Sunday 17 July 2016

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 238

More decent weather this past week - yippee! Here's hoping Summer might just be on the way. The forecast is for high temperatures down here on Monday and Tuesday - which perhaps means that Darnell is bringing the sunshine with her to Southampton :)

Without any more ado, here's my snippets card for this week, and by pure fluke is also fits the current Less is More challenge, which is 'Repetition':
I used:

- 4.25" x 5.5" white card blank, tent style

- a slightly smaller white panel for the top layer - but in truth I worked on it while it was a bit bigger. That allowed me to fine tune the measurements and placing of the word 'hello'

- to do that I measured then drew lines across the card very lightly using a soft pencil plus a line down the left hand side to place the word against - the secret to this card is to measure, check, measure and check, along with 'precision'

- then I die cut the word 'hello' three times from the white card, using a die from the MFT Die-namics 'Hello There' set (it also come with the words 'hi' and 'there') - making sure I saved the white die cuts - reason comes later

- next I trimmed the panel to size, just slightly smaller than the card front (evenly on either side and also evenly at top and bottom - remember, the key word is 'precision' when making a card like this as there really is no place to hide). Then added double sided adhesive sheet to the back - which left the apertures with a nice sticky area for inserting the word die cuts

- then die cut the word 'hello' from three  snippets of card (blue, pink and purple) and carefully inserted those into the sticky backed apertures

- from the white die cuts I then needed to pop the white centres of the letters 'e' plus the teensy piece in the centre of the end squiggle on the letter 'o' in place

- glued the panel to the card front

- added three pearlescent sequins using Glossy Accents and called it done (could have placed the sequins better - two close together with one 'loner' would be good, but too late now!)

A tip: the centres of the letters O had dropped out when I removed the die, which was fine as they weren't too fiddly to work with. However, the teensy white centres of the squiggles were still in place so instead of removing them and risking losing them, not to mention how tiny they are to handle anyhow, I tried a new trick - one to remember for the future. Leaving the little piece of die cut in place I carefully lined the white word die cut over the letter 'o' and gently popped the piece downwards into the sticky gap using a pokey tool - removed the white die cut and just rubbed the little piece with my fingernail to make sure it was nicely stuck down.

I love this die set, the words can be varied of course and (for example) could be used individually or (as I did) repeated to add some 'oomph' to a card - possibly using the 'ombre' technique of varying shades of the same colour.
 
Now for this week's peek at the picks. I'll keep it to three picks, although I could show many more than that. As you know, am trying to limit time spent both crafting and also at the laptop - sitting still isn't good for the back, which is actually improving so it does point to sitting for long periods beavering away at the desk being a lot to blame:
Carol brought this beautiful Christmas card to share with us, plus a second one which you can see over on her blog HERE. I love the clever idea of using the SU 'Softly Falling' embossed panel behind the image panel! And what a stunning scene - love it!

Scenes, especially Summer and beach ones, are really popular right now. I really love this easel card, made by Lia. Lots of lovely snippets used and just look at all the detail - wonderful sand dunes, Lia must have tons of patience!

Those of you who've already visited Alice's blog have gone crackers over this fabulous piece of mixed media art. It's just stunning, and another example of how versatile you wonderful girls are. Love, love, love it!

We had one new Playmate this week - and she's very much one of my favourite card makers too. It's Debby of 'A Scrapjourney':
I adore this card, it really says 'Summer' doesn't it - and such clever use of snippets (aren't the little cornets so sweet in spotty paper?!). And look, Debby also used a 'Hello' die on her card, albeit made by a different company! I always find Debby's work really inspirational and her blog is one I really recommend you to check out if haven't done so already. I often refer back in my blog posts to ideas I've picked up from Debby. I just wish I'd had more of the hedgehog stamps that Debby (and many others) really wanted to win this week :(

Which leads nicely on to prize draw time, for the Penny Black 'Guess?' stamp and Die-Versions Corner Concepts 'Happy Birthday die, a really popular prize:

The winner is:
Well done Maura, according to my little black book it's been some time since you won a prize (October last year) so this one is probably due to you! I have your address and will post the prize off to you later on this week when I get time to visit the Post Office after the Southampton frolics.

Here's this coming week's prize, which I bet you girlies already guessed:
It's the MFT Die-namics 'Hello There' set of dies ('hello', 'hi' and 'there'). The dies are about an inch tall BTW.

Wait, you can see three sets of dies? How strange, so can I! Which means there are three sets of the same dies on offer so you naturally have three times as much chance of winning this coming week! Still just one entry please.

The Snippets Challenge will run for one week and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 23rd July. 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 :) 

Having said that, I'll be in Southampton at the start of this coming week and most likely won't have time to hop in and comment on entries or fix any linking issues until after Wednesday when I'm due back home (no doubt tired, hoarse and very happy). I'll take my Nexus tablet but using it to actually tinker on with the blog or Mr Linky is fraught with pitfalls - easy to cause more problems than you cure I find! I do have a couple of scheduled posts which will appear, one of which is the new Cuttlebug challenge on Tuesday - and it's the last one for a few weeks whilst folk take a Summer break.

But, Parsnip (cheeky little bear) is in charge of the Playground. He initially whined on to come with me then decided that a chap needs to 'keep his air of mystery' - so he's on lookout duty and also keeping Len in check ............. but he can be bribed with sweets/candy I fear. Err, and so can the little white fluffy bear!

Have a grand ole week y'all (practising American for when Darnell hits these shores!).

Di and, of course, Parsnip
x

55 comments:

  1. Congrats to Maura on her win, and thanks for shining the spotlight on my card this week - I'm honored as always :) I really like your CAS card Di, and I'd love to be included in the draw this week! Take good care of Darnell and I hope all of you have a blast together! Enjoy your week ahead ;)

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  2. Thank you so much for another shout-out and for your lovely words, Di!! It's a big honour!
    Your CAS looks wonderful, and I'm impressed by how much patience and precision you have had to misure all!! It's out of my skills :)
    Congrats to Maura and to the other picks of the week, I'm so glad to see the fabulous Christmas card of Carol!
    Hugs and happy Sunday!

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  3. Have a great time with Darnell! Love your card & such a great prize! Not sure I'll get something made, but if I do I'd love to be in the drawing. Hope your back keeps getting better, Miss Di!

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  4. It sounds like a fabulous few days ahead Di. Have fun in Southampton. Your card is so elegant and yes please to the chance to win one of those great dies. Well done to Maureen and lovely picks as always. I hope to be checking in from Tuscany if the WiFi behaves next Sunday:0) Hugs xx

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  5. Morning Di & Parsnip. Lovely die cut inlay card. Brilliant picks . . All fab but esp like the dreamy mixed media one.
    Have a great time in Southampton with Darnell et al. Hope Len &Parsnip clear up the house before you return!
    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  6. Have an amazing time with the lovely Darnell! Thanks for a fab Less is More entry too. I love the repeated word, perfect for our theme this week, and I'm so impressed at your precision - it looks spot on, which really isn't easy. Nicely done!

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  7. FAB make and selection and, YES PLEASE to an entry for this week's super prize

    Happy Sunday

    Kathyk

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  8. Lovely CAS card today Di, and great selection of makes. I would love to be entered into the draw please.
    Enjoy your time with Darnell, looking forward to hearing all about it!
    Janice x

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  9. Love this card and great that it fits another challenge too. Thanks so much for the 'how to' info with the layering of the die cuts and 'fiddly bits'. I did mine in the difficult way this week with tweezers and glue, I won't be fiddling like that again! I'd love to be in with a chance for the prize this week please - off to post my card now.

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  10. Morning Di - love your perfectly CAS card. Very sad that I won't be meeting Parsnip but no doubt he would get you thrown out of the hotel for his misdemeanours. Yes please to the draw this week
    Jane

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  11. Hi Di, it's so nice you picked my beachcard to show this week. I feel honoured about that! Thank you!!
    Lia xx

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  12. Forgot to tell you that I would love to be in a chance for the prize!
    Lia xx

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  13. A fabulous card and great picks too. I'll be in the playground soon and would love a chance to win these lovely dies.
    Have a great time in Southampton.
    Kath x

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  14. I love your repeat sentiment idea in those pretty colours Di and great for the LIM challenge, wonderful picks again this week too and congratulations to Maura, and if I get my card in this week I'm a 'yes please' for the prize draw.

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  15. Hello Di! Neat CAS card and I love your top picks they are fabulous.

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  16. Beautiful card and great top picks.
    Yes please for the prize.
    Valerija xx

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  17. Afternoon Di, love your card very effective. The top picks are great put a smile on my face :)

    Would love a chance to win so yes please. x

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  18. So crisp and clean, Di, loving the bold colours against the bright white. Well done on dealing with those little bitty bits, never too easy!
    Thanks for sharing with us.
    Anita x
    Less is More

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  19. Hello, Di! Your CAS Hello card is beautiful! It was so fun looking at your picks - Yay for my friend Alice P! Congrats to the lucky winner! I like your prize - please count me in - Yes! I hope your back improves soon! Have a great week!

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  20. A lovely card Di. The Hello looks lovely in different colours and thank you for the tips.

    Congratulations to Maura on her win and also to your super spotlights this week. Welcome to the new playmate.

    Enjoy your visit with Darnell and the girls and hopeing you have great weather.

    I'm so pleased to be back playing again and this time it's just for fun. Barbxx

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  21. Woo hoo! Thanks for drawing my name, Di! So excited to use my new goodies! Love your card and how perfect that it fits Less is More (gotta love it when that happens!)

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  22. Di, Your CAS Hello card is stunning! Congrats to our winner this week Maura. I really like the prize this week and would love to play. I hope your back continues to heal and improve for you. Hugs, Wanda

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  23. Love the fun trio of hello's! Awesome dies..and yes please!

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  24. I wouldn't have thought, just glancing at it, that your card was that fiddly (read: Precise) to make but upon further review I totally see it. As you said 'no room to hide.' I do like how it came out. Great picks for us to check out too. Carol's tree is stunning.

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  25. Perfect card for the LIM challenge! Inlaid die cutting rocks! As for the prize - playing along for a chance to win those goodies!

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  26. Do you remember the TV programme, only 2 hello's in that though.
    Brilliant card.
    Great picks.
    Glad back is easing a tad.

    Kath x

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  27. Love the crisp, pretty look to your fun card, Di! So, yes, please, to the prize this week....and I thank you for all your very generous giveaways. So much fun for us all!!

    Congrats to the top picks....what magnificent cards!!! Just fabulous. Congrats to Maura for being the lucky winner, too.

    Have fun visiting with Darnell!! I hope everyone's bodies will leave all their naughty tricks at home and each of you will be feeling well during the entire time!!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  28. Beautiful card Di. The colours are beautiful and your placement of the words is spot on! Thanks for the tip about the fiddly bits in dies - I do struggle with those sometimes! Thank you so much for joining us at Less is More.
    Sharon xx

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  29. Hello again Di, I'm back and hoping for a prize. Then I saw the other entries hay ho no harm in wishing is there! XOXO

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  30. Hi Di....lovely Hello CAS card.....

    count me in for the draw...

    hugs
    Meena

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  31. Oooo have a lovely time in Southampton and you are only about 1hr and 15mins away from me.

    A great way to use word dies and i would love to be entered into the prize draw please, Luv Sam x

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  32. Awesome card Miss Pixie! Yes please for the prize this week too. There are so many gorgeous picks, oh dear I have got to keep away because I will be wanting to buy some new stash otherwise lol! As always thank you for all the hard work you do Di - it is greatly appreciated by all of us Karen xx

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  33. Lovely CAS card, Di. The hellos are so perfectly placed.

    Not much time for blog visiting this week, so will have to check out all your gorgeous picks.

    Just playing for fun this week. xx

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  34. I'm new to this site. Love CAS and your card is a great showcase of that.
    I love MFT so I would love to play for the prize.

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  35. Fab CAS card die love those dies!!!! and some great picks and congrats to the winner huggles Sue xxxxx

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  36. Love your 'hello' card layout :)
    Gorgeous colour choices. x
    (Just for fun again, Di).

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  37. Hi Di your card is gorgeous I love it. I am here just for fun this week. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  38. Great card Di, and a great way to use the sentiment die as the focal point. xx

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  39. Hey Di, Love your card and the cards you chose to showcase this week. Hope all is well with you. "Yes" I would love to be in the draw for this prize.

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  40. Love your card, think you're being hard on yourself about the sequins though, they look great to me. Cara x

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  41. Really lovely CAS card Di! I'd love a chance at the prize please :)

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  42. Simple, but super fun!! Love the multi colored greeting. Would love to play for the prize this week, thank you!

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  43. Just for fun this week and didn't we just with Darnell.
    hugs Mrs A.

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  44. A fun bright card and wonderful picks. I wish I had time to visit them all. Yes, please to the draw.

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  45. Yes please for the lovely prize

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  46. Don't forget to give Darnell a hug from me, love that lady. Great card and thought I would come play in the playground. I bought along some gob stoppers for lunch time.
    Yes please for the prize. wahooo

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  47. Great card, love that die so yes please to be in the draw. Got to run but back later to comment on your other makes.

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  48. Am here Miss.... yes please cos it's toooo long since I was in a prize draw! x

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  49. You're tri-color hello is simple perfection. Thanks to everyone for last weeks inspiration and a big rah-rah to the people who are spotlighted. Congrats, Maura! Yes please for the draw and please have the best of times with that wild and wonderful Darnell!

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  50. Love your fun CAS card Di, and I was excited to finally be back in my craft room today to play! Beautiful picks of the week...and congrats to the winner! Yes please to these fun word dies and thanks as always for inspiring me!

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  51. Hello Di! Love the repetition of Hello on your beautiful CAS creation! Congrats to Maura, lovely pics again!
    Count me in for the prize!

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  52. Hello, hello, hello, Di! Just flitted in for a quick visit to the playground. Love your picks from last week and so many awesome cards this week too. Glad I don't have to pick just a few favorites!

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  53. we had similar inspirations, Di :))) - I love your CAS, it is so lovely and great dies!
    yes for the prize, please (I like MFT very much :)
    please take care on your back! and have lovely time with darnell & co!
    hugs

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  54. It was such fun to meet you this week Di...let's hope it won't be too long before the next time... I've been so busy all week, I've only just got around to visiting blogs!
    I love your hello hello hello card, great inlays!
    Other fab cards too!
    Thanks so much
    Chrissie
    "Less is More"

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  55. Love this CAS card Di, glad to hear your catch up with Darnell was so much fun! Yes please to the prize this week. Cathy x

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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.