Sunday 11 September 2016

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 246

It's tipping it down with rain here as I type this on Saturday morning. In fact Len just arrived back home early from archery - where rain most definitely stopped play! We're certainly on the cusp of Autumn, with a few hot days thrown in here and there just to confuse things. I guess a few of you have noticed how HUGE the spiders are in the UK this year? One shot across the craft room the other evening and I truly didn't know whether to saddle it up and go for a ride or just run and hide. I did neither in fact, but am sure it's still lurking under the desk somewhere watching with its big beady eyes - shudder.

Earlier in the week I finally found a little bit of time to do some colouring for today's snippets card, and I bet if I hunted round in the Playground enough I just might find a little mouse doing exactly this:
I used:

- 4.25" x 5.5" white card blank, tent style

- a snippet of white card stock onto which I stamped the little House Mouse image using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and a House Mouse cling stamp called 'Rain Flower'

- coloured the image using Faber Castell Polychromos pencils and set it aside 

- used a snippet of yellow card to die cut the stitch lines and then trimmed the piece of card to the same size as the card front

- then selected two circular dies from the Tonic Studio's 'Circle Layering' set and used the smaller one of the two to die cut an aperture into the piece of yellow card

- then die cut the image using the larger of the two circle dies

- next, die cut the green ring to go around the aperture using both of the circle dies, one inside the other 

- glued the green circular band onto the aperture and then glued the image in place behind the aperture

- glued the whole piece of yellow card, now backed with the image, onto the card front

- stamped the sentiment using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and a stamp from the Kaisercraft 'True Friendship' set of stamps 

- punched out the sentiment using SU's 'Decorative Label' punch and glued it below the image- final touch, added touches of Glossy Accents to the raindrops 

The set of sentiments stamps is advertised as having four sentiments - it took me a couple of minutes to realise that, during production, two of them hadn't been separated. A quick chop with the scissors soon sorted that one out though :)

The yellow card is a beautiful daffodil yellow, but it looks a bit washed out due to the bright sunlight when I took the photo, sigh. And it's too dull today to try for a better photo.

I'd like to enter this into the September/current Penny Black and More challenge, where the theme is 'Use a sentiment' - and your image must be stamped (unless it's a PB Stickeroo) - although you can use stamps other than Penny Black. Happy dance here as Mr Random picked my number from the August entries as one of the winners! Thanks Brenda and Co. - it's tickled me to win a prize all for me :)

I'd also like to enter this into the current challenge over at House Mouse and Friends #225 'Make a Splash' - anything with water is fine BTW!

Time for a peek at this week's picks:

As soon as I read Jules' post I knew we had our first pick of the week. First of all, as always, it's a fabulous snippets card - and secondly, and very importantly, Jules has shared her paper piecing secrets with a step by step tutorial! Over time I've picked up Jules' paper piecing tricks, often in a very kind response to one of my comments, and I really do encourage you to pop over and be enlightened!

I always emphasise that snippets really can be leftovers of anything crafty - and Lynn (Linby) took us to new heights this week with some amazing fused glass snippets on this beautiful necklace! You really should nip over for a read of her post - there's other fabulous work there too.

We have crafters on here who do hide their lights under a bushel. This gorgeous card was brought to share with us by Pat and her colouring is amazing! The background was 'smooshed' and those glorious poppies were coloured using Lyra Aqua Markers. Absolutely lovely Pat!

And here's another example of really perfect colouring, this was made by Wanda using a digi stamp. And loads of snippets too - I love it! I usually just plonk a single charm onto a card, perhaps dangling from a bow or such. I do like the lovely little selection of embellishments Wanda used here to add such interest.

And this beauty is Meena's very first try at colouring using Polychromos pencils. I think she's a natural for sure! Love the colours and the shading is just perfection! I love my Polychromos pencils, used them on today's snippets card in fact, but shading like this totally eludes me!

I chose this card, made by Heather, as a great example of another way to use up a real variety of snippets in a very clever way. Heather has given us the measurements for those scraps, based on an American A2 sized card (4.25" x 5.5"). The squares of pretty paper had their opposite corners rounded to add that extra interest - neat trick!

And for my final 'peek at the picks' - here's a really lovely card using a clever technique, brought to us by April. It's a fun way to produce stunning cards - as April says it's great for snippet zapping as you just need a double sided piece of patterned paper measuring 10" x 5". April has kindly added the link back to where she found a card made using this technique - and there's a link in that linked post to a great video tutorial! I certainly want to try this idea ASAP :)

So those are my six seven picks for this week girls. I was thrilled this week to find a couple of entries using 'That Folder' which was a recent Playground prize and I do encourage you to have a little hop about if you find the time. As ever, not an easy job choosing the picks - I tried to point you to some inspiring talent, some techniques and tips - and of course some great ways to use up snippets! 

We had one new Playmate last week:
Lavina arrived with a fabulous card to share - just look at those exploding flowers! I've made a couple of cards using a Hunkydory kit to create this same effect and have to admit I almost lost the will to live. These are lovely and I suspect have been created right from scratch as well, sheesh!

Welcome Lavina - hope to see you playing along again really soon :)

And it's prize draw time, for the Spellbinders 'Pop-Up' 'Happy Days' set of dies. Sadly, there could only be one winner and it's:
 
Well done Meg, I think you'll be really pleased with the set and look forward to seeing what you make with it! It was actually third try lucky here as the first two numbers that came up belonged to Playmates who were just playing for fun this week. Can you please drop me an email with your address in and I'll post your prize off as soon as possible! My email address is on the right hand side bar.

Here's this coming week's prize:

It's stamps this time, the same as the ones I used on my snippets card - House Mouse cling 'Rain Flower' and the Kaisercraft 'True Friendship' set of four sentiments.

The Snippets Challenge will run for one week and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 17th September. The gates will open again at midnight UK time on the same day.

A maximum of ONE entry and please say in a comment if you wish to play and be a possible winner of the prize. You can opt for either the House Mouse stamp or the sentiments stamps if you wish, just say so in a comment and if you win then I'll do a further draw for the other part of the prize. But, both are up as one prize if that's what you would like! Please also link back to the Playground in your blog post to be eligible for the draw.

Mr Linky is below - please let me know if you have any problems linking, it's easy for me to sort out so don't struggle on alone :)

And here's another celebration heads up for you, our Playmate Carole, of Craftylicious Creations is celebrating her 100th post with a super giveaway:
To help Carole celebrate, and also be in with a chance to win, hop on over to her blog and see what you have to do to play along. Please note, these are Carole's prize over on her blog - the Playground prize this week are the stamps, like I used on my snippets card today.

Have a lovely week - big hug from Parsnip and of course me!

65 comments:

  1. Love your cute mouse Di, but you can keep that spider! What amazing talent in the playground, fabulous picks, and can see how you take time to share tips and tricks. I have no idea about those polythingy pencils but Meena's first attempt is awesome. Have a good week all xxx

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  2. Wow thanks for the pick will mail my address to you now, as a lover of House Mouse think your card is ace.

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  3. Hi, it's great to be joining you again Di. I love the card that you've made and what a fabulous sentiment, so true. I would like a chance to win this week please :) Happy crafting, Sandra x

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  4. ADORABLE card and fab selection again this week.

    I've just uploaded my entry

    Kathyk

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  5. Good morning Di, the sun is thankfully back today and we're promised 30c on Tuesday so don't get the coat out just yet. What a sweet card and those sentiments are really cool. Send me the big spiders as I genuinely really do like these creatures! Yes I know that's odd but so do Milly and Daisy...I think you get your fear from your Mum's and my Mum too loves spiders! That or we're all odd, which is perfectly possible..lol. Lovely pics, have a super week. Hugs xx

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    1. Ps I forgot to say yes please to putting me in the hat for such a great prize xx

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  6. Oh my gosh .. . Your HM card IS ADORABLE. Great sentiment too. What a wonderful prize.

    Fab picks, as ever. So many talented playmates.
    Congrats to Meg On Her win.
    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  7. Great picks as always Di and what a sweetie of a little mouse, it a beautiuful creation.

    B x

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  8. A fabulous card and great picks this week too. I'll be in the playground soon and would love a chance of winning your prize.
    Kath x

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  9. Oooh just the cutest card Di l love your house mouse such a cutie!! another great showcase all of the floral images on the cards are beautiful and coloured to perfection and well done Meg congrats on your win l will be playing later but only for fun .....we have sunshine today hopefully it will stay around l too felt that Autumn feel in the air enjoy your day xx

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  10. I love your sweet card Di. I think we all love the adorable House Mouse stamps. I already have the sentiment set that you used.

    Congratulations to Meg on her win. I'm sure the possibilities for the lovely die is endless. Congratulations also to the spotlights this week. As always a wonderful array of work and of cause welcome to Lavina. What a great idea she has shared. Barb xx

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  11. Cute card, Di, and love very much the sentiment! Beautiful pics of the week, so inspirational! Congrats to the winner!

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  12. Fabulous card and selection again this week. Congratulations to Meg on her win. I would like a chance to win this wonderful prize, please ;-) Majda x

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  13. Great selection of pics this week Love your little mouse sheltering from the rain. Didn't half rain yesterday ! I had to craft all day instead. Sun is shining today so jobs in the garden await. Hugs Mrs A.

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  14. Fabulous mousey card Miss Di and super picks too. Just popping along for fun this week and for a play on the baby swings xx

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  15. What an adorable House Mouse card, and so perfect for a rainy day :) Congrats to Meg and to all the other amazing notables that continue to keep us all inspired every week! I'm playing just for fun this week, but thanks for another great challenge Di!

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  16. Your card is so cute, Di! I enjoyed looking at your picks! I really like Jules' card and paper-piecing tips. Congrats to the winner! The prize looks lovely and please count me as a YES - I will be along shortly to join the playground! Thank you!

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  17. What a great cute card just love it Di. HOpe you are having a good weekend and so love all the show case cards this week. What a great idea about the jewelry Well done Meg on your win this week. Love a chance this week. Much love xxx

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  18. I really hate to say this, but please keep all those huge spiders over there! Please! I don't like spiders at all and they rank right up there with snakes! Yikes!
    I do love your card though! CUTE little HM stamp and a wonderful card.
    Lynn

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  19. Forgot to say before, but I love your new look to the blog. Fabulous card this week and more great picks. I can't get the link tool to work to add my post at the moment, not sure why, will have to try again later. Take care, Cara x

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  20. I have only just got to the computer today and just spotted that my poppies were one of your picks so thank you so much Di and also for your sweet and kind words! I love your other picks too, and congratulations to Meg for winning. Your House Mouse card is fabulous and he is so cute and the sentiment goes beautifully with it and also your yellow stitched background and green frame complement it perfectly. I'm afraid if a large spider scurried anywhere near me and disappeared under some furniture I would be sitting with my feet up just in case it came a bit too close..lol. I would like to be a 'yes please' for just the HM stamp this week. x

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  21. Great card, super sweet image and a fabulous choice of colours.
    Also a great choice of picks, who could not pick Jules card, I just drooled over it.
    Have a fabulous day tomorrow or today, when ever you read this comment.

    Kath x

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  22. Internet been up and down all day. Just got back on to say Happy Birthday.
    Hugs Me.

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  23. OMG Di - the SIZE of the spiders, tell me about it - we had a HUGE one in the dining room last week, SD struggled to find a glass big enough to go over it and I made him take it right across the road before letting it go - hopefully it wont find it's way back! xx

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  24. I'm entered in the challenge and yes please for both the prizes :)

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  25. What an adorable card Di.
    Love the flower theme running through all the picks this week. As usual, there is a garden of great ideas here.

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  26. Fun House Mousie card! And great floral picks this week.

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  27. Eeek, we're getting those MASSIVE spiders too, and don't even start me on Daddy Longlegs!!
    Great card and fab picks too - yes please to be in the draw for the House Mouse stamp :)

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  28. Super card Di, love the stamped image. Great sentiment too. Hope I don't see any of those HUGE spiders, it's making me shudder just thinking about them!
    Lovely picks again and congratulations to Meg on her win of such a great set of dies.
    I'm a Yes Please for the draw this week. xx

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  29. Gorgeous card Di, with a lovely sentiment. Fabulous selection of cards as always this week, and congrats to Meg.
    Janice x

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  30. Cutie card and great picks from last week. Congrats to the lucky winner!

    Hugs from Finland,
    Eemeli

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  31. Hi miss Di, and the lovely Parsnip.
    Yes please if I'm lucky enough.
    Your card is such a super one.
    I love that very cute and sweet image, and your wonderful design.
    Wonderful colouring in also.
    Congrats to the chosen picks of the week, and also congrats to Meg on her win.
    Thank you so much for all your hard work involved in this wonderful challenge.
    I thought I would use my winnings this week for my entry.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  32. Great pics as usual and who doesn't love House Mouse so yes please for an opportunity. My snippets are 'woolly' ones this week!!

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  33. Hi Miss Di

    Thank you so much for showing my little card in your picks. That was very kind.

    Loving your snippet make this week .. .. and I especially love the sentiment.

    Just playing for fun and to use up some of my snippets.

    Love Jules xx

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  34. What a cute card you have made. I am loving this image and would love to win this prize pack. Please add my name to the hat... Hugs..

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  35. What a sweet card for the Make a Splash Challenge. Love how you colored it up and the card you created with it. Thanks for joining us for the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge.

    Hugs
    Sue

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  36. I love these picks, people are so clever. You have a lovely job (drooling) even though it's hard to choose. Your little mouse is very cute. Just playing for fun. X

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  37. Lovely friendship card and great picks.
    Yes Please for the draw this week.

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  38. Super card Di..and yes I would like to play along this week please.

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  39. Hi Di...lovely card and coloring....thank you for picking my card again....
    Yes please for the draw..

    Hugs
    Meena

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  40. Oh spiders!! They have arrived this week for sure. Yesterday I opened the front door to a delivery man and there was a huge web covering the whole door. Seriously, it looked like a Halloween decoration. The man said, "it's up there!". There was a huge, stripy spider as big as a small mouse right over my head!!
    Thank you so much for picking my card! I do love your mouse and the other picks. Yes please to lovely prize! Hugs xx

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  41. Absolutely adorable card, I'd love to go into the hat for the wherewithal to make it. So pleased to see Linby's jewellery among the picks, it looks amazing and now I want to do a fusion glass course too!
    Jane

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  42. Adorable! Of course, all the House Mouse stamps are super cute and this one doesn't disappoint. Thanks for picking my card this week and I'd love to play along for the prize. And Happy Birthday, too!

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  43. Hi Di your card is gorgeous card I love that mouse so yes please to the prize. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  44. Flying by with my snippets make for this week and no thanks for the prize Di. I don't think I ever want to see a House Mouse stamp again lol! Great picks everyone, so much wonderful inspiration here and your mixed media piece is amazing! Karen x

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  45. Many Happies, Miss for the day t'other day... :D
    ...and yes do note the candy is Carole's :D
    I will of course say yes, please to house mouse etc. In haste cant seem to find enough minutes on my clock again!!!
    Mm, like white rabbit I'll be late I'll be late.. supposed to be doing two cards now!
    God bless,
    Shaz in oz.x

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  46. Lol... The weather really doesn't know what to do with itself at the moment, does it?
    Poor mouse. I can empathise.
    Like the yellow colour scheme on this one, Di.
    Nice sentiment, too :)

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  47. Very cute card Di. Love this stamp. Beautiful picks too.
    Yes, please, for the prize.
    Valerija xx

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  48. Hi Di, I'm so far behind this week I just stopped by the playground and noticed you shared my card. Thank you so much, I really had a hard time with the cluster of goodies. I've added my card this week and would love to play for those fantastic stamps.

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  49. Very very cute card and soooo sweet and lovely mouse, Di! Love it!
    Yes, please, to the prize! :-)
    Hugs and Smiles
    Francesca

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  50. Your card is so cute Di! Yes please to the prize. I'll link my card up tomorrow when I get in - hopefully I don't forget!

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  51. ooh, cute, cute card! I love it. Fab sentiment! I have entered and would love a chance to win the fabulous House Mouse stamp and Sentiment set, thank you! Congratulations to Meg and the wonderful top picks - fabulous work! xxx

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  52. My niece Aurora would like play in the challenge, and she says yes for enter the drawing, too :D

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  53. I'm going to toss my hat in the ring for the prize this week. :-D Loving that adorable card, Di ! Who can go wrong with a House Mousie? Lovely sentiment, too.

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  54. Hi Di! I see now that you celebrated your birthday 1 day later than I did. A bit late: but I like to congratulate you now!!
    I have been away for a few weeks but today I am joining the snippets playground again and say yes to enter the drawing! You made lovely projects lately and you MM try outs are well done I think (I can't!!)
    Lia xx

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  55. Such a sweet card, Di!
    And all the picks too, of course.
    I would like to have the opportunity to win - again ;)
    A nice weekend to you!
    Liv

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  56. Good afternoon Di,
    so sorry that I missed your birthday - belated happy birthday to you xxx
    Your house mouse card is adorable and top picks are blooming marvellous - see what I did there!!!
    YES PLEASE to enter the prize this week thank you.
    Hugs Eve xx

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  57. Just playing for fun this week.
    A belated happy birthday to you.

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  58. Just playing for fun Miss as I won all that lovely felt not so long ago. hugs Mrs A.

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  59. yes, the Autumn is coming - the leaves are starting to change their colours ...
    your house mouse card is so lovely, great colour combination.
    playing just for house mouse stamp, please. I've already won great kaisercraft sentiments, thank you so much!
    have a great weekend!

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  60. A beautiful card! Thanks so much for joining us at House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge.

    Hugs,
    Snoopy ​♥

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  61. Gorgeous selection of cards - I love the christmas one :-)
    Eeeeuww - you can keep those spiders over there thank you very much !!!! I actually have RAIN here today too. First since March !!

    Huggies xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  62. Sweet card.
    Thank you for sharing over at Penny Black and more;-))m

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This is a public blog. Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog or entering a piece of artwork into a linky do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog and in so doing have published their own personal details and consented to my use of that personal information should they be selected as a winner or to accredit work.