Sunday 1 January 2017

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 262

Happy New Year! Let's hope 2017 is a much better year for many of us - personally I'm glad to see the back of 2016. It's not been the finest of vintages for sure.

And, the mahoosive 'Five-years of the Playground' celebrations have finally drawn to a close. Thank you so much for all the lovely comments and a load of fabulous entries as well!

First, let's look at my snippets card for today - which is a Christmas card as I still had one really nice prize left over:

To prove that I really did make three almost the same and to show what just green and gold looks like for the trees themselves
I used:

- 4" x 5.25" white card blank

- snippets of matt gold card, with a touch of sparkle embedded, bought at Coventry when Kim and I were up there back in September/October. Trimmed the card to just a bit smaller than the front of the card blank and glued it in place

- snippets of white card stock, die cut using a Lil' Inker 'Stitched Rectangle' die and then embossed using a really old Sizzix die called 'Dots' - looks like falling snow to me!

- the trees were huge fun to make - and I made three at the same time - gotta love the Misti :) 

- I used a great stamp set called 'Filled Christmas Trees', made by Lil' Inkers (don't the trees remind you a bit of peg stamp designs, without all the hard work)

- first I stamped the trees using Brilliance 'Pearlescent Ivy' ink onto snippets of white card and then added the little tubs using Brilliance 'Pearlescent Chocolate' ink

- next added the words in the spaces left on the stamped images, using Brilliance 'Pearlescent Poppy' ink

- then I coloured the trees mostly using a gold Gel pen - picking out various elements and also adding some gold to the words. I didn't use my Signa gold pen, although I love it I do find it can be too 'blobby' for very fine detail and will totally cover any lines/veins within a leaf for example

- on the 'Joyful' card I also used Whispers pens in green and red (that's my favourite card of the three!) as they have really fine nibs at one end

- then die cut the trees using the larger of the two dies from the Lil' Inker co-ordinating set and just popped them onto the card front using thin sticky pads

I love, love, love this set of stamps and dies! My first thought was to make one long card with a row of three of these trees on it - but, I had smallish white and gold snippets to use up and also (being conscious of the time it took to make and colour the trees as it was a first play) I wanted three cards to show for the time spent :)

I bought my stamps and dies from Tara over at Seven Hills Crafts - and am delighted with the versatility of the set. You can keep the trees very simple without any additional colouring and they would still make an impact. You can just stamp the trees or choose to die cut them - and there's even a small sized die if you wish to just use the top part of the tree (above the gap for the sentiment). They would make fabulous gift tags of course - and in fact I think that just using one or other of the dies with plain or patterned card would look great for some simple tags. Imagine these trees stamped and embossed in white on Kraft card for example? The list goes on and so many possibilities - top marks to Lil' Inker!

Sales pitch over :)

Now for a peek at my picks from the past two weeks - you amazed me by finding time to join in, although I did spot a couple of people shouted out for prizes and then didn't actually enter anything into Mr Linky. That's fine though, I take Mr Linky as the main man when selecting prize winners anyhow.

Love the clean and crisp look of this card, made by Janice. And yes, we did have a good few Christmas cards as entries this past fortnight! :)

White on white, with a touch of silver. Beautiful card made by Maura!

Karen L made these fabulous Christmas scenes - love them!

What a lovely card this is, made by Wanda. I love the stamping in white onto coloured card for those flowers!

What a delightful baby card, brought to the Playground to share by Liz. I love these shadow box dies sets - this one is just so cute!

Linby shared this fabulous selection of gift tags - and also made me giggle. Apparently her hubby thought she intended to chop up old Christmas cards to make them into tags - I wonder how many of us started our crafting journey doing things like that?

Isn't this THE most amazing pop up box card?! Made by Kathleen and just perfect - it really does look like a bouquet of fabulous flowers.

Such a lovely Christmas wreath, made by Vinita. Wonderful shades of blue and there are lots of photos covering the whole making process over on her blog too.


I love this cute little dragon to pieces! Judy (PJ) made this gorgeous stepper card and aren't the colours in the snippets papers just so perfect with her wonderful colouring? Cute, cute and more cute!

Elizabeth made these Christmas baubles, using snippets of fabric and pretty trimmings beautifully! As I always say, remember that a snippet doesn't have to be card or paper :)

Isn't this the sweetest New Year card?! Made by Nina and I just love how the 0 in 2017 is made by using the bottom snowman in this wonderful balancing act :)

As always, I could carry on with more picks - but time is precious right now.

We had 72 Playmates joining in over the past two weeks - with two new little friends joining us:
First was Chantal, with this lovely box, hiding sweet treats!

And then Marjeta, with a super New Year card.

Hope you both come back soon to play along with us :)

I have pages of notes about who would like to win what from this previous fortnight and I need more time to do the prize draw - 16 prizes in total! Give me a day or two and I'll be sure to publish the results as soon as possible. I'll be asking you to send your snail mail addresses to me right away as I need to get the packages posted ASAP.

This coming week's prize is quite obviously (from the way I've been tooting the trumpet about it!) the fabulous Lil' Inker 'Filled Christmas Trees' stamp set and also the pair of matching dies:
I'm sure you'll agree it needs to be a single prize, it would be a shame to split up such a perfect pairing!

The Snippets Challenge will run for one week and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 7th January. 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 this week's 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 :)

Have a lovely week! Love from Parsnip and of course me,

61 comments:

  1. How sweet is this set??!! LOVE it ... such a great prize Di. And you made three wonderful cards from it. They are all beautiful, but I do love the one with touches of red. :) Haven't been around the playground for a while and hope to be able to play this week. Happy New Year! xx

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  2. I'm reading this on the drive home from Southampton Di so waving on your direction. Happy new year! Wow those tree stamps are amazing and your cards are brilliant. The embossed background really does look like falling snow. Yes please to the prize this week...I need to get back to some crafting asap. Great picks as always and it's good to see so many people joining your fab 5 year celebrations. I really hope that 2017 is kinder to you...cheers my friend and thanks for everything xx

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  3. I sure agree that I am also looking forward to 2017! Cheers to a year of good health for both of us...

    Your card is so pretty. that looks like a versatile set. I think the stamp and die sets are fab. Really cuts down on cardmaking time! Will be back later with my card.

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  4. Happy new year Di :) beautiful cards. Yes the dots do like snow to me as well. Would love to play along this week, yes please for the gorgeous prize. Love those trees!
    Cheers
    preety

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  5. Happy New Year Di! Wow! What a great card start for this New Year! The stamp set is so gorgeous, love the snow fall BG with gorgeous tree stamping!
    And Thanks for the shout out ! I always love to play in your snippet playground and what gorgeous picks! And such an awesome giveaway! Would love to play and a Big Yes for the prize!

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  6. Your cards are wonderful, Di! I hadn't seen this set & do love it, so please include me in the drawing. Wishing you much peace & joy in 2017...& a much improved back!

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  7. I really wish for you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2017. Every year, health is always ar the top of my list.
    Fab trio of cards. Love the prize so count me in please!

    Trina
    xoxo

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  8. Hi there and Happy New YEAR Playmates

    I tried to leave a comment to thank you for the link to my blog (re Habico card) but was too slow and the comments were disabled but THANK YOU

    Lovely make and selection again this week.

    Just uploaded my entry, yes please!

    Kathyk

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  9. A wonderful selection of picks again - lots of ideas as always. All your efforts in organising the playground are much appreciated - always look forward to making something to use up snippets each week. Playing for fun this time.

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  10. A fabulous card Di and I would love a chance to win the prize please. I hope you have a very Happy New Year and keep everyone under control in the playground!
    Kath x

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  11. Oooo what a fabby collection of cards, i'm just playing for fun this week and i'm so gutted i missed out on the 5 year Celebrations, but in the last week we have been clearing our house in readiness to sell it in March, luv Sam x

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  12. Wow love your set of trees,wow that sure looks like a fab set, wow that you are so generous, not only with prizes but your time running the playground, commenting, picking pics and prizes, and sending them, let alone working it all out, and wow you've been doing it for five years! I could go on, but I too wish you a healthy and happy new year, may it be the best ever! P.s. Would love a chance to win :) xxx

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  13. Gorgeous collection of cards, Di, love the Die and stamp set and hope to be back all being well. I'm not much crafting at mo bit hot downunder. .. but have one half done.
    Don't burst a boiler doing the picks for last week, Parsnip will help too, I hopel 😊
    Thanks for being so generous Di and congrats on win over at Brenda's Floral Fantasies too, well deserved.,
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  14. Happy New Year Miss Di and all the Playmates, hope 2017 is a healthy happy and crafty year for you all.

    Ooh Miss Di what a really wonderful card and super stamp set. Amazing picks this week and super cards from the new Playmates. Yes please to going in the hat for that fabulous prize xx

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  15. Fantastic trio of cards made with the wonderful prize you're offering.
    Congrats to all the showcased girls and I'm waving hello to the newbies!

    HAPPY NEW YEAR one and all.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  16. Happy New Year, Di. Love your cards, so it's unsurprisingly a yes from me for the prize.
    Hugs,
    Em xxx

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  17. Happy New Year!! These cards are so adorable! I just love this stamp and die set and would be thrilled to win it. I'll be back later this week with a card. Hugs, Robin

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  18. Happy New Year to you Di. What a lovely card to start off the new year. That certainly is a lovely set and I'd love to be included in the draw.

    Congratulations to your picks this week. A lovely selection of makes. Barbxx

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  19. Fabulous cards you have made with theses lovely stamps and dies. I'm sorry I haven't been around much during the holidays, and didn't get round to posting anything for your 5 year celebration, belated congratulations anyway. I'm back now though and would love to be in the draw for the super prize.
    Jean x

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  20. Happy New Year to you as well Di and a super creation to kick start 2017.

    B x

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  21. Hi Miss Di

    Wishing you and all my the lovely playmates a really happy 2017

    So sorry I didn't get chance to play along with your 5 year celebration .. .. life was super manic and I simply ran out of time! Sorry:-(

    Love and hugs

    Jules xx

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  22. Hi Di! Hi ladies! First of all I'd like to wish you a very happy new year!
    Fabulous creation Di! Love the die you've used and the colour combo White-gold is so great!
    Thank you for the beautiful prize... and Yes, please, I would love to be included in the draw.
    A big hug
    Francesca

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  23. Fabulous card, great die and stamps, and a fabulous prize. Beautiful colouring and choice of colours for the tree.
    Some brilliant cards for your showcase and a huge 'THANK YOU' for choosing mine.

    Hope you had a lovely Christmas, ours was nice but very quiet really.

    Hope you have a good 2017 and the back problems ease or more importantly disappear.

    Kath xxx

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  24. Fabulous cards, Di. What a versatile set of stamps and dies! I can see why you love them so much.

    Thanks for choosing my card as one of your picks this week and congratulations to all the others picks of the week.

    I'm a Yes Please for the gorgeous prize - I'll be back later with my snippets card. xx

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  25. Amazing cards Di, love the look of them and they'd be perfect for making sets of cards, so yes please to the prize this week. Will be back to visit later. Huge electrical storm outside just now! Got an inch of rain in about an hour, much needed but the power has faltered a couple of times too! Cathy x

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  26. Once again I was first thinking you have matched very lovely stamping inside a die-cut. Then they looked too matching and before even reading the text I head straight down to see the prize (by the way, _yes_please_ if I am the lucky gal) and to "realize" it is indeed a matching set. Cas but still gives a very effective outcome. Good for mass-production, lol.

    Have a fabulous start on New Year!

    Hugs from Finland,
    Eemeli

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  27. I would love to win the prize, Thank you for a chance to use all the snippets we all have

    Lilian b

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  28. Happy New Year Di, and thank you for the exciting giveaways over the past weeks! So sorry that 2016 was a rough one for you and I do hope that 2017 treats you better. I'm sure that you wondered if you would ever feel well again, you poor thing. Thank you for choosing my project as one of your picks, and for sharing your three adorable cards. Yes please to this fun stamp and die set!

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  29. I love your cards Di, the snow really does look as though it's falling! What a super die and stamp set. I would love my name to be added to the draw please.
    Thank you for choosing my card this week, and I love the rest of your picks - so much inspiration!
    Wishing you and everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.
    Janice x

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  30. I love your pretty trees Di and I can see how versatile they are, and I love your highlights this week too. Thank you fo another great prize and I am a 'yes please' for this weeks draw and will be sorting out my entry shortly. x

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  31. Hi I have to agree with the last year I am glad it is over and hope that this year will be better. But I have to remember "the sun will always rise in the morning"

    Love chance to win crafty hugs xx

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  32. Bye-bye 2016 - I don't think I'm going to miss it much either! I'm looking forward to a better year in 2017 too!! Those are such sweet Christmas cards you've shared, and you're already well on your way to adding to the new stash! I'm playing just for fun this week but thanks for the wonderful inspiration from you and all of the participants! Happy New Year everyone!

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  33. Some beautiful cards and lovely ideas as always Di. A very Happy New year to you lovely xx

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  34. Hi Di, thanks for the reminder, yes it's my first post on your challenge (awesome by the way) :) Love the cards you posted especially the stacked snowmen, they are adorable.
    Have a happy New Year
    XXX

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  35. Hi Di, got to agree with you - so glad to see the back of 2016! 2017 has got to be better - surely it can't be worse. Thank goodness for the fun of the playground to keep us cheerfully inspired. Your card is gorgeous - love the tree image and the matching die is just perfect. I'd like to be included in the draw, just in case :) Thanks for including my baubles in your pick, along with all the other fabulous projects. Wishing you all the best for 2017. Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  36. Oh my goodness, I love this prize! And the card you made with it is just fabulous. That's a big "yes please!" from me to be entered into the draw, if you couldn't tell ;)

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  37. You created one stunning card with this gorgeous stamp set! (I'm in this time!) Belated happy holidays to you and all the best for the New Year - stay healthy and keep creating wonderful cards! So sorry I have been absent for such a long time - it was simply too crazy! My New Years resolution - play more often in the Snippets Playground - lets see if i can stick with that ;) Hugs, Cornelia

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  38. Great card, nice stamp. Wishing you all the best for 2017.
    Yes please.
    Hugs, Chantal S

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  39. Wow - your snippets cards are beautiful Di...I'm a 'yes please' for the prize:0)
    Awesome picks too...such a wonderful mixture of styles & ideas!
    Helen x

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  40. Hi Di Happy New Year to you and Len let's hope it's a good one all round! your card is gorgeous l adore the Christmas Trees and the dies l like to use embossed backgrounds with the trees and yours looks great a good choice with Dots makes it looks even more christmassy ......another great showcase sending lots of love x

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  41. Happy 2017 Di! Fabulous inspirational picks, congrats to all the ladies! Your three CAS cards are delightful!!

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  42. Beautiful cards made with a gorgeous set of stamps and dies. great picks too. Yes please to being in the draw this week.

    Sue xx

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  43. Made it here Miss! Hope things all good with you. x

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  44. Sweet clasic set for New Year card. I would love to have it. Thanks for chance.
    Have a nice crafty day.

    Marjeta

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  45. Happy New Year - is everyone in the playground being good and sticking to their New years Resolutions? Your card for this week is gorgeous Di, what a lovely and versatile stamp/die combo, I would love to go into the hat
    Jane

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  46. Thank you so much Di for choosing my card as one of your picks! There were so many great cards over the last two weeks. I would love to play along again this week for the prize. Thanks! Wanda

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  47. Happy New Year to all in the Playground! Lovely set of cards Di! Yes please to the prize.

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  48. Beautiful cards. Yes to the prize, please.
    Valerija xx

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  49. Happy New Year to you Di, and all the playground playmates. Beautiful cards, and please could I go into the draw. Lynn x

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  50. So DELIGHTED to see that one of your Top Picks this week is the fabulous gift set that my crafty friend Karen Ladd sent to ME for Christmas!!! It is even more beautiful in real life than in the photo, if that were possible! Lovely work by everyone.....and I adore your set of cards, Di. I am inspired to make multiples!! Yes, please, to the prize pkg this week.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  51. Back again Miss just rushing in and yes please (like everyone else :D) stil :D
    Thanks for your faithfulness in this challenge, it is appreciated.
    Thanks so much for the inspiration.
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

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  52. Thank you so much for comment on my blog, I am here first time and I will be here often, greetings from Poland :)

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  53. Just playing for fun this week Miss. I'd forgotten about that pack of card we bought. Probably on my desk somewhere. I do know it's not in the garage!! Hugs Mrs A.

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  54. Happy New Year Di and Parsnip! Congrats to the winners and I loved all those inspirational picks. Yes please to super prize. Hugs Xx

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  55. 19 hours to go... I enter in corner :D
    Yes please for the prize's draw, thanks!

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  56. Playing for the prize draw. Love Chantal treat box, the die-cut is awesome!

    Heaney

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  57. you made a lovely collection of cards, I love a touch of gold. this set with stamps and dies is amazing - yes for the prize please.
    have a great weekend.
    hugs xx

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  58. What a beautiful card! That die/stamp combo is gorgeous and the embossing looks like falling snow to me too! Would love to win the prize this week, thanks!

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  59. finally snuck in an entry :) happy that i was able to make it. sorry for being super late!!
    cheers
    preety

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  60. Hi Di, I forgot to leave a comment on your lovely card and please consider me for the prize!
    Hugs Hazel x

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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.