Sunday 4 September 2016

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 245

Hi there! There's a bit of a nip in the air early morning and late evening, we put a duvet back on the bed on Friday (slept so well, it's like a cosy nest again) and the leaves are changing colour - sure signs that Autumn is on the way.

Our surrogate daughter, the wonderful Mama of Len's two beautiful grand daughters over in Germany, had a milestone Birthday this past week and my snippets card was made for her big day.

I already had the die set waiting to be used, I first spotted it over at Liz's blog and then over at Sonia's blog. It gets even better, 'cos Liz bought the die set after seeing it over at Janice's blog HERE back in March this year (I saw it too in fact but hadn't realised it was a die set at that point!). All three girls made fabulous cards for the Playground using the die set (and all three were weekly picks as well!) - this is my first attempt (pinched some ideas about the edging from Sonia - mwah!). I took the photos a couple of weeks ago in really bright Summer sunshine so some of the colours do look slightly washed out/in soft focus:

I used:

- 300gsm white card stock, die cut using the main card die from the Spellbinders 'Pop-Ups' 'Happy Days' die set, making sure the fold lines were well embossed before folding them. You can do this by hand or using a 'tan/rubber' embossing mat to run the die cut through your machine a second time

- a sheet of paper from LOTV's 'Timeless Victorian' paper pad was used to die cut the patterned fronts and also the steps on the card base - glued in place using Collall All Purpose glue

- snippets of SU's 'Wisteria Wonder' to die cut the double loop edging scallops - which were then glued in place (this is where the Woodware Ultra Fine Nozzle containers are brilliant)

- next die cut the birdcage from a snippet of 'Wisteria Wonder' plus the three little birds(from a snippet of white card) - using the Joy! Lin and Lene 'Birdcage and 3 birds' set of dies

- glued the cage and birdies in place and then punched three teensy little black eyes from a snippet of black card using my smallest hole punch and glued them in place as well

- the sentiment gave me some issues as space was a bit tight and loads of my sentiment stamps and dies are either too large or too long to fit. Found an old Hobbycraft stamp called 'Special Day' in the end - phew! Stamped it using Brilliance 'Pearlescent Lavender' onto a snippet of white card

- then found a circular Spellbinders scalloped edge die to suit and chose the best fit for the plain inner from the Tonic Studios 'Circle Layering' set of dies. This really is such an invaluable set of dies with 14 circles in total - I love it!

- die cut the sentiment, then die cut the scalloped circle from a little snippet of 'Wisteria Wonder' and embossed both edges of the dies using a ball ended tool

- glued the two sentiment circles together and added them to the card - final touch was to use little scraps of 'Wisteria Wonder' to die cut Kai's name and also her age (using First Editions 'Alphabet Sans Serif' and Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' dies). Glued those to the steps and we were done!

My 'in-house critic' gave it the stamp of approval - apart from his usual observation about any patterned paper being like wallpaper of course!

And this is my third and final entry for Darnell's NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) challenge #7, which finishes at the end of tomorrow (Monday 5th September). It's standing room only over there but you still have time to play!

Time for a peek at this week's picks:

Cathy nipped in with this really gorgeous mixed media panel - I absolutely adore it. Lots of dimension and the touches of gold are absolutely perfect.

I always look for entries which show us great ways to use up snippets. Sue T did just that with her really lovely patchwork card - and isn't the sentiment just perfect?!

Then Helen hopped in with another simple but so eye catching way of using up snippets - this time it's snippety strips of paper (thought it might be washi tape at first). 

Card created for challenges CAS-ual Fridays #155 Black & White with a Pop of Color, HLS CAS Masking, HLS CASE Gloria Lee, NBUS #7 and Pixie's Snippets Playground #244.
I just had to show you this card, made by Trina! Each one of those lilies was individually stamped then masked before the next lily was stamped, right around a masked heart shape. The monochrome shading is just stunning and the pops of red in the sentiment are so perfect. What a card!

I know I feature Sonia's work pretty regularly here - this amazing Neolithic Doirama was actually made by her daughter Prisha as a project for school! I can't even begin to describe it here - you'll have to go and see all the amazing detail for yourselves. Artistic talent certainly runs in the family!

And, after a little absence, Jean returned to play with us - bringing this delightful First Birthday card. The background paper is a patchwork design and I love how Jean has pulled all the colours from that piece of paper into the other layers, the ribbon and buttons - and the image. So cute!

Kim has been playing with little strips of paper, making the most wonderful paper quilled butterfly! Isn't it absolutely beautiful? I really love it and wish I could have as much patience and dexterity!

So those are my picks for this week girls. As ever, not an easy job and I've limited it to seven as am not supposed to be sitting still at the laptop/desk for too long! Should have been three really but sometimes it's impossible to whittle down!

We had two new Playmates last week:

First was Neva with this fabulous 'Oval Pull' card. What a lovely design and such pretty colours too! Neva should fit into the Playground perfectly - her blog name is 'Finding Snippets of Time to Craft'!

And then Sue B skipped in, with this brilliant card. It was also for the Less is More Challenge (use stickers, peel offs etc) and is so perfectly designed and executed!

Welcome to both of you - hope to see you playing along again really soon :)

And it's prize draw time, for the Clearly Besotted Shaker Circle Hooray die and the packet of shaker mix.

Here's our winner:
Congratulations Greta, the early bird did catch the worm this week for sure! Can you please drop me an email with your address in and I'll post your prize off as soon as possible! My email address is on the right hand side bar.

Here's this coming week's prize:
Yes indeedy, it's a Spellbinders 'Pop-Up' 'Happy Days' set of dies - just like the one I used on my card today. And it does work with a machine as small as a Cuttlebug - so long as you tape the card 'base' die to the main card stock you're using for the steps card and turn it by 180 degrees before running it through again as there is a little bit of overhang.

The Snippets Challenge will run for one week and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 10th September. 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 :)

And here's a heads up for you, our Playmate Liz (of Crafty Sunflower) is celebrating reaching 100 followers with these lovely dies as a give away:
 
To help Liz celebrate, and also be in with a chance to win, hop on over to her blog and see what you have to do to play along. Please note, these are Liz's prize over on her blog - the Playground prize this week is the Spellbinders set of dies!

Have a lovely week!






and, of course, Parsnip

68 comments:

  1. Seriously?!--#1 came up?! Thanks so much, Di! Picks are amazing, as always, & your special BD card is stunning!

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  2. Fabulous step-card, and love the borders and the birds!! So lovely! Surely the recipient will fall in love with it!!
    Congrats to Dr.Sonia - she is sooo talented and full of ideas!- and to all the other pics! Big congrats to the lucky winner, too! :D

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  3. Done !

    Adore that shape and details of your card Di and a super pick again this week.

    B x

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  4. Hi Di, Love the card for your 'daughter' love the edge on the card looks spectacular and the fold is wonderful. A lovely selection of cards this week I'm off to visit a few. Yes please for the prize it is a stunning set... have a great week... Megan

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  5. Such a pretty card Di, so pleased you have used it now! Whoever the lucky winner will be this week is going to be so pleased with this set.
    Great cards, lots of inspiration and congratulations to Greta.
    Janice x

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  6. Lovely make and pick this week, loved Cathy's mixed media make myself too!

    Just playing for fun this week

    Kathyk

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  7. Oooo what a gorgeous design card and beautifully decorated too, i would so love to be entered into the draw this week, as i love different shaped cards.

    Oooo such a fabby collection of creations this week.

    I'm still sleeping under a sheet, as i am waking up hot (think i'm starting to go through the change, yuk), Luv Sam x

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  8. Morning Di, and what a great selection of fantastic cards and projects this week. What great ideas - so different.

    Have a wonderful Sunday xxx

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    1. Thank you for a chance to win one of your lovely prizes. Good luck everyone xx

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  9. Your card is beautiful. I bet she will love this beauty. The folded shape is so lovely and your design and embellishments look great.!
    I think that die is wonderful and will say yes to the prize draw...but feel guilty as I just won!

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  10. Oh fab cards as usual Di. I can see our dilemma of having to make a choice. just playing for fun thanks.
    Hugs
    Margaret

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  11. Hi Miss Di, and the lovely Parsnip.
    Yes please if I'm lucky enough.
    oh what a superb card, and I love the fab shape and everything you have used to create this.
    I bet she was soooooooo! pleased with it.
    Those edges are so very pretty too.
    Congrats to Greta on her win, and also congrats to the picks of the week, they were all so very super and wonderful.
    It must be a constant headache for you having to choose from such wonderful entries every week, as my playground friends never fail to come up trumps with their creations, and ideas.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  12. Morning Di - a really fab selection of picks this week, and as for your card - stunning! I've seen several cards of that style and didn't realise they were done using a single die set, so I would love to be in the "cup of chance" this week. (Forgive me for coming over all Create & Craft, I'm reading Nigel May's latest book at the moment and it's a bit on the steamy side, I have to keep picturing him on TV to keep things in perspective!)
    Jane

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  13. Sorry I've not played for a few weeks - 'things' get in the way sometimes! I was tempted and inspired by the card you made with the super prize so may I say 'yes please' this week.

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  14. I played with my card and yes please for enter in the draw for the prize, too!

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

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  16. Whoops I tried to amend spelling and deleted my previous comment ......just wanted to say a big thank you for featuring my card on your top picks, glad I found you I feel honoured.....Congratulations to the winner of your giveaway too, thank you again, Sue X

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    1. We're delighted you came to play Sue - your card is fabulous (I think it should be a winner over at LIM personally!). Hope to see you again soon!

      Hugs

      Di xx

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  17. Congrats to Greta for her win, and this weeks' picks are AH-mazing! Di, that's a fabulous step card you made, and I'd love to learn to make one, so yes please to the draw this week!! I'm blown away by everyone's creations this week - but then I'm in awe every other week as well! Thanks for the inspiration everyone, and thanks for another fun challenge Di! The cooler nights are great for sleeping here too Di - I love this time of year :)

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  18. Fabulous card, Di. I love this Spellbinder set of dies, there is going to be one lucky winner this week!

    Great picks, missed a few of them in the week, including the brilliant creation by Prisha, so will be off to have a closer look at them.

    Thanks for putting a link to to my blog candy on your post, I know a lot of my followers are regular Playmates here.

    As you know, I've already got the super prize, so I'll just be playing for fun this week. I've linked up a card I made recently using the die.

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  19. You have made a really pretty stair step card Di and great that it folds completely flat for posting, essential for Germany. The colours are so pretty and I adore that scallop border which is so unusual and could be used on lots of cards. Great highlights again this week, everyone is so inventive with their use of snippets, and congratulations to Greta for winning last week. I am a 'yes please' for the draw. x

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  20. Wow, Di, you've made a fabulous card! This looks amazing! How fabulous that there is a die that will cut this! I will definitely be a yes for this prize, and I will be back at some point to join the playground this week! I enjoyed looking at all of the picks! People are so creative with their snippets! Congrats to the winner! Enjoy!

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  21. Hi Miss Di

    Have actually made it to the playground this week .. .. yay!!!

    Loving your card very much. It is super, super special.

    That is one fabulous die for someone to win!

    I am just playing for fun though (as much as I would love to create a card as lovely as yours).

    Love Jules xx

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  22. It may have been an NBUS die this time round but I can see it getting a lot of use in the future because it's a fabulous step card with lots of super details. Great picks again this week and congrats to Greta.
    I'll be back later with a card and I'd love to play for the super prize this week xx

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  23. That sure is a WOW card Di. I love the colours too. I would really like to be included for the prize. Lynn

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  24. Good evening Di, late for me as we had Daisy and Co up! This is a incredible card..your honoury DIL must habe been thrilled. What a die you used, I've never seen it before and yes please put me in for the hat when I pop back with my entry. Lovely pics and well done to Greta. It really does feel chillier today but summer may be back for a quick visit on Wednesday they are saying. Hope those hedgies are putting on weight for their hibernation. Hugs xx

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  25. What a special birthday card! I love how you've done the steps and that bird and birdcage looks perfect with the pretty paper! Great picks as always! Thanks for the shout out last week. I don't think I ever got over to thank you. I'm not sure where the week went but I'm pretty sure I saw it whiz by!

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  26. These step cards always look so intimidating, who knew there was a die to help you along? It beats all the measuring and cutting and scoring from scratch...and your result is gorgeous. Had a giggle at the wallpaper comment from your hubby, but the step design does lend itself to a wallpaper feel for patterned paper, doesn't it?! Congrats to the winners and picks for such stupdendous designs...and yes please to the prize!

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  27. Some lovely picks, especially love the last one, great post Di and to be honest some papers do look like wallpaper, infact I suppose it really is. Wise Old Owl, don't tell him I said the old.
    Love your card and the shape.
    Have a good week.

    Kathx

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  28. Super card for Kai and it worked well for the spacing for her name. 4.tog on the bed already and a further 13.tog got piled on during the night!! The under blanket is plugged in at the ready. Flipping cold here.
    Yay managed to use some snippets at long last. Hugs Mrs A.

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  29. Ooops meant to add just playing for fun. Hugs Mrs A.

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  30. Yes please to border die, Di I have wanted that one for ages, have the Pippi die and it's a fav.
    Lovely step card, well done.
    Re over exposure due to bright light I often have that issue here in Oz and use a free Windows Live Photo Gallery programme, resize crop etc images there and also turn down " brightness" and deepen ever so slightly the "saturation". This remedies it.
    Not sure if that helps.
    Awesome picks in playground too, glad Greta won 😊 she's a newbie to my blog, Hugs Shaz. X

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  31. Wow! Your card for this week is stunning! I am still struggling to understand how the steps are made (not sure if I would know even with the prize there is for grabs -- definitely _yes_please_ if I end up being the lucky gal to win it).

    Great picks from last week. Congratulations for the lucky winner!

    Hugs,
    Eemeli

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  32. Lovely ideas to use all those snippets of craft goods and snippets of ideas, thank you for the chance to win some lovely goodies too x

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  33. WOW Di - what a fantastic card you've made here. Simply gorgeous. How great that you're giving one of the Playmates a chance to win that fab die.

    Congrats to Greta on her win.

    Hugs to all. xxx

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  34. Whoops I seem to have posted twice on the link up, sorry x

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    1. I spotted and deleted it Sue - no worries :)

      Di x

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  35. Just popped back with my card xx

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  36. Lovely step card..love the cute bird and the gorgeous borders!
    Hope to get lucky to win the prize set..really wanna try making this type of card..

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  37. HELLO MISS!!! (Waves madly).... I am HERE!!! Three whole nights in me own bed! (Sounds a bit rooood that don't it - but you know what I mean!)
    Missed the Playground and me mates and Parsnip. Popped in to see you all.. and what a clever lot of playmates AGAIN.... love the pics and missed yer loadz... xxx

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  38. Oops - me again - YES PLEASE to the prize! x

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  39. Well, I happen to really LIKE the background paper...the tiny floral pattern is just so delicate & feminine. The step fold takes care of any 'too frou-frou-ness' as well. Love the edging treatment, very fragile and pretty. She'll love it as much as I do. (In house critics don't have the last word after all!) TFS & Hugs

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  40. The card is stunning Di! I must be living under a rock where die cutting dies are concerned because I had no idea you could purchase a die that cuts like this! Yes please for the draw.
    As for the card and the in-house critic they don't always get it right lol! Mine was astounded when I said I loved something my mum had purchased me a couple of months ago because he thought I was being polite lol! But the tee shirt she got me - crumbs I do loathe certain designs Karen xx

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  41. Kai will love this beautiful snippets card for her 40th birthday, Di! And your choices for spotlighting this week are outstanding!! Congratulations to Greta for the win! Finally, thank you again from the bottom of my butt for your three entries and never-ceasing support of my little challenge! Mwah!! Love and hugs, Darnell

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  42. Your card is beautiful - that bird and birdcage looks gorgeus with the pretty paper! Great picks as always! YES PLEASE to the prize! Majda x

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  43. WOW Di such a gorgeous card you made using the Spellbinders Happy die and I am so flattered you are crediting me with the little ideas....you are soooo sweet!! And what a double delight your post is for me. You featured our Neolithic Diorama...yippee...I must show this post to my daughter when she comes back from school today!!
    I will be playing just for fun this week if I get time. Things are pretty hectic for me right now!
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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  44. I love the look of your pretty stepper card Di, lovely colours and sweet little birds.
    Thank you for showcasing my card last week along with all the other beauties. I particularly like the shiny seahorse and Sue's fabulous CAS entry. I have come to play again this week but just for fun thank you.
    Jean x

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  45. Oooh my goodness Di you have really proved your talent with this gorgeous creation and l'm sure Len's Daughter would just love every part of it and the time it took to create it's simply gorgeousl just love everything you have done with it......again another amazing showcase there really is a lot of talent and congrats Greta enjoy your win xx

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  46. Yes please to the prize, Di!

    Fabulous selection of cards as always :)

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  47. You've showcased the die beautifully - great card. I'd love the chance to win one of those please!

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  48. Love your card! I learned how to make those back when you had to measure and use a craft knife, but only after school where you had to walk uphill in the snow with bread wrappers for shoes and dodge dinosaurs.... Now I know that is a die.... well, shoot.

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  49. Your card is absolutely beautiful, really love the soft papers! The die is amazing, I would love a chance to win.

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  50. Beautiful card! And what an awesome fold/opening. Would love a chance to win this week. Thank you!

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  51. Thanks for the chance of winning this weeks prize. Your card is gorgeous!

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  52. Yes please for the lovely prize

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  53. Hi Everyone, back again, managed to not only use some copic paper snippets but also some silver mirror card and some dimensional foam, wahoo. Off to play in the playground, anyone got a drink for me??? Yes please to the prize.

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  54. Awesome card Di - what a fabulous die set!
    Thanks so much for choosing my card in the picks...glad you liked the one I sent you!
    As always, such a wonderful selection from last week! :0)
    I'm playing for fun this week...just couldn't resist a quick play with my lovely prize!
    Helen x

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  55. Hi Di, your step card is amazing. Love it!! Super picks, and yes please to lovely prize. Hugs, April xx

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  56. Wonderful stepper card can't imagine how you could do it without the die, yes please to the draw

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  57. Hello Di! Lovely picks this week. I tried a CAS card this week using a snippet of art card. Thanks for the chance to win the gorgeous Pop Up card die. xx

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  58. Wonderful step card. Love the color combo and birds you used.
    Yes please to the lovely prize.

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  59. Love your 3 D card - looks like an awful lot of work - must go to somebody extra special! Great picks! Playing for fun!

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  60. Lovely cards as normal on you blog just been catching up on all you have been doing. Would live to be in with a chance to win x

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  61. Amazing card Di. Love the shape and the design. Yes, please for the wonderful prize.
    Valerija xx

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  62. Di, your card is incredible, I love such sophisticated cards, amazing design.
    Yes for the prize, please.
    have a great weekend!
    hugs xx

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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.