Monday 3 January 2022

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge #418 - Christmas Draw - Prize W

Here's the 23rd prize in the 'Snippets Playground Celebration' prize draw:

I used:

- 5.75" x 5.75" square white card blank, side opening

- followed a video made by John Next Door, which you can see HERE rather than me type out all the many steps to make a rather special shaker card

- the supplies I used are: snippets of Tonic Pearlescent 'Majestic Gold' card stock, snippets of Tonic satin mirri card 'Scarlet Organza' (absolutely luscious!), snippets of acetate to make the shaker element, 'Champagne' sprinkles by Lucy's Little Things' (a gorgeous mixture of sequins and beads in shades of gold and also pearly see through), Kanban (really ancient) gold and red sparkly gems added to four of the snowflakes I added to the card front

- tools/adhesives are Collall All Purpose Glue, red line tape, foam tape (big tip about this below,) Glossy Accents, various square dies to make the red and gold frame element, and most importantly the fabulous Crafts-Too John Next Door 'Baroque Snowflake Plate' die

It most certainly isn't quick to make a card like mine and, on New Year's Eve afternoon, I actually thought I'd bitten off more than I could chew. Partly as the 'clearing space for my Gemini to be handy project' is a work in progress, mostly due to this final Grand Draw. and I did (to be totally honest) find that my old Cuttlebug struggled a bit. But we both got there in the end. Basically, despite the Gemini and my sweet little Altenew mini die cutting machine, I do need to bite the bullet and buy a new manual and foldable die cutting machine, Cuttlebug or very similar, purely for thick Sizzix dies and as a manual backup - these days my current Cuttlebug would fail its MOT (road safety for USA friends!) for sure. 

But, I'm not a quitter, so I kept going and tweaking until I had something pretty much like John's card (a talented man for sure who always makes it look so easy!) - within the limits of my square dies. It's a thick card when finished if you add all the layers of foam tape suggested by John. You can see that by the shadow cast on the photo I took. I do have some unassembled card boxes here (from the days when I made cards very layered and festooned with flowers, ribbons and charms - which I really loved making!). I'll need to ask my tame mountain goat to clamber up to the ceiling height shelves in my craft room and retrieve the boxes for me - or perhaps Dudley can stand on the mountain goat's shoulders?! ☺ I am SO bad!

The foam tape tip I mentioned above is one I discovered a lot of years ago and possibly a lifesaver for shaker cards. When I buy a new roll of foam tape (very rare - I've had my current roll a good few years) I gently rub some talcum powder onto both sides of the rolled up reel then brush any excess off. Then keep the roll of tape in a small poly bag. Just use the tape in the normal way when assembling your shaker cards and you'll find that the shaker elements don't stick to the sides at all! No need to fiddle on with talc when trying to assemble a shaker card - the tape is nicely 'non-stick' down each side. 

The prize is a John Next Door 'Baroque Snowflakes Plate'. This die is utterly gorgeous and I first spotted it when Linby raced in with a card to share fairly recently. HERE is her original blog post for you to check out a different way to use the die. You can use it as a plate as I did or just die cut loads of adorable snowflakes to keep on hand when you're making Christmas cards (I intend to make a little box of them using some lovely white pearlescent paper I found the other week) - or both!

All the rules can be found on the post for Sunday 12th December 2021, along with Mr Linky for your single entry. I do suggest that you read the rules thoroughly - particularly about the theme for this Grand Draw Challenge.

Just leave a comment on this post you're currently looking at, if you would like the chance to win today's prize.

Do please remember that the Grand Draw Mr Linky will close at 11am on Saturday morning, UK time. I've already begun to close comments for earlier prizes and will be closing them on a daily basis from now on as I think people have had ample time to check out the prize posts. It will be tight for you to play for the final prize which will appear on Thursday, so don't hang about as it's one I think a few people will be keen on. The complete Grand Draw will close at 11am on Saturday - and all commenting even for the final prize from Thursday will be included included - in readiness for the move across to the new blog which I wrote about on here yesterday.

The new Snippets Playground blog launches on Sunday 9th January, and the Grand Draw results will be published over there, not on here - but I will remind you on here of course. My current plan is for the results to appear on Sunday 16th January but that may change as it's quite a mammoth task sorting out who wants which prize(s) and - so far - I've been way too busy to do more than watch and respond to your entries, selecting possible picks as I go, whilst frantically writing new posts and also making sample cards where possible. Never fear, we will get there folks - we always do!   

Huge thanks for your lovely comments about the new Snippets Playground blog - not long to wait now!

Love from Dudley and of course me, 



51 comments:

  1. Wow, this die is just amazing, as your card is too. I love snowflakes.
    Yes for the prize, please.
    Valerija xx

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  2. Your card is fabulous, Di. I love the die you’ve used, it looks like it would be a lot of fun to play with so I’ll be a Yes Please to have my name in the draw for this prize. xx

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  3. Exquisite card and design, the colours are so luscious. Great tip to remove the stickiness from the entire roll of tape. Yes, please, for this prize. Such a grand variety of prizes, I've discovered a few new-to-me companies along the way. Thank you for all that you do, and to all the generous donors!

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  4. Oh, my, this is just gorgeous, Di!!! LOVE the rich red and gold together and I'm always a sucker for beautiful snowflakes!! I'm going to have to put my name into for the draw for this one, please and thank you!

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  5. Hi Miss Di, a stunning Christmas card in red and gold. I will pass on this prize, as one of our Christmas songs goes, 'there is no frost and there is no Snow'. I've been considering a new manual machine, from what I understand Cuttlebug have moved to digital machines... have a wonderful day.. Megan

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  6. Gorgeous card with this beautiful die! Yes, please!

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  7. Oh... I love this card. And would love to be able to add this die to my growing collection. TFS!

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  8. Oh my goodness--what a gorgeous card & worth all your efforts, Di! Love the die, so can't resist putting my name in the draw for this one! I do like having the Gemini Jr & also a manual machine. For simple things the manual is quicker & easier for me.

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  9. OMG! This is absolutely gorgeous! Love the shine on your card with a fab color combo!
    A big fat Yes Please!

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  10. It’s a ‘Yes Please’ from me. What a stunning card you’ve made Di. I love everything about it, even if it did take you a while to put it all together. You must be absolutely thrilled with the outcome, it just looks so elegant and classy. Finger’s crossed x

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  11. Super leuke kaart heb je gemaakt.
    Groetjes Elle-jeanne

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  12. Wow, this is simply amazing, such a beautiful card, I love all the snowflakes, wow. Great tip about foam tape, I have to use it. I have to buy a new die-cutting machine too and I am worried to read that Cuttlebug isn't making them any more. I have to check this.
    So, yes for the prize, please.
    Thank you so much for the chance to win.
    Crafty hugs xx

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  13. Your card is totally fab, Di

    Happy Monday

    Kathyk

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  14. Fantastic card Di, I love the colours. Yes please for this one

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  15. Wow! this certainly has impact and well worth the extra time and effort it took to make. A YES PLEASE for my name to go into the 'hat' for this prize. Great tip for foam tape rolls and looking forward to reading all about the 'new' Snippets format.

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  16. Yes Please for this gorgeous snowflake die!! Your card is beautiful in the metallic red and gold, and that tip for using talc on the sides of the foam tape roll is one that I'll definitely try. I've only made a few shaker cards, but had trouble with sequins sticking to the tape edges each time.

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  17. An amazing card Di - so glad you persevered and completed it, it's stunning!!
    Yes please for the prize
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  18. Fabulous card Di, very elegant looking in red and gold. Really love this die, so I am a yes for this prize please. Thank you so much.
    Janice x

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  19. Another inspired card Di with this stunning snowflake die, so yes please from me. Your comments about your Cuttlebug made me smile … I have a Cuttlebug and a box full of dies .. it has always served me well though having returned to crafting this summer after several years I have wondered whether to upgrade … but I don’t seem to use my dies nearly as much as I did when my cards were all fussy and fancy in my previous crafting life (I too have enough flowers and embellishments in my stash to last a lifetime!!) I wouldn’t really know where to start with an electronic cutting machine … maybe I’ll have to look into that as the year goes on 😀

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  20. What a gorgeous card Di you created using this amazing die l just love the colours you used too! good luck all another fabulous prize to win xx

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  21. Absolutely STUNNING, Di! Well worth your time and effort! Wow, I LOVE your card! It's no wonder you raced to get this die and now I am feeling the same way! Definitely a YES, PLEASE! New snippets blog? How did I miss that? Now I must go looking to see what else I have missed...

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  22. Stunning card Di and a super die so yes please to this one in the draw. xx

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  23. Gorgeous die, yes please, thank you for the chance, Jane x

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  24. Beautiful card Di and you can never have too many snowflakes well not the real ones, the last snowfall awaits my shoveling. As I said never too many so I want to be in the draw for a chance at this lovely die.

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  25. A beautiful card Di. I've not tried a shaker card before, but it certainly looks as though it's worth the effort. I will be a Yes please for this one xx

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  26. What an absolutely stunning card, Di!! A masterpiece and it's a yes, please, for me. ;-)

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  27. What a card and I love the gorgeous colours you've used. I hope you thougth it was worth all the fiddling. It's a Yes Please from me. There is always something to sort out and improve. I will now have to check out John Next Door's videos as I'm sure they are brilliant. x

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  28. This card is amazing Di! Looking forward to your new blog look! Yes, please.

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  29. A fabulous card Di and I would love a chance to win Prize W please.
    Kath x

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  30. I think even 'mammoth task' without the 'quite' is an understatement Di! Thank you for organising and carrying out this bumper prize draw and giving us the chance to win a little crafty present! Your card today is absolutely lush! The red and gold looks really luxurious and I love the shadowbox effect. I have a similar die (which I love and which you have given me new inspiration for using!) so I will sit out the draw for this prize. Can't wait to see the new website! Hugs, Vicky xx

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  31. Yes please for the snowflakes "W" prize chance. Sending a smile to help you do this mammoth challenge. :-)

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  32. Stunning card with this die. It's a yes please for me. Thanks so much for the tip on the foam tape. I'm going to do that right now and I'm sure it will save me lots of aggravation.

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  33. Wow, what an impressive card with all that sparkle and shine! I love snowflakes, so Yes Please to this prize. Thank you for all your work on the Christmas challenge, and your generosity all through the year. Just when you should be relaxing after the holidays, you're still working on the Christmas draw! Happy 2022 to everyone.

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  34. Wow, this card is a real showstopper. I love the detailed look you used and the simpler cards Linby made, so I am a yes for this draw, please.

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  35. This is just beautiful and I love how you made it square and a shaker! I must try that after my next snowflake cutting session! Thanks for the shoutout - I'm not in the draw as you know I've already got it lol!

    L x

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  36. Amazing card with snowflakes: so I say yes!
    Lia xx

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  37. Ohhhhh, I love snowflakes (paper ones, that is!), and your card is amaaaaaazing!! I'd definitely love to be in the draw for this prize!!
    Susan

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  38. This is SOOOO COOL! I love the snowflakes! Definitely a YES to this one!!!

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  39. Fab card Di- and yes please! x

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  40. This is so incredible, Di! I'm not going to put in for this one for 2 reasons: I have three snowflake dies which give me a huge number of small snowflakes, and I'm not sure my cutting machine would handle thick dies. 😐

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  41. This looks fab & thanks for the talcum powder tip!
    I just got some John Next Door dies (resuced from a charity shop by my Mum)...very fiddly, and my Cuttlebug also struggles, but the results are lovely if you persevere!
    I'm a 'yes please' for this prize.
    Helen x

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  42. Oooh, your card is awesome and I love this die so yes please to be in the draw. I saw video recently about the foldable Big Shot and it seemed that in addition to having a much smaller footprint it also was much lighter in weight. Is it me or is everything getting heavier?? There is also a secret compartment for storage built in. I am happy with my bigshot, which is old and extremely well used, but should the occasion arise and I need a replacement I will definitely be considering the foldaway. Just thought I'd mention that. Hugz

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  43. I adore snowflakes and this cover plate die looks great used with those bright colours of red and gold on your card Di. I am a 'yes please for prize W'.

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  44. Yes, please, for the snowflake die! What a truly gorgeous card you made - love the richness of the red and gold. And thank you so much for the tip for the foam tape!

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  45. Beautiful card! I don’t have anything like this in my supplies, so YES please!

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  46. Wow! Such amazing shaker card!! Love all the sparkle and the palette you choose! Thanks for the foam tape tip, very useful!
    YES please for the chance to win this gorgeous plate, it is very beautiful and versatile!
    Hugs (and cuddles to Dudley)

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  47. Oh my, what a clever die and such a wonderful card as well, Di!
    And to think I almost missed this post.
    A definite yes please to the prize.
    So happy I have just linked up my card and even more chuffed that I create 5 cards in all using up scraps. Yay!
    Marianne x

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  48. What a magnificent card. Yes please to the the die as anything snowflake is a weakness of mine. Thank for the fabulous tip.

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  49. Gorgeous snowflake. I would really like to use them. Yes for the prize.

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  50. 💗💗💗💗💗yes please!💗💗💗💗💗 You’ve made some beautiful creations through this process…but this is GORGEOUS,!!!
    Thank you so much for sharing!

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  51. Oh, my....your card is just exquisite!!! Love the gold and red!!
    Yes, please to the prize!!
    Take care and thank you for everything!!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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