Pixie's Crafty Workshop

Friday Feast - Carrot and raisin cake

2012-03-09T09:00:00.002Z

Before anyone keels over at the thought of having to make the topping on this cake, I don't do it, but have included it in the recipe anyhow. I don't make it partly as neither of us is too keen plus the 'two-legged mouse' demolishes this loaf so quickly there's no time for fancy stuff! It's a quick and easy bake - and always a real hit.

Carrot and raisin cake

For the cake:
200g (7oz) self-raising flour
175g (6oz) soft light brown sugar
150g (5oz) raisins
2 level tsp ground mixed spice
Pinch of salt
150ml (¼ pint) sunflower oil
3 medium eggs
50g (8oz) carrots, peeled and grated

For the topping:
200g carton cream cheese
3 level tbsp icing sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
Sugarpaste or marzipan carrots, for decoration, optional

1kg (2lb) loaf tin, buttered and lined with a strip of baking parchment. I use those pre-formed greaseproof paper 'loaf tin liners' - you can buy them in Lakeland and I also spotted them in The Range last week.

Set the oven to gas mark 4 or 180°C.

To make the cake: Tip the flour into a bowl and stir in the sugar, raisins, mixed spice and salt.

Beat the sunflower oil and eggs together and add to the dry ingredients and carrots, then stir until well mixed. Pour the mixture into the loaf tin.

Bake the cake in the centre of the oven for about 1 hr, until it is just firm to the touch in the centre, and a skewer comes out clean after being inserted into the cake.

Remove the cake from the oven and leave it to cool in the tin for about 10 mins.
Turn out on to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the topping: Beat together the cream cheese, icing sugar and lemon zest. Spread the icing over the top of the cake and decorate with the sweet 'carrots', if liked.

How to freeze: The undecorated cake may be wrapped in a freezer bag and frozen for up to 3 months (as IF, in this house!!). Allow the cake to defrost before decorating it with the cream cheese topping.

Things I do: I use large eggs and it works just fine by the way, I do use a whisker less than the quantity of sunflower oil though. It's a lovely moist cake and isn't at all oily - although I do wait until Len's out of the way when I'm measuring out the ingredients . I suspect his eyebrows would shoot up at the sunflower oil but what he doesn't see won't harm him :)

Enjoy!

Di
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Less Is More - Neutrals Challenge - Week 57

2012-03-09T07:58:00.000Z

Yikes, this week's challenge over at Less Is More seemed really daunting - until my buddy Sarn nudged me with some pointers. This is what I came up with in the end, having been bogged down in thoughts of purely stamping, before the nudge:

All it took was a rummage through my snippets to find neutral card scraps and I was away :)

I used:

- a white square card, just under 5" square

- grosgrain ribbon from stash (I bought this ages ago from QVC, loads of spools in all shades - not much on each spool, but it always seems to come to the rescue)

- hearts punched out of cream, grey, mid-brown and dark brown snippets. Just a line drawn down each using an embossing tool, then arranged onto a small circle of white card into a flower and topped with black card candi

- sentiment stamped using Brilliance 'Pearlescent Chocolate' and a stamp which is one of Hobbycraft's own brand. I thought the quite sombre colours lent themselves to a sympathy card

Thank you Sarn - where would I be without you?!

Friday Feast will follow shortly :)

Di
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Red and turquoise - together?

2012-03-08T07:51:00.000Z

Those of you who come to the snippets playground will know what a prolific card maker Hazel is - and you may also know that she runs a weekly Christmas Card challenge called Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge. This is my second entry this week (the theme is 'seeing red' - brilliant for Christmas cards of course). The makings were lying on my desk on WOYWW yesterday, although I would never have thought of using red and turquoise together, and this is the end result:

Enough red d'you think?

I used:

- the usual, and favourite at the moment, 6" x 6" square white card stock

- part of a 2011 Christmas card

- a single 6" square piece of Core'dinations turquoise card - with the centre 'gutted' as I now know from Lisa, and it's perfectly acceptable- so that I got both the main backing and some for the image itself. I showed this on WOYWW yesterday, and thanks to Carol for giving me the idea originally

- paper from a freebie papers pack with Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine - called Berry Merry by Jennifer Ellory (some great papers too!)

- red ribbon from stash

Job done - and of course I'm entering it into Hazels challenge here :) What with that, plus Rudolph Day over at Sarn's each month, I just might make a few cards well in time for Christmas this year.

Di
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WOYWW - 144

2012-03-07T08:15:00.000Z

It's more like what's heading for the floor:

Ooops, some already down there - ahem, so that's where the half done albums of unmounted stamps have been hiding :(

But, there's still a teensy bit of working space left:

Some serious sorting needed before next Wednesday though, otherwise it could just be an arm waving from underneath a heap of stash!

What is on the desk, in the place where it should be (only available place in fact) is a card in the making - with a great hint that I picked up this week from the lovely Carol (thanks for letting me show and tell!) who comes to play each week in the Snippets Playground. It's one of those ideas that I just know lots of folk will jump in and say 'I already do this' in a slightly smug fashion - but I'm a bit slower than many :)

Basically, what's above is a piece of 6" x 6" turquoise Core'dinations card and instead of cutting into a second fresh piece to layer the image onto (like I've done for many years) - I cut the centre part out of the card so I could use it for the image layer. If you look at Carol's lovely card she did that twice for her Tatty Teddy card, by using dies.

On the card above, my next layer is to be just paper and the square of card I've cut out is larger than the top piece of turquoise card will end up so there would be a potential 'dip' underneath the image as I'm gonna use paper. To counter this I just used a piece of plain white card to 'fill the hole' - mine was cut using a craft knife, if you've cut a die out then just cut an extra one in white card. To hold the 'packing' in place I used sellotape across the back before sticking it to the actual card - it's already stuck in place in the photo. And, I still have the second, uncut square of turquoise card left untouched.

I'm a bit like Carol on this one though, she also wonders if it's a bit mean - but we do both think it's a great way of making special card stock go further. A bit more fiddling than I always have time for, but still a great tip - especially if you make lots of cards for your favourite charities or only have one large enough piece of card to play with in the right colour.

Right, I'm off for a good hop round, do go to our leader Julia's and see what she's up to today - there are some lovely looking WOYWW badges lying on her desk :) I'm hoping she's going to follow through her threat to come to our local Hobbycraft before too long for a joint 'wobble round' and a coffee :) I wonder if the fork and ladders will come along for the outing too? They've been moved so just might be brushing themselves up for a trip!

Di
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A Tuesday Tale - remembering Maurice

2012-03-06T06:12:00.002Z

Mulling over what to write today, I recalled one of the most terrific men I ever had the privilege to work for - his name was Maurice. This is string below - you'll understand why later :)

Years ago I had the very dubious honour of working on a huge Government IT programme. They were among the most miserable working years of my life - except for Maurice and his successor, the mad and zany Sylvia. I might write about Sylvia someday - your hair might just stand on end though:)

What to say about Maurice then, he was bright, funny but also a worrier deep down. Trying to control a team of us four female IT systems analysts can't have been fun - but he managed it it with aplomb and we loved him so dearly. His wry smiles in meetings helped us to know that he was on our side, whatever!

Let's get the negatives over first, one day whilst I was out of the office for the day, Maurice complained of a headache at work and then collapsed. I'll never forget the following morning, being met by our quite stern security guard at the office and being wrapped in his arms, whilst my colleagues ran across the grass (forbidden!!) to break the news that Maurice had died from a cerebral haemorrhage, aged just 46 if that, during the night. We were all heartbroken and his passing left a huge void. His funeral was amazing - we spilled out of the chapel onto the lawns - he was truly loved and left a huge void.

Not long after - by then we'd had two suicides as well - so it wasn't a good project to be on - I got the job of 'librarian' to pull together all the documentation and 'put it on ice' - for that read 'close the project down' as it wasn't considered viable after over 200 man years of both our and tax payers work and money! What a waste - and how I wept whenever I filed away documentation with Maurice's signature on.

But, remembering this today did bring back some sweet memories:

1. Maurice did like a pint at the pub after work (not surprising given the pressures) and he also had to walk the family dog each evening - a 'poncy', in his words poodle, no less. He professed to hate that poodle with a vengeance (he secretly loved it to bits!) but did his duty and one morning he came into the office with very muddy trousers. Not at all like Maurice. Apparently he'd (Maurice not the poodle!) had a pint too many and whilst walking said pooch it had trotted along the upward sloping path above him along the road as he tottered deeper into the village stream :)

2. His next adventure was when he came into the office with strange muddy sort of ripple marks over his waterproof jacket and a lot of bruising - claiming that he was sure he'd been run over on the way home from the pub, unsure really - but the poodle was fine:)

3. On a previous project a really oily manager had flounced into Maurice's office and screamed about the lack of organisation - err, Maurice didn't really DO organised I must admit!. This horrid man was called Roy and I'll never forget his very unpleasant, slimy face. He screamed that he wanted a full alphabetic filing system 'Immediately!!' and in true Civil Service fashion he wanted something filed under each letter of the alphabet. Maurice quietly got his staff to sort out the system and then he set to and then did the sorting and filing himself, sleeves rolled up in true Maurice fashion. A week later, 'Slimy Roy' flounced back in for an inspection. 'Brilliant' he muttered as he flicked through the cabinet and pristine folders.....until he came to the letter 'S' and pulled out a piece of string. 'What's THIS' he roared - to which, that dear man, Maurice calmly replied 'There were no documents to file under S but you said you wanted something filed under each letter of the alphabet' :))

So, he was a man you could never forget - and I hope you don't mind me sharing a bitter sweet memory or two with you today. RIP Maurice, I bet you're creating havoc up there! I hope there are no pogo sticks or duck ponds :)

Di
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St Luke's Hospice Monthly Challenge

2012-03-05T14:46:00.000Z

I just heard I was a February winner in St Luke's monthly challenge, which was 'Love and Lace' - whoop, whoop!

The current month's challenge is 'Spring into Spring' - if I can win then you certainly can! Do hop over and have a go, and remember that you can also send cards to them to raise much needed funds.

Di
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It snowed yesterday and so..............

2012-03-05T06:58:00.000Z

...........I made another Christmas card :) Our local robin has been hopping around quite happily too so the image I used seemed really appropriate:

Last week I'd unearthed our 2011 Christmas cards and sorted out which ones could be kept for recycling. Having seen a lot of Hazel's makes using recycled cards, it was time to give it a whirl.

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- backing paper from a pack by My Mind's Eye - free with Cardmaking and Papercraft

- toning pale plain green pearlescent card plus some red card from the snippets folder

- trimmed down Christmas card - you can't see but it's beautifully embossed, both the main image plus additional leaves on the white background - not done by me I hasten to add!!

- red pearl stones from stash

- Craftwork Cards Christmas sentiment

I'm entering this into Hazel's current challenge over at Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge which is 'Seeing red'. It can be a little or a lot of red - so I just might return with a card featuring a shed load of red :) Once I find out how to clean the mud and other unmentionable stuff from the pogo stick abandoned by Mrs A as she ran home from the playground the other day!

Hope you all have a great week, whatever you're doing.

Di
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Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Challenge Number 10

2012-03-04T01:47:00.001Z

It's roll call day in the playground - firstly here's a really quickly made offering from me:

Only snippets were used in the creation of this - no fresh sheets of paper were harmed at all. It's very simple as I lost three days crafting this week due to other commitments, and it's fine for a chap too:)

I used:

- white 'linen' C6 card stock

- snippets of card and paper

- Papermania 'Vintage Decor' Vinyls sticker, with a little bit of Stickles on the headlights. One thing to be aware of is that these are 'repositionable' stickers - I just added some glue to the back using a glue pen

- card candi, Josy Rose nail heads and a Craftwork cards sentiment

OK, onto the roll call now.

This week has seen a lovely cross section of crafting going on, cards will always be a favourite with most crafters of course but some playmates have brought some goodies to show that are even more adventurous, read on.

Our very first visitor shot in not long after the gates were unlocked, and that's Craftilicious (edited to say I now know it's Tara), with this super card. I was quite stunned by the amount of time it must have taken to piece all the little snippets (0.5 and 1 cm pieces at that!) together to make such a gorgeous patchwork card. It's really terrific so for inspiration do hop over and see - this week we also had the Less Is More Challenge to use up your scraps and a few of you wisely combined the two!

Linby was almost hanging onto Tara's pigtails when she raced in with this beauty - also for the LIM challenge. Oh wow, don't the bright pinks work so well together and those little butterflies are adorable. There's a real knack of getting different shades of the same colour to work well together, and you sure cracked it Linby!

On Tammy's first visit she brought a really lovely card, using lime green and turquoise. You can see it for yourself here - it's absolutely gorgeous. Lime and turquoise work so, so well together Tammy and the addition of pale coffee shades is brilliant! When you go for a peek, I wonder if you'll be like me and think that the doily is actually made of cotton rather than stamped? I did at first! Tammy's next visit was to show a St. Patrick's Day card - I think Tammy sneaked in when I wasn't looking and I feel really bad that I only spied her entry yesterday when I was writing up the roll call - apologies again Tammy! Naturally there's green and shamrock - there are some really cute touches to be seen so do hop over for a look. I love the little leprechaun's hat :) Then, yesterday, Tammy nipped back in with such a happy card - have you seen smiling strawberries? To see, go here. Not only smiling strawberries, paper piecing as well - brilliant Tammy!

Hazel visited a few times, tidying up the skipping ropes on occasion too. This is Hazel's first card - a fabulous Christmas 'stepper' card, once again using up a recycled Christmas card for the main image. That galvanised me into rooting out out Christmas cards - and sure enough, we were sent one with the same jolly Santa image on. Thanks for the prompt Hazel! Next, Hazel brought this Less Is More Easter card with her - lovely greens and lemon make for a beautiful card, a real touch of Spring. Then, on another trip we had this Get Well card using green, grey and lilac/purple from Hazel - sure to make anyone feel better too. Another Easter card here from Hazel was next - I love the olive greens and the cheerful flowers Hazel! Hope the card sale went well and that you raised lots of funds for charity. And, another card from Hazel is here, it's a bright Christmas card, and this week's challenge over at Hazel's Christmas Card Challenge is to 'use red' - I'll be rootling through my Christmas stash with luck again this week - time permitting! The final offering from Hazel this week can be seen here - it's a gorgeous sticky notes holder, so bright and cheerful and sure to inspire you to have a go yourself.

Jules hopped in next, with a really great card, as always, reminding us of Summer and lazy days watching cricket (and wondering how many grass stains there would be to remove from the 'whites' after the match!). Such a great image here and I always look for the heart on Jules' cards of course, this one was a tad sneaky to say the least - I found it though, can you? Jules has been uber busy this week so it's especially good of her to still come and have a swift go on the swings!

Our first surprise of the week was when Brenda arrived with two things to show. The first is a gorgeous card featuring a wheelbarrow full of flowers - really bright and so pretty - being mostly pink it really made me smile. Then, little drum roll please, in the same posting was something I doubt we'll see again in the playground. Mr B (Andrew in fact) is a clever guy and actually has had an idea patented! Brenda had strict instructions for no glitter, grunge or embellishments when she made a layout for the patent ready to be framed for his birthday - yikes, could have been a tall order but Brenda came up with a perfect result! Just scroll down her posting to see what I mean - great isn't it? I'm laughing as I type this 'cos Brenda hopped back later in the week and I commented on her posting, which can be found here, that it was quiet in the playground thinking it was her first trip - it's been a long and busy week here is my excuse! And wow - what a card, also made for Rudolph Day, love the Scandinavian influence of red and white Brenda! Do go and see for yourself, it's beautiful! And, last in the playground before the gates closed last night was Brenda again. Muttering and tying up the skipping ropes - having brought a real stunner of a card for a man's birthday - lots of work had gone into it and the end result can be seen here. Brenda used a 40% off stamp for the first time (OM Gosh - you girls in the USA are so lucky, I guess that was bought in the super special 1st March sale I've been hearing about?), distress inks and lots of other great elements - including a vintage car not totally unlike the one I used on my snippets card this week :)

Lyn was next to arrive with a really lovely 'cupcake' card. Very clever touch to make the icing from felt and carefully sew seed beads on as 'sprinkles' too. A lot of work went into this card Lyn, and the result is great - hope the duster brush arrived OK and that you're now 'pouncing onto the ink pad' with it and dusting away! Cupcakes are always super on cards and this one is no exception :)

Next in to play was Irene, with two adorable baby gift cards which you can see here. So elegant I think, predominantly white with just the right touches of blue and pink. Irene makes some truly elegant cards - certainly there's a real knack to it and I so admire those of you who manage to pull them off with such flair. Well done Irene.

Carol arrived next, oops sorry, another one I initially missed commenting on, with this really soft and gentle Easter card. What a gorgeous vintage image and so beautifully made - great papers too (including one printed with the words Easter Wishes which is just perfect for the card). Do go and see the really fabulous bow which is the perfect finishing touch. Love it Carol! Carol's been trying to craft around tradesmen and decorators this week - not the easiest of things to do.

It was cupcake week in the playground when Liz hopped in with such a cute Birthday card. The cupcake was sure going to fill the teddy bear's tummy if he tackled it alone! To see what I mean, do take a peek - I love the combination of lilac and mustard yellow too. Tell you what, cupcakes certainly are much better than the big currant bun and mug of cocoa we used to have at school break times! Later in the week, Liz returned for another go on the swings with such a pretty Spring card - you can see it here. It's really fresh looking, with a gorgeous image - and of course using snippets :) Liz's final visit was to show a really effective card, in greens and using a Marianne butterfly die that I really love - a stunning result!

Elizabeth also brought something a bit different this week - an altered notebook. It's to be used for writing ideas in for quotes, sentiments etc. to be used on cards - sure beats my (pink!) plain ole notebook that I use. This would be a joy to have on your craft desk - take a look at what a perfect job Elizabeth has done with it, flowers, birds, butterflies make it almost too nice to use. I'd just want to gaze at it and stroke it!

Next was Gilly with a lovely card, just the splash of turquoise on the browns made this into a stunner! Go and see here - isn't it great? Another wry smile here - Gilly had to take her photo in the kitchen (the tiles were a perfect backdrop in fact!). It made me think that I bet we get up to all sorts of antics trying to find decent light for photographing cards at this time of year! Ooer, also, there was a teensy sneak peek of Gilly's wedding invitations on WOYWW - I'm watching for the full show of them and will link into the roll call once all is revealed :)

Karen had combined her Rudolph Day Christmas card with the snippets playground and what a stunner too - all gold, cream and burgundy - it's truly beautiful. Do hop over here to see what I mean. And, another super way of using ribbon too, plus a lot of work must have gone into all the embossing as well as everything else Karen did when making this card! Love it!

Next to whizz in was Sandra H, with this charming card. Do please go and see if you haven't done so already - and while you're there, take note of such a clever idea - I've had my nose pressed against the laptop screen here and I'm pretty sure the embossing folder that Sandra used is little flowers. Yup, just had another peek and it is - but what a great idea to colour the centres of the flowers using Pro Markers - it really makes them 'pop' and I think it's a tip to store up for future use don't you think? Brilliant Sandra!

Kate arrived next, for her first visit to the playground - aaah, I see that Sarn gave Kate a go on her pogo stick to welcome her! I do love to see you all playing nicely :) To see Kate's lovely collage work, go here. I love both cards, as I said to Kate, if I attempted it the result would just look as if two dogs had been fighting over some scraps of paper! Hope we see you again Kate - really super collages.

Next for a turn on the pogo sticks was Amanda with this lovely Thank You card. Penny Black's cute images are always winners and I love the backing paper, whirly edging and die cutting Amanda. The photo is fine BTW, I've found that it blows up beautifully if you click on the photo and then hit F11. That makes it fill the whole screen and steps it up even bigger :) To get the toolbar back just hit F11 again. I'm guessing that the 'whirly edging' might be a MS punch? Love it!

Sarn makes me laugh at the best of times, this week her comment as she flew into the playground was along on the lines of 'Had to run back for my satchel but here's my homework Miss' - a few little puffs and pink cheeks as well :) And, I'm so glad she did run all the way back home - go and take a look here to see the cutest LOTV image, perfectly teamed with pink and lilac papers plus a pink and lilac flower on Kraft card. Flipping brilliant - and the funnier bit is that we all squealed at the fantastic colouring, only for Sarn to confess it was a pre-coloured image. But, it shows that we truly could have expected her to have coloured the image herself!

Heidi's first card this week is here, it's a Christmas Card for a boy and absolutely right too! Plus, it's an easel card with lots of interesting things going on - Heidi requested a go on the swings, I gave her two for such a great card :) Later on, Heidi returned with one of those cards that sort of makes you gasp - using a Sweet Pea image and stunning white on white. I can't describe it well enough - you'll have to go here and see for yourself - it's really fabulous!

The lovely Bernie had made a beautiful card, covering both Rudolph Day and the Snippets Playground - to see it go here. As always, Bernie has produced a really lovely card, very soft and gentle - for a lady threatening to hammer the snow plough driver with her snow shovel a few weeks ago she does show her inner softness when crafting :) Bernie's husband is undergoing some hospital tests so it would be kind if you keep him in your thoughts right now. Fingers crossed from all of your playmates Bernie!

Mrs A shot in yesterday afternoon, whilst 'waiting for a bottle of white wine to chill', with two totally splendiferous cards (ages since I used a really long word!) - do hop over to take a peek at them here. Oh boy, I so love the raspberry coloured paper Mrs A used and such a beautiful butterfly die as well on the first card. The second card is also gorgeous, and uses some ribbon at least three decades old. Now, that really is hoarding above and beyond the call of duty - with a fabulous result to boot!

I dart back and forwards when writing the roll call, adding bits here and there and I really giggled when I read Mrs A's latest comment just now - 'I've had a terrible week. Would have been here sooner but I tell you those Pogo sticks are lethal. For starters where the heck is the steering wheel and more importantly the brakes? What about the indicators. Yes exactly!
The one caked in mud and don't even ask the rest is over on the grass. Still getting bits of duckweed and feathers out of me hair after my untimely encounter with the duck pond.
Don't save me any salmon pie now cos I have seen enough fish for this week'
Oh dear, I'm finishing this off at almost 1:30 am on Sunday and just had to close the craft room door in case the snorts of laughter wake up Len! I have this vision of a wild haired Mrs A bouncing madly round the playground, totally out of control while you lot all scatter :) Then, one enormous 'sploosh' as contact is made with the duck pond!! Oh no, I'm off again with the giggles - do we need a notice saying 'no swimming' for the duck pond?!

Right, calm is returning - this is what I wrote earlier anyhow:

Jackie whizzed in yesterday with two lovely cards as well, both also for the latest Less Is More challenge which is 'Neutrals' - you can see Jackie's cards here. Both are 50th Birthday cards and so clean and fresh - great use of snippets and a really early start for the LIM challenge too. Hmm, I think there could be some head scratching here thinking of what to make for the LIM challenge, but certainly not the case with Jackie!

Next was Maggie waving three decoupaged cards - all of them gorgeous, and you can see them here. A lot of snipping and clever layering went into making these beauties! Life is really busy for Maggie right now and she's planning a gardening blitz. Her suggestion that we should have a butterfly garden in the playground plus a 'who can grow the tallest sunflower competition' did make me smile at gone midnight when I was finishing off the roll call :) When you hop over to Maggie's, be sure to check out the TV series she writes about - I've noted it down here and will be watching it.

So, another week has gone, and the playground is open again - Mr Linky is below. I've missed commenting immediately on your entries a couple of times this week, sorry and I hope I've caught up OK, bit of tail-chasing been going on here!

Di
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The only conditions to playing nicely in the Snippet Playground are that your card (or anything else you wish to bring here to show) must be made by using up snippets (card, paper, lace and ribbon are all fine), and a link back to here in your own blog posting will mean that you'll be included in the Weekly Roll Call. Oh, and no nipping or hair pulling of course :)

The gift of love

2012-03-03T06:00:00.001Z

No card from me today, instead I want to share this with you:

I've written on here a few times about Alice and Frank, who were my guardians when my parents ~~ran away~~ moved back to England and left me at school in Germany.

Sadly, Alice died just over a year ago and my lovely 'Uncle Frank' has just sent me this as a keepsake. It has their photos inside, taken on honeymoon, a lot of years ago now.

They were a totally devoted couple and I feel really honoured that Frank has entrusted such a special locket to me. I feel as if I'm really just looking after it and will wear it with very fond memories of Alice - one of the kindest and gentlest ladies I've ever known.

Thank you again, Uncle Frank!

Love

Di
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Friday Feast - Salmon en Croute

2012-03-02T07:59:00.000Z

Ha! Today's recipe was meant to be a cake. I baked it and then the two-legged mouse went in for the kill - big time! Ooops, cake almost demolished before I had a chance to take a photo :( A swift re-bake hasn't happened yet, but should be done ready for next week.

Meanwhile, today's recipe is fish, despite not being top of my list of favourite foods. The two-legged mouse loves fish though so I have to find recipes that I'd like and experiment a bit - this one was a hit earlier this week, even with me!

Salmon en Croute

Serves 4

150g mascarpone or cream cheese
1 bag watercress , spinach and rocket, about 120g
500g shortcrust pastry
500g piece salmon fillets , skinless
1 egg , beaten

Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Put the mascarpone or cream cheese in a food processor with the watercress, spinach and rocket and whizz the lot until you have a creamy green purée. Season well.
Roll the pastry out so you can wrap the salmon in it completely (just a bit thinner than a £1 coin) and lay it on a buttered or oiled baking sheet (it will hang over the edges). Put the salmon in the middle. If it has a thinner tail end, tuck it under. Spoon half of the watercress mixture onto the salmon. Now fold the pastry over into a neat parcel (the join will be at the top, so trim the edge neatly), making sure you don't have any thick lumps of pastry as these won't cook through properly. Trim off any excess as you need to. Make 3 neat cuts in the pastry to allow steam to escape and make some decorations with the off-cuts to disguise the join if you like. Brush with the egg glaze.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is crisp and browned. To test whether the salmon is cooked, push a sharp knife through one of the cuts into the flesh, wait for 3 seconds then test it against the inside of your wrist; if it is hot, the salmon is cooked. Serve with the rest of the watercress purée as a sauce.

Things I do:

For speed I used Jusrol frozen pastry - you could make your own of course, if so it's better to use butter for added richness.

The mascarpone cheese and green leaves purée is a lovely counterfoil to the sweetness of the salmon and pastry, but do be aware that rocket, watercress and spinach are all quite bitter leaves so you might want to reduce the proportion of leaves to cheese.

I served this with new potatoes and asparagus - and managed to fight the two legged mouse off long enough to take the above photo :)

Enjoy!

Di
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Card for Rudolph Day and Less is More

2012-03-01T08:46:00.000Z

Both of these fun challenges can be combined right now I found, in fact this card could also be added into the snippets playground but it's a bit busy in here this week!

I used:

- 7" x 5" white card stock

- silver holographic backing card from snippets folder

- white card from snippets folder with sentiment stamped in 'Crimson Copper' Brilliance ink using a Woodware stamp called 'Merry Christmas' designed by Francoise Read (love those swirls!)

- 'fir branch' was the end of a die shape, cut from a snippet using a Marianne Creatables die

- baubles made using snippets of Christmas paper, centering round Nesties dies over the snowflake pattern. The caps are made using a tiny scrap of really shiny silver mirri card (funny isn't it, when you want the shine to show in a photo it doesn't play ball!). I just punched a small scalloped square and then trimmed out the little caps. A silver line for the hanging thread and then a little gem was added to the centre of each bauble.

So, if you haven't done so already - why not join in the fun and make a card for Rudolph Day over at Sarn's (there's a little prize on offer too, plus you get to make an early Christmas card each month!).

And of course, there's the great Less Is More challenge which this card is for as well, called 'Don't Scrap It' this week. Chrissie and Mandi might have been peeking through our Snippets Playground fence girls - if you spot either of them, invite them in for a quick spin on the roundabout :)

For anyone worrying that I came home broke from The Range yesterday, relax. It was one of those days when you buy very little and wonder what all the fuss was about :)

Have a lovely day, it's Friday Feast tomorrow!

Di
x

WOYWW - 143

2012-02-29T07:10:00.000Z

I had to take these piccies yesterday as today is a trip out with a friend. Sensible stuff at Costco in Reading first - before we hit The Range, where I suspect any common sense will be abandoned at the entrance :)

Just finished die cutting a load of white and coloured card for Helena - there are only 36 sets of white toppers for stamping and colouring her own images, and the scalloped backings to go with them., but they took a little while and kept me out of mischief. The card backed envelope to post them off in is at the back of the desk, usual cup of coffee plus a duster brush I've promised to someone. Kinda orderly isn't it? OK, take a breath and eyes smartly to the right:

Yup, it's the 'push it to the right' area - desperately in need of sorting out before it takes over, or even worse, falls over!

To see what everyone else has on their desk, dining room table, floor, bed, kitchen worktops, ironing board etc. - just hop over to Julia's who hosts our weekly snoop on What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday! I promise that you'll see loads more mess there and on other blogs than I can show you - but it's all 'fun mess' and really worth a nose. And the ladders have claimed a victim over at Julia's too!

Happy WOYWW!

Di
x

A Tuesday Tale - pick where you eat your fish and chips with care

2012-02-28T08:22:00.000Z

I mentioned my pal Joy the other day - we worked together for a few years and oddly enough got into a few scrapes - our boss called us the Terrible Twosome and I do think we managed to age him by about 20 years :)

Our work meant travelling a fair bit and more than once we visited our Northern offices as the Terrible Twosome with glee. Both having Northern roots it was one of the more fun trips on our schedule - err, usually.

On this particular dark evening we'd left the Carlisle office and were driving back to our hotel when we spied a good ole Northern fish and chip shop. It was emanating (big word!) the most wonderful smells and so we stopped and joined the queue. Hotel food did become quite tiring and this promised to be a yummy meal.

The food came in boxes like those above and we selected our own personal treat - a polystyrene pot of curry sauce for Joy (What?! That was a new one on me.) and a large soft roll for your truly. I'm afraid to confess that I just love a chip butty :)

We hopped back into Joy's car and then parked, almost straight over the road, in a very quiet little car park in a disused retail park. Windows down to prevent the lingering smell of vinegar and curry sauce we began to tuck in. Bliss - and then Joy hissed at me 'Don't look too pointedly Di, but can you see what going on over there?'.

I'd been really pre-occupied making my chip butty, head down and carefully lining up the chips like little soldiers (chip OCD?), and had only partly noticed the only other cars which had arrived in the car park. So, I took a look and replied 'Really parked close together aren't they - they'd never be able to open their doors to get out' and then 'Oooh, look Joy, how friendly - they're passing packs of cigarettes around from car to car through the windows', before returning to carefully assembling layer two of chips in said chip butty. How ~~stupid slow dumb~~ naive can you get!! :(

Next thing I knew, Joy had quietly raised the car windows - then she made her move. 'Look Dumbo' she hissed (there was a lot of hissing going on here I noticed) - 'those aren't packets of cigarettes. And we could be thought to be a drugs surveillance team if they take notice'.

Slowly, the asses ears sprouted from my head and preoccupation with a neatly made chip butty was swiftly replaced by absolute terror. 'Hold onto your hat Di - we're out of here' was the next utterance from Joy, followed by her box of fish and chips landing on my lap and the pot of curry sauce being thrust into my hand. And with that, she started the engine and we screeched out of the car park.

It was like a scene from something like Cagney and Lacey or maybe Thelma and Louise. Only, I just bet that Louise wasn't whimpering 'I want my Mummy. I don't want to be shot. I didn't see anything, honestly' repeatedly whilst looking like an Indian goddess with each hand raised on either side, one clutching a chip butty and the other one holding a lidless pot of curry sauce as we hurtled along. There were a few mini-roundabouts on the route too and believe me, that was tricky stuff! Threats from Joy that she'd personally shoot me if I spilt the curry sauce all over the car weren't helping either :(

As it happens, we weren't followed, we did survive unscathed and hid the car round the back of the hotel where we half heartedly finished off the fish and chip supper. The following day, back at the Carlisle office, we discovered that sure enough - where we'd parked was a known local hangout for drug dealers. Ha, known perhaps - but not if you're a couple of innocent visitors trying to have a quiet supper!

Di
x

Card for Baby Luke

2012-02-27T06:30:00.001Z

Our neighbours had a new baby boy, called Luke, recently - the image I was colouring with chalks and the 'newly discovered' Dove blending tool was lying on my desk on WOYWW last week. This is the end result:

I used:

- 6" x 6" scalloped edge square card stock (from Craftwork Cards)

- image by LOTV called 'Special Delivery' - it comes with the sentiment which is handy. Stamped in Memento and coloured using Pebbles Chalks and the 'new toy' Dove blender pen. I need a lot more practise, but Rome wasn't built in a day

- plain blue backing card from stash, punched with SU scalloped circle punch to go behind the sentiment and punched using a MS PATP set to go behind the image

- blue gingham paper from Wild Rose Studio's 'Gorgeous Ginghams' paper pack'

- printed 'baby boy' ribbon, blue and white bakers twine and the little blue dummy are all from stash. If anyone wants to know where the dummies came from (they come in clear, pink and blue) just leave a comment and I'll dig out the hidden 'file that I'm dead meat if Len ever finds it 'cos it has all my craft receipts in' and let you know :)

- 'Luke' was printed using the PC and then just a couple of little Josy Rose stars to finish off

I nipped round with it but just popped it through the door and ran away - it needed a box so maybe they thought it was a Luke-sized pizza coming through the letter box :))

Di
x

Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Challenge Number 9

2012-02-26T06:01:00.007Z

Yikes, the playground got off to a flying start this week - Brenda hopped in during the wee small hours, followed very quickly by Mrs A.

It sounds quite crazy I know, but I can vividly imagine the little pigtails flying when playmates rush into the playground and I hate the gap and silence when the gates are closed so I can finish off the roll call.

Anyhow, here's my snippets make for this week - wow, number 9 already!

I know, I know - it's very pink and therefore very 'me' - but it all started with the GorJuss Girls image, which I thought cried out for soft pink!

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- GorJuss Girls image 'Guardian Angel', stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with Pebbles Chalks and Dove blender pen - as raved on about on WOYWW this week. Then die cut with a Nesties oval die and layered onto a pink scalloped Nesties die cut oval

- papers and other card all came from the snippets folder although the 'rosebuds' background paper was a whole piece from the Pink Petticoat 'Vintage Rose Collection' which was a freebie with Quick Cards Made Easy magazine quite a while ago

- heart borders were punched using a MS punch

- the sentiment is from the LOTV set called 'General Greetings - small'

- pink organza ribbon from stash and the bow was made using this great tip from Enfys, I used a pink pearl brad

- leaves punched using a MS punch, little piece of feather and the flowers/roses were from stash- Dee sent me the beige coloured roses (probably Wild Orchid Crafts), I love them Dee!

So, that did use up a few snippets at least - amazing when you have enough of them to be able to co-ordinate how often they come to the rescue.

OK, roll call time!

Brenda whipped in like a greyhound chasing a rabbit as soon as the gates opened on Sunday with this terrific 60th Birthday card. Bless, it was a last minute make for a 60th birthday she's known about for ages (how often do we all do that huh) - and Brenda had to fling her knitting to one side to race off and make it. A stunner too and one to really make you smile - just think Terrible Twos Tantrums, better still, hop over and see for yourself.

Next, hot on Brenda's heels was Mrs A, showing her iris folding accomplishments (big word already) - go and see here. Such pretty pink poppies using up snippets. Mrs A has a list of new things to try and paper piecing is also on that list - I commented straight away that, compared to iris folding, paper piecing would be a stroll in the park! At the same time, Mrs A mentioned that she was dashing off to sort things out with her parents, one in hospital and the other having to go into care meanwhile. Of course, we all hope that things improve Mrs A! We had a return visit on Thursday to show an amazing altered book, which you can see here. It was made for a swap and the results are truly gorgeous - lots of explanation about how it was done too so it's really worth reading the whole posting when you hop over.

Not long after that, Linby hopped in clutching a really 'lovely in lilacs' monochromatic card - it's so pretty, a lovely Tiddlyinks Parisian lady against a perfect background. Every element goes so well together on this card Linby - to see it if you haven't already hopped over for a peek during the week go here, and be prepared to be tres impressed :) I love it!

Irene brought the sweetest LOTV card with her, made for her sister-in-law - the colours are so soft and delicate, blue and brown teamed up perfectly! The addition of little pearls to the necklace is a lovely touch - to see what I mean, hop over here to have a little peek. Gorgeous isn't it?

Next in was the gentle soul Sandra H - we've never met but I always envisage her as being very caring and quite quiet. I could be totally wrong though because just take a peek at the funky card she brought to show us Whoop, whoop - go Sandra, really bright and I think very different, love it loads! Great colours and I just love the spare set of shoes :) Do go and check it out if you already haven't - and get those glasses, plus the hairdo :)

Hazel's first card of the week is here and it's a real Christmas cracker - err, a Christmas pudding actually:) One of the sweetest images for a Christmas card and the delicious backing papers go perfectly too - and I wouldn't mind a scrabble through Hazel's Christmas snippets! Next was this card - what a cheeky chappie the reindeer is too. Then we have some inchies - using a heart stamp that I just know Jules will sigh over :) Does anyone know the name of the stamp as Hazel doesn't? On Wednesday Hazel had used some stickers on this really elegant card - and again is unsure of who makes them - any ideas?Also on Wednesday, Hazel hopped back for another go on the slide and brought a really eye catching 'black, white and a touch of yellow' card to show us - it's here. A great combination of papers and stamps too! I did laugh at this next card - it truly made me think of you all - err, anyone wearing blue bloomers out there? To see what I mean - go here as it's such a fun card! Then on Thursday, Hazel nipped in with this bright and cheerful Christmas card - all in reds and with a Tilda image cleverly given a Santa hat, complete with pom pom :)

Next into the playground was Shazza with a lovely card which you can see here. It's all flowers and such a pretty make - love the stamping on the background too! Do go and take a peek, Shazza is on a roll with her recycling and constantly surprises me - a real knack of using recycled goodies without them looking like a couple of dogs have been fighting over them, as is normally the case if I try that!

Sarn, who is Shazza's sister, arrived next - complaining that she'd only been beaten in the race to the playground 'cos she stopped to tie her shoelace! :) But, the two gorgeous cards that Sarn brought were well worth waiting for too - both 4" square ones and really fresh and clean looking. I did tease Sarn about the 'arty' flowers in front of the cards too :) I can't choose a favourite - can you?

Next to dash in was Gilly, fresh from making her wedding invitations - don't forget we want to see them Gilly so when they've been sent out, if you post a photo etc. on your blog, which I'll know about from following you it will be linked into the Playground. Anyhow, Gilly brought with her a really super card, using ribbon in such a clever way - to see go here. Very clever isn't it, and such great colours.

Liz's first card used paper piecing - yay! I love that technique and this card is really pretty in pink - always the way to my heart :) Ha, it could even be one of you little scamps waiting patiently for a go on the swings! Liz's next card is here and in total contrast - black and white used in a stunning way. Brilliant result Liz!

Next was Elizabeth with pink (more squeaks of happiness here) - beautifully married up with black and following the theme of 'shopping in Paris'. Do go and sigh over the gorgeous dress that the very chic shopper is wearing - in fact everything about this lovely card - here. The background papers are just perfect and pull it all together so well Elizabeth! Next time, Elizabeth brought another really beautiful card with her - to see it go here. I love the way Elizabeth started off with an aperture card which already had a little floral design printed on it - they were ideal for mounting cross stitch in and I'm sure there are still some lurking here. Taking that and building a gorgeous creation so that it flows seamlessly into the centre of the aperture and also to the far corner is really clever - plus Elizabeth used gilding flakes, which add a fabulous finishing touch. Then Elizabeth hopped back in with a really cute image of a puppy on a rather chic card - monochromatic and really one to stand out in a crowd - such lovely little puppy paw prints too - go here to see, I love it!

Karen was next with a real stunner - using vellum to make butterflies and they really do look ready to fly off the card, fabulous vibrant turquoise and gorgeous embossing too Karen. To see what I mean, hop over and see for yourselves - there's a lot of work and detail to be seen - I really love the result, I'd be very proud of my efforts if I was Karen!

We then had a visit from Jules - big cheer! She was such a happy bunny, having found a terrific bargain of a Sizzix die she'd been ~~lusting after~~ wanting for some time. And to see the result, hop over to Jules and see what I'm wittering on about. Great isn't it - the pale blue and bright pink work so well together - and that die was well worth waiting for Jules!

Carol popped in next with this lovely Christmas card. What a stroke of genius too, using an image on the bauble Carol, it's a really super result - very soft scene and really cleverly done. I didn't even know you could get Nesties dies in bauble shapes! Then, later in the week Carol hopped back with this beauty. At the same time, checking whether the patio heaters had been installed in the playground :) It's another Christmas card, with all the things I love, lace, ribbon, punched edging and such a lovely image - do go and see, super!

Our Laura was next to come for a whizz round the playground, bringing this card - isn't it just great. Really fresh and so eye catching - the combination of white, black, grey and honey colours do go together so well - and the images are gorgeous. After time away on a placement it's great to see Laura back in the fold with us :)

I spotted the next card on Judy's WOYWW blog posting and persuaded her to bring it along to show you - but it comes with a health warning. Before you hop over here and take a peek, you'll have to pass through Judy's living room - which is the most amazing Aladdin's cave of crafting stash I've ever set eyes on! Once you finish gasping and reach the card, it's really pretty and the colour combination is perfect - and only made by Judy because the cat refused to do it! Who else would hop into the playground exclaiming 'You have POGO STICKS now? I'm going to break my fool neck.' :)

Tammy arrived next with this really cheerful card - I think we're all into butterflies at the moment - and I love the way that Tammy even used the punched heart leftovers. Definitely waste not want not - and so effective too. Love the sunny colours, it reminds me that perhaps we'll have a Summer yet. If you need a little bit of sunshine go and take a peek.

Our next visitor was Jackie with a lovely 'pretty in pink' card - using one of my all time favourite Penny Black stamps. To check it out, go here. Don't you just love the little mouse standing on tippy toes to blow out the candle? The papers and sentiments are all Craftwork cards ones and they go together so well Jackie! And, I think you did a pretty good job making and decorating that birthday cake too.

Maggie brought a little satchel full of seven Christmas cards to the playground in one go - dual purpose as they are also for Rudolph Day, which is run by Sarn. I'll mention Rudolph Day again further down, but what a great selection of cards Maggie brought with her. Decoupage, a waterfall card (mine always work like they have arthritic joints Maggie!), Crafters Companion, Thomas Kinkade - they're all here, and they're all gorgeous too. Do go and see for yourself - and thanks Maggie for bringing them in one go :)

Next in was Lyn, with a card made in a style totally suited to using up your teensy little snippets - a nine square card, topped off with darling little punched flowers which you can see here. It's gorgeous Lyn, and the faux stitching round the edge is a great finishing touch - and, belated birthday wishes from your playmates too. Good job we didn't know earlier - you might have been subject to 'the bumps' - do kids still do that now I wonder? Or has 'Elf and Safety' put a stop to it?

Aw, after a little absence, Sam (Hettie) flew in on Friday evening clutching a selection of cards too - all in one go as well. Phew, a real variety of work here - take a peek as there's a lot to see. Birthday cards plus one Anniversary card so there's a lot to look at - all done beautifully of course. If I really had to pick a favourite, it would be the one with chickens on - but there's a lot to choose from so perhaps you should go and decide!

So, that's the roll call for this week girls. Mr Linky is below and the gates will be open as normal this week, closing at midnight on Saturday. Hope to see you coming into the playground for a quick spin on the roundabout maybe?

To those of you who posted a few snippets all together, thank you, it makes the linking much less arduous. I don't want to put people off though, so if you need to enter challenges during the week and the card is also made from snippets then please carry on. Or maybe you just want to post snippets cards one at a time - I'll keep trundling on and will shout if it becomes too much, the main thing is not to have rules if we can help it - apart from no pinching or hair pulling :)

Don't forget, yesterday was Rudolph Day - each 25th of the month Sarn hosts Rudolph Day in a bid to help you to make a few Christmas cards during the year. There are no limitations on what you make - any shape, colour, style is fine - and you still have almost a week to enter! And, you can be like Maggie - use up some snippets at the same time and make a card to link into here and Sarn's blog. We don't mind at all - we're here for the fun first and foremost :)

Finally - Sam suggested a button for the sidebar that you can pick up for your blogs if you like. Great idea, and I have the image of the playground keys from the lovely Jules - only, I can't find out how to do the button :( Can anyone link me to some decent instructions in 'idiot' language please? I can happily fiddle with HTML but just can't find a good starting point :(

Di
x

Super fast card......

2012-02-25T06:58:00.001Z

...... as there's a lot going on here, plus I'll be finishing off the Snippets Roll Call for tomorrow :)

I used:

- a black and silver A5 sized card, from Hobbycraft

- Craftwork cards sentiment from stash

- butterflies from stash - no makers name on the packet but they've been whining to be used forever it seems and have lovely double layered wings

- little pink gems from stash, made by KanBan

Told you it was a quick one!

Di
x

Friday Feast - Lambs Liver Stroganoff

2012-02-24T06:30:00.001Z

Yikes, this is gonna look so much like last week's recipe, bit of meat and rice - but a few things have been going on here this week and I didn't get to make the 'bake me a cake' I wanted to :(

So, for offal lovers it's a delicious Liver Stroganoff and for offal haters - just run away right now:) Byee Kath :))

To be honest, liver is not the top of my 'last dinner before execution' meal list either - but, somehow, this does work really well. It's much more reliable than using even the best fillet steak - and a whole load cheaper too!

Lambs Liver Stroganoff

Serves 2 good helpings

1 large knob of butter
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
450g lambs liver, cut into bite sized pieces
1 tbsp tomato puree
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Juice of 1 lemon
225-300g button mushrooms
salt and freshly ground black pepper
300ml sour cream

Melt butter in a pan, add onion and fry over gentle heat until soft.

Add the liver and fry for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Stir in the remaining ingredients, except the cream.

Cook for a further 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and stir in the cream, return pan to a low heat and warm through.

Taste and adjust seasoning and serve on a bed of rice.

I got this recipe from my friend and ex-work colleague, Joy, years ago and it's been a favourite ever since - once I worked out that the original had a typo of 4450g of liver in it!! :) She's as scatter brained as me and is currently hopping round on one leg having just had mahoosive surgery on the toes of one foot, mostly to correct arthritic problems. We spoke this morning and the conversation ranged from the problems of managing the loo, to her husband wanting to take her out for some fresh air in a wheelchair. We did have a good laugh when we decided that dark glasses and a big floppy hat would be the attire of the day...in the wheelchair, not on the loo!! :)

She 'played hookey' and whizzed round a few times to visit from the office after my 'Metal Mickey' hip op. a few years ago - talk about a couple of kids! So, my turn for revenge, ssshh, and the camera - I'm off to see her this coming week bearing books, lunch and hopefully a whole load of laughs. Err, and some dry spray hair freshener - OMG, showering to wash your hair sat on a garden plastic seat whilst keeping one leg out of the way of water and propped up on another garden seat can't be much fun. I don't dare even tell you about the 'good friends' conversation we had today about the loo acrobatics! Bless! That's reminded me of some of our escapades travelling round the UK on business - for Tuesday Tales though :)

Err, if you are bored Joy, and do peek in here as you sometimes do - get well soon chick and I'll be there to help to cause mayhem ASAP xxx :)

Di
x

Less is More - Punch/die cut challenge - Week 55

2012-02-23T08:41:00.000Z

This week's Challenge over at Less is More has had us all scrabbling through punches and die cuts. A lot of people have gone for butterflies and in the end, after loads more thinking time than it took to actually make this card, I discarded other options and followed suit as I couldn't get this idea out of my head:

I used:

- 4.75" x 4.75" white square card stock

- X-Cut butterfly punch, which leaves the butterfly attached to the card so that the wings flick up

- sentiment by SU

- small piece of black 'leather look' paper from the snippets folder behind the butterfly aperture, and then the inside front of the card had white card matted onto it to hide the black paper :)

- little black pearls from stash

It took minutes to make and days to decide on! I think it would possibly be suitable as a sympathy card - the sentiment seems appropriate too, 'If nothing ever changed there would be no butterflies'.

Di
x

WOYWW - 142

2012-02-22T07:19:00.001Z

Not a squeak from me about 'where has this week gone' (but did anyone pinch it?).
Here's what I was up to yesterday afternoon - it looks just the same right now too:

Correction, the mug of coffee has gone :) Last week I spotted a comment from Eileen on Sarn's blog which referred to Pan Pastels so, being a nosey little crafter, I Googled them and came up with lots of information. Then, I spotted a link to using chalks, such as Pebbles chalks which are on my desk above, using a Dove blender. Whoop, whoop - I was totally enamoured by the idea of digging out the long forgotten chalks and using them. Off went the order for a refillable pen, spare nibs and a bottle of blending fluid - and this is what I've been playing with:

I need a card for the arrival last Friday of a neighbour's baby boy so what a great excuse! The Dove blender pen is lying beside the cute LOTV image I was working on and it has a really lovely to use, flexible and fine tip. You can use it 'with all water based markers, watercolour pencils, watercolour paints, chalks, embossing powders, dye pads, and pigment pads. The blender never has to be replaced, it is easily refillable and the nibs are replaceable. But most important the Dove Blending Fluid will make your work Permanent when it is allowed to dry'. I lifted those words from the Dove website :)

This tutorial is brilliant too - so if you have any chalks languishing in your stash, take a peek and be inspired - I was! I don't say that chalks will replace your other colouring mediums, I love my Pro Markers too much, and need lots more practise, but they sure are fun to use this way. The soft results are great, I have yet to try really strong colours though.

Just thought I'd share and maybe help you to spend some money! Tee, hee!!

Right, time now to hop over to Julia's here to see if the garden fork is still stuck in the ground outside her craft room window and to ~~gasp~~ look at her desk and say 'Hi' before hopping off again to see what other desks have been linked up! It's time to be nosey!! Beat you, I've just checked and not only the garden fork but the ladders are still there too :))

Happy WOYWW!

Di
x

A Tuesday Tale - don't revisit the scene of the crime

2012-02-21T08:53:00.001Z

Last Tuesday I wrote about thieves in the skip outside the charity shop and a few folk hopped in with their own stories. I could relate to every single one, pinching things when supposedly trying them on in the changing room was a favourite (Helena mentioned this - her experiences were so similar to mine), but one 'regular' surpassed most of them!

We had a guy, shifty in the extreme, who used to frequent the shop. I coined the name 'Nick' for him and a little press of the panic button underneath the shop counter would alert the backroom helpers that Nick was in the shop. We knew fine well that he was pocketing stuff - silly little things such as small ornaments, the odd book, DVD, little model cars and so on but, despite the scamper of a few watchful helpers into the shop when he arrived, we could never catch him red handed. In some ways I wonder if it was just the challenge of not being caught but perhaps not. Believe me though, he made Paul Daniels look like an amateur.

One Saturday, as we were clearing up after the shop doors had closed - we found something a bit like these, tucked underneath the shoe rack.....gross!!

In those days we were trusting enough to leave pairs of shoes on the rack rather than just the one (that changed overnight!) and someone had abandoned their scruffy old trainers and legged it with a pair of shoes.

Our little manageress, called Rita, was livid and almost sure who the culprit was. She took the offending trainers and left them in her little 'office' at the back of the shop to await her chance.

Ha, it didn't take long - on the Monday afternoon, Nick sauntered into the shop where Rita spotted him and sweetly said 'Ah, I have something for you in my office, would you like to follow me'. OMGosh - like a lamb to the slaughter Nick looked trustingly at Rita and followed. Apparently his eyes were popping as he walked through the 'inner sanctum' and saw the piles of goodies waiting to be put out for sale. Then he stood obediently in front of Rita once they reached her office - goodness knows what he was thinking, he sure was totally oblivious to what was coming!

At that point Rita roared 'Get those off!' - believe me she was a feisty character :) For a split second it seems that Nick could have fleetingly thought that all his birthdays had come at once - but then the offending trainers were thrust at him by Rita and he knew he'd been 'busted'. Gawping like a goldfish he swiftly changed into his old trainers and scarpered with Rita's 'total ban on ever entering this shop again' ringing in his ears.

But this is the part that might have you wondering - how had Rita known that it was Nick? Err, he'd only pinched a pair of shoes that would stand out in a crowd at the best of times, unless you were Al Capone - shiny brown patent leather with white detailed punching on them (all that was missing was a pair of spats)......and yup, he'd returned to the scene of the crime in his usual scruffy jeans and baseball cap wearing the wretched things!

Have a nice day!

Di
x

Get well soon card for a chap

2012-02-20T06:06:00.009Z

I struggle with 'cards for chaps' at the best of times and when I needed a 'get well' card for a friend's husband it was a double-struggle here! He's just had major surgery and the card is another one to be sent from our old school association - but what to do? I pondered over a very simple card just using a get well sentiment and then a little bit of an idea came to me - 'little' in the shape of this young man:

Yup, it's another Lily of the Valley 'never been used' stamp - called Karate Kid.

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- LOTV ' Karate Kid' stamp, coloured with Pro Markers (minimal colouring needed too so it was super-quick)

- orange card from the trusty Core'dinations stash

- papers from Bo Bunny's 'Barefoot and Bliss' collection, which has some really great papers for seaside and Summer cards

- computer printed sentiment

- Josy Rose nail heads

And that's my card for today - here's hoping the card does the trick!

Pixie's Crafty Snippets Challenge - Number 8

2012-02-19T00:16:00.001Z

So, more lovely snippets creations this week - the playground has been a bit quieter, just as well since our internet connection has been offline a lot due to 'in-house IT security support' ~~fiddling about~~ fine tuning. Maybe Len and I need to start working alternative shifts :)

First of all, my snippets card for the week, I just love paper piecing and this stamp really lends itself to it:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- Penny Black stamp ' Love Blush', with the roses and leaves paper pieced with snippets plus a little bit of colouring of the tiniest bits with Pro Markers

- one whole sheet of backing paper from the Prima 'Annalee' collection

- all other papers are snippets, from the same collection - some are so small on the paper piecing it might give you an idea of what a squirrel I am with snippets :)

- sentiment from the LOTV 'General Greetings - Small' set

- a couple of Josy Rose nail heads to finish off. I was originally going to put ribbon down the left hand spine but decided not to in the end as I felt it was going to just be too much - that meant I moved the vertical strip of rose patterned paper to the left (the one I also paper pieced the roses with) and, as the sentiment was already stamped (duh!) there was a little gap to be filled :)

Right, onto this week's roll call, which is probably why you're gathered in a little group in the playground - socks to be pulled up please and no whispering at the back :)

Jackie shot in like a little rocket, almost as soon as the playground gates opened, waving such a gorgeous wedding card which you can see here. It features the lovely 'I do' LOTV Wedding couple, flowers and all things deliciously 'wedding-like' - fabulous! Later on, Jackie returned with this beauty - a Valentine's Day card to beat most. Totally adorable and very elegant at the same time - go and have a peek to see what I mean. Later on again, Jackie returned with a Flippin' Men card - totally different to the first two cards and perfect for the football loving men in your lives. Great cards Jackie!

Carol's card this week was a lovely Christmas card - with the theme of snowflakes. Quite apt given the weather we had a week ago - the blue and silver worked a treat and the card was round and beautifully die cut, go here to see for yourselves.

Next in, still on Sunday, was Sarn 'hopping in' with a great Easter card - featuring a LOTV image of a bunny on a pogo stick. It's really lovely and so beautifully coloured too - to see it go here. I have this stamp too and after seeing Sarn's success I might quietly forget it :) Eileen has suggested that Sarn is ready to move onto Pan Pastels - I totally agree, and it reminded me of a load of neglected chalks I have here so watch this space, but do 'hop' over to see Sarn's card for yourself.

As always, Irene's card here is so elegant is almost hurts - I adore it. The combination of white, navy and just a touch of amber makes for a totally beautiful card - do go and take a peek if you haven't already, there's some inspiration there for sure.

Jules brought us two cards at once this week. The first one in vibrant pink and grey and the second one is such a beautiful Christmas card - both really gorgeous and of course perfectly made as always - to see both of them, go here, although I guess lots of us follow Jules blog avidly and you could well have visited already...but another little look wouldn't hurt :)

Next to visit was Lyn with this lovely little card. I've hopped back as I'm writing this up and from the comments it's amazing how many of us have some of those Flower Fairy tags that Lyn used - to see how well they work do hop over if you haven't already done so. They go so well with the BP, lace and hearts that Lyn used. Then, you could be scrabbling through your stash in search of those tags which were a freebie with a magazine quite a while ago. Visions here of you hopping up from the computer and diving into your stash right away :)

Our Princess Judy returned to the fold this week with a great use of snippets - her posting is here, the terrific snippets and 'just perfect for Valentine's Day' card is the third one down but do take time to check out the others, and also to read Judy's words. She totally cracks me up - even in adversity, her wry humour was never far from the surface.

Shazza was next in for a go on the swings - clutching this gorgeous little make, all in pink and white and also perfect for Valentine's Day. As Shazza said, this really was a true snippets card - loads of goodies were used up here, but done perfectly as well. Brilliant! Plus, Shazza and Sarn haven't yet ganged up as the Terrible Twosome (sisters) to cause mayhem in the playground.......yet!!

Hmm, no sign of Brenda this week - but, I think she's a bit busy admiring the amazing socks she just finished knitting :)

After Shazza, Linby arrived with a card made in a collage effect, I thought it super to be able to pull so many snippets elements together and produce something that works so well, ribbons included - to see what I mean, go here. It's good to see snippets of ribbon being used too. I have a really weird knack of being able to cut a length of ribbon to almost the precise length just by guess work so I rarely have ribbon snippets. Shame really as there are loads of uses for them - maybe I should attack my ribbons box like Edward Scissor Hands and see what flies out :))

I must digress quickly here - on Friday Jules posted something that really made me laugh - she secretes her ribbons in a bedroom drawer as 'overspill' and she's been rumbled by her husband, who sounds a jolly good sport about it anyhow! I was still chuckling about it when I hopped into bed and Len asked what was amusing me, so 'big mouth' here told him. Yesterday morning, as I was in the shower, I could hear every drawer in our bedroom being stealthily opened and checked for intruding stash :)) Nothing was found - but Len didn't think to check the drawers under the bed did he, snort, snort!!

OK, back to the roll call.

Andria arrived next with 'two for the price of one' - a matching card and sweetie bag, so adorable too! To check them out go here, beautifully coloured and the peach tones and turquoise go together perfectly. I bet there was one happy young lady on Valentine's Day - really lovely Andria.

Next was our birthday girl, Tammy, it was her birthday on Valentine's Day. Belated birthday wishes from your playmates Tammy! She brought this really bright and cheerful card - red and turquoise proving how well they can work together. Check out the icing on the cake too - that embossing worked a treat. Hope you had a great day Tammy!

Hazel was following a sketch with her first card of the week - and she did it brilliantly. The papers are great and just see the adorable PB image - here. Hazel's next card is all hot pink, black and white and those colours go together so perfectly too. I'm seeing more and more of this combination and have yet to see them not working together. Go and check out Hazel's great card for yourself here. Then Hazel hopped back with this lovely Christmas card, using snippets of course but also for her own Christmas Card Challenge which is currently 'Create a Scene'. Hazel's next card will make you hungry I think - lovely cupcakes using brown and pink papers and KanBan cupcake stamps (another set I think I have languishing here that haven't been used for a while). Plus another one using the same stamp set and papers here. The pink and brown works so well together Hazel! And finally a real sweetie here - perfect for a bridesmaid or flower girl, using a Fleur Anya stamp and lots of pretty pink. Whoops, not quite finally - Hazel whipped in just before the gates closed with a lovely card here - all in blues with some lovely pearls. Super backing paper too.

What a gorgeous card Sandra H brought along to the playground this week - it's here - the most adorable baby card using decoupage. I bet the recipients would have been over the moon with this card Sandra - love the baby sleeping on the cloud too :) The sentiment is lovely 'A Baby is a bit of Stardust blown from the hand of God' - I'd probably have been tempted to add the words 'especially when fast asleep' :) Just beautiful!

Sam posted her offering, all the way from Prague! She was having a romantic break there but didn't forget us - her gorgeous card is here (a Valentine for hubby) plus some great photos of Praha too. Nowt like rubbing it in Sam :) Back to the card, a load of thought had gone into making this as it was themed on Praha - aww, you little romantic Sam!!

Next was Liz with a really cute Christmas card - using a LOTV stamp. Perfectly matched to the papers too - you can see it here. Then Liz popped back with this lovely card - like her, I adore Bo Bunny papers :) Liz used such soft colours and made a perfect background for a ready made distress tag from a swop. Marvellous Liz!!

I hadn't seen Yogi in the playground ever before (although she's a regular on WOYWW), perhaps she played when Jules ran the challenge? Anyhow, she hopped in with a really delicious card this week - it's so cheerful and truly good enough to eat too - you can see it here and judge for yourself. Oh boy, now I have a craving for cherries Yogi!!

Sally H then brought a really beautiful card with everything so perfectly done and balanced - making for a truly chic result. And of course, using snippets in pink, white and black - to see what you think go here - I think it's absolutely elegant, great card Sally! The main image is by Inklicious and it's a real beauty too.

Next was Elizabeth with two lovely cards - and I do think her second one has the current record for being the smallest one in the playground :) To see them both, hop over here - the first one was for Hazel's previous Christmas card challenge with the theme of angels, beautiful, with a lovely pearl swirl! The second one is the tiny, but perfect, one that I referred to just now - and Elizabeth is on a roll using up her stash right now too. It's fascinating to see what you're all using up at the moment!

And last, but by no means least, Maggie arrived with these six gorgeous cards. Maggie is finishing off lots of half done projects as well as really putting her Silhouette through its paces - especially with some really stunning photographs. Ha, I struggle taking a photo of a card to post on here, let alone anything anywhere near good enough to actually make into a card :( Do go and take a peek - every one is really super. All fantastic cards Maggie and good that you got to the playground in time - I'll wash all the swings and tidy the skipping ropes, if you lock the gates when we leave :)

I did close the gates at quarter to midnight so I could finish this roll call off and post it before going to bed - a fresh week begins now. Mr Linky is below as usual - but there's a shorter time this week for entries. I have to drive up to beyond Oxford next Sunday for the day leaving here really early, at the crack of sparrows in fact, and will have to finish the roll call off on Saturday afternoon and schedule the post. So, Mr Linky will close at noon UK time on Saturday. I don't expect this to happen very often but now and then life gets in the way and I'd rather post the roll call as normal on a Sunday.

Thanks so much for joining in and hope to see you again this week!

Di
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Friday Feast - Thai Market Pork or Chicken Curry

2012-02-18T08:43:00.000Z

A day late - so perhaps it should be Saturday Supper :)

This photo looks a bit as if a couple of dogs have already been fighting over the food - oops!

Thai Market Pork or Chicken Curry

500g lean tender pork fillet or skinless chicken breast
6 shallots peeled and roughly chopped
2 tbsp fish sauce
800ml coconut milk (note, this is 2 cans)
4 tbsp Thai red curry paste
1 tbsp caster sugar
about 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice or to taste

Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Whizz or pound the shallots to a rough paste with1 tbsp of the fish sauce.

In a wok or deep frying pan, heat 125ml of the coconut milk over a medium high heat, add the red curry paste and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated and the paste begins to brown.

Add the shallot mixture and cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add the remaining coconut milk and 400 ml water (NB - see my note below), bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes or until the liquid has reduced by half or thickened slightly.

Add the meat to the reduced red curry liquid, stir in the remaining1 tbsp fish sauce and the caster sugar and cook for several minutes until the meat is tender and cooked through when tested.

Adjust the flavour with the fresh lime juice.

Serve with rice or noodles.

Things I would do: I have a small Kenwood blitzer so that was great for the shallots, but you could just chop them quite finely I'm sure. The recipe almost tripped me up when it asked for 2 cans of coconut milk but I did have spares here. But, I absolutely would NOT add any water to this recipe when I cook it again - I'd watch it very closely and add water if needed but certainly I wouldn't do it straight off. I wouldn't use creamed coconut as that could be too thick or could burn - coconut milk all the way for this one.

I used pork fillet for a change as I usually opt for chicken in curries - it was totally gorgeous, despite quite a liquid sauce, and the two-legged mouse (aka Len) made sure there was only some excess sauce left at the end - and not much of that either. Did he drink it I wonder?

Hope you have a super weekend - snippets roll call tomorrow so fingers will be flying over the keyboard here today :)

Di
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Ruby Wedding Card

2012-02-17T06:28:00.002Z

Sorry to confuse anyone today - Friday's Feast is being cooked here tonight so I'll post the recipe tomorrow.

But, I finished the Ruby Wedding card:

There was a lot of angst here over this card I can tell you! It started out with the intention of being an easel card but once I'd made the front ready to attach to the easel part it was just going to be way too much fussiness so it's a straightforward tent fold. As it is, I think this is quite OTT but the couple it's for are very into flamboyance and such.

Despite having some lovely deep red paper embossed with red hearts, it was all gonna be just too, too much so instead - when I make the box later today - I'll line the base with some of the hearts paper. This card is going to Belgium so there'll be a little scramble here to make the box, finish off the inside with an insert and then whizz out to the post office this afternoon.

So - what did I use? Or would it be easier to tell you what I didn't use! A lot of the stuff I had scattered all over the desk in readiness on Wednesday ended up being returned into the stash boxes, honestly :)

I used:

- 8" x 8" square white card stock

- plain deep red linen card for the backing, Nesties scalloped hearts and Marianne Creatables swirly dies

- absolutely the most delicious white paper by Best Creation Inc - called 'Mr and Mrs'. The sheets are 12" x 12" and I found it in Hobbycraft - it's ready embossed with really delicate muted sparkly swirls. I used it to make a background, punched all around with a Martha Stewart 'Narrow Lace' PATP set as well as a plain edged heart to sit on top of the large red scalloped one

- mulberry paper red roses, white little satin roses, white satin and organza flowers plus pearls on nylon stalks made up the flower cascade - with a few little white and red pearlised 'hat pins' - all from stash

- the number 40 was from some die cut numbers that Sarn had kindly sent me a while back, then coloured with a silver pen and some Glamour Dust added. Just a few pearls were then added to the red heart along with the numbers

- a 'Wedding Rings' diamante embellishment by Artworks plus some silver peel off edging strips and corners all from stash added the final touches

The place was like a bomb site when it was finally finished!

I'd like to enter this into the current challenge over at That Craft Place, which is 'Love is all around'.

Also, St. Luke's Hospice current challenge, which is 'Love and Lace'.

Di
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Amazing what you find.......

2012-02-16T07:16:00.000Z

.....whilst rootling for something totally different. I came across a few notelets in amongst a box of embellishments that had obviously been squirrelled away ages ago - and as a quick break from making the Ruby Wedding card came up with this:

Ooops, it looks kinda dark in the photo though - I took the photo after dark and due to a plethora (big word!) of other stuff on my desk there was no room there to take a photo using the daylight lamp.

I used:

- 6" x 6" square cream card stock

- 'Botanical prints' notelet, trimmed down a bit and layered onto cream card from the snippets folder

- backing paper from the Papermania Capsule Collection 'Verde' paper pack

- peachy orange organza ribbon from stash

A quick make - which is more than can be said for the other project :)

Di
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WOYWW - 141

2012-02-15T09:51:00.000Z

This is my desk as I left it last night, and ran away in fear! I've just ventured back in, plugged in my baby laptop to charge (great for blogging in bed!) and am now gawping at this lot:

At the back there's a new animal in our menagerie here - Len bought me the cute little white dog as a surprise yesterday, as if the lovely roses weren't enough. He'd noticed that I'm forever dusting over the laptop and the TV screen with the same duster that I use for flicking over the desk. So, he bought Dusty the Dog especially for places where I didn't ought to be spreading glitter and sticky bits :)

Yikes, the school reunion committee have asked me to make a Ruby Wedding Anniversary card. The couple that it's for met at our school and married not that long after leaving - and they're still blissfully happy all these years later. Oh, I do love happy endings :)

I've made a few very special Anniversary, Birthday and Wedding cards for the reunion committee to send in the past - when it's being sent with the best wishes of over 600 members they do like 'big and elaborate'. In case you're wondering, the Wedding card was for a widow and a widower who are in their 80's and met up again after about 50 years. Love blossomed and they too are blissfully wed - that was a real tear jerker I can tell you :)

So, on the desk we have backing papers, roses, lace, dies, ribbon, embossing folders and some sketches. Plus, and you can't see this, in front of the desk we have a very nervous crafter about to embark on slicing into those totally gorgeous embossed papers ........ and possibly make a right pigs ear of things! Less is More just isn't on the job sheet so there's gonna be a lot of head scratching going on to make it 'more' without it being 'tacky' :(

Happy WOYWW - remember, to see what everyone else is up to (it's bound to be a lot less stressed) - hop over to our Queen of WOYWW, Julia, and take a peek at who else has linked in today! Happy hopping :)

Di
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A Tuesday Tale - meeting the charity shop 'lowlife'

2012-02-14T12:38:00.001Z

I'd only been working at the charity shop for one Saturday afternoon or so but was beginning to get the hang of the dreaded steaming machine. My eyes were also being opened about the total rubbish that sadly we were 'given' - don't get me wrong, we had some fantastic donations and were so grateful when people thought of the shop. But for example cracked and chipped crockery, three-legged chairs (I kid you not!), half-used lipsticks and trainers where one big toe area had been totally cut away (presumably to accommodate a broken or damaged toe - ouch) weren't exactly going to be at the top of anyone's shopping list were they?

So, outside the back of the shop, we had a mahoosive skip and anything that we couldn't clean, fix or recycle had to be ditched.

The skip was about twice the size of the one above, and located in our own back yard area. I couldn't see to peep over the top of the thing - anyhow, I was too busy indoors wrestling with 'Hissing Sid The Steamer'.

But, one of our 'ladies' trotted out with a load of stuff and threw it into the skip - an action which was followed by a loud yell of indignation. When she looked closer there was only a guy, inside the skip, who had the cheek to shout 'Watch it, I'm busy in here!!'. As fast as she'd been loading the skip he'd been ferreting out stuff and passing it to his mate who was calmly loading up a supermarket trolley 'borrowed' from Asda just nearby.

His mate 'legged it' and he scrambled up out of the skip, before being chased down the street by an irate band of volunteers waving an assortment of brooms and shouting at him and his 'mate' to hop it.

That was the tip of the iceberg - much worse tricks were employed by the local lowlife, to be saved for another day I think - but, later that evening I did wonder if he realised that he was lucky it was only a couple of disgusting old cushions that clocked him on the head - it could have been a bucket load of broken crockery or a three-legged chair!

Di
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Hearts Away on Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T08:36:00.002Z

Valentine's Day today and I did a quick little transformation of yesterday's Less Is More card to give to Len. Managed to do it yesterday morning then hide it before nipping out to sort out a friend's laptop as time was at a premium, but I think it worked 'cos I just gave it to Len and he likes it :)

All I did was to add the cutest little Penny Black stamped image called 'Hearts Away', colour with Pro Markers and add a little piece of 'not too girlie' ribbon from my stash.

Of course, the Pro Markers bled through but I just cut another piece of white card, a smidgen smaller than the front of the card and stuck that on the inside (a tip from Sarn ages ago).

And bless, while I was out, Len snuck out and a dozen long stemmed red roses were waiting for me when I got home. Aaaaw!

While I'm at it I'd like to add this into Penny Black's Saturday Challenge Week 188 which is (appropriately) 'Love and Kisses'.

I'll be back later with a Tuesday Tale if possible :)

Di
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Less Is More - One Layer and Stripes

2012-02-13T08:15:00.001Z

My heart sank a bit when I saw this week's Less Is More Challenge - stripes and a one layer card at that! Yikes - it took me a few failed attempts at masking stripes before I wandered off in disgust to clear the brain and think outside the box a bit. This was the end result:

You couldn't get much more 'Less Is More' although it did take some concentration to line all those little hearts up one at a time :) Joke!! I only hope that they count as a stripe and that the embossed lines do as well. If not, I had fun playing anyhow.

I used:

- 5" x 5" square white card stock

- four straight lines (aka stripes) using the Eazi Score

- Hearts stamp strip from the 'Fun Strips' set by Dovecraft - shame on me, I've had these ages and never used them - stamped with Brilliance 'Rocket Red' ink pad

- sentiment from LOTV's 'General Greetings - Small Set', stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento

I'm entering this into the Less Is More - Week 54 Challenge - One Layer and Stripes.

Short and sweet from me today after yesterday's version of War and Peace:)

Di
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Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Challenge Number 7

2012-02-12T08:45:00.000Z

It's been another ~~manic, frantic, chaotic~~ busy week in the Snippets Playground - with a few newcomers and previous playmates joining in as well :)

My snippets card for today is a little pink, to say the least:

The little girlie sitting is a pre-loved 'Sitting Tilda' and has been patiently waiting for me to be brave enough to have another try at die cutting an image so that part of it is outside the die cut area. The first attempt ages ago with a different stamp was a ~~spectacularly total disaster~~ failure and I lost interest in trying again.

However, a tutorial popped up on Penni's blog Lazy Cats Cards, which was very helpful - and I also looked at Jak Heath's tutorial here. Between the two I managed - yay!

I have to say that mouthless girlies aren't a favourite of mine, although Gorjuss girls (also mouthless) seem fine. Weird :) However, I did buy this stamp, just because she was sitting and seemed fine for the technique.

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- 'Sitting Tilda Angel' stamp - I've no idea of her proper name though. Coloured with Pro Markers and Flex Markers then die cut with a circular Nesties and layered onto a scalloped lacy edged Nesties die. Just a smidgen of Glamour Dust added to her wings :)

- backing papers are all from the snippets folder, although the pink gingham came from a Wild Rose Studios 'Gorgeous Ginghams' paper pack

- blue gingham ribbon and pearls from stash

- little butterflies punched with a Woodware punch and topped with a pearl

- sentiment stamped onto pale blue card, trimmed and then layered onto punched plain and scalloped circle. The sentiment is from a lovely new set by Maya Road, called 'Spool Sentiments'

Enough about that and on with the roll call for the past week - and what a week!

As soon as the gates opened, almost within minutes Mary shot in with this absolutely beautiful card. It was made as a thank you for someone who helped Mary out with a replacement part for her trimmer - I bet she was delighted to receive such a pretty thank you - lovely papers and the most gorgeous flower! And, at the bottom of Mary's post you'll see a couple of Christmas cards, also using snippets. These are also great and Mary is on a quest to see if she can find any more of the papers she used - if you can help please do leave Mary a comment, they're Bo Bunny Christmas papers from 2010. I've searched online over in the UK and can't find any stockists who still have them :(

Next in, with two offerings in quick succession, was Jackie - her first card is a 21st card that's perfect in funky blues for a chap and her next card is a black and white 60th Birthday card here - they're both terrific Jackie! Later in the week, Jackie popped back with a totally different card, all pink and feminine - following a brilliant sketch too, go here to see and to check out the gorgeous butterfly, plus some really yummy snippets. I did intend to follow that sketch but time got in the way this week.

Then Brenda arrived with her Less Is More Aqua card - so lovely too! And of course, being Brenda, she's added a touch of red to 'make it pop' - and it worked really well. We had some more visits as the week progressed - with this great Christmas card - we did ascertain that the image is an Elzybells one and the papers are lovely Brenda! Then how about this next one for a card to make you go 'Aaaah' - so, so sweet. House Meece certainly have a lot going for them and I think Brenda possibly has a whole load of HM stamps, lucky girl! Beautifully done too.

Jules brought two cards with her - despite being so busy it's great to see Jules still finding time to play. And wow, as always, absolutely gorgeous cards - yikes, writing this and linking up I've spotted that one card uses pink gingham paper like mine does today. Don't tell me that I'm now being subliminally hypnotised into digging into my stash for gingham! The flower stamp is absolutely beautiful - I'm quite glad that Jules doesn't list what she uses on her snippets cards as I seem to be forever adding things I see on Jules' blog to my wish list!! Jules' other card is sure to make you smile - the sweetest penguin on a Christmas card - perfectly matched/complimenting colours and papers of course. Ha, ha - I also peeked at the other comments left on Jules' snippets posting - and I see that Brenda has been telling tales to our Patron and Founder about me :)

Then Elizabeth brought this really great layout - look who's in the middle one of the three photos :) Fabulous papers and the poinsettia is a perfect finishing touch for a Hogmonay/New Year layout (I think that's still being debated, huh Elizabeth?). I did laugh, Elizabeth had been watching Barbara Grey doing demos on Create and Craft TV - so had I down here. I think I shocked Elizabeth by admitting it was the first time I'd seen Barbara Grey - but it won't be the last as she's great fun and a very talented lady. You might like to know that neither of us spent any money - although both of us were tempted, ha, ha - Elizabeth says she sat on her hands!! :)

Linby brought two cards with her which you can see here. Both using tags but very different - the first is all pinks and love and the second one is greens. Both are beautiful makes and super use of snippets of course - do check out the cute little Westie on one of the cards :)) Linby says she got one of the tags as a freebie - brilliant find girl!!

A very happy Sylvia-Anne hopped in next with this lovely and very 'classy' card. She was almost already flying at 30,000 feet, doing last minute preparations for a much needed holiday. As she says, why do we need what seems like 3 million T-shirts for holidays? :) But, she'd made time to make a snippets card which will inspire you for sure - do hop over and check out those flowers and buttons - brilliant! Let's hope you're having a great time Sylvia.

Still on last Sunday (it was a busy day on the swings in here!) , Robin had tried to sneak in with a card but the playground gates were closed. She must have literally hit on the half hour maximum that the gates were closed 'cos I was frantically typing as the gates closed and posted the roll call very soon after before going to bed. Sorry Robin! Anyhow, undeterred, she scampered back with two terrific cards using SU's 'Sprinkled Expressions' stamps - both very effective indeed - you can see them here. And, it confirmed that my choice of this stamp set as a giveaway in SU's current Salebration sale is right - now all I need to do is whittle all the other things I'd like down to a manageable list.

Banners and bunting are very 'on trend' (oooer, get me!!) right now - and Liz came up trumps with some cute labels to make a very clever card with the theme of 'Love' - which you can see here. As I commented at the time, super use of snippets and it almost looks as if some of the punched out hearts floated up and landed on the top corners. Check it out if you haven't already had a peek :)
We did have another late visit from Liz, but a very welcome one, in the shape a card in pink and white, which as she rightly says is so very popular right now. This one, go here, is a six way one which I think you'll love!

Hazel was in and out of the playground like a little whirlwind this week with a load of offerings to show - at one point I was getting a bit dizzy :) Lots of cleverly recycled Christmas cards - firstly, how about this robin, followed by another one featuring music here , a Christmas Dove one here , a beautiful sepia scene here, a jolly Father Christmas here and a beautiful recycled die cut Christmas tree here. I think all of these followed sketches which gave such an added dimension to Hazel's work, phew - all brilliant! Then this next card followed - made primarily for a challenge in which you had to echo a photo - I thought this was simply perfect! And, as I type, finally a lovely gold card with an angel here to set the scene for Hazel's own challenge CHNC........nope, I was wrong, so funny, another little visit from Hazel as I'm typing this just popped up :) with another gold angel card. So far I think Hazel holds the playground record for submissions this week - the least I can do is to make a card for her challenge, which is to use an angel or a fairy on a Christmas card.

Something struck me whilst perusing all of Hazel's Christmas card offcuts - I forgot to take ours to recycling and they're still here :) Mind you, no way would any hand crafted ones we were sent be pulled apart!

Irene arrived next with such a fresh and crisp card in white and lilac, which you can see here. As always, so beautifully designed and put together, Irene used a SU stamp set perfectly for her card. To see what she made, hop over and have a little peek - check out the flower too. This stamp set is firmly on my list for the SU Salebration! Irene came back later in the week with another fresh and crisp card here - stunningly simple and so, so effective. In fact, it wouldn't have been whipped up in no time when you look at all the elements but the overall affect looks very simple and classy to me.

Next into the playground was Gilly, who made the fabulous rose I pointed you all to last week - you did go and peek I hope. Anyhow, Gilly had some other flowers she wanted to use up and I'm sure you'll love this card. Not only is it absolutely lovely, but what a great idea to use a card divided into four squares with three elements plus a sentiment. To see what I mean do hop over - and check that rose out too - it's further down the posting that this link will take you too!

Beryl came along next with this card - do take a look - it's totally elegant! Really eye catching the way the red just pops and see how the sentiment background picks up the flesh colours too. Quite funny how a few people said that the shoes are gorgeous and then went on to sadly comment that they can't wear shoes with heels like that now. I'm with them on that one too :( Being 'vertically challenged' I used to love my high heels!

A sad tale on this next entry - Karen was snowed in and had to miss The Creative Stitches and Hobby Craft Show due to last weekend's big dump of snow :( But, she made a lovely Christmas card using scraps of material which you can check out here. Snippets can include ribbon and material of course - not just card and paper, we have few rules here, except for no pinching and pulling of hair! While you're there - you'll see some wonderful photos of her little 18 month old grandson playing in the snow for the first time. I think that probably easily made up for the disappointment Karen :)

Sandra H arrived next and I got a bit confused, she added two links but one was already covered last week (29th January) - and I've had a good search but can only find one card referring to Challenge Number 6 - ie. this last week's. It's a little cracker too (love the eyes!) - made for a first day at school and you can see it here. It's lovely and my heart went out to the little recipient as it was also her birthday the same day! Let's hope she quickly made some nice playmates like we have here in our little playground :)

This next card was brought by Lyn - see, I said that bunting is 'on trend'!! Super card and a terrific way to use up snippets. The addition of a beautiful butterfly was a lovely finishing touch - plus Lyn used some ribbon that used to be the hanging straps on a top, clever! I know that some of you have been to have a peek but it would be really nice if you have the time to hop over and say 'hello' to Lyn. Encouragement means so much, especially as you're starting out in the blogging community.

Carol had made such a super card, which you can see here. Her snippets are gorgeous, much better than most of my 'proper papers' :( And the LOTV image is a great favourite too. Every little touch on this card is just so lovely - lots of inspiration and the co-ordination is just perfect. Go and see for yourselves!

Our next playmate was Tammy - with a very welcome sight, a card for a man! I always struggle with cards for chaps, maybe lots of us do, but just go and see here how to do it right! It's an 80th birthday card and, as Tammy says, a real classic. The background is pure inspiration and such a clever play on classic! Brilliant!!

And now, a little drum roll please as I'd like you to look at a card - yup, an image partway down the roll call I know but this blew my little socks right off:

In fact, I almost fell off the swing in excitement. It was made by one of our newest playmates Carys who has just started blogging and made this Valentine card using snippets woven together - so clever! And, the reason for me almost falling off the swing is that Carys is 14 years young!! Bless, she would like to know how to attract more visitors and I think we can help that a bit? If you hop over - here's the link to her blog - please go and check her wardrobe cards out too, amazing! Welcome to the snippets playground Carys - you're off to a flying start I hope :)

Andria hopped in next with this stepper card that truly rocks, in all ways! Another one for the chaps too and a real stunner. Customised right down to the name of the band her nephew plays in and, as I commented at the time, (no pun intended) it's sure to be a mahoosive hit! You can almost hear those drums too :) Absolutely great.

A really beautiful card was next, brought along by Lynne on her first visit to the playground since Jules stepped down - take a look here to see what I mean. No image needed at all, such a clever combination of papers, ribbon, trim and a sentiment really makes for a card to stand out in a crowd.It's really pretty and very Summery - just what we need to remind us that temperatures should rise sometime! Lovely card Lynne.

Maggie must have been feeling the cold when she popped into the playground - she suggested that we ought to play hopscotch :) She had three cards with her - the first two are decoupaged photographs, something I would never have thought of doing but so effective. The third card was made using a couple of heart shaped punches to make the flowers (a few of us have been at that lately!) and they are stunning. To check them all out, and the interesting post that Maggie wrote - go here.

As I said to Maggie when I commented, hopscotch could well be on the 'cards' - if only so that we hop up and down to keep warm! It's soooo cold here today (Saturday at the moment). As a kid I remember my Mum playing a game with me if we were waiting for a bus in the freezing cold - she used to chant 'Jump, jump, sugar lump' time after time and yours truly used to hop up and down in time to her chanting. It's only in recent years I've realised that it was her way of keeping me warm, occupied and probably to stop me whining :)

Right, I digressed there, sorry and back to the roll call.

Craftilicious flew in next - literally as she was hanging onto a couple of kites! Another one of Jule's' previous playmates so welcome back! Get a load of this bright and breezy (ha, ha) card here. Paper piecing used so beautifully and a really happy and cheerful card Craftylicious. Plus, the sentiment is perfect!

Sandy arrived next from Oz. and her card is just perfect for a teenage girl - go and see what I mean here. Get that 'Egg Chair' and I bet loads of you with families can relate to this fabulous card :) plus the inside is also decorated perfectly. Great work Sandy - it's got to be a real hit for the lucky recipient.

Oh no - there could a trouble brewing - we now have two sisters in the playground! I'm waiting for Sarn (where ARE you this week?!) but meanwhile Shazza arrived for her very first visit with a lovely card here using a stamp set that I love to pieces called 'Faith In Nature', plus a stamp from another set that I crave. Beautifully stamped and coloured too - that pear is so gorgeous, my eyes went bright green :) Hope to see you back Shazza, but no ganging up with your sis., else I'll separate you!

Ha, ha - I just knew it, Sarn whipped in at the last minute with a little beauty of a card - here. Do go and see, it's a gorgeous die cut 'birdie' as the main feature and the most delicate colours you could wish for. Like me, I think Sarn squirrels freebies away and her sentiment if perfect. OK, so you can join your sis. on the see-saw - but just behave, perleeeeease! It's early Saturday evening as I'm typing - I wonder how many others will squeak into the playground for a last whirl?

Mrs A nipped in on Saturday evening, after I'd shut the laptop down for the night, with this great card. She's been having a go at tea bag folding with great results - apparently all the squares need to be perfectly identical, with any pattern also identically lined up and cut. Not knowing anything about tea bag folding it was a bit of an eye opener for me and a lovely result too Mrs A! What a hilarious comment she left - 'Having so much fun on the bouncy castle I forgot the time and then in rushing I got all tangled up in the skipping ropes. (Who put them there!!!). Made it just in time and now I'm late for me tea and its dark too. Anyone got a light?' :))

And, the very last playmate to make it into the snippets playground was Hettie (aka Sam) with these adorable baby cards. Both very similar with bootees and hearts, but there are differences if you look closely - Sam always manages to make cards etc. with a vintage look and a lot of style. My attempts have just ended up looking like a real mess :( So glad you made it into the playground Sam!

I don't want to curtail what's written here but, now and then, it might be easier for me to have a give away and write less - then again, we don't want 'Everyone and their Auntie' hopping into OUR playground to try out the swings and enter just for a little prize so for now we'll see how things develop :) What do you think - it's your playground?!?!

Phew, and double phew - the roll call is all done for this week. I hope you stuck with it (trust me, it took forever to write and link this marathon, so I hope I covered you all OK - shout if I didn't perleease) and I also hope that you manage, or already have managed, to hop over to see the truly inspirational work on your playmates' blogs (I do feel very privileged to see your lovely work linked in) - and that you'll join in again this coming week.

Have a great week, stay warm and safe - Mr Linky is below as usual.

Di
x

All lilac today

2012-02-11T06:30:00.013Z

Really busy here so I rustled up a card using one of the ready coloured LOTV Cute squares:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock, made tent style with the front bottom edge trimmed by about half an inch ready to add the lilac scalloped edging

- LOTV ready coloured Cute Square - matted onto purple card to pick up deeper shade in Little Miss Gardener's hat - then just a few dabs of Grape Ice Stickles and a gem on her hat. Well, a girl has to look smart when tending her plants - ha, I look more like a hobo, gardening in my oldest togs!

- tiny little butterflies punched from scraps, with their wings flicked up - using such a cute little Woodware punch

- scalloped half daisy border, using a Martha Stewart punch. I've drooled over this punch for ages on blogs, not least on Jules blog, so don't really know who to blame for me buying it. Could it be me maybe?!

- backing papers from both a Dovecraft 'Back to Basics Paper Pack' (the spotty one) and Wild Rose Studios 'Gorgeous Ginghams' Paper Pack

Still stamping and indexing - but, the Snippets Playground roll call will be ready ASAP tomorrow. There's gonna be some fingers flying over the keyboard here for sure :)

Have a great weekend!

Di
x

Friday Feast - Roasted Lamb Shanks

2012-02-10T06:31:00.000Z

This recipe is one of the photos I lost the other week and haven't managed to recover - and I don't do roasted lamb shanks as a matter of course sadly :( My photo had roasted veggies and even some Yorkshire Puddings on but these look exactly the same as mine did and they were absolutely scrummy!

The recipe serves 6 people, I cut the lamb down to two shanks for the two of us but found that I still needed almost a full bottle of red wine for the marinade (ha, not even a sherry glass full left for the cook so I just threw it all in the pot in disgust) and I kept the rest of the ingredients at the quantity for 6 shanks. The marinade is an overnight thing so you have to plan ahead for these. But, they are totally gorgeous and worth the forward planning- trust your Auntie Di's word for it. I bought the lamb shanks in Sainsburys at their fresh meat counter - a decent butcher should be able to oblige but they're as rare as hen's teeth around here sadly :( Even our local Farm Shops seem to have gone all pre-packed and sort of clinical.

Roasted Lamb Shanks

6 lamb shanks, trimmed

1 carrot, peeled, cut in half

1 onion, peeled, cut in half

a few whole peppercorns

2-3 garlic cloves, peeled, crushed lightly

bunch fresh thyme

small bunch fresh rosemary

750ml/1¼ pints red wine

6-10 tbsp redcurrant jelly, to taste

Place the shanks in a casserole pot and add the carrot, onion, peppercorns, garlic and herbs.

Pour over enough wine to cover the meat of the shanks - about a whole bottle - then set the casserole aside to cool. Chill in the fridge overnight. (This helps to tenderise the meat.)

The next day, preheat the oven to 160C/325F/Gas 3. Place the casserole, covered with a lid, into the oven and cook for 2-2½ hours, or until the meat is tender. Slightly uncover the pot for the last hour so that the liquid will start to reduce. If the simmering becomes too lively during cooking, reduce the temperature slightly.

Remove the casserole from the oven. Remove the shanks from the cooking liquid and place in a roasting dish. Spoon over a couple of ladles of the cooking liquid to keep the shanks moist. Reserve the remaining cooking liquid. Roast the shanks in the oven for 45-60 minutes, or until the meat is falling off the bone.

Remove the vegetables from the cooking liquid with a slotted spoon or strain the liquid through a sieve.

Heat the cooking liquid until boiling, then boil until the volume has reduced by half. Stir in the redcurrant jelly until melted.

Serve the lamb shanks with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and the gravy.

Or be like us and make it like a 'proper roast' :)

Not a last minute dish to prepare - you have to chuck the lamb shanks and marinade into a pot the night before (difficult?) and it just cooks over a long time when in the oven - the smell is fabulous too :)

Enjoy!

Quick make with Kraft card

2012-02-09T06:30:00.003Z

Last Summer I got a bit stung in a shop in Spain when I bought some 45mm wide ribbon. The last 8" of it was sellotaped together - something that I think Kate (who lives in Spain) says has happened to her in Spain too. Bit naughty - what if it had been for something that needed a specific length of unjoined ribbon? Being a squirrel I still kept the little piece and yesterday rustled up a real quickie using it - as a change from stamping and cataloguing stamps - which seem to be breeding on the quiet!

The mustard colour of the flower is a perfect match to the leaves on the ribbon in real life BTW.

I used:

- 6" x 6" square Kraft card stock

- length of patterned ribbon, gathered in the centre

- ready made flower embellishment from stash

- sentiment by Hero Arts from the 'Live Life' set, stamped using a Tuxedo Black Memento ink pad which was already out being used for the marathon stamping exercise

- A couple of topaz coloured gems to 'dot' the i and the j on the sentiment

Done!

Di
x

WOYWW - 140 - Stamp storage Part 2

2012-02-08T10:36:00.000Z

This week has been busy here in Pixies Workshop, stamping images and carrying on with the cataloguing and setting up stamp storage. The wooden ones were pretty quick to do - they're now mainly in numbered boxes with a little pile of ready stamped cards in ready for the time that the card index box itself is finally set up. I saved almost a whole storage box purely by being able to do a 'best fit' of the wooden stamps rather than categorising them too much - that's the object of the little index card system :)

The unmounted rubber ones (ie. non-cling) had caused the most head scratching here until I had a little Eureka moment and this is what's on my desk right now:

It's a postcard album with four pockets per page and (for me) a totally 'perfick' solution :)

Thankfully I'd made sure that, as I bought unmounted LOTV rubber stamps for example, the image got stamped onto a piece of paper or card with the name of the stamp on and that had already kept with each stamp. Some other stamps like these ones:

arrived with ready stamped slips in - and even better, some of them were coloured images so I wasn't about to throw those away and start over either! So, each pocket has an unmounted rubber stamp behind the stamped image.

Behind the album you can see the box of index cards that I've been stamping as I went along. The front of the card has the image on and the back has the manufacturer and the name of the stamp - plus, in pencil, I've written the number of the plastic wallet sheet in pencil (so I can change things round if ever needed), on the front as wisely suggested by Sarn! Figure it's not too hard to spot which stamp is needed from a page of just four of them :)

So far none of the index cards has been sorted into subject - that's a job to be saved for the end of this mahoosive project once I truly know what the categories will be - and for a day when I can spread them all over our bed in little piles, like a croupier dealing the cards :)

So far it's just been images - the next job is wooden and rubber unmounted sentiments. Christmas stamps will follow - and only then will it be time to tackle all the clear and cling rubber stamps, which will be stored differently. So, it's taking some time but, so far, it's working well for me - apart from permanently black inked paws. Despite using Memento ink, although the stamps clean beautifully with baby wipes, it's at that point of playtime that the 'Black Hand Gang' comes out to play - more ink seems to end up on me than the baby wipes! Duh, just remembered the big box of disposable gloves lurking in the 'general cleaning' trolley downstairs :)

Some facts that might help if you like this idea:

The index box takes 6" x 4" white cards - perfect for most images. One or two so far have been bigger stamps but you don't need the whole image really.

I got the Photo Album online from here. Really fast service too.

I reckon that an album will hold 15 pocket pages of unmounted rubber stamps comfortably ie. 60 stamps per album. If you use foam backing then that's going to reduce the number of pages that will fit as they're much thicker of course.

Sadly the plastic pocket sheets are just a bit too big both in height and width to fit into a normal A4 file so you'd be best to buy the proper postcard albums.

And, oh dear, I might need a second Index Box to maintain 'flickability' - not sure if that's a real word but you know that I mean. I'm one of those quite sad people who just loves filing! Perhaps a second box could contain index cards for sentiments and (say) Christmas stamps - I need to see the size of the problem first and that's why I'm waiting to do the final sort of the index cards right at this end of this marathon.

Phew, if you're still here I'm amazed!

Time for me to make a cup of coffee and catch up on some blog hopping after a day out yesterday. To see what everyone else is up to on WOYWW - hop over to Julia's here. Best to make yourself a cuppa as well!

Happy WOYWW.

Di
x

A Tuesday Tale - Driving Miss Daisy

2012-02-07T07:52:00.001Z

As a child (due to being what was known as an 'Army brat') I spent three wonderful years living in Singapore. That's where we met Mary, who coerced me into experimenting with trying to put an egg into a bottle. She was, and still is, delightfully dizzy and quite exciteable whilst her husband Ken is a very calm and quiet person - a perfectly matched pair in fact.

Mary and Ken had two young children, and quite an old car:

Perhaps not as old as this one, but not dissimilar.

It was pretty normal practice about half way through a 'tour of duty' in Singapore to head for the Malayan Highlands for a week or so to sort of recharge your batteries - it actually got cool enough in the evenings to need a cardigan and the air seemed so fresh and sweet after the heat and stickiness of Singapore. At that time the Malayan Emergency had almost ended but you were still issued with warnings about the possibility of terrorists on the lonelier parts of the route which wound up into the Highlands.

Mary, Ken and the two kids were well en route for their trip to the Highlands - in fact going up what had been a notorious piece of road. The routine was that cars only went Northwards for a one or two hour time slot, being checked in and then out for safe arrival, before cars could travel Southwards for their one or two hour timeslot. The road was narrow with jungle on one side and sheer drops down the mountain on the other, and everyone embarking on that section of the journey was issued with dire warnings not to stop. It had been a perfect place for terrorist ambushes in the past so the scene was set.

I swear that Mary must have been sitting bolt upright like a meerkat in the front seat of the car beside Ken - waiting for any sign of trouble:)

Yup, you knew something was coming - sure enough there was suddenly a loud bang from beside the car. Being Mary, her life flashed before her as her choices were fight, or flee. Mary chose to flee but no way was she going to come to any harm in the process. No sirree, she immediately slid down into the foot well of the car and rolled into a ball - totally ignoring two young offspring bouncing round in the back seat squealing in excitement at the thought of being in the midst of a mini-war. Ken had stopped the car at the little explosion, much to Mary's horror. From the safety of her refuge in the foot well she managed to extend a hand with which she repeatedly slapped Ken's leg whilst screeching 'Drive on, drive on, we're all going to be killed!!!'.

Ken merely opened the drivers door and walked round the car to the passenger side then opened the front door. Mary unrolled a bit from her hedgehog position to peer at him, hair sticking in all directions and eyes bulging with terror - then screamed at Ken 'Why aren't you driving on?!'.

The quiet and very mild reply from Ken was 'I will drive on dear, just as soon as I change the tyre which just had a blow out'.

I don't think that Mary has ever been allowed to forget her moment of total lack of motherly instinct all those years ago :)

Di
x

Shake your tail feathers

2012-02-06T06:30:00.002Z

This week's Challenge over at Less is More is to use the colour AQUA. In between writing up the Snippets Playground roll call and doing what seemed like a million and one other things over the weekend I managed to make this for the challenge:

I used:

- 5" x 5" white square card stock

- stamps from a Banana Frog set called 'Shake your tail feathers'. I stamped the sentiment straight onto the card as well as the birdie. The birdie was also stamped a couple of times onto aqua slightly marbled paper so I could get a bit of lighter shading on the tail feathers and the wing (which was added on top of the main body paper piecing)

- aqua coloured gems from stash (KanBan) plus a little black gem for the eye

Quick and easy, once I'd thought out what to make :)

Di
x

Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Challenge Number 6

2012-02-05T00:15:00.001Z

Another week of fun and frolics in the snippets playground - at times it got so busy I truly thought of hiring a bouncy castle as the swings were taking a real beating :)

Another pre-loved stamp, having its first little inking up by yours truly:

It all started with a piece of bright green ribbon which was already nicely knotted, removed from a box of Christmas candy the other day. In the midst of trying to catalogue stamps here and sort stuff out that 'someone' was heaving down from the loft - I managed to make a little card on Thursday based round the ribbon lying forlornly on the desk in here.

Apart from the card itself, everything came from the snippets folder:

I used:

- 5" x 5" white square card stock

- Forever Friends 'Bear With Balloon' image stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad and coloured with Pro Markers. I later added Anita's glaze to the balloon but no way will it show up - when you don't want the light to bounce back it does and then when you do want some reflection it just won't play along

- a shaped card in pearlescent orange which was already damaged at the centre fold when it arrived in a goodie bag from a reputable supplier so it ended up in the snippets folder :( I just sliced off either end so it formed a mat to go underneath the layer of orange card, topped with a snippet of bright green and orange paper

- the piece of green ribbon that kicked it all off :)

I haven't added a sentiment, so this will go into the next box of cards for St. Luke's Hospice as they do like to have some cards without sentiments.

And, now onto this week's roll call - the most important bit of this posting :)

First into the playground was Beth, with both a hangover and a great card for a boy which you can see here - the card, not the hangover! She used a LOTV stamped image that's absolutely right for boys of most ages and stunning background papers from her snippets stash - and, it was Beth's first ever visit so I let her have a double go on the swings :)

A few of you have also been making cards for Sarn's Rudolph Day Challenge and some of you have been even wiser and have combined both snippets and Rudolph Day. Our rebel Brenda, who is quite proud of sometimes hopping over the playground fence, arrived next with one such card in lovely shades of blue which you can see here. The lovely tissue flower caught everyone's eye and later in the week Brenda also published a little tutorial on how it was made - and that can be seen here. On her next visit, we were shown a lovely bright and cheerful hedgie card which is here, and then on another visit Brenda brought a Less Is More offering in her satchel. You can see it here - and it's very clever too, look for the finishing touch beside the sentiment when you hop over - perfect! Brenda's last card of the week is here - and it's a real stunner. A Christmas card with a gorgeous Milton the Bear image and so much lovely detail on it, I love it!

Sandra H was our next playmate, with this really sweet card featuring the cutest hedgie and beautifully coloured. It's one of those images that just makes you go 'Aaaaah' and remember that the real ones are currently snoozing the Winter away. I like the touch that Sandra used by rounding the bottom right corner of her card too - very effective!

Then Jules hopped in with two totally gorgeous cards at once, one was for Rudolph Day and both used snippets :) I always feel dreadful commenting on the amazing makes that Jules brings with her - what can I say to do them justice! So you'll have to go here to check them out for yourselves - the first is another hedgie rushing along with flowers (it took me a while to spot the heart, duh) and the second card features a juggling penguin :))

Linby joined us next with this lovely card, in soft shades of blue and also showing us a very clever trick. When you go and look at Linby's snippets card (it's the first one in her posting, but the others are also worth a peek too) make sure you check out the flower she made using the offcuts from the punched border. That's certainly using your snippets well Linby :)

Then along came Hazel with a beautiful card here which followed a sketch on Mojo Monday - all gorgeous blues and white, really elegant and clean so it's stunning in its simplicity. It's been a quiet week from Hazel in the playground but I've hopped over to her blog and she's OK - just tackling a big sort out of her craft room and we all know what a task that can be :)

Mary did make me laugh last week - she was proudly showing her friend how to link into the playground but when she arrived last week's roll call was in the process of being finished off and the playground gates were still locked. So she ran away with her card but thankfully she came back again later and her first card is here. Perfect for a dress maker too. Mary was another clever crafter who then used snippets to make her Rudolph Day card - to see the lovely easel card she produced go here. I have those gorgeous Bo Bunny Christmas papers and Mary has given me a few ideas for using some of the ones with larger images on, thank you Mary!!

Then Sarn trotted into the playground with a couple of 'shabby chic' cards - she'd even been flinging the Gesso around. Sarn's first card in mustard and purple had some lovely die cut flourishes on - stunning! But, here's the very clever bit, her second card made use of the leftovers as a stencilling mask - do go and check them both out here. I'll be hanging onto some of the leftovers from die cutting in future - a super tip Sarn!

Irene arrived with such a soft and gentle vintage card - using a stamp she 'd had since 1997, never even inked until now! To see the lovely result go here - what lot we crafters are for hoarding but I think Irene could be going for the World Record in unused stamps :) Later in the week, we had another visit from Irene with this really sweet birthday card. I did smile at the little face peeking out of the box - and I also smiled when Irene entered it for An Oldie But A Goodie, thinking once again of her bid for the World Record in stamp hoarding :)

Next, for her first visit of the week, in came Elizabeth with such a happy sunflower card - you can't help but smile and feel that sometime we might have another Summer - to see it and be cheered up not end, hop over here. On Elizabeth's next visit she brought this cute little canvas - and also showed us how she made it - beautiful and perfect for Valentine's Day too! I do love to see how people make things :)

Andria strolled in with a card to take your breath away - I won't spoil it too much for you, just think Tilda, pink, a stepper card, fabulous colouring and beautiful embellishments - then go here to see for yourself. Every detail is just so gorgeous.

Then along came Sally H with a really super card in her satchel. Fantastic background papers and the most beautiful butterfly - plus the low down on how she did the butterfly too. Go and take a peek here - isn't it just super?!

Gilly arrived next with a dual purpose card, both using snippets and for Rudolph Day - to see what she brought, it's here. I love front doors on Christmas cards - they always look so welcoming, and another one for the Christmas card pile too. And now I'm going to tell a little tale, Gilly is getting married sometime soon and, as I follow, her I spied something later this week that isn't a snippet make but you truly ought to go and see. Gilly is experimenting with paper flowers for her wedding bouquet - I loved the first flowers in this post but do go over to Gilly's here and scroll down until you see the rose she made. What do you think of that then - isn't it just stunning!? For the life of me I can't understand how Gilly doesn't have more followers - I'm certainly going to be keeping a close eye on developments in the run up to her wedding as there are bound to be loads more amazing creations.

Tammy was a bit worried about coming to play a few times this week but don't fret Tammy - we always love to see what you're up to. First was this beauty - all red and white - and using some of Tammy's fabulous buttons too.Next was a lovely ice cream (and buttons) here - I did remark that right now that delicious ice cream wouldn't melt outside over here! A 'quick make' of a robot card was held out next time Tammy came to play on the swings - if this is a quick make then I must be the world's slowest card maker! Then, yesterday when we were sort of waiting for snow, Tammy returned with a real blaze of sunshine - it made me smile and instantly feel much warmer, really bright and cheerful and you can see it here.

Sam was next, scurrying in with a make for both Rudolph Day and using snippets. In fact, I can't imagine Sam ever scurrying anywhere - as a Scottish dancer I would expect her to leap in, little feet a-twinkling and arms above her head - sheesh, I need a lie down just thinking of the amount of energy she must have! To see Sam's lovely vintage style card - go here. Lots of lovely detail and a beautiful image too Sam. And, there was a surprise visit again from Sam yesterday with this beauty of a card - fantastic image and papers, plus some fantastic colouring - well worth hopping over to have a peek! I can't see a cat wearing a big bow frightening a mouse either :)

Our next offering was from Liz - and I think she gets the 'class swot' star this week. She's only gone and cracked how to use her brayer, to see the lovely result go here. Well done Liz - a lot of us would like the know the secret! I laughed out loud when Elizabeth (I think) commented on my blog ages ago that she approaches her brayer as if it's a live grenade :)) Liz called back again with a great Christmas card - paper pieced to perfection. Those baubles look absolutely great - to see what I mean, hop over and have a look here.

Sylvia-Anne then brought a card to really bring you up with a start - lots of delicious hearts which you can see here. The card was also made for Less Is More and I can certainly see how beautifully it qualified for the challenge. What with Valentine's Day coming and also using heart shaped punches to make flowers I can see a run on these in craft stores!

Next to arrive was Carol with a super Christmas card with a Kraft card as the basis - the colours are gorgeous shades of brown and cream. I love the snowman too. Correction, on closer inspection I'm sure it's a Mrs Snowman - to decide for yourself Carol's card can be found here. I also have some serious snippets envy Carol, beautiful papers!

Sandy whizzed in from Adelaide next. Sandy's got a lot going on in her life right now and it was especially good that she found time to come and play - bringing this really lovely card with her. Another one to make you feel cheerful. Sandy's next card is a baby card - reminding me that a new baby is due that I need to make a card for - it's a super card and beautifully decorated inside and out. So glad you came by Sandy and I know we all hope things look up for you soon.

The irrepressible Mrs A hopped in next with this card using collar stiffeners and lollipop sticks! Yup, you heard right - it's a super New Home card and really is a beauty. I have to say that Mrs A is becoming Queen of the Lollipop sticks and her recent discovery of a pile of collar stiffeners has been another string to her bow. Laughing here - I hate to admit it but I do recall collar stiffeners from a long while back when long collars were all the rage for men. I managed to melt more than one by forgetting to take them out before attacking 'he who turned out to be a total waste of space and shall not be named's' shirts with an over hot iron!!

Maggie then came in to show her beautiful Anniversary card which is perfect for a Ruby Wedding celebration - to see for yourself, go here. If you love hearts, roses and butterflies then you'll just love this. I think that Maggie used some peel offs for the butterfly and some flowers. popped them onto acetate and then coloured them before trimming round them to add to the card - so, there are always lots of use for those peel offs girls! Great result.

So, that's it for another week - the swings have all been cleaned, the roundabout is oiled and if you look hard, there's a new pile of skipping ropes in the corner too:)) Ha, ha - you'll have to clear the snow away to get to anything first though :)

I have something else on my 'to do' list for this week - and that's to put a 'snippets button' on the sidebar for you to grab if you wish for your own blog (thank you Sam for the little prompt!). With luck it might appear during the week but I'll mention it at the next roll call anyhow.

It's just gone midnight so I'm going to press publish and then hop into bed - I hope that I've covered everyone's links. Please shout if I haven't :)

Mr Linky is below as usual - hope to see you again this week. I've loved hopping round seeing what you've been making, thank you all for joining in! Big hug!

Di
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Lazy Days - Water Lilies and dragonfly

2012-02-04T06:30:00.005Z

I love this stamp, which has been waiting patiently to be used, since my birthday almost 5 months ago - shame on me yet again! This stamp cataloguing business is doing me a power of good - up popped this stamp in perfect time for a challenge - Make My Monday, Nature, in which you must use butterflies and/or dragonflies this week.

Here's what I came up with, using some snippets so it was really meant to be for tomorrow but I'd miss the closing time of the challenge and a girl has to be selfish sometimes. I might have a go on the swings all alone once the playground is closed at midnight, and before it gets opened again on Sunday morning :)

Oh boy, I do so love this image - and I used some new toys here as well.

A week or so ago I bought some Flex Markers - sets I and 2 (courtesy of a small win from Ernie) as they are such lovely pastel colours with a nice 'brush action'. The jury is still out here about recommending them though, the brush pens are brilliant I have to say. The colours are truly delicate and they work fantastically with Pro Markers but, and it's a big but, I had to have 4 of the 12 markers replaced. On 3 markers the colour wouldn't come through the pointed nib end at all (just alcohol coming through) despite me scribbling - until I was blue in the face - as instructed to 'prime' the pens, even though it worked fine at the chisel end, the pointed end wasn't playing ball, and the fourth marker arrived with a split barrel. The up-side is that Joanna Sheen's customer service was amazing - and so were Letraset. Within 36 hours of me contacting JS, replacement pens arrived directly from Letraset. The sad thing is that the colours are so truly gentle - I used them for the ripples of water, the petals on the front lily and the dragonfly's wings......I totally love them when they work....... before I added Glamour Dust. Anyhow, back to the card:

I used:

- 6" x 6" white square card stock

- all other card and backing papers came from the snippets folder

- image is called 'Water Lilies' from the Joanna Sheen Favourite Flowers Collection - stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad and coloured with both Pro Markers and the more subtle Flexi Markers

- the Quickie Glue Pen and a sprinkling of Glamour Dust on the wings of the dragonfly

- white Josy Rose nail heads as a finishing touch :)

Another card, which I so loved making!

Di
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Friday Feast - Rhubarb, Orange and Stem Ginger Crumble

2012-02-03T06:30:00.001Z

This recipe was one of the photos I lost last week - but, I managed to find a free photo which is a very close illustration of how it turns out - after all, one crumble is much like another - I didn't think an image of a stick of rhubarb would be the same :)

Rhubarb, Orange and Stem Ginger Crumble

675g/1.5lb rhubarb, leaves discarded, washed and cut into pieces

Juice and zest of 1 large orange
50ml/4 tablespoons water
1 piece of stem ginger, diced into small pieces
2 tablespoons ginger syrup, from the jar of stem ginger
55g/20z sugar

For the crumble:
170g/6oz plain flour
Pinch of salt
110g/4oz butter
55g/2oz granulated sugar

Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F/ Gas Mark 6.

Put rhubarb into a heavy-based saucepan with the orange juice, zest and water. Simmer on a low heat for 15-20 minutes until soft. Strain and put rhubarb into an oven-proof dish.

Sprinkle over the stem ginger pieces and pour over the ginger syrup and sugar. Allow to cool. NB I didn't like the idea of these additions just sitting on top of quite tart rhubarb so I stirred them into the rhubarb in the dish.

Meanwhile, make the crumble mix. Sift the flour with the salt into a bowl. Rub in the butter and when the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs, mix in the sugar.

Sprinkle the crumble over the rhubarb and place the dish on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until hot and slightly browned on top.

Serve immediately.

Had a bit of a laugh at the recipe (a Prue Leith one saved from The Mail newspaper many years ago and never used until now) - it said 16 oz of flour for the topping instead of 6 oz. Not thinking, I'd weighed the flour out and then common sense kicked in when I realised I was going to be up to the elbows in flour :)) Double checked with the metric weights and sure enough, someone hadn't done their proof reading before going to print had they!?

I cooked this for friends the other weekend - just did the rhubarb stage it all cooked and in the dish to one side with the crumble mix all ready done and in a poly bag in the fridge. Once the main course was almost cooked it was just a matter of sprinkling the topping onto the rhubarb and popping it into the oven.

Ah, in case anyone wonders where I got rhubarb from right now - we had some (homegrown too) still in the freezer from last Summer. Not quite enough so I bought a big can of rhubarb and drained it well then mixed it into the cooked rhubarb before adding the ginger etc.

This was yummy with custard/ice cream - and Leonardo, the two-legged mouse, polished the remainder off when our friends went home :)

Enjoy!

Di
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Grey, red and white - just because

2012-02-02T06:59:00.002Z

I was determined to enter a card for Enfys' first challenge - the theme of which is black, red and white or grey, red and white. I saw that a few entries had used black so I plumped for grey 'just because' - I sometimes do things 'just because' :)

I took umpteen photos of this flipping card because to me the image looks 'wonky' - I even got the ruler out again to double check but it's absolutely straight. So, I'm just gonna have to live with the best I can do - this camera is likely to take a trip into space with my toe behind it before long!

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- backing paper from a Papermania Capsule Collection Mono Paper pack - which looked like lace to me so I punched one edge using a Martha Stewart deep lace edge punch

- the lovely heart stamp is by Penny Black, called 'Love Is the Message'. Shame on me, I've had this for ages and might have used it just once before :( inked it with a Brilliance Dewdrops Ink Pad called 'Pearlescent Poppy'

- the red backing card came from my stash of Core'dinations card stock

- grey ribbon from stash

- red pearls also from stash, bought in Hobbycraft

I've spotted a few challenges currently running that I'd like to enter this into, although usually I just go for one challenge at a time. They are:

Going Buggy challenge - Black or Grey plus Red and White

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Floral Frenzy
For this challenge you had to use a PB stamp and have flowers somewhere on your creation, either the image itself or the card. I hope I covered that OK :)?

Oldie but a Goodies Challenge - Have a Heart
The stamp I used is well over six months old, yikes - as well as everything else on this card!!

Allsorts Challenge - One or more Hearts

Edit: My watchful buddy Sarn has alerted me to the fact that this would also cover St. Luke's Hospice Challenge for this month which is Love and Lace

Di
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WOYWW - 139

2012-02-01T09:36:00.000Z

There's a bit of the OCD in me working here right now:

Having looked at what seems 101 ways to organise stamps, as well as watching crafters videos on the same subject until my eyes were popping out of my head, I've finally come up with a system (yay!). There are bound to be things I'll find out along the way but the beginnings are shown on my desk, as it was left late yesterday evening. File box to the rear, white cards in a little pile, heap of stamps awaiting cleaning and some already stamped cards to the right.

I wanted a system to cover several 'Really Useful' boxes of wood mounted stamps which reside stacked on shelves behind closed doors, wood mounted stamps that I think are pretty to look at which live on some small shelves where I can see them - plus a whole ton of unmounted stamps destined to be filed in binders. I can't be trusted to take the rubber off the wood blocks as some people have cleverly done without risking life and limb, plus the pictures on the stamps are often so pretty that they're almost a work of art as they are.

So, yesterday I tootled off out to Staples and bought some heavy duty punched pockets, a couple of rather smart lever arch files for starters and a box file, index cards and 200 white cards to get me going. Am also on the track of some postcard storage pockets which will hold , for example, four LOTV unmounted stamps per page in their own pockets - gonna order those later on this morning. Acetate/laminated card will also feature in lever arch files.

On my desk there's the very beginnings of Phase 1. I'm starting on the wood mounted stamps to ease into the task so every one of those will be stamped onto a piece of plain card before moving onto unmounted stamps (I'm not too worried about the images being 100% perfect as they're just for reference). On the back of each card I'll write the make and name of the stamp (in pen) and its location (in pencil so I can juggle things round whenever it suits). S= the visible shelf, B1 to whatever = the boxes (only two layers in a box thankfully), F1 to whatever = the numbered file and which page in the file.

The idea of having file card with pencilled in locations is that it forms the basis of the system and will the the first place to look for images under subject headings and their location. As stamps come and go it'll be easy to add more, remove any I don't want any longer (ha, as IF!!) and also to change their location if (for example) I find that stamps in a box can be re-organised to get the optimum 'fit' in the two layers. The boxes won't be as they are now, in a semblance of subjects, it will be done on a 'best fit' basis' as there's a lot of wasted space at the moment in them there boxes. This means I still have flexibility in the actual storage of the stamps - the same will apply to the files themselves. The index system will be the key holding it all together.

The subject index cards are alphabetical but I've just turned the whole lot of them around in one go as the backs of the coloured tabs are blank but still in bright colours and a Fine Permanent Pen is great for writing the subject on - so far I've come up with things like Babies, Flowers, Mice, Teddies - that sort of stuff. Easy to buy more index card sets of course :)

If you want a closer nosey, you'll also see a duster brush awaiting a wash and a round piece of foam beside it. The foam was used to finish off some Distress inking earlier in the week - it's also awaiting a little wash - and it came from a bottle of vitamin pills that Len opened the other day. I've got sponge daubers but I nabbed the foam and really like the gentle touch of it with DIs :)

And, anyone calling in here who plays in the Snippets Playground each week will see the gate keys propped up at the back. Jules sent them to me and they're much too pretty to drop into a drawer so they're waiting there to remind me that they'll be coming on my next outing to Hobbycraft or The Range where they will be bought their very own frame - one of those box ones with a gap between the glass and the back so that the lovely ribbon doesn't get squished and the keys can dangle from a little hook :)

And, if I didn't lose you all about 10 minutes ago - you should now hop over to see what everyone else has on their desk, floor, dining table, ironing board etc. this week over at Julia's, the Queen of WOYWW, who started all this off! Ha, ha - bet she's the only one of us with a deck chair on her desk :)

Happy WOYWW - sounds of regular thumps of inking and stamping coming from North Hampshire will just be me :)

Di
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A Tuesday Tale - collar, cuffs and crotch

2012-01-31T06:00:00.003Z

Ha! I bet that caught your attention :)

The background, for eight years or more I worked a Saturday afternoon shift in our local charity (thrift) shop, which raises much needed funds for a nearby Hospice. I was still working full time during the week at the time but it sure beat doing housework for at least a few hours of the weekends :)

I found this free image above on the internet, but I can promise you that it was very rare for any clothing to cost as much as £10!

My first day was a bit of a baptism of fire, to say the least. The 'retail manager' who oversaw the groups of shops, he was called Gary, came along to give three of us 'newbies' the low down and the rules to be followed. He was a larger than life sort of guy - with a heart of gold I later found out - but, he knew what he wanted us to do. First action, with bags of donated clothing, was to do a quick sort and check - quite often you'd open a bag and realise right away that it would only be fit for recycling. We got paid per tonne for recycled textiles, so the first sort was important to weed out the wheat from the chaff so to speak.

As a good little group of pretty innocent 'newbies' we gathered in front of Gary (yours truly at the back!) and he explained just how to check clothing and textiles over before they were priced, steamed (a job hated by everyone) and put out for sale. Curtains had to be checked for wear and tear, then measured before being put out for sale. No dirty underwear (trust me, we did get that too!), towels held up to the light for signs of light showing through - ones that didn't pass the test ended up in a big basket for doggy towels and they sold like hot cakes - were all buttons still on garments, did zips work, and so on and so forth.

Then came the real drama of the afternoon - checking men's suits. With a big flourish and a donated suit Gary demonstrated the actions 'Collar, to check there is no shine or grime, cuffs for no fraying' and then, with great drama 'Finally the crotch, which you have to sniff for no nasty smells''.

WHAT!!?? I was still standing at the back of our little group and I swear that it's the very moment I knew what was meant by a rictus grin. With a silly tight smile and eyes popping out on stalks like a frightened rabbit in the headlights of a car, I nodded dumbly, along with the other two poor little scared newbies. Then I thought, 'fight or flee?' and almost ran to my car and drove home, never to return.

But, I got cute and, once I could speak again I squeaked 'Err, so who operates the clothes steaming machine?'. Sensing an idiot, in his midst Gary took me under his wing and I soon became 'Mrs Steamer' - trust me, it had to be better than sniffing crotches!! Despite the scalds, from a rubbish machine which had a grudge against me, ANYTHING was preferable to the dreaded sniffing routine!

Sorry, hope you weren't trying to have a morning cuppa, or even worse eating your breakfast!

Bit of a change from a cocktail party at Number 11 Downing Street huh?!

More will follow :)

Di
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Less Is More - A Happy Hello

2012-01-30T07:09:00.000Z

This weeks challenge over at Less Is More is a sketch:

It has to be a rectangular card, in landscape orientation and you can't rotate the sketch - get that, I have enough problems following anything the right way up let alone twisting it round, so that's good for me!

I did toy with the idea of making a one-layer card but felt I had less chance of spoiling the result by making this:

I used:

- 5" x 7" white rectangular card stock

- strip of white card brushed over with duster brush and TH 'Spun Sugar' Distress ink

- background lettering stamped using 'Happy' from the Hero Arts 'Dictionery Greetings' stamp set and Memento 'London Fog' ink pad

- flowers stamped using a KanBan set (which just says 06 on the packet but it came from Handy Hippo just recently) and Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad then embossed using clear embossing powder

- strip of black card to mount the pink image onto - it looked too washed out without the edging of black

- 'A Happy Hello' sentiment from Pink Gem Designs stamped in Memento Black Tuxedo

- the original card had no pearl on the letter 'O' in the sentiment. When I showed it to my in-house critic he confirmed what I thought. The letter 'O' was filled in with a black centre and the result looked horribly like the word Hell - and it was his suggestion that a gem might improve it. So, I found a lovely soft pink pearl in my stash which made all the difference - thank you Len, now dubbed 'artistic director'!

In the process of making this one card the following happened:

1. I spilt the pot of clear EP - man, does that stuff travel!

2. After finishing the card and clearing up all the mess I noticed that the Dictionery stamp set also has a stamp with all the definitions of Hello too - would have been good to use both but, trust me, I was losing the will to live by then because......

3. Somehow I've lost all the images on the SD card I was using!! Most of them are either posted here or saved elsewhere. But, there are a few unsaved photos of things I've cooked ready to upload and post once I write up the recipes for future Friday Feasts! So, you might just have to starve this Friday :(

There are a couple of options - one is to use Recuva in the hope that the images can be retrieved from the SD card. That's currently doing a deep scan, fingers crossed as it has saved me before now. The other one is to quickly cook up something ready for Fridays recipe - egg and chips be OK?

Not my afternoon here yesterday for sure :(

Anyhow, I'm entering this card, which I swear has aged me by about 10 years, into the Less Is More Week 52 Challenge.

Di
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Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Challenge Number 5

2012-01-29T08:15:00.000Z

A whole bunch of you visited the playground this week - there was a 'right little flurry of activity' on Friday especially - for some reason :)

Firstly, let's get my own snippets offering over with:

It was such fun to photograph - not! So, you'll have to put up with some reflection - believe me I tried all ways to take a photo, including standing to one side madly waving camera in front of card, kneeling on the floor etc. All to no avail - and it seemed a bit OTT to dig out the mini tripod, set the camera to timer and then run away and hide.

The 'ingredients' are all from some leftovers I found whilst having a little bit of a sort out during the week, plus the snippets folder.

I used:

- 6" x 6" white square card stock

- lilac plain and patterned with silver card from leftovers that hadn't found their way into the snippets folder. These (including the sentiment) all originally came from a co-ordinating card pack from Hobbycraft

- silver mirri card and some lilac paper, used to punch a lacy strip (Martha Stewart punch used) to go across the front of the card, from snippets folder

- flower made using heart punch and snippets

- clear gems from stash

The flower was fun to make and I'm not the only one who's been doing this - if you hop over to Elizabeth's you'll see that she also made a flower using a heart shaped punch on Thursday. It's different to how I'd already made mine and really worth a look, in fact it's much prettier the way Elizabeth did it and I can foresee a run on sales of little heart shaped punches:)

For the one I made, I punched out six little hearts (the punch is about three quarters of an inch across) from lilac pearlescent card and a little circle too. I drew an embossing tool down the centre of each heart and gently folded them before sticking them to the circle, three first and then the other three in a layer on top overlapping the first three (I hope you're still with me here?). I didn't feel the flower was quite right so I added another six 'petals' using silver mirri card in the same way behind the lilac ones before sticking a larger circle of card to the back for full stability. Then one large clear gem in the centre as the finishing touch. Finished!

OK, everyone please pull up your socks, stop pulling one another's pigtails and sit quietly - it's time for this week's roll call.

Jackie was first on the swings this week with a lovely card in red, black and white - so suitable for a Wedding Anniversary or a Wedding. She used a Stampin' Up wheel to create a flowered background on her card and it's gorgeous. Like so many of us, Jackie keeps forgetting that she's got it - I bet we can all relate to that one :) To see Jackie's card go here - and isn't the image she used elegant!

Next in, hot on Jackie's tail, came Mags B with such a cute card, using a LOTV Cute Squares image. You can see her card here and I'm sure you'll agree that it's so sweet. She said that the camera hadn't picked up the stickles she'd used but I can see it fine. If you click on an image and then hit F11 the screen is filled with the image, which seems to enlarge itself - quite spooky really. Once you close the image by clicking on the cross you just need to hit F11 again to restore your toolbars - a great way to have an even closer nosey.

Our founder and Patron Jules hopped in next a really lovely card (has anyone ever seen Jules make one that isn't totally gorgeous?!) - it's here and the pink and black work so, so well together. A double offering this week and if you look further down her posting there's a Christmas card with such a happy little snowman on. You'll find the hearts easily too - I often wonder how Jules finds so many heart embellishments as well as stamps with hearts on - or did she add the little heart bauble to the snowman I wonder. Go and see to make your own mind up :)

Carol followed with a real beauty of a card, made for her Aunt's 89th birthday - there's going to be one happy lady when she sees this for sure! And, the inside of the card is also decorated for good measure - plus it's pink which is always a hit with me! I love the sketch that Carol followed too.

Next was Heidi, having had a mega-panic over the temporary loss of her blog. Her card here is totally perfect for a boy (or a chap) into drumming - and I just bet that Heidi's heart was thumping pretty loudly during the 'blog-loss crisis too'!! I did smile as Heidi 'fessed up' that she'd pinched a snippets scrap from her friend to use on this great card - it's allowed though, share nicely girls :))

Sandra H followed with a beautiful, fresh Christmas card in white, red and gold with some stunning cut outs - perfect for the Less Is More challenge that she entered it for. Sandra's card is here and it's amazing how well the tree image (salvaged from a Christmas card received last year) fits perfectly inside the 'Nesties tree cut out' - brilliant!

Next was Gilly with a card shown here. It's Gilly's first ever easel card and such a lovely combinations of pink, white and chocolate with a cheeky touch of purple, brilliant and it also looks good enought to eat. Also, check out the lovely MS border she punched - another punch on the wish list here!!

For anyone who frets about folk knowing what to do when they receive their easel card - I have a file with lovely little labels that I showed here. Ha, ha - you'll see by the 'avalanche of comments' that I hadn't had this blog very long :) If you'd like the file, or even a sheet of them printed (65 per sheet which will last you for a while surely) and popped into the post - just let me know here di_wray@hotmail.com and they will be yours ASAP - no charge, although you could be 'milk monitor' for two weeks running :)

Irene nipped in next with her gorgeous little girl card, sploshing round in the rain, here. Irene had followed the same sketch as Carol and, like Carol, had totally done it proud. It does so remind me of the sentiment which goes something like 'anyone who only likes sunshine has never danced in the rain' - and the lovely fresh colours that Irene used are just perfect.

With a stunning card complete with a tassel for Chinese New Year, Beryl was next with this black and gold beauty here. I doubt if any of us have missed the fact that it's the year of the Dragon now - and Beryl really cracked it - one of those cards that makes you go 'Wow!' I love it.

Which reminds me of a comment that Jo (aka Twiglet) left on my blog during the week, too funny not to share :)

"I heard Ken Bruce say....lady didn't know which to celebrate - Chinese New Year or Burns Night - so she combined them and gave hubby a Chinese Burn!!!"

Hazel visited three times this week - her first jaunt into the playground was with a great Christmas card in vibrant pinks, white and black and it works so well. Another really cute snowman image (I just got dizzy hopping back and forward between this one made by Hazel here and the one Jules used - they are different ones) - with a super little blingy star embellishment as the finishing touch. Hazel's next card is here - for several challenges, one of which is the 'Willow challenge', making three of you this week following that sketch. Don't those purples look terrific?! Her last visit was made clutching this - sort of 'gentle steam punk' - and perfect for the man in your life. I'm still amazed at the productivity of Hazel! No way could I keep up with her, else we'd starve and be living in a house a bit like Miss Faversham's!

Next was The Crafty Elf, with a gorgeous white on white card which is here. Our elfin friend is in the throes of decorating right now so it's great that she found the time to make a card as lovely as this one and come into the playground for a little play with us this week. White on white is just so beautiful - and becoming very 'on trend' at the moment. See, I know some of the right expressions :))

Karen tootled in to play next with such a bright and cheerful card - as with a few of you, made to cover another challenge which she totally nailed! The criteria for the challenge was a real mix 1) Bunting, banners, pennants and/or flags. 2) Stripes and spots combined. 3) Use aqua and red. You could wonder how on earth this would all work - but it does, and brilliantly! To see Karen's card and just what I mean go here.

Hettie (aka Sam) arrived next, kick starting a little flurry of activity. Our buddy Sarn has a Rudolph Day Challenge running right now (if you're really quick you could catch it as it runs until 31st January, and there's a small prize for the winner of a random draw too) - and Sam brought a couple of great Christmas cards. Sam's been a really good girl this week as well, I'm a bit worried 'cos we all know that when things are too quiet, trouble could be brewing :) Anyhow, here's Sam's cards - I love both of them, although the carol singing chickens with their very own lamp post are probably my favourite. I wonder what Tim Holtz would make of his lamp posts being used to embellish 'chooks singing carols' cards - very clever touch. Sam nipped back in on Burns Night with a further two Christmas cards here, those lovely chickens again, plus a great card with birds on and a photo of her pet haggis :) I did begin to think that things were livening up in the playground at that point!

Next came Linby with a delightfully fresh card using Spring colours and full of butterflies and flowers, shown here. Super use of snippets by Linby and the background worked great too, despite her misgivings. Housework was calling at the time so it was a real sacrifice for her to drop the vacuum cleaner and dusters in order to make up her lovely card - so glad you did Linby, great result!

Sally M arrived with a really striking card, using 'rounded tiles' (for want of a better description) of papers in a lovely co-ordinating range of colours and patterns - all snippets too. To see the result go here, a couple of small butterflies and a sentiment completed a perfect way to use up snippets - I bet a few of us will be following this idea Sally.

Then with something really different for a baby card - along came Andria. Wow what a stunner! I have this little LOTV stamp here ready for its first inking up - but would be playing safe probably. However, I'm now really torn and might go bold as I adore what Andria did, totally different and it works brilliantly. I'm saying no more - to find out go here and see what I'm raving on about!

Tammy visited us twice this week - firstly with a delightful 'shabby chic' birthday card shown here. I got so excited about this card I let Tammy have three goes on the swings - love the pink, white, cream, silver and blue here - all perfect colours for 'shabby'. Tammy's next visit was with a great Valentine's Day card which you can see here - red, pink and white are a lovely combination of colours. Running this challenge means I get to hop round a lot of blogs - have any of you noticed the fantastic buttons that Tammy often displays with her cards? Some serious button envy going on here Tammy!

We had two visits from Bernie this week - and you'll be pleased to know she isn't awaiting bail after hammering the snow plough driver over the head with her shovel. Things calmed down so she let him carry on playing at covering her freshly cleared drive with snow after all :) Bernie's first card is here - and it's a very special card, made for her daughter but also with a lot of loving memories of her grand daughter Shanna, who sadly died very young. Do go and see the absolutely beautiful card that Bernie made - I won't spoil it for you but I just know you'll realise that a whole load of love went into the making of it. So, so pretty. Bernie's next visit was with a stunning Valentine's Day card in pink, black and white, shown here. Do go and see her card, but also read her whole posting about the 'lost die' - I got into bed in the early hours of yesterday still shaking with laughter :))

Next, along came Maggie. Like many crafters, Maggie is full of different ideas and always lets us into the secrets of how she does things - this week she brought a really striking Christmas card with her - shown here. It's stunning in its simplicity - yet, to achieve a look like that can take a whole load more planning than you'd think. Great Maggie!

Mrs A trotted into the playground next. She'd been using lollipop sticks and came up with this great card - super idea for a fence Mrs A! There's also a little game which Mrs A began recently on her cards to spot the little shrink plastic heart shaped button on her makes. A bit like 'Where's Wally' for crafters!

Next , running into the playground, flushed from running her Rudolph Day challenge, came Sarn with this beautiful card. The white and lilac, with just touches of brown for the teddy and where he's 'stood standing' make for such a fresh look. With Valentine's Day fast approaching, who couldn't fail to love such a cute image and the look of hope and almost sheepishness on the teddy's face. Aw - just perfect Sarn!

Elizabeth arrived next with a really gorgeous card, with a real vintage feel about it. You can see it here - all beautiful pinks and greens. A lot of work went into this card which Elizabeth made before becoming unwell so it had to wait for her to bring it to 'show and tell' in the playground this week . Hopefully you're up and running properly again now Elizabeth - mind you, if you're well enough to tackle dusting I guess you must be recovered. Err, or maybe not, you might still have a fever - 'crafting forever, housework whenever!!' Good to see you back :)

Then Liz came along with guess what, a white on white card! Oh wow, I totally adore this style of card and it's also a special card for her Mother's 90th Birthday next week. I've seen a few white on white cards recently, as I already said, and yet no two are the same, each one is really stunning - to go and see what Liz made for her Mum, go here, it's really beautiful. Happy Birthday from the playground playmates to your Mum Liz - hope she has a great day :)

Then last, but by no means least, Brenda nipped in with this lovely card. Beautiful and so right for this weeks Less Is More challenge. I can see the subtle meaning of Brenda's combination of a music background, teeny little butterflies and the sentiment 'Let The World Hear Your Song' - love it! Plus, the playground was empty when Brenda nipped in, so it must have been very quiet - we'd all gone home and were sitting up nicely at the table having tea before watching an hour's children's TV :)

So, that's this week's roll call. As usual, I hope I included everyone and it's been a total delight to see what you've been making with your snippets - everyone can now have a double turn on the swings! The gates are open again.

I have to say, that due to keeping up with the snippets posts that you link in and making sure I always hop in ASAP to comment, as well as trying to write up the roll call and perhaps make a few cards of my own - I might not always get round to comment on your other postings. I do truly try really hard but am sure I must miss some. It doesn't mean I haven't been in for a peek and am always stunned at the lovely 'non-snippets' work you all produce. So much talent playing in our playground!

Mr Linky is below as always - trends may come and trends may go, but there's always going to be a million and one uses for your snippets!

Di
x

Friends are special treasures

2012-01-28T00:13:00.000Z

Ah, I just love this sentiment set - by Hero Arts - spotted on Sandra's blog and it has so many terrific sentiments it's a great favourite here now. Apart from the time making the roses and leaves, this was a quick and easy card to put together, all things considered:

Firstly, I got the idea a good while ago from Bernie's blog for using the wispy feather - and the ribbon/lace/mesh stuff pinched together in the middle is an idea I got from Jules blog. Hmm, with the sentiment as an idea from Sandra - oops, plus the roses from Jules blog and also Sandra's - I ain't coming up with much originality in the components today - but I did pick the colours, design and stuck it all together all on my lonesome :))

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- grey Core'dinations card for the background

- white 'lace' from stash (Hobbycraft) stuck across the grey backing card and tied in the centre with a piece of white cotton before sticking it onto the white card

- white marabou feather and little pearl stems from stash - both from Hobbycraft

- green leaves die cut and embossed using Marianne Creatables 'Roses' die set. The roses were also cut, using dies from the same set and pink two-tone marbled paper

- sentiment from the 'Live Life' stamp set by Hero Arts, stamped using Versacolor 'White' ink pad and then embossed using white embossing powder

Have to admit, I approached the Marianne roses with a lot of trepidation (eeek, a big word) as so many people had struggled with them. I need more practise to be able to wind them into shape properly but I did find a great tutorial which helped oodles, once again on Jules blog - here's the link. I found it's not easy to wind them all to the same tension if that makes sense, even using a cocktail stick, but hey - roses aren't always uniform anyhow as folk have said. I used Crafter's Pick Incredibly Tacky glue for the first time and it's great stuff.

I'm entering this into the current Make My Monday Challenge 'Flowers and Leaves'.

Hope you're having a super start to the weekend! The playground closes at midnight and I'll be back tomorrow with the week's roll call and the weekly jangling of the keys to reopen the gates :)

Di
x

Friday Feast - Chunky carrot, saffron and coriander soup

2012-01-27T06:30:00.002Z

Hey, ho - I can already hear the patter of feet running in the opposite direction as coriander isn't to everyone's taste - no names mentioned. But, I guess you could leave the coriander out :)

1.2kg large carrots, trimmed and peeled
3 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
1 litre chicken or vegetable stock
60g unsalted butter, diced
pinch saffron filaments (about 30)
1 heaped teaspoonful sea salt (I left this out altogether)
1 heaped teaspoonful caster sugar
150g crème fraîche
6 tablespoonfuls chopped coriander, plus extra to serve

Quarter the carrots lengthwise and slice them finely (you can do this with the slicing attachment of a food processor). Place in a large pan with the shallots, 200ml of the stock, the butter, saffron, salt and sugar.

Give everything a stir, bring to a simmer then cover and cook over a medium heat for 8 minutes. Stir again, turn the heat up and cook uncovered for 8-12 minutes, stirring towards the end, until all the stock evaporates and the carrots are meltingly tender and glossy, coated in a buttery emulsion.

Add the remaining stock and the crème fraîche and bring to the boil, then stir in the chopped coriander and season with more salt if necessary. Serve the soup in shallow bowls with the carrots piled in the centre and scatter over a little more coriander.

Serve with fresh crusty bread - yummy!

Things I might change. The recipe uses a fair amount of butter so you could reduce it probably, just so long as the carrots don't burn.Also, I think because I left the salt out, the result was sweeter than when I used to make this with salt in so I think you could reduce the sugar to a level teaspoonful. Or you could try a carrot for sweetness like Bugs Bunny (What's up Doc?) before deciding on the sugar quantity - or, I guess add the salt.

Enjoy!

Di
x

Rudolph Day - January 2012

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000Z

Every 25th of the month is Rudolph Day and your chance to make a Christmas card ready for next Christmas - more if you wish! More details at the end of this posting. I almost got caught out so rustled up three cards all the same yesterday:

Whilst tidying in here, making some room to craft without having to kneel on the floor, I found some stash that I hadn't put away from before Christmas so used that. Rubbish photo - by the time I'd finished the light was going :(

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card

- image and backing papers from the Forever Friends Timeless paper pack (bought in Hobbycraft)

- pearlised mink and white card - also from Hobbycraft - for the backings

- sentiment from Craftwork Cards

- snowflakes from a pack made by KanBan

- a teensy little diamante gem at the top of the Christmas tree in front of the cottage - from a pack of nail art gems bought in the local Pound Shop ages ago (not for my nails either - I wondered if they'd come in handy one day for crafting)

Why not join in the fun, make a Christmas card and hop over to Sandra's blog, Stamping For Pleasure to see what she made and also to link in 'cos there's a prize too :))

Have fun!

Di
x

WOYWW - 138

2012-01-25T09:28:00.000Z

Just as I left it yesterday afternoon - nothing much going on, just a heap of stuff to put away before allowing those itchy fingers to do anything more in here today else I could end up buried in stash. Huh, it's not impossible sometimes either!

The usual cup of black coffee to kick-start the day. Cleaned rocker blocks and duster brushes, anti-static bag 'cos I've been embossing (a rare event for me but am getting more into it), white ink pad and embossing powder, box of bits, feathers, pearls and and papers. Plus a Marianne Creatables 'Rose' die. The 'rejects' are to the back right - in pink of course:) but I was amazed at how reasonably I managed after hearing other opinions. Mind you - the results do very a LOT in size 'cos I need to work on winding in a consistent way :( At least the glue gun wasn't brought out - I used Crafter's Pick Incredibly Tacky glue as recommended by Bev Rochester and it works a treat - so no burnt fingers!

It's Rudolph Day today (25th of the month and time to make a Christmas card) so, as soon as this mess is put away, out will come some Christmas stash (eek!) - in between hopping round to see what everyone else is up to on their desk, dining table, floor or wherever. To join in - follow me on this link over to Julia's - bring a cup of coffee and maybe even a sandwich 'cos you could be some time :)

Happy WOYWW - whatever you're up to!

A Tuesday Tale - a cocktail party

2012-01-24T09:12:00.000Z

A lot of years ago, whilst working in London, I ~~wangled, obtained,~~ received an invitation to a pre-Christmas cocktail party at Number 11 Downing Street. For overseas friends, this isn't the Prime Minister's London home, it's right next door to Number 10 though and is normally occupied by his 'mate' the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I had no-one to take as an escort so I asked a work colleague (who I secretly liked, a LOT) if he would accompany me. We were both single at the time and whoop, whoop, he agreed - not in a huge rush of enthusiasm I should say. I think it was more because I was a bit like Cinderella who wanted so badly to go to the ball - or perhaps Bridget Jones who always lands in a pickle.

Our office was within easy walking distance and on the designated evening we worked late then I changed into a dark 'cocktail party suitable' dress and we left the office and wandered up to the venue - err, my escort strolled and I tottered (on impossibly high heels). Straight in through the gates to Downing Street and then into No. 11 - well, after almost being strip searched.

I do remember thinking they could do with a new stair carpet as we went up the stairs, the walls of which were lined with caricatures of past Chancellors. The reception room where the cocktail party was being held was very grand and, without giving any secrets away, I doubt if I'll ever stand right beside a Gainsborough again with a glass of I forget what in one hand and a sausage roll in the other! The nibbles were delicious and, not having had an evening meal I did feel a bit peckish - in between circulating and socialising I managed to at least stop the tummy rumbling!

My escort had also been circulating but he arrived back at my side and said 'Can I have a quiet word' - ooer, I went all weak at the knees thinking that he was about to say something rather nice/how much he liked me/compliment my outfit or maybe even ask me on a date!! All ears, I coyly tilted my head to one side, he bent forward and whispered these magical words in my ear..........'I think you'd probably want to know this - you've got flaky pastry crumbs all over your front'!!

Right there and then my glass coach turned back into a pumpkin :( But on hindsight it was probably better that I had the chance to brush the offending crumbs away - a bit like getting home after a dinner party, looking in the mirror and seeing a wedge of bright green spinach between your two front teeth!

Oh, I almost forgot to say - my escort from that evening is currently having his morning shave - yup, it was Len. So things did all turn romantic - eventually :))

Di
x

A little birdie told me...........

2012-01-23T06:13:00.002Z

After yesterday's marathon post, this one should be pretty quick to write :) With little time to craft, and more time spent on writing, I came up with a quick card when the urge to stamp became too much:

Yet another 'inking for the first time' - this set was one I came across during the big ferret round looking for a suitable stamp for the previous Less Is More challenge of 'Birds'. It lost out when I decided to use another stamp so I thought it should have a little outing anyhow!

I used:

- 5" x 5" white square card stock

- stamps from the 'You're so Tweet' Personal Impressions set designed by Marion Emberson - inked using 'Rich Cocoa' and 'Ivy' Brilliance ink pads

- Josy Rose red heart nail head

Kept it simple, job done!

Di
x

Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Challenge Number 4

2012-01-22T07:44:00.001Z

In the words of Victor Meldrew 'I don't belieeeeeve it'!! Another fantastic turnout in the playground this week, including a few new visitors (welcome!) - and some stunning use of snippets needless to say.

Firstly, here's my snippets make for this week - I made it on Thursday as I knew writing this post would most likely be a last minute flurry of activity:

Yet another stamp set I've had for ages was inked up for the first time (shame on me) and I even got my small 'to be kept just for use on paper' sewing machine out in honour of the occasion :)

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- image and sentiment by Lawn Fawn from their 'Sew Lovely' stamps set. I think I was so desperate to get my paws on this I got it from the USA but I just bet it's available over here now! I stamped the main image, did a little bit of Pro Marker colouring and then paper pieced the dress

- all backing papers from the snippets folder - stitched round as well :)

- the blue Core'dinations card came from a fresh 6" x 6" sheet, trimmed and punched round using a Martha Stewart Punch Around The Page 'lace' set

- baby blue organza ribbon from stash with a double bow using the bow maker, a white pearl button from the button tin and some embroidery thread. The little scissors charm also came from my stash

- Josy Rose shiny silver nail heads

Edit: I just spotted that the current challenge over at The Allsorts Challenge is 'Needles and Pins' so I'm entering this card :)

Right ladies (and some big kids too) let's get onto the all-important roll call for this past week.

Clattering the handle of the gate as I opened up the playground this week was Carol with this lovely Christmas Card. Carol made the card primarily for another challenge with the theme of 'think thin' - great idea for saving postage this coming Christmas. Her offering is a lovely Winter Wonderland scene that has a really ethereal quality about it - see, I can still do big words :)

Next into the playground came Zahreen clutching a whole load of stunning butterflies which adorned a set of thank you cards. Fresh and clean cards, each with such bright butterflies cut from snippets, really gorgeous - you can see them here. There must have been a lot of presents to say thank you for :)

Sarn hopped in next with a terrific Kenny K card with a little bit of 'attitude' about the lovely image. Huh, as Sarn had already pointed out to me that the two potential 'troubles' in the playground were in 'her gang' - this little lady on Sarn's card here certainly could be a ringleader, complete with that look of innocence! And the background snippet that Sarn used is just great - certainly a perfect card for a teenager.

Next came Gilly with an absolute cutie. The papers and flower on her card, here, totally echo that adorable hedgie image (called Hobble and Cuddle by Penny Black) - pinks and greens going together so brilliantly - perfick! Gilly says she couldn't recall where her snippets came from - I bet most of us are like that, I'm certainly not into writing names of papers on the backs of snippets when they get piled into a basket waiting for their 'every few days sort out and file into colours session'.

Then Maggie arrived with a super 'I'm getting ready early this year, so there' Christmas card which you can see here. The original challenge that Maggie made it for was 'black, white and red' - and it's really great, the tree is soooo elegant! As I write up the roll call, obviously I hop to and from your blogs - while I was in Maggie's blog just now I heard a plaintive 'miaow' and it took me a while to realise it's from a widget on the left hand sidebar of her blog. Oh dear I've just spent five minutes here playing with a 'virtual cat' - it's worth a look while you're checking out Maggie's card!

Jules had been rummaging in the brown snippets drawer (yup, she even has drawers for her different coloured snippets!) for her papers used on this stunner here. And just the tiniest touch of blue/turquoise sets it off so well. It's another of those cards that makes you gasp and feel like hanging up your scissors and double sided tape for good - totally elegant! Jules has been keeping an eye on proceedings in the playground (thank you!) and also helped me with how to put an expiry date on Mr Linky, yay!

Hey ho, next into the playground came Hettie (aka Sam) - with a layout shown here . Would you believe that such a terror could look so cute as a little girl sitting in a mountain of ballroom dancing tulle, 'tweeting' and pretending to be a bird in a nest? Absolutely adorable photo and I almost forgot - Sam's layout is terrific too, do go and have a smile at such cuteness!! Sam came back a bit later in the week with a lovely card featuring a lovely House Mouse image - here - I'm still wondering how on earth such a little mouse would possibly lick one of those stamps :)

Laura then arrived, with such a cute Valentine's Day card featuring 'Boofles', here. Quite apart from the fantastic image the background paper is stunning, perfect for a Valentine card. Our Laura amazes me by managing to study, work long shifts and also find time for crafting - the energy of the young maybe! She's training to be a children's nurse and deserves a big round of applause for her dedication!

Then Lynn came along with a card, using paper piecing which is so clean, fresh and simply stunning at the same time. Lynn printed wording over her snippet of background paper (neat idea) and stamped on the inside of the card too - with such great results. I did find out the name of the stamp she used, it's Penny Black's 'Whispers' (thanks Lynn!) - to see what I mean, go here to see. Oh dear, another stamp on the wish list :(

Liz was next with an 85th birthday card - made using her Robo, and of course using up snippets. You can see it here - it's very elegant and uses some great blue papers. I've noticed that a few of us are using blues this week. Then, later on Liz popped in again with this little beauty here. Some terrific colour co-ordination going on here and such a cute image too. Super stuff Liz!

Next into the playground came Irene with a beautiful 'vintage floral' card using a great Penny Black Stickeroo stamp - you can see it here. Irene didn't say how she coloured the stamp but the result is terrific - I'm wondering if Aqua Markers would be good to use on a couple of similar stamps here which are waiting to be inked up? Irene's next card here used a stamp that I think she's had since 1997 - and this was its first outing!! Is that a record? Just look at how the embossing and the BP go together so well too.

Mrs A then arrived, with this beautiful card. All white and pinks, really fresh - with some pin pricking to add even more interest. You know what, I have no idea what Mrs A's first name is - but she is queen of the funny comment! This week she commented that she 'resisted hopping over the fence and had walked into the playground, in a straight line at that' :) We should be doubly impressed with Mrs A's work too - for what seems like ages now her right wrist has been in a splint (hairline fracture - ouch!). Get well soon chick!

Then Elizabeth arrived, and I quote 'I think this has got to be a personal first, a snippet card made directly after a project has been completed, so the leftover paper never even made it on to the snippet mountain :)'. And what a stunner she made too - Elizabeth is one of those people who also decorates the inside and back of her cards, go here to see her really pretty card. I struggle to even do normal inserts for my cards once the front is finished so this is 'uber-impressive'!!

Brenda was next, and she didn't even hop over the fence this week, although she did threaten to pull my hair later in the week for a minor offence :) Brenda's lovely card, stunning in its simplicity and such a clever idea, can be seen here. Butterflies are so popular at the moment, and it's interesting to see how a card with butterflies can look so modern. Fabulous!

The gentle Sandra H arrived in the playground next - I think she could be a peace maker if riots ever break out - with this little beauty. Sandra used an adorable House Mouse stamp for her image and the card is monochromatic - it works brilliantly too! I truly wondered if the laces were an addition to the card rather than coloured - to see what I mean you'll have to go and peek for yourself :)

Hazel's first visit of the week was to show a stunning card, in red hot pinks here. I have to say that Hazel is one prolific card maker and she hopped back with more cards during the week, all great too, each time she had a quick spin on the roundabout and then raced off back to her craft room! You can see Hazel's other cards here perfect for someone who plays bowls, here - and at first I thought the jewels were real, here (fabulous purples) and here (a very clever, retro-style, retirement card).

Tammy's first visit was to show her combination of pink and yellow on a great Valentine's Day card - here. And, I just spotted that it made the top three at Simply Stampin' - well done Tammy, and well deserved too. Then really hot pink was the main colour on her next card - great image with a perfect sentiment! To see what I mean, go here :) Tammy's final offering is here - terrific, 24 butterflies punched out for one card with a super result - three lovely cards.

Next came Heidi with such a cute card here - I love the image and those lovely flowers and leaves punched using snippets. Such patience - but it really paid off and reminded me that Spring isn't really that far off! Great stuff Heidi.

Bernie arrived next with this beauty. All pinks and, as always, so very pretty - and Bernie has a great little tip for when you're punching smaller scraps - go and see for yourself. Snow was beginning to fall where she lives in the USA and, when Bernie next trotted back in, more had fallen and she was ready to kill the snow plough driver who seemed to be waiting round the corner every time she finished clearing her drive just so he could come by again and spray snow all over her hard work :) Her stunning 'pocket card' can be seen here, it's truly gorgeous - and her posting was so funny that I cried with laughter. I now need to do the same - ie. make a pocket card, not lie in wait for the snow plough chap with my snow shovel ready to beat him into submission :)

Linby then came to visit with a beautiful 'patchwork' style card - here - made for a quilting friend. A very clever idea and I just bet her friend will be delighted! And, Linby also revealed that she keeps the snippets left over from her snippets - I bet loads of us also do that and it made me wonder how small can snippets become before we eventually have a sort out?

Next in was Jackie, apologising that it was her first make of the week, here. Lots of lovely layers and her card blank was from Lakeland when they used to sell card making supplies, a shame they stopped as they had some good ideas! On her first visit Jackie had a go on the swings, this time it was the slide with a great pink and white card here. Really interesting to see the snippets before she'd attacked them too! Not content, Jackie also wanted a go on the roundabout - so she hopped back in with this super album for a friend. I gasped when I saw it 'cos it did remind me of my own snippets offering this week - too late to change it now, it's late Saturday already and no more crafting time available :(

Andria arrived next with a Christmas card - I love it! So crisp and clean, just great - you can see it here. The embossing sets it off beautifully I think - and Forever Friends images are always so great! Really lovely card Andria.

Mags B was next to arrive clutching a really beautiful Winter birthday card, using a Miss Anya image, fabulous colouring, papers and some delicious flowers - and of course using snippets :) It all works so well together and is quite something. To see her lovely creation go here - I love it!

Our next playmate was Princess Judy - I think she really should be called Priceless Judy, her blog is very funny and always makes me smile! Judy came bearing these two snippets beauties - here - in primarily black, red and white - certainly the second one would be great for this challenge, a new one being run by Enfys of Going Buggy. The theme this month is red, white and black or grey. Picking up on a little outbreak of rebellion in the playground, Judy seemed disappointed that I expected the playmates to 'Play Well With Others' :)

So, that's the roll call for this week - I hope no-one has been left out, I've done a check and double check but mistakes can happen when I'm around!

Thank you for all the fun (and some angst, which I must admit had me crying - with laughter - at times). Hope to see you again this next week. Usual drill, the playground will close at midnight on Saturday - so no tunnelling under the fence :)

Have a great week and keep snippeting!

Di
x

Mariposa papers.........

2012-01-21T06:34:00.002Z

.....are delicious, lots of butterflies too! They're really tactile papers with quite a lot of 'flittering' and I've had an 8" square pad of them waiting to be used for months and months. So, another one to tick off the list of 'first uses'! As the papers are really more for scrap booking I suspect, there was some pondering here until I spotted, also in the 'to use' basket, a lovely pack of K and Company chipboard embellishments sent to me by Bernie and this is what I came up with:

I used:

- A4 sheet of mottled beige card scored and folded to A5 for the card base

- yellow card from stash for the base layer backing

- page from The Mariposa pack by DCWV - measured and trimmed before I set about making the card

- sentiment stamped with Thyme Brilliance ink pad using a stamp from the Hero Arts 'Live Life' sentiments set

- two embellishments from the embellies set I mentioned above - the butterfly is actually stuck over a much smaller butterfly already printed on the paper and the dragonfly was put there because the butterfly looked a bit lonely :). I did carefully remove the turquoise diamantes from the butterfly's wings and replace them with gold ones

That's it - short and sweet today, and a quick make as well.

Tomorrow is roll call day in the snippets playground so I'm beavering away on that posting at the moment!

Have a super weekend, whatever you have planned. We're having friends for dinner on Sunday evening - err, let's re-phrase that - friends are coming for dinner on Sunday evening :)) Don't worry, we don't have any cats living here, their meal will be safe! So today will see me whizzing round flicking a duster and so on, unless I give them dark glasses when they arrive!

Friday Feast - Sultana and Almond Loaf

2012-01-20T08:20:00.000Z

Surprise this week - not a savoury dish! We have a two-legged mouse in this house (I'll call him 'Leonardo') who is partial to cake - although I don't bake really regularly as Leonardo can't leave baked goodies alone :) But, earlier this week, on a dull and quite cold day, I decided that we needed the smell of home baking wafting around the house. Some kind bloggy friend did remark that she thought you baked to eat the results, not for the smell - err, good point there:)

Sultana and Almond Loaf

175g butter, softened
100g caster sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
2 medium eggs, beaten
100g sultanas
100g chopped or flaked almonds
200g self-raising flour, sifted
100ml semi-skimmed milk
Juice of half a lemon

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees, Gas Mark 4.

Grease a 12 x 22cm (2lb) loaf tin and line with parchment paper.

Cream the butter, sugar and lemon zest together until fluffy. Gradually add the eggs. Stir in the sultanas and half the almonds. Fold in the sifted flour.

Pour in the milk and lemon juice, stirring gently until a dropping consistency is achieved. Spoon the mixture into the tin and smooth with a wet spoon.

Top with the remaining almonds and bake in the oven for 50 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

Allow to cool in the tin slightly then turn out onto a cooling rack and remove paper. This is also delicious served with custard or creme fraiche.

Things I do: even though I use non-stick bake ware I would still line the tin for this recipe, mostly as it makes for less washing up. Lakeland Limited sell some loaf tin liners in both 1lb and 2lb sizes, amongst all sort of other cake tin liners and they're great. They come in packs of 40 and I expect other places also sell them.

This is the first time I'd come across the tip to smooth the top of a cake with a wet (metal) spoon, and it worked a treat! Where have I been all this time?

I used large eggs and fully skimmed milk 'cos that's what was to hand. It's the first time I've tried this particular recipe and another time I might change it slightly. A few more sultanas might be good and I'd put more of the almonds actually into the mixture (two thirds to three quarters, reserving the rest for the top. You can see from the photo how the top of the loaf is quite loaded with half the almonds.

I also hide the thing in a secret place if it isn't to disappear in double quick time - but I can't tell you where, just in case Leonardo hops in here for a look :)

Enjoy!

Di
x

Secret Garden Peeker

2012-01-19T07:20:00.002Z

Some of you will remember during last Summer, we discovered Misty, our neighbours cat, peeking at us from her perch on a compost bin through a little gap in the fence if we were sitting out in the garden. That led to much hilarity and me going and peering back at her when she was having a right old nosey :)

Bernie then tipped me off about the stamp I've used for today's card. It's designed by Elisabeth Bell (stocked by Quixotic Paperie in the UK) so I immediately sent off for it last August - shame on me I then popped it into my 'to use' basket. On Tuesday I finally inked it up and everything to make the card was lying on the desk all ready for action on WOYWW - so I finally made a card:

Not content with inking up a gorgeous stamp for the first time, I also followed a challenge that I wanted to enter. It's the current Elisabeth Bell Challenge where the theme is Tic, Tac, Toe - meaning you have to choose three items to add to your card from a grid. Eeek, this was getting trickier by the minute! I dithered, as usual, before choosing flowers, lace and pearls, possibly as usual too :).

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- backing paper from the Prima 'Annalee' pack (sent to me by Dee) and baby pink Core'dinations card

- SCACD 'Secret Garden Peeker' stamp designed by the so-talented Elisabeth Bell. Sky and ground coloured with TH Distress Inks then coloured with Pro Markers and die cut with a Nestie. I cut the backing card following Sandra's tips for cutting a narrower border, which you can see here.

Edit: a Snippet Playground Pal (Brenda of Butlers Abroad) has pointed out to me that she'd posted this idea on her blog before Sarn's posting, and I'd commented about it too. Help - between a rock and a hard place here - the pair of them terrify me as it is with their unruliness, plus they're in the same gang - all I need is Sam to pitch in and I'm done for :(

Sorry Brenda, quite right - I have offered you my Playtime Break little bottle of milk in recompense. Don't worry, I hate the stuff anyway :)

- flowers from stash - and I'm pretty sure at least some of the flowers also came from Dee :)

- pearls and white lace were snipped from a large 'Say It In Pearls' embellishment made by Prima that's been glaring at me from the 'use me' basket

- really well hidden there's also some pink edged lace and a little bit of pink gingham ribbon which I used to cover the fact that there are two lengths of the pink ribbon laid back to back with straight sides together right across the card. Originally I'd tied a bow with the ribbon but decided it wasn't right

- finally, the sentiment, which says 'Hello You' appropriately enough, is from Craftwork cards

I can see this stamp being trotted out a lot more here - it was a delight to use. Another time I'm gonna keep it simpler though :)

As if all that wasn't enough - in the process of adding the flowers I also managed to burn the end of a finger with the glue gun:(

WOYWW - 137

2012-01-18T08:03:00.000Z

OK, so who stole this past week huh, huh?! Own up right now!! Yikes, it's Wednesday again and time to show and tell!

This was my desk yesterday early afternoon. It's too dark early mornings at this time of year to take a photo so I kind of cheated and took the photo as I left the room to go and start some chores:) Recently a friend said in an email that they do their chores in the mornings before they do their crafting in the afternoon. That's commendable and probably the way it should be, but this room faces (waves finger in the air whilst calculating) South East so my best chance of decent natural light in the darker months is during the morning - good excuse eh?!

So, what's going on here? Well, I'm all poised to begin colouring an image today - had the stamp since last Summer and it's well overdue for an initial outing. It's called Secret Garden Peeker, by Elisabeth Bell and I totally love it. Sometimes I do get very jumpy about using a special stamp for the first time lest I spoil the stamping or colouring - how stoooopid is that, it can be used over and over again, the whole point of stamping!

The stamped image has also been stamped onto Magi-film, then a mask made to protect the main image before doing the clouds using TH Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, a duster brush and a 'cloud template' - previous postings cover how to do this here and here.

The rest of the stash lying there comprises papers and trimmings to use plus a selection of flowers so there's at least a fighting chance of matching the Pro Markers for colouring the image to everything else. At that point I walked away and left things until today - although I took the cup of coffee with me :)

And to the right - drum roll please - you can actually see a patch of uncluttered desk. Still got the green basket of unused stash at the back but even that is less packed :))

To see what everyone else is up to on WOYWW and for some good old nosing at workspaces - go here to Julia's. It could be even more fun this week - she's looking for a new WOYWW logo! I've already stated that I don't care if the logo is a pair of old knickers fluttering from a flagpole, so long as WOYWW continues - although I do have a favourite from the new logos on offer :)) Oh no, the shame of it, I just went to get the link from Julia's blog and she picked up on my knickers comment - detention for me if not careful - grin!!

Go and see - and have fun! I'll be doing a mix of blog hopping and working on that card today. Cracks knuckles and vows not to get into too much mischief today!

A Tuesday Tale - party time!

2012-01-17T09:01:00.000Z

Many, many years ago as a female programmer in my 20's I ended up in the position of maintaining a whole load of computer programs single handed. Apparently I was 'the only one left with the skills' - whilst everyone else retrained in newer programming languages and all new joiners also went on to developing new work. Obviously with things moving on apace I could see myself being left behind and, even more worrying, I became aware that others were galloping up the pay scales whilst I was just plodding on like the proverbial donkey. It really was hard to struggle on alone when others seemed to have time to mess around while I was constantly down in the old computer room twiddling dials and begging the wretched machines to behave for me. I ended up with a diary (that only I knew about) full of all the oddities and how to work round them which, over the period of a whole year's cycle of daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly runs of programs became invaluable. Eventually, I bit the bullet and had a meeting (with one of the most unpleasant managers I've ever known - we'll call him Gordon) to ask if I could be given a mix of work and also to point out the discrepancy in salaries. Ha, talk about a waste of time - he actually sneered and said 'Well, just see if you can find another job then'.

Talk about throwing down the gauntlet - I went off and did exactly that! It took a while to get right through the selection process but how sweet it was to hand that guy my resignation. Talk about a panic! On the day I left, I handed over my precious diary to help them out - only to have Gordon almost throw my leaving gifts at me in front of everyone at the traditional farewell ceremony and say 'Just see if the grass is really greener on the other side of the fence'. He was hateful - and more so because I'd quietly won!

Which brings me to today's little tale - they do say that revenge is a dish best eaten cold. Another friend left that place a little while after me, to have her first baby - and decided to have a big party for everyone at her house. Her leaving hadn't been all smooth either but she wanted to have a party anyhow. We spent most of the Saturday sorting things out and preparing a 'finger buffet'. At about 5pm we'd just buttered a load of halved bread rolls when Sandie said 'Oh, let's have a break then come back and put the toppings on later'.

We were only out of the kitchen for 20 minutes or so - mostly keeping an eye on our husbands who were checking out the beer! Time to return to work and we trolled back to the kitchen - only to find Put-cat (the family moggie) up on the worktop calmly paddling around having a lick at each and every buttered roll. Eeeeek! The men folk came charging in at our shrieks of horror, Put-cat almost whistled through the window and we surveyed the damage. Lots of paw prints in the buttered rolls and an awful lot of licking of butter had been going on! Sandie's husband pointed out that all shops would be closed (remember those days when shops closed at about 5pm?!) - so she and I just looked at one another and like a little chorus said 'I won't tell if you don't'.

Yup, we scraped each and every roll to even out what was left of the butter (thankfully there were no cat hairs!) and proceeded to assemble the toppings.

Everyone turned up for the party, including my old adversary Gordon. Needless to say, we four who were 'in the know' didn't touch any of the open rolls - but it gave me mahoooosive pleasure to see Gordon tucking into them and smacking his lips whilst Sandie and I exchanged knowing smiles! Yes, revenge certainly IS a dish best eaten cold - preferably when a cat hasn't been paddling round in it :)))

Di
x

Never be too busy for friendship

2012-01-16T07:23:00.001Z

One of my favourite birds is the Humming Bird - they always seem so busy! I only hope they find time for friendship too :)

The current challenge over at 'Less is More' is 'Birds' and I really wanted to make a card for it - it has to be one layer too, even more pushing of the boundaries here. This can be a single bird or multiples from what I've seen. A quick rummage through my stamps revealed that I have a ton of bird stamps, some quirky, some funny, some in cages, some perfect for TH style cards.

Then I looked up from my desk and staring down at me rather accusingly from a shelf was a Humming Birds stamp I've never used. I can't recall how I came to have it even! But, I'm on a quest to use all the things lurking in my craft room that haven't been inked, snipped, stuck or used yet.

After some research I discovered that some Humming Birds are shades of brown and grey rather than than like brightly coloured jewels - my fear since I've had the stamp had been that I'd mess the bright colours up and it would just spoil a lovely stamped image, especially as the flowers were probably bright red hibiscus. So, this is what I made for the challenge:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- Humming Bird stamp, with the Latin name for the birds masked off - made in the USA by Personal Stamp Exchange but no name on it, coloured with Pro Markers in shades of warm grey, greens and reds

- sentiment from the Hero Arts 'Live Life' set

Then I ran away and left the card well alone for fear of itchy teeth and a need to add some nail heads or something and spoil it!

Di
x

Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Challenge Number 3

2012-01-15T08:12:00.004Z

Wow, I thought that last week's very busy 'first challenge after the lovely Jules stepped down' might just have been a 'blip'. But, you proved me wrong and loads of you joined in the fun again this week - thank you!

First up, here's my snippets make for this week:

Oh dear, as I was making this card I felt the influence of Jules and her wonderful card making - I'm saying 'oh dear' because there's no way in the world I want to copy her outright as that's absolutely not on, but some of her lovely stamps have found their way into my Handy Hippo shopping basket over recent times, her work is so gorgeous it leaves an impression (ha, no pun intended) every time I see what she's been making plus there are a few hearts here as well! Mind you, Jules has a knack of knowing when to stop adding things to cards - I absolutely don't!

I used:

- pearlescent ivory 6" x 6" square card stock

- pearlescent and slightly mottled pink card and papers from the snippets folder

- KanBan lace background stamp, Anita's 'Torn Love Letter' stamp - I stamped the lace background again then the Love Letter stamp on top so I could paper piece the hearts on the Love Letter image as they come plain

- the sentiment is another Elzybells one

- pink pearls from stash

- the ivory organza ribbon with metallic hearts on was bought in Ravensburg, Germany about three years ago - oh boy Jules, and everyone else I suspect, you would just love that shop!

- then, I couldn't leave it alone as, to me, the lace background looked a bit bare and so I added a couple of punched butterflies with little black pearls down their bodies :)

As I said, a lot of Jules influence here - but not her talent sadly!

Edit: Brenda B hopped in to say that I can enter this for the current Penny Black and More Challenge 'Love and Hearts'. I had spotted this challenge but in the panic to do this post I totally forgot - so now I'm entering it before I post another card tomorrow which would make it a 'back link'. Also, Brenda's comment says that I have to catch her first for detention - read on to see what I mean, saucy little minx :))

I also just found another lovely challenge - Let's Craft and Create and the theme is butterflies so I'm entering this card for that one too :)

Now onto the all-important roll-call. I lost almost all of what follows below on Friday (thank you, ~~you nasty piece of software~~ Mr Blogger) so I had to re-do it all :(( but here goes:

After being 'gutted' last week not to be first into the playground, I'm convinced that Sarn set up camp outside the gates last Saturday night and at the very first 'chink' of the keys on Sunday morning she was in - 'whoosh'!! Telling tales here, it was hilarious to get an email from her a short while later chanting 'I was first, ner, ner, nicky, ner, ner!!' :) Oh dear, sometimes you lot make me cry with laughter!! Sarn's lovely card can be found here. It's white and purple, really fresh and crisp with lovely stamping, layers and a delicious die cut leafy swirl - just perfect, and very stylish as always.

Next, not far behind, came Jackie with a cute Penny Black card, shown here, one of my favourite PB stamps too, made for a colour palette Daring Cardmakers challenge. Terrific colours too - perfect for a bedroom colour scheme I think. A lovely twist was Jackie re-using some tape which came tied round some new tea towels, and her card just goes together so well. Jackie then came back later - her cards are here. I can't totally make out which one, or perhaps it's both of them, are snippets makes - but anyhow, they're both fabulous! Jackie's next card is here and it's a really beautiful Wedding Card (in pink, yay, my favourite colour!) using one of LOTV's loveliest wedding stamps. Her last card of the week is here, and it's strikingly simple and oh so effective!

Irene arrived next with a beautiful card in blues, right down to a lovely blue poppy image painted with Distress Inks, here. I've spied quite a few people now using DI for painting (ha, amazing what you pick up just hopping round snippeteers blogs, let alone all the other ones I try to visit) and the results always look so good. One to try I think! I had a minor panic during the week when I read on Irene's blog that she'd ditched a load of snippets - but, apparently it was just small 'itchy titchy' ones and really to make room for a load of new ones :) I like the thinking!

Liz came scurrying in next with a super-cute Betsy Bluebell card - here - and followed again with another image using a different Betsy Bluebell stamp here. I love these images and how Liz has used them - the fringe on the little girl is horribly like mine was after I chopped it off when I was laid up and bored as a kid with measles :) In fact, I suspect mine was even shorter and much less straight!! On her third visit, Liz brought a beautiful butterfly card, she used a Marianne Creatables die, which is now on my wish list of course. Do go and see it here - it's very tempting!

Mags B then arrived with an adorable card to celebrate the arrival of her grand daughter Lillie - just take a peek here, don't you love the little duckie perched on the baby's head :) Such a pretty card, even re-cycling some lovely ribbon - and many congratulations to Grannie Mags on the arrival of her beautiful grand daughter Lillie!

Sally H came next with two lovely cards featuring flowers - on one the flowers are cut and layered, and on the poppy one Sally has used paper piecing so effectively to create a beautiful poppy. I love them both! Do go and look here to see if you have a favourite - I know which gets my vote by a whisker, although they are both super!

Then Carol arrived with an amazing calendar, shown here, for her craft room in shades of blue/grey. I remember hair dryers like that one, truly - and I love the resolutions she has made. Just two of them but they'll make you smile:) Carol came back later in the week with a really 'angelic' card - here - and some lovely layers of edging in the prettiest shades of blue.

Brenda B was next, with her first Christmas card of 2012 - and what a cracker (pardon the pun!). A gorgeous House Mouse image, beautifully coloured and also a great tip for making a narrow border round your Nesties - you can check it out here. Brenda also came back later in the week with her Less Is More Predominantly Purple challenge card here - she wasn't totally happy with it but I beg to differ, it worked just fine for me! I also think that Brenda might prove to be our rebel - apparently she 'doesn't do gates' - she said in her comment that she prefers to hop over fences instead!! :))

Our so-talented Patron and Founder, Jules, came next with an amazing and very dramatic card for budding rock stars. As always, perfect in every detail and if you have anyone into rock music needing a card, this is just great - take a look here, and that stamp is now on my wish list!! Someone here has FIVE guitars - err, I thought you could only play one at a time? In fairness they range from Fenders to classical Spanish so I guess that's OK then :) Jules hopped in again later in the week at number 22 (two little duckies as she gleefully claimed) with another card, this time featuring some luscious paper pieced flowers, here. Gorgeous as always (and 'with a heart' as always too!) - in fact I counted five hearts :)

Elizabeth (of terrific recipes fame - I made her meat loaf again yesterday, yummy) - followed with a 4" x 4" Thank You card, which is here - and it's amazing what she fitted onto it without overdoing it. Just look at how she made the flower too - confession time - a heart shaped punch arrived today from a little shopping expedition I made to Handy Hippo the other day :)

Next came Hazel with an adorable card featuring 'caroling snowmen' which is here - followed later in the week with this really gorgeous card, perfect for Valentine's Day and using vellum! Hazel used her Xyron to make the back of the vellum sticky - oh dear, do I need another gadget? I just love the silver heart Hazel used too. Hazel's final card of the week is here and it's another lovely card, made following a sketch challenge. Hazel is one of the most prolific crafters I've come across - and always thinking of ways and means to push the boundaries.

Aah, another loyal follower Sandra H arrived next with a lovely girlie card - love the long gloves and Sandra sure nailed the colours - black and white with a splash of colour. You can see the result here. I do love the simplicity of this image, yet it has such impact.....reminds me, where did I store my elbow length gloves! Actually that's not as daft as it seems - I do remember in my early teens having pretty lace gloves in the Summer and very soft kid skin ones for milder Winter days. I can also recall washing the kid ones on my hands, under my Mum's supervision, with Stergene before rinsing well, taking them off, allowing them to dry naturally and then pulling them on again once dry to rub all over with a very soft cloth to make them all supple again. Sheesh, makes me feel really ancient!

Speaking of feeling ancient, next into the playground came Laura with a beautiful birthday card here, using up some Cath Kidston wrapping paper - and also doing some reverse embossing (is that debossing?) which is really effective. Now, I'm going to tell a little tale about Laura, not a secret as it's on her blog for you to see. Laura is our 'baby snippeteer' I think - she was 21 in December and manages to do some lovely crafting, in between being in her final year of training to be a children's nurse. She also has put some lovely circular sentiments on her blog for free - you'd have to look for them but they are there! She works some very long shifts yet still hops in here to say 'hi' whenever she can. It would be so great if some of you could call by her blog to say hello, and perhaps even follow her. A little encouragement goes a long way :)

Gilly hopped in for the first time next, twice in quick succession in fact - here and here. The first time was showing a lovely, bold and sort of funky card in an array of such bright and cheerful colours and the next time she was clutching a gorgeous card in shades of purple, using a hearts edging punch that I would dearly love! Both lovely makes Gilly and hope to see you coming out to play in future :)

Aha, then in came 'trouble' ,in the shape of Hettie (aka Sam). Sam had made some terrific cards for Burns Night and so on, using the funniest and cutest image of a sheep playing the bagpipes (yeah, right!) - you can see them here. When I say that Sam was 'trouble', what I mean is that I fell hook, line and sinker for those fantastic stamps and that's how come I ended up at Handy Hippo doing some online shopping - literally within 30 minutes of seeing the great cards on Sam's blog!! Take a look but be prepared to be tempted!

Next into the playground was Maggie, appropriately for the 'playground' with three beautiful Nursery Rhyme cards here, which she had decoupaged. They're so detailed and I think you'll agree that Maggie must have endless patience! The intricacy of her cutting, using a blade, is quite something! I don't get on with blades, much too accident prone so I'm doubly filled with admiration.

Tammy then arrived with a really lovely wedding card using shades of 'juniper, mint and vanilla', primarily made for The Play Date Challenge challenge but also using snippets. What tickled me are those delicious names for colours :) Tammy's card is here and it's a beauty - I 'specially love the totally gorgeous bow using seam binding she finished it off with, and the simplicity of the central image goes perfectly.

Phew folks, that's this week's roll call - I hope I did visit you all during the week as you posted your snippets and also that I included you all here with correct links - Mr Blogger permitting!

Mr Linky is below if you want to come and play again this week, the playground closes at midnight on Saturday as usual - but re-opens for business on Sunday as soon as possible, just as soon as I've cleaned all the inky paw marks from the swings and roundabouts. And, anyone caught hopping over the fence rather than using the gates will be in detention - no names mentioned!! :)

Di
x

Do you believe in Fairies?

2012-01-14T06:26:00.007Z

I'd like to think I do - especially being a flipping Pixie!

I've seen the UIU (Use It Up) resolutions that so many crafters seem to be trying to follow for the whole of 2012. Eeek, no way can I do that - I'll give up chocolate (fairly easily in fact), new shoes, wild parties (ha, never get invited and wouldn't have the stamina anyhow) and even, at a push, ironing :)) But, I can see the reasoning behind the resolution so this is my take on it - I hereby pledge to go right through my basket of unused stamps and other goodies and make sure I do at least give them a whirl before putting them into their rightful homes. Sorry, I just know I can't do better than that so am not even going to try kidding myself:(

As a start on the 'unused stash' basket I made this card using some Lavinia stamps I bought at Ally Pally last September plus an unused LOTV sentiment as well as a Lyndsay Mason stamp - all for the first time:

I used:

- 5" x 7" cream card stock

- TH Distress ink pads in Faded Jeans and Peeled Paint applied with duster brushes (with a die cut circle to mask off the moon area)

- Lavinia 'Moon Fairy' stamp, with toadstools using stamps by both Lavinia and Lyndsay Mason

- LOTV 'Believe in Fairies' sentiment from the 'Dreamy Days' set

- Josy Rose baby blue star shaped nail heads

I still struggle leaving empty spaces which is why I added the stars - one day I'll crack it perhaps!

Oh boy, talk about Friday 13th here - I wrote up most of the snippets posting yesterday, all ready for tomorrow (and believe me, it ain't a quick thing to do) and then Mr Blogger kicked me out and I lost the lot!! Am now using Gedit in Ubuntu to compose at least the text part of postings - trust me, there was a bit of 'banging head on desk' here yesterday. Err, amend that to a LOT of head banging on desk!!!

Di
x

Friday Feast - Cheesy Vegetable Curry

2012-01-13T07:27:00.002Z

Before I begin - goodbye for today Kath! It's a standing joke that Kath isn't partial to a lot of my recipes, despite being a good pal, and is often seen running in the other direction on Fridays! I think this recipe is quite unusual and not one for a 'meat and two veg. and none of your foreign muck' girl - but it could be worth reading on if you aren't called Kath :) Or perhaps you'll be racing her for the exit :))

I was given this recipe by my friend Joy a few years back, and I did raise my eyebrows a bit at the concept. But, I gave it a whirl and we like it here, a lot. It's great for vegetarians or meat free days.

Drum roll - I present to you :

Cheesy Vegetable Curry:

40g butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, cut into strips
2 carrots, thinly sliced
2 large courgettes, sliced
1 large cooking apple, peeled, cored and cut into 3/4" dice
2 rounded teaspoons curry powder (I use medium curry powder)
40g plain flour
1 pint vegetable stock (made with a stock cube)
25g sultanas
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons mango chutney, chopped or use spreadable
150g Cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2" cubes

Melt butter in a large pan, add onion, green pepper and carrots and fry quickly.
Add courgettes, apple and curry powder and fry for a further minute.

Sprinkle in the flour and then gradually blend in the stock.Add sultanas and season to taste.

Cook until vegetable are tender. This could be about 20 minutes, I keep checking with a sharp knife.

Add mango chutney and then stir in the cubed cheese.

Serve immediately with rice and possibly naan bread.

Things I do - prepare all the vegetables etc. beforehand so it means no hold ups during the cooking process once it's under way. It's a bit like being a TV chef (no wisecracks about Fanny Craddock please!) with everything neatly weighed and chopped in a selection of bowls. It's a good idea to slice the carrots very thinly as they will take the longest to cook. The eagle eyed might spot that the pepper I used is a red one and not green - that's 'cos I didn't have a green one left from the big bag I'd bought - and it didn't make a ha'porth of difference anyhow, green red, yellow, all are fine!

Previously I've chopped Mango chutney for this recipe but I managed to find Sharwoods Smooth (ie. spreadable) Mango Chutney in Sainsburys, so a bit of time saved there!

The end result is quite a sweet curry, but very tasty. NB. It's important to serve this immediately after you've added the cheese.

Hmm, there could be mixed reactions today :)

Di
x

Who needs therapy...............

2012-01-12T07:31:00.001Z

..........when you have shoes :) This is one of my all time favourite set of stamps, having another little outing:

It's perfect for paper piecing - would have been good for the snippets challenge roll call on Sunday but I used whole new pieces of 6" x 6" paper from a free pack, and also wanted to catch a challenge before it closes so I'm entering this into the Winter Wonderland Challenge 'Let's Go Shopping'.

I'm also entering it into the current Allsorts Challenge, week 136, which is 'Paper Piecing'.

I used:

- 6" x 6" cream card stock

- 'Window shopping' stamp set by My Favorite Things (I see that the set is still available from Dies to Die For). I used a mix of Pro Markers and paper piecing on the image

- goldish-yellow coloured backing card by Core-dinations

- papers from Memory Keepers 'Travel Light' paper pack - free with Simply Cards and Papercraft

- leaves punched with a Martha Stewart punch and coloured with Marsh Green Pro Marker, flowers and brads from stash (and they were a perfect match!!)

I coloured the background of the stamp with a Pro Marker (Buttercup) and also went over the stamped sentiment to match it in.

My main laptop is refusing to play ball and connect via wi-fi so it's the baby pink one in use right now until in-house IT support sorts it out :( So, if I'm not hopping around too much that's why!

Di
x

WOYWW - 136

2012-01-11T08:41:00.000Z

Another Wednesday - and not much going on here really:

A little heap of papers at the back from where I left off making a card last night, some clean stamps waiting to be stored away. Stamps that have been cleaned with baby wipes and left to dry on Rock-a-blocks, pokey tool and something I'd been speaking to Sarn about yesterday. Grin, by speaking, I really mean emailing of course - the subject was those Marianne Rose dies.

I was wondering how to fasten/glue them once made up - in fact I later found brilliant instructions on Jules blog 'Always With A Heart' - knew we should have checked there first!! And that's probably how I came to get the dies in the first place.

But, all the 'electronic talk' of roses reminded me of the red rose that I found whilst tidying a desk tidy this week (does that make sense?!) you see at the front of my cutting mat, above. And here's how I made it - waaaaay back in mid-2010 when I'd not been blogging long and had just one follower :) This is not my own idea, I'd found it on the internet but even back then I couldn't recall where - so there's not a snowball's hope now, otherwise I would most definitely give credit for an idea which I found worked really well! The rose is about 1.5" - 2" across when it's finished.

I nipped into our local Hospice Shop and found a French Dictionery for the grand amount of 75p. This is what I did:

1. Tear out a couple of pages per rose. The dictionary was quite battered with a chunk of pages missing so I didn't feel too guilty about attacking it!

2. Spray the pages with Memory Mists - I used Pale Ale and Strawberry Daiquiri. I'd had the Mists for ages and had never used them before so it came out a bit blotchy but still worked in the long run. Of course Distress Inks would work well but I hadn't yet ventured into those :)

3. Once the pages are dry (they took forever due to my heavy handedness!) then punch out two flower shapes (yup, just two) per rose using a large Woodware 6-scallops punch. With patience you could always make a template and hand cut some of these.

4. Then snip petal pieces out as shown in the piccie - I concentrated on the Strawberry Daiquiri rose for now.

5. Now it begins to take shape - overlap and glue the petals as you can see in the piccie - good old fashioned paperclips come in handy at this stage. The two small centre pieces were sort of rolled together after I'd taken this piccie. The bottom end of all pieces should then be snipped off so that the rose will sit flat.

6. Finally, the rose was assembled working from the outside in using Hi-Tack glue to hold the centres of the layers together and curling the petals round a pokey tool as I went.

7. Et voilà, c'est fini!

Looking back at this - maybe the Marianne die isn't so daunting after all :))

The sharper eyed might have spotted the mahoosive bottle of cod liver oil capsules also on the desk. I kept forgetting to take them until my OH pointed out that there was one place I'd always spend time at each day - working so far, unless the bottle gets buried under a load of paper and stuff!

To find out what our leader Julia has been up to please go here, I've just read Julia's solution for unmounted stamp storage and I'm still with her on that one but once again I lost an unmounted stamp this week so summick just has to be done! At Julia's you'll also find links to loads of fascinating desks and perhaps dining tables, floors, trays etc. with tales of what others are up to today. Happy WOYWW!!

Di
x

A Tuesday Tale - Pat strikes again

2012-01-10T07:23:00.001Z

Whenever I see an image of Pippi Longstocking, a little tale about Pat always makes me have a quiet smile:

From the fact that Pat was a young woman during the blackout years of WW11, my guess is that she went to school during the 1930's.

Apparently, part of her school uniform was made up of thick woollen tights, which she hated. Her school friends had all begun to wear knee high socks/stockings but Pat's Mum refused to discard perfectly good woollen tights.

Un-deterred, one morning Pat took a pair of scissors to her much-hated woollen tights - chopped them off at the knee, pulled them onto her legs, tied a piece of elastic round the top of each one and rolled them over. Hey presto, knee high stockings!!

Off she trotted to school, feeling very much in vogue. However, that evening she got home to the fact that her Mum had found the 'pants without most of the legs part of the tights', plus her sewing box where Pat had rummaged for lengths of elastic - and was going 'ballistic' to put it mildly.

Poor Pat, the following day she sort of skulked her way to school, hugging walls and praying no-one would notice her. Her Mum had only made her sit down with a load of darning wool the previous evening and re-sew the knee-high stockings to the pants to re-construct the tights. Of course they looked pretty dreadful, the joins were very visible and yup, she had to carry on wearing them all Winter!

Di
x

A 'vroom, vroom' birthday card for Edward

2012-01-09T06:28:00.000Z

This card is for Edward, whose birthday is on 14th January. I've said previously on here that Edward is Len's great-nephew, and a very special young man:

I wanted something brightly coloured and some recent freebie papers fitted the bill!

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- LOTV pre-coloured Cute Squares image

- purpley/blue Core-dinations card

- papers from 'Travel Lite' Memory Keepers paper pack - free with Simply Cards and Papercraft

- sentiment from Elzybells, stamped using Brilliance 'Starlite Black' ink pad

- card candi - in red, amber and green - like traffic lights :)

That's today's offering, and a much shorter post than yesterday's was :))

Di
x

Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Challenge Number 2

2012-01-08T07:12:00.006Z

Well, what a week in the Snippets Playground! I thought one or two snippeteers might just call by but I never expected so many of you :) Wonderful - it's kept me busy here, hopping to and fro and having fun seeing all your wonderful makes.

But I did manage to find time to make my own little snippets card for this week:

Whilst mulling over what to make for a snippets offering today, I stumbled across a tiny, teensy little piece of dragonfly green/blue iridescent paper in the snippets folder. And, staring at me accusingly from my desk was a pre-loved stamp that I had 'first dibs' on when Sarn sold some of her stamp collection some while back. Ping, on went another bright light! When I say this card is 4" x 4" square and the stamp is 1" x 2" - you might understand the crossed eyes and look of concentration here whilst doing the cutting out for the paper piecing of the dragonfly and the water!

I used:

- 4" x 4" white linen card stock

- Stampendous 'Dragonfly Window' stamp

- a snippet of baby blue rippled sky/water design paper

- snippets of the iridescent paper for the dragonfly, water and backing

- sentiment by LOTV from their 'General Greetings - small' set

- baby blue organza ribbon from stash - I think the bow could be a bit on the large side, the jury is still out and I might end up looking for some narrower ribbon in the stash here. On the other hand, it might throw the balance of everything out 'cos I tied the big bow before placing the image and nail heads :(

- Josy Rose nail heads

Thanks to an alert from Sarn, I'm entering this into the Fat Pages With Attitude Challenge #4 - which is 'Anything Goes'. Almost missed out even thinking about challenges, too intent on making sure I'd covered everyone in this weeks roll call :)) This is a really fun challenge, fairly new, and the main criteria is to use 4" x 4" card stock. Another great way to use up those smaller snippets!

So, to recap on this past week - when the playground gates opened last Sunday, there was a little 'whoosh' and in nipped Irene with a beautiful card which you can see here. I think she'd been hopping up and down waiting for the rattle of the keys :) Gorgeous flower, image and beautiful lace and pearls Irene - I've looked right back through Irene's blog and she makes some truly beautiful cards - some of which have such a wonderful vintage look and are so delicate.

Next in, probably only minutes after Irene's visit, came my buddy Sarn - and she later confessed that she was 'gutted' at not being the first visitor. See, it was that extra gulp of tea or coffee and quick spoonful of cough mixture before grabbing your card and starting to run to the playground wot did it :) Poor Sarn has had that nasty coughing bug this week that's been doing the rounds - hope you feel better! This is the card that Sarn made here - fabulous use of white and Kraft card with such a fresh result! As always, just the sort of card that made Sandra's blog catch my eye long before I began blogging myself, I used to quietly hop in from my 'bookmarks' and lurk, unseen and silent....snort, snort!! :)

Next, in came Hazel , and not just the one visit, but seven over the week! Phew - what a prolific crafter - and you can see Hazels' lovely creations here, here, here, here,here, here and yet another one here! At this rate I might be offering to send Hazel some of my snippets to help me out in the reduction cause :) There are sticky notes holders, an altered notebook and lots of great cards one of which, a get well card, uses a piece of wallpaper sample and the dinkiest hot water bottle embellishment. With all the bugs flying round lately it's a perfect get well card! Use of the wallpaper sample did make me smile - I used to 'snaffle' bits of border samples in my early card making days from our local Homebase :) Great work Hazel!

And then came the lovely Jules - founder and Patron of the Snippets Playground. What a week it's been for her - go and buy Quick Cards Made Easy magazine, there's our Jules in print!! As always, Jules had made a beautiful snippets card with a perfect theme - New Home - which you can see here. What can I say about Jules creation except that it was just what we've come to expect from Jules - beautiful, and I'm happy to report that her pile of snippets is still mahooooosive (albeit a bit reduced over the year) so she should still be hopping in here when time permits, thankfully.

Next came Lisa, with this little beauty here! Anyone who hops in here regularly will know how much I love all things GorJuss Girls and Lisa's snippets offering ticks all the boxes, it's truly GorJuss!! And not only that, I did a little bit of peeking round her blog and she has a craft shop down on the South Coast - imagine the bliss of owning such a place. Trouble is, I'd be trying out all the stock before it got sold :)

Tammy followed with a beautifully fresh thank you card here - great primary colours, Less is More working great! Then later in the week she also popped back with this vibrant card. Wonderful colours again and the buttons are so perfectly matched to the card. Humph, I scrabble to find one or even two to finish off a card.

Next came Robin, after tentatively wondering if someone the other side of the Pond could join in, bless. The more the merrier! Her lovely offerings are here - two thank-you cards with a similar layout but amazingly different by use of different papers. Welcome Robin, hope you keep playing :)

Sam whizzed in next here with her list of New Years Resolutions (hmm, wonder how they're going?) and three fantastic cards, all the same style but again showing how different cards can look by changing colours and papers around. Plus she got her sewing machine out so 2012 is off to a flying start!

Then Sally M arrived with the cutest little hedgie card, shown here. Terrific colours and I love the way the daisy flower embellishments echo the daisies in the image. This must have been an effort for Sally as she's another blogger who's got this horrible coughing bug - could we be passing it round via the internet I wonder?

Next came bloggy buddy Sandra H with another really cute card - a Milton & Co. Toby image on a lovely thank you easel card which is here. Sandra used some carnation dies to use up snippets - and they look just like exploding fireworks, very clever!

This is where I put my hair shirt on and do penance - I missed these next lovely offerings from Sally H and didn't spot it until I began writing this post on Saturday. I'm so sorry - I think it was the shock of so many people joining in and also two different Sallys that threw me! Sally's makes are in her posting here. The first is a lovely water coloured scene and the other two are a tea party - both totally different subjects but absolutely gorgeous. The little cups etc. have been hand cut - as I have this stamps set I know that it must have been a real labour of love!

Then Amanda hopped in with another cutie - a mouse and choklits, right here :)) A lovely combination of blue and brown on this card - and like many of us I think Amanda also laments the closure of Elzybells who made such wonderful stamps and had some perfect sentiment stamps - 'I've never met a chocolate I didn't like' is just perfect for Amanda's card...and also for most of us I suspect :)

Carol arrived next with a beautiful Christmas card (getting ahead for next year!) in lovely shades of lilac and sporting a super LOTV Teddy Bear image - the card, not Carol, was sporting the Teddy :)) You can have a nose at her lovely creation here - those holly dies are now on my never-ending 'wish list'!!

Next was Linby with a Harry Potter lookalike on her monochromatic card - just great and the backing papers are super, you can see it here. I still keep having a peek at the way those specs glisten! Linby says she didn't enter the challenge last year - let's hope this is the start of her joining in. In fact, having just taken over the challenge, although I do already know a few regulars in the playground - if this was your first visit I do hope you had fun and have made some new playmates in here!

Continuing with the roll call, the next arrival was Jackie with a stunning Art Deco style stepper card - so elegant, and you can see it here. Jackie has used a Kan Ban lady as the focus on her card and, like all Kan Ban elegant ladies she's gorgeous. Humph, waaaay too tall and slender for me to stand next to at a party for sure :)

Sandy How then trotted into the playground, from sunnier climes, carrying a great and super-fun robot card, which you can see here. The vibrant colours are great and this card will certainly make you smile :)

Next came Elizabeth, breaking her New Years Resolution not to make any more Christmas cards for a while :) I can quite see why she broke it so quickly though - it seems that everything was in her stash jumping up and down wanting to be put together. You can see her beautiful card here - and how perfectly it all fitted together.

And then Karen arrived with two lovely makes, the first is a layout here (love those blues, to get such a selection to look right together is something I still aspire to and what an adorable photo) and the next is a stunning lilac card here. Simply perfick!

Phew, so that's all your snippets creations for this week. I've had a ball running this for one whole week - I totally take my hat off to Jules for managing 52 weeks when she's such a busy lady to start with! I think this roll call posting will get easier as time goes on - I forgot the first lesson from Miss Jules, it's a good idea to begin gradually building this post at the beginning of the week rather than suddenly thinking about it on a Saturday afternoon! :(

Thank you all so much again for joining in, hope to see you this coming week?!

Oh, and the 'actual snippets playground keys' arrived here this morning from Jules in the post. They are more beautiful in real life than even on the photos, I think they will be framed for posterity - imagine what Jules' cards and wedding stationery must be like!!

And, I got one of the last two copies of Quick Cards Made Easy this afternoon in Sainsburys featuring............. Jules!

Di
x

Pixies Crafty Snippets Challenge Participants

1. Sarn
2. Jackie
3. Irene
4. Liz
5. MagsB
6. Sally H
7. Carol
8. Liz
9. Brenda B
10. Jules

11. Elizabeth
12. Hazel
13. Sandra H
14. Laura
15. Gilly
16. Gilly
17. Liz
18. Hettie
19. Hazel
20. Jackie

21. Maggie (Silvercrafter)
22. Jules .. .. woo hoo .. .. visit no 2
23. Carol
24. Brenda B x2
25. ~Tammy~
26. Jackie
27. Jackie
28. Hazel

Quick and easy card today

2012-01-07T06:22:00.003Z

Whilst rootling round in my box of ready stamped images I came across one image, stamped in black and then embossed on a plain white background. Ping! On went a little light bulb and out came the Tim Holtz Distress Inks and a duster brush. Sure enough, the DI covered the background but left the image still crisp and clear.

Then I just layered it onto black and KanBan African Gold card in the most lush sunset/burned earth colour - on 7" x 5" cream card stock.

All card came from the snippets folder - but I can't really enter the challenge and I already have an idea for tomorrow's card, when I'll also do the first roll call of this week in the Snippets Playground. I'm totally delighted by how many playmates have turned up this week too - what a lovely lot you are!

Di
x

Friday Feast - Macaroni-topped Mince

2012-01-06T08:14:00.003Z

This recipe serves 2 people and suggests that you cook it in individual dishes. I just plonk it all in one dish - and it's real comfort food!

Macaroni-topped Mince

Serves 2 - but easy to 'up' the quantities

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
400g (14oz) minced lamb
400g can chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato paste
200g (7oz) macaroni
1 large egg
150ml (¼ pint) Greek yogurt
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
60g (2oz) Cheddar cheese, grated
60g (2oz) feta cheese, crumbled
Ovenproof dish(es)

Heat the oil in a large pan, add the onion and cook for a few mins, to soften. Add the garlic and minced lamb, and fry for 10 mins, to brown it all over.

Stir in the tomatoes, oregano and sun-dried tomato paste, and cook for a further 10 mins, until the meat is tender.

Set the oven to Gas Mark 4 or 180°C. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, add the macaroni and cook for about 10 mins until “al dente” — tender, yet still with a slight bite.

Beat the egg in a jug and mix with the yogurt. Season well.

Spoon the lamb into the ovenproof dish(es). Drain the macaroni and spoon it on top of the meat. Pour the yogurt mixture over, sprinkle with the Cheddar and feta. Bake for 25 mins until golden.

The last time I made this I slightly reversed the initial process by making an onion, garlic and tomato sauce, and then added Quorn mince at the point just before it's then cooked for 10 minutes on the hob, then continued as per the recipe and it was delicious!

Enjoy!

Overdressed Duck

2012-01-05T08:19:00.000Z

Ha, Christmas ain't going to catch me out in 2012! This is my first entry for Hazel's Weekly Christmas Card Challenge, then with Rudolph Day each 25th of the month I should have....quick count on fingers and toes.......over 60 cards in time for next Christmas. Ooops, was that a little pink pig I just saw flying by? But, at least I'm going to try!!

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- Penny Black 'Overdressed Duck' stamp - brought by Santa after I'd been drooling over it on another blog - coloured with Pro Markers

- backing papers from Bo Bunny's 'Father Christmas' collection

- dark green card from snippets

- sentiment by Craftwork Cards

- gossamer white and gold ribbon from The Ribbon Shop. I've posted about them before when I ordered a load of wedding stationery ribbon - and a couple of metres of this gossamer white and gold ribbon also fell into my online basket :)

I'm entering this for Hazels 'Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge 53' - and Hazel is also offering some lovely candy so do hop over there to see what's going on!

Di
x