{Giveaway} Piggy & Dirt ***ENDED***

If you are a reader of the popular blog NieNie Dialogues like I am then you are already familiar with these gorgeous stained glass stars.   Kurt Knudsen and his wife Becky are the minds and talent behind Piggy & Dirt and these beauties.  The stars are crafted in so many fun colors and styles.  So basically you can find an original star to match any home decor!  It’s the absolutely perfect gift for any mother to show her how much you care!  The stars look great accenting a window, dressing up a wall, hanging in front of a mirror, sitting on a shelf… the list goes on and on for where I could put ‘em.  In fact I’m thinking that I really need some red and yellow ones for sun catchers at the kitchen picture window.  Someone tell my audiologist man to do some Mother’s Day shopping for me at Piggy & Dirt, will you?  I thank you.

   

One very lucky winner is going to get to pick a star of choice from Piggy & Dirt!

*This giveaway is open to US entries only.

*Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! The winner of this giveaway will be posted on Monday, April 16th. Be sure and check back then to see if you won, so you can claim your prize!
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{Giveaway} The Painted Name ***ENDED***

My children have a very important lady in their young lives.  Her name is Gran and she is my mother.  Thank you all for the good thoughts that have been directed towards her during this difficult time.  I know that I’ve eluded to the fact in recent postings that she is ill.  Until now I haven’t been open on the Dandy with what my mom has, but this particular feature has me thinking of her a great deal.  So I thought that I should fill you in.

At the start of the New Year (when my new baby girl was just 1 week old) my mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non Hodgkins Lymphoma.  It came as quite a shock to us all as my mom has always been very healthy.  Sure she has been more tired than normal over the last few years, but we just thought it was because she works full time and has had a lot on her plate with both her parents and my father’s parents.  My paternal grandfather (who was the inspiration for Dandy Giveaway) died suddenly 4 years ago, maternal grandmother had a stroke 3 years ago, paternal grandmother had brain cancer 2 years ago, and my maternal grandfather was just diagnosed with cancer just barely before Thanksgiving.

So we haven’t had an easy time of it.  Through it all my mom has been there for everyone and we are now here for her.  We are rallying behind here.  That’s what being a family is all about!  I’m happy to report that she is tolerating chemotherapy well and we continue to pray for a cure.  It’s going to be a long road, but I have complete faith that my mom can continue to fight this.  She’s a strong woman.  Gran is even still working!  She’s a manager of a bank and this is why I’ve had her on my mind for this feature giveaway.  :)

When Banjo was born it was important to her to get him his first piggy bank.  What else would a banking Gran think of.  ;)  I think everyone has that token gift that they like to give and a piggy bank is the perfect fit for my mom.  I remember her searching high and low for Banjo’s bank.   Who would have thought that it would be so difficult to find a piggy bank?  Well, I have just the place for her to get those piggies from now on.

Isn’t he a cute one?  The Painted Name carries personalized piggy banks to match lots of nursery decors.  Even if you aren’t a bank manager a piggy bank makes a great gift for a new baby!

The Painted Name has plenty of other items perfect for baby gift giving.

How great is this dish set?

 

And be still my heart this mini tea set is adorable!

 

Then…

How cute is this egg for the Easter baskets???

The Painted Name has it all!  Who’s ready for the giveaway?

The winner of this giveaway is going to receive a CUTE personalized piggy bank (a $47 value) from The Painted Name!

 

*** This giveaway is open to US entries only***

There are 7 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 7 chances then leave 7 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Go to The Painted Name, have a look around, and then tell us your favorite item! (ex: “Dandy Smith = Love the piggy banks! )

(3): Become a follower of The Painted Name Blog through Google Friend Connect or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= follow The Painted Name.”)

(4): Like The Painted Name on Facebook or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= like”)

(5):  Tell people about this giveaway and then tell us how you did!  (ex: “Dandy Smith= emailed, called, texted, etc.”)

(6): Follow Dandy Giveaway on Twitter and then tweet about this giveaway. (ex: “Dandy Smith= twitter & tweet”)

(7): Become a follower of Dandy Giveaway through Networked Blogs (in the right hand sidebar) or if you already follow through there.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= follow Dandy.”)

***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! This giveaway will be open for entries until Sunday, March 4th at 5:00 pm CST.  Be sure and check back on Monday, March 5th to see if you won, so you can claim your prize! ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

This posting and giveaway was sponsored by The Painted Name, but all opinions are strictly my own.

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{Giveaway} SuLu Gifts ***ENDED***

The audiologist man and I were married for almost 6 years before we had Banjo.  During that time we lived in San Antonio and enjoyed furnishing our first home.  One of our favorite purchases was this coffee table:

We thought it was a cool table, because it has all of these great compartments to store books, blankets, throw pillows, etc.  Shortly after buying said table I watched in horror as a little girl who was visiting drove a matchbox car across the top of it.  Now this car didn’t have very good shocks, because metal was all that touched the table!  Of course leaving distress marks that weren’t meant to be there.  I was near tears.  When our guests left audiologist man instantly said that it was going to be okay and it was just a coffee table.  I remember asking him if the girl even realized that she had done harm to a Ralph Lauren coffee table!  He just told me that one day we would have kids and they would ruin things.  To which I replied that we didn’t have kids yet, so we were supposed to have nice things until then.

When Banjo came into our lives Ralph became good at storing toys in the living room:

And unbeknownst to us until the damage was already done…

Ralph became a teething table:

 

Fast forward several years and we still have Ralph.  He may have acquired a few more scratches here and there, but I’m still quite protective over him.  For instance coasters are to always be used on his scratched up surface!  In fact I’m really in need of these ceramic tile coasters to protect Ralph:

Aren’t they gorgeous?  Where can you get them???  Well, I’m going to tell you…

SuLu Gifts!  This shop has so many fun gifts and supplies for your next party.  Totally cute party favors:

 

 

 

How cute are these for Valentine’s Day?

In addition to the ceramic coasters SuLu Gifts also has these unique photo coasters:

Talk about a really unique gift for the person who has everything!  Totally customizable and totally cute!

And guess what’s being given away?  A set of 4 photo coasters personalized with your own photos!

*** This giveaway is open to entries in the US only***

There are 7 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 7 chances then leave 7 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Get Dandy in your inbox by signing up for the brand NEW newsletter in the right hand sidebar.  (ex: “Dandy Smith = signed up!)

(3): Follow Dandy Giveaway on Twitter (or if you already do) and then tweet about this giveaway.   (ex: “Dandy Smith= twitter and tweet”)

(4): Like SuLu Gifts on Facebook or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= like SuLu Gifts”)

(5):  Tell people about this giveaway and then tell us how you told!  You get an entry for each one that you do!  (ex: “Dandy Smith= emailed, blogged, texted, called, etc.”)

(6): Go to SuLu Gifts, have a look around, and then leave a comment telling us your favorite item.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= I love those monogram ceramic tile coasters!”)

(7): Become a follower of Dandy Giveaway through Google Friend Connect (in the right hand sidebar) or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= follow Dandy”)

***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! This giveaway will be open for entries until Sunday, February 5th at 5:00 pm CST.  Be sure and check back on Monday, February 6th to see if you won, so you can claim your prize! ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

This posting and giveaway was sponsored by SuLu Gifts, but all opinions are strictly my own.

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{Giveaway} Just Beccuz ***ENDED***

When the audiologist man and I got hitched we were given this really cool red plate that reads “You are special today”.  It’s the perfect addition to someone’s special day.  For the birthday dinner girl or boy.  Or just a day that’s made special by an employment raise or school accomplishment.  Or one that deserves to be special just because.  The red plate is one of my most favorite wedding gifts.  (It has been almost 9 years since it joined our family!)  And it looks spectacular with my yellow and red kitchen decor!  Remind me to share a picture sometime of my kitchen, because I absolutely love my kitchen.  Lots.  Probably because I feel like it’s the only room in our house that’s put together…  Anyway, back to the special plate.  I enjoy things that carry a special meaning, but also are creative and original.  Basically anything that makes someone feel like a lot of work and effort went into it.  Now I’m not saying that I’m the one who puts the a lot of work into things.  I’m not that creative or original!  So when there’s someone who has the knack for that type of thing then they become my new best friend.  Like Becca at the shop Just Beccuz.  Everything in her shop is perfect for making anyone feel extra special!  So without further ado here are my favorites…

I’m a sucker for anything yellow,

so of course this Happy Birthday Banner is a winner in my book!

And don’t even get me started on how much I love monkeys…

This birthday package would complete any monkey themed party!

 Then…

Check out this entire Baby Shower Package:

Isn’t it simply diva divine?

And oh be still my heart:

It’s no wonder that I LOVE this banner!  :)

Then who could go wrong with this for the newly marrieds:

 Just Beccuz also has handmade cards:

Now that’s extra special!

What’s being given away this week from Just Beccuz?  One lucky winner is going to receive a $25 gift certificate to spend at Just Beccuz!

*** This giveaway is open to US entries only***

And…

***Open for entries for 2 whole weeks!***

There are 7 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 7 chances then leave 7 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Go to Just Beccuz, have a look around, and then tell us your favorite item. (ex: “Dandy Smith = Definitely that yellow Happy Birthday Banner!)

(3): Get Dandy in your inbox! Sign up for our newsletter in the right hand sidebar or if you already have. (ex: “Dandy Smith= newsletter”)

(4): Like Just Beccuz on Facebook or if you already do. (ex: “Dandy Smith= like”)

(5): Place a Just Beccuz Gifts & Greetings button on your own blog (found in the right sidebar of her blog).  (ex: “Dandy Smith= blog button”)

(6): Follow Just Beccuz on Twitter and then tweet about this giveaway. (ex: “Dandy Smith= twitter & tweet”)

(7): Become a follower of Dandy Giveaway through Google Connect or if you already follow.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= follow Dandy”)

***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! This giveaway will be open for entries for 2 whole weeks!  So from July 18th-July 31st at 5:00 pm CST.  Be sure and check back on Monday, August 1st to see if you won, so you can claim your prize! ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

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{Guest Posting} Party Decorations!

Hello all, My name is Edith and you can usually find me blogging over at Edeenut Creates. My good friend Tara asked me to join her today on Dandy Giveaway and share a fun and simple decoration idea for any party.

While deciding how to decorate for a recent Valentine’s Day party, I saw these cool looking paper plate balls and thought they might be cool to make. The instructions are found here at Family Fun, so you can make your own if you desire.

My basic idea was to slip a string of white Christmas lights inside each ball and poke some light tips out through the holes illuminating in the dim party room.


The light idea was put aside after more consideration and so were the paper plate balls in fact. But I still really like the balls and this image makes them look so fun for a party. Even though I didn’t actually use the paper plate balls for decorations I thought I would still share how easy and inexpensive they are to make if you want to make your own.

While I was contemplating the whole pink paper plate ball idea, I tried to find some pink paper plates to use. The only ones I found were in packs of 10 and would have been pretty pricey because for each ball you need 20 plates. The pack of 10 plates were almost $2.00 each.

I bought a pack of 100 white paper plates and a can of pink spray paint. The paint was $3 and the plates were $1.50.

In my back yard, I made sure the wall was protected with paper and cardboard, then working with 20 plates at a time, I sprayed a thin coat of paint on each one. They were in direct sunlight and so they dried fast.


By the time I sprayed the last one I could go back and move the first one off the paper to dry completely on the wall. But by this point though they were pretty much dry. I just didn’t want them to stick together if stacked up.


When I was completely done with 60 plates I was out of paint. I think I could have done 40 more plates though if I would have not done two coats of paint on some plates. Because I was out in the bright direct sunlight my eyes didn’t quite see the color of pink on the plates as it really was so I added another coat thinking it needed it. But after going inside with the plates I could see the color would have been fine with one coat.


Here is one ball hanging up above my table. I used clear nylon thread to hand it so it looks as if it’s floating in mid air. Even though here you can see the ceiling fan chains hanging down.
Also, you can see the pink color indoors is really rich with two coats. But if you want a deep rich color you could always do as many coats of paint as you wanted.


This painting method also makes these polyhedrons easy for any party idea. You could paint them in any color you want to go with your theme. Blue, red and white for the 4th of July would be very fun. Green for Your St. Patties Day get together. Make them for a baby shower, or Birthday. The possibilities are endless.

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{Giveaway} Sure Cuts A Lot ***ENDED***

Who has a Cricut?  How about a Silhouette?  A Craft ROBO?  A Wishblade?  Maybe you want one?  Ready for some more questions???  How about… Who knows someone who has any one of those craft cutters?  Alright, so that basically covers everyone!  You either have one, want one, or know someone who has one.  :)    I personally own a Cricut and LOVE it!  Did you know there’s computer software to eliminate all the cartridge drama with the Cricut?  Yep it’s true.  Now I have a Mac.  What’s a girl with a Mac to do?  Enter Sure Cuts A Lot!  It’s THE Mac (and PC) compatible software to use on all of those afore mentioned craft cutters!  I was slightly discouraged by the whole cartridge thing for the Cricut and the fact that we were switching to a Mac.  Wondering what software I could get that worked with a Mac???  Until…  One of my friends told me that she had Sure Cuts A Lot.  She said that it was awesome and Mac compatible.  That was one happy day for me!  So I immediately contacted Craft Edge, the makers of Sure Cuts A Lot.  They sent me my very own copy of the software and you know what?  My friend was sooooo right!  I think that this is by far the easiest program I’ve ever used.

It gives you the entire mat placement right there on the screen.  So all you have to do is add the images or text and then you can just drag and drop to any location.  It’s also a real paper saver,  because you can make sure that every square inch is used on a project.  Seriously LOVE this program!

Wanna see what I made?

These would have come in real handy for my SIL’s baby shower a few months back!

And of course:

 The image designs are totally unique from Sure Cuts A Lot and there are TONS of different font options!  I also really like the way I can design everything intricate right on my computer and then basically just use my Cricut as the printer.  It’s such a time saver!

Guess what’s being given away???  One lucky winner is going to receive the Sure Cuts A Lot Version 2 Software!  A $90 value!!!

*** This giveaway is open to US entries only ***

There are 5 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 5 chances then leave 5 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Tell us why you need this software! (ex: “Dandy Smith = I have the software and it’s awesome!”)

(3): Follow Dandy Giveaway on Google Friend Connect (in the right sidebar).  (ex: “Dandy Smith= follow dandy”)

(4): Tell people about this giveaway and then tell us how you told.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= I emailed.  I called.  I texted.”)

(5): Like Sure Cuts A Lot on Facebook or if  you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith =like”)

This giveaway will be open for entries the entire week and end on Sunday, January 2nd at 5 pm CST. Be sure and check back on Monday, December 20th to see if you won, so you can claim your prize!  ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

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{Holiday Giveaway} Kurt Knudsen Creations ***ENDED***

Want to know something that is so not a secret?  As in there’s no reason for me to keep it all secret like, because it’s so very awesomely dandy???  I’m a fan of the NieNie Dialogues.  Who seriously isn’t?  Love her!  She’s just so very awe inspiring.  Lifts me up when I’m having a bad day.  Makes me smile.  Her children… too precious!  I don’t even know her.  She doesn’t even know me.  However, in my eyes she is the epitome of dandiness.  Well, a few weeks back as I found myself stalking (don’t judge me) :)   her page I saw something that looked like this: 

These beauties are actually named after her:  Like NieNie’s

When I saw them I knew that the stars by Kurt Knudsen would be perfect for a holiday week of items.  And they are!  All of the stars are perfect for everyday decorating, but there are also many simply perfect ones for the holidays! 

Stars perfect for gift giving…

And jewelry, too! 

 

Everything is just so beautiful!

Want to win a star by Kurt Knudsen?  Well… lucky you, because you get to enter to win this Green Olive with Pimento Center star!

Now that is very dandy!

*** This giveaway is open to entries worldwide!***

There are 5 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 5 chances then leave 5 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Become a follower of Dandy Giveaway (in the right sidebar) – or if you already follow (ex: “Dandy Smith = follow Dandy”)

(3): Like Dandy Giveaway on Facebook or if you already do. (ex: “Dandy Smith = like”)

(4): Tell people about our Dandy Deal of the week and then tell us how you told! (ex: “Dandy Smith=emailed, called, texted)

(5): Go to Kurt Knudsen Creation on Etsy and then tell us which star is your favorite. (ex: “Dandy Smith= All of them!  Ok if I had to pick just one then it would have to be Diminutive Rosy”)

This giveaway will be open for entries the entire week and end on Sunday, November 21st at 5 pm CST. Be sure and check back on Monday, November 22nd to see if you won, so you can claim your prize.

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{Holiday Giveaway} Pirsuu ***ENDED***

Hi, I’m Lanni and I’m a wreath-a-holic.  I seriously love wreaths.  I used to think that all there was was  Christmas wreaths — and then a few years ago I learned about all the other kinds of wreaths in this world.  And I’ve never looked back.  {In fact, just next week you’ll see I’m instilling this very wreath-love in my own kids!}  So you’ll all understand why I am so so excited to tell all you Dandy readers about Pirsuu

Pirsuu is a darling Etsy shop full of rounded, wreathy goodness.  I’ll focus on the holiday wreaths this week, but Pirsuu is more than a one-trick pony!  Pirsuu also has Halloween and Autumn wreaths, as well as various other colored and fabric wreaths — seriously, go check them out here.

No matter your “style” of Christmas decor — Pirsuu has a wreath that will fit right into your holiday home.  I personally am loving these:

whimsical

love love love the bow

and 3 times the festivities!

This week, one lucky duck is going to win this Poinsettia Holly and Berries Fabric Rag Wreath!

*** This giveaway is open to US entries only ***

There are 5 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 5 chances then leave 5 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Blog about this giveaway — and leave us a link! (ex: “Dandy Smith = blogged”)

(3): Follow Dandy Giveaway on Google Friend Connect (in the right sidebar).  (ex: “Dandy Smith= blogged”)

(4): Subscribe to Dandy Giveaway by email (in the right sidebar).  (ex: “Dandy Smith= Subscriber”)

(5): Go to Pirsuu, have a look around, and then tell us what you need.  (ex: “Dandy Smith = I need the Christmas stripes wreath!”)

This giveaway will be open for entries the entire week and end on Sunday, November 21st at 5 pm CST. Be sure and check back on Monday, November 22nd to see if you won, so you can claim your prize!

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{DIY} I’ll get you my pumpkin…

I hope you all had a fabulous Halloween weekend!  It’s one of my favorite holidays, because I’m a fan of all the fall colors, etc.  In fact a couple of weeks ago I was here.  Love that city and all the cute shops on Historic Main Street!  Many of the shops were decorated all fall like, smelled awesome, and of course were selling so many simply dandy holiday decorations!  Also, can I just tell you that I saw the cutest knitted pumpkin?  Yep it was perfect and I had to have it.  Only… It was $40!!!  So I didn’t get it.  My thoughts on this decision were… I can knit, so I can just make it myself.  Now that’s quite the undertaking since I had absolutely no idea how it was supposed to be made, but I think trying is better than spending $40.  How did I create my pumpkin?  Well, I for starters I used some yarn I had in my stash.  I decided that to make the pumpkin I would first need to use some circular needles:

 

Knit a tube:

 

 Turned the tube inside out and tied off one end with a piece of yarn:

 

 

 Turned back to the right side and stuffed him:

 

And then sealed off the top with a needle and yarn:

 

 

Next I used some matching embroidery thread…

 

 To make the lines of my pumpkin:                 

 

 I didn’t have a needle long enough (who does?) to go thrown the entire middle of the pumpkin from top to bottom.  So I just went through the top knot and brought the thread around to the bottom, then went through a small section of the bottom, back up around to the top, and so forth.  That way I didn’t have to tie off any of the thread until the end.

I also decided to use some felt to accent the little guy:

2 little squares of felt were perfect to cover the top knot and create the stem of the pumpkin.

The finished product?  Here you go!

Hmmm this picture makes me think that my staircase is in need of a little help.  Could be my next project around here!  Stay tuned…

All in all I’m happy with how my way under $5 pumpkin turned out.  It sure beats spending $40!

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Dali Decals ***ENDED***

Is your mom a fan of wall vinyl? It’s by far one of the easiest ways to decorate and sometimes us moms need easiness.  Dali Decals has so many styles of wall vinyl…from simple to extravagant.  If you are a fan of wall vinyl then you should probably hint to a loved that Dali Decals would make a great gift for Mother’s Day!  Dali Decals recently sent me a gift certificate and I can’t wait to use it!
   
 The winner of this giveaway will receive a $25 gift certificate to Dali Decals!

There are 5 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 5 chances then leave 5 separate comments**

Entry #1: Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment.

Comment example, Dandy Smith

Entry #2: Become a follower of the Dandy Giveaway blog in the sidebar or if you are already a follower.

Comment example, Dandy Smith= blog follower
Entry #3: Email at least 2 people about this wall vinyl giveaway. Remember that I think honesty is the bestest!  :)
Comment example, Dandy Smith=emailed
Entry #4: Become a fan of Dali Decals on Facebook or if you are already a fan there.
Comment example, Dandy Smith=fan of Dali Decals
Entry #5: Go to Dali Decals and tell us your favorite.
Comment example, Dandy Smith= dandelions!  :)  
This giveaway will end tonight at 11:30pm EST. Be sure and check back tomorrow to see if you won!
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