Sunday 7 February 2021

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge #396 - Ruby's Memory

Our wee Ruby 2005-2020

This is the first of what I hope will be several Challenges (every third one for as long as possible) - devoted to the memory of Ruby, Lynne in NI's adorable little Westie, who went to Doggie Heaven just before Christmas.

Ruby's start in life was very sad. The USPCA (a prevention of cruelty to animals charity in Northern Ireland) had rescued a load of dogs from an illegal puppy farm and she was one of the lucky escapees. When Lynne's husband Greg read about the rescue he went along 'just for a look'. Ruby 'fixed her wee sad eyes on him and it was love at first sight'!  She was in an awful state when Lynne and Greg got her (several baths and a visit to the groomer to get rid of the pong) and she had a weeping sore on her nose that took weeks to heal. She was so lucky to have been rescued from the most awful conditions that made me cry when I read a newspaper article about the court case. She went to her forever home with Greg and Lynne and lived a good and full life filled with love and joy.

Wee Ruby was one of the drivers behind Len and I finally deciding to get our much longed for Dudley and i will be always so grateful for that. Each time I went to Lynne's blog - there was this dear little face looking out at me. Different breed but no less adorable than Dudley.

I know that Lynne and her husband are heartbroken, and I wanted us to do something to remember Ruby, and at the same time to do some good for the USPCA. That's why I've been asking for donations of any new and unused craft goodies you might have so that I can offer them as prizes. Normally Ruby's challenge won't have a snippets sample showing off the prize as of course they will be 'one off items' so we'll have Ruby's photo instead and then details of the prize contents. Sometimes it will be one item, sometimes more depending on how I feel a prize will balance out.

This means that there is less pressure on me to make a snippets sample every other week, which was eating into my time to play and try out my bucket list of things to make here - and of course I won't need to buy duplicates of much of the stuff I buy. However, I'm also really conscious of wanting to do something positive for USPCA. You are doing that whenever you donate a prize for Ruby's Challenge because I will in turn be donating the money I would average on spending on each prize to USPCA (plus they can claim tax on top in Gift Aid making 25% more, yay!) each time we run a Ruby's Memory Challenge. That's something the Playground will be doing as a group of friends and crafters if you follow my logic. You all have big hearts so I do hope we can run this in Ruby's memory until you finally throw your hands up and declare you've no more unused items left! Sorry Darnell - I just realised I might be crossing over your NBUS challenge here. Basically I'm sure many of us buy stuff on a whim and never use it - or we win something and, again, will never use it. What is it they say - one man's food is another man's poison? Donate your poison and I'll turn it into food! I DO know that our next Ruby's Challenge has an adorable prize which her 'Mum' Lynne bought online and had sent directly to me. I cried when I saw it and am sure you will absolutely love it. But that comes later on in March - three challenges from now. Before that you have me, then another Guest Designer.

This will run just like my usual challenges and the rules are exactly the same. The Guest Designers will be making their own sample card as well as offering a duplicate of somethings(s) they used as a prize - taking even more pressure away. Yours truly will be doing all the in between challenges in the way I always have. And if we run out of donated prizes and Guest Designers I can pick up any slack and do more of the challenges.

Just to slightly complicate this first Ruby's Memory Challenge - it's actually combined with a lovely Guest Designer! Long story involving me getting my dates mixed up so we have both options in one challenge. And this is the snippets card that Nana Connie, our Guest Designer, made:

I really love this card made by Connie. It's so sweet - and of course I do believe in fairies as well as Pixies!

Do hop over to Connie's blog HERE to leave her some love and also to find out more about her, as well as more detail about the card she made. I've seen images online of them made using red and white spotted paper for the tops - I reckon these will be good fun to use and perfect for Snippets, more so with the current trend for gnomes still very popular!

So, here's an image of the prize:

It's a really cute Poppystamps 'Mushrooms and Toadstools' set of dies - kindly donated by Connie.

I'm adding in a second item as well because it's Easter/Spring themed and if I leave it any longer, with the postal service being what it is, you might not get it in time to use for Easter 2021:

It's a lovely set of LOTV Easter Bunny toppers (three sheets, two of the design shown and one of another  - same Bunny but with Easter eggs) as well as some silver Easter/Spring sentiment peel offs, kindly donated by Kath B for Ruby's Challenge.

Massive thanks to Connie for getting Ruby's Memory Challenge going for the first time with her Guest Designer card and the lovely set of dies as a prize - and to Kath for the sweet Easter/Spring themed part of the prize.

As always, the Snippets Challenge will run for two weeks and the Playground gates will close at 11am UK time on Saturday 20th 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. And I won't be splitting the prize of course.
 
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.

I'm booked to have my first COVID vaccination on Tuesday - hooray! Len had his on Tuesday and the whole place (a local hotel) was running smooth as clockwork. 

I posted off what I thought was all of the Grand Draw 2020 prizes on Tuesday. A couple of days later Len found all the UK ones, thankfully stamped with ordinary stamps, still sitting all forlorn in a spare bedroom. Len and Dudley popped them in the post when out for a walk on Saturday lunchtime.We have a possibility of snow so they did a special detour just in case it does show up and causes any further delays! 

I baked more treats for Dudley yesterday afternoon, 'peanut crunchies'. Basically biscuits made from mostly wholemeal flour, small amounts of polenta and porridge oats, an egg, water and doggie peanut butter (never use human peaut butter!). Got 30 biscuits from the recipe and to be honest they're a bit like Armed Forces 'hard tack' biscuits (we three all tried them). Dudley went crazy for them and I do wish I'd had the camera handy when he was up on his hind legs trying to see if there were any left hanging around - after I'd packed enough for the week in the fridge and popped the rest in the freezer. He really worked for those, by helping to deliver the forgotten post to the post box :)
 
He only has one home made biscuit treat per day, at breakfast time along with some doggie 'Baker's' food, as well as what he can scrounge from us ( a teeny, tiny piece of egg yolk and he's in absolute heaven!) and of course we know exactly what's in the biscuit ingredients.Next time - Vegemite I think! The amount of flavouring is hardly there but of course doggie's have much more heightened senses of smell and taste than we humans do. It's quite interesting to learn how blandly flavoured stuff will really appeal to him. I might even start to take orders. Joke! But I will happily share recipes of course.

Stay safe and be kind.

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


56 comments:

  1. What a lovely post, Di! Your explanation was so perfect and so detailed, I'm not sure we really saved you any amount of time this week but I'm delighted to be a part of Ruby's 1st challenge. :-D
    Dudley pooch is so lucky to have you and Len, spoiling him with hand made doggie treats. I do hope he's properly grateful !

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  2. So glad you're about to get vaccinated! We really hope ours will be available this month. Can just picture Dudley's dance for the homemade biscuit! Ruby was so cute--nothing like a puppydog face! I sure can see why she inspired you guys to add Dudley to your family. So great we're having Ruby's Memory challenges & cute card by Nana Connie! Please leave me out of the drawing.

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  3. An interesting and detailed post - all beautifully explained and great to be supporting a good cause. Just playing along for fun this time - I will have a trawl through my 'stuff' to find something to contribute. Somehow we all seem to be guilty of buying things and then not using them. Hope the jab visit goes well and without 'incident'.

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  4. Awww Di, thank you so much for this ... We are both so touched xx
    Thanks also to everyone who donated a prize! Folk are so kind in blogland!
    Give Dudley an extra big hug from me, his biscuits sound delish!!

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  5. What a lovely idea. Sending hugs from Slovenia.

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  6. A lovely post and a great mushroom card. Glad you've got your jab booked too. I will play along but just for fun this time.

    L x

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  7. This is a lovely idea. How very kind and thoughtful. I'd love to play along as Lynne is a long tome blogging buddy, Jo x

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  8. Lovely post Di.
    Great make from Connie and lovely prizes - will try and get back at some point. Looking at the calculator we still have a long wait for our jab - although in recent weeks the expected date has gone down from July to April so at least moving in the right direction!
    Hugs to you all. xx

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  9. Ooh Di your so caring and thoughtful such a lovely person to know, and your card is amazing l just love it ....just playing for fun though! take care enjoy your day xx

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  10. Amazing Ruby, surely this is a great way to celebrate his memory. You are always so thoughtful and thanks to all that contribute with prizes! Thanks especially to Connie, lovely card and prize!
    Yes please to be in the draw.
    Hugs and cuddles to Dudley!

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  11. Well Ruby's challenge has got off to a great start and love Connie's toadstools on the kraft card and the set donated by her too which is great, and also thanks to Kath the sweet bunny toppers and sentiments. You are doing well with the baking of Dudley's treats, and the doggy peanut butter sounds yummy (for dogs that is..lol). I have just had toast with the human version which I enjoyed as I don't have it often. If I get a card in it will be just for fun this time Di. x

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  12. Sorry...meant to say so pleased to hear that Len has had his, and you will be getting your jab tomorrow. My hubby had his over a week ago, but I am one age group younger so hopefully will hear about it fairly soon. x

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  13. A lovely post and a great mushroom card.
    Yes please to be in the draw.
    Hugs, Chantal S

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  14. A lovely post Di and a cute toadstool card too. Good to hear that you have got the date for your vaccination - we've no idea when we will get ours! I'll be popping into the playground with my card soon, but just playing for fun this time.
    Kath x

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  15. AW! What a lovely post Di, what a wonderful thing to raise money too. A good heart methinks.
    Faith x

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  16. OMG! I love that you are doing this and would gladly donate a prize... I'll see what I can come up with and send your way but it might take a bit from the USA :)... YAY for Vaccine for you!!!! I'll be playing along but not for the prize this week! Dudley, enjoy your treats!

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  17. As a dog lover, I'm thrilled you are supporting a rescue charity that helps rehabilitate dogs from those awful puppy farms (we have the same issue here in Canada). Love the photo of Ruby! Lucky Dudley getting his homemade peanut crunchies. A friend gave Tessa homemade dog biscuits for Christmas and she loved them - far more than any store bought ones. So I must do some doggy treat baking myself! Hope to be back with a snippets card soon.

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  18. Yes, please. I'll be entering my card tomorrow. We spoil our birds by making homemade suet. It's actually something we could eat. They love it and go wild for it. Much like Dudley does with his homemade treats. It's a shame to read about how Ruby first started her life out. You really have to wonder about people that mistreat animals like that. It's really worse than cruel. Do people ever really get their just desserts for treating them like that or do they have to just pay a fine? Thanks for doing what you do to help. Yay for you getting your vaccine. We hope things speed up here in the U.S. so we can get ours kn less than 3 months. We'll see. [Bunny]

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  19. I loved reading your post Di, a lovely way to remember Ruby. I'll be a Yes Please for the draw, Connie has showcased the dies beautifully.
    Glad Len has had his jab, good luck with yours on Tuesday. My hubby had his last week and hopefully I'll get a date soon for mine as I'm in the next group. My daughter had hers a few weeks ago as she works for the NHS and she was bumped up the list because of her op last year. They seem to be rolling out the vaccines really quickly now and it feels like there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. xx

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  20. Adorable pup! And the diecuts are cute too, I wouldn’t mind them in my collection!😉

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  21. Yes please to this wonderful springtime prize! As spring is peeking around the corner, I was inspired to pull out some of my spring goodies and create this week as well. Thank you to Connie for guest designing, and taking a little bit of a load off of you Di. However, from the chatty and lovely blog post, it doesn't look like you took advantage of your time off!
    Maybe it gave you a few extra minutes to make Dudley's dog treats even yummier, right?
    I'm glad the vaccinations are going well in the UK. My husband just got his and I have an application in for mine next. He got in the earlier run because of his age. I guess age has a few perks left anyway!

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  22. Just playing for fun in Ruby's memory this time around

    Happy Monday

    Kathyk

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  23. Oh goodness, how sad that Ruby passed just before Christmas. Her story had me crying. Bret and I were just talking about how some people treat animals and how we just can't understand them hurting these sweet and loving creatures. I'm so happy Ruby was rescued and had a happy life with her new owners. It's hard losing your beloved pet, as they are like your children. They love unconditionally too. So I'm playing along, but just for fun for this go around. Thanks for all you do Di, I will go through my stash and see what I have that I can send to you for a prize. Hugs, Brenda

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  24. I love that Rudy has inspired so much! He was a cutie. Nana Connie's card, and prize, is so sweet. And yes, that die would be great with gnomes. The items you've added, Di, really sweeten the prize. And to that I say, please count me into the draw! Thanks so much.

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  25. Yes, please to the prize. I'm so happy to hear people are getting the vaccinations. It seems like there is an end in sight. My love to Ruby's family and to everyone who has loved and lost a pet.

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  26. It's lovely of you to do this and I'm sure it will be very popular. I'm sure it will be years before we run out of prizes we can donate. I hope you had your vaccine today and feel ok afterwards with no side effects. Hopefully you'll be back to your doggy biscuit business in no time. 😄 xxx

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  27. It's a lovely post. I don't understand English perfectly, but I could feel your love and memories of Ruby. Thank you for always opening great challenges and giving me the opportunity to participate. I hope you are safe and peaceful. I'm happy to join this cahllenge.

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  28. Yes please to this prize and thank you for honoring little Ruby with special challenges. I teared up when I read about her, and saw her cute little face, but her story had such a happy outcome that I also smiled. Our dog, Toby, who now lives with my parents these past 13 years, is over 15 now and not in excellent health. I know that we'll be losing him within the next year and it's hard to imagine life without him around. These little guys just grab your heart and hold on, don't they?
    Lucky Dudley to have you as parents..and to even have his own custom bakery!!

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  29. So glad that you have got Ruby's Challenge up and running Di. There are terrible, terrible stories out there that make you despair of mankind. Anyone that has given a dog a home and been open to their astonishing capacity to communicate with humans knows that there is no such thing as 'just a dog' only 'a fellow creature'. I'm just playing for fun this time. Hugs, Vicky xx

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  30. Hi Di, can see why Ruby with her beautiful little face drew you to take in your dear Dudley, what a sad loss for Lynne and hubby. Lovely card by Connie, too, I popped over and left some love. I’ll say no thanks to the prize just playing for fun. You’ll have had your vaccine by now, pray all goes well.
    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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  31. A sweet card from Connie with the toadstools and it is so generous of you to donate to USPCA Di. It's unbelievable how some people can be so cruel to poor defenceless animals. dudley is being properly spoilt with his biscuit treats, I didn't know you could buy doggie peanut butter. Have just enter my card but will be playing for fun this time around. Stay safe and hope your vaccination went well xx

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  32. What a cute card by Connie! The toadstools are so darling & love the bow. I'd love to play for this adorable set as I have a few gnomies who would love them, too. ;-)

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  33. And I forgot to say that I hope your vaccination went well - better than Mrs. A's did. My hubby is looking to get his soon and I'm a bit scared for him. You know men - they're bigger babies than actual babies. haha

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  34. Just playing for fun Di, but love this idea xxx

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  35. What a wonderful way to pay tribute to a sweet little family member - Ruby! Sad to have been lost, but so rewarding to have had her for a little while. I'm glad she inspired you to get Dudley because he's clearly changed your lives for the better. Such a sweet card from Nana Connie with those mushrooms, but I will be playing just for fun this time.

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  36. So wonderful post and a great idea. Love this card with mushrooms too.
    Yes for the prize, please.
    Valerija xx

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  37. Such a lovely idea for a challenge & a lovely detailed post Di!
    Love Nana Connie's card and prize...am picturing how sweet those little toadstools would look in pretty patterned papers!
    I'm a 'yes please' for the prize.
    Helen x

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  38. Yes, I'd love the mushrooms stamps. Di, this is great that you are honoring your friend and her beloved Ruby. Thanks for sharing the story. Hugs to Dudley. I can just picture him begging for his home made treats.

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  39. Ruby was such a sweetie. It's so nice of you to honour this precious dog's memory with the challenge and I enjoyed reading about her and how she inspired your adoption of Dudley. I'll be back to link up soon. Thank you and Connie for the generous prizes - I am a "Yes, Please."

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  40. Lovely card from Nanny Connie and a wonderful tribute to Ruby. So pretty and a wonderful story. Please include me in the draw for the prize. Hugz

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  41. That's quite an adorable story to read. Sometimes I don't understand some words, but that's okay: I am learning a lot of the English language this way!
    I would very much like to send you something which you can use as a prize. It will come your way soon!
    Over here vaccinations go soooo slowly. We can't even get any idea when it will be our turn. So frustrating!
    And I love the card and prize and say yes to it!
    Best wishes and stay safe,
    Lia xx

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  42. Connie's card is so fun. The die set has a cool retro vibe to it. I won't play along for the prize this time, but still wanted to play along. Hope you're having a blessed week.
    Karen

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  43. Happy Valentine's Day and YES, I would like to play for the prize. Thank you.

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  44. Wonderful prize, and yes please, Di.
    Ruby was such a gorgeous wee girl - what a wonderful forever home she had. I am sure she has a special pair of angel wings now!
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  45. My dog passed away 3 years ago and still miss her. A wonderful tribute to your Ruby.

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  46. What a wonderful post Di and a lovely gesture to remember Lynne's Rubydoo. I just had to play along for that reason alone and intend to make sure I come to the playground more often x

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  47. This is just such a beautiful way to honour Ruby's memory, Di <3 <3 The various rescues around the world do so much for the furbabies in need, and with so little, so I'm sure the support is more than appreciated. Mr. Dudley is certainly a spoiled one....as he should be!!!! Lucky you to be getting your vaccine....the rollout is dreadfully slow here in Canada, and despite what the politicians say, I can't see a huge rollout until much later this year, and possibly into next!!! Until then....I keep doing what I've been doing for what seems for forever :( I would love to be in on the fab prize, and will take a look see around here if I have anything that would be a suitable donation :)
    Take care!!

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  48. ooh how lovely this post is! am struggling today was hard to write my post so difficult to express everything I want to say about how wonderful this particular challenge is but you know what i will be feeling as you know me well. I am just playing for fun this time. take care and stay safe. hugs xxxxxxx

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  49. Lovely snippets card from Connie, hoping the guest posts will ease you up a bit. Glad to hear you got your shot and all went well. Playing for fun this time.

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  50. Great post and fun card by Connie. I’m just playing for fun this time.

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  51. I thought I had left a comment here when you first posted this, Di, and in response to your mention. You've written a beautiful tribute to Ruby and I am so sorry to hear the sad news. Poor Lynne and family. I know how much Ruby inspired you to get Dudley and how Dudley has filled your lives with joy. I've made a note about the prizes and will get some NBUS off to you soon. It's a brilliant idea, as only you can so generously come up with. Awesome card by Connie, too! I'm so glad to hear that you are getting your jabs and I hope you have no issues. Kevin gets his second one this Friday and mine is next Monday. It's a huge relief even if we still have to pretty much act the same. Much love, Darnell

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  52. What a lovely post, I read it with a box of tissues close at hand.
    As you probably know, Mark is a keen forager and studies fungi in great detail these days (his "pet" slime mould has an international band of followers on Facebook!) so I'm definitely playing for the prize this time, it would make perfect cards for him and his mushroomy friends.

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  53. such a lovely post and this idea with challenge is so good.
    Like the card with mushrooms too.
    Yes for the prize, please.
    hugs xx

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  54. Oh, Ruby was so cute!! Her mommy and daddy must miss her so much! A very fun card by Nana Connie with those cute little mushrooms. I will play just for fun this week, thank you.

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  55. Have link my project and yes please for the chance to win the fabulous toadstools dies.

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