazel on her win.

    Waving hello to Bozena!

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  21. Just entered a card. Lovely looking prize, but playing just for fun thanks mate.
    xxx

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  22. Morning Di, Thank you for including my card in your picks this week. Your snippets card is lovely. I like the way you've paper pieced their little hats and scarves. Good fussy cutting.

    I bought that lovely die last week although it hasn't emerged from its packaging yet so I would like to play for the PB Snow Family only. Barbxx

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  23. Gorgeous card Di, love the cute snowmen so yes please to being in the draw this week. Lovely picks once again and I don't envy you the task of selecting, way too hard to choose from the amazing entries. Have a great week, Cathy x

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  24. Thanks for putting me in with this weeks picks Miss Di. Fabulous snippet card from you with those super sweet snowmen xx

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  25. Those cute little snow peeps look nice and snug. Thanks you for including my card in your picks - I hope anyone that tires it has an easier time than me.Glad your foot is improving all be it slowly. I'd like to play for the die this week x

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  26. Great card and some lovely picks this week. Just playing for fun this time

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  27. A lovely card Di, I really like the italic font and the stamp is so cute. I too would like to play along for your super prize, thank you!
    Janice x

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  28. I love your cute snow family together with that MB script die and the pretty paper piecing and gems for falling snow Di. Lots of beautiful cards this week and congratulations to Hazel and glad your toe is looking less like Rudolph's nose.. well, at least a little less painful!

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  29. Love these sweet snowmen and they go perfectly with that Grand Merry Christmas. Great picks as always! Hope you are feeling better!

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  30. Hi Di

    Hope you are well .. .. and all the playmates too!

    Just popping in and out with a quick share.

    Loving your Christmas make Di and the super neat paper piecing.

    Just playing for fun and the novelty value of actually using up some of my snippets.

    Love Jules xx

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  31. Hi Di, those bundled up snowmen are just too cute! Wonderful card! I am happy to be back. :)
    Thanks for your beautiful card you sent me! So sweet of you! It is wonderful to have blogging friends all over the world! Hugs, Cornelia

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  32. The PB snow men are so cute Di, super picks, I recognise most of them from my blog visits :)

    Love and hugs
    Maarit

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  33. So cute Di is your card and l'm seeing a lot of pink snowmen these days which look amazing as always.... you manage to pull another great array of cards well done all they are amazing and congrats Hazel enjoy your prize ........hope this horrible weather isn't causing too much of a mess on the playground its tossing bins in my area .......sooooo windy take care x

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  34. Great lot of picks this week Miss... why you not tellin us where the die is from? Want one NOW!
    Like the card too. LOL
    Mrs A has said I can be Mary in the Nativity Play. I got a tea towel for me head, a sheet for me body and a big cushin with pj cord to tie round me middle.... but Sarn won't tell me how to make a baby.. she's very mean. .................... and it's nearly Christmas too.

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  35. Wow! I'm absolutely thrilled that I'm going to get the superb give away from last week - thank you so much. I do love playing in the playground although time to dilly dally has been limited with everything going on with our move. Today has been mum's birthday and we were with her this afternoon, so this is the first opportunity to see this post and find out that I won!! Off to email you now, Di. xx

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  36. In my excitement I forgot to say I love your cute card this week and thanks for sharing for both CHNC challenges (can't believe there are already 49 entries for CHNC 257 - thanks for making your way through the crowd!!) xx

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  37. Great makes there Miss Di, including yours. Loving the colours you used.
    Hugs to you and Parsnip!!
    xxx

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  38. Love your snow family Di. I have just got hold of the single snow man but not stamped it yet. Thanks so much for picking my card. The white piece with the houses is one piece of card. The sentiment is slightly curved to start with but I bent it a little more and actually stamped it after I'd put the card together, that us why there are all the music notes - to hide the smudge I made!
    Yes please to both stamp and die please!

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  39. Gorgeous picks and a really lovely card from yourself.

    Kath x

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  40. Lovely card and great picks too Di!
    Yes please, I'd love to be in the draw for your goodies :)

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  41. Don't faint with the shock Di but I am linking already! Please could I be entered for the draw this week, a great prize too, thank you! x

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  42. Such fun picks this week! Congratulations to the picks and to Hazel for the win! Your card is adorable! I love the snowmen - all bundled up! If I get a chance to play, I would love to win your prize! Have a great week!

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  43. Gr8 makes, gr8 selection this week and a gr8 prize too!

    Kathyk

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  44. Wonderful card for this week's challenge - love the pastel color scheme. Yes, I would definitely wanna win those gorgeous-looking prizes (but I must be honest and admit, that I'd might end up using your card as an inspiration if I were to get the prize for myself...umm, I mean making a card with them)

    Thanks for keeping up the challenge week after week. I love snippets so this is definitely the place for me. Take care.

    Hugs,
    Eemeli

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  45. I just love that little snow family, and of course, they are all dressed in pink! I shall have to get making so I can enter the draw. Lots of lovely cards in the picks this week. I love all those little butterflies in a heart. Hugs Kate x

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  46. This is a gorgeous creation! Thanks for playing at PBSC! xxx

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  47. Thanks for the chance, I wish to play and enter in the draw, please :)

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  48. As always awesome picks and yay for Hazel! I too wish to play in the draw please. I hope you have a better week Karen x

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  49. I am so not all there right now Miss Pixie - please forgive me! I meant to say I love your card - the snow ladies are so cute: I love the stamp Karen x

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  50. I love your fun and snowy card, Di.....so cheery and bright. Please put my name in the hat for the lovely prize....I would be delighted to win either or both!!!
    Fabulous picks, as always, this week. Amazing creations.
    Thanks for all the fun we have here in your playground.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  51. Beautiful card, love the colours and the layout. Of course it would be perfect for our challenge at Penny Black & More which doesn't close until 2 Dec. http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.co.uk/

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  52. Love your card, cute stamp and I LOVE the die... I'd like to be entered for a chance at the die only thanks; someone who "stamps well" deserves the stamp, lol, Donna

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  53. Love your christmas card and lovely picks.
    Yes please, I'd love to be in the draw for your amazing prize this week.
    Thank you.
    Valerija x

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  54. Love the pastel colours in your card and the die cut sentiment and stamp look fabulous. Yes please, I'd love to be in with a chance to win this week's prizes. Thank you x

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  55. Just popped back with my cards and to say I'm only playing for fun (and to sit and have a giggle at the rehearsals) xx

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  56. As always, your picks for this week are fabulous! I just can't stop looking at that adorable snowman who is spinning around in circles of joy!! These are all putting me in the holiday mood for sure and I would love to be in the running for your prize.

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  57. I just love the sweet colors and stamp on your Christmas card and I say yes please to a chance to win!

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  58. Trying to catch up on my blog visiting after a hectic week and I only managed to make one card all week! Great card, Di, the snowmen are really cute and a lovely colour choice. Beautiful picks again and congratulations to Hazel on her win,

    I'm just playing for fun this week. xx

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  59. Your card is so adorable, Di, with the snow family enjoying themselves! And your picks are fabulous, as always! It's awesome to have so many wonderful Christmas card ideas at the Playground!! I hope you are finally out of pain and on the road to recovery!! Hugs, Darnell

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  60. Your card is so cute, such soft colours and great picks!
    I would like to play for a prize, please.

    Hugs, Tina

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  61. I must be getting better as I see I managed three entries this week. It has been a longtime wince I managed that!

    Love these Snowmen...they really are sweet and so is your card!!!

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  62. Gorgeous cards! Big hugs to you and the Parsnippy one. Yes please to prize and yes I am feeling hysterical (and in denial) Not helped by cat repeatedly walking over my laptop as I type! Have a lovely weekend, Di :-) Xx

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  63. The image is so cute and adorable with your beautiful layering and sentiment!
    Lots of festive picks here, so awesome! Count me in for this awesome fun and festive prize!
    Hugs!

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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.