What I Whipped Up Wednesday- Show Off Your Favorites from 2011!

I meant to type this up sooner, but I fell asleep.

Lately, late afternoon makes me feel like I've hit a brick wall, and I try to rest if Hubby is home.

One of the kids spilled a cup of chocolate milk in the livingroom, so I woke up to commotion and hopped online.

You can thank my son for this week's linky opening at a decent time.

;)

On to the features!

Last week...

Becca over at From Gardners to Bergers created this gorgeous Damask Stenciled Curtain:



My girl Desiree from The 36th Avenue put together this amazing New Year's Kit:

Krista from While He Was Napping shows you how to make some fun Homemade Playdough:

Brittany from Life with the Fullwoods teamed up with her hubby to make this rad Jewelry Stand:

And Angie who blogs over at Big Bear's Wife whipped up these yummy Mashed Potato Swirls:

Thank you to everyone who linked up!

This week I am doing things a bit differently...

Since this is the last linky of 2011, I would love for you to link up all of your favorite projects, recipes, makeovers, tutorials, etc from all of 2011.

You can link up as many projects as you'd like.

Next week I will feature my five favorites from each category!

There will be all kinds of links posted next week to show off how fabulous you all were during 2011.

<3

Ready to link up?

Have fun!

It's true.

We found out on December 2nd.

If you've read my story, or how my heart aches for more children, then you know how HUGE this news is.

If not, let me just tell you that this is HUGE.

I've already had three viability confirmation ultrasounds.

I'm only 7 weeks along (as of yesterday).

Things are scary.

Terrifying.

But things look good so far.

I was going to wait until my second trimester to announce it, but we've lost babies in the first trimester AND the second trimester before.

If I lose this baby right this second, I'll still want to cling to your words for support.

Going at this alone would be even scarier than it already is.

My due date is August 11th.

Doctors told me to expect a delivery towards the end of July since my babies have always been born a month early.

Our first Summer baby.

God willing.

Merry Christmas, lovelies.

<3

What I Whipped Up Wednesday + Shabby Apple Winner!

Last week was crazy.

And I mean that in a PTA-President-by-day-full-time-student-studying-for-finals-by-night kind of way.

Stress without even involving the holidays.

I never meant to skip What I Whipped Up Wednesday.

Thankfully, I just submitted my last final of the semester, and Christmas vacation has already started.

I can finally put my feet up!

By the way, I hope you have dessert recipes this week, cause this lady I know is in charge of two desserts this year...*ahem*...

;)

On to the features from last week!

Janel from Hating Martha stitched together this lovely vintage table runner:

4Sisters from Crumbs and Chaos whipped up these yummy Rolo Pretzel Bites:

Sarah from Welcome to the Good Life put together an 8 second skirt tutorial that goes to the top of my "favorites" list:

Becca over at From Gardners to Bergers showed off these lovely faux zinc letters:

And Kim from Made in a Day created this happy yarn snowman:

Thank you to everyone who linked up!

I love looking through all of your ideas and finding new blogs to follow!

Did you enter the Shabby Apple Giveaway?

If so, you may be the winner:

Congratulations, Rachel!

Please email me to claim your fab new dress!

Ready to link up?!

Things will change slightly in 2012, but for now, all I ask is that you follow my blog to link up.

Have fun!

xo

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

When Shabby Apple contacted me about hosting a giveaway, I thought two things:

1. "Oh no, they must have gotten me confused with another email address!"

and

2. "Please tell me that they did not confuse me with another email address!"

:)

It's true.

They want to be here.

{happy dance}

I have entered at least a dozen Shabby Apple giveaways in the past.

I am super duper in love with everything they sell.

Today I am offering you ONE dress of your choice!

I hand-picked three styles that I thought would compliment my readers; you will be able to choose any ONE dress below if you win:

Azure Coast:

Cockeyed Optimist:

Lighthouse:

To enter:

1.You MUST be a follower of this blog via GFC, and you MUST "like" Shabby Apple on Facebook.

Once you have done BOTH, simply leave me a comment with your email address and the dress you would choose if you won.

Easy peasy!

For additional entries:

2. You can follow Shabby Apple's blog.

3. You can follow Shabby Apple on Twitter.

4. You can "like" Sugar and Dots on Facebook.

5. You can follow me on Twitter.



FIVE ways to enter!!

Winner will be announced during next week's What I Whipped Up Wednesday post.
Good luck.

Happy Tuesday!

xo

2012 Ad Space Filling Up Fast!

During the past three months, I have offered you all the most affordable ad rates possible since I know the holidays make your advertising budget tight.

I'll be switching to regular priced sponsorships once 2011 comes to an end.

Thankfully, I've already received over a dozen emails from current sponsors requesting to sponsor Sugar and Dots in 2012.

I am so thankful for all of you, and love seeing your pretty buttons on my sidebar.

There are a LOT of buttons over there!

In 2012, I will be limiting the number of sponsors on my sidebar.

I really hate turning people away, but keeping things simple means that more people see your ad.

As of January 1st, ad space will be as follows:

I will allow two Premium Ads (200x300), eight Large Ads (200x200), and ten Small Ads (200x100).

Ad space is available on a first come, first served basis. All buttons will be displayed according to payment and size.

Details as follows...

Premium Ad Space:

The purchase of a 200x300 button gives you one of the top two spots on my sidebar. You will be sent a questionnaire for your solo feature post, and you have the option to host a giveaway with entry requests at your discretion. Also, your blog/shop name will be linked at the bottom of EVERY post during the month. Your pretty button will be on my sidebar for the entire month of January.

Large Ad Space:

The purchase of a 200x200 button includes your blog/shop in a group feature post, along with the option to join the monthly group giveaway. Your pretty button will be on my sidebar for the entire month of January.

Small Ad Space:

The purchase of a 200x100 button leaves your pretty button on my sidebar for the entire month of January.



*I'm disabling comments so that you can email me about inquiries and not get lost in the comment hustle and bustle! Please send all ad space inquiries to SugarAndDots@gmail.com and be sure to create the subject "January Ad Space". Thank you!*

Happy Monday!

PS- An AWESOME giveaway will be here tomorrow!!

Cold Hands Warm Hearts Swap

This was my first year joining Ilene and Sandy's Cold Hands Warm Hearts Swap.

We were asked to swap gloves with another person that had joined the fun.

When I got the email that told me who my partner was, I was thinking, "Hmm...I know I've heard of that shop before..." and didn't think much else.

When my partner Leonora emailed me immediately after that, I was smitten.

She is the New York version of myself; only she's super funny, she has mad graphic artist skills, and she's five months younger.

The girl is rad.

I don't say that very often.

I know for a fact that my CHWH swag from Leonora is hands-down the best that was mailed out.

She rocked it!



I know, right?!

I sent her gloves.

She sent me Christmas morning.

Leo (to the) nora, yes, I enjoyed it so much that I clipped it in as soon as I opened it!

Cupcake gloves.

{swoon}

My kids officially think you are the coolest snow sending person in the wooooorld.

(That's an actual quote.)

My daughter decided this was hers the second she saw it.

It looks fab in her room, BTDubs.

Love.This.Card.

Love.This.Girl.

Love.My.Stache.

Thank you so much, Ilene and Sandy!

I know that the swap partners were generated randomly, but you guys hooked me up with a fab new friend without even trying.

So thankful for how everything worked out!

And Leonora, you are one of my favorite people on the planet.

You spoiled me.

So grateful.

Love you, friend.

If you guys missed out on Cold Hands Warm Hearts, I highly recommend joining next year!

I also recommend being partnered up with someone who will send you happiness from Yellow Heart Art.

;)

xo

A full heart.

Being with my husband makes me insanely happy.

When he's at work, I play the role of the annoying housewife who calls him constantly and begs for him to come home.

When he works from home, I persuade him to curl up on the couch with me and watch all of our favorite shows.

At dinner, I sit directly beside him and talk his ear off about nothing exciting.

Really, I don't know how he handles my co-dependant problem.

;)

As a child, I thought I would grow up and fall in love, and everything would happen so easily.

As an adult, I learned that nothing in my life ever comes easily (well...heartache and stress, maybe...) but that I have everything I could have ever wanted.

My heart is so full.

And it's all because of this man that I married.

 

Dont't you just love it when I blog about nothing that pertains to you at all?

I want to look back on this time and know that my heart was bursting at the seams.

:)

More fun stuff tomorrow!

I wish you every happiness in the world, friends.

xo

What I Whipped Up Wednesday

Did you all join the card swap and blog hop?

There are so many great blogs linked up!

I can't wait to see who will be exchanging cards with me!

Moving on to the features!

Last week...

Vixen Made put together these adorable felt hair bows:



N*Stitches linked up this amazing cosmetic bag:

Buerrista has me swooning over her panini pressed loveliness:

Laura from Splendor showed off this amazing first birthday party:

Kim from Too Much Time on My Hands put together thirty-five free card templates for you:

And Rebecca from The Crafted Sparrow made this beautiful no-sew ruffled tree skirt:

Are you ready to link up?!

I don't need you to post my button anywhere or link-back, but I do ask that you follow this blog if you add a link. Remember, you can add as many links as you'd like- show off your goods!

Wait...I mean...umm...

;)

Happy Wednesday, lovelies.

xo

What I Wore- Stripes and Polkadots

I have no fear when it comes to fashion.

Why?

Because I know NOTHING about it.

If it makes me feel good, I wear it.

This week of unfashion is brought to you by stripes and polkadots.



Dress: Thrift store

Scarf: Made from an old tee shirt

Necklace: Yard sale

Boots: Target

Happy Monday, friends.

xo

Card Swap and Blog Hop - Join the fun!

Hello lovelies!

I mentioned earlier this week that my BFF and I are teaming up to spread some fun holiday cheer.

Rachelle came up with a fun idea to do a card swap with another blogger.
And swapping cards means you'd have to link up- hooray for a fun way to follow some new blogs!

You'll link up your blog name below so that we know you are participating, and we encourage you to browse each link and follow as many blogs that you'd like.

Linking up gives over 4,000 readers access to your link.

By joining the party, you agree to be paired up with another blogger for a card swap.

We'll take care of the pairing up for you!

You can send your card swap partner any kind of card you'd like (holiday, Christmas, friendship, etc)- getting a handmade card is likely to cheer up anyone's mailbox!

The card swap will be open from now until December 7th.

On or around December 7th, you will get your card swap partner's information.

You then have until December 20th to mail out your handmade card.

Easy peasy.
I love me some handmade HOLLA days!
;)

Be sure to post all about your card swap experience with some linky love for your partner!

Rachelle and I will be hosting another linky in January for all of you to read through the card swap posts.

Mark your calendars!

:)

Rachelle and I are joining the party- I know we both can't wait to see who we will be paired up with!

And I can't wait to click through your blogs- blog hops are my favorite way to gain traffic and make a new friend!

Ready...set...go!

xo