Just Dandy

Etsy shop

****An Etsy update....I just loaded MORE cards if any of you are interested (thank you SO, SO much to those who purchased...so happy they are going to new homes). The discounted card prices & shipping will continue through the end of the month but they've been going pretty fast....get 'em while you can. :-)****

 

Hey again all! Ok - so after my last post I decided to use the time I had to list some cards in my Etsy shop. I'm pooped and my hand hurts from typing non-stop but I'm hoping you all will help me find new homes for them. I have a TON on there and they are marked way, WAY down so if you're interested be sure to check them out. Not only did I mark them way down but if you purchase 5 or more cards shipping is FREE!! The less I have to move to the new house, the better! :-) 

Melissa's Etsy Shop 

 

Have a great night all!!

Checkin' in

Hey all! Just poppin' in to say hi and let you all know I'm still around. Things have been rather hectic with our big move coming up. I've had no time to sit and create or post and I've been missing it...squeezing in a little time for that today. Here are just some of the things we've been doing over the long weekend....

• built a set of stairs for the back entry way
• spread a bag and a 1/2 of grass seed and 30 bales of hay for our lawn (still have about 25 more to spread)
• installed 4 ceiling fans
• installed shelving in 1 closet (still have 3 more closets to do)
• dug a 4 foot hole for our mailbox post (Rodney & Dad are over there finishing that up as I type this)
• Monday + Tuesday morning were spent watching Brody play baseball...so cute!
• bought 7 gallons of paint (still have more to buy if I can just decide on colors...such a hard decision)
• I don't know how many trips we've taken to Home Depot...I know it's been A LOT!!

I know there is more to add to the list but can't think of them at the moment and I'm sure the list will keep growing and growing until we are in and completely settled. Once you cross one thing off another always seems to pop up. We are just about ready to move in though. We met with our contractor this morning and we are now just waiting on the final inspection from the bank before we can start hauling our things in. Actually, after we get the OK I'm going to go ahead and get all my rooms painted and then move everything in. So exciting!

My postings will be sporadic til we get somewhat settled! I hope you are all doing well!!

((HUGS))

Sort, organize, purge

I'm pooped! It's been a busy two days.... a good busy....house busy which makes me oh so happy. It's looking like *maybe* next weekend will be our big move into our new home. Since all the workers were gone we decided to take a ride over after dinner tonight so the kids could see the progress. They were running circles in the living room ....they were very excited. Usually when we are over there it's a madhouse...people working everywhere, big trucks coming in and out. They usually end up staying in the truck and either listen to music, read or play their DS's. Thank Goodness they are patient kids!

Another reason for my being pooped....

 

This may not look like a huge mess to anyone but me but this is how I spent most of my afternoon and evening yesterday. With every move we've ever made I have always felt the need to sort, organize, purge... start anew. Don't ask me why...I have always been this way! I like a fresh start. So after posting my last post about using up all the drawers full of emellishments that I have (had) I had to laugh at myself....who the helk am I kidding. I've had those drawers full of stuff for years...if I haven't used them buy now I'm NEVER going to. And this is only about 1/2 of my stamping/scrapping supplies...the other 1/2 is tucked away in storage just waiting for me to go through it once we move in. It'll feel like Christmas...I forget what I have in there!

 

Atleast I made a dent with this 1/2. This baby is all going in a yard sale and will hopefully find new homes.

 

I always feel so good after reorganizing something! A nice fresh start for my new studio! The last 9 months I have been using my old bedroom at my parents house and been sharing it with the computer, sofa and another desk which is why I couldn't have all of my supplies out...there was no room left. You have all been wondering just where my new studio will be....

 

Here it is! Yup, it is a complete disaster right now. Makes it completely hard to invision a nice brightly colored, well organized, well lit space, doesn't it? 1/2 being my studio and 1/2 being a rec room for the kids. A nice L shaped desk in the corner....bright walls for a cheerful welcome downstairs....superb lighting (that is a MUST). All kinds of ideas floating around in this head of mine.

A few studios that totally inspire me...

 

 

  

  

 

I love little bits and pieces from each of them! Definitely going with white furniture and storage and an L shaped desk for the corner but as far as colors....still working on that one! It will be a work in progress but I am super excited about making it MINE...just the way I want it. I've dreamed of this for a long, long time!! I will officially be joining the basement stampers group!

Alrighty, I'm heading to bed. Up bright and early...stove and fridge are being delivered tomorrow!! :-)

More pics to come! Have a good one all!

Happy Birthday

 I have had containers full of rub-ons, chipboard and embellishments of all sorts tucked away for a long, long time. Most of them are from when I scrapbooked years ago and they have sort of been forgotten. I'm trying to make a habit to reach for them every once and awhile and put them to good use. Scrapbooking has taken a back seat ever since I started stamping so what better way to use them than on my cards.

 

So digging through my stash I came across these American Craft rub-ons which I love. This card was super simple to create and took me under 5 minutes...I kid you not! That never usually happens for me so it's a good feeling when I can whip one up so quick. I started by stamping my lines from Background Basics: Retro in Chartreuse Palette ink on the top part of my Vintage Cream cardstock. Then using Handwritten Notes I stamped my greeting and tied my ribbon.

  

I rubbed my flowers onto my scalloped circle that I punched out using my Marvy punch. After attaching it with 3 dimensional adhesive I added pearls around the scallops and colored them in with my Copic marker.

That's all for tonight! I'm going to curl up with my new book by Nicholas Sparks. I had never read one of his books before last week and now I can't put them down. Nice escape after a long day!

Have a great night all!

 

 

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro,Handwritten Notes (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), Chartreuse Palette

Cardstock: Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: flower rub-on (Mini Marks Transfer book - American Crafts), Berry Sorbet ribbon (Papertrey Ink), pearls

Two Hearts...

Hi all! It's another dreary day here today....liquid sunshine as a good friend of mine calls it. Everyone is either curled up reading or watching a movie right now so I thought I'd hop on and post. We went to the house earlier to do some measuring for closet shelving and put some light bulbs in (YES..we finally have power) and the heating guy was there doing some final hook-ups for our furnace. It's a great feeling walking through the doors and seeing another thing finished. I did snap quite a few pictures...I'm organizing all those and will post them soon.

 

We were invited to an anniversary party yesterday for a wonderful couple celebrating 50 years of marriage! 50 YEARS! Makes my heart swell when I see a couple who has been together for so long and they are still so much in love. Their children put together a truly heartwarming tribute for them with pictures, music and lots of smiles and tears. Really beautiful!  I created this card for them using a combination of Flower Garden, Garden of Life, Polka Dot Basics and Favor it Weddings from Papertrey Ink.

 

I used lots of 3 dimensional adhesive on this card to make it POP! I was so happy with the end result and hope they were as well.

I hope you all have a wonderful evening! See you all tomorrow....

 

 

**All supplies Papertrey Ink unless noted otherwise**

Stamps: Flower Garden, Garden of Life, Polka Dot Basics, Favor it Weddings

Ink: Pure Poppy, True Black

Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream

Accessories: Ocean Tides ribbon & cream button, Oval scalloped Nestability

Happy New Baby

Lately, I've been reaching for some of Papertrey Ink's older sets when creating. I know I've mentioned before how I'm really guilty of forgetting about the older ones once the newer sets are released...I'm sure I'm not alone. Trying to make a point to bring them out and ink them up more often. I felt like creating a sweet baby girl card, so yesterday Bitty Baby Blessings was dusted off and put to use. 

 

Aqua Mist, Raspberry Fizz and Sweet Blush were the colors I chose! I used a background stamp from Background Basics: Retro on the Raspberry Fizz cardstock for my pattern.

 

The baby carriage was colored in using Copic markers BG11 & BG13 and for the wheels I used N3. The tag is from Cuttlebugs Tiny Tag Die set. I stamped my 'Happy New Baby' in black ink and then attached it to my carriage with Sweet Blush ribbon and a button. To finish it I added a few pink rhinestones to the carriage! Now if I just knew someone who was having a baby girl! I'll have to keep it in my stash til then.

How about the new blog look? So, I had full intentions of using the colors I mentioned in THIS post for my new look. After changing my mind...I don't know how many times...and creating the same banner in different colors, I chose this instead. A clean, crisp look which I always LOVE. And I couldn't make a new banner for 'Just Dandy' without incorporating dandelions in it somehow.

Pics of the house...I'm going to head over there tomorrow and snap a bunch of pictures of the inside. I've been holding off until it looks a little more 'presentable'. It still has quite a bit of work that needs to be done but I'll share what is complete so far. And I will share what will SOON be my studio!! Stay tuned!!

Alrighty all...I'm off to go curl up with my kiddos and watch a movie! Have a wonderful evening and thanks for popping in!

 

Stamps: Bitty Baby Blessings, Background Basics: Retro (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: True Black (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Raspberry Fizz, white (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Sweet Blush ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Cuttlebug Tiny Tag, lace, button, Copics, rhinestones

Pussywillow Hello

Slow but sure...that's how our house is coming along. With all the rain and dreary weather we've been having it has slowed down all the outside work that needs to be done. It's dreary out but no rain at the moment so they are over there as I type this laying all the pipes etc. from the well to the house. Heating is due to be done tomorrow and the chimney is pretty close to being done. Our goal for moving in by July 4th is looking a little out of reach now but hopefully soon after.

   

With all the rain and gloominess all we want to do is stay inside. The kids have been catching up on reading and watching their favorite movies and I had a full day yesterday of creating. I love days like that where I can just whip one card up right after another...felt very productive. This one I'm sharing today was stamped with Rubber Soul's Mesh background and Pussywillow stamps. I stamped the Mesh along the bottom portion of my Vintage Cream card base and then attached a strip of Spring Rain cardstock along the center.

Using my Classic Oval Nestability I stamped my pussywillows in the center and then colored them in using Copic marker B41. I then matted it onto a Scalloped Oval Nestability. The tag is from a Martha Stewart punch and the 'hello' is my handwriting (didn't have a small enough  'hello' to fit inside the tag so I improvised).

Well that's all for today! I hope you all enjoy your day. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Stamps: Pussywillow, Mesh background (Rubber Soul)

Ink: Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate, Spring Rain (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Classic & Scalloped Oval Nestabilities, Dark Chocolate ribbon & button (Papertrey Ink), tag punch (Martha Stewart)

Sending your thanks to our troops

From the Cards For Heroes website:

 

Swarovski Crystals is partnering with CFH for the next couple weeks to get 30,000 cards signed! They're gorgeous cards with a little crystal bling added to them . . . and about 150 cards are at each of their store locations til July 4th to be signed by customers. (Some of the stores have a sweet deal offering a free tshirt with purchase, check and see if yours does!) The signing is free—so please take your friends and family with you. Email them about it too! Click on the image above or ---> here <---to search for a store location near you!

Appreciate you...

Where is the sun? Do any of you see it where you are because we certainly aren't seeing it here. So disappointing....here we are in mid June with temps in the 60's and rainy.That's forecasted for the entire week. Plus, it's humid...ugh, which makes for horrendous hair days! I want sunshine, heat and real summer clothes! I miss TN!!

     

Enough complaining...how about a card! Using a combination of Bird Watching Additions, Polka Dot Basics and Mother I created this cheery, frou-frou card! The patterned background paper is from Making Memories Chloe's Closet collection...so fun.

 

After stamping my sentiment onto Vintage Cream cardstock I adhered tiny pearls around the border and then colored each one with my Copic marker (BG13). Yes, it was a bit time consuming but I love working with those little things. My bird was also stamped onto Vintage Cream and carefully trimmed out and attached with 3 dimensional adhesive.

Ok-I'm off to get some things done. I'm hoping to be back later and finally update my blog...a whole new look is on it's way!

Wishing you all a wonderful day!!

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All supplies Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted

Stamps: Bird Watching Additions, Polka Dot Basics, Mother

Cardstock: Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream, Berry Sorbet

Patterned Paper: Chloe's Closet (Making Memories)

Accessories: cream button, lace, pearls

Papertrey Ink & DMC floss matches

Quite a few of you have mentioned wanting the DMC matches for the Papertrey Ink colors so you could create your own cute little crochet flowers. With my PTI swatches in hand Kacey & I set out yesterday to our local craft store to find those matches. There is such a wide variety of each color that it took some time to narrow down which ones I thought would work better but I think I've got them pretty darn close. I don't have the new color...Scarlet Jewel... in hand just yet so I wasn't able to match that one up.

 

After finding what I thought were the *perfect* ones I came home and created a list for myself that I can keep on hand and I also wrote the DMC floss #'s on each color in my PTI swatch clip. Very handy!

    

I created a PDF file for you all to download and print if you wanted.

Download DMC Papertrey Ink Color Chart