Pixies Crafty Snippets Challenge 21

Whilst looking through some boxes of neglected craft goodies, wondering what I'd ever use and what could be given away or disposed of (shame on me!) I came across a packet of cute little baby prams, won as a prize from Mei Flowers a little while back - so cute, padded and in a knitted effect:

This card was fun to make, partly as I love pink of course, but also 'cos I seemed to find everything I wanted to use quite quickly :)

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- Certainly Celery card snippets from SU (gonna need to order more of this, I love the colour and it seems to go with so much - a real favourite) for the main backing, an oval scallop and a round one

- patterned papers from a Pink Petticoat free gift with Quick Cards Made Easy magazine ages ago, called 'Vintage Rose Collection', for the backing and also a plain oval scallop

- really tactile padded pink baby pram from Mei Flowers

- snippets of lace and pink ribbon, with 'It's a Girl' on it, from my stock of goodies

- buttons from the button box, with a little tie of white and pink bakers twine

- pink plastic dummy, tied with white and pink bakers twine

- sentiment stamp by LOTV, stamped using a SU 'Pretty in Pink' stampin' spot ink pad on a white snippet of card. Since buying a couple of sets of these ink pads I've never been stuck for a colour!

Now all I need is for someone to have a baby girl :) Any volunteers?

OK, so down to business and a mammoth roll call covering two whole weeks. I was in panic mode getting ready for hols last weekend but right now, sitting with a glass of wine on Friday trying to get ahead a bit (so pleeses excoose andy typoos), things are more relaxed.

Quick off the mark, and first into the playground was Bernie, with this really beautiful card - in purples and pink with luscious flowers, butterflies, ribbon and and lace. The inside is so beautifully finished as well - ready to take a gift card. It's absolutely beautiful Bernie, I love it and am rapidly adding purple to a close second behind my favourite pink :)

Elizabeth hopped in to play more than once - firstly with a truly stunning and vibrant 'poppies' card, also with flowers, ribbon and lace. It's part of what Elizabeth calls her Country Diary series - and Edith Holden was such a gifted artist I think she would have been delighted to see what fabulous cards have been created with her illustrations. 'Shabby chic' was next on Elizabeth's list and a real beauty as well - in all senses of the word. In fact, the image is reminiscent of Edith Holden herself, to me at least. Lace, ribbon, pearls and flowers are so Edwardian in style - super make! Next was a super Christmas card, also following Hazels' 'stripes' challenge - and another vintage look here, with the perfect amount of red to give that lift and splash of colour. Then, with a skip and a confession, we had another visit - the confession being that Elizabeth sent a 60th birthday card to her brother a year early :) But, I think he won in the end because he got two fabulous cards (one in 'steam punk' style which frankly terrifies me but one day I'll have a little go) and the other one this year saying 'Sixty at last' bearing bunting - lucky guy I think :)

Next was Irene, with one of her so understated but always elegant cards - pink and white (yay!) and just fabulous. Love the combination of the pink and white squares with the white embossed squares topped off with a cute little heart in the centre Irene. And 'Queen for a day' really sums it up - the pink and white papers are from a Dovecraft 'Back to Basics' paper pack - and one that I'd recommend to anyone, lots of really versatile small prints that are perfect to use as snippets.

Jules found time to hop into the playground (I wonder if she's Superwoman in diguise at times) and brought this super card to show. I was blown away by the super backing paper echoing the busy little bee image (go and see if you haven't already) and a great hint for colouring ribbons too. Jules' next card is here - and yet again, another fabulous make. In fact, two makes using different papers and the same stamp - amazing how a switch of blues and pinks can make such a difference! And, as I said, this was after a really full day's catching up of things - gotta check to see if there's a red and blue outfit underneath Jules play clothes next time she's on the swing girls!

Karen arrived next with this gorgeous card, both for the playground and Hazel's 'stripes' Christmas card challenge - now closed though but there's another one to go for today girls, and remember it's Rudolph Day later on this week over at Sarn's as well. What a bright and cheerful card too Karen, torn vellum, in vibrant reds, yellows and oranges topped off with a super baubles stamp - embossed and with eyelets providing the perfect finishing touch. Gorgeous! Then another beauty, also for Hazel's challenge of using red and green last week, with some sweet little pegs, fibre and tags forming a Christmas washing line. A really clever idea Karen.

Right now I'm typing this sitting on the terrace in the Friday evening sun and I do wish you could see the antics here. Two little sparrows, much more strongly coloured than ours at home, are hopping round my feet looking for titbits - the two-legged mouse just had some crisps and I think he scattered some for the birdies! If I move I'll scare them away but would love to take a photo of them - perhaps if I leave the laptop they might start typing for me - err, or would that be 'tweeting' maybe? :)

And talking about birds, Mary Mac was next to visit with, sadly, two really elegant sympathy cards and a Field Trip round her local craft shop. C'mon girls, in a nice little line and follow the link to here. Fabulous shop there Mary - I for one am very envious. Then, later, Mary was back again with another sympathy card for a friend. It's lovely Mary - you can all see it here. Do go and look as the rest of Mary's post is absolutely amazing - all about the little jays that were born in her garden and their flying the nest. Some great photos to be seen.

Linby visited more than once over the past two weeks as well, the first time was with these super 'woven snippets' cards - great colour combinations and quite a labour of love I would think. Then, Linby brought such an elegant card, which you can see here - the lilac colours and butterflies are fabulous and a stunning result. 

 
Then Liz hopped in with a lovely card featuring a really delicate butterfly, die cut with a Marianne Creatable die - you can see it here, and oh dear, another one on my wish list! The spotty paper behind the butterfly is just right too Liz. Such a pretty card.

Hazel was fast and furious this week, with lots of visits. Firstly with these adorable decoupaged Christmas bears, then with some scripture cards which you can see here and here. Both lovely cards Hazel. Next came a terrific card for a man, always difficult for me to make and Hazel did a great job, followed by a bright and cheerful birthday card which you can see here. It sure is a 'happy' card! A delightful LOTV image featured on Hazel's next card, all in shades of lilac, then we had this card in such pretty shades of pink and green (love it!) and then a card using Kate Knight papers and toppers here. Kate Knight does have a way of combining really vibrant colours and her papers are very distinctive - these one used by Hazel were free with a magazine, I've got them at home too. Then, a total change to a very much more muted sympathy card - featuring lily of the valley flowers - really right for such a card. This was followed by a Christmas card for Hazel's own Christmas card challenge, where the theme was 'red and green', the candy cane cupcake looks good enough to eat for sure :) Next came a lovely set of baby cards, using some really fab papers, and with a quilted/patchwork look about them - followed by a Christmas card, cleverly using 25th December in the design. 

Rach hopped in next, with such a sunny card for the Less Is More challenge (to use yellow) - it's great Rach! The card has a double opening front and is beautifully co-ordinated - it reminded me that I've got some unused card blanks like that and must dig them out as a change of style. That's the joy of the playground, loads of inspiration from all your lovely makes girls!

Carol has been thinking ahead to Christmas, and brought this adorable card to show. The image is just super, such happy hugging 'snow people' (another one for the list I think!) and the combination of red, white, black and a touch of silver works perfectly. I did smile about the silver mesh, I've got some of that somewhere too and I love the way it's been used on your card Carol.

Mary H paid a couple of visits, firstly with a delightful card featuring a vase of flowers where the whole lot, tulips, leaves, vase, butterfly etc, had been either die cut or punched from snippets - great use of snippets Mary. This was followed by a really elegant Thank You card, another card with a lot of work in it. I especially love the embossed card base - get thee behind me oh wish list! Two super cards Mary.

Next was Sally with this lovely card. Love the image and how it's been coloured - goes so well with the backing papers. Sally was bemoaning that pearlescent card can be so hard to photograph, very true but perhaps - not as bad as mirri card though where I usually end up with me peering back :) And Sally was also looking for someone to play cats cradle with, and to share her cough candy :)

Heidi came to play, despite feeling really unwell, bringing some really pretty tags to show - I did grin as Sarn commented that she'd play with Heidi once she was out of quarantine :) Does anyone recall being taken to visit kids who had things like German measles in order to 'get it over with' as a child? My Mum never did that and anyhow I used to go down with most things without even trying :) Anyhow, the tags made great use of snippets, and by a whisker my favourite is the wedding one which has white heather on it - a really sweet touch. Heidi's next card is here - it's a really adorable 'Forever Friends' baby card. I'm really struggling here with the wifi (it's Saturday now by the way) it's fine for normal stuff but hopelessly slow when I'm trying to race from blog to blog - and your lovely owl on the branch is somehow really slowing things Heidi so forgive me if I can't say more about this super card. Len says our internet speed is 20 times faster at home, so you will, I hope, understand. But girls, do hop over for a peek as I was really taken with this card when I first saw it back at home.

Next came Lynne, with news of having a card published in Papercraft Inspirations magazine (along with Tara, which is a lovely coincidence - well done!), an update about little Ruby plus a really pretty card featuring beautiful purple orchids which you can see here. Then Lynne brought a fabulous card for a Mum, just perfect with some beautiful roses on and a finishing touch of ribbon - I love it. Finally, we had a super trio of cards, all using the same patterned snippets but in such different vibrant colours - gorgeous Lynne!

Helen flew in next with such a sweet Forever Friends card - those cute little bears are always so popular. Gorgeous flowers, ribbon and other super embellishments finish this card off beautifully Helen! And I'm impressed that you cleverly added the green beads to the pins rather than adding leaves - a neat twist! Ha, anyone who hasn't a clue what I'm on about - hop over and look at the flower on the bottom right of the card, the pins are there :) Then Helen had made a really clever Christmas card, it features a stocking but the little pom poms are such a lovely little touch too. It might be a 4" x 4" card Helen, but it sure will stand out in a crowd - great stuff.

Next was Laura, in between her studies, with this delightful card. It's a gorgeous image, lots of pinks - plus some very clever distressing with scissors. It worked brilliantly Laura, you certainly achieved the look very well. And the ice cream certainly looks good enough to eat :) Oh no, now I have a craving for an ice cream! I spotted chewing gum flavour ice cream over here in Spain the other day - I suspect they meant bubble gum flavour, but I opted for good old strawberry anyhow :)

'Me mate Sarn' was next - after being missing last time. I thought it was quiet in the playground :) And what gorgeous cards too (here) - both using a fabulous 'fern' stamp and yet with very different results. One has little snippets of ribbon threaded down one edge - really clever and I've actually got the original at home, it's even better in real life I promise you. The other card, also with the fern image, is also terrific Sarn - and I understand it went to a very good home :)

Next was Tammy, with this really fabulous card - loads of different snippets used and such cheerful colours Tammy. Of course there are some gorgeous buttons (Tammy is a button Queen) and I really would love to know how you make your 'fussy bows' Tammy. Do tell us how when you next make a card with one of those beauties please.

Karen T was next into the playground with such a cute Penny Black hedgie image on her card - and a question for us at the same time. The sentiment is vertical instead of horizontal - and Karen was wondering which would be best. I love it as it is but why not hop over here to see what you think. I love the backing paper by the way Karen, I just noticed the faux stitching effect!

Then along came Kath, fresh from a Caribbean cruise - firstly with this card, using a really great Penny Black flower stamp which is just perfect for the super paper piecing Kath did - great colours and the ribbon is a lovely finishing touch. Kath's next card is here, and if it doesn't make you burst out laughing then this playground lark isn't working :) It's just great Kath, and would make a super logo for us all to have - I need to delve round and see if I can set up a button on the sidebar for you to grab girls (if you wish), mind you, the snippets keys are also level pegging as a potential logo. Two great cards Kath - you certainly didn't leave your mojo on that cruise ship did you, but I won't forget that you rejected my offer to carry your suitcases for you :)

Sam was next with a fistful of fabulous pop up cards - never does things by halves does Sam. You can see them here, and they are all really gorgeous, loads of detail on them and it's very hard to say which one is my pick of the week (fortnight!). But, the one with the spectacular bunting on has the edge I think - why not go and make your own minds up? Super cards Sam!

Next was Judy, who has such an amusing blog - I always make sure I read the 'labels' at the end of her posts 'cos there are often some real gems to be found :) Anyhow, Judy's card is real bright and funky with a big, bold flower and flourish combining bright pink, yellowy orange and pale blue mainly on the card - and it works so well too! Great stuff Judy!

Brenda B paid us a couple of visits too - firstly with two beautiful cards, made with recent Less Is More challenges in mind. One is using three different stamps, and the card itself is a snippet so that's alright then :) And the second one, which sadly Brenda didn't finish in time for LIM, is yellow and black and a real stunner. I especially love the flower arrangement Brenda - a gorgeous finishing touch! On her next trip to the playground, Brenda brought this super card - made for a young man who'd be bound to think it was really 'cool'. I need to read how the fabulous background was made once I'm home and can have a play - it's really great Brenda, and the Saturated Canary image is totally perfect too.

Gilly found time to visit (not long until the wedding day now) and what a sweet card too, you can see it here - it's for a new baby, as well as the current Less Is More Challenge. Such a lovely row of romper suits (smiling here as I've been eyeing that up in the SU catalogue for a while) - and some brilliant paper piecing. Some of those pieces must have been really tiny Gilly? It's a perfect card!

Phew, that's the roll call done. As I've said, it's been a struggle with the slow internet connection here so I'm really ready for a glass of wine now. The sun is almost over the yard arm and I am writing this on Saturday, not first thing on Sunday morning :)

I know some of the spacing is a bit askew, even running preview is a slog, and I'm also hoping I covered all your entries girls. If I've missed anything please leave a comment and I'll amend the posting - I've counted and recounted several times but that glass of wine is beckoning to me right now :)

Mr Linky is below as usual. Hope you have a great week - the roll call will be done as usual next Sunday, with a much faster line speed thankfully :)

Di
x

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 :)