Dare to Give Homemade Gifts

If you are my brother, stop reading this.  Seriously.  Stop.  Come back tomorrow.  The rest of you may continue.

It’s Dare to DIY time at NewlyWoodwards!  This week’s challenge was to DIY a handmade gift.

I honestly don’t do a lot of handmade Christmas gifts.  I’m always worried about how they will be received.  Which is kind of silly beings I love them. It is what it is.

I do, however, know that my brother is making me something.  I have a feeling it’s a painting or a drawing.  I felt the need to reciprocate so I created this simple deer art…

My brother is an avid hunter.  Deer silhouettes are shockingly (to me) a design trend.  I went with it.

Here’s how you can make your very own deer art:

• Find a piece of leftover wood in the garage. 
• Make your significant other cut it down to size.
• Paint the board a background color. (White for this deer.)  Let dry.
• Google “deer silhouette”, pick your favorite, print and cut it out.
• Spray back of silhouette with craft spray adhesive.
• Apply silhouette to painted board.  Press down edges well.  (I failed at this so it’s not perfect…but made with love.)
• Use spray paint to cover board and silhouette (black for this deer).
• Let dry.
• Remove deer silhouette paper.
• Enjoy your pretty manly art for your brother/dad/boyfriend/deer loving best friend.

It even looks kind of cute in my kitchen..

Are you a handmade gift giver?  What’s the best handmade gift that you have received?  Be sure to stop by NewlyWoodwards and check out the amazing handmade goodness!

And Then There Were Six…

Who wants to see more photos of our farmhouse table?  I knew it.

Last week our table was looking a little lonely with four chairs…

When we were building the table we didn’t think there would be room for six.  It was close to the same size as our previous table that only seated four.  We didn’t factor in that there is extra leg room under this table that allows for 6 six chairs.

We headed to Des Moines last week to spend Thanksgiving at Nate’s sister’s house.  Des Moines happens to have a World Market (the source of the original four Jackson Tub Chair chairs).  Convenient.  I think so.

Nate was actually totally on board with buying two more chairs.  I’m worried about him.  The only stipulation was that I had to share a suitcase with him.  See, I am the world’s worst packer. Instead of planning ahead, I just throw half of my closet into a suitcase and call it good.  I did it though.  I only took half.  And unpacking was a bazillion times easier.  I might be on to something. 

Anywho….here’s the table looking all cozy with it’s six chairs…

Stay tuned next week for a tour of our house all decked out for the holidays!  Don’t worry, I haven’t started shopping yet.  I’d be really worried about me too if I had.

Have you started your holiday decorating?  How about the gift shopping?  Cookie baking? Gosh, I love the holidays…

Best In Show

A wire fox terrier walked off with the Best in Show title at last week’s National Dog Show…



Ike was a little upset when he found out it was a lovely wirey lady (Eire) and not himself…

via People

Look how much their coats look alike.

Ike is actually taking part in No Shave November.  Always one to help out a good cause!

Maybe we’ll enter Ike next year's show. He’s show quality in our book!

How’d your favorite breed do?  Any other No Shave November participants out there?