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Sunday 21 February 2021

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge #397

Huge thanks for all the wonderful donations for Ruby's Challenge, as well as more Guest Designers popping their heads above the parapets shyly waving 'Me please'.

As you know, we're a friendly lot in the Playground and being brave enough to be a Guest Designer is a bit different to many challenges. I try hard to fit round your availability, absolutely no-one stands in judgement and it's fun as well! You would gain even more friends and followers I'm sure.
 
It's my turn to be my own Guest Designer ☺ and here's my snippets card for this fortnight, it uses a fairly recent purchase as well:
 
I used:

- A6 off-white/almost cream card blank, side opening
 
- piece of paper from Prima's 'Fairy Rhymes' paper pad with butterflies on, onto which I stamped the three blooms (which are on one stamp) and the words 'Blossom, Flourish and Grow', using the Misti, VersaFine Clair 'Nocturne' inkpad and stamps from Indigo Blu's lovely set of stamps called 'Flower Heads - A5'

- then stamped the flower heads only onto a snippet of plain-ish deeper peachy pink paper found in the back of the same set of papers (result!). The flower heads in this 'blooms' set are just perfect for paper piecing!

- fussy cut the flower heads and ran a black Whispers pen around the cut edges

- trimmed the 'blooms' panel down and glued it onto a snippet of black card which had been trimmed to a bit smaller than the card front

- then glued the whole front panel onto the card front

The hardest part of this card was scouting through my paper pads trying to find a soft looking paper and a co-ordinating deeper one for the flower heads themselves. From then it was a pretty quick and easy card to make.
 
As usual, I might well have spotted this lovely set of stamps on one of your blogs fairly recently - memo to self, make a note of where you spot stuff!
 
I did pull myself up when contemplating my original idea of cutting each individual 'petal' rather than the whole flower heads separately and then glueing all the tiny pieces in place. Am supposed to be making life easier here, not harder!
 
Here's a photo of the prize from me for this fortnight:

It's an Indigo Blu 'Flower Heads - A5' set of stamps with some other great stamps in besides the ones I used - love the funky frames and also the single blossom, as well as the additional smaller font sentiment. Loads of possibilities for sure!

As always, the Snippets Challenge will run for two weeks and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 6th March. 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.
 
Please also remember that I only allow a total of nine other challenges, which makes 10 in total, when you enter a snippets make into the Playground.

Len is finally well again, we aren't sure what it's been apart from the fact it hit him five days after his 1st COVID jab - and exactly the same thing happened to me - my 1st COVID jab was a week after his and six days after my jab that I was pole-axed for 48-72 hours. Nothing like Len though, his dragged on and it's a bit of a mystery.
 
Dudley continues to be Florence Nightingale. On Tuesday night Len was still unwell and our self-appointed in house 'medic' decided he would climb on top of Len as he lay in bed trying to rest. 'Don't worry Daddy'- I'll keep you warm'. Loveable as he, is you don't really need a Havanese lying prone on top of you peering anxiously into your face when you feel pretty rough and your back is playing up 'big-time'. On the other hand, he's so funny and loveable we both had to suppress the giggles! 

We finally returned to Dudley's trimming sessions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and he is such a little trouper. We just do around an hour or so at a time and he's so much more relaxed than when he even gets a just a sniff of the grooming salon - which is currently closed, apart from when a dog would suffer without being groomed. We're also relaxing more as we do more sessions - having finally got the hang of the clippers it's a big leap forward.
 
On Thursday evening, after his session, he truly looked as if we'd been at him with a knife and fork again. Friday's session saw huge steps forward as Len got to grips with using the clippers properly and he looked so much better. And then Saturday's session was done by Len on his own whilst I as trying to sort out an online grocery order.  And wow, Dudley really does look very smart - plus he behaved beautifully without me cradling his head and soothing him. It's almost as if he's beginning to actually enjoy the experience ............. so far. Now all that's left is to do a final trim of his pads and around his paws - plus the thing he plays up most over, claw clipping! It's been a real challenge and quite a steep learning curve, with a lot more practice to come in future, and I'm massively indebted to our lovely Karen Ladd for taking the time to send me lots of tips from when she trims their Toby! Mwah!
 
I'd like to enter this card into Darnell's NBUS Challenge #23 HERE
 
And do remember that ScrappyMo's Rudolph Days Challenge for February runs from Thursday 25th February to Sunday 28th - it's a short month remember!
 
Another little 'heads up' - on 4th April we'll see the beginning of Challenge #400 in the Snippets Playground (400, how did that happen?), which is a bit of a milestone and I'll be making a snippets sample or two as well as donating the prize. There is only one prize but I think it's a fun bundle that many of you will hopefully really like - just to keep you wondering!☺

Stay safe and be kind.
 
Lots of love from us all - Parsnip, Dudley and of course me. 
 


52 comments:

  1. Well--good thing hubby & I will be getting our shots about a week apart. Even if we get side effects, it will be worth getting protection against Covid! Love all the stories about Dudley & so glad the grooming is going so well! Love the prize & your card, so I'll put my name in the hat!

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  2. Cute card. Lovely prize. I'm glad Dudley doesn't weigh 100 lbs. Poor Len wouldn't be very happy. At least he knows that he's dog's best friend. Let's face it, we could all use a private nurse like Dudley once in a while. It's funny how animals can just smell a certain smell (like the groomer) and want to run and hide. [Bunny]

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  3. Beautiful card Di . . . And a great prize.

    Glad to hear all is well in your household again and that grooming/clipping Dudley is working out well.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  4. Yes please Di, I’ve always admired Indigo Blue but never owned one, and I love your card.
    Jab reaction sounds awful, so glad you’re better with Dudley’s help ;........don’t envy you with clipping him, but so much nicer for him than that awful woman. Xxx

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  5. A lovely card Di and I would like a chance of winning the stamp set please.

    It's good to hear Len is on the mend and that you're okay too after your jab. I bet Dudley is glad you're both feeling a little better. I smiled when you said you back to Dudley's trimming sessions as Steve is back to trimming my hair too!

    Kath x

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  6. Pressed for time, but I HAD to let you know I LOVE your card, lovely stamp and a beautiful background.
    Faith x

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  7. Pretty card Di, love the soft colours. So glad to hear that Len is better and that you’ve recovered as well.
    Hugs,
    Katrina x

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  8. Love your card and this looks like a nice stamp set to own so could I be a 'yes please' for a chance to go into the draw.

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  9. Ooh how sad Di that you both suffered not too long after your vaccines l hope your both better and doesn't put you off having the 2nd vaccine it will be all worth it in the end to keep us safe, how lovely of Dudley he truly is a trooper he must of known Len needed some extra cuddles bless him he's a real star in you house.... lovely card too Di lovely stamp set used too just playing for fun take care stay safe xx

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  10. Beautiful card, Di! As you were describing "fussy cutting", my brain entered with the thought that you were piecing those SMALL bits of details in the flowers!!! So glad you didn't, even if it's only for my sanity. Lovely, and so glad everyone is feeling better, including Dudley

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  11. I love your card! Beautiful! I will be playing for FUN this week and I love the meme!

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  12. Yes, please to the prize. I've never heard of Indigo Blue and I love the funkiness of this set. How sweet of Dudley to be Len's nurse. Animals are wonderful. I'm so glad the clipping sessions are getting easier and nail clipping is always difficult. This is the first time we've had a cat that doesn't mind it.

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  13. Lovely creation from the guest designer, great background with some lovely subtle colours.

    Kath x

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  14. Beautiful card, and love the flowers and the background! So glad you and hubby feel both better now. Such fun stories about Dudley! :D
    Hugs and cuddles to him

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  15. That's a beautiful card, Di. Love the shades of pink in the flower and the beautiful background.

    Glad Len is well again. It is so cute the way Dudley wants to sleep on top of him and keep him warm! Dogs can be so loving!

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  16. A lovely card Di and the stamp set is perfect for paper piecing, I will be a Yes please for this one. Pleased to hear Len is better. We're having our vaccinations on Wednesday so hope we don't have any after effects. You're doing very well with your grooming sessions, our like to be brushed but not for long :). Have a good week, the temperature is certainly getting better x

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  17. Hi Di your card is gorgeous. I love it. I am here just for fun this time. I am so sorry you have both been poorly. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  18. Sorry to read you've both now suffered from the jab - but worth it in the end. Glad Dudley has been nursemaid and has also got his beauty treatments sorted.
    It's such a sweet card that you've made. But I am going to play just for fun.
    L x

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  19. Di your card is so soft and pretty. Yes please for the prize. I might as well throw my hat into the ring if you ever need another guest designer. I'm starting to be more acceptable of my own work now. Take care and stay safe.

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  20. Lovely card, Di! Love those funky flowers and what an adorable set this is. Love the grungy feel to your design. I'd love to play for it. Have a lovely day!

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  21. Gorgeous card Di - love the colours & how you paper pieced the stamp.
    I'm a 'yes please' for the prize draw.
    Helen x

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  22. Your card is a breath of springtime-which we need here in the upper Midwest US. We’ve had way too much snow here! I’m just playing for fun. I still need to mail those crafty donations to you-hope to in the next day or so.

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  23. Super card Di, I love the stamp which looks great paper pieced. I'll be a Yes Please for this draw.
    Glad you've both had your jabs, but sorry to hear you had a reactions to them. It's strange how it the vaccinations affects people in different ways. I think it also depends on which of the vaccines you are given. xx

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  24. Hi Di, glad Len is feeling better. Sad it got you as well but glad it was short lived. Your card is so pretty and that's a lovely stamp set so yes please to be included in the draw. Sounds like you and Len are becoming experts at doggy grooming. Take care. Hugz

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  25. OOooooo...what a pretty stamp set. I'll play along for the prize this time. Looks like a fun one. Hope you're staying healthy and having a great week.
    Blessings,
    Karen L
    Las Vegas, NV USA

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  26. How strange that both you and Len got delayed side effects from the vaccination but I hope that just means it's working well. I won't be up for mine for quite a while, but both my parents have gotten their first one so that makes me happy.
    Yes please to this fun and artsy stamp set. I love the way you used a subtle patterned paper to add texture to your card without too much going on. I'll have to remember this technique.
    Oh Dudley, what a little cutie he is. I would love to peek in on his grooming sessions and watch as he makes you and Len run circles, lol!

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  27. I'm in a rush at the moment but just linked up my card and I'm a YES for the prize, please! Your card is gorgeous! I'll be back again to read your post and comment.

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  28. Sounds like Dudley is The Boss! It's great to hear his exploits. YES please, count me in. CarolG

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  29. It's me again, we were on our way out to a medical appointment yesterday so I was rushing. I am relieved to read that Len is feeling better. I hope the second jab is much kinder to both of you. This stamp set is gorgeous and just the type I've been looking at lately as I'm always wanting to try something different than my usual cutesy style. As mentioned, I'm a "yes, please!" You've done some beautiful paper-piecing and I love your choice of papers! It sounds like Dudley's grooming sessions are going very well. I'm all ready for Rudolph Day this month - just need to post it on my blog - thanks for the reminder! Looking forward to Challenge 400 - it sounds exciting! Hope you have a wonderful day!

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  30. What a beautiful soft card, Di. Love the colors you used. You found exactly the right pieces for your design. Yes, please, to that wonderful set.

    Glad you and Len are feeling better. I sure do know abt the pets piling on anyone who is in bed. I wake up with three cats on me sometimes. Humongous 20 lb Othello sleeps on my feet nearly every night and I swear I will be crippled for life one of these times. I get up and have to hobble around before my feet work the right way again!!

    Thanks for the reminder abt Rudolph Days. February being my BD month is always busy, as well as being short! I better get busy on a card for it today!!
    Thank you for another lovely challenge.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  31. Beautiful stylised flower stamps from Indigoblu and love the paper you used in the background and the pretty pink paper pieced flower heads and finished so perfectly with the added words Di. If I get a card in I will be a 'yes please' for these stamps. Glad that Len is now feeling OK. I had a bit of shiveriness about twelve hours after my jab right at bedtime but wrapped up and took paracetamol and it stopped after an hour or so. It returned the next day but only mildly, so this sounds a lot worse and strange to come such a long time after the jab. Also glad to hear that Dudley's clipping sessions have gone well and that he is now a smart little chap. I might need Len to come round and wield the clippers on my shaggy locks..lol. I will have to do something with it myself as I have heard from my hairdresser and have booked for April 21st...just hope it happens. x

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  32. Hi Di, A very pretty card and stamp set - but I will say no to any prize this time around - I have so much new stuff I need to get out and use - a lot of flower stamps & dies - so someone else needs to benefit from your generosity!
    Stay safe & well - Maurs xxx

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  33. I am so sorry Di, I have accidentally adde two entries this time - I didn't meant to - I just got carried away. I trust you will delete one for me - do not mind which - again sorry... Maurs xxx

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  34. So glad that you and Len are on your way to being protected against this terrible COVID now. Who would have thought we'd all still be struggling so a full year later. In the meantime, I'm sure that Dudley is making your lockdown more tolerable with his antics.
    YES PLEASE to this pretty stamp set, that you used so well. I love the soft colors and paper piecing. I'm also glad that you didn't decide to torture yourself by piecing each petal...haha! As you say, the point is to make things easier, not harder.
    Oh, sweet brave Dudley sounds like he's getting used to his grooming sessions, and I'm sure it's due to the trust he has in you and Len. I know that our Toby is handled more gently and more carefully at home than at any groomers. Dudley may never actually end up with a complete haircut, but he'll be just fine as he shows off the many stages of a dog grooming adventure along the way.

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  35. As always, I love your stories about sweet Dudley and how he takes such good care of both of you! I'm just playing for fun this time, but thanks for another great challenge and sharing another pretty card to inspire us once again :)

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  36. I love your stories about Dudley and I am glad both of you are feeling better now, uf.
    great design of your card and yes for the prize, please.
    hugs xx

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  37. Not good to be having the reactions, but I am sure it would be preferable to having the disease! I am so enjoying your Dudley stories :)
    Yes lease to that stunning prize.
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  38. Lovely card and lovely set of stamps, well done on hunting out right colours I think I’d have been lazy and inked up one or two! Or even watercolour lately, finding that easier to colour match. But looks lovely single petal piecing indeed a bridge too far.
    Yes please to set.. and wow well done on trimming Dudley.
    What an achievement.. hope and pray Len fully recovers soon ... glad you’re better was concerned and been praying.
    Thanks for Sharing, God bless and keep you safe, and all those you love, hugs Shaz in Oz.x

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

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  39. Hello Di, and do hope you and hubby are over the side effects of the jab.. it's finally arrived in Australia and my mum 90, is a bit concerned whether to get it... I think she should and know that everyone can react differently, so fingers crossed. Bet by now you're finished grooming Dudley so he should looked really smart - great effort to learn this task. Very pretty card and it looks like a fair bit of fussy cutting, you did well... love the stamp set and yes I'd like to be in the running, this week I've been using lots of my backgrounds, I've so many !! Anyway off to finish another card, cheers and stay well Robyn

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  40. Hi Miss Di

    Hope you and Len are both OK now after your vaccinations.

    A great card and another beautiful prize. You have showcased it so well.

    I am just playing for fun and to reduce my mountains of snippet!! Another 6 million cards and I might start getting somewhere! LOL!!

    Love Jules xx

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  41. Lovely card Di and thanks for your sweet comments on my blog posts. Yes, please enter me in the draw. Donna

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  42. Love your card but did have a little chuckle at your how hard can I make this for myself moment. Sorry both of you had a poor reaction to your jabs hopefully the second one will not effect you so badly. Love that stamp set but I'm sure someone else will love it more so as usual I'll pass on going the draw. Take Care, keep well and HAVE FUN x

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  43. As always I appreciate hearing about your family and critters! Your card is lovely, but I'll pass this time as I have a similar set. Thanks so much!

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  44. What a surprise that you have chosen my card as a top pick. Thank you!!
    It's quite a long blogpost to read, good for practicing my skills of the english language! I am glad that Len is feeling better now.
    I LOVE the style of these Indigo Blue stamps, so I say yes to the prize.
    Stay safe!!
    Lia xx

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  45. I wondered why those pretty flowers had a toast stamp with them. Then I put my glasses on and see it's a gorgeous frame. So yes please, I'd love a chance to win the toast stamp! Your card is lovely and the flowers perfect on that beautiful background paper. So pretty. I hope you are both well again now and enjoying the bit of sunshine we've had. xxx

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  46. Hope you are both completely well now. Mark and I didn't have any after effects at all, but Mark's brother had the whole pole-axed thing. Odd how it affects some and not others - but as long as it helps to prevent us catching covid it's worth it!

    Gorgeous card and I'd love to be in the hat this time. i've tried something a bit different for my snippets make this time.

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  47. Beautiful card, as always, Di.
    Yes for the prize, please.
    Valerija xx

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  48. It's been a while since I played along. It felt good to use some of my snippets this week.

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  49. Thanks for the lovely welcome! How have I not found my way here sooner??? Happy to be playing along again and I hope you both feel better soon. Hugs to Dudley, Jo x

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  50. Bless you both being so poorly! It sounds like it could be the jab, poor Len getting it even worse. Sounds like the grooming is getting very professional! Dudley won't need to go to the groomer. 'Yes Please' to be in for a chance of this wonderful prize! I absolutely love this stamp set. Your card is beautiful too! Take care and stay safe my friend. Hugs xxxxxxxxx

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  51. Your diligence in finding a soft background and darker paper for the petals really has paid off - this is absolutely stunning!
    You really do seem to be making such great strides with Dudley's grooming! He'll end up loving it I'm sure. So sorry that Len is still feeling under the weather (although am hoping he's feeling better by now.)
    I'm just playing along for fun this time :)
    Vicky xx

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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.