Well travelled

The current challenge over at Winter Wonderland is 'Travel'. It doesn't have to be a Christmas card either, but when I was taking down the last Christmas cards yesterday it struck me that Santa Claus is a very well known traveller - so I cannibalised one of the cards and made this:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock with the front totally covered in Kan Ban's 'Merry Christmas' green backing card and I worked it out so that at least 'Merry Christmas' and a single 'Ho' shows at the top above the image :)

- image from a Christmas card

- image backed with gold linen card. A little tip when layering onto card - I cut the backing mat slightly larger than needed and then stick the top layer on making sure that (say) the top and the left hand edge are the same distance from the edge of the backing card. Then just trim the excess from the bottom and the right hand edge to match. It might seem really obvious, but it took me ages to realise it was better than attempting to totally line up four sides straight off

- a snippet of narrow gold ribbon tied in a bow at the top of the tent fold

Hope you're enjoying the weekend, particularly those of you who had to trot back to work last week - relax and enjoy!

I've gotta find time to rustle up a Snippets card and will also be offering a Playground treat tomorrow :)

Di
x

Shake your tail feathers

........and what a display they would make. I love peacocks and the glorious colours in their feathers - although my Mum was very superstitious and wouldn't entertain having a peacocks feather in the house, something about the Evil-Eye I seem to recall.

Not sure what she'd have made of this card then:

The close-up above is the best piccie I could get to try and show the iridescence of using Twinkling H2Os - in real life it shimmers beautifully. 

I used:

- A6 white card stock

- image from the Stampendous set called 'Proud Peacock', coloured with Twinkling H2Os - ages since I used these cute little pots of solid paint and that needs to be rectified 'cos it was very relaxing just sitting quietly painting away in my own little world

- frame was embossed using Crafts Too's 'Scrollwork Frame' folder

- peacock blue Core'dinations backing card just to edge the frame

- sentiment is also from the 'Proud Peacock' stamp set, stamped using Memento 'Teal Zeal'. The set comes with three different sets of words and the scrolling frame is separate, also in the same set. Oh, and there's a single peacock feather and a row of three in the set too - so altogether quite a bit to play with..........unless you're superstitious of course :) 

And this is how I store the H2Os - in a shallow A4 sized Really Useful box with a  divided insert.

Di
x

Anyone for a go on the swings?

This little image reminded me so much of the Snippets Playground - I'd already decoupaged and layered it a while back and found it hidden in a box just waiting to be used:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- GorJuss girl decoupage

- all backing papers came from the 'Bird Song' 6" square pad by First Edition - someone else I visit had recently used this (ack, should have written down who it was, sorry) and I was prompted to dig my hardly used pad out. Sigh, there's an 8" square one lurking somewhere as well - note to self, organise backing papers!

- some edges were trimmed using Martha Stewart's 'Arch Lattice Edge' punch

- sentiment is by LOTV, stamped using Brilliance 'Pearlescent Chocolate' then punched out with a SU round punch

- ribbon from the ribbon box

- the pearly flower was in a partly used pack, hiding in my big box of gems

I played around with Twinkling H2Os yesterday morning for a while, problem is I just know the result will be a so-and-so to photograph if the lovely sheen is to show up - and it's so essential to the image I coloured that my prayer mat is out for some sunshine today! Remember that big round thing we used to see in the sky that only comes out to play every now and then at the moment? :(

Di
x

WOYWW 187

Just a quickie to wish all you WOYWWers a very Happy New Year - here's hoping that 2013 is a great year for you all.

My hope is that's it's the year I solve a little mystery on my desk:

 It's the little fella at back left on the glass cutting mat I'm fretting over

In the course of tidying up my desk after Christmas I found a little pea green plastic 'stud' thingy. No doubt if I throw it away it's gonna turn out to be something essential - not off the Cuttlebug 'cos that's pink, not off the new Xyron 'cos I've checked its nether regions thoroughly - besides which it's emerald and not pea green, not off the trimmer......in fact eet eez a total mystery :(

Absolutely baffled here - any ideas on a postcard please!

Now shooo, off you go to Julia's to see what she's up to, and thence to loads of other crafters linking in their desks - with or without a pea green stud to fret over.

Edit: Oh Sarn, you clever little Miss Marples!! Thank you for solving the mystery of the 'pea green stud' :) It was indeed from the new Cuttlebug labels die packaging - I found a video on YouTube demonstrating these fabby cut and emboss dies - and although the demonstrator had removed the studs when using the dies, those still in packaging on the demo table had the studs still in, holding the cardboard packaging in place!! Whoop, whoop - wouldn't you just know that a fellow crafter would have the answer, thank you soooo much :)

Di
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A New Year's Day birthday

One of my school friends from boarding school imprisonment days has her birthday on 1st January. So it's a double celebration and this is the card I sent:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- backing paper from Prima's 'Firefly' collection

- a LOTV Cute Square, chopped down a bit - which was pre-coloured I hasten to add

- toning mauve card, punched using a new MS PATP set called 'Cherish' then run through the Cuttlebug and embossed using a 'Swiss Dots' folder

- guipure lace and mauve organza ribbon, plus layered flowers

- sentiment by Craftwork cards, layered onto a SU punched shape using the 'Decorative Label' punch

Happy Birthday Angie, and a Happy 2013 to you all.

Di
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Vintage Hollies

I spent hours yesterday tidying, sorting, even throwing out stuff in the craft room. Boy, that hurts to do!

During my rummaging round I came across a sheet of neglected and not my favourite Penny Black Stickeroos almost at the same time as some backing card which went with them so I made these:

 'Cos I struggle with vintage style cards I trotted into Len to show him and ask for an opinion - and they got his seal of approval. Ha, that could be 'cos it was almost time for dinner though :) And the light was dreadful when I took the piccies too.

I used:

- 4.75" x 4.75" square cream card stock

- backing card by Kan Ban called 'Painted Holly'

- Stickeroos from Penny Black's 'Vintage Hollies' sheet

- strips of deep red half inch diameter ribbon roses on a netting background

So, that's two cards ready for 2013 :)

I'm entering these into Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge where the theme is very open this week - either show a Christmas card you haven't previously shown on your blog or make a start on next year's.

The sorting and tidying still has some way to go here but at least everything I'd dumped on our bed has been properly put away. Somewhere to sleep is a great driver when sorting out!!

New Year's Eve already and I hope you have fun whatever you have planned. I find New Year a bit of a sad time and we always just spend it quietly - avec a glass or three of something though!

Sending you love and best wishes for a good year in 2013 with health and happiness. Forget the wealth - I know it helps but it's true that no amount of money can buy health and real happiness.

And oh my golly gosh, I just spotted that I'm almost up to 200 followers! Time for some candy I think :)

Di
x

Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Week 53

First of all, my snippets card for this week:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- snippets of pink and blue paper, plus a mauve backing sheet

- stamped image is a Woodware stamp called 'Pram', paper pieced

- the bunting is also using a Woodware stamp set called 'Small Bunting', it comes with the letters already on the little pennants

- snippet of white and mauve bakers twine

- snippet of white organza ribbon which was lying here longing to be used up, bow threaded with iridescent cord also tied in a bow and a little teddy bear charm added

- three little flat backed pearls

I truly think the main backing paper would have looked tons better if I'd whipped out the sewing machine and stitched round the edge. New Year resolution coming up - use sewing machine more!

And, as I feared - no time to link to every super make brought to the Playground but the thumbnails on last week's Snippets posting do give you a quick idea of what was entered and despite it being such a busy time, there was still some fabulous crafting going on. I quite like having the thumbnails so I hope you agree that they're useful.

But, being such a chatterbox there are some things I'd like to point out :)

Firstly, Tamara from Slovenia is now joining in the fun - welcome! She makes super cards and you can use the translate button on her right hand bar to read more.

Our six-year old Playground mascot (Little Miss C aka The Pony Girl) linked two beautifully made cards this week - such a clever little crafter - well done Miss C!

Viv came to play for the second week running - I was away and missed her first card but Sarn did the honours and welcomed Viv with bootleg egg nog and mulled wine behind the treehouse. Yup, am still clearing up the empties - and just whose idea was it to try and bury them in the swamp huh?! Welcome Viv - it can only get better in the Playground, I hope!!

And, for the first week I can recall - our Patron and Founder Jules didn't link a snippets card, bwah!!!! However - there is something really exciting going on over at Jules' blog girls, if you aren't already aware. A super 'name those stamps' Christmas/New Year quiz with some amazing goodies to be won :) And this is where to go to join in

And, don't fret about not being the first to submit an entry as Jules is offering a second chance for an identical pile of goodies via a random draw, whoop, whoop!!

And if you do want to join in the Playground fun and frolics in any quiet moments you might find - the Playground is open all of this coming week but it will close on Saturday 5th January at noon, UK time and Mr Linky is below as usual.

Am also entering this card into Winter Wonderland's current challenge which is 'New Beginnings' - so not strictly a Christmas challenge for this week.

And remember that our Hazel is still running Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge..........ha, ha, plus Sarn will continue with Rudolph Day beginning on the 25th January  - so don't totally hide those Christmas crafting goodies away!

Hope you all have a fabulous New Year girls!

Di
x 

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

Addicted to CAS - 'Sweet'

The current challenge over at Addicted to CAS is 'Sweet'. So, I chose a sweet/cute image with some sweet food:

I used:

- 6" x 6" square scalloped card by Craftwork Cards

- Warren image, already printed, from Craftwork Cards - coloured with Pro Markers and layered onto a round scalloped shape, die cut using a Nestie and pink card from the snippets folder

- sentiment is by Personal Impressions from their 'Keep Calm and' set. Perhaps 'Keep Calm and Eat Cake' would have been more appropriate but 'Bake Cakes' was the closest one in the set

Saturday today and I neeeeed to make my snippets card ready for tomorrow. Last minute as always :(

Di
x

Less is More - Drinks

The current challenge over at Less Is More is 'Drinks' and it runs for two weeks:

Ack, the light is really bad here today :(

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card stock

- a stamp, totally unbranded or named, and I masked off the funny little party 'tooter' and one of those blow out unfurling thingies as they sort of jarred with me. Tickled with Pro Markers, gold pen and some 'Crystal Ice' Stickles

- double embossed lines at the top and bottom of the card

- 'Britannia' numbers cut using a die from Joanna Sheen then coloured with the same green Pro Marker as the bottle of bubbly

That was the easy part - Santa brought me a Xyron machine and I couldn't wait to use it. Ha, only put the numbers in so that the sticky ended up on the front and not the back :( Back to the Cuttlebug to make a second set! Sigh, the instruction booklet, to be fair, wasn't very clear. That's my excuse anyhow......always put the right side up!

But, I wish you all a Happy 2013 - preferably not sticky :)

Di
x

My five favourite Christmas cards challenge

The super-talented Debby is currently running a challenge over at her blog here:

I've known about 'favourites' challenges from previous years, but have always shied away - light, bushel and all that jazz. However, this year I'm joining in the fun and, in no particular order, these are my favourite five Christmas cards of 2012:

It was made for Mia and Livi with a lot of love and the posting is here.

Made for my step-mum - who apparently loved it almost as much as the flowers and a teddy bear from M&S which arrived on Christmas Eve (bless her). The posting is here.

This one is because of the simplicity and the posting is here. I so love the Memory Box die.

Possibly my very favourite of the year, all down to a gorgeous Penny Black stamp - the posting is here.

And finally this one as it reminds me of the fabulous time Len and I had with Kay in New Mexico. I bought the papers and ribbon whilst we raced round Hobby Lobby in Santa Fe like kids in a sweet shop. I sent it to Kay for Christmas (of course) and the blog posting is here. Just hoping she will find her way to come over to the UK to stay - you'd all adore her I know!

Why not join in, Debby has some super goodies - and her blog is always so inspirational, just hang onto your purse 'cos I've run away and bought a few things thanks to seeing them used on Debby's blog :)

Di
x

A very crafty move by Santa

I might have written that I'm an avid reader, and reading in bed is such a luxury before going to sleep.

However, unlike me, Len can't drop off to sleep in mid sentence - and any bedside light disturbs him to the point of 'cue a problem/grab a flight sleep mask from the drawer/ and so on' :(

But, this was from 'Santa Len' in my stocking yesterday:

It's a Kandle for my Kindle - yay!

My Kindle is the basic model and I don't have a fancy lit cover, both through choice, but I give 10 out of 10 to this inexpensive and totally fabby little gizmo which just clips onto the top edge of the Kindle and illuminates the whole screen without lighting up the bedroom. It'll also be great on long flights if you don't want to disturb fellow passengers by having the 'above the seat' light on.

Of course Santa also brought some great crafting goodies and what seems like loads of other gifts - but this little beauty is my very, very favourite pressie :)  

I'm really very easily pleased you might think - but peace reigned here as I read in bed until 2am this morning, bliss!!

We're off out for the day today - after a lovely day yesterday - I hope you all had a wonderful time too.

Di
x

WHY are you here?

Shouldn't you be lounging after lunch, opening parcels or even frantically chasing unpeeled sprouts around the kitchen?

Someone here was out of bed at 4:45 am to check if Santa had been - as a little boy, being very practical, he used to go to bed armed with a torch and a pair of scissors to open parcels. What is he like? I chased him back to bed for a few hours more sleep though - and confiscated his torch and scissors :)

Whatever, this is the Christmas card I made for Len:

It's a bit of a cheat really - one of those multi-layer ones which is really 3-D with loads of layers and gorgeous in real life but such a fiddle to make. Trust me, stamping from scratch would have been a walk in the park (or Playground).

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL DAY - MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thank you so much for all the love and support this past year, you bloggers are such a great crowd. OK, time to let someone loose with his scissors now :))

Di
x

Happy Christmas everyone!

This is the tree I dragged into the Snippets Playground yesterday afternoon - yeah, right :)

But it does look such a jolly scene with which to wish everyone who calls in here a really wonderful Christmas. I hope you all have a lovely time - and that perhaps Santa picked up on any hints for crafting goodies. Ha, if he didn't then he might well be having egg and chips for Christmas lunch here (joke!!).

Love

Di
x

Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Week 52

Sorry for the delay in opening the Playground gates, I slept for nine hours without even stirring last night. Am now running round the Playground all bright-eyed and busy tailed, yay, before diving into some last minute preparations! Anyhow, here's my snippets card for this week:

It's been delivered to some good friends friends, Mum, Dad, two teenagers, two dogs and two cats - and the family surname is Robins (spelt with one 'b' too) so here are eight similar but slightly different robins :)

I used:

- 8" x 8" square card stock, covered with holly paper by Paper Studio from their 'Cozy Little Christmas' pad (bought in New Mexico at Hobby Lobby)

- eight little robins, stamped and coloured with Pro Markers onto snippets of cream card then punched out with my SU scalloped punch. I used the Woodware stamp set called 'Tweet Birds'

- sentiment is from Francois Read's Woodware Collection and is called 'Merry Christmas', I love the swirly effect of this stamp, stamped onto another snippet of cream card punched out with a SU punch and then a red punched shape using the same punch placed behind it at right angles

- little holly leaves stamped, coloured and snipped out from another snippet - with a couple of red pearls added for the berries

-  a snippet of gingham ribbon (also from Hobby Lobby) that matches the berries in the holly paper so well

Rather than spend any longer on this post, the Playground gates will be opened tout suit - there were so many lovely entries last week it would take me an age to go back through and pick one or two to spotlight. I think, depending on activity during the festivities, I might even round the year off with a proper roll call :) No promises though.

If the Playground is silent, swings creaking in any breeze, no squeals of laughter in the tree house, the donkey looking lonely - then I won't fret 'cos it would mean you're all partying too much to come and play - and I can feed the donkey and bring him indoors to watch Christmas Day Tee Vee with us.

Hope you all have a fabulous time girls!

Meanwhile, if you do want to join in the Playground fun and frolics in any quiet moments you might find - the Playground is open all of this coming week but it will close on Saturday 29th December at noon, UK time and Mr Linky is below as usual.

There's a little change to Mr Linky as well, I've upgraded the Playground to thumbnails when you link :)

Am also entering this card into Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas challenge which is 'Anything goes for Christmas'.

Di
x 

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

Last minute panic Christmas tags

I opened a pack of lovely red and white Christmas wrapping paper here earlier yesterday afternoon - it included ribbon and bows but no gift tags :( And I had nothing in the Christmas ribbons, tags and bows box remotely near the red and white. Ack!

Thankfully, earlier in the week Sarn had been making some fabulous gift tags from snippets and I'd immediately been a greedy little pig and ordered the Cuttlebug die cutting/embossing folder she used - plus it had already arrived here, super fast delivery indeed. Do go and take a peek - there are some lovely tags to be seen over at Sarn's.

I whipped up five tags in double quick time, with still some spares to decorate if needed:

I used:

- plain white card

- Cuttlebug folder

- stamp by Forever Friends - its first outing to my shame

- Whispers pens 'cos Pro Markers would have bled through to the back, plus a 'tickle of Stickles' on the hats

- snippets of very narrow red ribbon

Thank you Sarn for galloping to the rescue, if I hadn't been a 'greedy little pig' then I'd have been a bit stumped!

Hope you're all practically organised - thankfully we 'sort of' are and my 'to do' list is now very short, phew! Don't you love the moment when you put your feet up and say 'If it isn't done then no matter - let Christmas begin. Pass the sherry bottle!'.

Di
x

Friday Feast - Chinese Spiced Pork Fillet

Anyone up for a rest over the holidays from turkey, ham and beef? This recipe is a tasty and very easy change:

Chinese Spiced Pork Fillet

Serves 2

500g lean pork fillet
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
50ml dry sherry
2 tablespoons lemon marmalade
50ml tomato passata (sieved tomatoes is the closest in the USA)
1 red chilli, finely chopped (I did use this, but you can omit it)
Half a teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
salt and freshly ground pepper

Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees c, Gas Mark 6.

Trim away any fat from the pork and cut in half across the centre. Season well with salt and pepper on each side.

Pre-heat non-stick frying pan until hot. Carefully add the pork, turning quickly to seal all sides. Transfer to an ovenproof dish, place in a hot oven and continue cooking for 15-20 minutes.

Add the garlic to the pan and soften. Add the sherry and the remaining ingredients. Simmer gently until the pork is cooked.

Remove pork from oven and allow to rest for 4-5 minutes before slicing into medallions. Arrange on a serving place and pour the sauce over.

I guess you can serve this with rice, but I chose a baked potato each and fresh baby vegetables - yummy :)

Enjoy!

Di
x

Less Is More - Anniversary

This week's LIM challenge that I made this card is for is 'Anniversary':

Super fast card, in between washing, ironing and sorting out after the weekend away.

I used:

- 4.5" x 4,5" square white card stock

- a stamp bought in New Mexico, by Copper Leaf Creations called' Coyote Moon', chosen by Len - I do suspect he's a 'closet crafter' :) I used a new Memento ink pad called 'Elderberry', it's got that touch of very deep purple about it. The moon was coloured with a pale yellow Pro Marker

- sentiment also stamped in 'Elderberry' using a Penny Black 'Happy Anniversary' stamp that is dated 1997 so it was either a 'pre-loved' stamp I bought - or possibly from the wonderful 'give away your stash' table at the October WOYWW crop

- double embossed lines above and below the image

Funny, one layer cards used to terrify me but now I'm tending to go down that route for CAS/LIM cards. As I find the Pro Marker ink bleeds through the card I back the insides with plain white card, cut a fraction smaller than the card itself. That still means it's a one-layer card don't it? :)

Don't fret though, the layers and snippets will always be close to my heart.

I wish all the other bits and pieces left to do before the fat man in the red suit calls could be as fast - although thankfully I did tons ahead of our trip :) I so hope you're all getting there too - remember, if it ain't done then would it really spoil Christmas? I think not my lovely friends!

Off to bed now at 9pm on Wednesday, so, so tired, this should post at midnight and then I'll link to the LIM challenge in the morning.  Hope to check the Playground and then am off out for a girlie lunch :)

Di
x

WOYWW 185

This time next week the fat man in the red suit will have been and gone so it didn't seem right to skip out of the fun on WOYWW yet again..............I need to nose around what's going on, despite some tail chasing. This is what my desk was like yesterday just after dark:

A couple of cards awaiting inserts, my LIM card for this week's challenge, letters to post, ripped out page from a craft magazine behind 'cos I love the birdie stamps and neeeeed them, a flyer from a local charity who takes donations of TVs and those flipping new ink pads still waiting for a home. So exciting, no? Sigh - it sure isn't but one thing is................

I WISH ALL YOU WOYWWers AND ANY OTHER WONDERFUL CRAFTING FRIENDS THE VERY BEST FOR A MARVELLOUS CHRISTMAS AND A FABULOUS 2013 :)

Yup, I shouted that - and to see what anyone else could be shouting, please hop over to Julia's here.

We were in Southern Germany and not at home enough to be aware of the dreadful tragedy unfolding in Connecticut - I've wept since we came home and realised the full extent of what happened and can only join in the thoughts and prayers of others for the families involved. For them, Christmas will never, ever, be the same as it was before.

Di
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I got something for the Playground!!

Ho, ho, ho - Santa has come a tad early to the Snippets Playground:

Yay! Our very own chestnut roasting stall complete with little steam engine, we only have the best for the Playground. I even kidnapped the guy to keep it going :)

One of the many towers in the town of Ravensburg in Germany over the weekend. The Summer view below, from Wikipedia, shows the town as a whole and it has over 10 different towers:

Our lovely little grand daughter Mia on a carousel at the Christmas market.

My guess is that there was about a foot of snow, but the pavements are all kept really clear so it wasn't an issue. Also, it was thawing rapidly by the time we returned home yesterday - but no doubt there will be more to come.

I need to find time to check out the Playground links as well as my favourite blogs - a whole four days without using the internet...........most peculiar :)

Di
x

Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Week 51

I'm not here - but the Snippets Playground gates are open again for another week and this is my really quick snippets card. Tidying the desk I found a die, some green and some red coloured card and a packet of little pearls - it almost fell together:

Yup, it's that adorable Memory Box die again - this time cut in green and then re-cut in red and the little poinsettia shaped flowers snipped off and glued on over the green ones. The jury is out here - much as I love the plain white tree I did on the dark blue sparkly background, this does come a very close second :)

I used:

- A6 white card stock

- a snippet of red backing card and a a snippet of white card, trimmed into oblongs

- snippets of green and red card and the Memory Box 'Flowering Christmas Tree' die

- self-adhesive little pearls

No sentiment, I think it speaks for itself.

And so, a quieter week in the Playground and all around really. I think there's a flurry of activity going on and minor panic setting in in some quarters, not least here as I knew we had to be as ready for the big man in the red suit as possible before nipping away for a weekend. But, we're almost there apart from some last minute fresh groceries and the usual present wrapping once we get home. Somehow we always leave present wrapping for one another until late - it's a tradition here that presents don't appear under the tree until Christmas Eve, phew, thank goodness for that at least!

One card that really jumped out at me this week - amongst all your lovely makes - was this one from Sally:

It uses the fabulous Woodware Tipsy Tree stamp that I know our Jules also uses brilliantly. Love the paper piecing and those little gems are a great finishing touch Sally!!

Meanwhile, if you want to join in the Playground fun and frolics to keep using up those snippets/scraps - the Playground is open all of this coming week but it will close on Saturday 22nd December at noon, UK time and Mr Linky is below as usual.

Di
x 

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

Less is More too late

Ha, I found a card I'd been playing round with for last week's one layer Less Is More challenge, which was 'In a row' - I think it does probably still needs a sentiment and perhaps some nailheads, but here you go anyhow:

I've learned that Saturday is a very quiet day for blog visitors - so thought I'd sneak it in here when no-one is looking :)

I used:

- A6 white card stock

 - stamp by Santa Rosa, with no name. I've had it for ages and rarely use it as it's soooo fiddly to colour, yet without any colour it just doesn't look right somehow - stamped in 'Galaxy Gold' and coloured with Pro Markers

- double embossed lines above and below the image 

Almost time for the Playground gates to close :)

Di
x

Friday Feast - Red Stew

This is a dish which loves to be cooked long and slow - perfect to come home to if you've been out for a Winter walk:

I know, the casserole dish looks possibly not too appetising with the cooked on juices - but, hey, that's the sign of a long and slow cooking time :)

Red Stew

Serves four to six - I halved the amount and there was more than enough for two of us

3-4 tablespoons olive oil
2 large red onions, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic (optional)
1kg (approx 2lb) chunks stewing beef
2 tablespoons flour
1 large glass red wine (in fact I didn't half this amount and probably sloshed more than a large glass in - you might know!)
2 tablespoons tomato puree or tomato ketchup
400g (14oz) tin whole tomatoes
300ml (10 fl oz.) stock, made with beef stock cube
Good pinch dried herbes de Provence (I did have these to hand but mixed herbs would be just as good)
2-3 red peppers quartered and de-seeded ( these are the bell peppers, not chillies)

Soften the onion and garlic (if used) in the hot oil. When softened remove them, then add the meat and cook, in batches, until browned.

Remove the meat with a slotted spoon and put aside.

Stir in the flour and make a roux, remembering to keep stirring, cook a minute until smooth then add the red wine, tomato puree or ketchup, then gradually add the stock and bring to the boil.

Add the rest of the ingredients: the tomatoes, red peppers, herbs and return the beef and onions to the pot. Season with ground black pepper (stock cubes can be salty), cover and cook for two to three hours at 170 degrees/325 Fahrenheit/Gas Mark 3, until the meat is tender.

Serve with steamed or roasted root vegetables and creamy mash.

I reckon it would cook beautifully in a slow cooker of course.

This is truly yummy folks! Enjoy :)

I'm away on a long weekend's training course, aka a trip to Germany to see the little ones - gluhwein and bratwurst at the Christmas Markets stand by your beds and prepare for an invasion :))

The Snippets Playground will carry on as normal with a new Mr Linky on Sunday - hey, did I say Playground and 'normal' in the same sentence, never!! I've left Sarn in charge seeing as she's so respectable :)

Di
x

And a second card for two special little ladies

When two little girls now split their time between their Mummy and their Daddy, it sort of makes sense to make sure they have a Christmas card in each of the two homes:

And it's another easel card and, as if I didn't have enough going on, I opted for an easel card :(

Sideways view.

And the base.

I used:

- 6" white square card stock

- the image is a stamp I've had and loved for ages - just having its first outing though as it's one of those stamp sets you just like to look at as there are so very many possibilities - it's a Whimsy stamp called 'Cool Ride' bought from the USA by post and cost me an arm and a leg at the time. As the girlies just love horses on carousels it should be perfect for them :) I inked the image using Memento 'Gray Flannel' and I adore this new ink pad for softer outlines, image coloured with Pro Markers in a rush so not much shading and tickled with 'Frosted Lace' Stickles (which glimmers like anything in real life!) with a few little pearls added

- all patterned backing papers are from the Wild Rose Studio ' Annabelle's Christmas' paper pack, love this pack!!

- used MS snowflake 'Aspen' PATP punch on white card to form the main backing

- plain red card - for outer and and inner squares and also another piece used for the MB 'Snowflake Corner' die, with a few pearls added

 - another strip of red card topped with backing paper from the same pack, sticky ribbon by Dovecraft from their 'Jolly Happy Christmas' pack - bought in New Mexico plus a button also bought in NM. The white organza ribbon came from the ribbon box

I feel like Superwoman with run-down batteries right now - off to bed!

Di
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WOYWW 184

Oh dear, been missing in action again but this is the current mess anyhow - wanna see my undies drawer while you're here? Thought not:

Boring innit - told yah, the undies drawer would be more interesting!

We have - a list of last posting dates, Memory Box already cut dies, a label from a fabby jar of chutney which arrived from May yesterday (now searching for the elusive roll of bubble wrap here to reciprocate with some 'Pickled Lily'), a card box - assembled but card not yet made to fill it, rogue Pro Marker, couple of stamps, currency folder ready for another little trip away, rogue Nesties, bag of new ink pads, cute little penguin stamp and some new oval Nesties.

Ho, ho - I suggested that Santa might wanna pay for them and put them under the tree but he's already spent up apparently! The little dish contains 'holly confetti' which fell out of a card delivered by a neighbour the other day - so I scrabbled round picking it up from the kitchen floor, waste not, want not!

Ooooh, and just behind the glass cutting mat there are a couple of pink Christmas roses - one I sprayed with with Glimmer Mist and the other to the right with, wait for it, 'silver sparkle hairspray' - who remembers that stuff?

Couldn't shift it for weeks from the clothes and bathroom :( Only a total top to toe laundry and cleaning session worked - not to mention the immediate shower and hairwash before even daring to get into bed after a party. I know, talk about a step back in time - I found a can of gold and one of silver in a cupboard the other day - rather than just throw them out I tried the silver one on a Christmas rose........don't bother looking if you think you also have some of this stuff, the rose ended up looking a dirty light grey (albeit sparkly) colour.

The long white packet looking like a tube that should contain a specimen holder or summick is the pack that holds a spare long handled set of tweezers, currently downstairs having been used to unpick the knotted string on umpteen boxes of Christmas decorations.

That's me right now - trying to glide on the surface but paddling like crazy under the water line! Happy WOYWW, and do please go to see what Julia and others are up to this week.

Di
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