Sunday 10 December 2017

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Weeks 311 and 312

This time in two weeks I can bet that many of us will be fluttering around in a bit of a last minute panic. The best philosophy is to do what you can, but don't make yourself ill in the process - mind you, I'm a fine one to talk!

And goodness knows how I found time to make not one but four snippets cards! Because of the design I chose to make, I was (ahem) forced to make four at once - you'll see why below:
I used:

- 5" x 5" white card blank

- a piece of 5" x 5" white card on which to assemble the die cuts - much easier to assemble and then die cut down to a smaller stitched square afterwards

- snippets of sticky backed glitter paper from the XCuts 'Darks' pack (red, purple, lime and turquoise)

- then die cut one complete Christmas tree from each snippet of glitter paper - apart from the star. I die cut all the stars from a snippet of bronze glitter paper from the XCuts 'Metallics' pack

- that gave me four Christmas tree die cuts in each colour and four stars all the same colour

- next I carefully snipped across the top of each 'Christmas' word and stuck it onto the white card square - leaving plenty of space for even die cutting later on

- did the same with the word 'Merry' in a different colour and popped it on top of the word 'Christmas' - thereby 're-assembling' the die cut but in different colours

- worked right to the top - making the four card fronts as I went then topped them with a bronze sparkly star

- ran each panel through the Cuttlebug using embossing plates and a large unopened embossing folder for pressure - this makes sure the letters are firmly stuck in place and (IMHO) often gives a more professional finish

- die cut the panels using a stitched square die sized 4" x 4" from The Works (you can't get those die sets for love nor money right now!). As I had plenty of 'wiggle room' I was able to position the tree centrally in the stitched square - so it paid off doing the sticking first!

- glued the Christmas Tree panels in place onto the card fronts, using a slightly smaller square of fun foam between the card and the front panel to add dimension

I wish I could recall where I spotted this idea of slicing across the Christmas tree die cuts and using a mix of different colours. If it was you please let me know and I'll update the post to give credit for a super idea!

I found it easy to stack the words on top of one another as they should be, but if you're unsure then just cut a template from plain card as a guide :) 

In real life the cards look so bright, cheerful and very sparkly - I'll be making more of these for sure, when time allows.

Our lovely Scrappy Mo, who runs the monthly 'Rudolph Days Challenge' has come up with a super little surprise over HERE. She's running an additional challenge which began on 1st December and if you entered every Rudolph Days challenge from January to November, you're eligible to link in! Yay! I'm not sure if you need to make a special something to enter or not but, in any case, my snippets cards above are Christmas ones and I entered every month. Sometimes it was a struggle but I did it :)

And, after not playing there for absolutely ages, I would like to enter Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge 363 (where there's an option of 'Sparkle') as well as Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for December.

Let's move onto this fortnight's prize:
Image result for lil'inkers christmas words tree die
Yup, it's a Lil'Inker Designs 'Christmas Words Tree' die of course. The light was just too bad here to take a photo of the packet without glare or total darkness, so this is copied from Lil'Inkers own website. Now you can see properly how the die looks. It's a lovely size at 3.5" square and can be used in one colour or very easily split up as I did. If you check on line by Googling the name of the die, you'll see that one colour looks really good (and a lot less work) - making it a really versatile die.

As always, the Snippets Challenge will run for two weeks and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 23rd December. The gates will open again at midnight UK time on the same day.

It's 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.

Remember, if you link into the Playground and don't say clearly that you're wanting to be in the draw then you will be bypassed if your name comes out of Mr Linky. I'm sure you all know I ask for a positive 'yes' just in case you're playing only for fun. Thanks!

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 :)

Be sure to call back next week to see the winner of last fortnight's prize which is a Woodware 'Huge Santa' stamp set as well as an unbranded 'Ho Ho Ho' stamp set and my picks from the past two weeks. I'm aware how busy everyone is so I haven't asked anyone to be a Guest Designer - but do take a look as I might just have some little pre-Christmas surprises to give away!

Love from Parsnip and of course from me,


56 comments:

  1. Super cards, Di, very clever idea to slice the die cut to make each word a different colour. I'm planning to be back to play later and I'd love to be a Yes Please for this lovely die. xx

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  2. Hi Di, a wonderful batch bake of cards and a brilliant way to get 4 cards done so quickly, I'm in the midst of another Aussie Santa batch bake, as all the others are on their way and not necessarily to those I had intended.... hope to be back to play along this fortnight... have a wonderful week... Megan

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  3. Awesome card Di, so sparkly! Cathy x

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  4. My first year to be retired for the holidays & I'm still behind--haha! Love your card--hadn't seen that die before! Hopefully I'll get something made for the challenge & I'll play for the prize this time. Good luck in the extra RD challenge! Maybe next year I'll get something entered every month.

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  5. A brilliant idea for using this die with four cards at the end as well - great explanation too.

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  6. A fabulous card and a great die too. I'll be in the playground later and would love a chance to win this week's prize please.
    Kath x

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  7. FABBY collection of makes and a simply SPLENDID idea too

    Happy Sunday

    Kathyk

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  8. A fantastic idea Di and quick to make too. Playing for fun this week.

    Sue xx

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  9. I love your sparkly, festive, and colorful cards, and what a brilliant idea to divide them to make them even more interesting and fun! Good for you making 4 and/or more! Yes please to the draw this week - you've inspired me :)

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  10. Great idea and beautiful colorful card!
    Yes please for the draw this week :-)
    Hugs, Majda

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  11. Fantastic set of cards and great use of that lovely die.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  12. Very beautiful set of cards, elegant, sparkling and- very important- quick to make! :D
    I entered and yes for the prize,thanks!

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  13. ooh lovely bright glittery cards and I can see how you ended up making four, one of those dies that just keeps giving LOL! I love lil inker dies they are so versatile so I will definitely be back to play to be entered into the draw.

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  14. Thanks for entering both of my CHNC challenges with your lovely crafting - hope to see you again soon. Thanks too for your kind comments x

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  15. What a great set of cards Di, they look fab in multi colours. Goodness me time is racing by now. Yes please to the super prize and I'll be back soon to link up. Keep snug, we had a fair bit of snow but it's gone and now it is freeeezing cold. Brrr. Hugs xxx

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  16. This is a super card Di and the use of the four colours for each tier looks beautiful. I would love to be in the draw for this wonderful die so 'yes please'. x

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  17. Your card is stunning Di! I love that design superb for quick and clean and simple cards: yes please from me because I'd love to create clean and simple for Christmas. Thank you for the robin from you and Mr Len too - I'm writing ours now so that they can be posted tomorrow, hopefully, lol! Keep warm and safe huni, we've had 10cm snow here Karen xx

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  18. Oh I love a mass produced and sparkly card - this design is perfect. Super shiny! I made some snippets cards yesterday - felt good using up those patterned paper bits I insist on keeping! Xx

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  19. Love these cards Di, they look fabulous in all the different coloured glitter card, brilliant idea.

    Kath x

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  20. Fab set of cards Di! Love them x

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  21. I can imagine the WOW effect all that schparkle has in real life, Di! I love the colors!! Hugs, Darnell xxoo

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  22. Hi Di your cards are stunning I love them all. That is another four done. Yes please to the die I love it. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  23. Gorgeous card, Di. And, as I'll be back on Wednesday with my entry, it's an advance "yes please" from me xoxo

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  24. Love the tree all in glitter! And kudos to you for snipping
    all the words to put together four trees. They look perfect!
    And yes, please, I'd love to play!

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  25. Last minute panic indeed. I'm there (in panic mode) already.
    Your sparkly card is wonderful, and the idea of making 4 cards in the color combo is genius. Yes please for the draw.

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  26. Yeah! Yes please for the draw, and I am so happy to have been able to play along after quite a long absence. I am on a mission to use up snippets as much as I can for Christmas cards :) xxxx

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  27. Eeek! You are certainly right about my being in a panic mode right about now because I am so far behind with my holiday shopping and preparations. We've had family visiting, bridal and baby showers, birthday parties and everything in between. I love your beautiful glittery card design and aren't you the smarty pants in using four different versions to combine in unique ways! Yes please to the prize draw. Off to try to make some gift tags..oh my!

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  28. Four gorgeous sparkly cards with the fabulous tree die! Love how you snipped each word so they were different colours - soooooo cool! Yes Please - I would love to be in the draw for the wonderful prize! Thank you. Hugs xxxxxxxxx

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  29. This die has a great design and it is great using it for snippets and making 'quick' cards! I always save snippets of white cardstock and look what I did with them!
    Best wishes from a white country,
    Lia xx

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  30. Thanks for joining us at CraftyHazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for December!
    Monica - DT

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  31. A lovely card Di, such a great die you have used, something a bit different! Please add my name into the draw, thank you!
    Janice x

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  32. Ages since I have joined in here - must remember to keep looking! That's a super die - would love to win it!!

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  33. What a fabulous Die and your cards are amazing Di l love them all and so love the edged stiched effect with the die too! sending lots of christmas wishes x

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  34. Love what you did with the die - can I say a yes please?

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  35. These are so fun!! I love the sparkle and the multi colors (which also means you got 4 done at one time!!) I'm going to play just for fun this week, thanks. (And while I'm here, Thanks for playing with CHNCC2.)

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  36. In haste Mis, sorry, yes please to die and Love card for snippets what great way to use ‘em up.
    Shaz. Xxx

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  37. Hello Di. Love your sparkly set of cards. Working with glitter scares me, but glitter paper and glitter pens are the only ways I will add glitter to my projects. That word tree die is cute, so yes please.
    Wishing you a fabulous happy holiday season. xx

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  38. Sorry to be so late with my entry, fab idea with the die and .. YES PLEASE

    Seasons Greetings

    Kathyk

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  39. Oooh I love this Di! It looks fab with all your lovely sparkly papers - yes please to be in your draw.
    And, in case I'm not back next week, I hope you and Parsnip have a great Christmas x

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  40. Fabulous cards Di! Please include me in the draw.
    Hugs Hazel x

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  41. What a fabulous idea, Di!! I'd love to be in the draw for that awesome die, thank you. I am SO in panic mode, lol, despite last year (come to think of it, EVERY year, promising myself not to "do this next year") In case I don't get a chance to pop back here's my best wishes for Christmas - enjoy those sausage rolls Parsnip, lol. Donna xx

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  42. I love the colours you've used with this die, it's very effective. Didn't realise this one was still going else I would have entered yesterday and yes I would like to be in the draw please x

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  43. Brilliant cards and such a clever technique! Yes please to lovely prize and big festive hugs to you and Parsnip Xx

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  44. Oh, my, Di, what lovely sparkle! That die is fabulous and I think I'd like to play along for a possible win this week. I'll have a card to post shortly. I'm managing craft time even though I'm traveling between three different states for family visits throughout the Christmas and New Year holidays. Good thing I have a crafty DIL and granddaughter-in-law who have supplies available. :-D

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  45. I just linked #33... and am wowed by the entries made by others during this busy time of the year! Also, I would love to have that wonderful die if Mr. Random picks me!

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  46. Fab card, Di! Yes please to the prize :)

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  47. FANTASTIC design Di! Love how you've swapped the different colours of glitter paper. What a fun and festive design x 4!! xx

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  48. Phew, made it at last. I'm gently easing back into crafting after my enforced break, although actually I'd already made this card. Gorgeous card Di, I'd love to go into the hat
    Jane

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  49. Oh dear oh dear. The last time I played was back in July. I must try and do better. Just playing for fun . Hugs Mrs A.

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  50. Such lovely creations. Playing after a long time and a Yes from me!
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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  51. Hi hi, so glad to be playing along. Would love to be included in the draw please. Merry merry everyone. Hugz

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  52. amazing set of cards and I love your card which arrived at our home, thank you so much!
    yes for the prize, please.
    wishing you a happy holiday season :).
    hugs xx

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  53. What an awesome set of cards....thanks for offering that beautiful die. I entering my snippets card just now because I would LOVE that die. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

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  54. Gorgeous, colorful and so sparkly Di, love it!
    I am glad that I will be able to join you here few minutes before:)
    And Yes I love that fab die!

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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.