Rock & Roll

Looking through boxes here yesterday, I came across some toppers (I think by KanBan) and this was a real quickie to make:

I liked the way the different toppers sort of slot together one above another - trust me, Dumbo here had some really weird combinations whilst sorting through the shapes :)

I used:

- white DL card stock

- KanBan 'Rock & Roll' toppers

- a snippet of music printed ribbon (snort, I wonder if it's rock or classical?)

Friday, and the weekend beckons - yippee!

Di
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House Mouse Sums

The current challenge over at House Mouse is Back to School or At the Office - I think these little meece are practising their sums in the playground:

But, I didn't use a stamp so the colouring isn't my own - let's set the record straight right off :) It's from a decoupage sheet and I didn't even tackle any layering - hope it's OK for the challenge, they do state stamp/image in the rules and I did spot at least one DT card that used pre-printed images so I hope I'm not 'drummed out' for non-compliance. But hey, I had fun anyhow - love the humour of House Mouse :)

I used:

- 7" x 5" white card stock

- House Mouse image and sentiment from the 'fun and Games' Joanna Sheen decoupage set

- backing papers from Tatty Teddy's 'Spring Chic' pack (nice thing about these is that they're patterned on one side and a mixture of patterned and plain on the reverse so they co-ordinate beautifully)

- Martha Stewart edge punch

- a strip of Anita's adhesive ribbon

It had to be a quick and easy make as I'm trying to keep moving around right now - been overdoing it sitting typing away here again :(

Di
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WOYWW - 169

All is fairly quiet in the craft room this week:

The beginnings of a House Mouse Christmas card, towards the back a sweet little bag of 'sea glass' (thank you Mrs A!), a finished card on the baby pink netbook, to the right a lovely thank you card from Victoria after her Pro Marker win and a recently used Martha Stewart edge punch waiting to be stored in its rightful home.

And, to the right:

Coo, that huge pile of stuff 'just dumped' finally got sorted out and its all been put away. Truly - the file tray is always there along with the green basket holding new stuff (stamps mostly) to be used. I daren't put those away lest I forget I've got them! The little pile in front of the green basket consists of stuff pulled out ready to make some cards - and there are just three snippets of paper/card in the very front ready to be put away.

More organised than usual - truly:)

That's my rather pathetic 'show and tell' for this week - off you go now, over to Julia's for a snoop (yikes, I think she might even be buried under the mess creative stuff on her desk) and then onwards to see what others are up to :)

Have a lovely day!

Di

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Quick Tuesday Tale

Kath strikes again! She is one of the World's innocents, I've written about her here before when she went to the docs worried about her eyesight and he suggested she took her specs off before using hairspray - once he'd held the glasses up the the light :)

One of her latest was to troll into town for a DVD which was on a wish list as a gift - no luck though. Then she told another friend of mine who offered to look for it on Amazon UK - when asked what the title was Kath's response was:

'Scumbag Billionaire'. 

Bless - no wonder the shop assistant looked at her as if she was a bit weird :)

Di
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Christmas couple

The current challenge over at Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge is 'For a Couple', plus Sarn is hostessing Rudolph Day right now. It would be very rude not to join in the fun:

 I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- image rescued and 'upcycled' from a card sent to us last Christmas, luckily it was already on a sticky pad and just gently peeled off ready to use again

- backing paper from the Marianne Design 'Merry Little Christmas' paper pack - I hunted through every single sheet of backing paper here to find a green to go with the greens in the image

- white card edged using MS hearts punch, topped with red satin mirri board and the top corners rounded

- sentiment by Craftwork Cards, mounted onto a red satin mirri board oval, punched using SU oval punch

- white satin ribbon with iridescent edge (Hobbycraft) and a 'Joy' charm tied on with a bow of white iridescent cord

Hope you all had a good Bank Holiday, weather wasn't good here and typically the sun is gonna shine today.

Di
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Less is More recipe - 3-2-1

This week's challenge over at Less is More is a recipe 3-2-1. Must admit I struggled with a card for last week's LIM 'tearing' theme - I'm a 'cut it crisp' gal and sorry, it just wasn't for me. I did try - but it looked as if a couple of dogs had been fighting over some Core'dinations card in here :(

However, I really enjoyed this week's challenge - just hope I got the 3-2-1 business right:

My 3 is 3 flowers, 2 is 2 words and 1 is the little gem above the letter i in the sentiment. Snigger, another take could be 1 gem, 2 stamps (the flowers are all on the same stamp so that would be the sentiment and the image) and 3 colours, green, grey and pink. Take yer pick - although I did make the card with the first option in mind.

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- a strip of SU Certainly Celery card from the snippets folder (waaaah, almost out of this but it's on the list for my next SU order Sarn such a lovely colour and soooo useful)

- image and sentiment were both stamped onto white card using Memento 'London Fog', although the stems of the flowers were inked with SU 'Certainly Celery' at the same time. Flowers were just coloured with a couple of lilac-pink Pro Markers

- image is from an Autumn Leaves set called 'Flowers' by Rhonna Farrer, sentiment is from SU's 'Sincere Salutations' set

- a little KanBan lilac-pink gem above the sentiment, of course the colour doesn't show up well in the photo :( . 

Et voila, all done.

Di
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Pixie's Crafty Snippets Challenge - 35

As always, firstly my own snippets offering for the week:

And it all started off with this:

Leftover wrapping paper (from Sainsburys) which I'd used for a Birthday present about a month ago. I figured that as snippets here can be anything from paper, card, lace, wool etc. then wrapping paper leftovers counted as well.

I used:

- 6" x 7" white card stock

- one whole pattern of the wrapping paper, backed with double sided sticky film and layered onto a snippet of white card, which was then trimmed down. Unless the wrapping paper you use is really strong stuff it's all too easy to accidentally crease it. Then, another pattern of the paper was stuck onto white paper so that the birdhouse, birds and a couple of flowers could then be snipped around and used as decoupage

- the pink backing card and aqua blue to die cut the swirl (Marianne) came from the snippets folder

- sentiment is from Banana Frog's 'Shake your tail feathers' set, stamped using SU's 'Baja Breeze'

- Josy Rose nail heads just to finish off

So, without any more ado, onto the roll call:

Mary Mac nipped in first this week, her first offering is such a lovely nostalgic card - and could just be us lot having a tea party in the Playground :) So adorable, although I doubt if we'd be as clean after rolling round in the muddy puddles!  And, on a return visit, Mary brought us an adorable layout/card using super papers and such a cute elephant too. I did say to Mary that if a sheet is cut into, even a 12" one it's a snippet! The words are lovely and I did smile at all the love put into this. Do remember that Mary has some great blogaversary candy coming up soon so if you hop over and comment you'll be in with a chance. And I'm sure the candy will be brilliant, I have a lovely paper pack here on my desk from Mary and she has great taste - thank you again Mary!

Amanda hopped in twice this week as well, and the first time she brought a really brilliant card - I love the HM stamp (but of course) and those papers are gorgeous.
Of course I enlarged and just love the Elzybells sentiment - 'non binding agreement' is so apt - go and check for yourselves :) And then, on Friday, a delightful Wedding card was waved from the swings for us to see - it's so pretty, and just perfect for a special couple. Love the glittering on the bodice and head dress Amanda!

It was great to see Maggie C come to play, after a bit of an absence. Weeks and weeks in fact! Maggie's card is such a beauty, featuring a cocker spaniel (one of my favourite dogs) - and the overall effect is lovely, just look at the way the spaniel is looking sideways at you :) Maggie also talked about quality, both of sewing machines and stamps in her post. I'm with her 100% on both topics - I know that free clear stamps with magazines are a lure but they don't always live up to expectations, and even some you buy are disappointing. Thanks for the thoughts Maggie - I still have my Mum's sweet little portable Singer sewing machine in the cupboard here and I bet it would work like a dream with a service.

Linby was next - with this really elegant card, featuring shoes made using snippets and paper piecing - absolutely fabulous too. I did laugh when Julia (Mrs Dunnit/Queen of WOYWW) remarked 'nothing can take your mind of life's problems like a pair of tight shoes...'. Apparently she has a sentiment stamp with that on - how flipping perfect! Back to those lovely shoes though, YES, the pink one is mine for sure Lynn...................and the rest of you can fight over the others now in the dressing up box.

Sandra H arrived next to play, with such a pretty scenic Christmas card. I love all the pink you used Sandra (well, I would say that regardless but it's truly gorgeous) - just perfect too for the In The Pink challenge and Hazel's Christmas Card Challenge which was to feature a building or part of a building. Love the church stamp you used and the sparky snow is lovely - like the idea of colouring the conifers lightly with green too, I was too rushed to do that with my entry :)

Victoria's snippets make for this week is here - it's for Less Is More as well and (in my humble opinion) is a winner. Do go and look - and perhaps nip to the loo first. I did giggle at what Victoria confessed to having done - and I just bet we've all done similar, or worse, at some time or another. The theme of trees started off some ideas - only for a flipping tree house in the playground now! Of course, this started a little flurry of excitement from the usual 'suspects' so I now have an eye constantly open for the arrival of a lorry load of mixed wood off cuts! Thanks Victoria, nice bit of 'winding up my big key in the back' there :)

Next was Lynn A, who came back to play so we must have been nice to her :) And do take a look at this really elegant card - it's absolutely lovely, the mix of cream, brown and 'plummy pink' work fantastically together! A lot of the goodies are SU, which we all seem to be really loving right now, and I think you did an amazing job Lynn - the antique brad is the perfect finishing touch! Be sure to come back next week - and it's lovely to see that some of you playmates hopped over to say hello to Lynn. When you first start out glogging (snort, I mean Blogging) it can sometimes be a bit lonely :(

Aha, and now we have 'Mrs Rudolph Day' herself - our Sarn, who is running Rudolph Day right now. To check it out, if you don't already know, hop over here. This week Sarn brought two cards to show at once - both made using snippets from the 'yellow and green piles'. Both are really lovely cards - butterflies on the first and a tree as the main image on the second card. As always, two super cards Sarn! And I bet the snippets piles aren't going down at all.

Mrs A was next to come and play, and she brought the sweetest 'bird in a cage' card to share - lovely backing paper too, which is really familiar. Goes off for a rootle...........hmm, they must be hiding but I'm almost sure they're by Kate Knight? Love the lace and ribbon as a finishing touch too Mrs A. And, the tale about your Mum did make me laugh - a feisty lady I suspect. Later on, we had a return visit from Mrs A, with a very clever card using butterflies and bottle caps :) Do go and see, it's great - although I have repeated the rule of no alcohol in the Playground, well, OK - maybe at Christmas then Mrs A!

Then Sam came to show her makes from snippets this week, three times in fact. First with this great Christmas card, complete with removable tag - such a great idea too! Lovely to include a tag which can be recycled by the recipient next year. Next was such a bright and cheerful Birthday card - along with the question about whether we'd have a kettle in the tree house. I did reply that we'd have a toaster if required :) And finally, the most deliciously gorgeous 'inky techniques' card for Sam's Dad - wonderful colours there Sam and the slight sparkle is beautiful.

Brenda was next, with such a happy Christmas card. Super little penguins, so beautifully coloured too – and how well the papers all go together along with those beautiful snowflakes. A really great card, as I said, everything goes together so well, right down to the bakers twine - I love it Brenda! I'd love to have free run of your stamp collection.

We had two visits from Laura, firstly with a delightful monochrome card, featuring the sweetest bird, beautifully coloured to go so well with the backing paper. It's lovely Laura and such a kind thought to send it to your Great-Uncle and partner - hope they're getting over the accident now. Next was a really great card using such wonderful buttons, paper and pearls, The result is so CAS Laura - and I think you did a brilliant job!

Bernie managed to visit twice this week too - firstly with this great selection of Birthday cards. Lots of embossing and stars Bernie - they look so clean and fresh too. There's also an update on Jim's progress ion the posting Bernie did. And next, with two absolutely gorgeous cards - I love both of them - Bernie returned with news of a bit of a catastrophe which resulted in Jim ending up in hospital A&E being stitched up after a spectacular fall out of bed. My knees went weak reading about it - and it seems as if Bernie's heart might just have stopped galloping by now - hope things improve Bernie. Sending love and hugs from all of us in the Playground!

We only had one visit from Hazel this week, which was very unusual. But, what a stunning card - I totally love it Hazel, and the background paper really fooled me at first - I thought you'd be making patchwork from your snippets :) Of course, being pink (combined with lovely lime green) it ticks all the boxes :) I just had a good scroll through Hazel's blog and it seems there's a combination of camera problems and internet issues conspiring right now - ain't it always the way. Just so long as those shingles are now behaving Hazel!

Next was Darnell, who always cracks me up - a very funny lady :) And this is the card that Darnell brought to wave at you - well, what d'you think peeps? Isn't it so flipping clever - just torn card, a sentiment stamped and the coolest flip flop brad ever!! Snort, someone commented about thongs (as I believe flip flops are called in the USA) and I primly did have to point out the following in my comment: I hope you aren't posting rude photos for the playground, in the UK, thongs are NOT flip flops - they are itsy bitsy panties that quite frankly wouldn't hold a pantie liner and also your rear end would most likely look like two little boys fighting under a blanket - as my Dad would have said. Probably not even under the blanket. Standards do have to be maintained Darnell - mind you, if you bring some of those luscious looking tomatoes from your garden for our next Playground picnic all will be forgiven :)

Crumbs, thankfully I don't think our next and newest little playmate will be able to read this roll call on her own - may I please introduce you to The Pony Girl, who is almost six years old. She does have some help with her blog but do hop over to say hello and to see her lovely snippets card, featuring of course - a lovely pony! Such a pretty card too. Her Grandma does help a bit but I think we have a very talented young lady who is eager to join in the fun of crafting and blogging - welcome to our newest little friend :)

Mind you, I just about had the vapours when Mrs A confided in her comment to the Pony Girl that there are plans to have a campfire in the Playground!! Is it any wonder I sometimes just lie on the floor here in despair?

Next was Mary H, still recovering from the long healing it takes after an  Achilles repair - but still cheerful. And, what a fabulous card she brought to show us, it's an underwater scene with a ton of work having gone into making it - so much that you really do have to go and see for yourselves, I can't really begin to describe the amazing colouring and the water movement captured by you Mary. It's a real work of art - one surely to be framed!

Bonnie scampered in next - and it was her first time to come and play as well. Wow, what a gorgeous card Bonnie, the colours are so good together, I love the butterfly with the pearls and absolutely love the idea of adding knotted ribbon when a bow would look too fancy. I love using ribbon and this is such a brilliant idea. Hope you come and play again, I see some playmates have been to say Hi already - they sometimes drive me nuts with their mad schemes for the Playground but they really are the very best bunch of crafters ever. By the way girls, Bonnie is another SU demonstrator with some great ideas on her blog - err, and she also likes House Mouse, Brenda :) Yup, I've been having a good snoop !

Then Elizabeth arrived with three cards altogether - and all Christmas cards too. So cleverly made by recycling Christmas cards (or as Sarn says Upcycling - sounds rather posher maybe) and each one, featuring a Winter scene, is really beautiful Elizabeth. Haddon Hall is one of my favourite buildings too - a long time since I last visited though. I feel the urge for a little break in more Northerly parts of the UK coming on!

Edit: I meant to mention that a few regulars have been missing in action this last week, Irene's comment just now reminded me. I think Irene joins in almost every week so let's hope she'll be back playing next week. And one really notable 'truant' is the lovely Jules, who is currently snowed under with wedding orders and other exciting stuff . Jules started the snippets challenge in the first place and this is possibly her very first week she's been unable to join in - it's brilliant that her work is so much in demand (not even leaving her enough time for blogging right now, let alone coming to play in the playground). Hope to see you soon!

Phew, that's this week's roll call done - it's Saturday here as am typing and pitch dark as the heavens just opened, Ooops, need to go and turn the slide on its side so you don't get soaked when the Playground opens again :) Wet drawers are no fun!

Have a great week, keep using those snippets - the playground is open all week and will close on Saturday 1st September at noon, UK time. I bottled out of the hairdressers after all - figured that there was no way she would just snip a tiny bit off even if I begged. So I'm going to take the scissors just to my fringe, hoping I don't end up with a slalom effect.

Mr Linky is below as usual.

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 :)

It's Rudolph Day again!

And also for the next week - you can enter your Christmas card over at SARN'S, the Queen of our monthly Rudolph Day - plus there's a really whimsical Penny Black stamp to be won, yay! Hate to remind you but at the beginning of September I just bet Christmas goodies will start appearing in the shops here :(

In an effort to build up stocks, am now making duplicates - and why not? If you have the stuff out already it's lots easier to make two cards, or even more, side by side. I found this great idea to slice paper into three over at Mary Mac's, who in turn found it over at Brenda's, who in turn.......... :) Thanks ladies, it's given me the 'oomph' to use up some of those Bo Bunny papers that have lovely images on, much too nice to cover with too much else - even though Brenda was super-clever and actually stamped her backgrounds:

I used:

- 7" x 5" cream card stock

- paper from Bo Bunny's 'Father Christmas' Collection, chopped into three

- gold ribbon from the ribbon box

- Craftwork Cards greeting mounted onto a scalloped circle punched with SU's circular scalloped punch using a snippet of red from the snippets folder and popped on with a sticky pad to just lift it

Quick and easy, the work is really done by Bo Bunny :)

One tip, I did trim the base card a bit width ways as the pad is 6" x 6", and of course I also chopped a bit from the bottom of the paper. This might seem really obvious girls, but for once I thought ahead and stuck the two outside panels down first - that gave more room for manoeuvre with the centre one.

Saturday and it's that Bank Holiday weekend I was barking on about in mistake weeks ago - have a fun time whatever you plan to do!

Di
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I am NOT a robot - truly!

But Len did crack me up this morning - having a quiet cuppa whilst I was waking up he suddenly burst out laughing at a news item on TV. It began with a rather cute little robot about 14 seconds into the clip below (just before Jimmy the Weightlifting robot), sort of weebling along in a rolling action on unsteady little legs, and not looking quite with it. When he calmed down he explained the cause for hilarity 'That's just what you look like when you first get out of bed in the morning'.


He can be visited during the following hours in Wards 5,6 and 7 in our local hospital.....................

Di
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Wedding card for a special couple

What seems like ages ago now I made Save the Date and Wedding invitations for Jess and Stuart - who are getting married today. On Wednesday of this week (on WOYWW) I was still struggling to make a card for their special day as the one under way didn't really echo the invitations properly. But then inspiration struck.

I remembered that their second choice from the samples made almost a year ago had punched butterflies on - they opted in the end for this 'ribbon threaded with a diamante heart' design:

So, a combination of the two resulted in this:

 I used:

- white DL card stock

- aubergine card which was then topped with some lovely card embossed with 'flittered' swirls by Best Creation Inc - called 'Mr and Mrs'. The sheets are 12" x 12" and I found it in Hobbycraft - of course the swirls don't show up well in the photo unless you enlarge it and peer closely at the screen :(

- the aubergine ribbon is wider but the same colour as I used when making the invitations and the larger diamante heart came from my goodies store

- the butterflies are actually double layered (punched using my favourite X-Cut butterfly punch) and the wings are just slightly offset, aubergine underneath and the 'flittered' card on top - with little pearl strips down the butterfly bodies

- the sentiment was stamped using SU's 'Perfect Plum' and a SU stamp that I bought ages ago (pre-loved so I don't know which set it's from, or perhaps it's discontinued even). I didn't like any of my Wedding Day stamps but this one seemed to fit the bill OK

- the sentiment was then punched using a SU punch, gently edged with 'Perfect Plum' and just four small diamantes added

Let's just hope the weather is kind for them today. Which is Friday, so the weekend beckons for us all too :)

Di

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Christmas card - include a building

This was the latest Christmas challenge set by Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - and I did think of using one of the LOTV 'birdhouse stamps' I have here (which Hazel kindly said would be fun when I asked) - but then I spotted a (cough, recently bought) pre-loved SU stamp on the desk and this is the result:

I used:

- 7" x 5" cream card stock

- image stamped onto cream card in Memento 'Sepia', from SU's 'Silent Night' set. Then covered in double sided sticky and die cut before I sprinkled iridescent glittery stuff from Art of Craft over it - kinda sparkly craft room here now 'cos I sneezed at the wrong moment:)

- backing card in 'chocolate chip' brown from SU's 'Neutrals' collection - love this set

- patterned backing card from a Dovecraft 'Let It Snow' pack - grin, it has very faint wording on it saying 'Peace on Earth' and I almost did 'a Victoria' and stuck it upside down :)

- organza dark edged chocolate coloured ribbon from the ribbon box

Whilst at it, I made two the same - well, it is August ya know plus Sarn's  Rudolph Day is only a couple of days away - snigger, I've already made my first entry for that one - and I made two of those as well :)  See the halo shining?

Thanks for calling by! Would you like to tackle yet another load of ironing while you're here please?

Di
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WOYWW - 168

Quick post from me this week:

I gave up in disgust - you know the feeling that it's not worth continuing with a card? I got that late yesterday so 'upped and ran off' leaving things until later today when hopefully things will fall into place.

Besides which, the 'shove it to the right' pile was threatening to overwhelm the desk:

Sigh, some serious sorting out to be done I think. But, Monday was a much better day - swans and ducks on the river at Salisbury:

But even they weren't fully cooperating - we had to hunt for a group of them that were remotely interested in being fed - I suspect that a mahoosive  busload of 'bread laden tourists' must have beaten us to it :(

For a good snoop round lots of much more productive desks, but perhaps no ducks and swans (in fact I'm not sure why they're here either, perhaps to try to brighten up a very boring desk) do hop over to Julia's - and Happy WOYWW!

Di
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A Tuesday Tale - crash, take that!

My parents were generally quite placid people, especially my Mum - it was Dad who had more of the sense of adventure whilst Mum was the home maker, and he sometimes verged into being a bit of a likeable rogue. BUT, my Mum did have her limits, and this is one example.

We were living in Malta and I was probably just a toddler when this happened - but the tale was related more than once over the years, generally if Dad was pushing his luck a bit :) Despite the heat, Mum was a traditionalist and always cooked a Sunday roast - Dad was also a traditionalist and liked to nip down to the Mess for a pre-lunch pint with his buddies. One particular Sunday (I suspect I was grizzling or going through the 'Terrible Twos' phase) Mum objected to being left to cook lunch and cope with me at the same time whilst Dad quaffed a pint or two then sauntered back home to lunch followed by a nice snooze. He dug his heels in and Mum did too - soon they were in the throes of a heated argument as Mum was beginning to get pots and pans ready for a roast beef lunch.

Suddenly, and without any warning, I think a sort of 'red rag to a bull madness' came over Mum and she lost the plot totally. She happened to be holding a large empty roasting tin at the time:

Said roasting tin was raised in the air and brought down with a HUGE wallop on the top of Dad's head! He saw stars *********  but still went out for his pre-lunch drink - nursing an already throbbing head.

I suspect he didn't enjoy his pint or two or the huge lump that had now appeared on the top of his head but it was now a matter of pride. He returned home to find my Mum sobbing her heart out in the kitchen. Thinking that he'd been rather a 'cad', remorse overcame Dad and he hugged her and apologised. Mum's reaction though wasn't quite what he expected - the tears got worse - then she opened the oven door and cried 'Look what you did to the joint of beef!!'.

Sitting there jauntily, in the roasting pan on top of a large bowl shaped hump in the centre was the Sunday joint - merrily overcooking and enjoying the 'mountain experience'.

That really must have been one BIG wallop to dent an old fashioned roasting tin :)

Di
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Another 'In The Pink' card

Oh, how I love the new 'In The Pink' challenge and at the moment it's Anything Goes aka Fifty Shades of Pink :) Once the girls start setting tighter challenges I might be a bit more pushed, but this second card for the challenge cried out to be made yesterday, although the little pieces were more than a tad fiddly with hot and sticky paws here:

It's decoupaged and this is a sideways view:

I used:

- 7" x 5" white card stock, one edge punched using a favourite Martha Stewart punch

- Papermania 'Garden Party' decoupage set

- raspberry pink backing card

- label made from raspberry pink card with a sentiment from the set added plus some baby pink beaded cord added

- raspberry pink Josy Rose nail heads

It reminds me of the roses Len 'picked' the other day from the garden :)

Am off to Salisbury for the day with a pal, bit of shopping and a walk along the river to feed the swans and ducks.

Have fun, whatever you have planned for the day!

Di
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Pixie's Crafty Snippets Challenge - 34

Snigger, I bet this caught you out - am off to read in bed for a change - so I've posted this early (and already linked to In the Pink even) just for you night owls, who could already be jumping up and down clattering the Playground gates, wanting to come and play:)

I do think someone stole this last week, but the sun is shining at last! My snippets make is also for the new challenge called 'In the Pink', where it's Anything Goes'  (grin, or 50 Shades of Pink) right now - a few friends have kindly pointed it out as being 'slightly to my taste' but it was already 'on the radar' here, my eyes miss nothing pink in the crafting world:)

I used:

- 6" x 6" white petal edged card stock

- all papers came from the snippets folder, the patterned one is originally from the truly lovely 12" x 12" DCWV 'Preppy Princess paper' stack

- dies used are the Nestabilities Moroccan set which were then embossed wiv me new Swiss Dots folder (the dies work brilliantly now that I've added some Release Foam) and  a couple of rose leaves from a Marianne Creatables spiral rose set.

- butterflies are punched with my much loved Xcut Dimensions Butterfly Punch and then some pearls (from Hobbycraft) added

- the huge flower came from my big box of flowers, ribbon from the ribbon box and more pink pearls added along the petal edge with a strip of the patterned backing paper on the back piece of the card behind

Yay, just one week's roll call this time :) It's still quite a long one so I hope you don't mind if I rattle through them a bit - the sunshine is calling.

First in was Hazel with (as I write) 6 entries this week. Bless, she has said that really with as many as hers she'd probably just say go to Hazel's blog Here - but, when I can, it's only fair to try to cover each card. First up was this sweet (literally) Christmas card - love the gingerbread man and I bet Jules will adore the hearts! Next was this baubles and bows Christmas card, love the way they seem to pop out of the screen at you, then a yummy pink cupcake card (I might have missed but don't think this was entered into In the Pink Hazel, and it would have been perfect - although I think perhaps they limit the number of other challenges you can enter, and our Hazel sure manages to find shed loads of challenges to enter). Next we had a trip to the beach - this card reminded me so much of building sandcastles and watching sadly as the tide came in and washed them away :( Great the way the papers go together too. After that Hazel brought such a great card for a man, absolutely perfect and the sentiment is spot-on Hazel! Finally, this super 'include a building' card for the latest Christmas card challenge that Hazel runs - grin, I wonder if a bird house counts as a building Hazel, I have a very cute LOTV stamp that would be perfect :)

Jules was next, still as busy as ever but still using snippets and calling in each week. It's a delightful card - and guess what, I couldn't spot the heart and have only just seen it when writing up the roll call. Need to go to Specsavers I think :) Love the fresh look and the way you used the die with such lovely flowers is great Jules.

We had two visits from Sarn this week - on a roll using up LOTV Cute Squares. The first card is here - and perfect for the playground too - a bunny on a swing with great matching papers too. Mind you, I don't see a little queue of bunnies waiting for their turn :) And next was an adorable little LOTV girl admiring herself in the mirror, just perfect for Pretty In Pink's challenge and again such well matched papers Sarn. Two lovely cards.

Sigh, that reminds me of a quick tale that I did write about here ages ago, when I think perhaps I had less than a dozen followers:

As a kid I loved dressing up - and one of my most humiliating memories is from my early days at Infant School. One afternoon, every week, they had 'dressing up' time. For weeks I dressed up in things pulled from a huge trunk BUT longed for it to be my turn to dress up in the pale blue taffeta 'Princess outfit'.......I had a bit of a wait as my surname is waaaaay at the end of the alphabet and that's how they deemed it to be 'fair' so that all little girls had a turn. Come the big day I felt so ill and sickly I could hardly drag my little legs to school, but it was so important that I managed to hang on until the afternoon and my longed for transformation into Princess Diane. No sooner did I have the dress on than 'Wooomph'.......I leave the rest to your imagination but my lunch sure went a long way down the front of that beautiful dress, which of course was ruined. Amidst squeals of horror from the other kids I then promptly keeled over in a messy heap. Hey, ho - it turned out to be Whooping Cough.......no wonder I felt like sh*t so poorly!!

Rach came to play twice this week as well and this is her first card - so pretty and you would never guess it used a leftover Betty's Tearooms cake box would you, love the butterflies too of course. Harrumph though, I see that the contents were eaten and not brought to the playground to share out! Next was such a sweet card called 'Team Effort' and it's adorable Rach. Do go and see, and if you look closely you'll also see that the little flowers at the bottom of the main image have been paper pieced - clever stuff!

We also had two visits from Irene this week - such an elegant card first, which features a photo of a cornflower taken by Irene herself, It's beautiful Irene! And then Irene returned with one of her her now finished cushions, also in blues and mauves and really pretty too - of course snippets of wool qualify - a snippet is a snippet in my eyes. And, just look at the baking session results in the same posting - cheese scones are my all time favourite too!

Then Sally arrived, having recovered from a brilliant get together which included our Jules and Lynn (Linby) - go here to see what a happy bunch they look, and she brought two great snippets cards to show. One is a 'maternity leaving card' (all pinks too) and the other one just perfect for a guitarist (I know Len would love it) - super cards Sally.

Sam hopped in twice as well this week - firstly with a great birthday card for a 10 year old, lovely image and great colours. I especially love the way the buttons pick up the embossing folder Sam used (it might be the Boofles Tri-Boss 'Mixed Buttons' folder?). And then, we had a really clever layout - do check it out, the laced corset effect is brilliantly one Sam. Grin, Sam's at a quilting exhibition just now so I don't need to be quite as wary of being run over in the playground.........for the moment!

Lynn A arrived next, with a really cleverly made card. Firstly though, I owe you an apology Lynn, we have a few Lynn's coming to play and Dumbo here got mixed up and thought it was your first visit - absolutely wrong :( The card is such beautiful colours and I love the paper folding technique, which I'd also been eyeing up in QCME magazine this month - brilliant result Lynn!

Next was Victoria, bringing the most adorable washing line of baby clothes to show - to see the delightful card do go here. What's even more clever, as if the card and the take on a sketch wasn't enough, Victoria used part of SU's owl punch for the little dresses, and also cut the grass free-hand! Lovely pinks too :) And for a smile, do scroll down to see the cat who caught the fly at the bottom of Victoria's post - hilarious! :)

Elizabeth hopped in three times this week - and this is the first card, a 21st card which any young chap would love - a saucy mink Kenny K image, and coloured to perfection Elizabeth! Next was a posting, showing the waxing/inking technique - certainly one to read girls and the results are fab - there are a few terrific cards as examples to see! And then a lovely clean and crisp butterflies and bunting card, just perfect for a little boy Elizabeth.

Next was Sandra H, with such a sweet and very pretty card - showing how Kraft card can be prettied up beautifully. Lots of lovely embellishments and die cutting have transformed plain old Kraft card into a very special end result - that's good news here as I have a huge pack of square Kraft cards and have hardly used any of them as yet. Thanks for the inspiration Sandra :)

Linby was next, with this really great 'dressmaking themed' card. Love the tailors dummy Lynn, and I totally adore the perfect embossing folder you used. Do go and see girls, Lynn didn't give the name of the folder but I think it's the Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Sewing & Measuring Tape Set - just brilliant and the highlighting with TH Spun Sugar works a treat! Snort, it IS that folder I just said - ahem, bad girl Lynn as I have lots of sewing stamps and this folder (just ordered) is gonna be lovely!

Next to play was Lynne, and she brought us such an elegant, and pretty at the same time, card - using some gorgeous dies. Do go here to see - love the soft colours Lynne and the organza ribbon, flowers, pearls and pin are the perfect finishing touches. I read with interest about the rubbing a candle trick over 'hard to remove' dies. I said above that I've just used some Release Foam on a very tricky set here - it works brilliantly but I'm all for saving pennies :)

Darnell 'mosied' into the playground this week with a card following a sketch which she'd twisted (ha, supposedly whilst doing neck exercises - nice one Darnell) - and I really do prefer the twisted version that Darnell came up with. It's a lovely sugar pink, green and white card too - really fresh and elegant (lots of elegant cards in the playground this week!). Love it!

Next was Mary H, still making good progress after her op. and certainly becoming a lot more mobile. To see the card hop on over to here - such a lovely swirled embossed background and the bird and flowers image is gorgeous - terrific colouring too. Lovely to see you back playing Mary, we'll play nicely until you have a fully clean bill of health :)

Mary Mac dropped by twice this week, the first time was with cards in the making and one finished one, using lime green on the finished one - lovely designs and fabby papers Mary! Oh, and Mary also has a giveaway coming up to celebrate her Blog-aversary too - all the more reason to drop in to say Hi. Next time, Mary brought us a wonderful Christmas card, cleverly using Bo Bunny papers just divided into three (as picked up from our Brenda's blog) - what a great effect too. AND, further down the posting there's a delicious chicken recipe to try out - it sounds fab. and I'll be giving it a whirl for sure.

Mrs. A is well and truly home from her hols. and just look at this tag she made. How flipping clever is that?! I'd heard of sea glass but hadn't looked in earnest for it and I did laugh about Mrs A sneaking the 'rejects' into the luggage when the Doc., her hubby, wasn't looking :) What's so great about the tag Mrs A is the simplicity of it, and the absolutely perfect sentiment just makes you go 'Wow'!! Brilliant stuff.

Brenda B was next to arrive - and she brought the stunning Christmas cards which had inspired Mary Mac, they really are beautiful Brenda. I love both colours you used, one in greens and one in purples/lilacs - and the hand stamped backgrounds are absolutely perfect, along with the great sentiment. I can see a few of us following suit with the 'triple split' design - it works beautifully Brenda!

So girls, that's the roll call for this week - I wasn't as fast as I'd hoped but there's still a few hours left here to go and sit out in the sunshine, gotta make the most of it!

Have a great week, keep using those snippets - the playground is open all week and will close on Saturday 25th August at noon, UK time. Grin, I hope to keep up this coming week and begin the roll call early - am braving the hairdressers on Saturday morning ready for hols and my bet is it could be hard to type whilst wearing a brown paper sack and weeping at the same time :( JUST a very little trim please................why did I pick 'Edward Scissor Hands' when my previous hairdresser left?!!

Mr Linky is below as usual.

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 :) 

New Home card - I was out yesterday

.........at a friend's where there is a HUGE wedding on Friday, the one I made the invitations for. The sun shone for us in the garden, we had a lovely lunch, talked for ages plus the groom's Mum (my friend Joy) and Sybil, the Groom's Grandmother, (who is a fabulous lady, I want her to adopt me!) both showed off their wonderful outfits and such brilliant hats too. You couldn't help but be caught up in the excitement :))

Must make a Wedding card PDQ here!!

But, I did find time to make a card before I got in the car and hit the road for lunch:

As always on a Saturday, as I'm gearing up for the Snippets Roll call, a quick and easy card.

I used:

- KanBan card called ''Stone Wall', from Hobbycraft in with another one I was after - I just measured to DL and folded it

- topper bits also from a different KanBan set

When I got home, The Head Gardener had been at work - I'm not even asking why, but these roses were on the patio table:

I do suspect that someone went a bit mad with the strimmer - but even so, with a glass of wine waiting and a sheepish grin what can you do? Snort, especially if they're in a huge Gherkin Jar with the label still on...............and Len smiles so nicely I had to giggle! 

Di
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Friday Feast - Creamy Courgette and Beef Lasagne

This has to be my current favourite lasagne recipe - the 'two-legged mouse' voted it the best ever:

Creamy Courgette and Beef Lasagne

Serves 4

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
500g beef lean steak mince
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
390g carton (or 450g can) chopped tomatoes with basil and oregano
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Approx a handful of fresh coriander, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato purée
50ml red wine, or beef stock
250g pack fresh egg lasagne sheets
2 courgettes, sliced into ribbons with a peeler
400g jar white sauce for lasagne
50g grated mature cheddar cheese

Heat the oil in a frying pan and sauté the onion and garlic for 1 minute. Add the mince and cook for 10 minutes, until brown; add the cinnamon for the final 2 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, coriander, tomato purée and wine (or beef stock). Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until reduced to a thick, glossy sauce. 

Preheat the oven to 200ºC, fan 180ºC, gas 6. In a large baking dish, spoon a layer of the mince sauce, topped with a layer of lasagne sheets, followed by a layer of courgette and the white sauce. Repeat, finishing with a layer of courgette ribbons and a thin layer of white sauce. Sprinkle with the grated Cheddar and bake for 20-25 minutes.

 

Serve with a mixed green salad and/or garlic bread. 

 

Things I do: I did find a can rather than a carton of chopped tomatoes with basil and oregano, but you could probably just add a little pinch of each to an ordinary can of tomatoes. And, I cheated and bought the jar of white sauce as the recipe said (the recipe came from a Sainsburys in-store magazine) - you could make your own of course. 

It's the addition of the cinnamon and coriander, along with the courgette strips, that give this recipe that something special - and of course the red wine helped, hic!

Enjoy!

Di

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Helen Keller

......was one of my great heroines as a young girl. This quote of hers is so moving:

Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there's a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see.

An amazing and inspirational lady. So, when I spotted that some newly acquired Stickeroos had another quote of hers on, I made this:

 I used:

- 7" x 5" cream card stock

- Penny Black Stickeroos from the 'Unfolding' set

- green SU card from the snippets folder

- snippets of aubergine ribbon

I have my profound head on today but Friday Feast will follow - so get those saucepans ready :) Actually, just one pan and a baking dish for a special lasagne.

Di

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Is it too soon for a yummy Christmas cake?

Not sure whether this is a mince pie or a cupcake - but it's surely a sweet Christmas cake to eat - and that means it's fine for Craftyhazelnuts Christmas Challenge which is festive food or drink:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- image cut from a Christmas card kept from 2011, love the sparkly berries :)

- SU backing card from the snippets folder behind the image and across the back of the sentiment

- backing paper from Echo Park's 'Season's Greetings' paper pack

- sentiment strip from my goodies store

All I did was cut and stick - simples! It's been a pretty up and down few days, life in general throwing a few curve balls has got in the way of crafting and I also need to catch up on commenting so that's my first job of the day, I'll be there ASAP I promise.

But, tomorrow's recipe for Friday Feast is the very best lasagne I have ever tasted of all the different ones I've cooked over the years :) I think you'll love it!

Di
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WOYWW - 167

Not much exciting going on when I took this photo yesterday before dragging my feet downstairs to tackle a shed load of ironing:

That basket of cards is growing - must do those inserts before they make a bid to take over the desk.

Then, in front are my embossing folders as they've been irritating me lately. Why don't manufacturers put the full flipping names on folders?! So, I've been trawling round the internet checking out the names and writing them on in permanent ink. Ha, next week I could be sitting with my feet up on the desk peeling grapes - it would be as rewarding. Although my hope is that it'll make writing up what I've used to make cards a bit easier in the long run.

And, a swing to the right:

Another rapidly growing pile of stuff to be put away :(

That's my offering for this week - now hop it - over to Julia's to see what everyone else is up to today. If you see anyone actually sitting peeling grapes be sure to let me know.

Di
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A Tuesday Tale - you just can't get the staff

....and I'm debating whether to sack our gardener or not. He worries me when he dons his hat with 'Head Gardener' on - it's almost as if something slightly manic takes him over (maybe I should just throw the hat away, that might be the cause).

We have a mahoosive evergreen bush in the garden here, it really should be removed and the whole border then replanted. But, we have (no kidding) a fully resident blackbird, wife and family - year after year. Plus sparrows and a robin. So, for now the gigantic bush stays but it started to die off a few weeks ago - right in the centre parts so clipping the dead branches off was going to leave huge holes.

Then, one day about two weeks, ago Head Gardener said 'That bush is getting new growth - go take a look':

Well, I'll be blowed - sure enough, those brown twigs were now green. Then I looked a bit closer - Head Gardener had only been rootling round in the shed and found an almost empty spray can of green paint and had been renovating the bush with it!

In fact, I hate to admit it but it's done a temporary job - and the birds have accepted it really well.

BUT, and this is the bit that really worries me - Head Gardener then jumped into his car and whizzed off to a DIY store to buy more green spray paint so he could finish the job off properly :(

Apparently he once made a garden strimmer by using an old spin dryer motor attached to a pole. Barking, totally barking - Heath Robinson strikes again!

Di
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Wedding Wishes

My friend and neighbour Kim asked me to make a Wedding card and the brief was for it to be similar to the christening card I recently made, which is here. Then she said that the bride loves pink (so my eyes lit up of course), followed by the fact that the 'soon to be Mr and Mrs' are into camper vans (so my heart sank just a tad). But, not to be beaten, I went hunting and found a cute little retro van stamp In Hobbycraft that I knew would be a good size with the existing chicks stamp I'd already decided to give a first outing. It's really worth looking through Hobbycraft's own range of small clear stamps, not expensive and there are some nice ones to be had. This is the finished card:

I used:

- A5 white card stock

- pink backing card by Bazill Basics

- white card embossed using Quickutz's 'Vines' embossing folder, in two pieces with the join covered with pink ribbon from Hobbycraft (yup, I trotted round matching ribbons to paper in the shop - pink comes in a shed load of shades so it took a while)

- 'retro van' clear stamp from Hobbycraft's own range, coloured with Pro Markers then a small flower and clear diamantes added to the headlights and flower - as well as U2 R1 on the number plate. Stampendous 'Calendar Chicks Mr and Mrs Chick' stamp, coloured with Pro Markers with a little touch of Glamour Dust on the 'bride's' veil  and a little diamante on the flower :)

- computer generated sentiment-

- Nestabilities Labels Eight for the die cutting and the pink backings used the trick of drawing round the nestie then hand cutting for a narrow border

- then I had one heck of a job trying to tie a decent bow with the quite thick pink grosgrain ribbon, even using the bow maker they looked clumsy and just not right. So, quick dive into some very old goodies and there I found the ready made pink embellishment (ribbon, roses and pearls) - to think I almost added those to the parcel of craft goodies I recently sent to the Care Home where my step-mum is living now!

All we need now is some decent weather on Saturday for the wedding. I was out in a mahoosive downpour this afternoon - came home like a drowned rat :( 

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments about the roll call - I was almost losing the will to live whilst doing it, but it's nice to know it was worthwhile.

Di

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Less is More - Fur or Feathers

This week's challenge over at Less Is More is 'one layer' and the theme is Fur or Feathers:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- stamps from a Woodware clear stamp set - BD232DE. Image coloured with Pro Markers and the sentiment stamped using SU's 'Marina Mist'

- a couple of embossed lines above and below the image, which don't show up well in the photo needless to say

Two posts already from me today - what's the World coming to?! 

Di
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Sweet memories

After enduring watching the closing ceremony of the Olympics, some of which was in fact good and quite moving (my Nasi Goreng could have been to blame for the moving bits though) - I trotted up here to post a card for today. But, then I came across a lovely email from my Uncle Frank. I guess regular followers will know that he and his much loved late wife Alice were my guardians when my parents ran away moved back to England and left me at boarding school in Germany. They were very, very special people, and Frank still is very special and also is still keeping an eye on me - he even said I 'looked good' behind the pram with Len's little grand daughters at Peppa Pig World - how loyal is that?!

And this is what he sent attached to his email:

Taken a few years ago, whilst on holiday in Scotland caravanning, the super snake ex-H and I had a lovely visit to see Alice and Frank. I'm only glad he could take a reasonable photo - just showed it to Len and he cheekily said he knows the face in the middle! :) I remember so clearly knitting that jumper too.

Sigh, out with the treadmill later on - and now you know I ain't a natural blonde :)

Di
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Pixie's Crafty Snippets Challenge - 33

Wow, Week 33 already - and a real marathon roll call to write I think.

First of all, as usual, here's my Snippets card:

I sat here smiling as I made this card thinking of all the funny antics you lot get up to - so the sentiment is just for you, my lovely little Snippets Playmates :)

I used:

- 5" x 7" white card stock

- image is by Funstamps called 'Puddle Duck', die cut and coloured with Pro Markers and the umbrella was paper pieced

- dark blue backing paper and the die cut scalloped oval were done using snippets

- sentiment by Penny Black called 'Quack me up!', stamped using SU's 'Pumpkin Pie' ink pad

- snippet of orange gingham ribbon from the ribbon box - I now have 6" of it left, which will be stored away - just in case :)

I did grin at the cries of 'We thought you'd have more than that' when I showed my snippets folder last week. Nope, not much more really - some 12" lengths are stored elsewhere and most of the Christmas snippets are tucked inside their relevant paper packs. No Olympic records from me for snippet hoarding I'm afraid - I do hoard the tiniest pieces though, even cream and white, so all I can say is that I need to do some catching up.

OK, roll call time now - and it's mahoosive, that'll larn me to go off enjoying myself!

First into the playground, and certainly going for Gold this week with 20 entries so far was Hazel. Crumbs, where to begin? Hazel's first card was one for her own challenge blog which is to make Christmas cards, and this cutie is based on 'Tie a Ribbon' - I'm quite upset that I missed that challenge as me loves my ribbons :) Next was such a lovely Christmas card, one of my favourite Christmas images, then this yummy cupcake card (love the aqua and chocolate colours together!), then a delightful card using one of Penny Black's bestest stamps (in my opinion) called 'Sparklers' - super colours Hazel. Next was such a gorgeous sea scene, and it's a technique you might want to try girlies, then  a card using an acrylic block to make the background - this is such fun to do as well,  and then another sea scene with a lovely ethereal mermaid (snort, that's my big word for today!!). After this came a super little ice cream card, then another yummy cupcake card - I left a huge lick mark on that one,  AND another ice cream card - thank goodness they weren't all real! Anyone thinking that maybe Hazel has a sweet tooth here? Then, appetite satisfied. Hazel showed her lovely entry for Less Is More which was a sketch - love the pink, white and black - Carol Singers came knocking at the door next, lovely traditional card too, followed by a card that I spotted late one night and just had to rush for a glass of water - it's called 'When Life Gives You Lemons'.  Hazel's next card is a stunner - using a lovely KanBan image, Christmas again and such vibrant colours, love it Hazel! This was followed by such an elegant card, which you can see here. Lovely combination of white, pretty blue and black Hazel, bad girl though 'cos I then realised I neeeeeded a Swiss dots embossing folder, the one I have is just a little freebie one. And of course, it would have been a waste of postage without dropping just a few more things into the shopping cart :) I totally adore Hazel's next card, it's so pretty with lots of lovely layers and embellishments, then what a laugh at this card - talk about a funky chick :), followed by two sweet kitty cards which are here and here.  I had to make a dash and close the gates on Saturday morning as entries were still flowing in - but not before Hazel hopped in bright and early with this super Christmas card. And I just KNEW it, the theme over at Hazel's Christmas card challenge this week is, wait for it, Christmas Food and Drink! Told you someone has a sweet tooth :)

Irene was second to arrive in the playground with a really elegant card, so beautifully thought out and such lovely colours. To see it do go here - and this was the first card of the week to kick start my sudden need for a Swiss dots folder :) Every detail is lovely - right down to a little pearl heart on the butterfly. Great as always Irene!

Jules, loyal as ever, found time to visit twice this fortnight - despite the current load of wedding orders. Quick heads up too - Jules is in this coming month's Quick Cards Made Easy magazine again :) As always, Jules' cards are delightful - the first little trip brought us two - a gorgeous marigold coloured card, plus a Christmas snowman - which you can see here. As I'm sure you know, Jules always has a heart somewhere on every card she makes - and, if you haven't already hopped over to look, the snowman card is quite a sneaky one :) Then, exactly a week later - back came Jules with  a wonderfully fresh card, white, pale green and a touch of black. And that too had us asking questions - how are those fabby flowers made? You can see just how here.

Next was Elizabeth, bringing two beautiful cards. The first one is like a step back in time featuring an old fashioned gramophone plus a terrific tip on how to elongate a 'label punch' - one I need to try out to see just how it works, looks great Elizabeth! And the second card uses some pretty wrapping paper (I've seen that too Elizabeth!) plus a fabulous embossed rose - both gorgeous cards!

Sandra H was next, with this beautiful black and white card for the Less is More sketch challenge. Love the backing papers Sandra and so clever to use the Martha Stewart vine punch - it works so well. Plus, the scoring is a perfect touch to divide the papers as well as rounding the corners of the card - something I often forget about.

Next was the Playground Scallywag, although I haven't heard Sam revving her go-kart for a while - which worries me a bit 'cos it usually means she's plotting something :) But, who couldn't fail to be enchanted by Miss Catriona - so beautifully made and all dressed in paper and lace. Absolutely adorable - I had visions of Sam holding her high in the air away from sticky enquiring fingers in the Playground :) You must go and check her out, so much delightful detail. Next, Sam brought this lovely card, love the furry willow Sam, a super result. Then, a great layout with such an enterprising story behind it - the things we Brits will do for a Sunday morning bacon breakfast :) And finally, two absolutely darling little Christmas trees - yup, I did say Christmas trees - you can see them here, they won't shed their needles and are just perfect decorations for the Festive Frivolities. What say we get Sam started on an eight foot high one for the Playground - snort :)

A little aside here, Sam came in the top three over at Simon Says Stamp with this fabulous canvas - well done Sam. All the sweeter (pun intended) as I know you often enter Simon Says Stamp's challenges. Anyone for honey on toast?

Rach nipped in next, bringing the most scrummy looking chocolate biscuits, plus this lovely card. Isn't it great, an unusual shape which works so well with the pretty SU papers and those lovely butterflies. Rach kindly added a link so you can see how she made the card - in fact I know a lot of you lovelies do add links (Sam did for some of her makes this week, as well as others of you) and it just spreads the word and pushes our boundaries. Talking of boundaries, I'm typing away here and still have 30 more Playground 'show and tell offerings' to cover. Tappitty, tap, tap :)

And I had to laugh, remember how I muddled up out August Bank Holiday last weekend? Well, someone did similar and raced through dinner, ran to the TV and set themselves up to watch the Olympics closing Ceremony - on Friday evening :) Even to the point of thinking 'Why are athletes still competing - get off that track, we neeeed it NOW for the ceremony'. See, it isn't just an age thing, is it Rach :)

Mrs A has been on holiday in Italy, hunting down the guy who pinched my rear end MANY moons ago (err, moons, rear end - Freudian slip there perhaps). Anyhow, it didn't stop her joining in the fun and frolics in the Playground and our first makes from Mrs A, along with links to tutorials can be seen here - wow, what fabby flowers and the little trug is adorable! Then, as a complete change here's a lovely tag, based on the Water Babies - it's absolutely beautiful.  That story that really frightened me as a child - although I swim fine, in deep water am not a happy bunny. My Mum was the same.) Then there was this fabulous 'Alabaster Wedding Anniversary' card - it's so, so elegant with such a beautiful rose and clever Mrs A had found out that Alabaster Wedding Anniversaries are to celebrate 37 years of marriage. Next, having used some snippets of wool, was a reminder from Mrs A that it's time to send off any jumpers or hats you might have been knitting for the 'Fish and Chip Babies'. Finally, Mrs A hopped back again with this lovely card - shrink plastic butterflies, super backing paper and lace - coloured with a Pro Marker no less. I've heard of ink pads, notably Distress ones being used, and even tea or coffee - but using a Pro Marker surely is dedication above and beyond! Fab. result Mrs A! Now, where's all that Italian ice cream we expect you to bring back?

Tara came to play next, and she brought a card made for friends who recently had a beach wedding in the Caribbean - and it's so appropriate. Sea, sand and surf and just two lovely pairs of flip flops on the shore - absolutely perfect Tara and I bet they were delighted with the card - so well thought out! Lovely colours too - so tropical :)

Next was Darnell, with three beautiful cards - all in coffee and cream colours. What a lovely colour combination Darnell. The first card uses such a beautiful feather charm, perfect for a 'Just a note' card and the other two are real teatime cards. And I do agree Darnell that the coffee beans looks like Oreos - and I must be one of the only people around who's never tasted one of those bikkies :)

Victoria came to play twice and this is the first card - a perfect Diamond Wedding Anniversary card. As you say Victoria, it's really balanced for both a lady and a gentleman too - love the diamond 60! Victoria's next card really is a 'Walk with Nature' - everything you'd expect in the English countryside, flowers, birds and butterflies - the lace is a clever addition along with the antique brad too - love it!

Shaz in Oz was next, hi Shaz, nice to see you! And such a perfect Poppy Card and using Swiss Dots embossing too -yay, my Swiss Dots folder arrived in the post as I was busy typing this roll call! Do go and take a look, the poppies are so beautifully coloured then layered onto a lovely mix of white and red card, with a touch of green. Lovely combination too Shaz. Oh, and while you're there girls, you might want to look at the next day's post which is WOYWW and a lot of great craft room re-organisation has been going on over at 'Chez Shaz'.

Tammy followed,and we had three visits in total. This was what Tammy brought to show first time round - a glorious card in pinks and shades of brown. I do love the burlap that I'm seeing a lot of - and how clever to cut it into a heart shape Tammy.  Then, there was a stunner of a card, with a joyous flower made using ribbons and buttons in such happy colours - brilliant Tammy!  And lastly, a fabby Pirate card - just perfect for a little chap and there's even a little treasure map inside - do go and see if you're looking for Pirate card inspiration! Good to see you playing Tammy, I know life is busy for you right now.

Next was Amanda, with two little trips to play on the swings. And, what an achievement - Amanda's hubby had been helping in the craft room :) This was the lovely result too -  super embossing and I love the bottle cap Amanda. What was an equally good result was that hubby suggested more goodies for Amanda to buy - yay, well done on a very clever strategy :) Then we did a fast-forward to Christmas with this cute Santa card - great image and clever to emboss the top half like snow with big flakes on the bottom half. Super venture into white backgrounds and I do love the Santa image, lovely ruddy cheeks there Amanda.

Sarn was next, she who sent an email on Friday with the title of 'expletive deleted' just saying 'Have you seeeeeen the number of entries in the Playground' :) Anyhow, Sarn's first trip was to show this totally stunning flower card - wow, I love it Sarn, so bright yet classy too! Then, with a return visit, we had three more stunning flower cards. Do take a look, it's so hard to choose a favourite but I think, for me, the very last one wins by a whisker.........or should that be by a sepal? Love the'inky splatters' on the last one - especially the way they run over the flower itself Sarn. Clever you!

Next was Brenda B, with the cutest of images - which works perfectly for a card for a chap due to the lovely bold papers. And, the sun immediately caught my eye - what a flipping clever idea Brenda to die cut a spiral and use it for the sun instead of rolling it into a flower - how cool is that for an idea then?! You girls never cease to amaze me with your inventiveness :)

Gilly broke away from watching the Olympics to quickly dash in with this card - so fresh and CAS Gilly, I love the little bee and that lovely sentiment - perfect! Err, ahem though, I've just been plodding back through your blog and as yet can't see those extra wedding photos we're still waiting for - as Victoria said so aptly during the week - we're 'sticky beaks', so we'd love to see them please :) Love that expression!!

We had two visits from Mags B - firstly with a Christmas card using my all time favourite LOTV stamp - how I love those little dingly, dangly legs :) Lovely colouring and papers Mags, a beautiful all round card - but that little Angel Gabriel is the star of the show every time, I can't help but smile..........so, so cute!!  And then, Mags skipped back for another visit with two fabulous Christmas cards, in greens and blues - I especially love the 'Three Kings' silhouette one Mags, although they're both gorgeous cards.

Laura also came to play twice this week - firstly with a delightful little set of six Christmas cards, super trees, all different and I do love the olive green you used Laura - it works so well. Harrumph, but there's a secret in the offing - Laura's not telling but I'm wondering if it's a fabulous holiday to celebrate the end of Uni. - or maybe something else :) Answers on a postcard please. Aw, and then we have this cute Get Well card - how adorable is that LOTV bunny huh?! Love the colours Laura - and remember, next time you come to play we might all sit on you to extract that burning secret you've been planning!

Next was Lindsey and she brought this to show - a really cheerful white, red and green card, perfectly designed and there's a fabulous finishing touch too. Do please go and see for yourselves - such a clever idea to use the offcuts after punching a scalloped edge Lindsey. Great result. And I see that Lindsey hasn't got a ton of followers - but the cards she produces are worthy of following believe me!

Linby (Lynn) came to play next with a very clever idea - you can see the lovely card right here. Love the embossed background Lynn, which I wrongly thought was Bird Song and I soon realised it's called Birds and Swirls  (I really ought to write the names on my folders here in indelible ink someday).........but the really neat trick is the butterflies - punched from a Cath Kidston magazine! You can imagine how pretty they are :)

Mary H was next to visit - and it was good to see her managing to do some crafting again after the long haul of an Achilles tendon repair op. (ouch!). It's a gorgeous Thank You card for a friend who took time out to visit Mary and I know it was such a lift - hope you continue to progress well Mary, we send you our love and get well wishes. I know some of you have already been over to say 'Hello', but it's been a long haul for Mary and I'm sure you'd brighten her day if you called in too, please.

Aw, Lynne came to play next and brought such a beautiful butterfly card with her. I couldn't believe the pieces were the leftovers from using a die - truly dual purpose Lynne and thank you for your kind words, great to see you re- using that butterfly ribbon too. The punched butterflies are just perfect too. Little Ruby recently turned three and is quite a bright little lady by all accounts - she's also doing well I hope Lynne?

And, last but never least, Mary Mac nipped in to say hello and to show a lovely card, using butterfly paper (butterflies are truly the 'thing' right now), a delightful flower and burlap - which is also 'so on trend' - snort, get me :) I have no idea where you find burlap but it's a great finishing touch to cards. Woah there, I just Googled it and of course, it can be found in many places - grin, not least underneath chairs as it's a hessian fabric. I wonder..................? :) Great card Mary - I'll get Len to blame you if he finds I've been hunting underneath the chairs here snipping bits of hessian off!

Phew, that's the roll call all done - whoop, whoop!! I'm sorry I slammed the gated shut this morning a bit earlier than planned but I knew this was a marathon roll call and needed to press on with it.

So, what's next - ah yes, the Pro Marker draw. And..........drum roll, the winner is:

VICTORIA

Although I'd love for everyone to win, it's nice that Len drew Victoria's name, she's been a bit down this week and perhaps this will give her a little lift. Well done Victoria, can you email your snail mail address please to:

di_wray@hotmail.com and both sets will be in the post to you ASAP after the weekend.

Have a great week, keep using those snippets - the playground is open for just the week and will close on Saturday 18th August at noon UK time.

Mr Linky is below as usual.

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 :)