First of all, the picks:
Vicky always make really gorgeous cards and this one is up there with her best one. I just love the CAS design, us of snippets of course - and perfect composition!
I love all the detailing on this really pretty floral snippets tag, made by Jackie T. So many little snippets used and such a stunning result as well! Psst, I tried hard but this image won't budge from the size Jackie posted it at - the joys of blogging!And for my third pick, I chose this CAS card, made by Katrina. Great use of snippets and such a lovely design - so elegant. I love how three snippets strips can form such a stylish background!
I think all three picks this fortnight are absolute perfection! It took me a while to whittle the list down to just three picks as all your work is so good. I do hope these picks will perhaps inspire you when your mojo goes 'walkabout'!
That's my picks from Challenge 395 in the
Playground, we had 48 entries and no new Playmates.
Now for the prize draw, which is a Stamping Bella stamp and matching die called 'Oddball with Martini' - from me. And the winner is:
Please send me your address, even if you know that I know it already, with your full name at the top as well so it can be can be copied and pasted for speed and ease. It's also confirmation that you still would like the prize of course. Please put Playground Winner or similar in the subject line of your email in case it drops into my junk mail. Email address is on RH sidebar as always.
Remember folks, there's still almost one more week to run on the current 'Ruby's Memory' challenge #396 HERE. The prize is a Poppystamps 'Mushrooms and Toadstools' set of dies - kindly donated by Connie - plus a set of LOTV Easter Bunny toppers as well as some silver Easter/Spring sentiment peel offs, kindly donated by Kath B.
Some of this past week has been spent properly grooming Dudley. I use the word 'properly' rather loosely - at one point he looked as if we'd had a go at him with a knife and fork! Then, just before we stopped the first session, I got the scissors to just quickly snip his head a bit. Ooopsie, he ended up looking like he had a Mohican! Once we stopped laughing, Len confiscated the scissors and had a go himself. He was like Edward Scissorhands snipping away very professionally, almost at the speed of light, and repaired the damage in no time!
Unfortunately having his first COVID jab, Len has been unwell - we don't think it's linked to his jab almost two weeks ago now (it didn't start until five days after his jab which doesn't seem to be the usual pattern if you are going to have any after effects) but somehow he seems to have picked up a form of flu-like bug. It's now moved onto his chest although the aches have almost gone. As a result, further sessions for Dudley (we're keeping them short for all our sakes) are on hold right now. Bless Dudley's little heart, he behaved much better than we expected and it certainly brought it home to me just how fiercely he must have been treated by that rogue groomer a year ago.
Don't let that put you off please. I still urge everyone to go for their jabs, it seems as if it's the only way we can stop this tidal wave of illness and deaths as reports are already beginning to show.
The very sad news that many of you will know already is that Shaz Silverwolf, a loyal WOYWW participant and a talented crafter, as well as being a lovely lady in real life, lost a very hard fought battle, since 2014 against cancer, in the early hours of yesterday morning.
She will be so very sadly missed and left this world with the prayers, love and thoughts of so many people both near and far wishing her a peaceful journey. Our thoughts also are with her husband and soulmate Doug and their families.
Quite a lot of depressing news I'm afraid so perhaps we should end on a brighter note, here's Dudley's latest escapade.
Despite feeling unwell, Len woke up at 5 am on Saturday to hear Dudley scratching around beside the bed and shaking himself as he does when he wakes up. His ears (Dudley's you silly girls!) are so long they seem to almost take off and the flapping noise is pretty loud. Len lay very quietly but then Dudley decided to put his paws up on the bed to say hello. Thinking this was a call for a 5 am wee, Len got up and pulled some warm clothes on to take him into the garden. When he came back into the bedroom to see why Dudley hadn't followed him, there was Dudley lying on the warm side of the bed Len had vacated, on his back, snoring gently! We think the hello was because he was bored and thought a little play time might be fun! When Len subsequently moved the little rascal so he could get back into bed, he did have the grace to look a little bit embarrassed, before curling up between us and immediately falling asleep again. Leaving Len wide awake and staring at the ceiling for an hour or so needless to say! Yours truly slept through the whole performance π
Love from Parsnip, myself and the usual happy 'high-five' and woof from a 'half trimmed' Dudley. BTW, when I say 'half trimmed' we didn't just do one side - that would be plain weird. His body, rear end and tummy were done - more to follow!
Your Dudley stories are so hilarious Di - what a little character he is!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of Shaz's passing - always sad to loose one of our "own".
Oh no to MRs A's reaction - not good at all - so glad to know you have been side-effect free!
Waving to you from Down Under, where we have sun and zephyr breezes today
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine
Some great picks for inspiration and congratulations to the winner. More hilarious news of Dudley - he is such a character. Keep practising your grooming skills and you could appear on that OTT doggy grooming show on TV!! I do hope that Len recovers quickly from feeling unwell. Raining here today but at least that means the temperature has gone up a bit thank goodness. Hugs xx
ReplyDeleteGosh that's a lot of news! Very sad to hear about Shaz and I hope Len's feeling better soon (did he get a wee Covid test just in case?). And Dudley is a clever boy, always makes me laugh when 4 legs outsmarts 2 ;)
ReplyDeleteSo delighted to be show-cased Di, thank you! I'm in excellent company with Jackie's wonderfully detailed tag and Katrina's elegant CAS birthday card. Congratulations to Gail too for her win.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that Len hasn't been well and wish him a speedy recovery.
Very sad to hear that Shaz has passed away too.
Bless little Dudley. Our dogs are a blessing aren't they.
Hugs, Vicky xx
Lots of news today and thank you.
ReplyDeleteReally sad to hear about Shaz - seems such a long long time ago when we were all gossiping together on the Do Crafts forum.
Glad Len is improving - and how brave where you to let him loose with the scissors on Dudders? Thankful his teeth weren't chattering as much as Mrs A's - Dudders would have ended up with zig zags across his little body.
No news here about the jab - estimates now say end of March/beginning of April for first one so am just staying put and waiting! x
So sorry to hear of Shaz's passing. Such sad news. I hope your husband is feeling better by the time you read this. I keep checking Mrs. A's blog for a post that she's feeling better too.
ReplyDeleteLovely picks. Wonderful use of snippets and great designs. Thanks for another Dudley story. I so enjoy them.
Such hilarity, fun, sadness and silliness in one post. It was fun to read. My prayers to Shaz' family, and poor Mrs. A. I don't want to leave Dudley out. Thank goodness his friends weren't around to see his mohawk. What a stinker to get the warm side of the bed while your husband got up and got dressed. [Bunny]
ReplyDeleteWonderful picks and CONGRATS GAIL!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about Shaz and your friend who had all the reactions ;(... my parents got the first jab and no symptoms so hoping the 2nd will be the same.
I LOVE that Dudley did that! MADDIE does it ALL THE TIME... if I get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night... I come back and she is in my spot! I have a full size bed for two people and it's just me and her... yet she has to scurry up to my pillow the second I move :)
So much news, sad and fun, I agree everyone keep having the jab, so we can get out and meet and greet everyone.
ReplyDeleteKeep safe Di
Congratulations to the winners.
Always wonderful picks--talented cardmakers for sure! So sorry to hear of another death in our crafting world. And so sad that Mrs. A has had such a bad reaction, but as you say, not as dangerous as getting Covid! Hope Len is better soon. Hard to figure out how anyone isolating gets a cold or other bug, but goes to show how important vaccines are. Finally was able to book an appt for hubby & on Friday I'll try to get one for me. One good thing about turning 70--put me one week earlier on the eligibility list--haha! Now if only I don't get caught driving with an expired license. Didn't realize they're so backlogged they didn't send out renewal notices & I couldn't get an appt until next month. Thanks so much for the fun Dudley stories & bravo to you for the grooming! Finally made an appt for Fritz. He looks like a street urchin, but it's awfully cute! Hugs, Greta
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the winners.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear the sad news about Shaz's death and Mrs. A's bad reaction. And I hope Len recovers quickly. I did enjoy your upbeat Dudley story. My Tessa always gets into my warm spot on the bed when I get up in the night to pee - then I have to convince her to move over as I want my warm spot back!
So sorry for Shaz, I didn't knew her, but it's always sad when someone leave this word suffering. Best wishes to Len, hope that he could feel good quickly. Mrs. A seems feeling better just now.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics- great inspirations- and congrats to Gail!
Dudley stories always make me laugh, such adorable mischievous puppy!
Hugs and cuddles to him!
GREAT picks, Di!!! You really know how to pick 'em, and congrats to the wonderful winners!
ReplyDeleteπnever a dull moment in your household Di since Dudley came on the scene he’s so amusing and ooh poor Len π well done to you all your cards are amazing and congratulations Gail enjoy your win as for the jab l had mine a week ago and urge all to not be put off it’s a must for all to be vaccinated xxx
ReplyDeleteOh wow, really, I love oddballs. I am so happy. Thank you so much. Sorry to hear about Len. Has he had a covid test to check it isn't that???? I hope he feels better soon. Pets are fun aren't they. Our cat has us super well trained. Take care of you and Len and Dudley. I'll drop you an email and thanks again for a lovely place to play and a lovely prize. Hugz
ReplyDeleteLovely picks and congratulations to Gail too.
ReplyDeleteI hope Len feels better soon and good to hear you've had your Covid jab - still a long wait for us!
Kath x
Thrilled to be one of your picks Di, thank you. Congratulations to Gail and well done to Vicky and Jackie too.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Len, I hope he is better soon.
Hugs,
Katrina
Brilliant picks, they are all lovely.
ReplyDeleteSo sad to read about Shaz. Thanks for the Dudley tale to cheer us up.
Lx
Great picks again this time Di and congratulations to Gail for winning the lovely prize. Sorry to hear that Len has been under the weather but hope he is picking up now, and how hilarious to read about the clipping of Dudley..sounds as though Len may have missed his vocation..lol. Hopefully when Len is a bit stronger the clipping will continue. Sorry Mrs A has been having bad side effects from the jab, I am having mine tomorrow sho hope I don't experience anything too debilitating, and also so sad to hear about Shaz Silverwolf. I went to her blog and her other half Doug has written a very moving piece about her. x
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, that story of Dudley's plan to sneak into Len's side of the bed has me in stitches. While 5 am is a very uncivilized time to wake up, how could you stay mad at such a little rascal? Glad that Len is feeling a little bit better but that chest involvement sounds worrisome. Hope he didn't pick up COVID while out for his vaccination. I felt very exposed when I had mine, as I can't remember the last time I stood in line with so many others.
ReplyDeleteI hope you manage to take a photo or two of Dudley's partial haircut, just to remind you of his first home grooming adventures.
The news about Shaz was a very sobering one and the loss of a talented card artist. I've watched videos of her card making skills, and was familiar with her blog. She will be much missed by crafters all over the world.
Congratulations to Gail and to the top picks. Those are such lovely cards, and I especially like the CAS ones. Just shows that you can use snippets in very simple ways for great impact.