Sunday 17 May 2015

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 177 and Merry Monday #158 {Stencils}

My snippets card today has absolutely nothing to do with the prize for this coming week :) It's for the current challenge over at Merry Monday which is 'Stencils'.

Oh help :( I really wanted to use embossing paste, rather than just ink through a stencil, but had never really recovered from my one try last Christmas time. But, I had taken advice from a few of you at the time (when I was struggling with Sweet Poppy paste and adding loose glitter) and had bought some Imagination Crafts sparkly paste - so the decks were cleared, the NBUS pastes were cracked open and off I went. This was one of the results - complete with light bouncing off the black card strip:
I used:

- A6 black card blank, tent style

- a snippet of matt gold card stock, embossed using a Crafts-Too 'Snowflake Banner' folder

- the black panel is Imagination Crafts satin card stock, which I then stencilled using a 'Christmas Holly' stencil made by Sweet Poppy and Imagination Crafts 'Metallic Sparkle' sparkle medium paste

- then I just trimmed the panel down to size and backed it with a piece of copper satin mirri card to act as a border above and below 

Couple of tips, first of all this embossing folder actually has a plain band across the middle as well as a scrolled panel in the centre. Most of the time I don't make a feature of the centre, or indeed the plain band - although I did on THIS card last Spring. So, not all embossing folders need to be used as originally designed :)

Secondly, I do like the Imagination satin card stock, and it isn't too slippery for stencil paste either. However, it's black on one side and white on the other - which means that, when trimmed, you end up with an outside line of white showing. To cover this I just ran a black Whispers marker round the edge before layering up.

And moving swiftly onto the picks for this past fortnight, which was a double headache in a way as you might guess. But, having the Playground open for a two week run did actually help me enormously, with us being away and all that. In fact, I'll need to do this again in a week or so as it's my school reunion very soon and I'm lucky if there's even time to sleep, let alone blog! I'm away for five days this time too :) But, this coming week in the Playground is just one week!

So here are the picks:
I totally love, love this card - made by Cathy R - the woodgrain background and that beautiful window with the perfect window box  of tiny flowers are just fabulous!

Such a fun filled card, made by Shaz in Oz - and plenty of snippets used too :)

This is one of the most elegant cards I've seen in a while, it was made by Ann, and it's just stunning!

You truly should hop over to Kathy T's and see the inspiration photo that Kathy used for this fabulous card. Such a clever working in of the key elements - and squeal, look at the teeny flowers!

I could go on forever with picks, but have kept this to four as I need to do a few prize draws this week! Don't forget that the thumbnails are still showing if you haven't already had a browse HERE.

Before I forget, we also have two new playmates:
How cute is this, made by Irene Mendes.

And we also have a new playmate called Vibula, over on Flickr HERE. As I've said before, I can't copy and paste images from Flickr so the best I can do is the link above.

And now onto the winners of the main prize for the last couple of weeks, the Sheena Douglass 'Simply Sweet' stamp sets.



Well done girls, I do hope you have fun playing with your prizes - I have your address already Janis, but could you please drop me an email with yours April - to di_wray@hotmail.com. Thanks! The prizes will be on their way this week.

And next, the four STIX2 runner up prizes. For these I didn't go through all the rigmarole of copying, cropping and then pasting each Mr Random result, although I did actually use the generator.

Our winners are: #39 Jane W, #20 Kathleen, #55 Sarn and #50 Lucy.

I have all of your addresses girls and will post the STIX2 goodies of to you ASAP.

And, it's time to reveal the prize for this coming week, which I actually used on this DT card for the current Cuttlebug Mania challenge earlier in the week:

Yay! It's a Spellbinders die cutting set called 'A-2 Fancy Ribbon Threader' - a very pretty set of dies:

The Snippets Challenge will run for one week and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 23rd May. The gates will open again at midnight UK time on the same day.

Maximum of three entries and please say 'Yes please' (or similar) in a comment if you wish to play and be a possible winner of the prize. Do remember that you should also link back to the Playground in your blog post to be eligible for the draw.

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

60 comments:

  1. Little Mr P is just entering for the fun...as we already have this die!

    Your card is so lovely...I have not tried that technique yet...I am such a slowpoke with getting on with new things! lol

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  2. Di, your card is gorgeous! Love all the black and the stenciling. So lovely.
    Great showcase of cards from all the entries once again.
    Lynn

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  3. Such a gorgeous card - very stylish and chic :-D Wonderful picks this week to and Congrats to the Winners :-D

    Hugz
    IKE xxx

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  4. What a gorgeous, elegant card, Di, and wonderful picks too. Thanks for the Stix2 prize, we don't half get through a lot of adhesives in this hobby! I'll be back later in the week with a snippets card
    Jane

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    1. Right, I'm already back! Yes please, I'd love a chance wo win that gorgeous die

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  5. WAHOOOOO . . . I won some sticky stuff . . . FAB . . . THANKS Mr RNG! Congrats to all the other winners too.

    OK . . . onto the serious stuff . . . your schparkly Christmas card is SOOO striking Di . . . beautiful work, and thanks for the extra tips.

    Congrats to all the showcased girls and a wave hello to the newbies.

    Playing just for fun this week thank you.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  6. Thank you so much for show casing my card Di - what an honour as all the entries in the snippets challenge are really cool. Love your card as always. I don't think I will be able to enter this week as having a break away, but will be back to comment next week. Ann xxx

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  7. Thank you so much for the lovely prize, Di! I have emailed you. Gorgeous Christmas card! I'll be back later in the week with my snippet card. April Xx

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  8. Gorgous sparkling card!! Love it!
    All the cards of your compilation are so beautiful.
    Congrats to all the winners!! Enjoy your prizes!

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  9. Beautiful card, Di (would look good for both CHNC challenges too). Yes please for the give away. xx

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  10. I was told yesterday about this challenge by MaryH over at Carolina's Cards after I had posted on my blog two cards made from 'snippets', but alas, I was too late for 176 but I did read the rules and it did say that you might relax the rules a little in some cases? If not, that's fine, I will now know for future reference about this fun challenge as I have just subscribed! have a lovely Sunday! Hazel xx

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  11. Gorgeous sparkly card Di, and thank you for the shout out! Lots of fabulous inspiration once again in the playground. Just playing for fun this week :) Cathy x

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  12. FAB make and prize and a lovely selection of "picks"

    YES PLEASE to this weeks prize draw

    Happy Sunday

    Kathyk

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  13. Ooh so pretty and sparkly!
    Hey I win some sticky goodies yay! Thank you lovely! Thats brightened up the rubbish week I've had lol xx

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  14. What a beautiful card resulted from using that stencil! I love all the sparkle on the black background!
    Congrats to your notables and winners from the past two weeks. You all inspire me every time I come to the playground!
    Yes Please :)

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  15. I love your gorgeous sparkly Christmas card Di and the background gold embossing and the black card makes the copper glitter paste through the Poppy stencil stand out so prettily. There are some beautiful highlighted cards this week too, and congratulations to all the lucky winners. x

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  16. A fab card Di - great stencilling. I'll be back soon with my Snippets makes and would love a change to win that fab die set.
    Kath x

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  17. Wow, what a beautiful card Di! I am so loving that embossing paste you used, how beautiful it is. And then there is the design you used, love it! Not quite getting if it is a stencil or an embossing folder, I tend to be dense at times. lol Love your picks this go around, such beautiful cards. Hugs, Brenda

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  18. A lovely and sparkly card! Congratulations to all the winners and picks! Hope to be back to play along and if I do I would love to win your prize! Thank you!

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  19. Super card. I like using their pastes . Not too messy. Will come and play if I have enough will to live. Had the wretched Internet up and running for a whole 21 hrs but it has crashed again so back to the old iPad and predictive text. I was in the middle of a DT post when it went so daren't ome off my PC or I will loose the lot. Not a happy bunny . Hugs Mrs A.

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  20. Great card Di, love the stencil and I have tried it once and never again.
    Great picks as always and so very pleased to have been drawn for the Stix2.
    I have a new man in my life, I told my Hubby the other day, oh yes, who's that?
    Mr Random Org, he has been very kind to me lately.
    Sounds like a character from Lord of the Rings, I'd change my name if I was him,????? he he.

    Kath x

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  21. Oh, I do love the sparkly texture of the stenciled design! I have never tried using embossing paste but I love the look! Congrats to the winners and please put my name in the drawing this week!

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  22. Beautiful Christmas card, Di! I need to use my paste & you've inspired me! Love seeing the picks--always amazing how creative the playmates are! If I get a card entered it will just be for fun as I just picked up that beautiful Spellbinder & used it--yah!

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  23. You did a fantastic job with the embossing paste Di, love the main element of your card. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.

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  24. Back again . . . still playing just for fun!
    Have a lovely day.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  25. Beautiful Christmas card.
    luv
    Debby

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  26. Hi Miss Di, & the lovely Parsnip.
    Yes if I'm luck enough.
    Wonderful snippets creation, and it's so sparkly.
    Love this very fab design.
    Congrats to the winner, and also congrats to the fab top picks.
    There sure was some very super creations entered.
    Good luck to all my fellow playmates this week, and thank you so much Di for this wonderful challenge.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  27. Oh, hooray!!! Thank you so much, Di (with the help of Mr. Random.org) for drawing my name as one of the lucky winners!! I am so excited to try some of Sheena's techniques!!!

    Love your wonderful Christmas card!!! Such gorgeous sparkling beautiful-ness!!! I have NBUS embossing paste that I might have to try, also! :)

    Thanks again, you sweetie!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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    1. Playing Just For Fun this week!!!! Thanks again!!!
      <3 J

      jwoolbright at gmail dot com
      HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  28. oo-er how utterly wonderful, Miss to be showcased ..thank you and am sure two year old Hudson would be delighted too :D his mummy loved it anyway :D love your card and great too by the other playground buddies..

    Am at last able to share a couple of cards ... methinks,I am getting totally disorganised as far as card making and blogging goes.
    thanks for encouraging us to use our snippets too week by week.
    hugs Shaz in oz.x

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  29. Beautiful card Di!! Love the glittery embossing paste ... and such a gorgeous image! Will be playing along just for fun this week. xx

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  30. This is lovely. The black satin bkground is very dramatic with the wonderful embossing paste, and this is a very elegant stencil too. Loved the embossing on the EF...worked splendidly with your stencil design as well. Very regal Miss! TFS & Hugs.

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  31. Tried to leave a comment on your CB Mania pretty card. However, it brought me right back here, so I'll just say Excellent use of this pretty S/B die. Loved your image - super soft coloring. Makes me want to have one of those lovely bouquets in the house to enjoy my own self! TFS & Hugs

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  32. Wow what a stunning glittery card, Luv Sam x

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  33. Gorgeous card there Miss and lovely picks this week.
    Hugs
    xx

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  34. Great stenciling, Di, looks fab against the black. A super card! I have a pot of embossing paste too... still unopened. How come such a little pot of paste can be so scary???

    Congratulations to the winners and everyone who made one of the gorgeous picks this week.

    I love the dies, so I'll be a Yes Please for the draw this week.xx

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  35. Congrats winners and yay to Janis...my crafty friend!! Yes please, I would love to be up for a prize!

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  36. Morning Di-I will be running over with my card in a moment-I am just playing for fun again this week :)
    Nessa xxx

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  37. I've been meaning to play with paste for ages and then when I got around to it the tub had dried up! Then I remembered I had some glitter paste - forgot again and so your post prompted me to have a go last night - up until midnight! However today's card isn't about the paste so you will have to wait to spy the results LOL! Your card turned out beautifully.
    Yes please for the draw.
    Linbyx

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  38. I'm back to comment on your DT card, as I saw it again over on the CM blog! I love how you wove the ribbon through the die-cut panel and popped up a few of those pretty lavender flowers in the bouquet! Great embossed background too on such a pretty card!

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  39. Hi Di your card is gorgeous. Yes please to the prize. Have a great week. Hugs Jackie

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  40. Love your card. Thanks for mentioning my card last time. I even got a new follower! I'm just playing for fun this time.

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  41. Wow I must have caught you online. You commented before I had finished linking! Thank you for your nice comments too. It is interesting looking at your picks this week, how dies are almost taking over from stamping as the main feature these days. I love stamping and colouring, though I have to admit I like the digi stamps because I can chose what size I use them at, but a nice die cut does present them better. So yes please, I would like to be entered in the draw this week. Thanks. And with reference to your pretty card, I think Imagination crafts Sparkle Medium knocks spots off all the other pastes that are out there, for use with stencils. Kate x

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  42. Love both of your Cards and all the showcased inspirations. "Yes" I would love to be in the draw.

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  43. Hi Miss Di

    Mum has written me a note and I have pushed it under the office door .. .. sorry for the long absence. Life is one long line of weddings at the moment :-)

    Loving your creation - great stencil too. Hope you are now happier with the technique because you have done a fabby job here.

    I would love to win that fantastic prize but if my name comes out of the hat then please put it back again .. .. I haven't been around here for sooooo long I don't deserve to win.

    Fantastic snippet shares from everyone else too.

    Love to all.

    Jules xx

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  44. Ooh gorgeous stencilled card Di, well done, love the sparkle paste : )
    Count me in as usual for this weeks prize : )

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  45. Just managed to link up as I have the green light!. Yes please stick me in the pot.
    hugs Mrs A

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  46. Gorgeous sparkly Christmas card, Di. Super inspiring picks.

    Love and hugs
    Maarit

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  47. Hi Miss Di, and the lovely Parsnip.
    Thought I would enter another creation this week, as I have used a couple of snippets on it.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  48. So many fabulous creations that you have highlighted Miss Pixie! The Sparkle Medium does make a real difference. It is a lot easier to apply than the embossing paste is and a lot less messier than the EP and glitter. That's a really beautiful and classic Christmas card Di. I hope to be back later in the week, back permitting! I hope you have a lovely week and yes please for the chance to win a die Karen xx

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  49. Beautiful card! love the picks,too!

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  50. Thanks for the super sticky stuff, the pencil looks particularly useful, not seen one of those before.
    Jane

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  51. Lovely card, Di. I love the sparkly paste, it looks fabulous on black card. Great showcase - don't know how you managed to contain it to the four because the Snippeteers are all so talented. Congratulations to all the winners too :) I think I've used up all the three entries per person in just one fell swoop this week - hope you are okay with that! Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  52. Just a quick dash in and out of the playground gates this week - just for fun. Super card Miss Di and fabulous picks xx

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  53. Hello Miss! Just a quick visit & just for fun, no thanks to the prize
    Debs x

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  54. Dropping off a summery card. This has been a fun week!

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  55. Hello Di
    Wow! I love your sparkly Christmas card and although I say it every week the top picks are amazing!
    'YES PLEASE' to be entered into the prize this week - thank you!
    xx

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  56. Your Christmas card is gorgeous love the element on it
    simply and fabulous...
    I just join your challenge and YES I love to get your prize
    but I life in Germany..do you send also outside the country?
    If not please tell me :)
    many thanks for your lovely playground
    hugs,Monika

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  57. Gosh! Last gasp entry! Yes please to prize. Thanks again for lovely prize and gorgeous card. I hope to get to play with those fab stamps over the weekend. Have a great Bank Holiday weekend, Di. Love April xx

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This is a public blog. Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog or entering a piece of artwork into a linky do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog and in so doing have published their own personal details and consented to my use of that personal information should they be selected as a winner or to accredit work.