June 2011 Sponsorship

****Update as of 9:00 AM on 5.30.11: 300x300 ad space is taken****


Hello lovelies!

Over the past three days, I have been on numerous dancefloors, on a yacht, and to a petting zoo.

My heart is feeling whole and my life is gaining a well-rounded feeling that I have been craving.

I feel happy.

:)

It's good to be back!

I have so many things coming to Sugar and Dots next month.

HUGE things.

This little blog o'mine is growing steadily.

Last month there were almost 19,000 pageviews here.

Craziness!

Want to have your button be a part of the craziness?!

I would love to have one of your pretty buttons displayed on my sidebar in June!

Some stats:

There are currently 690 followers via Google Friend Connect.

There are currently 488 subscribers to the Sugar and Dots RSS feed.

There are currently 339 "fans" on Facebook.

There are currently 670 Twitter followers.

WOW.

I skipped ad space for last month, so if you were one of the lucky ones who paid for space in April, you got the entire month of May for free.

:)

For June, I am offering two button sizes and two prices.

There will be three 300x300 button spaces available.

To obtain one of these three spots, you will be charged $10.00 via PayPal.

On top of the $10.00 fee, I request a giveaway for my readers.

(We all like free stuff, and when free stuff is offered by your shop, your shop name becomes very popular.)

;)

With these three spots, you will receive mention in a bi-monthly Sponsor Spotlight post, giveaway shout-outs on Facebook and Twitter, and links directing my readers to your shop, blog, and social networking sites.

There will be eight 150x150 button spaces available.

To obtain one of these eight spots, you will be charged $5.00 via PayPal.

These spots will not be mentioned in a blog post, but you will get shout-outs via Facebook and Twitter with links to your site or shop throughout the month of June.

All buttons will go up on June 1st, and will run until July 1st.

Ad space is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

To request ad space, please email me (SugarAndDots@gmail [dot com]) with JUNE AD SPACE in the subject line. Please let me know which button size you would like and be sure to include your PayPal email address.

If your button size request is no longer available, I will contact you to let you know.

I would LOVE to promote your blog and/or shop!

If you miss out on ad space and would still love to sponsor Sugar and Dots somehow, please let me know.

You can offer guest posts, giveaways, or send products for me to review.

However you decide to sponsor this blog, your blog and/or shop will be recognized in doing so!

And if you want to send me pretty presents from your shop for no reason, that's allowed, too.

;)

I look forward to working with you in June!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day.

Remember.

xo

Summer Mantel in a Cave

I have a lot to say in regards to my last post.

Now is not the time.

I've been keeping myself busy.

My house has probably never looked better. ;)

I've shown you my living room before, but I've switched a few things up on the mantel to tone down the darkness.

This room has zero natural light, but since it's the place where we curl up on the couch and watch TV, I kind of like the cave-like feeling.

Cave-like photography is not my favorite though.

Wanna see the worst photos ever of a barely summer mantel?

Good!

Tragic photos, I know.

At least I'm focusing on new things again.

:)

Happy Friday!

Issues

If you've ever clicked my sidebar button that says "start here", then you've read the links that sum up my life.

I've mentioned before that we are not able to have more children.

Lately, that very sentence has consumed me.

It is the first thing I think when I wake up, and the last thought I have as I cry myself to sleep.

I'm starting to think that every single one of my friends is expecting.

The Facebook updates are haunting me.

I can NOT shake the feeling that I am supposed to be a mother to more children.

And yet, my reality is that my family is complete.

Have you ever had something control your every thought?

I can't seem to think about anything else except babies.

I am sad.

I am constantly crying.

I am neglecting my blog thinking that I can come back with some "wow" project that will get so many comments that I won't ever have the time to think about babies again.

Unfortunately, that project doesn't exist.

And my blog just keeps sitting here.

I'm trying to get back on my feet.

Please excuse me while I deal with my heartache.

I have issues.

xo



What I Whipped Up Wednesday

Did you see all if the amazing links last week?!

Like I said last week, from now on the first link of every party will be featured the following week.

And it just so happens that I would have featured this anyway.

It might be my favorite project ever linked up.

It can not be re-created.

It can only be made once.

And it could never have a price tag.

It actually made me cry from it's beauty.

Look at these lovely handprint tracings:

Oh my goodness- a zippered pouch tutorial that I actually understand! {happy dance}

These shabby bracelets are adorable:

This big boy room transformation is swoon-worthy:

This cherry vanilla cake makes me drool:



If you were featured today, be sure to grab a "featured" button from my sidebar!

And here's the code for Wednesday's linky buttons:

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://www.sugaranddots.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/g00dy2sh0es/linky-1.jpg"/></a><br />    

 

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://www.sugaranddots.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/g00dy2sh0es/linky2.jpg"/></a><br />

Ready to link up?

1. Must be your post- any idea, recipe, project, craft, tutorial, or makeover you'd like to share.

2. Must be linked to the specific post; not just your blog's URL.

3. Grabbing a button or linking to the party is appreciated. :)

4. Commenting on the link before you and/or after you makes you radtastic.

Linky is open NOW and will close on SATURDAY at 11:59 PM.

I can't wait to see your posts!

Remember, the first one to link up every week is featured!

Happy Wednesday!

The Playroom

Let me just open by saying that I feel really, REALLY, really accomplished.

This room was the most daunting task.

But it turned out exactly how I envisioned it.



Let's start with the beginning.

Here is the room before we moved in (this photo was taken at the end of January) and right after the carpet was installed.

and then...

we...

moved...

in.

Right.

So.

Ummm.

I pretty much wasn't lying when I told you for a month straight that I was working on the playroom.

But now...

This room was really hard to organize.

There aren't ANY solid walls that I could lean furniture against, hang a shelf on, or install hanging art displays and picture frames.

Decorating in a room of solid windows is not awesome.

And there isn't a closet.

This room is directly on the other side of our living room, which you can see here.

Creating decor was hard, so I focused on the windows without the use of curtains.

(Since this room is an add-on, we close the curtains at the entrance to the playroom to create privacy for our living room. There is no need for privacy in the playroom. Obvs.)

The paint chip bunting was exactly what the windows needed!

Standing at the entrance and looking right are all of my craft supplies and an array of stuffed animals.

Here's another view of that side of the room:

In the middle of the room, I put a small section of Ikea tables and a large storage box filled with toys.

There are so many toys.

Thankfully at this house, there isn't one toy IN the house.

(Since this is an add-on in the back of the house, the rule is "No toys in the house." And no toys go past the curtains in the living room.)

Such a difference in keeping a clean house!

Back on subject- I had to create sections in this room using toy boxes/bins and furniture.

You can see more here:

So, this was basically the entire process in a nutshell:

This wasn't a pretty decorating project, but the before and after is just as satisfying.

I wish that I had one of those playrooms that looked beautiful and modern and lovely, but I will totally settle for a giant room able to accomodate my children's prized posessions and my fabric and craft supplies.

What a happy place this has turned into.

And what a radtastic summer this room is going to experience.

:)

Thank you for touring the craziest room ever!

Happy Thursday.

What I Whipped Up Wednesday

The good news?

Amazing projects last week.

The not-so-good news?

Last week's linky was only a fraction of the size from the week before.

When there are fewer links, I consider featuring everyone.

No joke.

So, my new plan:

Every week, I will always feature the very first link that is linked up.

This means that you can actually be featured at Sugar and Dots every.single.week if you are the first link every time.

:)

Last week:

Kim used some saved jars to display photos of her loved ones. Why have I never thought of this? LOVE:



Rebecca used my free printable to create a focal point in her kitchen:

Ginny whipped up some yummy Snickerdoodle Chex Mix:

This kite-themed birthday party is so precious:

And Erin made some pretty melon-colored Mason jar vases:

If you were featured today, be sure to grab a "featured" button from my sidebar!

And here's the code for Wednesday's linky buttons:

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://www.sugaranddots.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/g00dy2sh0es/linky-1.jpg"/></a><br />    

 

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://www.sugaranddots.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/g00dy2sh0es/linky2.jpg"/></a><br />

Ready to link up?

1. Must be your post- any idea, recipe, project, craft, tutorial, or makeover you'd like to share.

2. Must be linked to the specific post; not just your blog's URL.

3. Grabbing a button or linking to the party is appreciated. :)

4. Commenting on the link before you and/or after you makes you radtastic.

Linky is open NOW and will close on SATURDAY at 11:59 PM.

I can't wait to see your posts!

Remember, the first one to link up every week is featured!

Happy Wednesday!

What I Whipped Up Wednesday Double Feature + Winner Announced

Lots going on.

Lots I'm behind on.

Lots of links over the last two weeks.

Let's get to it...

Amanda Joy hosted a blue and yellow bridal shower that is swoon-worthy:

Andrea posted tutorials for textured pillows. Her sense of humor will have you hooked!



Lyndee created book art that would look great with any decor:

Missy created a shared bedroom space that I lovity love. One of my top 5 bedroom favorites fo sho:

Want to see one of my top 5 nurseries? Good, because Shelli created this gorgeous nursery:

Keri whipped up a yummy dinner using only three ingredients:

Sarah made these sugar cookies that are guaranteed to earn me some points with my husband:

These art boards are so great; and I adore that they are hung out-of-reach of little hands:

I plan on making these nutella lovelies today. Like, as soon as this post is written:

I never feature the same person twice in posts, but Shelli rocked it again. Check out her master bedroom:

And now for the winner of the Mother's Day giveaway:

Congratulations to commenter #15, MommyMeagan!

I will email you soon to get your package to you!

If you were featured today, be sure to grab a "featured" button from my sidebar!

And before I forget, here's the code that many of you have requested for Wednesday's buttons:

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://www.sugaranddots.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/g00dy2sh0es/linky-1.jpg"/></a><br />    

 

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://www.sugaranddots.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/g00dy2sh0es/linky2.jpg"/></a><br />

Ready to link up?

1. Must be your post- any idea, recipe, project, craft, tutorial, or makeover you'd like to share.

2. Must be linked to the specific post; not just your blog's URL.

3. Grabbing a button or linking to the party is appreciated but not required.

4. Commenting on the link before you and/or after you makes you radtastic.

Linky is open NOW and will close on SUNDAY at 11:59 PM. (Since I opened the linky late.)

I can't wait to see your posts!



Happy Wednesday!