A Tuesday Tale - The night an alien landed in Hampshire

Shame I couldn't take some video of this tale, but it does tickle me and is worth relating.

Anyone seen the film 'Batteries not included'? It's one of my favourites and never fails to make me smile:

The gist of the story is that some harmless little aliens (see picture above) land in New York - very cute film too.

On Friday night, with me trying to get some much needed beauty sleep before the School Reunion Marathon, we woke up at 2am in the morning to a bit of a racket. Sort of shuffling and banging noises coming from the back garden.

I've said before, we feed the hedgehogs here, and as the birds pinch their food during the day we cover the bowl of dry food with a shallow plastic bulb planter, not unlike the shape in the image above. But, we'd forgotten to uncover it on Friday night :(

When we went downstairs to investigate, the outside lights were ablaze having been triggered by something. And, there it was, the uncovered dish of food where it should be and the upside down plastic bulb planter running round the garden paving!

I wanted to go and get my camera and do a little video clip, but Len insisted that rescue must commence without delay - what a party pooper he is sometimes! So, Muggins here was sent into the garden and sure enough, I could see feet trotting around with the planter on top and when I lifted it, there was Spike underneath looking very confused! He glared accusingly, and almost indignantly, before scampering off.

He'd obviously managed to nudge his way underneath to get at the dish of food and as he'd moved away from the feeding dish the planter had popped back down thereby imprisoning him :)

Not much sleep for us after that, I couldn't stop giggling!

Have a nice day!

Di
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Snippets Playground

Just when you thought I wasn't here and had left you all alone to run riot in the playground - up I pop to say a quick 'Hello' :)

I'm hoping that by burying this next bit in this posting it won't attract those folk who just hop in for 'goodies' - drives me nuts and it's greedy! This is just for snippets playmates.

I had a surprise last week, after taking out a subscription to a craft magazine my gift didn't arrive. When I queried it they'd run out of the gift so instead they sent me these little beauties!

 

I already have the whole range of Pro Markers so this coming Saturday, when I close the playground, I'll do a little draw for whichever one of these sets you might like out of:

Skin Tones - Cinnamon, Dusky Pink, Blush, Satin, Ivory

Spring - Orchid, Leaf Green, Buttercup, Pink Carnation, Powder Blue

Summer - Mint Green Peach, Tulip Yellow, Antique Pink, Azure

Autumn - Pear Green, Tan, Honeycomb, Cocktail Pink, Burnt Orange

Winter - Bluebell, Soft Green, Oatmeal, Cardinal Red, Denim Blue

Do note that they aren't the 'Limited Edition' sets.

It's just a little thank you for being such great playmates - I'll only offer one set though and then think about what to do with the rest.

Just leave a comment saying you'd like to be  included in the draw - no need to think which set you'd like at the moment, we can sort that out later. It would be great if you can make a snippets card, but there's no need to - entries will be limited to any snippets playmate (I know who you are). 

Di

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Blue Sympathy card

The husband of a lovely friend sadly collapsed and died at work on the Thursday just before the Jubilee weekend. Helen said something that perhaps we should remember in the hurly-burly of everyday life:  'just embrace this and every day because you just don't know what might be coming to bite you on the bum !!'

This card is winging its way to her:

I used:

- 7" x 5" white card stock

- pale blue backing card

- image stamped in SU's 'Bashful Blue' using Penny Black's 'Letters and Flowers' stamp

- sentiment also stamped in SU's 'Bashful Blue' using a stamp from SU's 'Sincere Salutations' set, punched out using SU's 'Decorative Label' punch and just touched round the edges with 'Bashful Blue'

- tiny little punched butterflies, with a little pearl on each

Di

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Pixies Crafty Snippets Challenge - 24

Crumbs, so much going on here I don't know if I'm coming or going right now. Then, another birthday crept up on me - so at least that was this week's snippets card sorted out:

Must confess. the backing paper was straight from a paper stack but the other paper and the backing card came from the snippets folder.

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- image is one of LOTV's Cute Squares, it came already coloured

- gingham effect backing paper from Serif's 'Picnic in the Park' paper stack - one of my all time favourite stacks

- plain green card and leafy patterned green paper from the snippets folder - I know it's a piece originally from First Edition's 'Bird Song' paper pad - another gorgeous set

- sentiment by Craftwork Cards, layered onto a green oval punched with SU's oval punch

- twine, fish charm and Josy Rose nail heads all came from my store of goodies

So, my snippets offering was made in a rush and sort of 'loosely' uses snippets. But hey, that's OK, a lot or a few is just fine! Smiling here, the fish charm is (accidentally I admit) positioned right underneath the fishing line - swim away little fish!

I'm adding this into Digi Doodles Shop Current Challenge which is  a card for a male.

Right, roll call time now.

First into the playground this week was Sandra H, jumping for joy at being first, with this lovely Christmas card. It seems to sum up the wonder of children in the build up to Christmas I think, and the decoupage is such a great touch to bring the children into the foreground. Thanks for a little trip down Memory Lane Sandra :)

Next was Carol, bringing a Christmas card as well - so elegant Carol, love the holly patterned paper and the sentiment is a gorgeous focus point. I did grin, this cold and miserable weather does seem to have us thinking about Christmas already. Carol was wearing her Winter woollies and skipping - no diving into the paddling pool to swim a few laps this week :)

Sam was next, with a fabulous layout featuring hubby Simon. Love the bunting and wording Sam - one to treasure (alongside your hubby of course!). And, I omitted to include a terrific canvas when I was writing the roll call, what seems like a lifetime ago, in Spain and struggling with slow (as in crawling!) internet speeds.  So, here it is - better late than never - and it really is the most wonderful creation - fabulous flowers and such beautifully made bees. No wonder it now has pride of place in the porch Sam! And Sam nipped in, after me encouraging her, with this totally amazing project. The layout uses loads of recycled things, and is so full of delicious detail you really should go and see for yourself. I'd never have thought to make flowers from a coke can - and although not strictly snippets from the snippets drawer or folder I really thought you should see how something fantastic can be made from things we might not think twice about discarding. Yup, just amazing Sam. Excuse me while I go and rummage in our recycling bin!

Our Sarn came to play twice this week, having not managed to come and play last week. Firstly with such an amusing card, featuring - go on, guess - a chicken :) Beautiful colours and colouring Sarn, as always so fresh and clean looking - I really love it and am rapidly finding that mauves/purples come a close second to pink in my list of favourite colours. Next was this beauty, made using duster brushes for the background and lots of gorgeous SU products too. Love the way you just 'dusted' one side Sarn leaving the other plain for the sentiment.

I felt bad that I'd managed to miss Irene nipping in with this fabulous card. It's just stunning and I love the way you coloured the stamp with marker pens, it works brilliantly Irene! So elegant, and I do love the little gem above the 'i' on the sentiment - pulls it together perfectly- and the lines you embossed just add that really classy finishing touch.

Sally was next with a lovely seaside card, using a Michael Powell stamp to perfection. The finishing touch of the raffia and a shell is just so appropriate. I love these Michael Powell stamps, oh dear, more wish list additions - it's as long as my arm :( While you're over at Sally's, do take a peek at the card in the same posting, not made using snippets, but it's also fantastic! And, if you want proof that talent does indeed run in the family - nip over to Sally's daughter Meg's new blog here. Amazing!

Then, Bernie paid us a visit with not one, but three beautiful snippets makes in one go! If you want to see some real stunners, and ways to use up the tiniest of snippets as well as some fabulous SU birdies don't miss going over to Bernie's for a peek and to read her funny post. I almost spat coffee over the keyboard here - the term 'fanny' has a different meaning in the US to the UK Bernie, it means your 'buttocks' in the US, but not so in the UK :)

That reminds me of one of Mike Harding's stories about his travels in America and the differences in our use of language. To the uninitiated, he's a Yorkshire comedian who really makes me laugh with his dry, Northern humour. In one guest house in the US he was hanging round while the landlady made dinner. Wanting to help out he asked if he could 'lay the kitchen table' (in the UK and US of course it also means to 'set' the table for a meal). Apparently the landlady moaned 'Mind the knife drawer' before fainting clean away in shock. :))

Amanda hopped in next, hopefully not hopping any longer after that nasty accident? What a cute card too, as a thank you for hubby diving in to the rescue and even doing some baking as well. Do you hire him out Amanda? Anyhow, the card - little red ants working away, beautifully coloured, and some fantastic wainscoting made for the background. I love this card - really made me smile Amanda :)

Linby came to show this super card - great sentiment (which makes me about 5 in the UK, or 38 on the Continent, think I'll stick with the UK thanks). A super, fun card and I love how you used the positives and negatives - great touch Linby, and another lovely way to use up snippets. The colouring of the shoes goes perfectly with the spotty backing paper too!

Next was Elizabeth with a card beautifully matching the image, a lovely flower, card candi and papers. Love the way the cat is sort of glancing over its shoulder as if to say 'You talking to ME?'. Lots of detail to be seen so do hop over and take a peek - Elizabeth is off on holiday soon so won't be in the playground for a couple of weeks. It's OK to say this as her WOYWW posting mentions that's she's 'hitting the road' - have a great time Elizabeth!

Mary Mac hopped in next, to say 'hi' and also to mention our Queen's Jubilee celebrations - thank you Mary. We were celebrating so much I think someone stole a couple of days as I missed commenting immediately on a few snippets entries and am only finding them as I write the roll call right now - sorry girls!
Mary also brought a darling card, which you can see here, using snippets sent by Sarn. It's so good to see you girls playing nicely and also sharing your goodies. I love the punched SU bird and the flowers on the branch, which goes so well with the delicious backing papers - and the beautifully decorated inside too. Sigh.

Next was Rach, having a busy week and this is what she brought first. A brilliant card Rach, totally embracing the Jubilee and using some images from a supermarket's free magazine (very enterprising Rach), and with the inside also decorated (double sigh here). It was also Rach's first venture into the fun of WOYWW! Then, still on a roll, we had a second visit with a perfect card, also for the Less Is More challenge which was to use red, white and blue. Fabulous butterfly and sentiment Rach - you cracked it with this little beauty!

Mary H literally 'hopped' in next - with a great Father's Day card featuring such a cute Penny Black frog image. Just great Mary and I love the fabulous colouring too. The water truly does seem to shimmer and I smiled here at the way the frog seems to be eyeballing the little snail on the lily pad :) Apologies for not commenting and sorting out Mr Linky earlier Mary, the Jubilee has a lot to answer for.

Also in Jubilee mode was Hazel, fresh from her holiday on the South Coast here. It's been very quiet without Hazel hopping in regularly with her cards - but she more than made up for it with this beauty! Great stamping and of course the Portobello papers are just perfect for the Jubilee. It's great that we also have the Olympics coming up to extend the use of these super papers Hazel. Welcome back!

Next was a new little face in the playground - so make sure you share your sweets with Victoria please. And what an entrance - plus a second visit as well :) To see Victoria's first cards, yup two of them, do hop over to here. I love both of them, the hearts are great although the clever little pile of parcels, tied with twine is one that any of you without punches and dies (as IF!!) could take inspiration from. Next, and just before the gates closed at noon, Victoria returned - which I think means she likes us and no-one nipped or did any hair pulling - and yet another really clever use of snippets. Great idea to punch circles and fold them to add dimension Victoria - brilliant card and the DL base is just perfect! So girls, why not hop over to say 'Hi' to your newest playmate?

OK girls, that's this week's roll call - hands up who's been missing our Jules - me, me, me!! Come back soon please :)

As I've said previously, am off to a school reunion (steer clear of Farnborough this weekend if you're wise) and will be without internet access. Will be home briefly on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday before whizzing up to Newcastle for my step-mum's 80th birthday. It's literally a day's flying visit so I'll try to catch up a bit before I go with commenting on your blogs. If you do link wrongly into Mr Linky, don't be afraid to add a second correct link - I can always tidy up Mr Linky when I'm back online :) 

Mr Linky is below as usual and the playground will close at noon on Saturday 16th June. Hope you have a great week and please do remember to follow the conditions below.

Di
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The only conditions to playing nicely in the Snippet Playground are that your card (or anything else you wish to bring here to show) must be made by using up snippets (card, paper, lace and ribbon are all fine), and a link back to here in your own blog posting will mean that you'll be included in the Weekly Roll Call. Oh, and no nipping or hair pulling of course :)   

A purple Christmas

This week's challenge over at Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge is to use purple on your card:

So, while I was 'at it', I made not one but two similar ones :)

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- backing card by Kanban

- layered toppers, also by Kanban I think and already sparkly - from my store of goodies

- ribbon from the ribbon box tied in a bow, with a piece of iridescent twine threaded with a snowflake charm and also tied into a bow

It sure was cold and dreary weather over the weekend when I made these, don't tell me that Summer has already happened.

Don't forget, the snippets playground gates close at noon today and re-open at midnight.

And, if you want a lovely Lemon Drizzle Cake recipe, see just below. I just spotted that there are now only two end pieces left - that sneaky two-legged mouse found where I'd hidden it!!

Di
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Friday Feast - Lemon Drizzle Cake

OMG, this was so lovely that the two-legged mouse attacked it yesterday evening before I could even take a photo! Bless, he's now sulking but also up on his hind legs sniffing to see where I put hid the remainder :) Sheesh, it was meant as a treat while I'm away this coming weekend - anyhow, here's what was left:

Told yah - he made fresh coffee and took two massive slices, err, and I got the same of course :)

Lemon Drizzle Cake

For the cake:

175g (6 oz) unsalted butter,softened
175g (6 oz) caster sugar
175g (6 oz) self-raising flour
3 medium eggs ( I used  3 large ones, which might account for the dip in the middle, but it's still gorgeous!)
Finely zested rind of 2 lemons
Pinch of salt (I forgot to add this folks)

For the drizzle:

2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar ( to be honest, unless you have a VERY sweet tooth, stick to 2 not 3 tablespoons, I used 2 and could have even cut down more as I like things tangy and sharp

Juice of 2 lemons (obviously the ones you used the rind from)

1kg (2lb) loaf tin, buttered and lined with a strip of baking parchment (or do as I do, use loaf tin liners - available in most decent supermarkets now)

Set the oven to 160 degrees C or Gas Mark 3

Place all the ingredient in a bowl and beat until smooth

Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf tin and level the surface

Bake the cake in the centre of the oven for 1 to 1.25 hours or until the cake has risen and is just firm to the touch and a fine skewer comes out clean after being inserted into the cake. Remove the cake from the oven and place it onto a wire rack. Do NOT worry if it has a dip in the middle, mine did and it was perfectly cooked. A perfectionist might do the old sugar and butter, then eggs and then flour trick which could be better, I followed the recipe and just chucked it all in and it works, and tastes as good, with a nice texture :)

To make the drizzle:

Immediately sprinkle the granulated sugar over the top and then pour over the lemon juice, Leave the cake to cool completely (chase away two-legged hungry mice) in the tin before removing it and slicing to gobble serve.

To freeze: I haven't got this far, believe me no way with Len around (still sulking as I type), but pack the cold cake in a freezer bag and freeze for up to three months (fat chance I say - but I bet it would work fine, just label it as 'doggy food' or summick). Allow cake to defrost overnight before serving.

Enjoy!

Di
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'In the pink' at 80

It's my step-mum's 80th birthday next week, she loves pink roses and her name is Pearl:

When I saw that this weeks challenge over at Make My Monday is a 'Birthday card with pearls' (they are the birthstone for June, and of course roses are June's flower too), everything sort of fell into place for my step-mum's card as well as a resulting card to enter into the challenge.

Mind you using the Dufex card and decoupage was a nightmare - it's very unforgiving if you aren't really careful when handling it.

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock with 'petal' edge

- Crafter's Companion Dufex Flower Fairies set. It comes with enough to make a few cards, there are rose and apple blossom fairies with decoupage, backings and decorative squares, oblongs and strips - all pink and so pretty. The fairy on here looks so sweet in real life with all the little layers

- white lace topped with pink satin ribbon

- pink organza bow made using the bow maker with a pearl brad through the centre

- pearl embellishment from a double pack by Prima called Swirls and Fimo Cream (roses). I snipped the fimo roses off and replaced them with little pink mulberry roses, probably from Wild Orchid. Much waving of the glue gun here yesterday :)

- pearls along the 'petal' edging and a little strip of rose patterned Dufex inside to show when the card is closed

- and of course, the magic number '80' all pink and sparkly (probably from Hobbycraft or The Range) fixed onto a Dufex oblong, I rounded the corners with a punch

Phew, it was a bit of a marathon to make :(

A few of you know that my step-mum is now in a Care Home in the North East, unable to look after herself. The good news is that, since moving there and being with other people as well as eating properly, she seems to have recovered a lot of her faculties and is quite chirpy when I phone her.

I'll be sending this card and some flowers from Len and I for Thursday 14th June - as we would normally do.

Just getting home from the school reunion means that time isn't really on my side. BUT, the exciting (and probably totally crazy) bit, which she has no idea about and I hope she doesn't keel over with shock, I've just booked to fly up from Southampton first thing on her birthday, pick up a hire car at Newcastle Airport and should be at the Home in time for morning coffee :)) Then I catch the last flight back that evening - so it is literally a 'flying visit' but I do hope it makes her day extra special. The Care Home Manager is in on the secret but no-one else there is.

There's absolutely no chance of Pearl seeing this blog - she doesn't know I have one and would run a mile from a computer in any case!

Fingers crossed that there isn't fog at either airport or my daft plan will be well and truly scuppered!

Di
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WOYWW - 157

Wow, what a Diamond Jubilee Celebration! Despite the pretty dire weather of course.

This was my desk yesterday when I ran away to watch the Royal balcony appearance and the fly past in the lounge: - on TV of course :)

I'd been tidying earlier whilst watching some of the days events on TV in here. Oh dear, usual mug of black coffee, pack of baby wipes left open in my haste (slap wrists as they dry out pretty quickly if not sealed up), crumpled baby wipe (yup, sure left here in a hurry), cleaned stamps, box of pearls and gems ready to be put away, my old original stamp positioner, an acrylic block and also a little tip if you look at the box of ink pads.

I love SU Ink Spots ink pads. And, Hobbycraft sell some fabby 'peel off' storage boxes which hold two sets of those cute little Ink Spots, 10 per set, in a single layer. So, you can see at a glance the colours, the lids on the pads don't come adrift and, as the box will hold 21 in total, with two sets there's still one spare space which acts a bit like the space in those old 'move the tile around' games. That makes it so easy to shuffle a bit and pick an ink spot out.

Am not posting the ATCs I made on here this week as they haven't all reached their destinations - plus not all the ones promised to me have arrived yet. But, what a lovely selection I do have to show once they are here - thank you so much to those who sent them. Isn't WOYWW brilliant - three cheers for Queen Julia!!

All you have to do now is to hop over to Julia's here and then carry on snooping to see who's linked in their work desk this week! 

Di
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Running along with bunting

I think this is such a sweet image, it's from the Penny Black 'Love London' set, which is also ideal for the Olympics. And, the patriotic paper came from Forever Friend's 'Best of British' paper pack. It's a great pack and, apart from being perfect for the Jubilee and the Olympics, what's an added bonus is that the papers are double sided with more 'everyday designs' on the reverse, so they won't be wasted when all the fun and frolics are over:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- Penny Black image from the Penny Black 'Love London' set, stamped using Memento 'London Fog' (how appropriate!) and coloured with Pro Markers. Sentiment also from the same set, stamped in SU's 'Real Red' and the heart filled in with Pro Marker.

- paper from Forever Friend's 'Best of British' paper pack

- blue Core'dinations card for backings

- strip of red Core'dinations card, edged using a MS punch

- card candi

- little diamantes on the bunting string just to put the 'Diamond Jubilee' bit onto the card :)

I can't believe the cold, miserable weather over the past few days - I reckon these little chaps in the image should have had little pack a macks added to them!

I'm adding this into St. Luke's Charity Cards Challenge, where this month's theme is to feature a furry animal. OK, so a hedgehog is prickly but the little mouse is furry! Why not make a card and join in the fun?

And after a prompt from Jen, I'm also entering this into Digi Doodle Shop's current challenge which is 'Get the bunting out'. Ahem, it's more like wring the bunting out, yet another wet day :(

Di
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A Tuesday Tale - curtain call

Watching the Thames Jubilee Pageant, I spotted my old office which was right on the banks of the river. Happy days! This tale came to mind - short and sweet this week.

Len was in the same, pretty important meeting, as me - on a bright sunny day. This was before we were 'an item', and being something of a novelty in a group of 20+ men and the same grade as they were, I was lucky enough to be treated as an absolute equal. But I also felt conscious that arranging the 'domestics' was one of my strengths (not that it was expected). The sun was shining onto the screen for the overhead projector during a presentation - so 'Little Miss Helpful' here hopped out of her seat to close the meeting room curtains.

Whisk...whoosh...crash!! Everything went dark - in my enthusiasm I'd only managed to pull the whole curtain track, complete with curtains, off the wall. I had to be rescued and dusted down, whilst a load of managers stifled their laughter at the impromptu comedy act :(

Len (usually using his pet name for me) sometimes reminds me of this 'over-enthusiasm' when I rush headlong into some crazy scheme . 'Mind the curtains, Piglet' is usually enough to stop me in my tracks (no pun intended), if only for a silly 'Piglet-like' snigger before I carry right on anyhow :)

Have a great day!

Di
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Less is More - red , white and blue

The current challenge over at Less Is More is Red, White and Blue:

Wow, you truly couldn't get much more LIM than this - but it does reflect my feelings for HM in saying 'You did it! Congratulations'. I know I couldn't have lasted her journey without losing the plot :) She really is a true 'star'!!

I used:

- 4.5" x 4.5" square white card stock

- stamps from the SU 'Sprinkled Expressions' set

- SU stamp ink pads are 'Pacific Point' and 'Rose Red'

Easy, peasy - to the point of being a bit silly really :)

Excuse me while I blow some more red, white and blue balloons up and wring out the bunting!

Di
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Pixie's Crafty Snippets Challenge - 23

A hot week again in the playground, not much skipping but certainly queues for the swings and the paddling pool - although I think we're in for a change in the weather, just in time for the Jubilee celebrations, ain't that always the way :(

This is my snippets make for this week:

It's patriotic, without being red, white and blue :)

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- snippets of SU's 'Baja Breeze' card stock as backings - from the snippets folder, which never seems to go down in size

- a whole 6" x 6" sheet of backing paper from Wild Rose Studio's 'Vintage Rose' paper pack, plus a complementary snippet left over from a previous card

- really pretty topper from the Shabby Chic Union Jacks Card Toppers set, sent to me to play with by Tracy of Cardmakers Delights

- snippets of ribbon which were lying here on the desk. The lilac/pink organza ribbon strip looked washed out against the backing card, so I backed it with a strip of magenta ribbon before adding a bow just in the organza - and it made such a difference

- Josy Rose nail heads (but of course)

I also played with a new toy, it's called Sew Easy by We R Memory Keepers:

Such a simple little gadget, it pierces the paper so you can then hand stitch using the guide holes. I do have a cute little sewing machine here, purely for working on paper, but don't always have room or the inclination to set it up. And, hand sewing round the papers was quite therapeutic - good for stress relief when things seem to be going a bit silly :) 

Right, that's my card this Jubilee weekend - onto the Snippets Roll Call now.

Lynn was the first this week to dash into the playground with such a great 60th birthday card. It's a really lovely card - fantastic image and layout as well as a super image - and all in gorgeous shades of purple too. Great words and advice inside as well. Just perfect for a 60th birthday Lynn!

Next was Sylvia-Anne, with a darling baby card, also for the Less Is More Challenge. It's so flippin' cute, with a delightful old fashioned pram (baby carriage for our American playmates) and perfectly proportioned. I love it. Do go and see, and while you're there do scroll down to see the amazing 'book card' Sylvia-Anne made - I've seen these before but this one tops the lot, just beautiful. Not surprisingly it made top 5 in last week's Allosrts challenge - so beautifully made and carefully designed. Well done Sylvia-Anne.

Then Sandra H called by with this terrific card for one of her brothers.  It truly is fabulous and spot-on for a keen fisherman. The wooden effect background looks fantastic and the star fish and nets are brilliant, all in all it's one perfect card Sandra and I love the inclusion of a few pints of beer :)

Elizabeth, feeling the heat like so many of us, arrived next with a really adorable Teddy Bear card (featuring another of Tracy's toppers, and blaming me for temptation). Just wait Elizabeth, my Raspberry Tiramisu will be even more temptation, just you wait and see :) I love the way the hearts on the card echo the heart being held by that Teddy!  So cute.

Next in for a play was Mary H, with some clever tips and this beautiful card - lovely image, great sponging, embossing and a  lovely teal frame. But, also with the tip of embossing two pieces of lighter weight card stock at once - great hint Mary and one I'll remember in future. We're always finding out new tips and hints here :)

Carol scampered in next - with the worrying comment that she'd just topped the paddling pool up. I did laugh, thoughts of it being less than fresh water sprang to mind so I did hop over and say that I think there's a chemical you can get which turns bright green if anything other than fresh water is added to a pool. Anyhow, this is the card that Carol brought. It's absolutely adorable - super image of a fairy on a toadstool, great colouring and I love the PATP set you used Carol.

Next was Irene, with her first attempt at a collage card. I squeaked out loud, if it's a first attempt then I might as well pack up and go home now! Do hop over here to see what I mean - well, I bet you're with me on this one! It's so pretty. love the embossing, tag, DI ink dusting, stamping and lace - they all go together just beautifully Irene!

The irrepressible Sam flew in next (why do I imagine that Sam never walks, but runs everywhere with boundless energy?) - with this brilliant pop-up card, also for Rudolph Day over at Sarn's (challenge is closed now so do start thinking about the 25th June when we have another one coming up!). It really is such a happy card, using a great stamp from Penny Black's 12 Days of Christmas set - which I love to bits! Just take a peek at Monsieur Chook avec un tipple de vin :)  Told you, can't help but smile - thanks Sam.

Linby was next, with such a clean and crisp card, beautiful embossing and lots of pretty little butterflies - you can take a peek for yourself over here. Those little beauties must be a great way to use up the tiniest snippets - and a labour of love to put such a pretty card together Linby. I love it - and thanks for the offer of a chocolate, don't mind if I do :)

Next was Karen T, with this cute card - a little girl on a swing with her teddy :) Lovely colouring Karen and the word 'Hugs' sums the image up perfectly too. Interesting to see peel offs still in use, they'll always have a place in our little hoards I suspect. And, who doesn't love their teddy bear :)

Bernie (winner of this month's Rudolph Day prize) was next to visit with a funny tale and this great card. A first go at resist embossing/stamping and a great success too. Love the music background and the bright, cheerful colours you used too Bernie. There was some debate about how bad the smell of a skunk is - I'm guessing I'd never want to get close up and personal with one then?

Next was Kath, my very dry and funny pal, with this stunning card, also for the Less Is More shaped card challenge. Love the vibrant colours in the flowers and all the sparkle, which did go down well with the LIM team despite Kath's doubt. The sentiment 'Hope Your Birthday Sparkles' is so appropriate too - see Kath, I do press me nose up against the screen :))

We had two visits from Gilly this week, despite it only being four weeks to 'W for Wedding' Day - hope you girls are snipping up confetti and polishing your trimmers for a guard of honour! Gilly's first card is here, also for Rudolph Day, and features a really great Sheena Douglas image, beautifully coloured and then cleverly finished by using white embossing on both the snowflakes and the sentiment. It really does remind me of The Shambles in York. Then, Gilly brought such a pretty blue and white card to show - lovely background Gilly and I love the butterflies using the Sizzix Beautiful Wings embosslit. Perfect!

Mary Mac, despite having a busy time getting ready to go away for her daughter's wedding (have a super time Mary!), found time to come and play this week too, with three fabulous cards which were also for Rudolph Day. Great embossing, little windows with Santa in his workshop and some really cute embellishments make this such a great trio Mary.

Two visits from Amanda as well this week - firstly with such a cute baby card. Having sorted all her snippets (being a bit laid up after a nasty fall had some slight compensations, but you wouldn't want a fall like it I promise you) someone is on a bit of a roll I think :) Love the image Amanda and such pretty papers too. Then, back again with this great card for a chap. Great image and colours Amanda - they go together perfectly! Also another tip from Amanda - she's been using a Cuttlekid machine to die cut. I got really excited about this and tracked it down in the UK, but my understanding is that it only takes dies up to 2.5" square. Such a shame as I know we all whimper when Cuttlebug top plates end up going banana shaped and all scored. Plus, a tip-off from Amanda sent me rushing over to the Glitterpot where they had a 50% sale on, with quite a few Stickeroos I really needed. Of course, quite a few other things fell into my shopping basket and the parcel arrived this morning, whoop, whoop!! Bad influence Amanda :)

Brenda was next with the most fabulous House Mouse card - quick, go here and see! The image of a house mouse lying back relaxing is just adorable, and his sunshade (flower) matches the papers so perfectly Brenda, and a great layout :) I've thrown my hands up and promised Brenda I'll make a stamped House Mouse card as soon as possible - but I just know it won't be a patch on this one. It's a winner in my eyes Brenda!!

OK, that's it for this week - whew. I hope no-one was disappointed that the playground gates closed at noon yesterday - at least this can now be scheduled and I don't need to keep checking up until 10pm this evening, sometimes I'm frantically typing just before midnight. You could always be first on Sunday instead :)

Our Jules is taking a little break - and I for one have missed her snippets card(s), she still manages to make at least one each week, plus no posts on her blog to go and sigh over :( Just over a week to go I think!

And a little bit of extra news, next week will be an even shorter week. It's my school reunion (a local one - not the huge one we have every other year, although I think 120 of us are going to this one next weekend). I fully intend to have a large glass of wine or G & T firmly in my hand a lot of the time, when not being out and about with friends during the day (snort, perhaps carrying a wine glass even then!). Also, I know that hotel internet charges where we're staying are ridiculous - even IF I had any time, which is doubtful unlikely impossible just not gonna happen. So, the playground will close at noon on Friday 8th June allowing me to do the roll call before packing my little spotted handkerchief to go away on Saturday. I'll make sure that the roll call is posted and the playground is re-opened with a new Mr Linky at midnight on Friday 8th June - giving you seven and a half days to play the following week. Whoop, whoop - the hotel is less than a five minute walk from The Art of Craft so I know where one outing will be headed for!

Mr Linky is below as usual. Hope you have a great week and please do remember to follow the conditions below.

Di
x

The only conditions to playing nicely in the Snippet Playground are that your card (or anything else you wish to bring here to show) must be made by using up snippets (card, paper, lace and ribbon are all fine), and a link back to here in your own blog posting will mean that you'll be included in the Weekly Roll Call. Oh, and no nipping or hair pulling of course :)   

Anyone for a raspberry ripple?

This card really reminds me of raspberry ripple ice cream (yummy) - and I made it in about 10 minutes flat once we got home yesterday afternoon. One of those cards where everything just comes together so easily:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- snippets of plain card from the snippets folder

- Penny Black Stickeroo from the 'Collage Flowers' set

- pink and cream backing paper from the Melissa Frances 5th Avenue paper pad

- pink ribbon and cream lace, just lying on the desk begging to be used

- raspberry coloured card candi

It's Saturday today and roll call writing time. As so much is going on generally, I'm closing the playground gates at noon this Saturday folks! If it works, then normal weeks might end up the same so that I don't end up typing away at midnight each Saturday. Hope you understand!

Have a great Jubilee Weekend, whatever you have planned!

Di
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Friday Feast - Lamb Kebabs

This recipe is one I've used since the 1980's, back in the days when you had to hunt to find plain yoghurt, and it's still a great favourite.

Lamb Kebabs

Makes 8 kebabs, serves 2 hungry people

450g/1lb lamb (either leg or fillet) cut into 1" cubes
250g or so button mushrooms washed and trimmed if necessary
Small onions - approx.16
Tomatoes- at least 8, cut in half
8-12 rashers streaky bacon
60g/2oz butter

Marinade:
150g carton natural unsweetened yoghurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice (normally the juice of an average sized lemon)
1 tablespoon onion (either dried or freshly sliced)

Mix marinade ingredients together, stir in the cubed lamb, cover and put into fridge for at least four hours - more if possible.

Cut bacon rashers in half across the middle and roll them up.

Peel onions and boil for l0 minutes, or even less, just to soften them but not long enough for them to begin to come apart. Drain thoroughly.

Thread ingredients onto kebab skewers and brush with melted butter, I just melt the butter in a bowl in the microwave.

Pre-heat grill and grill for 6-8 minutes on each side, brush the second side with butter when you turn the kebabs over.

Serve with rice.

Things I do: Oh boy, these are a delight for someone like me  to make. I just love neatness and organisation - not that I always live my life like that but making kebabs comes quite close :) I made these yesterday evening, after a blip on Wednesday afternoon, the lamb ended up in the marinade in the fridge for about 28 hours - and it was absolutely non the worse for the experience. I've always used dried onions for the marinade, just habit really. I like to make the bacon rolls whilst boiling the onions earlier on in the day - it speeds things up later and you don't have to run the gauntlet of handling hot onions.

Then, with everything nicely lined up on plates/in bowls, comes the fun part - your hands will be messy from the marinade so it's good to keep everything within easy reach. There are no rules for assembling these kebabs, other than (I find) it's good to have half a tomato on either end which helps to keep everything else on the kebab skewer. Just alternate the ingredients as you fancy.

I've always cooked these under the oven grill, never on the BBQ - my own gut feeling is that I have a lot more control by using the oven grill as things like the tomatoes will cook faster than the lamb so I do end up turning the grill up and down a bit. But don't let that put you off having a go.

They are great served with rice, although yesterday evening I served these with pitta pockets stuffed with lettuce, tomato, cucumber - and a jaunty spring onion poking out of the top of each one :)

Something for the Jubilee holiday weekend perhaps? Enjoy!

Di
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Monochrome Magic in Paris

This week's challenge over at Penny Black's Saturday Challenge Week 203 is 'Monochrome Magic'. It would have easier to just use shades of black and grey but I opted to be awkward, as always, and went for greens. Waaaaay out of my comfort zone - I hope the little touches of blue are acceptable for the challenge, I've peeked at other entries and some have touches of other colours:

Sigh, the 'PARIS' lettering on the bunting shows up much better in real life :( The bright sunshine here is washing everything out - including me!

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- backing paper from Wild Rose Studio's 'Letters from Paris' paper pack

- Stickeroos from Penny Black's 'Paris Je T'Aime' set - the Paris lettering on the bunting is even included on the set

- bunting punched from SU's 'Certain Celery' card with SU's scalloped pennant punch

- Josy Rose nail heads

Friday Feast's recipe will follow later.

Di
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Diamond Jubilee - 60 years

...... that's quite some record for our Queen, and I bet there have been quite a few times when she will have gritted her teeth and muttered "Keep Calm and Carry On":

So, to celebrate, I made this card above.

I used:

- 6" x 6" square cream card stock

- deep red Core'dinations card

- paper from the fabulous Docrafts Papermania 'Portobello Road' pack

- 'Keep Calm and Carry On' topper from Tracy over at Cardmakers Delights (thanks again for the chance to play with these Tracy :) I slightly trimmed the top and bottom of the topper to keep it more in balance with the layout

- stamped crown (in 'Paris Mist') using a freebie set called 'Cool Britannia' which came with this months Quick Cards Made Easy magazine

- peel off numbers '60' from my little hoard

- lots of diamantes on the crown

- Docrafts Papermania 'Portobello Road' buttons

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Pan Pastel - Challenge 20, Diamond Jubilee

Glitter Geeks - Week 21 Diamond Jubilee

Joanna Sheen - Remember When (I do remember the Coronation and wearing a paper crown)

The Crafty Pad - Challenge 172 - Colours of Your Flag

The Stamp Man - Card for a Queen

I've read and re-read the rules for each challenge, so I hope I got it right. Phew, unlike me, five challenges at once, not sure I could do that party trick very often!

Di
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WOYWW 156 - time to celebrate

Crumbs, three whole years of WOYWW, although I wasn't in at the start it's a super fun idea! Clever Julia!

Here's my desk today, as it was left yesterday afternoon:

Snort, the mess is still to the right out of shot, a bit less there but not much different and this is what I was playing with just before the wine waiter called me for a glass of wine and a sit out in the late afternoon warmth.

We have, usual mug of coffee to the left, ink pads and such to be put away, a couple of clean stamps also to put away, blank ATCs and envelopes to the back left, spare camera battery awaiting charge in front of those and the rest is card making Jubilee stuff I've been toying with. Totally love the Portobello Road papers and buttons! The little plastic box holds Union Flag pennants I've been snipping out of paper chain strips bought ages ago from Hobbycraft - just as well as I was in there yesterday and the place had been raided in readiness for this coming weekend! You can see the paper chain strips poking out of the basket in fact.

OK, I've been persuaded by my buddy Sarn to join in the ATC swop - so that's why there's some ATC stuff out in readiness. I know, should have made them earlier but until yesterday I truly wasn't going to join in as I've never made one before! I worked on them after the photos was taken - good fun too, I could be hooked now. Some extra ones are going to bloggy friends' :)


Right, too many words as always - so do hop over to Julia's here, go peek at some fun work spaces and remember to join in the ATC swop if you fancy it!

Di
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Christmas foliage and Rudolph Day

Whipped up a couple of Christmas cards here in the scorching heat, to enter into Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge (the theme is Christmas foliage) and of course Sarn's Rudolph Day Challenge. You have until 7pm on Friday 1st June to enter Sarn's challenge, and Hazel runs a new challenge each week.

I rootled round and found some ready made-up foiled pyramage (probably by Dufex and assembled ages ago) which it would be such a shame to waste, plus some metallic cards so these went together in next to no time before rushing back to sit in the freezer and cool down:

Crumbs, you can hardly see the layers in the photos unless you peer very closely, or click to enlarge.

Grinning here as these were the sort of Christmas cards I made almost at the start of my card making. They are both A6, ready embossed metallic cards. The gold card already has Happy Christmas in the design so I didn't add a sentiment. The silver one just had a silver lettering Craftwork Cards oval sentiment added, which had been layered onto pink pearlescent and muted silver plain and scalloped ovals respectively, punched with SU punches from little pieces found in the snippets folder.

Everything looks a bit wonky although it's straight in real life - think I need a new camera Len!!

More for the Christmas card box :)

Di
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A Tuesday Tale - Spheksophobia

Ha, now there's a long word for starters - spheksophobia. It means, fear of these little perishers:

And if you combine the above with these jeans below - that's double-trouble:

I was reminded of today's tale by something Rach said on her blog about being terrified of wasps - ever since she was stung inside her ear, big ouch, poor kid. If you're reading this Rach you might want to run away now :)

Many years ago, when I was aged almost 16, a fashion trend for skinny jeans (known then as drainpipes) hit the streets. My parents wouldn't buy me any, so undeterred I set to and did some alterations of my own on the quiet. All you did was to made a double fold down the inside of each leg and stitched it tightly right down the seam - I did it all by hand too :(

During the Summer hols from school in Germany I went away with my parents to Switzerland camping and said 'skinny jeans' were secretly packed and produced with a flourish at the other end! Snort, oh the price of vanity :(

So, here we are, in a supermarket about halfway through the fortnight at the checkout, with me sporting these jeans, which were so tight they were almost impossible to get on and off. I'd sneakily packed no other trousers and jeans either so Mum had been forced to let me wear them. Suddenly, I felt a tickle on my right calf and idly scratched it - 'sting!'- OUCH, that hurt. So I rubbed the leg through said jeans and got another sting for my trouble, then another. By this time panic was setting in as I tried to pull up the leg of those wretched jeans - to no avail of course. Sting followed sting as I realised that little fella who had somehow crawled up inside the leg of 'oh so trendy but totally stupid' jeans meant business - we were standing at the checkout and a bag of sugar had spilled and a little wasp party was going on :(

In a state of panic, and unable to hoist the leg of tight jeans up, what was a girl to do? Yup, I unzipped them and whipped them down to my ankles whilst squealing like a stuck pig! Of course, this attracted attention from other shoppers and an assistant who rushed over, grabbed a bottle of vinegar from a shelf and tried to usher said squealing piglet into the manager's office.

Well, that was akin to running the marathon in a sack, I did try truly, but the little dance of 'bunny hop twice, jump up and down, then two shuffles, two more bunny hops and repeat again with jeans around the ankles' didn't get me far - I couldn't move really. As mayhem began to break out the manager himself appeared - a large chap with a handlebar moustache I seem to recall - from what I saw of him.

He took one look and then decided action was needed 'Right, vee sort zis out' he barked - and without any more ado grabbed me round the waist, tucked me under his arm and charged towards his office. Yeah, right - eyes popping like a frog and still squeaking in pain - there I was, with me rear end exposed (apart from a pair of briefs, thankfully) and jeans around me ankles, being carried like a rag doll to his office.

My parents, I swear to this day, were almost exploding with laughter - me, I was totally mortified. Copious amounts of vinegar later we were sent on our way with a very large bottle of vinegar and no supermarket bill to pay either, they waived the bill - I think to get rid of the teenage 'shuffle-hop and look at my bum' dancer!

I do remember lying on the back seat of Dad's car, whimpering and applying wads of vinegar soaked cotton wool to what turned out to be seven wasp stings all the way back to the campsite. And you know what? I distinctly heard my Dad say to my Mum, 'Such a shame it wasn't a full week's groceries darling'. What the heck was that all about then?!

No wonder I hate wasps with a vengeance, and I do sympathise Rach!

Di
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Less Is More - Shaped Card

As soon as I saw this week's Less Is More challenge, to make a shaped card, I knew what shape I wanted to make at least - a tepee card, which is three sided. Thinking of what to add took more time and in the end I found some La Pashe flowers in the cupboard and made a chrysanthemum (yay, haven't had a long word for ages!) in bold bright orange. The flower and leaves took a lot longer to make than the card - lots of snipping and shaping:

However, it was great fun to make, I made a much more elaborate one a while ago which fastened with ribbon - here's a link to the tutorial I'd followed. And here's a link to the card I made almost a year ago now, which shows you it can be 'more is more' if you wish. But, this time, instead of tying the final side with ribbon as in the tutorial, I had a secret weapon to hand that I've wanted to use for ages:)

Totally brilliant invention, although not really cheap at £4.29 for 8 pairs I suppose. They're very slim too, here's a side view of one set holding the card as a tepee, just remember to fix one half of the pair and then place its partner on top, remove the sticky cover and fold the other part of the card over onto it - don't try and line them up by eye as I bet that wouldn't have much chance of being totally accurate:

I added a sentiment to one side, and the other side has the same punched shape left blank for any message:

Snigger, it looks 'wonky' but I promise it isn't :)

I used:

- 3 squares of 5.5" hammered white card and assembled as in the tutorial link above

- orange chrysanthemum and leaves by La Pashe, topped with a Josy Rose nail head

- sentiment stamped with stamp from SU's 'Sincere Salutations', in 'Pumpkin Pie', and punched using SU's fabulous 'Decorative Label punch, with some 'Wild Wasabi' run round the edge for definition, the matching, but blank, punched topper on the third side is also edged with 'Wild Wasabi'

- Papermania magnetic clasp

A red hot flower, for red hot weather - I'm off to sit in the freezer again!

Di

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Pixie's Crafty Snippets Challenge - 22

OK, first up my snippets card for the week. It started off when I was gazing in horror at the mess on my desk and spotted some narrow teal coloured ribbon, hastily snipped off a new holiday top where it was supposed to keep the top on a hanger. Don't know about you but those loops are great in the shop for doing their job but they irritate me so I always snip the little perishers off  before wearing a new top:) And then, my sad gaze landed on a little pile of butterflies and die cuts sent to me by Sarn shortly before holiday (thank you again hun!) - and pink and teal just seemed right together:

I used:

- 6" x 6" white petal-scallop edged card stock

- pink paper from the snippets folder, with a strip down the inside edge of the card so it shows when the card is closed

- teal card from the snippets folder, embossed with a folder ('Flutterby' made by Craft Concepts) that just 'happened' to fall into my basket whilst ordering mundane things like cello bags at Handy Hippo the other day - no idea how that happened

- Pink and white embossed butterflies from Sarn

- pink and white labels, also from Sarn, stamped using part of a SU 'Petit Pairs' sentiment set. The outside sentiment says {no matter what} and I also stamped its pair which says 'I'm here for you' down at the bottom right of the inside - in SU 'Tempting Turquoise', love these cute little sentiments

- teal ribbon, plus some pinks from the ribbon box

- pink and teal Josy Rose nail heads on the butterflies and down the petal edge (snigger, one isn't set perfectly - oops!)

Here's also a tip, which loads of you might already know anyhow. My first attempt to emboss the teal card ended in the bin as I'd forgotten the neat trick of not butting the card right up into the folding part of the folder - just keep it about an eighth to a quarter of an inch away, making sure you'll still get the full pattern embossed, otherwise you risk a bit of a crease length ways down the card.

OK, onto a shorter roll call this week, after last week's marathon.

Elizabeth shot into the playground first, just after midnight, still clutching her mug of cocoa plus this totally gorgeous vintage style tent card. Some fabulous features, including a wonderful purple rose, bakers twine, doily, purple bling, handmade hat pins - and such a clever tip. A really delicate touch is the way Elizabeth also used some rose organza trim - I have quite a bit of this too and wouldn't have thought of Elizabeth's tip which is to make the card to fit the organza rose trim, rather than snipping through whole or part roses. Great idea Elizabeth!

Not far behind, almost hanging onto Elizabeth's pigtails, was Bernie - with this super quilt card. It's really pretty and was inspired by Bernie's visit to a quilting exhibition, the use of embossing to give the effect of hand quilting is great - and I love the butterfly and bling as a finishing touch too Bernie. I also loved the account of your hike through the snow - we're never happy with the weather here in the UK I know, but I bet a few of us wouldn't mind a hike in the snow right now :) Next time, Bernie brought such a clever card for her husband to celebrate their wedding anniversary - I don't want to spoil it if you haven't seen it but, if you know anyone who plays cards, this is truly great and one to remember, go here to see. So, so clever!!

Irene was next with a delightful birthday card which you can see here. All in lovely fresh pink and white - featuring an adorable Penny Black hedgie, so cute! I do love how Irene combined the white embossed panel with the lovely background papers - perfect Irene.

An update on our Mrs Spike here, she's taken the 'hump' while we were away and couldn't put fresh hedgie food out for her - little ingrate!! No sightings since we returned. Mind you, we do have a pair of blue tits sitting on eggs in the nest box - taking turns I think, one seems to sit while the other one goes out hunting and returning at intervals to feed its partner. No little chirps from the box as yet though :(

Sandra H arrived next, with a really elegant Sympathy card - never the easiest to make and this one is just right. Lovely soft colours, a really simple image and the finishing touches of a flower, card candi and a beautiful scrolled sentiment do make this a very appropriate card for a sad occasion. It's absolutely perfect Sandra.

We had two visits from Sally this week, firstly with these adorable New Baby cards, also for last week's Less Is More Challenge. Both in blues but very different, one is very calm and serene and the other one is just so flippin' cute! I love both of them for different reasons - do go and see for yourself. Then, Sally hopped back in with a really great card for a little girl, it reminds me so much of of Mia and her baking exploits :) To see, go here - isn't the image adorable, and I love the papers Sally. Making a rosette for the first time is on my 'to do' list - great result. Err, am not so sure about space hoppers in the playground though :)

Jules was next, with a stunning snippets card, featuring a cat with the most unnerving stare (fab image though, despite the stare, which is really how cats do look at you) and some amazing backing papers - many with a 'kitty' theme. Oh my, I just took a closer look, and Jules usual little heart (there's always one to find, which is part of the fun) even has a cat's paw print on it - now that's just super clever Jules!! Sigh, what I'd give to have a good old rootle round Jules' craft room.

Then, Hazel popped in bringing a set of cards, all the same. They're Christmas cards and have such a lovely vintage image of a sledging boy and girl on them - great backing papers and the addition of some Christmas trees is a lovely finishing touch. Our Hazel has been very quiet this week - I'm typing this at noon on Saturday (I know, should be in the garden soaking up some Vitamin D) - and am hoping Hazel doesn't arrive this afternoon or evening wheeling a barrow full of cards, having been on holiday or something :)

Mary Mac never disappoints with her makes (none of you do in fact!) - and firstly this week she brought a darling little cupcake box which you can see here. At the same time, do look at the super easel card Mary made, further down the same posting - so pretty, I love the colours and it's one to stand out in a crowd for sure. Then, Mary returned with a 'snot title'.....................sorry, that truly was a typo but I'm laughing so hard here I decided to let you see the stoooopid mistakes I make whilst typing, of course it should be a 'snow title' :)) Anyhow, wipes eyes and carries on, it's really great and worth hopping here over to see - and do scroll down to see the squirrel in Mary's garden, priceless!!

Next was Brenda, with a fabulous card - made by recycling two Christmas cards so cleverly. Looking at the two cards Brenda started out with I'd have never though they could be 'cannibalised' and one perfect snippets card made - but it works fantastically well. Brenda even hand cut the snowflakes from one of the cards - dedication over and above the call of duty girl! But worth it for the great result.

Linby arrived next with this gorgeous Oriental Fairy card. All in the most beautiful colours and with a load of fans that I reckon the playmates would be fighting over. It's so hot today and I'd love the fling the windows wide open in here or bring one of the electric fans in - but, trust me, I'd be buried under all the stuff which would be whipped up in the air from one very cluttered desk :) I do love all things Oriental and the image and papers are perfect, and the 'fortune cookie' is a really inspired finishing touch Lynn!

We had three visits from Sam, which always worries me as I listen for revving go-karts etc. First time Sam brought two really beautiful Diamond Anniversary cards - which I know had caused her some angst in the making. They're both perfect though and you can see them here. It was made even more tricky as both cards were for the same couple so had to be different - I love the flowers and diamantes Sam, great cards! Next Sam brought this Christmas Album, such a fabulous idea and so well thought out and put together. It's totally amaaaazing! So much work and such a fabulous keepsake too. I think it's got to be the snippets playground star of the week, and hope you all agree when you go to take a peek. I did warn Sam to watch that no-one dribbles their ice cream onto it or leaves grubby paw prints :) Really super special make Sam! Lastly, Sam returned with not one, but six really delightful pop up cards - totally fabulous as well. Such a clever style of cards - there are blues, pinks and purples to be seen if you pop over and take a peek. I love them.

Karen brought a terrific 'harmonica' card - featuring snowmen - with her this week. It really made me smile, it's such a happy card and the harmonica effect is great. Love the carrot noses on the snowmen and the blue base is just perfect Karen - I think I can work out how the base was made so that's another one to try sometime soon. Not sure about any baby ducks in the duckpond Karen though :(

Next was Rach, with a RSVP card which you can see here. It's just perfect (designed for a chap) and as Rach says, it's quite self-explanatory when you hop over to see - but the letters are just fabulous, super colour combination and a brilliant way to use up snippets Rach. The suggestion of rounders in this heat went down like a lead balloon didn't it?! Ha, today's post says that Rach is off out with the family in their boat - so before ANYONE gets any fancy ideas about the duck pond, no, no and no again!!

Carol nipped in next with this really cute card. I'd never thought of cutting felt using Nesties, great idea Carol. Love those Raspberry Road papers, am sure I have some hidden away, or just buried, here - and the fairy perched on a strawberry is just perfect, especially with those backing papers - love it! Carol also had a card showcased on Joanna Sheen's blog this last week - and rightly so too - hop over here to see what I mean. Lovely isn't it?

Next was Sarn, with a beautiful Thank You card - absolutely stunning Sarn. Really fresh white and turquoise using SU products to their best. I love everything about it Sarn, and you even added ribbon :) Those flowers from the Everything Eleanor set are adorable - sigh, I feel another order coming on! I just pressed my nose against the screen here and if those flowers were hand cut I think you and Brenda should take the 'champion snippers trophy' for this week!

And last, but by no means least was a new playmate - Lynn A. Welcome to the playground Lynn! Lynn brought a delightful card in all shades of lavender, in fact the flowers are lavender stems (one of my favourite fragrances) when you look closely - along with such a pretty butterfly, and a great layout. I spotted Lynn's blog when I was commenting on LIM cards and encouraged her to come and play so it would be really nice if you gals could hop over and say 'Hi'.

Mr Linky is below as usual. Hope you have a great week - the roll call will be done as usual next Sunday and please do remember to follow the conditions below.

Di
x

The only conditions to playing nicely in the Snippet Playground are that your card (or anything else you wish to bring here to show) must be made by using up snippets (card, paper, lace and ribbon are all fine), and a link back to here in your own blog posting will mean that you'll be included in the Weekly Roll Call. Oh, and no nipping or hair pulling of course :)