Sunday 14 June 2020

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge #380

The weeks seem to be flying past, and we're into a good routine with grocery deliveries, quarantining all post that arrives here, keeping the car batteries charged with solar chargers (as well as giving them a run out once a week to blow any cobwebs away). And, restrictions continue to be eased, which is a hopeful sign that we'll be back to some 'new kind of normal' before too long. So long as the current demonstrations don't scupper that. I try never to get involved in polititcs and such on here - but it does strike me that some people are just 'ripe for a fight' - whatever the cause or opposing views may be.

I'm all set to bake Len's Mum's 'Boiled Fruit Cake' as well as some more cheese scones this coming week. Self raising flour still isn't easy to find but I hit lucky about three weeks ago - phew.

Here's my snippets card for this fortnight - kinda cute:
I used:

- 5.5" x 4.25" white card blank, side opening

- a snippet of cloud patterned paper from LOTV's 'Up, Up and Away' paper pad, trimmed to 5.25" x 4" - bit of luck finding that!

- snippets of white card to make the balloons

- stamped three balloons using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and stamps from Clearly Besotted's set of stamps called 'Best Balloons'

- coloured the balloons using Pro markers

- die cut the balloons using the matching set of 'Best Balloons' dies, by Clearly Besotted

- stamped the sentiment from the 'Best Balloons' stamp set, using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and the Misti. I did a test stamp on a little snippet of the 'cloud' paper first, just in case it bled - but it was fine. My 'gut feeling' was that Clair 'Nocturne' would have been a step too 'juicy'

- placed the die cut balloons where I wanted them to go on the cloud paper layer and positioned the 'strings' in place, one at a time, to stamp them directly onto the paper rather than use the matching dies

- glued the cloud panel to the card front - and yes, I did check with a little snippet in case the glue showed through (OCD once again) - shame I positioned the cloud panel not quite in the centre (OCD once again)

- stuck the balloons in place on top of the 'strings' using small snippets of thin sticky pads

This was another fun card to make - the hardest part was choosing just three balloons from the ten balloon stamps in the set! It's a set that I'm sure is discontinued as, looking at Clearly Besotted's on line shop, it's a much smaller set that pops up now under the name 'Best Balloons' with just six balloons and no matching dies. It's in their sale folks if you're super-keen. I would love to know why the girls who run Clearly Besotted switch horses in the middle of a design. I have a feeling it could be connected with their decision not to sell matching dies for the time being. Which is a shame, but I was lucky and bought my stamps with the matching dies ........ before the stamp set was so reduced in options.

I was slightly stuck choosing a sentiment to be honest as a few are for new babies and it's rare I need cards for newborns. So I used 'Party time' rather than use a stamped sentiment from one of my many sets! Generally I would hunt through my other sentiments for a more suitable sentiment.

And needless to say, here's the prize for this fortnight:
It's a Clearly Besotted 'Best Balloons' set of 18 stamps and a matching 'Best Balloons' set of 12 dies (no dies were included for the sentiments). It's a lovely prize and certainly, for the moment, possibly one of the last times you'll be able to get your little paws on a brand new, unopened CB set of stamps with matching dies. I bought it a year or so ago I think and it's been waiting in the toy box for me to be brave and colour those balloons! 

As always, the Snippets Challenge will run for two weeks and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 27th June. 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.

Dudley is still a little pickle - he's taken to digging in the garden and if possible will run indoors with a twig which he then merrily shreds all over the floor! He did that a few minutes ago and, now I've cleaned his mess up, butter wouldn't melt in his mouth - he's on his back on the upstairs landing with all his 'boy bits' on display. Not a care in the World. No photos for now - it's pooch porn!

Dudley is finally sending 'Stinky Monkey the Fourth' to the great monkey cloud in the sky. Basically, Monkey has been sucked and licked almost to death and one ear is now becoming loose (must chop that off ASAP). Len says he'll report me to the RSPCA ..... for cutting an ear off a toy monkey? Sheesh! Amazon literally just arrived as I'm typing with a back up replacement for the new one we'll give him shortly. Yup, we keep at least one totally spare on the back burner all the time. And so far, right from being a wee puppy, Dudley has never questioned how and why he suddenly gets a new and fresh 'Un-stinky Monkey' about every six months or so. Ha, let's hope he doesn't question why he suddenly is taken for a groom in a week's time eh?

I haven't posted off Overseas prizes as yet - but a darling friend did some 'enabling' and I hope to do so shortly. I'll pop a quick post on here when they've been safely posted.

And, as I used a new stamp and die set for the very first time, it means I can join in with Darnell's NBUS #15 challenge HERE - wahoo! You could have knocked me down with a feather duster when my snippets herringbone card popped out as her random pick last time. It did remind me of how lovely it is to be picked - even randomly. A bit like looking through a telescope from the other end when you run challenges :)

Stay safe my lovely friends.

Lots of love from us all - Parsnip, Dudley and of course me,


56 comments:

  1. Very cute card, Di! I'll play just for fun. Oh that stinker--digging & bringing in sticks! Luckily he's cute--haha! Stay safe, my friend!

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  2. That looks like a fun set of stamps and dies, shame they often discontinue or change some of their sets. Just playing for fun this time, tempting though they are.

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  3. A lovely card Di, such a cute stamp and die set. I'll be joining you in the playground soon but please don't include me in this draw as I won a prize from the last challenge.

    It sounds like Dudley is keeping you on your toes!

    Take care, Kath x

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  4. That Dudley is quite the character and keeps us all entertained with his antics.
    We are pretty much back to normal, but all still very much aware of the need for personal hygiene with hand washing etc.
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  5. I love the cute balloon characters against the blue cloudy sky paper Di, so pretty, and if I get a card in I will be playing just for fun. I'm afraid I am not as vigilant as you with regard to the quarantining of post, and I don't use disinfectant wipes on groceries or door handles and such like as I know some people do, but I do use hand gel and wash my hands after handling things when I think it necessary. I should probably do more but I think there are risks in everday life and I am willing to except a small amount. I'm glad you are able to provide Dudley with the occasional new stinky monkey and his antics keep you and Len on your toes..the little rascal...lol. I do think that things need to get back to something more approaching normality soon as too many people have had too much time on their hands, so lets hope that common sense prevails in the end..ok rant over..lol. Take care. x

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  6. Your card is so much fun and cute!! Thanks for 'updating' about you and Dudley. It's always a pleasure reading these.
    Lia xx

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  7. I nearly forgot about the card after I read "pooch porn!" LOL Dogs bring so much joy to our lives, without a doubt! Love the cute and fun card, but I'm playing just for fun this week! Take care and hopefully the world will soon make sense again for all of us!

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  8. Aww such a fab card Di and yes please to the prize for this fortnight. Yes let's hope we do start to see a beginning to some kind of normality soon...fingers crossed. I am so desperate to see my babies. Poor Stinky Monkey...LOL...Dudley obviously has fun though. Take care, hugs xxx

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  9. Oh Dudley... poor stinky monkey!! Glad your mom has BACKUPS :).... We have cicadas here and Maddie likes to bring them in on her fur... GROSS! But at least she is not eating them!
    I love your card and I will definitely be playing for these darling balloons!

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  10. Hello, hello, hello. Fabulous balloon stamps. Love your card and colouring. Yes please to be in the prize draw for this loverly set. Pooch Porn!!! Ha ha. Poor dear. It's just too hot for the furry brigade. My bunnies are flat out, although they usually leave the bunny porn poses for cold weather. Hugz

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  11. Sounds like things are the same there as it is here, it is so crazy, how this year has just changed our whole lives and turned them upside down.
    Your card is too cute, fun balloons and so cute against the cloudy sky!
    Dudley sounds like a fun little puppy :)

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  12. Love your cute card Di, so it is yes please from me

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  13. Yes please to this adorable set. You did a wonderful job with those balloons, and the sky paper couldn't be more perfect. I think your idea of just stamping the strings, rather than fiddling around with the tiny die strings, was a good idea.
    Ah yes...dogs just have no shame at all do they? That's probably one reason we love them so much. They always seem so innocent and carefree when they're well taken care of.
    We're slowly easing restrictions here in our state as well, but still taking it really slow. I haven't even gone shopping at the stores, now that they're open. I figure that I can continue to make do until I feel safer.
    Take care and give Dudley a head rub for me!

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  14. That set is darling, Di, and would certainly keep anyone happily crafting for hours on end! I love your design and the sediment you chose! It sounds like Dudley continues to keep you on your toes all the time - as well as keeping the Stinky Monkey makers in business, lol!! Keep well and thank you for sharing with everyone at NBUS. And congratulations on the Showcase last month! With all your entries it's no wonder your number came up! Mwah! Hugs, Darnell

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  15. FAB card, lovely prize but ... JUST PLAYING FOR FUN THIS TIME ROUND

    Happy Monday

    Kathyk

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  16. Lovely card Di, those little balloons are so cute. I'm a Yes Please for the draw.

    I love reading about Dudley's antics. He seems such a fun character to have around and is certainly keeping you entertained! xx

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  17. Love these cute balloons Di and lucky you had that cloud paper, saves all the faffing with cloud stencils etc.
    Dudley sounds very mischievous with his digging in the garden! We had our 2 groomed last week and even though they had a few knots we couldn't get out and felt very guilty about, the groomer said she has had a lot worse so we weren't as bad as we thought :) . I would love to be a Yes please for this draw, thank you x

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  18. Super cute card Di just love your lovely images what a fabulous set - just love to see what Dudley is up too he looks to be quite the mischievous little chappie but gorgeous with it take care and stay safe only playing for fun xx

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  19. super cute card and perfect sentiment.
    I love reading about Dudley, always so interesting :))
    Yes for the prize, please.
    have a great week.
    crafty hugs xx

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  20. They are utterly adorable! So much so, you've tempted me to play for them when I link up next week, so it's a very rare yes please from me! xoxo

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  21. What an adorable card!
    I would like to be eligible for the prize so I could make so cutes birthday cards as yours!
    Hugs and thank you for your lovely blog!

    Kikka from Italy

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  22. Such cute stamps and matching dies, love your fun card Di. I'm a yes pleased for the draw, thank you.
    Dudley certainly sounds as if he keeps you amused, a bit of a cheeky chappie!
    Janice x

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  23. Hello Diane!
    I hope you stay safe and be well.
    Thank you again wonderful challenge and awesome chance!
    I am yes please for the draw.
    The set are so adorable!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Hugs,
    Gloria

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  24. That is such a cute card Di, and the set looks so much fun, please may I say YES Please to the draw. Dudley sure keeps you on your toes! Monkey :) xxx

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  25. Yes please to this super fun stamp and die set. Your card is just adorable with those cute critter balloons flying up into the clear blue skies!!
    You always crack me up with your stories about Dudley's antics. He's such a lucky dog!

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  26. Hi Di,
    Your card is so cute! I would like to be in the draw for that great prize!
    I had to laugh as I had punched the heart border for my card. I had a leftover from a card stock I had coloured for another card. The little piece was very narrow, not more than 1,5 cm. But I got the border! Love snippets!

    Take care!
    Hugs, Liv x

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  27. Oh I love your sample card and the images are all adorable. So.. yes please!
    And thanks

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  28. Fantastic card as always. Yes please for the prize. Finally finished mine.

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  29. Just popping by, Di! Love to read all your news! Would love the prize but I know how difficult it is with the overseas post!

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  30. Dudley is a little pickle, bless him! I will pass on this prize and just play for fun, as I have similar so someone else should win this definitely! Stay safe and hugs my friend! xxxxxxx

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  31. Hello Di, I've actually managed to use some off-cuts of white cardstock to make a bookmark so I thought I'd stop by the playground, I'm such a bad playmate but I rarely use snippets... my bad. I'm playing just for fun as its only fair and I hope you are keeping well and entertained with Dudley during these difficult times... stay safe and happy :) x

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  32. Yes please to the prize. I love reading your blog. It brings me such joy.

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  33. Hi, Di! I am popping in with a set of masculine cards I made. Not sure which one of them (or all...) I am actually entering. Just linked the set up with a random one from the bunch. :)

    Your card is soooooooooooooooo cute! Those are the sweetest balloons ever...and colored so pretty! Yes, please, to this adorable set. I get lots of requests for little kid cards and these would be perfect...but I also see the sentiments make it ideal for baby cards, too. Bonus! What a clever shopper you are for picking up the full set with the dies for the toy chest!! Thank you for the chance to win.

    Loved seeing you get picked over at Darnell's NBUS challenge. That lovely herringbone background is just beautiful.

    Hugs to you and Silly Dudley Doggie...those twigs really can make a mess!! Take care and thanks again for another lovely challenge.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  34. Hi Di and happy mid June... yes can you believe it I think we've kind of ignored the months as we all try to focus and deal with the pandemic..very scary and like UK, Australia is slowly lifting restrictions but with the demos I'm afraid there might be a second wave. We have low numbers but it wouldn't take much to change that. Your card is delightful, and so is the story of Dudley. Stay safe and hugs Robyn please don't include me in the draw

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  35. Love your card with the fun balloons - and I'm sure you knew I would, you know how much I love Clearly Besotted stamps. So it's a big yes please from me this time

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  36. Beautyful card, You made me smile. Yes please for the prize.
    Hugs, Chantal s

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  37. Yes, put me in the draw. A springy flower card made me happy to make. I'd love the goodies offered this time!

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  38. Hi Di

    A really gorgeous card .. .. .. I love those cute balloons and so many stamps .. .. it must have been hard to decide which ones to use.

    Flour is suddenly becoming much easier to get here .. .. .. hope the same is now true for you.

    Just playing for fun.

    Love Jules xx

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  39. Hello Di, it's me again and now I am showing my paper piecing card for the challenge. And I say yes to the gorgeous prize: the balloons are so cute!!
    Have a great weekend with a lot of sunshine.
    Stay safe!
    Lia xx

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  40. Oh that Dudley, he certainly keeps you on your toes! :)
    Yes please for the prize Di
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  41. Super cute image. love them all. I would love to be the possible winner of this fabulous stamp and they will be perfect for making corner book.
    Have a nice day!

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  42. Super cute card Di, yes please to be in your draw.
    Dudley certainly provide plenty of entertainment, I'm so glad you have a spare supply of Stinky Monkeys! Ruby only ever truly loved her first squeaky toy, I looked for years for one the same and never ever found another. She's too old now to be wrecking round the garden playing fetch anyway, she'll be 15 in September!

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  43. Managed to join in this time round Di.
    I have the smaller version of this set and as you say there were no matching dies - shame really! So I'm just for fun this time please!
    xx

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  44. What a cute balloon set and fun card you created. I would love to play and be considered for the prize.

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  45. Cute card...loved it..I am playing for these cute stamp and die set..

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  46. Awww, your card isn't just kinda cute - it is VERY cute!! So adorable. Love this sweet set and I'd love to play for it. Be well, my friend and hugs to Dudley. ;-)

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  47. Once again, playing along just for fun, Di. I do adore those darling little animals with their balloon shapes! Fun coloring. :-D

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  48. Oh yes please count me in.
    I love your little stories, keep them coming. CarolG

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  49. Hello... thanks for stopping by, just popping back to let you know I'm ok just playing for fun. You're very kind and I appreciate that but it sits better with my conscience if you know what I mean. It's just nice to pop back to my first ever dip back into challenges at the playground :) x

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  50. Woohoo! I made a snippets card and just linked it up! Haven't been blogging much this month but I finally make a couple cards lately. Thank you for always inspiring me to use my snippets - I save them all! I love your adorable card - the sky background is perfect for these cute balloons! I am definitely a YES for the prize - thank you! I always enjoy reading about Dudley! Hope you're having a lovely day today!

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  51. Fabulous card and those balloons are really super. Love the prize but I will be very good and say no xx

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  52. Goodness me I kept forgetting to enter! Still it gave me the opportunity to have a good catchup on your blog. Well done on getting things in the post and congratulations Dudley on your Father's Day card. Entering just for Fun Di the prize should be for someone who will appreciate and make use of it. x

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  53. Oh your card is so dreamy! I love images with balloons - they bring us right back to happy memories and childhood times where it just took a balloon to have fun! Lovely coloring and just so sweet - thanks for the inspiration! For my card, I had just enough left over holiday paper to make a balloon, too! Yay! Although now the celebrations are so different!
    Big hugs to Dudley!

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  54. Very cute card, Di! Yes please to the prize :)

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  55. So adorable! And Yes for this cute prize!

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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.