Sunday 16 October 2016

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 251

It's been a busy week here in the run up to Len's Birthday. He had a lovely day yesterday, archery in the morning trying out his new bow in the Autumn sunshine. And then we had a very pleasant evening at home, with a meal delivered. We're off out on Monday for lunch and possibly a trip out on Tuesday as well - this is one loooong Birthday celebration :) And Len also says a huge thank you for your lovely Birthday wishes left on here when I published his 'guitar' card. It was a great hit and he couldn't believe it started off as a stamped image!

Here's my snippets card for this week:
I used:

- 5" x 7" white card blank, tent style

- snippet of dark green card stock trimmed to slightly smaller than the card front and glued in place

- snippet of white card stock, embossed using a Couture Creations embossing folder called 'Candy Stripe' - bought at Coventry the other week - trimmed down and glued in place. Am not sure the folder was such a bargain as it leaves little cuts here and there right through the card stock - and is such a tight squeeze to get through the Cuttlebug I was worried I'd break the machine!

- the image was stamped using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and two stamps from the really cute Penny Black set called 'Loads of Love'. First spotted this lovely stamp set in use over at Jules' blog. I positioned both as I wanted using the Misti and stamped them at the same time, image and sentiment

- coloured the image using Pro markers and some tickles of clear Wink of Stella here and there

- die cut the image panel using a Spellbinders Labels Eight die

- then drew round the outside of the die and hand cut a mat from a snippet of red card stock and glued both layers together

- glued the finished panel to the card front and called it done!

This card was also for Len's Birthday yesterday - 'from' the hedgies and garden birds he looks after so diligently! He knew I'd been struggling whilst making 'a card for him' last week and, without knowing anything about the card, made me step away saying 'A hand made card doesn't need to be perfect' - bless. And he loved the card yesterday! (Thinks I'm probably barking mad as well I expect).

Any suggestions about that folder? I know some of you really play around with your embossing folders and am sure I read a sort of solution a while ago. But, the folder is certainly too tight with the recommended Cuttlebug plates! I did try building up the layers using a thinner base plate and lots of shims - almost got there but frankly it was just taking too long :(

Lets move straight onto the weekly peek at the picks:

Lia was first into the Playground with this really fun Minions card - love it!

Brenda makes some amazing cards, and this really is a beauty! A perfect Autumn scene I'm sure you'll all agree.

What a clever design this card is! Made by Barb, it really lovely and one to keep in mind for future reference :)

I love, love this beautiful Autumn card, made by Pat. She used the 'ghosting' technique for her background just perfectly - and those leaves are so realistic!

I picked this fabulous collage card, made by Jane as it's a perfect illustration of using up lots of little snippets. And it's a jolly good card too!

This card, brought to share by Lynn (Linby) is such fun. I have this same set of stamps and sat for ages pondering over why Lynn picked those particular stamps for this super card! The answer? 2 10 6 = 2016 (almost)! Clever sausage!

Love this card, made by Helen! Such a great idea to use a snippet of patterned paper for the curved portion at the top of the card - and it's lovely how the colours tie in with that adorable image :) Another super idea I want to try out.

This is such a beautifully designed Sympathy card, made by Janice. I really love how she used a vertical panel of the embossed 'Tied Together' card underneath those really pretty branches and birds.

LOVE the design of this adorable card, made by Heather! Heather was desperate to use those darling little dragons (by MFT) and they work beautifully on this fun Christmas card.

Calling a halt there - my time at the desk is almost up! I need someone with a whistle like you used to have at boating lakes in the 'olden days'. The attendant in charge of hiring out the boats gave you a shrill blast and hollered something akin to 'Come in number 10, your time is up'!

We had one new Playmates last week - 55 of you came to play in total:
Preety came to play for the first time, bringing this really great Halloween shaker card to share. Such a fun card and I love how in amongst the shaker filling there are teeny little bats, individually punched!

Preety has only been blogging since last month and up to now has just two followers, one is me. I know we all started out with zero followers and were so delighted when the numbers crept up. I'd love for you girls to hop over to say 'Hi' to Preety - and perhaps add yourself to her list of followers.

Welcome from all of us Preety, please come back and play again soon!
 
And it's prize draw time, for the prizes from last week.

The First prize (prize A), the Elizabeth Craft Designs 'Accordion Fancy Label' die set:

I'm sure this is your very first Playground win Connie - and you certainly chose the right week and prize for your number to come up! Well done :)

Then runner up prize B, the bumper pack of Hunkydory 'Little Dudes & Perfect Princesses' toppers kindly donated by Kim:
 
Loads of lovely images to play with Lynne - I think you'll have fun with these!

And runner up prize C, the modern roses Crafts-Too embossing folder (CTFD3108):
 Em
It's a lovely folder Em and am sure you'll enjoy using it.

Congratulations to all three of you girlies! Can you please all drop me emails with your addresses in and I'll post your prizes off as soon as possible! My email address is on the right hand side bar. I know that you possibly all have the same snail mail address if you won before, but I need to make sure after a wrong assumption I made a little while back. 

This coming week's prize is:
A Penny Black stamp set the same as I used on my snippets card today - called 'Loads of Love'.

And here's a heads up girls, especially for those cat lovers amongst you. Janis is having a giveaway of this brilliant stamp - in the run up to the forthcoming Cat Lovers Hop. Just follow the link to Janis above to find out how to be 'in it to win it' :)
 

The Snippets Challenge will run for one week and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 22nd October. 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 the 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!

Hugs from Parsnip - he's busily pickling conkers in vinegar ready for the forthcoming Playground Conker Championships :) Little cheat!

69 comments:

  1. I'm always inspired by the picks & of course, your darling card, Ms Di! Playing just for fun this week.

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  2. Firstly, thank you so much for showcasing my Autumn Leaves card. I count myself lucky to have been chosen as every week there are so many beautiful cards to choose from. I love your Hedgie with the tip up truck Di and the diagonal striped ef works well in the background, and this would have made a great alternative card for Len. I have had one or two folders which seem tighter and cut through the card a bit. Apart from using a thinner plate and then shimming as you tried, you don't say if you added in the silicone mat too which would obviously mean using less sheets of paper/card to shim with. This is all I can contribute I'm afraid. If I enter a card this coming week I am a 'yes please' for the lovely PB stamps. x

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    1. Sorry I meant to say congratulations to NannaConnie, Lynne and Em for winning last week. x

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  3. Di, you are a doll for announcing my giveaway and upcoming Cat Lovers Hop!!! THANK YOU so much! I hope lots of cat lovers will stop by and join the hop!!!

    What an adorable card you made with the sweet hedgie in the dumptruck full of hearts. Yes, please, to the prize this week. I can never resist playing for your prizes when I see the lovely ways you use them.

    Super-lovely picks this week....oh, my! Love seeing the amazing creativity of our playground pals. Congrats to each of them and to the winners, too!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

    CAT LOVERS HOP coming Oct 24-29 at HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com and GIVEAWAY going on now!!!

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  4. Hi Miss Di, another Gorgeous birthday card for Len, Penny Black hedgies are so cute! Playing just for fun this week... have a great week... Megan

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    1. Whoops forgot to say I have had similar issues with my embossing folders going through my cuttlebug, I now use base plate, cereal box shims and either a 'b' or 'c' plate... hope it helps... Megan

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  5. Oooh thanks for picking me - I had SUCH fun making that card! I'll be back with my card for this week in a little while, but just wanted to say about the folder - I had one that seemed to tight going through, but I kept on trying to wind the handle of my Grand Calibur and suddenly PING!! The entire inner workings of it fell to pieces. I had to buy a new machine. So please don't force it!
    I've experiemented with other plates and shims and found that the grey cutting plate, the Grand Raspberry plate and 1 or 2 thin card shims depending on the thickness of the card I'm embossing give a clear impression without having to force anything.
    Jane

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    1. And I'm back with my card now - and yes please to going into the hat for the lovely stamp set
      Jane

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  6. I'll have to go take a look at Len's guitar birthday card now, since I seem to have missed it, but I'm glad to hear he had a wonderful birthday. Tell Len that having a week long birthday celebration is the best way to go!! Yes please to that adorable stamp set this week!! Those cute critters are just so cute.

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  7. Love this adorable hedgie - tempting, but only playing for fun this week. A great selection of picks as always, it must be so difficult to choose from so many entries. I've had embossing folders which leave cuts which is annoying but the only way is to faff around with shims of card which takes time or if the cuts aren't too bad I sometimes resort to sticky tape on the back to hold everything together (quicker solution).

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  8. Good morning dear Di. What a brilliant card for Len...perfect with the dear hedgie..awww. It sounds like you've had a fun week. Lovely picks and well done to all the winners too. It really is autumn now isn't it..so dark this morning. Yes please to the brilliant prize this week I'll be back to link up. Have a lovely Sunday and week. Thanks as always for all your hard work. Hugs xx

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  9. What an adorable hedgehog stamp and a yes please for the prize
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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  10. Oh, your card "from hedgies and birds" is just a sweetie!! I'm sure that Len love it as the guitar card, it's really full of love! :D Great embossing and colouring!
    Amazing picks and big congrats to all the winners. I'm so sorry to have lost the right time to enter in the challenge last week... :( I was been very busy with my job, and when I finally published my post, the challenge was ended by 3 hours... Such a sad surprise.
    Hope to can enter in this one, if I found time to craft!! Love this week's prize, how many cutie in this stamp set! :)
    Hugs

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  11. Morning Di great card and it can be a problem with embossing folders. The only way I find is to keep trying thinner combination of plates, not that will be of much help - sorry.

    Great selection of card picks this week again. And please can I be entered into the competition for a prize if I am lucky.

    xxx

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  12. Oh my!! This was such a lovely surprise being mentioned on your blog!! Thanks so much Di :) Hello to all my new snippets playground buddies all the way from India ! Loved all your beautiful creations. Have so much to learn from all the seasoned crafters :) cheers!! Much love and hugss xoxo
    Preety

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  13. Cute snippets birthday card for Len!

    Fab picks, as ever, and congrats to all the winners.

    Have a great week.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  14. Your card is adorable. That image is wonderful...

    Dropped off a card for the challenge...I am quite early this time...yes please for the prize.

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  15. Oooh l so like your card Di loving your image and the striped paper looks good too! well done all who featured on your picks and congrats winners enjoy your win sending lots of love xx

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  16. Hi Di your card is stunning I do love that stamp set so yes please to the prize. You are certainly celebrating your husband's birthday in style. Have fun. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  17. Glad you and Len are both enjoying his birthday celebrations:)
    Very cute card. X

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  18. Gorgeous card, Di! I was scrolling down to leave a comment and those red letters stopped me in my tracks! Wow! Thanks to both you and Mrs. A. It's my first playground win too. I think you've got my address, but I'll email you just in case.

    Hugs,
    Em

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    1. Good grief Em - didn't realise it was your first win else I would have highlighted it - you're a stalwart of the Playground! Will post ASAP, thanks for the email hun:)

      Hugs

      Di xx

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  19. What a fun card for your Mister! I love that little truck loaded up with hearts - I'm sure Len loved it, and please give him my belated birthday wishes too! Congrats to your 3 winners and also to all the notables with their fabulous makes this week! Yes please to the draw this week - who could resist such a fun stamp set! BTW, I have the same folder bought under a different name years ago and seldom use it because it shreds my cardstock to ribbons :)

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    1. Wow, that's reassuring about the folder! At least it's not just me Carol!

      Hugs

      Di xx

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  20. A cute card Di and lovely picks this week too. I'll be in the playground soon but am just playing for fun this week.
    Kath x

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  21. Fab card Di - I do hope the Birdies and Hedgies didn't make too much of a mess in your craft room. Re the embossing folder, you could try ebay sellers that offer compatible Cuttlebug plates and ask if they could do a slightly thinner one for you. Great prize this week and as much as I love it I have to say no thanks or my stash will never decrease x

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  22. Well I have tried 3 time to leave a comment and been unable to do so, I don't know what is going on with my commenting on your blog because for the past couple of weeks it comes up with something like this is not recognised and do you want to comment anyway, so I press yes.
    Finally got back into the comments box and would like to say I love that image you have used and it is a great card.
    I find it so disappointing when EF's dies, and some stamps do not live up to the standard you expect from them, I wouldn't mind if they were cheap as chips but some are quite expensive for what they are and then they cause no end of problems.
    Some really lovely picks this week Di.
    Glad Len liked his card and you have extended the celebrations over a few days.
    Have a good and healthy week.

    Kath x

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  23. Morning Sue. What an absolutely cutie one for this week's playground. Fab picks from last week's entries and of course congratulations to all the lucky winners. Hopefully this week will be my turn so it is a big yes please for the prize -- and once again thanks for spoiling us with all these yummy prizes. You are so generous.

    Hope you will have a nice Autumn week ahead.

    Hugs from Finland,
    Eemeli

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  24. Thank you kind lady !! I am so chuffed to be one of your picks this week and with so many others as well, many of who I had already admired during my blogland trips.

    Hope to join in again, still rather slow going plus a but bit of a busy week with Zachary's graduation and the NHS trying to take up more of my time still, they don't seem to realise people do have lives and other things to do.

    B x

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  25. First I'd have to say it sounds as if Len enjoyed a luvverly looooong birthday celebration. It sounds just perfect.

    Your card is lovely Di. The PB image is absolutely adorable and I'd love to be included with a chance.

    What a wonderful surprise to find my card in your pics this week. Congratulations to your other spotlighted cards makers this week and also to the winners of those great prizes. Welcome also to our new playmate. Barbxx

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  26. Hi Di, another fabulous hedgie card - love the bucket load of hearts :) I have the same embossing folder and find that it is best to use quite thick card in it, otherwise it shreds thinner card! The showcased cards are as fab as ever - snippeteers are so talented. Congratulations to last week's winners. Count me out for this week's draw - I have a vast collection as it is so I really shouldn't be adding to it ... especially as there are one or two that have never been inked up yet!!! Enjoy your lunch today and tomorrow's trip out. Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  27. I think you are still celebrating....!! A bit late, but here are my best wishes to Len!
    It makes me smile, that you are showing my card as the first in the row of these beauties. Thanks a lot!
    And what do I see? My most favorite animals as a prize this week. I give it a try winning these gorgeous hedgehog stamps!!
    Lia xx

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  28. A beautiful card Di, and a great stamp set for the prize this week. Would love to go into the draw for the chance to win this.

    Sue xx

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  29. I love your hedgie spreading all that love, Di! What fun! A belated Happy Birthday to Len!

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  30. Hi, Di! What a sweet card! The image is adorable!! I have a couple embossing folders like that, where it embosses so much, it actually does cut through the paper on some of the lines. Not very fun for sure. Thanks so much for choosing my card as one of your picks. I'm just playing for fun this week, thanks!

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  31. Love your card this card week. I just dropped a card off and wanted to say Hi. Please enter me in the prize for this week. Hugs.

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  32. Yes please to the prize, Di. Just too cute! I love the card you made with it :)

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  33. Thanks so much for choosing my card among the picks & congratulations to the others...and all the lucky winners from last time!
    Love your snippets card...that hedgie is adorable! I don't have any tips for using the folder...but have the same issue with a couple of mine, so will be scouring the comments for advice!
    I'm a 'yes please' for this week's prize draw, as (amazingly!) that's a PB set I don't already have!
    Helen x

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  34. What a lovely surprise to see my card Di as one of your picks this week, thank you! I love your card, such a cute stamp. I'll be playing for fun this week. Congratulations to the winners.
    Janice x

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  35. Yay! I'm entered, finally!! :D
    Yes, please, for the chance to win the prize, love so much these Penny Black cuties!

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  36. A gorgeous creation from yourself and great picks too, Di! I'd better play for fun this week as I have a pile of goodies to stash away after my trip to Doncaster at the weekend and I need to make room! Congratulations on your 250th playground last week. You have earned a long service award keeping the playmates in order all this time!

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  37. Well Di, you can't get much cuter than a hedgie in a dump truck full of love, can you!? I've had problems with some embossing folders in my Big Shot but it's usually not so much a tight fit as too ridges on my embossing folder. I've gotten around that problem by embossing more than one card stock piece at a time so that the folder doesn't but through. Maybe you could use a thinner plate and emboss two card stock sheets at a time. Still takes layering but at least you get two embossings from one run-through. I've experimented with thinner plates and pieces of chipboard so I don't have to layer too many extra shims. Good luck. Oh, and Yes please to that adorable stamp set!

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  38. These cards are all so very beautiful! I just love the stamps in this set...so adorable! I would love to win them!! Cross my fingers...lol. Hugs, Robin

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  39. Hi Di :-) Fabulous hedgie card - love the bucket load of hearts - hedgie spreading all that love... Yes please to the prize - just too cute! Majda xx

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  40. Wonderful card and wonderful picks!
    And "Yes, please" to the draw. Love the Penny black images.
    Hugs, Liv

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  41. Oh, a huge thanks to Mr. Random for pulling my name for that fantastic die! Yes, this is my first ever win and I'm so excited about it. :-D Off to send an email, Di.

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  42. Hi Di, a belated Happy Birthday to Len! I'm glad you have been having a nice time. Gorgeous hedgie and super picks! I know how much you like the story of me getting gold embossing paste on my slipper, but I haven't told the sorry tale of when I managed to roll a small metal flower die completely into the mechanism of my Big Shot. Poor husband had to take it all apart...it was horrific! Yes please to lovely prize. Hugs to you Xx

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  43. What a sweet Penny Black card. Thanks for sharing the picks. I confess to not having wandered around the playground this time so I'm glad I didn't miss out on all of them.

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  44. Sweet stamp and card Di, would love to win this!
    Hugs, Hazel xx

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  45. Hello, so glad you've had fun birthday celebrations, I don't see why they shouldn't go on for days. (you might want to tell Len that cards do have to be perfect, the bar is set very high here!)Just playing for fun. :)

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  46. Your little truck driving hedgie is really cute, the truck full of hearts is fun. I am happy to say I've made it back here with a card this week.
    Jean x

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  47. Fabulous card Di...so cute, just has to make one smile!! Great picks this week, have to see if I can find a couple of the things used..love that big strawberry, too,...yum! I am playing this week (yippee) and of course yes, please count me in!

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  48. great card Di do love penny black sets they are so cute! and lobbing in very quickly with my card this week... liked your card up above using the Misti and the background stamping very clever!
    Wonderful makes by the playmates and hope Parsnip isn't up too much trouble there ..maybe tip out that vinegar is a good idea!
    Hugs and hope your back is happier this week, Shaz.x

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  49. Great card but a shame about the EF - sometimes I know if you have too much pressure it can crack the card. Just playing for fun this time. L x

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  50. Oh Di... another beautiful c&S card which shows the beauty of this stamp! Love it! Very very cute! :-)
    I play with my red and white card today... Christmas feelings.... ;-)
    Thank you for the chance to win...(Yes, please... to the draw)
    A BIG BIG hug
    Francesca

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  51. your card is so pretty and top picks are amazing.
    yes for the prize, please, I love Penny Black stamps.
    big hug

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  52. Hi Miss Di ans the lovely Parsnip.
    Just playing for fun this week.
    Congrats to the the winners, and featured cards.
    Love your super card and it's wonderful design.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  53. Look at me remembering to actually link up and play this week. Of course I want to play in the death match... oh, I mean for fabulous cash and prizes.

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  54. Congrats to all the gorgeous picks - there is always a lot of inspirations to be had here and that's all from your hard work Di. Yes please for the prize draw, I always mean to get more Penny Black stamps but rarely do lol! xx

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  55. Love that adorable card, and think it's so funny it is for Len from the hedgies.
    My only suggestion on the embossing folder is to skip the C plate and use shims, but it sounds like you've already thought of that.
    Yes please on the prize.

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  56. Di the link isn't showing for me, have refreshed time and again but it's still not shown up. I will try one last time but if I can't get it to work will have to wait until tomorrow. http://karenscrafting.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/pink-october.html xx

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  57. Really cute card, Di, the little hedgehog is adorable. Another great selection of picks too.
    I'm a Yes Please for the lovely prize this week. xx

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  58. loved playing along with the challenge :) Yes please for the awesome prize!

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  59. Great picks this week Di, lovely hedgie card and stamp what a lovely way to spread love. Yes please to the chance to win the stamps.

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  60. I'm playing just for fun this week. I love your card with that darling hedgie, Di!

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