What I Whipped Up Wednesday - Early Release!

Since things have been sort of crazy around here lately, I figured I should let you all play catch-up with my link party and open the linky early this week.

:)

Last week:

Heather from The Lovely Cupboard put together this sweet fabric banner tutorial:



Jaime from Polkadots on Parade transformed her guest bathroom into this beauty:

Kerry from Eat.Make.Play. whipped up these yummy PB&J cupcakes:

And Jamie from Easily Dunn has answered all of my questions in her chevron stripes painting tutorial:

Are you ready to link up?

I never require you to place a button in your post or sidebar, and I don't force linking-back to my site. I do ask that if you participate in the party you become a follower of this blog via Google Friend Connect.

And if you comment on other links from the party, you instantly earn fifty cool points.

:)

If you haven't already, be sure to enter the Gussy Sews giveaway!

And stay tuned for my master bedroom makeover post later this week!

Happy week to you, sweet friend.

xo

Riley's 6th Birthday- Group Giveaway Featuring Gussy Sews!

Today is Riley's 6th birthday.

Yesterday I had an ultrasound appointment.

The exact date that I had an ultrasound 6 years ago.

The worst day of my life.

Being cautious and sad already, I walked into my appointment yesterday morning with worry.

I ended up leaving my appointment smiling and holding a photo of my new baby boy.

{15.5 weeks. Breech.}

Amazing what can change in six years.

Today's giveaway is to support the beautiful cause called Project Hope.

Last time I required each entry to first donate a dollar to the fund that Laura (Bits of Splendor) created.

It was successful and wonderful.

While searching for giveaway vendors during the last Project Hope giveaway, I was contacted by Gussy's assistant about a giveaway in February.

Having lost a baby in February 6 years ago, I felt that this was the perfect timing for making some more people aware of this wonderful cause.

I am so thankful that Gussy has partnered up with me for this lovely giveaway!

This giveaway includes:

$20 shop credit to Gussy Sews:

BLOG :: SHOP

One vintage necklace and one vintage ring by Bits of Splendor:

BLOG :: SHOP

Two headwraps by Penelope Lane:

BLOG :: SHOP

One month of ad space from Jenni Austria Germany:

BLOG :: TWITTER

One St. Patrick's Day wreath by Little Noodle Bug:

BLOG :: SHOP

One headband and one hair clip from Mama Rake:

BLOG :: SHOP

To enter:

You must be a follower of this blog via Google Friend Connect.

1. Visit Gussy's shop and leave a comment with your favorite item.

2. Subscribe to the Gussy Sews Newsletter and leave a comment saying that you did.

3. Pin a product from Gussy's shop to a Pinterest Board and leave a comment telling me that you did.

I truly wish that everyone would read about Project Hope and get involved somehow.

I would love for you to donate your time, your words, your products...anything that can help these grieving mothers.

I became one of those mothers 6 years ago today.

Thank you for supporting Project Hope and helping me celebrate my sweet angel baby's birthday!

xo

An Update via Instagram Photos

My inbox is overflowing with kind words from you all.

I cannot express my gratitude enough.

Some of you are pressing for details.

Concerned about my pregnancy, my home, my marriage...

Life has never been better when it comes to those things.

Unfortunately, some other things are making money a bit tight at the moment.

Bills concerning this post.

In other news, we've just lost a dear family member.

His life was cut short...very, very, short...and I am doing my best to truly enjoy everyday as much as possible.

Life just kind of got overwhelming and scary all at once.

But as for myself, and the lovely people that I get to live with and love forever- we are fine.

Here are some recent photos:

14.5 weeks. Growing.

My mother-in-law taught me how to crochet.

I am addicted to this polish by Nicole. It's called Rainbow in the S-Kylie.

Fingers crossed that Baby cooperates for the gender reveal...

He did. :)

And the Baby Boy shopping began.

I finally got creative again. These are bookmarks. Love.

Last night Hubby wrote me a little love note. I appreciate and save every single one.

What have you been up to?

xo

I'm Back! (What I Whipped Up Wednesday + Giveaway News) EDITED

Hello lovelies!

Things are definitely NOT less chaotic than they were before, but I keep meaning to mention this week's HUGE giveaway, and I'm running out of time.

To raise awareness for Project Hope, I am holding another giveaway this Friday.

A big-name sponsor on my sidebar will be contributing to a group giveaway, and I am BEYOND excited!

If you are a current sponsor or a shop owner, please let me know if you would like to contribute to the giveaway.

Traffic will be INSANE here on Friday, so you'll want to join if you can!

Email me for more info

What I Whipped Up Wednesday is a few weeks behind, so I'm opening it NOW*, and I will be featuring the favorites next week.

<3

I hope you're well.

I miss you all so much!

Happy Wednesday.

xo

*ETA:

Thank you to the eleven wonderful women that offered to host this weeks' What I Whipped Up Wednesday for me under their accounts! If you stopped by last night, you saw that I was having issues with my subscription (which is why this post is up late). I am so thankful for you all and can't wait to see what you've beeen working on!
Link up below!

Stuff.

Hello lovelies.

I have gotten quite a few emails asking why I haven't posted in so long.

I wanted to pop in and say something happy, and make you all forget that I have been away, but it's not that easy.

I'm just going through some stuff and will be back in full-swing by the end of the week.

Someone send me an envelope full of sunshine and smiles in the mail, mmmkay?

xo

Ask me anything.

I get so many emails with the same questions, so I added a "FAQ's" tab at the top of my blog, and never got around to posting the questions.

Instead of going through tons of old emails, I thought maybe I could do a little Q & A session with you all and see if the same questions arise.

If not, I still think it would be fun to see what you guys want to know about me/my family/blogging/life in general.

I'm typically pretty candid when I write, but I ask that you be respectful when posting a question.

Don't be shy, however.

If you want to know more about my stance on any topic I've posted about in the past, I will do my best to answer the question honestly.

If you just want to get to know me better, feel free to ask anything silly.

I'll whip up a post next week with answers to whatever you come up with.

:)

PS- I'm leaving the Take the Cannoli Giveaway open until Tuesday.

Oh, happy day!

;)

Happy weekend, friends.

xo

A few things.

Hello, lovelies!

I just wanted to pop in with a couple announcements.

(I feel like a principal interrupting class on the PA system.)

Ha!

First, new sponsors are going up today.

New ads will be completely installed before midnight!

Be sure to check out the Advertising Page for new information about sponsoring Sugar and Dots.

Everyone now has a chance to advertise!

Second, my blog was approved to be on Top Baby Blogs!

I had always debated about having my blog on that site since my kiddos are growing up so quickly, but with this new pregnancy going smoothly, I decided to take a leap of faith and submit an application to join.

They responded within 8 hours, and I am currently #67 on their site.

If you would like to support my blog by voting, you can do so by either clicking the link on my left sidebar, OR, you can click this link.

Be sure to click on the owl on the LEFT.

I sincerely appreciate each and every vote!

Third, the shop is currently in "maintenance mode".
While I adore making accessories, I really should leave headbands and such up to the pros like Just Lovely Things.
Being inspired by someone is one thing, but competing with them is a different ballgame.
Heather, the accessory thing is all yours.
<3
My shop will soon hold book page wreaths.
I'm working out the shipping details right now, and will have a few other book page items in the shop as well.
Each piece takes a bit of time to create, and no two items will be the same.
I'll also have options about what kind of books you'd like your wreath to be made from.
(Poetry, vintage books, specific series, etc.)
I'm pretty excited about it!

Last, I stopped doing my "un-fashion" posts because I was feeling guilty posting photos of myself with a baby bump when I knew so many readers here struggle with loss/infertility. I plan to start those posts up again, so this is your warning if pregnany bellies make you sensitive.

I know I was there once, and I don't want any of my readers feeling blue seeing my photos.

However, I promise to never show you my stomach without a shirt.

No pregnancy progress photos here, kay?

Promise.

I think that covers everything.

:)

This post was brought to you by February's Premium Sponsors. Please take a minute to click on their ads and see what their lovely sites are all about!