Sunday 1 April 2018

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge #323

First of all, Happy Easter! For those of you who follow Christian beliefs, may today be one for rejoicing - and if you are of a different faith, are unsure, or only believe in the Easter Bunny, then I wish you too a happy day.

I try to make my Sunday snippets cards at least a week or two in advance - and today's is no exception, it was made a couple of weeks ago when we had the second visit from the 'Beast from the East' - bringing more snow. So, imagine my surprise when I spotted that it fits this week's  challenge over at MFT's Wednesday Sketch Challenge #378. I couldn't have hit more lucky really.

Here's my card:

And here's the sketch:
   
I dithered over the amazing coincidence - but am entering anyhow as it's pure serendipity that the coming fortnight's Snippets Playground prize was already planned out to be MFT and the card was already made ready to publish in this post. And, as many of you know, MFT always ticks the boxes for me!

I used:

- 5.25" x 4" white card blank, tent style

- piece of white card, which was a snippet with the edges already cut using a stitched edge die - most likely using a Lil 'Inkers 'Stitched Rectangle' die

- then I positioned the MFT 'Peek-a-boo' Window rectangle die onto the piece of card and held it in place with low tack sticky tape before die cutting it

- rootled around in the snippets folder and found a piece of yellow card which needed just a little bit of trimming to form a frame around the back of the stitched aperture panel, which I put to one side for now

- during the hunt for snippets I found a small piece of pretty light blue card as a backing for the Peek-a-boo aperture

- so I knew just what the working area would be for the little scene I lightly drew a penciled rectangle onto the piece of blue card and trimmed it using scissors, leaving a quarter inch border right around the penciled rectangle

- at that point I put all the trimmed pieces to one side and opened up the fabulous MFT Hog Heaven' set of stamps - 'Babe' is one of my favourite films of all time and this gorgeous stamps set makes me so happy

- oh my golly-gosh. There really were so many options I could have chosen - the possibilities are endless

- in the end I chose the 'dancing piggy', the fence with grass, a bow tie for the piggy, a bowl of flowers, one single flower and a couple of sentiments

- grabbed a snippet of white card and stamped all the elements using the Misti and Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink

- then spent a really happy half hour or so, colouring in using Pro markers

- I'll confess that I dithered so long about getting the matching dies that in the end I had to put the brakes on my spending a bit, plus they're totally out of stock here in the UK. But, this truly is one stamp set that lends itself to some careful hand cutting with no overly tricky bits (that I found!). Just use small sharp scissors and don't 'snip' using the pointed ends of the scissors unless you really need to - try and sort of steer the stamp outline around the meeting point of the scissor blades. I use a dedicated pair of almost the smallest Fiskars scissors for a lot of paper cutting of stamps and for paper piecing - they measure 4" from the tip of the point to the top of the handles and the cutting blade is a little over an inch long

- fussy cut all the elements and popped them into a small plastic lid as I went to keep them safe - trust me, this is the voice of experience here

- next, used the Misti and Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink to stamp the word 'squeal' onto the blue panel - (hint) I had all the cut out elements to hand, to check the word would fit and of course had the rectangle already penciled in

- then stamped the sentiment onto the white panel for the card front, from the same set of course - 'Ham it up.......' - such fun! Used the Misti and Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink again

- before going any further, I added the fence and the grass border (all the same stamped image) to the back of the aperture using red line tape - plus a further two little strips (with the protective backing left in place) further up the back of the fence - before then rubbing out the penciled lines showing the 'scene' area

- so now came assembly time - first I used red line tape around the back of the aperture and then very carefully - top first - gently worked down, peeling and sticking the aperture piece to the blue card

- removed the little strips of red line tape using tweezers from behind the upper part of the fence so it would stick to the blue background

- ready to roll with the rest of the scene

- popped the bowl of flowers in place using red line tape - this didn't all happen without a lot of previous double checking BTW!

- and then the star of the show - the 'dancing piggy' was adhered using thin sticky pad snippets and I stuck his bow tie on with very narrow red line tape

- next, stuck the single flower beside the sentiment - I tried 'with and without' - 'with' won in the end as I thought it balanced out the 'squeal'

- glued the image panel onto the saved rectangle of yellow card then glued a slightly smaller piece of white craft foam to the back to add dimension

- then glued the whole panel to the front of the card - just a touch of clear Wink of Stella on all the flowers and the bow tie - all done!

I've used and loved my own MFT Peek-a-boo die for ages as am sure you know, and MFT's darling stamps are just made for using with them.

But, the Hog Heaven stamp set is truly absolutely fabulous - well beyond what I expected. There's a lot of cute of course but also humour, versatility and some very clever ideas to be found on line. 

So, here's this week's Snippets Playground prize - as if you really couldn't guess:
It's the MFT 'Peek-a-boo' Window rectangle die, as well as the MFT 'Hog Heaven' stamp set - yay, happy dance! For a much better look at the stamp set - HERE'S a link to it on the MFT website.

It's a double prize as it's just over eight years since I first set up this blog - time sure flies when you're having fun!

One of the best laughs I got was exactly five years ago today when I posted HERE that there was going to be a shortage of  'Poliflora' - a plant derivative which is used in all forms of glue and sticky stuff. A friend emailed me to say that she'd told her craft group about it - and one member of the group disappeared into the adjoining craft shop - coming back triumphantly ten minutes later having bought a huge assortment of glues and sticky tapes! Bwahm ha, ha - I'm soooo bad sometimes :)

As always, the Snippets Challenge will run for two weeks and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 14th April. The gates will open again at midnight UK time on the same day.

It's a maximum of ONE entry and please say in a comment if you wish to play and be a possible winner of the prize. Please also link back to the Playground in your blog post to be eligible for the draw.

This time round I will split the prize if you only want to play for part of it, but it is actually one prize if you so wish. I've offered the Peek-a-boo die at least twice previously as prizes, so some of you may have either won or perhaps gone and bought your own die. Also, the Hog Heaven set of stamps is so versatile that it easily stands as a prize on its own.

However, BOTH items are available as a single prize of course and they really are a match made in heaven! Just let me know in a comment if you're playing for both parts of the prize - or for one or the other.

Remember, if you link into the Playground and don't say clearly that you're wanting to be in the draw in a comment on here, then you will be bypassed if your name comes out of Mr Linky. I'm sure you all know I ask for a positive 'yes' - just in case you're playing only for fun.

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 :)

Be sure to call back next week to see the winners of last fortnight's 'Mama Elephant 'Favour Bag Accessory - Bear' die set. Plus (hopefully) a Guest Designer and fortnightly picks of course.

Love from Parsnip - who interestingly seems to have gone right off choklit since he binged whilst making some homemade Easter eggs. Ah, no doubt he'll recover once he hears the rustling when we open an Easter egg a dear little friend called by with the other day! And love of course from me,

74 comments:

  1. Jumped in very quickly Miss as it is after 9am here.. love the card . GORJUSS! but will decline stamps thank others would use them more than I but love the peekaboo die..
    Lord bless you this Easter time as celebrate the Lord.. rejoice indeed, for He is not here , He is risen!
    Hugs Shaz in oz.x

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  2. LOVE this card, Di. The little piggy is just adorable and the little scene you've created looks perfect in the window aperture. I'm a Yes Please for both prizes in the draw.

    Happy Easter. xx

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  3. Your card is adorable Di, and thankyou for the detailed instructions on how you made it. Yes please to both prizes as I'll be caseing your card if I win! Will pop back with an entry soon, Happy Easter, Cathy x

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    1. Back with my card Di, LOVED your AI make too by the way! Cathy x

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  4. Oh my... I just LOVE this cute Hog Heaven, it's one of my must have stamps. Cute, cute, cute! :D You have done so much accurate work to make the "stamps layers" in the window aperture, but the result is absolutely adorable!! The Peek-a-boo frame looks the perfect choice to frame the scene and love the light colours!
    I enter fast also this time and YES for entering in the prizes draw, please!
    happy Easter to you!

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  5. Your little piggy looks so cute and I adore the little scene you have made for him with the fence and flowers and so beautifully coloured, and the Peek-a-Boo Frame is perfect to show him off. I would love to play for just the Peek-a-Boo Frame please. Enjoy the rest of your Easter. x

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  6. What a sweet card! And yes, perfect for Easter. As for your prizes, you are so very generous with us, Di. I would have such fun playing with both of them.

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  7. Super cute & adorable card Di :) love those piggies! Would love to play for the awesome prize pack. Thanks :) Will link up a creation soon.
    Hugs
    Preeti

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  8. Ooooh! So cute and I love Hog one! Perfect take on the beautiful sketch! Would love to own:)P, this is my favorite! Thanks for the opportunity to win! A big Yes for both!!!!!

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  9. Hi Miss Di and the lovely Parsnip.
    Yes if I'm lucky.
    Happy Easter to you and your family.
    What a very super card and such a a sweet image, and scene.
    My I admire how you created that scene and it's so small too you are clever.
    Wonderful sentiment also.
    Thank you for all your hard work and the lovely prizes you offer you are a sstar.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  10. Squeal!! Absolutely gorgeous Di! Love it x

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  11. What a cute card Di, love it! I would love to be entered into your prize draw please, I’ll be playing along in a few days.
    Wishing you a Happy Easter 🐣
    Janice x

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  12. I saw these stamps and added them to my ever growing wish list - they so made me smile (or maybe 'cos for over 30 years I got used to being called 'pig' or 'bizzie'!!!). Love them and a brilliant card - decided you are psychic too! Yes please and I am early to the Playground this time!x

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  13. What a fab stamp set and you've done a sterling job with the card as always - just love it. Sorry I missed the last challenge (naughty step for me) but I will try my best to catch up with this one. Things do get in the way sometimes!!

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  14. Oh I love your card! Those stamps (especially the 'punny' sentiments!) are fab!
    I'ma 'yes please' for the prize draw.
    Have a wonderful Easter!
    Helen x

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  15. So cute, Di, and it's a yes please from me xoxo

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  16. awww!
    this is so cute card!
    love it!
    will try to play in this challenge!
    hugs
    Happy Easter! 🐇🐣

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    1. and yes would like to be in chance to win this prize!

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  17. Hammy Easter Di & Parsnip! What a very cute card. ❤️👍 Xxx

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  18. I LOVE your card with that super little piggie. I shall be back later with my snippets and would love to go in the hat for the stamp set - but not for the die as I just gave in to temptation and ordered one (as well as a couple off stamp sets) a couple of days ago! Enjoy your chocklit eggs xx

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  19. Happy Easter Di. See, I knew it was a good idea to stamp my giraffe on a snippet!! Yes please, I would love to play for the stamp set and the die. Those pigs are so cute and as you said they go so beautifully with that die. Have a lovely chocolate egg filled day. Hugz

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  20. Sooooooo super cute, Di! Your little piggy card is adorable! Awesome job on the sketch too! What a fabulous prize! I will be back to join in the fun for sure! Of course the answer is YES for the prize, please!

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  21. I can't find Mr. Linky for this challenge. Perhaps he is hiding out in the pantry eating another serving of mashed potatoes and ham? (Or wait... that was me!)

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    1. Oooh Kathy, wash you mouth out with soap! How can you mention ham and then mashed potatoes in the same sentence after today's card?! Snigger - Mr Linky is poorly apparently - will see if he's up and about tomorrow!

      Di xx

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    2. Oh my! I actually was eating ham and mashed potatoes. Didn't even think of how that related to the cute image on your card! Ackkk!

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  22. I'm a YES PLEASE for the prizes coz I love what you've made, so cute and adorable xxx

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    1. oooerrr the easter bunny seems to have run away with Mr Linky.....eeek

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    2. Ha - he's 'down for maintenance right now. Watch this space maybe tomorrow - if I can add links then I will!

      Hugs

      Di xx

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  23. Awww Di this one is such a cutie...as you know I adore piggies so this one really ticks the box for me. Your card is just delightful. Yes please to the prize this fortnight. I hope you had a lovely Easter day and enjoy a restful bank holiday tomorrow. Thanks for the birthday love over on FB..so appreciated. Hugs xxx

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  24. Mr Linky is down apparently - for emergency maintenance. Here's hoping they have good 'back up' - will look in the morning, meanwhile just keep your fingers crossed! Never had this happen before, sigh.

    xx

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    1. These things are sent to try us! Don't worry, we never give up, and it's fine now :) xxx

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  25. A super cute card Di. I'll be in the playground later and would love a chance to win the prize, please.
    Kath x

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  26. Hi Miss Di, hope you and Parsnip (Len too) have had a wonderful Easter weekend, and parsnip didn't make a complete mess of his fur with all those eggs.... I hope to be back later this week with an entry, playing just for fun.. Have a wonderful week... Megan

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  27. Hi Di its been forever but I finally got a chance to come and play. Dad's tucked up in bed and mums fast a sleep too so I can nick out to the back of the bike shed for a quick fag or two. I made a card but forgot to say I used some snippets for the bottom and top panels so just wanted to fill you in and also just in case it happens would love to win the prize. Love the card you made. those piggies are the cutest and that imprint die has been on my list of wants for a long time now. Take care and I hope Easter was good for you. xx Aileen

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  28. This is such a cute and very funny snippets card. I laughed along as i read the sentiment! ahahahaha

    Hope to get a snippets card made as the prizes are so fabulous...Have a new Quilt die to try out and they are always so good for snippets!

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  29. What a sweet card, just perfect for Easter :-)
    I'm playing just for fun.
    Have a wonderful week, Majda

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  30. Ooooh super cute is your card Di and adorable little image as Majda wrote above so perfect for Easter, hope your having a nice time and it's not too wet it's cold and wet here take care x

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  31. TOTALLY FAB make and prize ... off to my ToC right now!

    Happy Monday

    Kathyk

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  32. Your card is just darling! Awesome coloring & a cute scene.
    I would love to play for just the die, please & thank you.
    And a Happy Easter to you, too, Di. <3

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  33. Made it this time around - nearly forgotten how to make a card and this took me longer than usual, I'm so out of practice. Can I please say a 'yes' for the whole prize or part of it if someone only wants part. Hope you've had a good Easter - shame about the weather!

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  34. I'll happily share the prize if I can throw my hat in the ring for the window die. Love your card, Di. What wonderful serendipity!

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  35. Your card is just adorable, Di! I would love to win that MFT die which is still on my wishlist! Congrats on 8 wonderful blogging years, my friend!

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  36. Oh this is a perfect Easter card! And reading the post, it truly was 'meant to be' as it's great for your challenge as well. This is a delightful set of piggy stamps (and one I don't have yet!) It worked a treat with that wonderful stitched die, which showed off the Piggy's environment so wonderfully. Congratulations on this huge milestone. You do a lot of work keeping this challenge open. I'll try to improve my attendance in future. And hope to get back for the current challenge too! Thanks for being our Miz Pixie, and hugs to Parsnip too. TFS & have a great week.

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  37. Well I am here now and have to say that I love your little piggy and the fabulous card you have made, the die and fun sentiment is super too, Great CAS card.
    Snow all gone as we had rain all afternoon and evening.

    Kath x

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  38. Di, thank you for your lovely comment on my blog regarding the "4 CALLING BIRDS" ... Yes, I DID mask them to achieve the row and thank you for noticing their co-ordinating phones and bags!

    I hope you will soon find a good use for your own set of those splendid stamps - I've already used days 1-3!

    Kathyk

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  39. Hi di. Love your card. It's do cute and that pig is just adoreable. I'd like to at for prize please. I don't usually use snippets but I'm this card I've gone through all my old stash (found some beautiful flowers) and of course loads of snippets if card and paper so decided to put them to use lol. Thanks for great challenge xx

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  40. Well Di, your card is definitely something to squeal about! It's beyond cute and I just love it! Great sentiments to go with the lil oinker :) It's a yes please to the prize draw for me :)

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  41. OOo this piggy is adorable and you made a great card with it. Must look for snippets to create a card for the new challenge and join in later!
    Lia xx

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  42. Hi Miss Di

    Loving your gorgeous card .. .. such cute images in that stamp set and you have coloured and cut the ones you decided to work with beautifully.

    Hoping to play along for this challenge .. .. I brought a few snippets to Mum's so who knows! Miracles might happen!

    Love and hugs
    Jules xx

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  43. Hi Di, what an adorable little pig, he's soooo cute. I'd love to play along with the possibility of winning that cutie

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  44. Just a quick note to say yes please to the prize...because who wouldn't love that adorable little pink piggie?! My two granddaughters are here for a couple of days and that leaves very little free time for this busy grammie. Always time to admire your sweet cards and to hear about Parsnip's adventures with Easter chocolates though!

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  45. Just uploaded my entry and a big fat YES PLEASE to this week's prize (pretty please with a blog of jelly on the top)!

    Happy Wednesday

    Kathyk

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  46. My card is ready and here it is. And :Yes, I would be pleased if this piggy would find it's way into my craftroom!
    Lia xx

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  47. Oh, my goodness, how cute!! MFT images are always adorable and these sweet little pigs are no exception. The die is super fun, too. How fortuitous that your card fit the sketch challenge; gotta love that! I would love to play along for the prize this week, thanks!

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  48. Awww, Di, your card is really gorgeous. I have a friend who is a theatrical agent and that would be a perfect card for him! So it's a definite yes please from me to going into the hat.

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  49. Great way to use that sketch, I love the little scene you created! This is a fabulous prize and I don't have these stamps or die so definitely would want to join in the draw! Have a great rest of the week and thank you again for this fun challenge and chance to win!

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  50. So cute, Di! A darling pig! And I really love that frame!
    Yes, please, I would be happy to take part in the draw.
    Hugs, Liv

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  51. Hello Diane! The pig card is super cute! Love your design!
    I'm very happy to join this week challenge and thanks for wonderful chance.
    Hugs, Gloria

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  52. Yes please for the prize Di, I love your card.
    Katrina x

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  53. Beautiful and sweet card,Di.Love the cute little pig.
    Yes for the prize please.
    Valerija xx

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  54. That really is the sweetest card and I love the sentiment. I'll sort my card out and be back later. Barbxx

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  55. That little dancing pig is the cutest ever and I also love that stitched frame die. Yes please to a chance to win this awesome prize!! You did such an amazing job of lining everything up so it's framed perfectly and it's all so beautifully colored. Some day I hope to half even half of your talent with coloring images but for now I can dream!

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  56. Love this set and your card is so cute! Yes I would like to be in for the prize please and thank you for chance to win x

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  57. Love your cute card Di and I would love to win the prize!
    Hugs Hazel x

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  58. Sorry it took me a couple of days to come back Di. We went to friends for 5 days taking in Easter and I find myself chasing my tail again. Your card is adorable and it's a big Yes from to me to play for the prize. Barbxx

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  59. That card is just TOO CUTE!. Love the pig and your sweet coloring.
    I'm a big yes for this prize, and I'd be happy with either or both parts of the prize.

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  60. Awww super cute card Di, yes please to be in your draw!
    Hope you had a good Easter and that Parsnip has recovered from his chocolate binge!

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  61. Hi there Di, count me in for the prize please?

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  62. Sorry Di, forgot to say it is CarolG!

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  63. That is the cutest and I love the sayings. I would like to be entered in for the prize please. Have a good day!

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  64. As an Iowa girl where pork is a primary commodity, I couldn't love your little piggy more, Di! It's just so stinkin' cute! And the fact that you fussy-cut all of those bits leaves me in awe!! Hugs, Darnell xxoo

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  65. Thank you for the challenge Miss Pixie and yes please for the prize entry. I'm off to study your alcohol ink beauties next xx

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Thank you so much if you take the time to comment!

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.