Laura's DIY Wall Art, our fabric swap, and blog parties

Laura from Luckiest in Love and I had an impromptu fabric swap in October.  A year ago, I never would've guessed that I'd be mailing fabric to someone in Kansas.  :)  I've mentioned Laura before because she organized the Christmas ornament swap.

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know I love participating in the Show Us Your Life series over at Kelly's Korner.  During master bedroom week in September, I commented on Laura's bedroom post because we have the same bedding set.  Laura visited my bedroom post and liked our new DIY wall art.  After emailing back and forth, we decided to swap fabric.

Laura's bedroom completed with her new wall art.

source

If you like the bedding, it's an 8 piece set (Bedskirt, 2 Shams, 2 Decorative Pillows, Comforter, 2 Euro Shams) from Target that's still available here.  Young House Love created one of their design dilemma mood boards using this bedding here.  Jake and I bought our set a year ago and it's still in great shape.  I put the brown section of the comforter at the bottom of our bed but everyone else seems to put it at the top.  :)

The DIY wall art using IKEA frames in our master bedroom 

You can see more photos of Laura's room and learn how she made her wall art here.  I used the same technique to make this wall hanging for our aqua guest room.

I covered a large printed canvas that used to hang above our couch (photo below from 2008) that was collecting dust in the basement.    

BTW, that's what our I furniture looked like before we got Brewster and started covering everything in big fleece blankets to combat fur and big dirty paws.

Here are the Joann's fabrics that I sent to Laura.

Dwell Studio's Soft Scrolls in Espresso - still available  Also available in white on green.

Eddie Bauer Blue Batik - clearance find used in the EB Piedmont collection

Laura sent me fabric from Joann's too.

Here's the current Show Us Your Life party schedule:
February 4 - Tell us what you feed your toddlers/preschoolers 
February 11 - Tell us your hair and beauty tips!
February 18 - Tell us about your alma mater
February 25 - Tell us what you make (etsy stores, clothes, bows, etc)
March 4 - Tell us about your family - parents, brothers, sisters - feature them!
March 11 - Show us your kids’ birthday parties
Break because she's expecting to have baby Hollis sometime around here
April 1 - Tell us about your church
April 8 - Tell us mother’s day/father’s day ideas
April 15 - Tell us what is on your book list right now
April 22 - Tell us how you stay organized
April 29 - Tell us about your favorite vacation spots (include places to eat , stay, what to do)
May 6 - Share your home school stories (how it works for you, curriculum, etc)
May 13 - Favorite Main course recipe
May 20 - Favorite Dessert
May 27 - Favorite appetizer recipe

I love glimpses into other peoples lives so the Show Us Your Life blog party series is one of my favorite things about blogging.  If you visit our party buttons page, you'll see that I participate (irregularly) in a variety of DIY home and craft linky parties as well as new friend parties.  I know some people knock new friend parties but that's how I've discovered some of my favorite bloggers.  I have many interests and I enjoy 'meeting' lots of people outside the home/craft blog circles too (hi Kris!).

Do you join any linky parties regularly?  If so, what are your favorites?

Hopefully Laura's completed project will be the kick in the pants I needed to use the aqua fabric I received (need to pick my apron pattern first).  Thanks again to Laura for swapping fabric with me!  :)

Merry Merry Woofmus! 2010 Pet Gift Exchange

Hosted by Kelly (kjpugs) and Hannah

I had so much fun participating in the Ornament Swap hosted by Laura a couple weeks ago.  Now Maximus and Brewster are swapping Christmas gifts with two cutie pie silky terriers from Florida.  

Max and Bru

 

Lindsey's pups, Jasper and Precious, are absolutely adorable.  I love that they have facial furniture (beards and dramatic eyebrows like Max...not like a table for facials at a health spa).  :)  Lindsey is taking a break from blogging so I'll be covering the exchange.  That's means there will be lots of doggy (and their toys/treats) photos in this post.  Lucky you!

Jasper

Precious

Max sent Jasper a very cute Hide-A-Squirrels toy.  Click here if you need refill squirrels.  :)

The boxed toy wouldn't fit in my big mailing envelope so I flattened the box and tucked everything into a cello bag.  The box includes some tips like putting the squirrels in your laundry hamper so they'll pick up your scent.    That'll make your dog want to find them.  :)

Brewster sent Precious two toys after she tried to steal/hide them: a small Orbee-Tuff ball and a Slobber-Wick squeak buddy.  I recommend anything from Planet Dog because the toys last longer.

 

Another cello bag, some ribbon, and it's ready to go!

 

My pups also sent a little taste of Maine down to Jasper and Precious.  They really wanted to keep these Bite O' Blue grain-free blueberry dog treats.  :)

Max and Bru love all the gifts they received!  I tried to snap action photos of them running around and playing with their new toys but they're just blurs in all the photos like the puppy, Samson.  I'm sure that won't stop me from including a couple anyway.


Max instantly feel in love with this stuffed yellow platypus.  It makes a sound similar to a small stuffed duck toy he had before Bru came along.

Bru couldn't wait to take her new tough ball and lobster from Precious over to her favorite spot on the couch.  

Here they are playing with their new squeaky toys after they stopped running around the house chasing each other with them.  The photo quality is grainy because these were shot using the Action setting.

I've got to tell you that these homemade doggy cookies smell great and the packaging is so cute too!  Bru trips all over her clumsy self trying to figure out what she needs to do to get one.  Max caught a whiff and heeded immediately.  Too funny! Don't mind the weird blur on the right side of the next photo.  This is an old house but that's not a ghost.  It's Brewster trying to dive into the cookie pile...tongue first!

Some of the cookies are even monogrammed with their names.  How stinkin' cute are these?!

  

They'd like to inhale the cookies at once but I won't let them.  Bru's usually fussy about treats but these cookies caused record setting drool production!  Maybe if Max and Bru ask really nicely, Lindsey will share her doggy cookie recipe with us so I can pay it forward to you...
  
Thanks again to Lindsey, Precious, and Jasper!  :)


Merry Woofmas!

2010 Ornament Swap

Laura from The Luckiest in Love organized a fun Ornament Swap for bloggers.  Laura and I had an impromptu fabric swap weeks ago in October and I LOVE the two she sent me.  I used one fabric for Thanksgiving and I've been planning to use the second fabric to make myself an apron.  But, first I need to finish start sewing a pile of Christmas gifts.  :)

Laura paired me with Nicole from A Sailor & His Two Girls and I couldn't be happier with the ornaments Nicole sent me.  This gingerbread couple riding a candy cane sleigh is absolutely adorable!  She added our initials which made me like it even more.  :)

I love that she included something that reflects her state.  The cardinal is Virgina's state bird.

I almost bought this cute jingle bell wreath ornament a couple weeks ago.  I was so pleased to find that Nicole sent me one!

I had fun choosing ornaments for Nicole at a local Maine Made shop.  I'm happy to report that they all survived the US postal system.  Yay!  :)  I chose three starfish (subtly sparkled) and added some delicate red ribbon with white polka dots.

I jazzed up an anchor ornament a bit and added their initial.  I liked the combination of the mini pine cones and anchor.  Maine is the Pine Tree state but it also has lots of coastline.

I was itching to do a little something crafty that day so I whipped up this card too.

Maximus and Brewster are participating in a Pet Gift Exchange with two silky terriers from Florida.  I'll be posting about their swap soon.  Aren't Jasper and Precious adorable?

Happy holidays!