Sunday 3 May 2015

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 175 and 176

And it's now May in the Playground! Don't time fly when you're having fun?

Len's Uncle Charlie passed away recently and this is the card I made to send to his family:
I used:

- 5" x 5" square white card blank

- green backing card from the snippets folder

- Penny Black 'Poppy Poem' stamp, stamped using black Archival ink and coloured with Tim Holtz Distress inks ('festive berries', 'forest moss' and 'gathered twigs') plus the very fine end of a matching green Whispers marker. I just touched the distress markers here and there on the petals, buds and leaves then dragged the colour out using a water brush. Added a tickle of light grey Pro marker as shadow/grounding

- the sentiment was stamped using SU's 'Thinking of You' sentiment from their 'Sincere Salutations' set and black Archival ink

Although the 'Sincere Salutations' sentiments set is discontinued, and has been for some time,  SU's 'Wetlands' set (still available) has three sentiment stamps in it, which are of similar fonts (scroll and block capitals).

Given Uncle Charlie's Armed Forces background, which included years as a Prisoner of War in Poland, the poppy seemed so appropriate. He had a long (94 years), full and interesting life for sure!

Onto this week's picks now:

Kate was first into the Playground last week, and went straight onto my list of possible picks. I do whittle the list down a bit later in the week, but this gorgeous bauble card so deserves to remain a pick! I've had to sit on my hands to resist buying the stamp and co-ordinating die!

I truly think this is one of the very best male cards I've seen for a long time, brought to us by Eve (who is currently recovering from pneumonia!). The dogtooth paper is such a perfect background.

Kath almost caught me out here with this beautiful card - the background is DP, I thought Kath had stamped it until I read the list of materials properly. I wish there were more gorgeous papers like this one to be had!

Sarah (Craft Nerd) showed us a few cards in one blog post, with the most darling Easter scenes. What absolutely stunned me was the intricacy and smallness of the details she added - especially the fabulous little flowers. The flowers on this card actually have a micro bead in their centres - now that really IS working small! Do please hop over to look at the close-ups!

I just love this scene that Lynn (Linby) created! And, some of the die cutting was actually done using an old brochure - very imaginative and a great success too.

I totally adore this card, made by Carol L. Of course, it's pink for a start, uses those lovely stitched dies and the background is so beautifully water coloured. But, it's how Carol used the Memory Box 'Prim Poppy' die that really makes this card stand out for me - firstly using striped paper but also splitting up two die cuts and arranging them so well.

So those are my picks, I hope you like them and that they give you some inspiration. I do try to give everyone a little turn to be a weekly pick, but sometimes there are perhaps more appearances by some playmates - and that's because it would be a shame to leave them out :)

And, we have three new playmates this week:
Firstly, Joan W hopped in with this lovely Christmas card - using one of my all time favourite images. So pretty!

And then Joanne arrived, immediately after, waving this gorgeous sunshine card - I love the design and such a great sentiment too!

And, much later in the week, Kikka Cards brought this adorable trio to share - so cute!

Welcome to you all, and I hope you come back to play with us again!

Straight onto the draw for last week's prize of the Cuttlebug 'Pinking Stitch' embossing folder and the Joanna Sheen Signature 'Daffodils' die. Gosh this was a popular prize, one of you really wanted just the embossing folder and 27 of you would have loved both parts of the prize. And, drum roll, the winner is:
Well done Carol, it's quite ironic really as you use your dies and embossing folders so beautifully, plus once again (purely coincidence) a pick of the week got chosen by Mr Random too! I do have an address for you from a previous win, but can you please confirm that it's right? (di_wray@hotmail.com)
 
So here's this coming week's prize, which isn't connected to my snippets card for once. There are two chances to win a Sheena Douglass 'Simply Sweet' stamp set. Those of you who are familiar with Sheena's 'Paint Fusion' technique will know that the general idea is that you stamp the 'bones' of an image and then add the extra detail using brushwork techniques. The sets come with stamps, full instructions and a laminated practice sheet. A chance to get arty without having to start right from scratch :)

This time, the Snippets Challenge will run for two weeks and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 16th May. The gates will open again at midnight UK time on the same day.

I'm sorry to mess folk about but we need to be away for Uncle Charlie's funeral for a couple of days at the end of this coming week as it's at the other end of the UK to where we live. That means I won't have time to do the write-up on Saturday as I usually do, and will have comment catching up to do as well. So it seems best to let this current challenge run over two weeks instead of just the one.

I'm leaving Parsnip in charge and he has my mobile number on speed dial! And Sarn will have her prefect's hat on - I hope :)

Maximum of three entries (over the two week period) and please say 'Yes please' (or similar) in a comment if you wish to play and be a possible winner of the prize. As I already pointed out, there are two of these Sheena Douglass stamp sets to be won (both the same) so there will be two winners.

Mr Linky is below - do please let me know if you have any problems linking, it's easy for me to sort out so don't struggle on alone :)


Di, and of course, Parsnip!
x

81 comments:

  1. A lovely card and so appropriate for the occasion. Just playing for fun.
    Hugs Mrs A.

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  2. Such a beautiful card, Di, just right for Len's uncle's family. Hope all goes well for the funeral and for your travelling backward and forward. The prize looks super - I'd love to be considered, please. xx

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  3. What a fitting card for Uncle Charlie Di. Great picks this week too. Have a safe journey xx

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  4. Live that stamp and you've made a very fitting card with it. Thanks fir featuring my card.
    Linby x

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  5. Thank you for sharing my card. I'm so happy you like my little birds! I'm "new" in the world of card making and blogging!
    Kikka

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  6. A beautiful sympathy card, very appropriate by the sound of it. I'm just playing for fun this week.

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  7. Congrats to Carol L on her win. Also congrats to the showcased girls.

    Hello to the newbies . . . Joan and Joanne too.

    Absolutely ADORE your pretty poppy card Di. Shame is is for a sad occasion. Safe journey there and back.

    Right . . . I'll be patrolling the playground too then and TRY to keep the rabble under control!

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  8. A lot of beautiful inspirations even this week, thanks for sharing!

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  9. A lovely poppy Di - perfect for such a sad occasion.
    Great picks as ever this week too. Will try and pay a visit this week - altho if Darn Sarn is being promoted to Playground Police Patrol I'd better behave myself. xx

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    1. Yeah . . . and I've got my beady eye on YOU! xxx

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    2. Too funny girls - and Parsnip has a whip and hand cuffs!! Snort :)

      xx

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  10. I'm back with my entry . . . just playing for fun this time.

    Hugs, Sarn the Prefect! xxx

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  11. Beautiful poppy card Di, perfect for the occasion, have a safe trip.
    I've not heard of the fusion stamp before, sounds intriguing so I'd love to have a go with them. Gorgeous pics once again too, Cathy x

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  12. A lovely and very appropriate card for Len's uncle's family - it's beautiful.

    Thank you for showcasing my card - I love the paper too, especially as it was a magazine freebie! I'll be in the playground soon and would love a chance of winning your prize.

    Kath x

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  13. So sorry to hear about your loss, i love the stunning card you have made and what a fabby collection of featured cards too, Luv Sam x

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  14. Your made a lovely card for such a sad occasion. Please accept my deepest sympathies. Congratulations to Carol as the winner and pick! Well done to the other picks as well! The prize looks intriguing so please count me in!

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  15. Sorry for the loss of Len's Uncle Charlie, Di. The card you've made is perfect and, as you say, the poppy is so apt. Love all the cards you've showcased this week - the Snippeteers are a talented bunch :) Congrats to Carol L on her win. It's a 'No Thanks' for the upcoming draw ... I already have these fab stamps. Hope your trip, and the funeral, goes well. Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  16. Having trouble with Mr Linky this morning ... I can get the widget box at the bottom of your blog post but, when I select NEXT, I just get a white box. You can see my entry .... http://purpliciousprincessdiaries.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/anonther-lazy-sunday.html

    Lovely sympathy card from you, sorry to hear about the family loss.

    Great picks too

    Kathyk

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  17. Congrats to the picks and winner from this week. I will ask to borrow that die, Carol! *snort* Di, that poppy is gorgeous. and it sounds like Uncle Charlie had quite an eventful life. Sorry for your loss. The prize for next time looks quite interesting, so I will say yes please! Have a good 2 week stretch!

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  18. A beautiful and stunning card Di.

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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  19. I love your card Di,beautiful water colouring of this lovely stamp.
    Super cards in your showcase this week, well done to everyone, and congrats to Carol for her win.
    Jean x

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  20. Thanks so much for adding my entry, Di.

    FYI - just playing for fun

    Kathyk

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  21. Beautiful cards. Congrats to all winners xxx

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  22. Beautiful card Di, just perfect for the occasion. Hope your journey goes well and good luck to Sarn keeping the rubble under control. No thanks to this weeks prize - couldn't do them justice x

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  23. A super card Di and perfect for Uncle Charlie´s family. I do love poppies. I hope the travelling and the funeral pass smoothly.
    Thanks for featuring my card this week. Lots of lovely picks again, adn the thre little birds on Kikka´s card are just so sweet. Kate x

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  24. Lovely sympathy card, very appropriate. I hope the day goes as well as can be expected.
    Some great cards featured above and I'd love to be considered for the prize, not familiar with those sets x

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  25. Aww a perfect card! I need to make some 'thinking of you' cards but I never seem to get round to it lol
    Some really fab picks again! Lots are starting to make Xmas cards aren't they!
    Lucy x

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  26. Yes please for the prize
    Your card is stunning - what a beautiful stamp

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  27. Fabulous sympathy card Di, especially with his War record, great image for such an occasion, My favourite Uncle was Uncle Charlie too, but he was my Dad's Uncle really, but I loved him to bits. Must be something to do with the name.

    Kath x

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  28. WOW!!! I'm so late to the party and I'm SHOCKED to see my card featured as well as winning the jackpot from last week's playground! Woo hoo!! Thanks Di, and thanks to the rest of you as you all inspire me week after week with your wonderful creations!
    It's been a beautiful day, and now it's even better :) Off I go skipping and whistling a happy tune................{well, I'm too old to skip, but I'm walking and a grinnin'

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  29. Oops! In my excitement, I forgot to mention how pretty your card is Di! The image is beautiful with the pretty red flower and the text within the design. It makes a beautiful comforting card for such a sad occasion. Very pretty!

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  30. LOVE your card, Di and your wonderful card picks - just awesome!

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  31. Personal card
    it speaks everything
    It is beautiful
    the family will now that you are with them in this sad time
    hugs Tamara

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  32. Hello Di, Sarn & Parsnip, I may be peaking too early this week but I've just added my second snippet card!!! Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  33. A lovely sympathy card, Di - all my best wishes. Yes please for the prize xx

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  34. lovely poppy sympathy card Di, so sorry about uncle Charlie. congrats to Carol L, love her card, and all the other picks. Will try not to play Sarn up whilst you're away. Safe trip xxx

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    1. p.s. loved the 'tickle' of grey

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    2. Yeah . . .RIGHT . . . like I believe THAT! xxx

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  35. Perfect card for a sympathy card, Di. Have a safe journey at the end of the week.
    Lovely selection of picks this week. Congratulations to Carol on her win. xx

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  36. This is the perfect sympathy card for Len's Uncle Charlie Di and the poppy is so appropriate and you have coloured it so prettily. I'm sure we all understand that the gates remain open for an extra week and we will try to play nicely whilst you are away. Some great picks this week and congratulations to Carol L for being this week's winner. x

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  37. I'm sorry about the passing of Uncle Charlie. I'm sure his family will appreciate the card. It is absolutely beautiful. You did an amazing job watercoloring the image, which is gorgeous. Safe travels. And thanks for picking my card. I'm so glad you liked them.

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  38. Ah, beautiful work, Di, adore your card, and sorry for the family's loss... such dear men who fought for our lands... pray for safe travel for you and all concerned. Parsnip will be working overtime me thinks!

    I love the playground's offerings too....
    ... a very busy week again so limited time but had this post ready so had to join up, Shaz in Oz.x

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  39. Playing (at long last) just for fun. Ann xxx

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  40. A beautiful sympathy card with just the right words. I'm sure you'll have twice as many cards to pick from at the end of the two weeks, making your job harder. Playing for fun this week. x

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  41. I just love that beautiful poppy stamp and the sentiment is just beautiful too. Playing just for fun today as I already have those waiting to be used, lol, am a naughty so and so with stamps and trying hard to catch up with many that have never been inked.
    Big hugs for you and Mister Lens, it's hard to go through when it's a family member, I can still remember being heartbroken when my aunt died, she was the youngest sister of four with mum being one of them, made me hug mum a lot closer for quite a while.
    If you need any help Miss Pixie please give us a yell - I can sit upright for quite a while at the moment Karen xx

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    1. Oi . . . are you after my Prefect badge!???? LOL! xxx

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  42. Always hard to make this kind of card, but yours is definitely perfect. It's lovely, and says just exactly the right sentiment to bring comfort to the family. Hugs to you & Len on your loss of your Uncle. TFS

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  43. Now that I've made and entered a card, I'll say no thanks to the draw this time around. I'm playing just for fun, but thanks for the challenges! I hope your week is going well in spite of the sad occasion.

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  44. I forgot to say that I'm just playing for fun this time. xx

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  45. What a stunning card Miss. I do hate making cards for this reason.
    Lovely picks too. Well done everyone.
    Just playing for fun.
    Hugs
    xx

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  46. Love your Thinking Of You Card. Hope you are having a great week so far.

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  47. I'm so sorry to hear about Len's Uncle Charlie. Your card is the perfect understated, yet breathtaking, design that will bring a lot of comfort to the family. Be safe on your travels and I hope your back doesn't bark and flare worse with the sitting. I'll be gone myself all of next week, but I'll try to slip in and play before I go. Big hugs to you and Len, Darnell (PS Great picks, as always!)

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  48. Beautiful card, Di. I'm just playing for fun this time.

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  49. Just love your card Di and very fitting for the purpose it was made for.
    After last time's success with Mr Linky, this time he is playing up again. Please would you link me, https://pippapblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/look-what-i-found-in-the-snippets-drawer/ Many thanks.
    I hope you were able to celebrate a life well lived and that it was not too sad an occasion. Take care.
    Pippa x

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  50. Beautiful card Di. Funerals are easier when they involve 94-year-olds, or someone who has had a good long life.
    I'm just playing for fun.

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    1. Yes Sandy, I think it will be more a celebration of a long and happy life - well said.

      Di xx

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  51. Just got me internet for 5 mins so will quickly link up. Whats all this about about whips and handcuffs? I can't play me hip is playing up and The Doc only has wun good eye at the moment. It's a long story and if I had the internet I'd tell yer .
    Hugs me. Night Owl internet finder.

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  52. Thanks for the challenge ,for me a yes.

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  53. What a lovely tribute to your uncle. Just playing for fun this week
    Jane

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  54. Hi Di your card is gorgeous I love poppies on cards. Yes please to the prize. I will be thinking of you this week. Hugs Jackie

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  55. Hi Di, just playing for fun. So sorry for the loss of Len's Uncle. Have a safe trip!

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  56. What a very lovely sympathy card. Heartfelt hugs during this time of loss.

    I would love to have my name in the hat for the intriguing prize this week. I have never heard of these products. They sound like a lot of fun!!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  57. Beautiful Poppy card Di-sorry it is for such a sad occasion-hope your journey goes well xx
    I am just playing along for fun again this week(hope I haven't broken the Mr Linky thingy-I seem to have an awful lot of slashes after my name for some reason lol!)
    Hugs,Nessa xx

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  58. RIGHT . . . who did that? Who set off the fire alarm?

    Was that YOU Mrs A??? Sam? Lesley? Viv? I'm WATCHING you lot! xxx

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  59. Such a perfect sympathy card for this sad time. Hope all goes off okay.
    Just popping for a quick skip around the playground this week. Never tried these stamps before but don't think I would master the technique so count me out this time xx

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  60. Have just added another entry - yes please to the prize

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  61. Back to say I'd like to enter the draw for the runner up prize,

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  62. Hi Miss Di & the lovely Parsnip.
    Yeas please to the prize if I'm lucky enough.
    So sorry to hear of your family loss, not an easy time for you both.
    I hope all goes well, and safe journey.
    I adore your poppy creation, as I do love poppies.
    Thank you for all your hard work involved with this wonderful challenge, and biggest hugs to Parsnip for his help.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  63. Having sort out the false fire alarm . .. I've come back with a 2nd Snippets Card.
    Would like to be entered into the Runner's Up prize please.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  64. Yes please for the prize. Just added my creation.
    Hope you have a safe journey.

    Hugs,
    Eemeli

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  65. First let me say sorry about Uncle Charlie!! I had an Uncle once, too he was a very nice man...my condolences!! Your card is gorgeous!!! I love poppies and grow the bright red and orange ones in my gardens!! Yes please to the prize...my baby dies arrived, thank YOU so much...they are adorable and I can't wait to use them!!

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  66. Hi Di,
    your sympathy card is perfect - hope the day goes O.K.
    Wow! thank you for picking me in your highlights - everyone else's are fabulous!
    I hope that everyone behaves while you are away.
    xx Just playing for fun thank you.

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  67. Hi Di. So sorry for your loss ... what a lovely card you have made for the family. It's been a long while since I've visited the playground. Hope to be by more often ... at least that's the plan :)

    I made a card today and used a snippet and it just struck me to come and give you a visit. Loll xx

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  68. Have just entered a card, didn't get round to it last week. Yes please to the prize if I'm lucky enough.
    Jean x

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  69. I am back with a second crafty entry this week-again only for fun Di(and I have bought crumble for the Playmates to sniff!)Hugs,Nessa xxx

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  70. Beautiful card Di, perfect for a sympathy or just thinking of you.
    Yes Please for the chance to win the stamps, love Sheena Douglass although I don't have any of hers yet.

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  71. Love your beautiful card & great picks again! Playing for fun & the extra prize.

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  72. Di, I had time to make and enter a second card and I'm just playing for fun this time. Thanks.

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  73. Yes Please! I would like to be entered in either the main draw or the runner up one and I hope you had a safe trip home.

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  74. Wahoo - made it with my 3rd entry . . . if Mr RNG picks me . . . could I just be in the draw for sticky stuff please! xxx

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  75. I have entered with my card. And yes please for the prize.

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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.