Just Dandy

Happy Birthday Friend

It's Friday! I hope you all enjoyed your week. It's been a fairly good one here. We had our monthly book club meeting last night and I had a great time as always! Talked about the book for about 20 minutes and the rest of the 3.5 hours were spent chit chatting. There are a total of six of us that take turns hosting and picking a new book each month. This months pick was The Shack by William Young. I have heard this is an excellent book....anyone read this? I'm looking forward to picking it up today.

One of my BFF's, Pam (who got me into the book club) had a birthday recently and I thought I'd share the little gift I gave her with you all.

 

Scallops and ribbon and pearls and dimension...this card certainly screams ME!!

 

The patterned paper is from Basic Grey. These little birds are so fun! The 'happy birthday' is from Birthday Basics and 'friend' is from Flower Garden.

 

 I got her a gift card to Barnes & Noble (one of her favorite places ...& mine too) and created a little pocket on the inside to hold the gift card. I did a little handstitching around the edges and stamped a few flowers from With Sympathy to the patterned paper (I stamped the flowers on the front of the card as well). The sentiment is from Heartfelt Basics.

   

Of course, I just had to create a matching envie! So fresh and springy!

That's all for today! I hope you all have a wonderful day and weekend!!

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{HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIEND}

Stamps: Heartfelt Basics, With Sympathy, Birthday Basics, Flower Garden (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Ocean Tides (Papertrey Ink), Frost White (Colorbox)

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Ocean Tides, white (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Ripe Avacado ribbon (Papertrey Ink), large oval punch (SU!), corner rounder punch (EK Success), pearls (Michaels), button (Foofala)

Every Happiness

Good Tuesday morning! The sun is shining bright but the temps are quite chilly here this AM...18 degrees. BUT atleast it is not snowing! The kids are back to school after having a week off for vacation and a snow day yesterday and I'm enjoying a cup of coffee before I start my day. We've got a bit of running around to do today (yes, more house stuff) and then I've got some crafty things I want to accomplish this afternoon! I've been working on starting an Etsy shop and trying to get everything ready for that along with a few other things!

     

I picked up some new Making Memories papers and accessories when I was in town the other day and got a chance to create with them yesterday. I'm really loving the colors. Orange is beginning to be one of my new faves to work with. My greeting is from Heartfelt Basics. I've really been into finishing off the envelope with each of my cards as well. You'll be seeing lots of that!

Well I'm off to start my day! I hope you all enjoy yours! Thanks for visiting!!

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{EVERY HAPPINESS}

Stamps: Heartfelt Basics (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: True Black, Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Chloe's Closet (Making Memories)

Accessories: Lemon Tart ribbon (Papertrey Ink), button (Making Memories), pearls (Michaels)

Maine Livin'

Sail my ship

Hello everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday afternoon. It's been a nice, quiet day here today. Spent most of it creating and stamping....very productive today which is always nice.

 

 Do any of you own any of the quote sets from Rubber Soul?   I have all but two of them and I have to say I'm crazy about these quotes. I use them quite a bit  especially for uplifting, keep your chin up kind of cards! Check them out if you have a moment! I used the Women's Collection set for this particular card.

 

Anyone received their box of goodies from Papertrey Ink yet? If so, I would love, love, love to see how you've used Background Basics: Retro!!

Have a great Sunday! Thanks for stopping by!

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{SAIL MY SHIP}

Stamps: Women's Collection (Rubber Soul), Background Basics: Retro (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: True Black, Sweet Blush (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Sweet Blush, white, True Black (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: True Black ribbon (Papertrey Ink), button (Foofala), pearls (Michaels)

Easter Blessings

Hello everyone and happy mid-week to you! With the holiday this week and the kids having some time off from school my week is all jumbled....feels like today is Tuesday, yesterday was Monday....you know how it goes! We've been running around the past few days (again) getting more things lined up for the house! Boy oh boy....it definitely wasn't as painless as I thought it would be. I'm glad this will be HOME for atleast the next 20 years and we won't have to worry about moving again. Living with my parents has truly been a blessing but I'm more than ready to have my own home again. The kids are both so excited to decorate their rooms....B wants his room blue (to match Spiderman, of course) and K wants lime green. Not too sure on the lime green but we'll see. I am ecstatic about creating my own 'space'...lots of ideas running through my head and can't wait to execute them all. So be patient with me...just a warning! I will most likely be talking about our new home A LOT over the next few months!

 I've jumped ahead to Easter with todays card and used some cute little flowers from Rubber Soul for my focal point.

 

 I can't seem to stay away from scallops lately....aren't they fun!? After stamping my row of flowers I used my Y15 Copic Marker to color the centers of each flower in and G99 to color in my leaves. So soft and springy!

Anyone watching American Idol this season?! Mom, K and I are all completely hooked. So many great singers! Anyone standing out to you?

Thanks for stopping by today!!

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{EASTER BLESSINGS}

Stamps: Easter Blessings, Flower Garden (Rubber Soul)

Ink: True Black (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Lemon Tart, True Black, white (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: EK Success corner rounder & 1/4" hole punch, Lemon Tart dotted ribbon (Papertrey Ink), button (Foofala), Copic Marker

Background Basics: Retro {Day 5}

Hello everyone and welcome to the final day of sneak peeks for Background Basics: Retro. I have thoroughly enjoyed showing you my latest set and what I love about it. I hope you have enjoyed these past few days and aren't disappointed when you are able to see the set in full. I know this is going to be a set that will get lots of use from me and hope that this becomes a set you turn to again and again for all your projets. 

For this countdown I posted all the stamping possibilities for your card projects but don't forget that this would be a wonderful set for scrapbooking as well. I was hoping to have the chance to sit and create a scrapbook page with the set before reveal night but wasn't succesful. It's been ages since I last scrapbooked but hopefully soon I will have a chance to create a page or two and post it for you all to see. 

A few little tidbits about Background Basics: Retro before we get started today:

• It will be available for purchase starting February 15th on the Papertrey Ink website.
• 12 images included in the set - 8 - 4.25" background strips & 4 singular images
• It will sell for $24

 

Let's get started! For my final peek I thought I'd make a set of cards. All using the same color scheme and having the same base look. The colors I'm using are my new favorites....Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avacado & Lemon Tart!! Pure Goodness if you ask me!!

   

I started by cutting my Ripe Avacado to 3" X 4.25". I then stamped them all using various images in the set. 

 

I then adhered them all to the right side of my Raspberry Fizz card fronts.

 

For this first card I created a tag with stampers select white cardstock and then used With Sympathy and Heartfelt Basics to embellish it.

 

You'll notice a lot of pearls and bling in this post. These are definitely girly cards and I just love 'em!

 

This background, we'll call it 'The India' courtesy of Nichole, is probably my favorite out of the set. It's just so different than anything I've seen. You can make this super fancy or super simple....either way you can't go wrong.

   

Ok and this dotted square background is very close second! So many possibilites with this one!!

 

I used the solid lines (part of the set) on the top of my tag to give it a little color.

And the little flowers....did you notice that these flowers are the same flowers that are in the dove image found in the Holiday Tags set?!!

 

I used the solid line image again to create my patterned heart! All of these cards were so fun to make! And I love that they all are so different yet all use the same coloring and similar layouts.

So what do you think!? Do you think this would be a set that you would turn to again and again?! I'd love to hear your thoughts!

I also want say a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who have left encouraging comments and e-mails during the past 5+ days. I know I've said it before but I'll say it again....I TRULY appreciate every single one of you who take the time to make my day! ((HUGS)) to you all!!

Don't forget tonight is the reveal party! It starts at 10PM EST right HERE at the Papertrey Ink forum. I will be there and hope to see you all there!!

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{BIRTHDAY WISHES}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro (available Feb.15th), Heartfelt Basics (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Spring Moss, Raspberry Fizz, Lemon Tart (Papertrey Ink), Frost White (Colorbox)

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, white, Ripe Avacado, True Black (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: ribbon (Papertrey Ink), pearls (Micheals)

{BLESSING}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro (available Feb.15th), Heartfelt Basics, First Fruits (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink), Noir Palette, Frost White (Colorbox)

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Lemon Tart, Ripe Avacado, white (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: ribbon (Papertrey Ink), pearls (Micheals)

{FOR YOU FRIEND}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro (available Feb.15th), Men of Life, First Fruits (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Lemon Tart, Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink), Frost White (Colorbox)

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avacado, white (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: ribbon (Papertrey Ink), button (Foofala), rhinestones

{WONDERFUL PART OF MY LIFE}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro (available Feb.15th), Heartfelt Basics (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink), Noir Palette, Frost White (Colorbox)

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avacado, Lemon Tart, white, True Black (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: ribbon (Papertrey Ink), classic & scalloped circle Nestabilities, rhinestones

{WITH LOVE}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro (available Feb.15th), Heartfelt Basics (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink), Frost White (Colorbox)

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avacado, Lemon Tart, white (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: ribbon (Papertrey Ink), EK Success heart punch, oval Nestability, pearls

And the winners are...

Here are the winners of Background Basics: Retro!

1.

I just went to an 80's birthday party this weekend. The friends are all turning 40, so the 80's were our wild days. I went as a punk rocker (don't want to admit how close to home that was), and won the costume contest!

I would love to win this set, I'm not going to be able to afford all the wonderful things you and PTI are putting out this month!

Posted by: Sheila stamp mom | February 12, 2009 at 01:30 AM

2.

Beautiful new stamp set!

I remember Grease the movie and Dorothy Hamil hair with wings! Yeah, I had that cut! :o)

Oh, wait, baseball shirts with cute transfers... I had a white one with lavender sleeves I wore all the time with my white jeans! (gasp!) :O0
Marilyn

Posted by: Marilyn | February 12, 2009 at 05:42 AM

3.

I remember going through my "early Madonna" phase in the 6th grade. My friends and I had the lace fingerless gloves and wore loads of skinny plastic bracelets at the roller skating rink. Ahhh, good times!

Posted by: Sarah H. | February 12, 2009 at 08:39 AM

4.

The 1950's reproduction fabrics in the quilt store always take me back to my grandparents' and great grandparents' farms where everything still looked like it did when my mother was growing up and how comforting that was.

Posted by: Diane Du | February 12, 2009 at 03:01 PM

Congratulations to you all! If you haven't already done so be sure to contact Jenn Ellefson with all your info so you can receive your set! Enjoy!!

Background Basics: Retro {Day 4}

Hello everyone and welcome back for another peek at my new background set, Retro style! I enjoyed reading all your comments and OH MY GOODNESS....you all brought me back to the 80's! I was guilty of the BIG hair (held it up with Bold Hold), the leg warmers (I remember having a pair of striped purple and white ones), loved Bryan Adams, the family with the harvest gold appliances, fan of New Kids on the Block (ok-HUGE fan), tight rolling the jeans (someone mentioned the Zena jeans....I had 'em and LOVED 'em), stir up pants....I could just go on and on!! I'm having flashbacks and have a huge grin on my face just thinking about it all! How about Nichole's video she shared yesterday morning. I'm sure I wasn't the only one singing 'You should be dancin' yeah' all day long!

Ok back to business!

 

When I first designed this stitched background I just had intentions of using it purely for my background pattern. But when I was playing the other day I was sort of thinking outside the box and thought it would make the perfect platform for a crossword puzzle! Of course I only added the two words you see above, 'Love You', but you could fill that whole surface up with different words, using different colors! How fun is that?! 

 

For my hearts I simply stamped part of one of the other background images included in the set onto a piece of Ocean Tides & Pure Poppy cardstock and then punched them out using my heart punch.

 

I added them to the bottom of my card and gave them a little height by using 3 dimensional adhesive.

 

How about another masculine card!? Two in one week....that's a first! This one, I'm not kidding you, took me all of 5 minutes to put together. Nothing fancy but definitely manly!

 

I started by stamping my 'argyle' pattern onto a sheet of Ripe Avacado using Ripe Avacado ink. I then used my white gel pen to dot the center of each diamond.

 

You wouldn't think that those little dots would make much difference but they really add so much, I think!

 

On this next card you can see that I used the same background pattern that I used in the hearts in the first card.

 

I started by trimming my cardstock to the size I wanted and then stamped my pattern using Berry Sorbet ink.

 

I then used my RV11 Copic marker to color in the ovals and chose to leave my circles empty.

 

Just that little bit of color inside those bare spaces makes it POP!

So there you have todays peeks!! Only one more day to go....what will she do next, you're thinking! Hmmm....you'll just have to wait for tomorrows finale!

Be sure to stop HERE and HERE to see if your name is on the winners list for your very own Background Basics: Retro set! It will be posted after 12PM today. I'll be back here later today to list them here on my blog as well!!

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{LOVE YOU}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro (available February 15th), Simple Alphabet (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink), Noir Palette, Frost White (Colorbox)

Cardstock: Pure Poppy, white, Ocean Tides, True Black (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Ocean Tides ribbon, EK Success heart punch & corner rounder punch, button (Foofala)

{BROTHER}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro (available February 15th), Men of Life (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Ripe Avacado (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white, Ripe Avacado (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: oval Nestability, brads (Making Memories)

{WITH GRATITUDE}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro (available Febuary 15th), Spiral Bouquet (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Berry Sorbet (Papertrey Ink), Noir Palette

Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet, white (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Sweet Blush ribbon (Papertrey Ink), flowers (American Crafts), brads (Making Memories), Copic marker, EK Success corner rounder punch, SU! ticket punch

Background Basics: Retro {Day 3}

Here we are for day 3 of the sneak peeks! We're half way there! Only a few more days til you can see the set in its entirety. Thank you all so much for the encouraging comments you've left. I truly love hearing your thoughts about any of the sets I've designed and appreciate every comment and e-mail I receive!!

A little info about Background Basics: Retro! There are 12 images included in the set. Eight larger strip images and 4 singular images. You've seen only 4 so far, two of the larger and two of the singular ones. Each one of the strips measures about 4.25 inches long which makes it just the right length for stamping your background for your cards. The set will be available for purchase through the Papertrey Ink website starting on February 15th and will be $24.

   

For todays projects I'm going to use the large scalloped strip background. I cut my white cardstock to the size I wanted and stamped my background twice, once on the bottom and again right above the first, being sure to line my scallops up.

 

I have heard some of you say that you aren't real comfortable with background stamps and having to line them up. Let me just tell you how EASY it is. Being that they are clear and your stamping block is clear it really makes it a snap to line these babies up. Believe me, if I can do it ANY of you can do it! ;)

 

I thought it would be fun to embellish my envelope for this project as well. My Mom just loves when I do this....she thinks it is so nice when I add that extra touch! Thanks Mom! This particular card, because it has tiny pearls on it, will have to be a hand delivered card. I don't think this one would quite make it to the recipient if it was sent through the mail.

 

I used the scalloped background again on this card. Don't you just love the colors? I do...they SCREAM spring to me. After I stamped my background onto a strip of Aqua Mist cardstock I used my scissors to carefully trim along the bottom scallops. Gives it a little extra flair which I absolutely love.

 

This just shows you one of those AHA moments I was talking about yesterday!!

So what do you think? Do you think this would be a set you would like to have? Well, guess what? You are going to have a chance to win your very own. And not only one of you will win but FOUR! Yes, FOUR of you are going to be the lucky winners of your very own Background Basics: Retro!

Seeing that the set is called Background Basics: RETRO all you have to do is leave me a comment and tell me one thing that reminds you of retro times....anything from the 50's, 60's 70's or 80's!! It could be music, clothing, people, food....anything you can think of!!

The contest will end at 12AM on February 13th. The winners will be announced after 12PM on February 13th. You can check the list of winners HERE on Nichole's blog and HERE in the Papertrey forum and I will also list the winners here on my blog as well. Best of luck to you all!

See you all back here tomorrow with more to share!

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{YOU'RE A BLESSING}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro (available February 15th), With Sympathy, Heartfelt Basics (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Ocean Tides, Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink), Noir Palette, Frost White (Colorbox)

Cardstock: Ocean Tides, Raspberry Fizz, white (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Ocean Tides ribbon (Papertrey Ink), corner rounder punch (EK Success), pearls (Michaels)

{THANKFUL FOR YOU}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro (available February 15th), First Fruits, Garden of Life (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink), Frost White (Colorbox)

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

Accessories: Lemon Tart ribbon (Papertrey Ink), button (Foofala)

Background Basics: Retro {Day 2}

Welcome back for another sneak peek of Background Basics: Retro (available February 15th on the Papertrey Ink website)!! I'm finding so many new ways to use this set. Had lots of AHA moments over the past few days and I'm sure I'll have a few more before this week is over.  Today I'm going to showcase another background image ....I like to call it the double dotter.

 

I'll admit it....I struggle with masculine cards! I really do! There aren't many men in my life that get cards from me but I'm trying to change that. My comfort zone when creating is any and all things feminine....flowers, bows, pearls, glitter etc. I thought I'd sort of challenge myself today and create something a little out of my comfort zone. Let me just say...am I ever glad I did because I'm really loving the end result!

 

I started by first stamping my sail from Men of Life onto a piece of Ocean Tides cardstock using white ink.

 

Included in the set is not only the strip of the 'double dotter' background but also a single image that allowed me to create the patterned sail. After stamping the sail I laid a piece of paper along the sides being careful not to stamp outside the sail line.

  

I did that on both sails and this was the result! Isn't it adorable?!

   

I LOVE the coordinating background strip. I cut a piece of 1"X 4.25" cardstock and then stamped my 'double dotter' background image one time, a perfect fit! I scored a line above and below on my card base and placed my stamped strip in the center. 'For my Son' is part of the Men of Life set as well!

 

Now how about a more feminine card! I couldn't just end todays peek with a masculine card, now could I?! After stamping my white cardstock with Ocean Tides ink I adhered it to my 4"X8.5" card base using 3 dimensional adhesive. I added a strip of Raspberry Fizz cardstock and a strip of scalloped white. I stamped three flowers from With Sympathy onto coordinating pieces of cardstock and then trimmed them out. My sentiment is from Heartfelt Basics.

         

I added a few tiny pearls (my new favorite thing), stamped my sentiment from Heartfelt Basics and added ribbon and it was complete.

I'd love to hear what you think of the set so far!! I've got much, much more to show you tomorrow!

And if you haven't yet stopped by these super talented ladies blogs be sure to....

• Nichole
• Dawn
• Heather

See you all tomorrow!!

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{FOR MY SON}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro (availabe February 15th), Men of Life (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), Frost White (Colorbox)

Cardstock: Ocean Tides, Dark Chocolate, white (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: classic square Nestability, Pure Poppy ribbon (Papertrey Ink), large oval punch (SU!)

{WITH LOVE}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro (available February 15th), With Sympathy (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Ocean Tides, Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink), Frost White (Colorbox)

Cardstock: Spring Moss, Raspberry Fizz, Ocean Tides, white (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Ocean Tides ribbon (Papertrey Ink), corner rounder punch (EK Success)