Wednesday 30 January 2019

A card for Hazel's Christmas card challenge!

It's absolutely ages since I joined in with  Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge. It's always anything goes with an optional theme if you wish - this time it's 'no sentiment' but my card was already made by then. Shame really as I do have issues with getting some die cut sentiments absolutely straight!

I also made this card for Scrappy Mo's Rudolph Days challenge but most of you will know that Mo has just undergone knee replacement surgery and decided to not run January's challenge. A wise move, hope you're recovering well Mo!

The idea for the card began when I was rootling through a box of Christmas toppers and embellishments and found a packet of two sets of embellishments that date back goodness knows how long - so the card evolved from there.

I made two cards exactly the same:
I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card blank

- die cut the aperture using a Spellbinders 'Labels 18' die

- made the background using snippets of pearlescent card in baby blue and white, using a die from the Spellbinders 'A2 Borderabilities' set to cut the curve on the white snippet of card

- then adhered the blue and white panel behind the aperture and backed the inside of the card front with a layer of white card, just marginally smaller than the card front itself

- added the tree and deer embellishments to the panel, adding some fresh glue to the pads which were well stuck on but I wanted to be sure they also stayed stuck to the background panel

- then found some perfectly matching purple sparkly glitter sheet from the XCut A5 Adhesive sheets pack (Darks) and die cut the sentiment using a Britannia 'Seasons Greetings' die

- stuck the sentiment in place (it looked straight to me at the time!) and there was one finished card! Two in fact :)

Hmmm, looks as if I have two thick cards due to the sticky pads on the back of the embellishments. I think these will be hand delivered!

AND - I got the biggest surprise ever on Sunday when, following a hint, I discovered that Superwoman Darnell had organised a blog hop to celebrate seven years since I took the Playground over from the lovely Jules. We've been a bit busy here and still are but I fully intend to take the time to visit every single one of you who joins in. But in the meantime, thank you from the bottom of my heart - I admit I cried and even typing this am still quite overwhelmed. Who knew what wonderful people I would find when I dipped my toe into the wonderful world of blogging! Big hugs to you all!

I'll write more in my post on Sunday - hopefully I'll find some time to make a snippets make before the weekend.





18 comments:

  1. What a terrific winter scene. Love it. The Spellbinders die makes it seem as if you're looking through a window onto the scene. Very clever.

    As to Darnell's surprise party . . . You TOTALLY deserve it & Darnell's a sweetie giving us a place to say how much we love & appreciate you and all that you do.

    Big hugs, Sarn xxxxxxxx

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  2. A lovely card Di and a beautiful winter scene.

    I'm glad you enjoyed the surprise, but we didn't want to make you cry!

    Kath x

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  3. A lovely wintry scene and I like the shape of the window - makes a change from the usual circle or square and looks really good. The blog hop is a lovely idea - well done Darnell for thinking of it as a way to show our appreciation

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  4. I love this card, so sweet and nice to see a different aperture shape. I've just taken part in the blog hop - so pleased to see your hard work recognised in this lovely way.
    hugs L x

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  5. Fabulous card Di, a wonderful design and your old embellishments make a super winter scene.

    Glad to hear Darnell's surprise was a surprise (so hard to keep secrets from Parsnip) and you definitely deserve it xx

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  6. Gorgeous card, Di! I'll be joining in Darnell's hop, and the latest Snippets challenge, on Friday xoxo

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  7. I'm new to your Snippets Playground and blog but hoping to join the THANK YOU HOP because I can tell you are an AWESOME crafty friend and deserve it!!!

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  8. Your card is stunning Di! I love the cut out and I love the scene you created. Your sentiment looks pretty dang straight to me! Good for you for getting two made. I haven't made anymore since my last one, so I need to get another made myself. So happy you are enjoying Darnell's surprise for you!!! She is indeed a superwoman isn't she?!! You are well deserving of it too my friend, you are indeed one of the sweetest women I know! Hugs, Brenda

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  9. Hi Di this is a stunning Christmas card I love it. I am so pleased you like Darnell's blog hop. You deserve your time in the spotlight. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  10. This is a very pretty card Di and love the glittery deer and the pretty aperture shape shows it all off perfectly, and the glitter card is perfect for the sentiment too. I'm glad you did not suspect what was happening, and a wonderful idea of Darnell's to enable us to show you just how much you and the challenge mean to us. x

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  11. Beautiful card, i love the use of the frame. Must go over and try and join in the thank you hop, it sounds a perfect way to say thank you for all your hard work and generosity. Emmax

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  12. Wow!! Such striking scene you made!! Love so much the unusual aperture and those embellishments, especially the tree catches my eyes!
    You deserve the Surprise Hop and surely Darnell is a clever lady :D So glad to have had time to participate at the celebration!
    Big hugs!!

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  13. Gorgeous CAS Christmas card, Di. I love how you've framed your lovely scene with the unusual aperture.

    Enjoy your well-deserved blog hop. So pleased that everyone kept the secret and it was a surprise for you on Sunday. xx

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  14. Your great card reminds me to use those labels dies that seldom see the light of day anymore! Love the little scene you created behind the die-cut shape - it's a sweet little Christmas card! As for the blog hop - you totally deserve that and so much more for all you do for so many! Heartfelt congrats again on 7 years and many many thanks for all the wonderful things you've done for so many of us here in blogland! Here's to 7 more years!

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  15. You made a great card Di!
    Lia xx

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