Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge #370

We came close to me not being able to set the new Snippets Challenge as there's so much going on. However, here it is - phew!

First, here's my snippets card, which is much more vibrant in real life:

I used:

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

- a snippet of white card - trimmed to a quarter of an inch smaller than the card front, meaning it's an eighth of an inch smaller on each edge of course

- chose a snippet of paper from the Carta Bella 'Beach Day' paper pad, with a matching strip in lime green from the same pad

- next stamped three pots and three cacti/succulents using Memento 'Tuxedo Black ink and stamps from the (now discontinued) Clearly Besotted 'Simply Succulents' stamp set and coloured them using Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils. Matched them to the backing zig zag paper but the camera thought otherwise of course!

- then die cut the pots and plants, before adhering them together on the back with little strips of ordinary sellotape so that the plant was slightly tucked underneath the pot

- now I knew the heights of the pots with their plants in I could slightly trim the patterned snippet, back it with the lime green strip, trimmed so that just a smidgen shows at the top of the strip, stuck them together with a tape line runner and then added the completed strip to the bottom of the white card panel I cut earlier. Trimmed the strip from the back in line with each side of the panel

- glued the panel to the card front and then added the little pots using thin sticky pads for a bit of dimension

I didn't add a sentiment for the moment - I would use a Clarity message sticker just in one top corner if I decide to add one at a later stage. If I do this same design again I'll hand/fussy cut the pots. As it is, I trimmed the white border from the bottom of the pots but think it would have been better trimmed all round. Although, the dies really are so good for cutting the plants themselves of course! Do wish I'd stopped and tried to line up the zig-zag pattern centrally - but this card was lucky to get made at all! What is really extra sweet is that the stamp set has a teeny stamp of two eyes and a smiley mouth (and a little 'hair bow plus what looks like a little hat) to add character to the plants - if you feel so inclined. It's a fun set with lots of possibilities.

And of course, here's the prize for this fortnight:

A Clearly Besotted 'Simply Succulent' set of stamps with matching dies. See the eyes and mouth? Plus what I'm sure is a jaunty little hat (that's in the middle at the top of the set of stamps).

It's no good, I'm going to have to have a little play at creating a character! Besides which, Santa brought me a mini Misti (to complement my standard sized Mist) which I'm finding is great for quick access and stamping small items.

Sooooo, I bit the bullet and have treated myself to Altenew's Mini Blossom die cutting machine - it's also within easy reach for when I just need to cut a sentiment or even these little dies I used above. It only arrived today (Saturday) and I've had a very quick play - I love it! Much easier and quicker - as well as a help with this ongoing shoulder business (which is improving all the time, albeit slowly).

Have said previously - I make no apology for often having Clearly Besotted products as prizes, love their products and they don't break the bank if you're lucky enough to snap them up on clearance.

As always, the Snippets Challenge will run for two weeks and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 8th February. The gates will open again at midnight UK time on the same day.

It's a maximum of ONE entry, 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.

Remember, if you link into the Playground and don't say clearly that you want 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' on the blog post itself - just in case you're only playing for fun - otherwise I don't add you to my little list.

HUGE thanks to so many of you who have either sent craft items to Mary in the USA, or to me for onward posting. She's in regular touch and already is bowled over by your kindness.

I plan to post off the Snippets Grand Draw prizes (minus one still - Gail of Crafty Nomad where are you?) this week. In between turning round a hairdressers appointment, shopping trip, change of car and various other things. Then I'll be free to go through my own stocks and sort out Mary's parcel. Can I please ask that if you do intend to sent anything to Mary via me that you really try to get it to me by the end of this coming week. I would like to post my parcel the week after this coming one if possible (which will be the week commencing 3rd February). Ha, providing I'm not banned from the Post Office if I've had a run in with Mrs Grumpy when posting off the Grand Draw prizes!

Having said that, how lovely it would if now and then in the future, as you see fit, you post Mary some Happy Mail. I aim to do that - until she shouts that the house is bursting at the seams :)

Dudley is full of mischief as usual here. He insists on trying to bring home twigs he finds on his walks - not that long ago he tried to haul a branch almost as big as he is back to the house!

Last, but not least! ScrappyMo is running her Rudolph Days Challenge once again this year - HERE. You have until the last day of January to enter!

Lots of love from us all - Parsnip, Dudley (woof, woof!) and of course me,