Dare to DIY Features + Dog Art Giveaway

Happy Friday the 13th!  Last day of work for the week.  Yes!  Nate and I are headed to Chicago.  He surprised me with tickets to Elf the Musical.  We're both pumped.  Hopefully we can beat the snow!  We've never been to Chicago during the Winter so we'll so how tough we are.

Today I'd like to share with you features from Monday's Dare to DIY {Give Handmade} link party, a sneak peek of Monday's Dare to Deck the Halls project and an awesome giveaway.  Action packed post, right?

First up, the features.  There were seriously a ton of great ideas.  Be sure to check them all out right here!

I really loved this DIY novelty IPhone speaker from CeciBean.  It's beautiful!

Next up is this delicious looking lemon sugar scrub from Made2Style.  I'm kind of obsessed with body scrubs and this one's ingredients look like a winner to me!  

Check out our Dare to DIY pinterest board for inspiration!  Wanna see the other co-hosts picks? Check them out at Maybe Matilda, Newlywoodwards and Primitive and Proper!

The party is over at NewlyWoodwards on Monday.  The challenge is Dare to Deck the Halls. 

"DIY something new to deck your halls. Did you find something in a catalog that you wish you had? Wreaths, stockings, pillows or advent calendars? Make it! Inspire us all to do the same."

Here's a peek at what I'm working on!

And now it's time for a fun giveaway from a childhood friend's Etsy shop, Painfully Polite.  

Amanda and I grew up in the tiny town of Dayton, Iowa.  I don't talk about my hometown much but it was a pretty awesome town to grow up in.  800 people.  No stop lights.  One of those towns where you seriously know everyone and their families.  We ran the town until dark and then went home to have suppers with our families.  Us Dayton girls stick together.

Amanda is a graphic designer that is looking for a way to use her skills outside of work.  And I'm madly in love with her latest dog art. 

Amanda took this darling photo of the Ike-ster in his Charlie Be Good tie...

and turned it into this masterpiece!

I die.

Ike's girlfriend, Daisy, got in on the action too.

TOO MUCH CUTENESS!!!

Would you like to win a masterpiece of your pup?  Amanda is kindly offering up a digital print for one lucky reader!  Be sure to check out the quirky collection of art available from Painfully Polite.  I know some of you will love this grammar art print.  Enter via rafflecopter below!

Happy weekend!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dare to Entertain Features + Sneak Peek

How was everyone's week? Who's glad it's Friday?  I have a four day weekend.  A busy four day weekend.  We have two little girl birthday parties to attend and some Christmas gift shopping to accomplish!

Did you check out the Dare to Entertain projects over at Maybe Matilda?  If not, hop to it!

Today I'd like to share with you two of my favorites!

First up we have the lovely Mindy from at Finding Silver Linings.  Between trying to set her house on fire and preparing a holiday meal for her family, she whipped up these beautiful coffee filter peonies.  They make for a simple, yet beautiful, centerpiece.

Next we have the ever-so-buff Cindy from The Flipping Couple.  Cindy put together this neutral, and oh so beautiful, winter tablescape.  I love the bowls of pine cones!  The whole thing looks perfect for a cozy dinner party.  (Did I mention that Cindy and Nick are pretty stellar hosts.  'Cause they are.)

Be sure to check out all of the features on the Dare to DIY Pinterest board!

Are you ready for Monday's sneak peek.  I'm still trying to decide between two projects.  I will share them both but only one on Monday.  I just can't decide!  (I also haven't made either one yet.  No biggie.)

Now.  Here's the important part.  (If anyone is still reading. :P)  Monday I am the host.  The party is right here at Decor and the Dog.  The theme is "Dare to Give Handmade".  I need you all to join the party.  Get those handmade gifts going!  Anything goes as long as you make it and want to gift it!  (Did I mention I haven't started yet and I'm the host? You've got this.)

I also don't want to hang out at a party with just the hosts.  I mean, I love them all but they'll probably just talk about all of their ridiculously cute children.  Don't leave me hanging.

If that isn't enough motivation, you also have the chance to win a $50 stencil shopping spree from Royal Design Studio!

Will you dare to give handmade?  PEER PRESSURE!!!

Bottle Brush Tree Place Card {Dare to DIY}

How was everyone's weekend?  We had a great time with both of our families.  Ike is tuckered out.  I won't be hungry again until Christmas.  All is well.

Today is the second Dare to DIY party for 2013.  The always lovely Rachel {Maybe Matilda} is this week's host.  I can't wait to see what DIY entertaining shenanigans you all came up with!

We actually don't do a ton of entertaining during the holidays.  Time just slips away before we realize we should host something.  As a Dare to DIY host, I'm not allowed to wuss out on the challenge so I decided to get whip up a charming place card.

Like every cliche blogger, I've become obsessed with bottle brush trees.  If you live in a cave (Hi, Mom!!!), these trees are usually shoved into Mason jars.  I decided to use mine as a place card.  Because everyone needs to know where to sit at a fake dinner party. 

I picked up the VW bus at Walmart in the toy section.  The trees are from Joann's.  I had the Baker's twine from last year.

I invited Ike to the pretend dinner party!

He was pumped.

I decided to set the table for a quick imaginary party.  It's good to use my China for something, right?

I wanted to keep the setting relaxed and blogger cliche.  I added a simple white napkin and our regular Mason jar drinking glasses on top of some flannel.  As if Mason jar glasses weren't enough, I added a paper straw.  What kind of blogger would I be without paper straws?  Black and white straws would have been better but I failed to plan ahead.

Ike supervised the set up.

I decided to take this whole thing over the top and shove a bottle brush tree and some Epsom salt in a Mason jar.  They make me smile.  Smiling is my favorite.

The little vans with bottle brush trees also add to the centerpiece.  Aren't they charming?  We also bought a real little tree for the centerpiece.  We'll hopefully plant this guy outside in the Spring.  If Spring returns.  I feel like this may turn out to be the longest Winter ever.  And it's only December.

Our dining room is looking quite festive.  I can't wait to share with your our newest addition to the dining room this week!

Now it's time to see what my lovely co-hosts whipped up!  It's always fun to see what how we each tackle these dares!

(Festive VW bus place cards via Decor and the Dog, Kraft paper runner and table via Maybe Matilda (TODAY'S HOSTESS), Blue Ball jar snowscapes via NewlyWoodwards, Gilded animal place cards via Primitive and Proper)

Now it's time for you to share your Dare to Entertain project!  I can't wait to read through all of them!  Head on over to Maybe Matilda and get to sharing!  One person that links up has the chance to win holiday cards from Tiny Prints!

Did you dare to entertain?  Are you obsessed with bottle brush trees and flannel like I am?