Sunday 19 June 2016

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 234

This is all of the Sunday Snippets post in one go, despite my earlier warnings - yay!

Yesterday we were out at the local village carnival - from early morning, setting up and helping out with 'have a go' archery as well as wandering round the many stalls when given a little break! The weather wasn't too unkind, chilly at times but it stayed dry at least - and I must have been busy as the camera never made an appearance!

The atmosphere was just as expected at a traditional English village event, even the local vicar was sketching charcoal faces to raise funds for the church and of course the village WI were out in force - selling cakes and jam. There were loads of rides and the usual fairground sideshows, as well as too much icecream, Cornish pasties from the village bakery and candy floss!

Although very tired at the end of a long day, we both had loads of fun and a lot of laughs. There must have been a cider stall (as usual) but we never found it although, when I drove us home at the end after clearing up, there was a very 'wibbly wobbly' old biddy in shorts with various veined leggies (?!) and sporting blonde curls weebling along, totally oblivious to traffic behind her, on the narrow lane past one of the thatched cottages on our route :) Bet she'll sleep well tonight!

Long live English traditions - and hangovers :)

Here's my snippets make, it actually has no connection with the prize for this week, but I did use snippets of course. Yesterday was the 50th Birthday of a sweet blogging friend and this is the card I made to send to her:
I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card blank

- snippet of white card, onto which I stamped a Penny Black image using a pre-loved stamp called 'Coop Party!', using a Ranger 'Jet Black' Archival ink pad

- coloured the image using Ranger Distress Markers and a water brush before fussy cutting right round it

- then found a free image of chicken wire on the internet, resized it to suit and printed it onto a piece of A4 white card, right in the centre so I could trim around it to my heart's content later on

- I had just the one snippet of the right shade of green Core'dinations card stock (to match the stems and leaves of the little bouquet of flowers) to play with so the next part took a bit of planning out

- first I trimmed the green card to slightly smaller than the card front so I could use it as a border around the chicken wire layer

- next I die cut a square from the centre of the piece of green card (effectively 'gutting' it) and adhered the remaining outer part onto the card front

- something in me is a bit against gutting as I know there's a piece of card with a chunk cut out of it, albeit hidden by the next layer! So, I die cut another white square the same size using a snippet of white card and stuck that in place so that the surface was level again :)

- next I backed the die cut square of green card with Stick-It adhesive sheet and die cut the sentiment using the Joanna Sheen 'Retro Happy Birthday' die and then the 50th using Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' and Tattered Lace 'Alphabet' dies

- worked out how I wanted the end result to look and first of all trimmed the printed chicken wire layer into a square then stuck it in place on top of the green layer of card, using Collall All Purpose glue 

- then just stuck the cute row of chooks, greeting and 50th in place

I bet most of you will guess who this card was made for - hope you had a fabulous day hun!!

Time for this week's 'peek at the picks':

I know that Jules is often a weekly pick, but I just had to show you this brilliant idea for using up snippet strips! Clever or what? Jules is blogging much more regularly now (goodness knows where she finds the time!) so there are loads of lovely cards appearing on her blog to inspire you.

We have had pop up box cards in the Playground fairly regularly - I picked this one by Megan as I adore the little reindeer with the skyline buildings behind. Also, Megan has a really easy to follow tutorial on the blog post - well worth a read!

I picked this fun card, made by April, as it made me giggle. Such a cute card and next thing I knew Parsnip was all geared up in his stetson ready for a ride - but I vetoed the spurs he wanted to wear! Visions of him careering off into the sunset never to be seen again - grimly hanging onto the Llama :)

Here's another fun card - shared with us by Cornelia. Plus, even better, there's a great tutorial showing how she made this - hop over to Cornelia's and follow the link. I know that Livi, Len's youngest grand daughter in Germany, would absolutely adore a card like this!

We had two new Playmates this week:
Nancy sauntered in with this gorgeous scene to share. It reminds me so much of the sun setting over the hills and rock formations on an evening drive we did in New Mexico a while back - and how clever to add the sentiment on a snippet of the same background!

obletnica U in U 2
Then Majda arrived, with this beautiful package to show us.There's no translation gizmo on Majda's blog but I'm guessing there might just be some chocolate hidden inside? And isn't the heart made up of buttons so cute?!

Now for the prize draw, for the Lawn Fawn 'Float My Boat' and Memory Box 'Breezy Waves' stamps and dies I used last week. Plus the extra set of Memory Box dies called 'School of Fish', kindly donated by Mary Anne. And the winner is:
Well done Pat! Each week Pat comes to play nicely - and I'm delighted for her! Plus, Pat always lets us in on her secrets on how she achieves such lovely end results - happy dance here for you Pat. I have your address from a previous win, which is well over six months ago so will post your prize off to you as soon as possible this coming week :) Do let me know quickly if you've moved house since your last win :)

This coming week's prize is also a bit of a bumper one and there's a little tale behind it. I quite often order stuff from Tara's shop called 'Seven Hills Crafts'. What I really love about about the shop is that, not only am I supporting Tara's business, but also she is one of the few UK sources of tons of USA produced goodies - notably dies and stamps, which would cost such a lot to order direct from the USA.

Tara used to play here before life became too busy (which is a good thing as it means the shop is doing OK!) and she queried a recent order of mine which was for more than one of an item. Of course I'd factored in a prize for the Playground but was grateful that Tara queried it anyhow. And then, she offered some goodies for the Playground as prizes! I was super thrilled when a lovely parcel arrived here with, amongst other items, these three Paper Smooches stamp sets:
The sets from left to right are 'Apologies', 'Smooches' and 'Graffiti'.

I'm offering all three as one prize - although you can of course just opt for one or two of the sets. There will be more lovely prizes (including more Paper Smooches stamps!) from the parcel in the near future. I'm delighted to be able to offer you these items and would love it if you would perhaps pop over to Tara's to see what she has in her wonderful shop:
Seven Hills Crafts Logo
 
The Snippets Challenge will run for one week (we're back to normal for the time being, yay!) and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 25th June. 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. If you only want to play for one or two of the stamp sets, just say so in your comment and if you win then I'll do a further draw for the other item(s). 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

63 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post to read, with the descriptions of all your fun village carnival events and sights...and that adorable "spring chicken card"! That chicken wire image in the background is just perfect! Loved all the beautiful weekly picks and I'm going to have to try that paper strip background that Jules does so wonderfully! Thanks for always making me smile!

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  2. How wonderful to read all about your village fair Di. As you say long live English traditions like this. The weather did stay dry too which is such a bonus. What a gorgeous card...I know what you mean about leaving card out at the back and like you would have filled in the hole! Gorgeous playmates cards and welcome to the new form members. I Lol at the thought of Parsnip taking a ride. Wow what a bumper prize too...yes please do count me in and how wonderful of Tara to add in some prizes...and how thoughtful you are to support UK businesses. Have a lovely week my friend and thanks as always for everything you do here in the playground. Hugs xx

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  3. Sounds as if you had a lovely day - for some reason my peculiar mind made me think of Midsomer Murders!! Well they do often feature village events. Love your card with the cute chicks and a great explanation of how it was made. Might just have to visit Seven Hills even though I'm not buying at the moment (who am I kidding??) Hoping to get around to a snippets card this week.

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  4. I'm glad you have had a fun and lovely day in that village!
    Adorable CAS for your friend's birthday, these chickens look so cool! :D
    Tara of Seven Hills Crafts has been so generous! I know her shop, and casually I have just ordered and received from her two stamps of Newton's Nook! Great customer service and fast delivery! :D
    Congrats to the lucky winner and to all the other ladies, these pics are so inspirational!

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  5. The chickens on your card are just so cute! Yes please to the stamp sets - how generous of Tara to offer such lovely goodies! I shall return with a card to share in the linky :)

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  6. Fab make and selection again today.

    Fab prize too - YES PLEASE

    Happy Sunday

    Kathyk

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  7. What a fabulous chooks card you made. Just KNOW the recipient will LOVE it.

    Waving hello to the newbies, and sending congrats to Pat on her win.

    FAB picks as usual.

    I LOVE Seven Hills - got some beautiful Concord & 9th dies from them recently. Didn't know it was run by Tara though!

    Chuckled at Val's Midsomer Murders reference . . .I can picture it now!

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  8. Hi Miss Di

    A bright and early appearance from me this week.

    Loved reading your antics of yesterday. Sounds like a fabby time was had.

    Loving your snippets card. Great image and I love the chicken wire background very much! Brilliant layout.

    Many thanks for showing my card of last week. Love that technique.

    Congratulations to Pat on her win.

    I am just playing for the smug feeling I get when I use up some of my snippets.

    Love Jules xx

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  9. Sounds like a fun day at the fair!
    Yes please to the prize. I am in early this week too!

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  10. A card at last - playing for fun this week

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  11. Morning Di - I bet that old dear is waking up with a headache today! Glad the weather stayed dry for you, these events are so very weather dependent.
    Yes please to the gorgeous stamps, they would be very useful
    Jane

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  12. Village carnival..... sounds fun!!!
    love your birthday card with adorable chickens! so perfect!
    Count me in for the prize!
    Have a wonderful day Di!

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  13. I wish I could see one of your village carnivals because they sound like so much fun! Your card is full of fun too with those spring chickens behind the barbed wire! 50 is fun :) Congrats to Pat on her win and to all of the notable creations spotlighted this week! I'm in just for fun this week :) Have a great week ahead!

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  14. A great card Di and love your tale of the carnival. I'm glad I'm not the only one that thought 'Midsomer Murders'! I'll be linking a card soon - it's one I made for last week, but I was to slow to link and the playground gates had closed. Just playing for fun this week, you'll see why when I post the card.
    Kath x

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  15. Sounds like you had a great day at the carnival! You've made such a cute and fun snippets card! The chickens are so adorable! Congrats to the winner and all the picks - so well deserved! Warm welcome to the new players! I'll be back to join in with another of my Pocket Letters - these are a great way to use up snippets! Yes for the prize - it looks awesome! I've not shopped at Seven Hills so I'll take a peek! Thank you!

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  16. Thanks for your kind words Di - I wish I could come and hang out in the playground more than I do these days!
    Tara
    x

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  17. Afternoon Di, you did make me giggle with your tail of the carnival - I just love village life here at home. Love your card.

    I just love Seven Hills as a store to get my "American stuff" great service and prices. So would love a chance to win these goodies, please.

    crafty hugs x

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  18. Super bit of fussy cutting going on with those there chooks. Love the chicken wire fencing. Any news of when we are getting our very own Aylesbury ducks for the playground! Hugs Mrs A.

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  19. Wonderful card, love those chookins, always have always will. Love how you put it all together with that chicken wire fence. sounds like you had a great time on the weekend and gave me such a wonderful visual memory of the wobbly lady.
    Great highlights on the cards from the previous challenge.

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  20. Ooh, there is indeed a happy dance going on here for being the winner of this wonderful prize Di! I love your cute image and the download of barbed wire is just perfect as a background and won't the recipient just love it. Glad you had a nice dry day for your local village carnival too and that it was such a great success. Congratulations to all the gorgeous highlighted cards, and I will be playing for fun this week due to me being such a lucky lady last week. x

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    1. Sorry, I forgot to say thank you to Mary Anne for the donated little fishes as part of the prize. x

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  21. A brilliant card Di and a great post and picks as always.
    How fabulous your village carnival sounds and so pleased that it is still going on., I hate how the old traditions are fading away, my generation and my Daughters generation loved them and I a sure this generation would too if anyone can be bothered to organise them.

    Kath x

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  22. Sounds like your village carnival was a great event.

    Brilliant card, Di, so cute! Another great selection of picks again.

    I'll just playing for fun this week as I've got quite a few similar stamps. xx

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  23. Love those little chicken! Somehow they escaped the chicken wire and are all dressed up to party! So cute! Lovely prize - would love to win the first set (Apologies). Seven Hills Crafts is one fabulous store! Smiling 'cause my dino card made it onto your feature list! Wondering if I should send it to Livi? When is her birthday? Linked up another one of those sliders - this one is a bit more involved..... Have a great week! Hugs!

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  24. A village carnival brings back memories on a sunny summers day. Nice to think about when we had only 9 degrees today.
    Loved your card, just playing for fun.
    Hugs
    Margaret M

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  25. Oooh - that village fete takes me right back to' way when ' - how marvelous :-D I'm glad it didn't rain on you !¬!
    Lovely card with such sweet little chicklets on it.... reminds me of when Sarn had them :-)

    Hugz
    IKE xxx

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  26. Your day sounds wonderful, Di. Your card is too :)
    Hugs,
    Em xxx

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  27. Fun card! Love the chicken wire detail; perfect addition. Would love to play along for the "Smooches" set, but would willingly share the other two with others. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  28. Love your PB chicken card - the chicken wire looks fab!
    Fabulous picks again...this really is one of my favourite places for inspiration!
    I'm a 'yes please' for the prize draw too :0)
    Helen x

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  29. Love these cute chickens and the birthday balloons. Bet this will cheer up someone turning 50 (just a baby really!). So enjoyed your description of your day...these village fetes always look like such fun when I see them portrayed on the Brit shows that I watch. Glad you were able to help out, raise some funds and have a good time as well. Delightful card, made me smile! Big hugs to Parsnip as well. Off to visit some of the entries here, and I see a fantastic alcohol landscape card that I enjoyed on my visits yesterday. Blew me away!!! Also delighted to see Miss Pat was a winner. TFS & Hugs

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  30. Fabulous chickies and balloons Di!!! Sounds like the village fete was a smashing day. Congrats to Pat and all the other picks huggles Sue xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  31. Such fabulous picks Di and please count me in for the draw
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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  32. Wonderful card like always Di. I would love to be in the draw for the prize.
    Valerija xx

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  33. What a great day you had in the village Di, sounds like a lot of fun!
    Great selection of cards as always. Your card is super, the chicken wire gives a great background. I'm just playing for fun this week.
    Janice x

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  34. Oops, I forgot to add my congratulations to Pat!
    Janice x

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  35. Sneaking in to show my face again Di, apols for the truancy but not too good, so won't be creating too much a a problem in the tree house. Own fault trying to pack too much in, did a couple of impromptu C&C shows, spent half the night preparing then bang, another MS flare up. And typing's a nightmare not to mention trying to stamp, hence the missing or short and sweet comments.

    B x

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  36. What a really lovely card you've made Di. I love the chicken wire behind those cute little guys.

    A lovely selection of picks from you again this week and congratulations to Pat on her win. Barbxx

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  37. I finally made it back...YAY! Loving those crazy chickens onyour card...I have some old chicken stamps somewhere, you make me want to get them out...what a cute card I am sure she will love! Sounds like you have been having a great time...nothing new here, but work, work and more work..lol! Great picks too and yes of course to the stamps....have a great week, it is a hot and very stormy one here..ugh!

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  38. Hi Di,
    Such a fun birthday card you have made!
    And your "picks" a lovely too.
    I show my birthday card here on your site. I don't have that many snippets, only a single little yellow one. But it wanted to say hey to you. Together with the sweet elefant.
    And I want to play and be able to win.
    Here in Switzerland we are waiting for summer ......
    Hugs, Liv

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  39. Hi Di..TFS your fun village events :-) I was so surprised to see my 1st card I entered in your fun challenge showcased on this page..surprises are so fun! Thank you. Thank you also for a chance to win your amazing stamp sets. Have a great week. Hugs, Nancy

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  40. Hi Di, what a beautiful cards....Count me in for the draw...

    Hugs
    Meena

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  41. That chicken card is the cutest ever! I admit to a special place in my heart for chickens...real ones, stamped ones, stuffed toy ones, etc. so this card caught my eye right away. Your friend is going to just love it! Yes please to the prize and thanks for another fun challenge.

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  42. Hi Di - thank you for your kind words and compliments. It is true that in the greeting card is hiding chocolate. Even in today 's card is :-) Thank you also for a chance to win your amazing stamp sets. I realy like your greeting card - chickens are splendid, so full of life... Big hug, Majda

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  43. Hi Miss Di, and the lovely Parsnip.
    Yes please if I'm lucky enough.
    Now don't faint as I have managed at last to make a snippets card.
    Your snippets make is so wonderful, and I do love the design, and attention to detail.
    Congrats to the featured card they are all fab.
    Also congrats to Pat on her win.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  44. Lovely card Di and super prize as always!
    Hugs, Hazel xx

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  45. I have no doubt whatsoever that Sam loved her card. Those chickens are just fabulous and the chicken wire behind is just inspired! Wonderful picks too - those caped crusaders are really starting to appeal to me right now lol!
    Yes please for the draw Di and I already shop at Tara's, when I have the pennies, lol, they do awesome stamps there! Glad to hear you didn't get drenched in that rain. Sorry this has to be a quick on and off but I hope to catch up again soon Karen xx

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  46. The festival sounds like so much fun! Wonderful BD card, Di--so cute! Congrats to all the picks & I'll play just for fun this week.

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  47. Your quizzical chickens are so much fun, Di. Lovely card :)

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  48. your card is so cute, Di.

    yes for the prize please and have a great weeekend!

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  49. Thanks for joining our Challenge at Creative Fingers Challenge Blog.

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  50. Awwwwwww....what a fab creation! Love, love, love it!

    Sorry I haven't been much around. Work and off-work activities (golf, lol) has kept me extremely busy and I just haven't had time nor the energy for crafting. I probably won't participate in this week's challenge (we are celebrating midsummer fest this weekend Fri-Sun in Finland and I am off town to visit my parents) but I try my best playing next week.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Hugs,
    Eemeli

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    1. I made it this week! So happy to join in and of course yes please for the fab prize/s.

      Hugs,
      Eemeli

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  51. Just love your card - great design. I can't remember whether I already said this! I always look on Sunday and then save commenting for when I enter, but could have commented on Sunday! Yes please to being in the draw this time. L x

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  52. Hi Di, forgot to say I would love to be in the draw.
    Hugs Hazel xx

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  53. Hi Diane, thought I'd pop and join you again today. It sounds as if you are having a lovely time. Great card too, love the chickens and the wire.

    Hugs Erika. x

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  54. Hi Diane, Lovely 50th card - such cute chickens! Great set of picks this week. I love Paper Smooches, so would be thrilled to be in the draw. Thanks. xx

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  55. Love your work as per usual! I'd love to play for the prize I don't have any Paper Smooches stuff :D

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  56. Sorry I'm so late getting to your Pixie post, Di. I always love seeing your picks and your card for the week, both of which are brills! I loved your description of your day at the carnival ... I should have looked into going to one for a day somewhere when I'm over there, it sounds so fun! Hugs, Darnell

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  57. Love your card Miss those chickens are the best, sooo cute! and love the very clever makes by all the playmates too.
    Will play just for fun no to prizes this week that you,Thanks so much for the inspiration.
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

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  58. Your village fest sounds like it was fun Di. For the first time in my life, I'm actually living in a small town that does that sort of thing.
    I like the little Southwest theme going on here int eh Playground this week, with April's llama and Nancy's desert scene. Megan's tutorial looks great, and I have bookmarked for a day when I am feeling patient and willing to be very detail oriented.
    Just playing for fun, thanks.

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  59. Loving those cute chickens Di! Sadly no card creating this week, but just wanted to say thank you so much for including my llama in your lovely picks!! It totally made my day! Hugs Xx

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  60. I'm having words with Brenda cos she never said dem Aylesbury Ducks wernt potty trained! Parsnip is doing sterling job. I'd pay him but the bottom just dropped out of the £. Just for fun again Miss. Hugs Mrs A.

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  61. Hi Di, a gorgeous card love the printed chicken wire, such a great idea, Thank you for another turn of being one of this weeks picks, hope to see some more gorgeous box cards soon... Have a great week... Megan

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Thank you so much if you take the time to comment!

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.