Sunday 12 July 2020

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge #382

AO delivered the new microwave and took our old one away, exactly as planned, on Monday. I thoroughly recommend them if you're UK based. Let's hope that's the last appliance to be replaced for a little while - she says, eyeing up the iron and waiting for it to be next.

Then, I suddenly realised I'd missed a few Birthdays during this lock down, which really upset me. One was Len's great nephew who recently turned 21 - and despite it being very late, I couldn't let that pass without a card (and the usual cheque).

So, here's my snippets card for this fortnight:
I used:

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

- assorted snippets of blue card - all from a partly used Hobbycraft pack

- added a full layer of medium blue card to the card front, covering it completely - the blue card wasn't heavy enough to dive into a fresh sheet and make the whole card blank blue

- then topped the card front with a slightly smaller layer of dark blue card

- next, time to play with a NBUS set of four dies by Spellbinders called 'Optical Illusion Kaleidoscope'

- first of all I drew around the outside of the large die, using a white card snippet and pencil, to make a 'frame' for the next step and hand cut it

- die cut the large die using a snippet of dark blue card and glued it on top of the white hexagon using a Zig glue pen

- die cut six small hexagons from a snippet of white card, and glued them in place using a Zip glue pen

- die cut six small diamonds and six small triangles from snippets of the medium blue card and also glued those in place using a Zig glue pen

- then, using my rarely used Woodware rotary trimmer, carefully sliced the large made up hexagon in two across the centre

- glued the two halves of the hexagon at the top and the bottom of the card front

- stamped the sentiment using a snippet of white card, a selection of stamps from the Hero Arts 'Whimsical Numbers' and the word 'happy' from Winnie and Walter's The Big, the Bold and the Happy' stamp set - plus my mini Misti and Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink pad

- then die cut the sentiment using a Tonic Studio's 'Circle Layering' die

- drew around the outside of that same circle die onto a snippets of the medium blue card and fussy cut it before gluing behind the sentiment as a 'frame'

- finally, glued the sentiment circle in place

Despite feeling the pressure, I did enjoy making this card and it's interesting how it looks quite 3D, depending on which part of the pattern you focus on. I confess to finding a card to CASE on Spellbinder's own website - which seemed just right for a chap. Leaving the hexagon whole produces a more feminine feel, IMHO. I also liked how a sample card on the site used just the central star 'skeleton' to build up snowflakes. And you can also leave the whole frame unfilled for a real optical illusion effect. Some ideas to try next I think.

And needless to say, here's the prize for this fortnight:
It's a Spellbinders 'Optical Illusion Kaleidoscope' set of dies - absolutely perfect for using up snippets!

As always, the Snippets Challenge will run for two weeks and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 25th July. 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.

I had a lot of trouble this week when trying to link an entry from a new Playmate's Instagram account. Got it to work in a fashion eventually, but I know others of you use Instagram to link here and wonder if you ever hit 'unable to find' image error message issues? I worked round it by saving the whole IG post to my own laptop then picking the image up from there - but obviously I can't do that each time for our new Playmate. And I think she only works using her phone. Surely, one should be able to use Instagram and do an entry directly from your phone? I've raised a ticket with Mr Linky - and we're in discussion. One thing that makes me wonder is - do any of you set tight security settings which may invoke https rather than http? Darnell already gave me some info. about the one she uses - thanks for that chick!

It doesn't seem as if anyone has had any luck tracking down a new toy for Bella:
Not to worry - it always was a long shot anyhow. A lovely friend has offered to make one, but that really is one heck of a thing to take on.

Speaking of dog's toys, Dudley finally chewed through one cheek of his Monkey toy - so he's now onto 'Stinky Monkey the Fifth'. I don't mind snipping an ear off a toy if it's coming loose and can't be repaired but as soon as any inside stuffing is visible and can't be repaired, sadly it has to go to the great toy box in the sky. I promise you, I did not fancy sewing up a soggy wet monkey's face! I did the swop whilst Dudley was out for a walk with Len the other morning and hid the old monkey well out of his way, leaving the new one exactly where he left its predecessor. We acted really casually, and after a few suspicious sniffs - Dudley accepted the replacement, picked it up and wandered off to get to know it better. Ha, he must know I'm writing about him - he just came and slipped past my legs to curl up under the desk ☺

As I used the set of dies for the very first time, it means I can join in with Darnell's NBUS #16 challenge HERE!

Thanks also for your feedback about the no-line colouring. I'm going to try various ideas as soon as I find time - much appreciated!

Stay safe my lovely friends.

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


50 comments:

  1. Love your sample card, Di. And would love to make a few quilt cards with that great die set... so yes please. Add me to the draw! (Also, I did try to find one of the furry dogs for Bella, but had no luck via several search engines. It isn't even available on EBay which is really odd. I do hope that Bella accepts a replacement comfort toy. (And how sweet that a seamstress offered to make her one!)

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  2. Di... I think that this should be Challenge #382? (I first thought I had entered the wrong number in the last challenge so I had to go back and check to make sure!)

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  3. Nice card. I almost forgot about it by reading about the Monkey. 'I do wish you could find one. [Bunny]

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  4. Oh, Di, I love that card! I am a fanatic for any dies that create a 'quilted' look of any kind and hadn't yet seen that particular set from Spellbinders so I'm definitely tossing my hat into the ring for the prize this fortnight. :-D

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  5. Hello Di I'm early through the gates this time. I love your card and you are rocking the paper piecing. Gorgeous colours as well. Yes please to be included in the draw for this lovely die. Hope you are all keeping fit and well. Hugz

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  6. Great card Di, I can see this die set being very useful for all occasions, so yes please : )

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  7. Great use of the die, Di, great colours and a great card for the male species.

    Kath x

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  8. This is a terrific masculine design, Di! I agree about the different feminine feel when leaving it whole. It's an interesting die. It can be quite geometric like here or I imagine it would even make an awesome stained glass window.

    I have a funny story about dogs and their toys. Our Nellie has absolutely no interest in any number of stuffies I've bought for her, nor the fancy little bones. Fine, you know? Odd, but still, she doesn't have to be a dog when she can be a diva, right? Well, hold on. We take her over to Kevin's sister's, which was sort of her second home before we got her, and which is where her buddy Cisco (the Havanese) lives. She steps one foot inside that house and makes a beeline for Cisco's stuffed toys, sniffing through them and then one by one taking them up onto the couch where Cisco is not allowed. She then proceeds to take one of the exact same bones, jumps onto the ottoman and gnaws away! It karacks us up! What a little (insert biological word for female dog!)! Thought you'd get a kick out of that!

    I'm glad you are keeping well and good luck with the linky business. Thank you for sharing with everyone at NBUS! Hugs, Darnell

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  9. Fabulous make, I love geometric styles, and you've done the die justice with your bold design. So sorry you were unable to find any of the toys in stock. Glad to hear Dudley's adjusting to his new toy.

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  10. Wow Di what a fabulous card and die's used so perfect for the birthday boy can be used for both female or male stunning love the colour choice too Ooh Dudley is just so lovely glad he likes his new toy they are so easily pleased lol hope you have a good week enjoy your day take care stay safe just playing for fun xx

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  11. Fab card and love how it is a little bit different use for the die. I have a couple of these ones and it stumps me sometimes what to do with them lol!

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  12. Love the geometric overall (well of course, since I am an Engineer...) and the blue color scheme is soooooo much to my taste (once gain, a hit, since blue is my favorite color :)

    YES PLEASE for the prize, just added my creation for the challenge.


    Hugs,
    Eemeli

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  13. A lovely card Di and a great die for male cards - I'd love a chance to win, please.

    Kath x

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  14. You've made great use of these dies for the masculine card. Just popped in with my entry - playing for fun this time around. Take care.

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  15. Gorgeous card, Di. I'm back to playing for fun this time. xoxo

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  16. Love the geometric pattern on your card. How perfect in blue for a guy....but would work just as well for a lady. This looks like a wonderfully versatile die! Yes, please, for putting my name in the hat.

    I chuckled abt how you do the sneaky switch on Dudley's little monkey. I also laughed at Darnell's tale abt her dog refusing the toys and bones...unless she's not at home! lol...

    I don't have any dog tales, but I will share with you what happened this evening just at dusk when I was out in the backyard with my binocs trying to spot Comet Neowise. My outside cats were frisky in the cool night air. It was getting dark quickly, but I could see them running and jumping around chasing insects and each other. My black and white kitty, Whiskers, (who is a little clown) was doing something weird, as usual....scuttling along on her belly and sniffing at stuff. I stepped nearer to see what she was finding...and suddenly realized that was not Whisk-Whisk....it was a small skunk! The creature was traipsing around looking for beetles and such...and was not the least bit concerned that I or the cats were nearby. I tell you, if it had been darker, I think I could have accidentally stepped on the thing. What a disaster that would have been!! I decided to hunt for the comet from the driveway instead of in the grass!! (I didn't see the comet tonight, but at least I didn't get perfumed by the skunk, either!!)

    Thank you for another lovely challenge, Di! Stay safe and well.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  17. Such a great card Di. The tales of Stinky monkey are hilarious, who know what number you will get up to! Hope all is well your end? I am popping in just to play for fun and send my love and hugs to you. Take care xx

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  18. Dudley must wonder what kind of magic happens when a much loved and chewed monkey turns into a brand new one while his back was turned hahaha. At least he accepts these miracles. Your inspiration piece this week is wonderful what a versatile die. I probably would not make the most of it so am playing for fun. Take care and happy microwaving. x

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  19. For some reason Di, your card took me straight back to my childhood! I can't remember what they were called but I had a set of coloured wooden shapes, a lot of them were diamond ones and I'd spend hours making different patterns with them on a wooden board...happy days!
    A fabulous card, gorgeous colours too. I would love to be entered into the draw please.
    Thank you.
    Janice x
    PS - a great monkey story!

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    1. Janice, those are Tan Grams! I just bought a set for my toddler who is obsessed with them :)

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  20. I love the pretty blue geometric design of your card - it reminds me somehow of making a pretty quilt and I've always loved working with shapes and angles. I've enjoyed reading the story of Stinky Monkeys at your house and those adventures of your readers who also shared stories. I'm still chuckling over Janis nearly getting skunked! That would have made a true "stinky monkey" story had she tripped over the critter in the dark! LOL Glad all is well on your end, and do have a good week ahead. Playing just for fun this week but thanks for another Snippets playground!

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  21. Awww, it does my heart good to imagine Dudley with his brand new Stinky Monkey. I'm sure he set to work, breaking it in, right away. We're lucky that Toby never got attached to any toys as a pup but, on the other hand, he's very attached to Dennis and follows him everywhere. Fortunately, Dennis can be washed and dried as good as new so we haven't had to replace him just yet, haha!

    This is just the perfect masculine card, and I'm sure Len's great nephew won't mind the belated card and gift at all. Yes please to this beautiful die, as it's one I have never seen. I used to quilt way back when my eyesight was better, and this reminds me of those days.

    Give Dudley an extra hug from me, and take care!

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  22. Love that die and how you have used it Di...amusing to read your blog as always...
    Keep safe and stay well xx

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  23. Yes please for this fabulous prize

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  24. Long live stinky monkey! Sorry you haven't been able to track down the toy for Bella either.

    Lovely make from you .... just playing for fun this time around

    Happy Wednesday

    Kathyk

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  25. What a great masculine card!! Geometrics are always perfect for the men! It must have taken forever to inlay every piece, but I think the end result is fabulous!! In black and white, it could almost pass for a soccer (foot) ball. I remembered to make sure I only linked to 10 challenges total this time! Thank you for your gentle reminder, and if I forget again, definitely delete the entry no explanations needed! I think I will play just for the joy of using up scraps this time, thanks. : )

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  26. Once again a great card from you, Di! And a wonderful prize!
    Yes, please, I would like to be in the draw!
    Hugs, Liv

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  27. It is so easy to let a birthday or two slip by, especially in lock down as everyday blends together and we have no clue what day it is! I do love this card Di, it is great for a masculine card but could easily be a feminine card too just by the snippets you use. I'm so out of the loop, as I don't know who Bella is. Seems like I should know though! I'm sorry no one has found a replacement toy like the one you showed, wish I knew where to get one. Oh sweet a friend has offered to make one! Dudley does love his stinky monkey doesn't he?! lol I love that you swapped out the torn one for a new one while he was out o a walk. I know he knew it was his old one, but still went off with it anyway. He says he knows mum is keeping him supplied! lol Put me in for the drawing Di dear, I know I have been a stranger for way to long, but here I am now. lol Hugs, Brenda

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  28. What a brilliant die set - and what a fabulous card you've made with it Di! I can see how useful those dies are for male cards and one of my friends is a keen 'patcher' so I would love to put my name down for the draw!

    I can't help with the Instagram issue and you lost me with the https/http info...! As a side issue, I follow you by email but I haven't been receiving updates when you post lately. Perhaps it's a glitch to do with new style blogger? Who knows!!!

    Funny how some dogs become attached to their stuffed toys. Definitely not the case with Eva. Glad Dudley is happy to have substitutions and hope Bella finds a new toy she can be happy with bless her.

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  29. Fabulous card, Di. I love how you've split the die cut in two, very effective. Looks great in blue and white, colours I often use for the many football themed cards I make. I'm a Yes Please for the draw, I'd love to win this super set of dies. xx

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  30. wow, I love your modern card and this die is fantastic! and this toy, it is super cute!
    yes for the prize, please.
    have a great weekend.
    crafty hugs xx

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  31. On the pages of my American friends FB site I saw a top similar to the one you are looking for. She sent me this link https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Golden/dp/B000S753WK/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&aaxitk=H73fqXjv6Kta5ugqseEvwQ&hsa_cr_id=6004489250401&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_0&fbclid=IwAR1M0dcGUdgUZXmdPhkOzQhSLPudw8VtxVI_RqXSEL6YIFt9fg1i9xEUmpY It might be what your friend wants certainly does not hurt to share. x

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  32. Sorry, I missed this post Di, just realised I didn't comment. This is a great card for Len's Great Nephew and the shades of blue are just perfect. It would make a great seasonal card with the star too and you could definitely change the shape by cutting bits out or leaving shapes blank and can be more feminine too, so a super die to have, so if I get a card in I will be a 'yes please' for the prize. Hope your new microwave is working well and good that Dudley can have a new Stinky Monkey and accept it. Hopefully these monkeys will remain readily available as and when needed..lol. x

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  33. Thanks for working so hard on the Linky issue! I have run into the problem with a few other blogs, so it isn't just yours, I promise! My workaround is to use the generic thumbnail and keep my fingers crossed. Seems to work in a pinch, but no sneak peek of my card before you click...
    I had the schedule wrong and missed half of this challenge already, so hopefully I can get in some snippet play soon. Thanks again! Angel Koch @flamangodoor

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  34. Beautiful masculine look for your quilted card! Love the colours too!
    Happy to hear that Dudley love his new monkey puppet!
    Hugs

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  35. Beautiful card, nice die set.
    Yes please for the prize.

    Hugs, Chantal S

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  36. Hi Di your card is gorgeous I love it. Yes please to the prize this time. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  37. Please miss, I know what Janis's wooden shapes were called, I think - I had some and they were called Tangrams. And yes, that was the first thing I thought of when I saw your lovely card. Having just been a winner, I'm playing for fun this time

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  38. Yes please to this fun die by Spellbinders. I don't think I've seen one like this and it's probably the closest I'll ever get to making a quilt! Good thing you and Len are smarter than Dudley and can still sneak one over on him when it comes to Stinky Monkey. Of course, it could be that Dudley knows all along what's really going on but he knows it makes you and Len feel better to think he doesn't notice, lol.

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  39. Entered in corner :)
    Yes for entering the drawing, please

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  40. Yes, please for the prize. It would be great to use it especially for masculine cards. I'm working on my entry right now!!

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  41. Such a great masculine card. I love your story about swapping Dudley's Monkey for a new one. Acting nonchalant - so he might not notice, too funny! Yes please to the prize.

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  42. Fab card Di - that die is just perfect for using up snippets!
    Helen x

    PS - I'm a 'yes please' for the prize draw.

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  43. Love your card, A perfect male card in those colours but could be prettied up for a girl! Yes Please for a chance to be in the draw. Shame Bella won't get her toy but its good Dudley can get his fifth stinky monkey! Hugs and stay safe. xxxxxxx

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  44. Just managed to get a card done in time, where does all the time go. Playing just for fun, love your card and the colours

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  45. What a great masculine card...wonderful use of dies. I am interested in this fun prize.

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  46. Lovely card! Such great use of snippets, and works really well as a masculine design. Yes please to the prize!

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  47. Hi Di not too sure if too late for draw but in case I’m not putting my hand up for this set please.. ta.
    Now to pop over to other one!
    Shaz.x

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  48. Oh and forgot to say really loved your nephews 21st card can see it would be a versatile set... well done making it.. I mailed some late ones yesterday too, so know how you feel.
    Thanks so much for running this challenge too it takes real dedication!
    Thanks for sharing, and may God bless and keep you and all whom you love safe and well.
    Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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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.