Sunday 27 March 2016

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 222

Happy Easter everyone - and I do hope that those of you who should have changed your clocks overnight remembered to do so. We had glorious weather here on Good Friday - and since then it's been rain all the way, and predicted to remain that way over the whole holiday weekend. Such a shame :(

Meanwhile, I want to know who set fire to the tree house whilst toasting hot cross buns! This was quickly followed by a Vesuvius-like eruption of hot melted chocolate - which I'm still scrubbing off the walls and also off Parsnip. I just knew that making Easter eggs using those old moulds I had from years ago was a silly idea :(

Once things calmed down and Parsnip stopped screaming like a very silly little white (snigger) mottled brown bear of no intelligence at all - I set to and made my snippets card for this week:
I used:

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

- next I used a Frantic Stamper 'Thanks Card Band' die to cut out the word 'Thanks'. What's great about this die is that the word mostly is cut away but the card remains attached at the top and bottom of the letters - really neat

- then covered the top and bottom sections of the card blank with a snippet of what I think is one of SU's designer papers. I'd used part of the reverse of the paper and was left with the snippet and a large design that really I'd even thought about throwing away - wash my mouth out with soap! I deliberately left a white border round both the pieces of DP

- then I backed the cutaway 'Thanks' with a snippet of (according to my SU swatch) 'Blackberry Bliss' card stock - just glued at the top and bottom behind the word. I suspect that 'Rich Razzleberry' was the plain card meant to go with the DP, but I'm fresh out of that

- and to finish off (neat freak) I backed the inside of the card front with a full sized panel of white card to hide the band of 'Blackberry Bliss'

Have to admit, I'm quite tickled with the result and it's a great way to use up quite bold papers.

I chose to back my plain white 'Thanks' using the coloured card stock immediately behind the word. Other options would be to just leave the word as it is (it's quite sturdy enough) and perhaps colour it with Pro markers if you don't intend doing anything extra inside the card to make it show up more, use coloured card of course, add a contrasting strip to the inside (back half) of the card lined up with the word or perhaps back the word with acetate - the list goes on :) It's a really fun die!

Onto the weekly 'peek at the picks' as usual - let's have some Easter/Spring ones first:
Not only did Chris bring this card to the Playground, she also sent it to me as a thank you for her recent prize win (and managed to use a die, an image and also a sheet of the paper from the win). It's absolutely gorgeous and really beautifully made - I love it! And the branches and , flowers and leaves are all snippets too.

Carole brought this really fresh looking Easter card to share with us , such pretty colours and a really sweet image too - as well as a recent photo of baby Thomas:
Hasn't he grown in just six weeks? And what a darling little chap he is!

This is such a clever design, brought to show by Krisha. I love how the stamped, coloured then fussy cut tulips sit within the white frame on the beautifully toning background paper snippet, which then extends to form the outer frame. Brilliant!

Alison had been playing with snippets and circle dies - this is one of three great ideas over at her blog - go HERE to find out more. I love this idea and will be having a play as soon as possible. The beauty of these designs is that you can make them for male or female recipients, just by changing the papers you use. Strong and bold for a chap - pretty and soft for a lady :) That's the traditional theory anyhow - these days it's often the other way round in real life!

Sonia always brings really lovely work to share with us, and this is no exception is it?!
My final pick of the week is this card, made by Jane W. It just cracked me up - the sentiment goes perfectly with the look on the penguin's face - it looks as if it's on the 'lemons diet'. That's the one where you have fourteen lemons for breakfast and, by the time your mouth unpuckers, it's time for breakfast the following day :)

We had five new Playmates this week as well as a total of 66 entries - no doubt sneaking hot cross buns and choklit into the Playground at the same time! Let's say 'Hi' to our new Playmates:
Francesca brought this fabulous Magnolia card to share - so much beautiful detail!

I love the sheer joy that truly does spill out of these journal pages - fabulous colours! Brought to us by Rachel.

Tanvi made three gorgeous letter racks and this is the one she entered into the Playground this week, do go and take a closer look at the side views on her blog HERE. Really great!

I love this 'vintage' Christmas card, brought to share with us by Marianne. It appeals to my 'neat freak' side - yet still has a vintage look!

And finally, Margaret M hopped into the Playground with this really pretty snippets card to share with us -and a clever way to use the ribbon and bow too!

Hope to see you again really soon! 

There's also some news to share - I think a lot of you will already know about this but just in case you don't. The lady who made this fabulous card ......
...... is headed over to England in July! It's our fun-loving Playmate Darnell of course (ha, I wonder if England is actually ready for her?!). She will be moving around the country a bit and one purpose of her visit is to spend a weekend at the 'Happy Little Stampers' Retreat in Swindon (which was fully booked up some while ago) - as well as meeting as many of us bloggers/Playmates as possible. I think Darnell's itinerary is pretty much set now, so it's safe to let you know that she would love to meet any of us on her travels:

Darnell's first port of call (that's appropriate!) is Southampton (Grand Harbour Hotel) and there is a get together (aka soirée - snigger) planned for Tuesday 19th July. I'll be there, aided and abetted by Parsnip (if the choklit is all cleaned up from his fur), along with a few other notorious Playmates/bloggers.

After that, Darnell plans to spend time in various parts of the UK (Salisbury, Somerset, Bristol, Manchester area (Knutsford I think), then the Swindon Retreat itself with lovely folk such as the Less is More gals, Kathy K and others - followed by a short time in London (Pimlico area) before she heads back home on Wednesday 3rd August.

If you want more details I think it's best for you to contact Darnell directly (her email link is in her blog profile). If you get stuck (I can never get those email links to work on my Linux operating system!) then feel free to contact me and I'll forward any emails onto Darnell. Even if you're unsure about arriving on your own - don't be! You're a lovely little band of crafters and will soon find that everyone will be welcomed with open arms. Exciting (and probably slightly scatty) times ahead!

Time now for the prize draw for the Woodware stamps 'Boxed Daisies Trio' and Cone Flower'. And our winner is:
Ha! It was actually around last Easter when Diane won, so this is certainly due! I still have your address from then Diane and will post the stamps off to you this coming week - well done. 

Now here's this coming week's prize(s):
Of course, it's a die the same as the one I used for my snippets card today - a Frantic Stamper 'Thanks Card Band' die. Not a massive prize but hopefully it's a little bit unusual and something you'd like to win.

The Snippets Challenge will run for one week and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 2nd April. The gates will open again at midnight UK time on the same day.

A maximum of ONE entry and please say in a comment if you wish to play and be a possible winner of the prize.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 :)

Di and, of course, Parsnip!
x

66 comments:

  1. Any week here there are so much inspirations and beautiful makes!! Fabulous picks even this week!! Love your card, it has a japanese feel, in my mind :) Congrats to Dr.Sonia and to Darnell for their pieces of art and to the challenge winner!
    Happy Easter to all! Hugs

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  2. That is a lovely Thanks die on your card. Clever how you keep the SU paper swatches so you always know the colour name of you snippet!

    Pretty background paper too.

    Congrats to the sinners...Lucky girls!

    Lots of beautiful cards here this week...tons of inspiration for future cards!

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  3. What a neat die & wonderful card, Di! Lovely picks, too! I know you guys are going to have such fun meeting Darnell--I sure did even though we didn't have very long. I'll play for the die this week. Wishing you a lovely Easter.

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  4. Congrats ladies, and love this card Di. Will join in again for anything that's going...xxx

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  5. Di, I LOVE that card! That pp is so eye-catching as is the "thanks" die, so yes, put me the drawing, please! How fun that Darnell will be visiting you! I can just imagine the laughter that will be happening!

    Happy Easter, friend!

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  6. Your snippets card is one of those that would stand out a mile - in a good way - in a challenge gallery, Di! It's very striking! Congrats to all the well-deserved spotlights and welcome to the new Playmates! I know Alice didn't mean to call the winners sinners, but my ears perked up at first and I thought, wait, what? Why don't I win every week then, do you suppose? (Sorry, I couldn't help myself!!)

    Thank you so much for the perfect write up of my Grand Upcoming Adventure to England!!! I am looking forward to meeting you and as many Playmates as I can! And Parsnip, too, of course! BTW, if you need any help getting the chockie off his fur, I can be there in no time!! Hugs, Darnell

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  7. ah Di do love your card .. lovely die, and as you say great way to use up large prints on DP.. and fun colours well done on it.

    .. and it is wonderful to have the celebration of Easter and the resurrection of our Saviour and LORD Jesus Christ .. For He is risen indeed!

    Lord bless you and yours, dear Di esp with good health for you both.
    Thanks so much for the inspiration.
    Shaz in Oz.x
    PS tell Parsnip to lick his fur, choklit still tastes really good licked, and he will be clean lickety-split .. and mm wonder how I know? :D

    {Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

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  8. Lovely makes and entries, just uploaded my entry .... playing for fun thanks

    Wishing you all a very HAPPY EASTER

    Kathyk

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  9. Great picks this week Di as is your creation.

    I am organised this week and will be back to play.

    I'm not telling on anyone about the antics with the hot cross buns, just keeping my head down.

    Have a lovely Easter Sunday.

    B x

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  10. Good morning Di and Happy Easter! Your creation is a stunner, that word band looks gorgeous. There seem to have been lots of antics going on here this week but I'm not naming names......S---!! Lovely picks and new playmates. I am coming back in a sec to link up...all ready today as we're off for a Daisy Day!Hugs xx

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    1. OK so I have hopped back to enter and I forgot to say yes please to your lovely prize this week. I went for cute this week! Thanks as always for your generous prizes and hard work x

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  11. Hope you are having a good weekend despite the weather. Playing for fun this week.

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  12. Happy Easter Diane!
    You are showing gorgeous picks again and I love your creation as well!
    Lia xx

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  13. Great card Di, that THANKS die is stunning . . . I neeeed it, so definitely count me in for the prize draw : )
    Happy Easter to everyone.

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  14. OOH . . . LOVE the look of your pretty thank you card Di. Those papers look great with that die cut sentiment.

    SUPER picks as usual, and congrats to Diane H on her win.

    WAVING HELLO to all the newbies too.

    Sorry about leaving Parsnip unattended for too long, I'll come quietly to detentions this week!

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

    PS: Playing just for fun thanks.

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  15. A fabulous card and great picks too. I'll be in the playground later in the week and would love a chance of winning the die.
    Kath x

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  16. It's always a pleasure to stop by and see the beautiful things you clever people create.

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    1. It's lovely to see you Sarah! Maybe we'll have you making cards someday :)

      Hugs

      Di xx

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  17. Ohhhhhh, I really like your card today Di - I'm always wondering what to do with those big designs on my papers, and this idea works quite well! It's another fabulous week in the playground spotlights, and congrats to Diane H for her win as well as all the other notables! Thomas sure is one cute little fellow isn't he? Adorable!! Yes please to the draw this week, and thanks again!

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  18. Great picks and a lovely card Miss and if Parnsip is covered in chocklit send him to me and I'll lick him.....
    am now going into the bit of the tree house that isn't still smoking and having a right old sulk in the corner

    cos Darnell is coming to near me when I ain't here.....{sighs}.
    I never get to see anyone, ain't fair {stamps foot}
    Shall just have to start flicking the currants out of the hot cross buns at the wall..................

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  19. Happy Easter Di hope you enjoy your day ooh l just adore your card your card is always inspiring and that die is a beautiful great win for whoever does win it ....great picks too! congrats to the winner Diane H enjoy your prize sending lots of love x

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  20. Happy Easter Di & Parsnip...and all of my lovely playmates too ;0)!
    Love the die you used so striking...so it's a 'yes please' for the prize draw.
    Great inspiration from all the picks as always!
    Helen x

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  21. Stunning card Di and a fabulous design using the die to make the snippet of paper fit a bigger card.

    Hi to the new Playmates, congrats to Diane and great picks again this week. I'd missed the super piccie of thomas so off to have closer look now xx

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    1. Forgot to say I'm only playing for fun this week xx

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  22. Love the way you've split that dsp Miss, beautiful card. Finally got a chance to play along this week. A soiree in Southampton sounds interesting - would be lovely to meet some playmates and parsnip of course. Hugs x

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  23. This is a fabulous die And those snippets of backing paper work really well with it Di. I love all the great highlights and congratulations to the winner Diane. I am hoping to get a card in this week and would love to be entered into the prize draw please. Hope you are having a good Easter too Di. x

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  24. I was excited to see my name as the weekly draw winner...WOW..thank you so much Mr. Random.org and Miz Di...I feel so honored!! I will be back with a card later this week for sure, not sure what day yet, but will be here and yes of course (not to sound greedy...lol...but who in their right mine would say no unless you already had it..lol)...Hope you have a wonderful Easter and are enjoying all the chocolate on the walls...sounds like it was fun..lol!!

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  25. Lovely selection of cards this week and well done to Diane. Happy Easter every one. Would love to win the prize this week. Good luck everyone.

    crafty hugs Pen x

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  26. A very pretty card Di, great idea for the bold papers. Great picks as always sweetie. Happy Easter!!!!

    Love and hugs
    Maarit

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  27. Happy Easter Di and all the other Snippeteers! Chocolatey hugs and kisses to Parsnip (poor boy!)Your snippets card is amazing - I love it! Yes please to lovely prize. Hugs Xx

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  28. Hello Miss Di
    it's good to know that you are keeping yourself busy while I have been away puppy minding - poor Parsnip I hope that he has recovered!!

    Fantastic thank you card and as always top picks are splendid!
    Yes please to the prize this week.
    Hope you are having a lovely Easter.
    Eve xx

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  29. Hi Di, I hope that you're having a lovely Easter and that Parsnip hasn't eaten all of your chocolate. I love the Thank You card that you've made and you can never have enough of them, so I'd love to play for this week's prize, thank you. Warm Craft Hugs x

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  30. Oo need to have a think about this one. A lovely selection of cards.
    It sounds as if you have been having fun and games Di, except for the weather! I'm afraid we've stole the good weather this weekend, sorry.

    Hugs Erika. x

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  31. are you quite *sure* Parsnip wasn't secretly experimenting with the chocolate body paint? Another wonderful selection of cards, very chuffed to be among such a beautiful bunch of picks.
    Yes please to the super die
    Jane

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  32. Oh it is always a delight to visit you Di and am so thrilled you liked the card I made for Mrs A 's Challenge . So many fabulous picks and so nice to hear you will be meeting Darnell!! I have visited England long long ago in my childhood. Knowing so many crafty friends like you are there makes me want to visit again! And a big Yes for me for the prize.Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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  33. A terrific way to use this handsome bold DP, and I love the cut-away die. I have a Christmas one, but didn't really know best how to use it. Great inspiration on this pretty card. I see there's lots more wonderfulness in the highlites as well as many terrific entries. (Got a scheduled card with loads of snippets that I will link in later. I am so missing my little white (er...um...spotty friend). Tell him I love him any color, anyway!! And hope you are ALL better now, after cleaning up mischief, I didn't want to hear you are sore again! Hugs & TFS

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  34. Change my socks? Change my SOCKS?! Oh... change my CLOCKS. Nope, don't participate in that madness here. And it isn't time for the annual sock changing yet either. Great card with a bold die cut greeting. Great choice of cards. I feel very inspired by many of them. Luckily I'm all moved in now and my craft room (mostly) put together. If I get it together enough to snippet this week, count me in to win!

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  35. Helloooooo! I come with wet wipes for Parsnip!! Poor thing! I bet he never expected that treatment when I handed him over to you all that time ago!!
    Sorry to have been absent for so long. I have actually spent very little time in my craft room for too long. I hope I can come to the Playhouse.
    Love the prize...yes please!!
    Hugs
    xx

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  36. Poor Parsnip, hope he has had a lie down and a cold flannel on his forehead. (And maybe over rhe rest of his fur. Hehe.)
    This die looks wonderful with this lovely paper. Thanks for picking me I'm flattered and, of course, I'd love to be in the draw.

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  37. Hope you had a wonderful Easter. Awesome card and die! Yes please!

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  38. Oh, I am so happy to see you making beautiful cards in the midst of making exploding chocolate eggs and getting into mischief with Parsnip!!! I love the patterned paper you used with that word die and I say Yes Please to this fun prize!

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  39. What a lovely card by you Di. A great die and the paper is lovely. A good job you didn't throw it away - shock horror I almost swallowed my Nicorette gum when I read that.

    Congratulations to Diane on her win and to your special picks which again are all beauties. Also some lovely makes from the new playmates. Barbxx

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  40. Fabulous selection of cards this week, I love how you've made your card with the die.
    Hope you had a good Easter.
    Janice x

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  41. Gorgeous make from yourself. Playing just for fun this week Miss. Hugs Mrs A.

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  42. Hello Di, so nice to be able to join in this week, though not with a card but something different. Your card is beautiful, love the pretty patterned paper, and I think the band die is fabulous. The 'peek at the picks' is wonderful - there's some great ideas that I will have to try sometime, and baby Thomas is adorable. Congratulations to Diane on her win. Hope Parsnip has returned to his usual pristine self by now. Have a great week. Hugs, Elizabeth xx

    PS: Weeks that I miss, I still read your post and admire all the snippet makes, including yours, but I find typing a slow and painful process at the moment - hopefully it's not permanent!

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  43. That die is fabulous - I'd love a chance at winning it! And your card showcases it brilliantly.

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  44. Wonderful card Di!
    Yes for the prize please.
    Valerija xx

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  45. Here I am, playing for the prize ;) Thanks for the nudge... my hubby would love it! Your card is fabulous - reminds me about Scandinavian design! Was wondering about the snippet used in the baby picture, LOL - what a cutie!

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  46. I have pressed enter so hope Mr Linky has done just that. He worries me he really does so fingers crossed. I am not here to win anything as I have enough craft stuff to last me a lifetime. But doubtless I will disgrace myself and buy still more
    Love how you have shown off this weeks prize.
    Hugs
    Margaret M

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  47. Your card is a little bit retro - I like it and another idea to file away in my brain for it to hopefully emerge sometime! Just playing for fun this week.

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  48. Love the die and yes would love to win it!

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  49. love your card, and all the clever picks again, that die looks nice, I've never seen one like that before, so it's a yes please, please. Hope you and Parsnip have recovered from the shenanigans at the weekend ;) xxx

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  50. great card, Di and top picks are really lovely.
    yes for the prize please.
    hugs, tina

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  51. Great picks hon....love your card...I have entered and yes please for the prize...thank you..xx

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  52. Hope you had a good Easter weekend Di. I like the DSP on your card, and of course the die. Please include me in the prize draw for this. Some wonderful picks, and isn't Thomas the cutest baby!

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  53. Gorgeous card Di, would love to win the prize this week. Fabulous picks once again, and what a gorgeous baby!

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  54. Ooh, love your thank you card, its stunning! Thank you for choosing me as a pick! I am soooo glad you like the card! Love all the other picks and new playmates too! Naughty Parsnip, he is a pickle! I have managed to play again, Yay! Would love to have a chance to win the fab word band which looks so cool on your card! Getting more excited about the soiree seeing it in print on your blog and congratulations to Diane on her win too! xxx

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  55. Love your card, Di, clever way of using paper with a larger design. I never know quite what to do with them. Great picks - missed a few last week, so will be off for a closer look.

    I'm a Yes Please for the prize draw this week. xx

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  56. Parsnip should realise that EVERYTHING is improved with a coat of chocolate :-) Yes please for the fab die, Donna

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  57. Great makes and picks playing for fun this week

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  58. Your card is so gorgeous and so very classy Di! I love how the die looks so it's a yes please from me for the draw. Once I have finished linking up to the other challenges I will be back to check out the gorgeous picks too Karen x

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  59. Lots of great inspiration again! Great make, Di, and fab picks of the week. Yes please for chance of owning the die. x

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  60. Finally I have had some time to enter in the challenge.
    Yes please for the chance in the random draw for this beautiful die

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  61. What a fab card! That paper IS bold, but the "thanks" die can hold it's own without covering it up. Great idea. Would love to play along for the prize this week. Thanks!

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  62. Just sneaking in at the last minute! yes please for the prize

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  63. Lovely card Di & awesome picks too! Thank you for the reference to my blog! Yes please for the draw!

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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.