Sunday 13 May 2018

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge #326

We have two hedgehogs visiting the garden to feed every night - and of course they have a fresh bowl of water left out for them as well. So cute, they lap just like a little dog or cat would - but almost impossible to take a photo of them. I'll see if I can add one or two right at the end of this post.

Let's dive straight into my snippets card:
I used:

- 5.5" x 4.25" white card blank, tent style
 
- snippet of green card, trimmed to an eighth of an inch all round smaller than the card front and glued in place then set it to one side

- snippet of white card for the stamped panel - again trimmed to an eighth of an inch smaller all round than the green panel but not yet glued in place

- time to do some stamping using the Waffle Flower 'Succulents' set of stamps


- first of all I stamped three succulent 'outlines' onto a snippet of green card, using a Brilliance 'Moonlight White' ink pad

- then, onto a snippet of white card, I stamped two solid succulents using Adirondack 'Mountain Rose' and 'Peach Bellini'. I was using the stamps for the first time and, as some stamps will do, the stamping was a bit patchy. I could have remedied that as I was using the Misti but decided it looked a bit different with some parts lighter than others

- die cut the succulents using the matching set of dies. Now, here's a heads up - there are five succulents in the set of stamps (plus a lovely selection of words), but only four dies in the matching set! So, I hand cut the solid 'Peach Bellini' flower but what a dope I am! Writing this just now I had a closer look at the set of stamps and one design comes in both an outline as well as a solid stamp - so of course you use the same die to cut either one of them, duh! I did think it was odd as Waffle Flower are a really good company and it was most unlike them to not have a die for each succulent

- checked the placement of the succulents but before sticking them in place I added the two word sentiment using more stamps from the same set and Adirondack  'Mountain Rose' ink again

- then glued the white panel onto the green one and just added the green succulents with dabs of glue and the other two with thin sticky pads - hint, where the lighter (Peach Bellini) succulent overhangs right onto the white card I used two layers of thin sticky pad pieces so that it sits evenly

I've had the stamp set for a while, and it's now discontinued. On hindsight, I didn't really need the matching dies but spotted them on a USA website as a real bargain. Only once they'd despatched the order did they let me know that they only had one in stock (yup, I'd ordered one for the Playground as well). So you can imagine I was not a happy bunny having paid postage assuming two would be sent and certainly will never order from that particular supplier ever again. So, the search was on for a second set of dies and I eventually tracked one down just recently, again a bit of a bargain - happy dance here and all's well that ends well!

So, here's this week's Snippets Playground prize - and you're no doubt already well aware of just what it is:
It's a Waffle Flower 'Succulents' stamp set with matching dies and I'm making this one single prize needless to say - all the more so after the hassle over tracking down the set of dies! But, you can make gorgeous cards by stamping directly onto the background of course, lots of ideas if you Google the name of the stamp set. I was pressed for thinking time so opted to use die cuts - and snippets of course!

As always, the Snippets Challenge will run for two weeks and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 26th May. 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 in a comment on here, 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.

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 of MFT's 'Marbled Background' stamp and also the MFT 'Wish' die, plus a Guest Designer and fortnightly picks of course.

Here's a rear view of Spike the hedgie at his feeding station - sorry it's in shadow, really trick to get close enough without him either curling up into a ball or running away. You can see his little snout to the right - he's got a damp little nose it seems:
And, Len did manage to take one of the pair of hedgies on a dinner date a couple of nights later:
So sweet, the original Spike is standing to one side and letting the other one feed. And that is a slightly ginger coloured/bare patch on the feeding hedgie's rear end - it seems quite well but at some point might have had an argument with a strimmer perhaps. And if you look, you'll see that the feeding hedgie seems to be wearing a hat! In fact, it's Len's little device to keep the food bowl covered (the hedgies know how to nose the lid upward but it then flips back down once they back away from the bowl due to a quite light and thin piece of stone as a counterbalance). It's to keep neighbourhood cats and also birds from pinching the food!

Parsnip has been very quiet this past week - always a sign he's up to no good!

Love from Parsnip and of course from me,



77 comments:

  1. How cute hedgehogs, it's great you give them water and food! Perhaps early there will be some hedgie babies... :)
    Delightful succulents on your card, great colouring and accurate fussy cut!
    Sorry for Parsnip, hope that he get well soon :)
    Hugs

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  2. Eep, photos!!! And great photos, too! Thank you, Di and Len, for taking care of these precious critters! How many years has Spike been in the garden now? And what a clever chap you are, Len, to make the food garage design be one that lets the hedgies in and keeps the others out! Card? Oh, sorry, I had to scroll back up and look at your card again, tee hee, as all thoughts of it left my head once the hedgies showed up! It's a stunner though, Di, and a terrific gift for the players! Thank you, as ever, for all you do on behalf of the Playground and us Playmates! I'm off to see if I can find Parsnip ... he'd better not be in my hidden stash of hoo.., er, honey! Hugs, Darnell

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    1. Hedgies only live for 2-5 years, sadly. So our current residents are most likely ones that were born in previous years, or even their offspring!

      I think Parsnip found your hidden stash of hoo...honey. He's been singing rude songs and swinging from the washing line here!

      xx

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  3. Lovely card Di, count me in for the prize draw : )
    Lovely hedgies too, how sweet : )

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  4. Love the colour choices on this great succulent card and as always your explanation is brilliant, including your faux pas about the 'missing' die and also appreciate how hard you worked to source the items for the prize. I'm about to post my snippets card and could I say a 'yes please' for an opportunity to go into the draw this time. Thanks for sharing the hedgie pics - sweet!

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  5. Oooo, I would love to see the hedgehogs in your garden, because they are my most favorite animals. I haven't seen them for ages in our garden.... I love the beautiful flowers on your card. I am going to make one for your new challenge! Have a nice day,
    Lia xx

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  6. Lovely card. Where are you getting waffle flower from in the UK? I can't find them anywhere!

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    1. Seven Hills Crafts, based in Sheffield UK, sell Waffle Flower products on line. I've used Seven Hills for ages as they sell many USA brands and Tara the owner is brilliant - here's a link to their website. https://sevenhillscrafts.co.uk/ They also have a great blog, which will tempt you to spend money so be warned :) I hit lucky with the second set of succulents dies through Amazon, Supermarket USA I think - who sell direct to the UK without silly postage costs. So that's another option if Tara hasn't got what you're looking for.

      Another on line shop which is great is Dies to Die For, they also sell a good variety of USA products, but not Waffle Flower. This is the link to Tracey's shop - again, another lovely lady. https://www.diestodiefor.com/

      Don't think I've ever seen you joining in with us in the Snippets Playground - come and play, it's fun and you only need to use a snippet/scrap or more!

      Di x

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  7. so nice card!
    and photos are great!
    hugs

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    1. and I will play for the prizr please :)

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  8. The patchy stamping made it's own shading so not re-stamping was great on your part. I understand about the dies because I do "duh" things all the time! Oh, those hedgies, how sweet they come right into your garden. Len is brilliant to make them a dish that the other animals can't get into. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

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  9. Super succulents Di and great you have the matching dies and love the sentiments too and am definitely a 'yes please'for the prize. How wonderful to still be having Spike come to the garden and with a friend, is this a lady friend or just a pal? You obviously look after them so well this will be their favourite haunt. x

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    1. We're not sure if it's a lady friend or just a pal Pat! But, the way one allowed the other one to feed without any jostling makes us think it might have been a dinner date. We'll be watching for the patter of tiny prickles :) x

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  10. Oh, I adore the hedgies, Di! Your card is fabulous and I love your story about tracking down the second set of dies. I'm playing along for fun this time.

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  11. So fun to see your hedgies. My grandson has one - a different kind, I think, that has to be kept warm. He lives in a cage with blankets and a wheel etc. I love that succulent stamps and dies can also look like garden flowers. Lovely card, Di.

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    1. There are specially bred pygmy hedgies that live indoors Jeanne! And apparently, succulent plants are the new 'foliage' for floral displays and also wedding bouquets. Versatile little plants for sure. x

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  12. A lovely card Di - I'll be in the playground soon and would love a chance to win the prize please. The hedgehogs are so cute - love to see them in a garden.
    Kath x

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  13. Len is one clever die with the contraption to keep the food covered! Fun to see the hedgies--not something we have. I absolutely love your beautiful card, Di! Will play for the prize this time as I actually don't have any succulent stamps! Happy Mother's Day!

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    1. of course that's supposed to say "guy"--ugh! Maybe it was the computer & not me!

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  14. Great floral card Di and I really like the colour combo.

    Ahhh, hedgie love! Sweet. This year's Spike is such a gentleman!

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  15. A super card Di...how annoying re them only having 1 of stock...grrr but I am amazed you tracked one down. Your really go the whole hog for the playground, thanks as alway. So lovely to see the hedgepig photos...I adore those critters. I would love to go into the draw please for you fab prize this fortnight. Have a great week ahead. Hugs xxx

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  16. Lovely card Di, count me in for the prize draw pleas!
    The hedgehogs are so cut!!!
    Hugs, Majda

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  17. Gorgeous card Di l love the floral effect on the card those dies are amazing not to small either, love the hedges they are just so cute nice you managed to photo them too! take care enjoy your week x

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  18. Really lovely flower stamp and dies, nice choice of colours and a lovely design.
    Fab photo's of the Hedgehogs, can't remember if it is snails or slugs they eat so apart from the entertainment value they will be so helpful with the horrid plant destroyers.

    Kath x

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    1. Yup, Kath, they do indeed eat garden pests. Only thing is, we feed them so well they go for the gourmet menu first and only then have a little 'whoofle' around the garden for dessert! But, come to think of it, slugs and snails aren't the problem they used to be before we had our prickly little visitors. x

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  19. Love the hedgehogs. We only get groundhogs here on the U.S. East Coast. I would love a chance to win your lovely prize.

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  20. Oh, I am so excited to see your visiting hedgehobs and Len's creative contraption. I've only seen hedgies in photos so can't imagine how fun it would be to have one or two visit my garden. Your succulents card is beautiful, and I can't believe all the trouble you went to for that second set of dies. Those succulent stamps and dies are so pretty in assorted colors and I love the real plants as well. Yes please!

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  21. Love those hedgehog photos. We've not had them in the garden for years now - we seem to get a lot of badgers and foxes and either they scare the hedgies off or they eat all the nice juicy grubs before the little hedgies can get them.
    Just playing for fun this time.

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  22. Super make and pix this week

    Just uploaded my entry and YES PLEASE to this challenge prize

    Happy MOnday

    Kathyk

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  23. Gorgeous card, Di, and because I hope to play at some point, it's a yes please from me xoxo

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  24. So fun to see your little hedgies, and I think you've done an admirable job photographing something that's not easy to take a picture of. Love the pretty colors in your card, and the set you used. So it's a yes from me on the prze.

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  25. I'm feeling more of the succulent love these days given the heat! What a great clean and simple card. I did have a giggle at you and the dies. I fussy cut a whole pile of florals once only to suddenly remember I had the dies as well.... hahah! Sorry for not popping round for a while. Getting back into the swing of things lately! xx

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  26. Really lovely card, Di! Yes please to the prize :) xx

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  27. Gorgeous card Di, yes please to be in your draw.
    How cool to have those visitors to your garden - your Len sounds like a clever guy to think up that food cover!

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  28. Apologies for the MIA weeks Di, but happy to be back creating!!!
    Yes please for the draw, those stamps are just gorgeous and I love the card you created with them too Karen xx

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  29. What a bonus to see both a beautiful succulents card design and some adorable hedgehog photos in one post! We don't have hedgehogs around here at all so this is wonderful fun to see photos of them at play (and having their dinner). Apparently, they're smart enough to know how to open the lid of the food container and have a midnight snack! You and Len are so great at taking care of them that I'm sure they've spread the word through the neighborhood and you may see some wild hedgie parties at some point if they forget their manners! Yes please to the prize.

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  30. Adorable little hedgehogs, and a very pretty card. I've got one set of matching dies and stamps but haven't used them very often. Thank you for your lovely comment and for your good wishes for my recovery - I am doing pretty well and already starting to feel a lot less weak and tired. I am still resting a lot and in a bit of pain but nothing serious.

    Shoshi

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  31. A really pretty card Di, just love the flowers, so please add my name in your draw please.
    Such lovely photos of your garden guests!
    Janice x

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  32. This really is a beautiful card Di. Love this stamps. Great photos too.
    Yes for the prize please.
    Valerija xx

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  33. Wow! Great to have the hedgehogs in your garden! We had some in our garden as I was a child back home in Norway, too.
    Wonderful card from you again!
    I want to play and also be able to win that great prize.
    Hugs, Liv

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  34. Such a lovely card you have made and beautiful photo's too. Yes for me please for the prize.

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  35. Your card is so simple, yet elegant and I love the flower colors! My goodness, we are fortunate that you've gone to all this trouble to put one of these sets into the hands of a playground participant! Yes please for me in the prize draw, and I just love these great photos of your hedgies! It's probably a given I'd never seen photos like this ever before until you began sharing them! Such cute and fun critters they are :)

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  36. Beautiful flower card! I love these flowers, they are great for both coloring in and for stamping... Would love to enter the draw! I love the peachy colors you chose. Thanks for the chance to enter this fun challenge!

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  37. What a gorgeous flower! Gorgeous card. This set is great for someone like me who doesn't color. I would love to play for the awesome prizes. Thanks for the chance, Di.

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  38. Stunning card, Di, love the colours you've used. How annoying to find out after you've paid the postage that they couldn't fulfill the whole order. You would think a quick email to check that you were still happy to pay the postage for part of the order would be more appropriate. Postage can be SO expensive from the US.
    TFS the photos of your cute little hedgies and what a clever device for their feeding station.
    Hopefully I'll be back to play soon and I'll be a Yes Please for this lovely prize. xx

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  39. Your card and the prize set are wonderful. I would love to win them. In truth, succulents are the only plants that survive in my care.(My hubby often teases that when I buy plants they silently scream "No... don't let her take me!") Sadly, it is probably the truth.

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  40. Love your card Di. That stamp set is so very pretty...and yes, I'd love to be in the draw for it too. Thanks for the chance!
    The hedgie pictures are adorable!!! SOOO cute!
    Lynn

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  41. Today I am joining the challenge with a card and: I say Yes to the amazing prize!
    How are the hedgies doing?
    Lia xx

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  42. Absolutely gorgeous card Di and i would love to win the prize!
    Hugs Hazel x

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  43. Hi Di your card is gorgeous I love it. So it is a yes please for the prize this time. Those hedgehogs are so cute. Have a great weekend. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  44. Eeek! So cute pics! My last stamp designed by me is on Hedgehog, love them:)
    Your card is so beautiful Di! Count me In to win this fab prize!

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  45. What brilliant photographs and an intriguing device to keep the food safe. Clever little hedgies and clever Len. Looking forward the the update! xxx

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  46. Hi Miss Di

    Lovely day for strolling across to the playground!

    The picture of the "dinner date" hedgehogs really made me smile. It must be lovely to have such special visitors in your garden .. .. and presumably no slugs either!!

    Loving your gorgeous card. Beautiful colours!

    Hope all is well with you.

    Just playing along for fun.

    Love Jules xx

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    1. Sigh, Apparently they prefer the hedgie food and are neglecting their slug clearance duties! Luckily I gave up on slug attracting planes such as hostas a while back - we also get lots of snails down in this part of the country. So really they ought to earn their keep! Di xx

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  47. Sweet hedgehogs. Great card. Playing just for fun.
    Hugs, Chantal S

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  48. Hi! Yes, please for the draw. I have not gotten in on the succulent craze, but I like them! Thanks!

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  49. Yes please count me in. I love to hear your chatty stories. CarolG

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  50. Di, Just playing for fun this week. Thanks for the opportunity! Sharon

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  51. I would be very happy, if I get the prize. Love this kind of challenge. Today I use lots of scraps on my card.. Thanks for inspiration.

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  52. What adorable little hedgies!
    Love your card die - beautiful combination of colours!
    I'm a 'yes please' for the prize draw!
    Helen x

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  53. Loving the hedgehog picture you are so lucky to have then Di, Hope you are well

    Liian B xxx

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  54. Super post and I would like to be entered into the draw for the prize.
    Thank you.

    Kath x

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  55. So good to have a few moments to stop in the playground and chill - I miss coming here regularly, but life doesn't often allow it now. xx

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  56. Another gorgeous card, Di!! Love the pics of the hedgies....I used to work in a pet store, and they were some of my favorites....until it was toenail cutting time!!!!! I'd love to be in the running for the fab prize :)
    Susan

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  57. Yes please for the gorgeous prize.
    Love photos of your little friends - they are considered pests here for some reason!

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  58. A lovely card Di and I like the colours you have chosen. Cute hedgies too. I'm just playing for fun this time thank you x

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  59. A fantastic card Di and great photos of the Hedgies. I'm playing for fun this time.

    Sue xx

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  60. Beautiful set and beautiful card!!! I would have thought they were flowers not succulents! And those little hedgies are super cute!! Just playing for fun this week, thanks!

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  61. Sorry I'm behind in visiting. Great card and stamp set/die. I'll be linking up in a minute and would love to be in the running to win this prize, thanks.
    Marianne x

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  62. Finally got here to play Miss, please don't put me in detention. How clever of Len to get those super photos of the hedgies and I can see word getting out and next year you'll have to building a 'Hedgie resort' for them all.
    Love your card and those flowers are fabulous but I'm just playing for fun xx

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  63. OMGoodness, the hedgies are soooo cute! I've never seen a hedgehog in real life, only in photos; they look so adorable! How nice of you and hubby to feed them! It must be so much fun to see them - you were lucky to snap some photos! Your card is gorgeous - what a beautiful stamp and die set - yes, I'm definitely in for the prize! Thank you so much for your generosity!

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  64. Love your card Di and yes would love to be in the draw too. great hedgie pictures! xx

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  65. Well, I left a comment a week ago assuming I'd enter, and I finally have linked a card with just hours to spare. Yes please on the prize draw.

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  66. What a pretty card! Your photos of your new pets are so cute. My brother in law speaks fondly of his pets from his youth. I have just been able to enter a card and would love to be in the draw to win!

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  67. Cute little hedgies and you care for them so well. We have them around too and kids love them.
    I love succulents and your card is great with lovely colours.
    Yes for the prize, please. I mentioned your challenge in my post but I will add a link to it tomorrow, now we are on holidays and I am using my phone, uf.
    Have a great weekend.
    Hugs xx

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  68. Thanks for visiting my blog - I would love to be in the draw x

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  69. I still have anaesthetic brain! I forgot to say yes please to the prize. L 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.