Hello, Fuzzy Sushi.

'Tis the season for fun knits! I'm excited to tell you about Fuzzy Sushi, a cute shop full of knit and crocheted hats + accessories for you and baby. Isn't that mouse hat the cutest? It would be the perfect stocking stuffer for your little one. Or how about those boot cuffs? Such a clever way to get the look of this seasons popular boot socks without the added bulk.

Fuzzy Sushi is my latest sponsor and is offering up a 20% discount to Dandee readers. Simply use coupon code DANDEE at checkout and be sure to order before December 8th to receive your package in time for Christmas. Happy shopping!

This is a sponsored post. If you have a shop that you think would be a good fit for Dandee and are interested in sponsorship, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at dandeedesigns@gmail.com for more information.

Pinned.

I've been collecting images on my Holiday Time board of simple trees for awhile now. There really is nothing quite like a fresh tree. This year, we've opted for a living tree. Ryan picked it up from the nursery this afternoon and we're hoping to get her decorated soon. Once the holidays are over and spring has come she'll be planted in our yard. Just the thought makes me so happy it's silly. I'll be sure to share pictures when she's decorated and more put together. Is your tree up? Do you go for the real or artificial variety? I think both have their benefits.

1.Perfect from Remodelista via Sara | 2.XO from Danske via Paula | 3.Live Tree Love from Anetteshus via Tanya | 4.Simple Christmas Tree from My Scandinavian Retreat via Kidding Around | 5.Vintage Christmas Tree via Cyd.

Hello, Tiny Prints + A GIVEAWAY!

The winner of the Tiny Prints Giveaway is:

Congratulations! You will be contacted shortly.

December is just days away and my newest sponsor Tiny Prints would like to help you ring in the happiest of seasons with a little giveaway. Tiny Prints has a HUGE selection of Christmas cards + holiday cards. If you're like me and procrastinate they even have a lovely selection of New Years cards. Basically they have something for everyone and today they're offering up a $50 gift certificate to one lucky reader. Just follow the giveaway guidelines below and keep your fingers crossed.

Giveaway Guidelines:
-Make one comment on this post telling me what your favorite Tiny Prints card design is.
-For an extra entry "Like" the Tiny Prints Facebook Page.

-Giveaway closes Monday, December 5th.
-Winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on Tuesday December 6th at the top of this post. 

Weekending.

Hello, hello! Aren't four day weekends the best? I feel completely rejuvenated after lounging around the cozy brick house all weekend. I'm happy to say I'm ready to take on December. You?

This weekend we enjoyed a nice walk after our Thanksgiving feast,

ate pumpkin pie for breakfast the next morning,

marveled at the bluest skies,

raked bags + bags of crunchy fall leaves,

and lined our Sunday shoes by the toasty fire before church. 

Other highlights: Pulling out the Christmas movies, taking our family pictures, and sipping mug after mug of steamy hot chocolate.

P.S. Don't forget my Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale going on in the shop. Enter code BLACKFRIDAY and enjoy 20% off your entire order. Ends this Wednesday.

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale in the Shop!

A little discount for all of you dears. Use code "BLACKFRIDAY" at checkout in my shop and save 20% on your ENTIRE PURCHASE! The sale runs through Wednesday November 30th.

A few other places to save this weekend:
-Armelle Jewelry. Save 20% on your purchase now through Dec. 2nd. Use code "BLACKFRIDAY"
-Freshly Picked. Save 25% on your purchase now through Nov. 30th. Use code "TURKEY"
-Elsa Bags. Save 20% through Cyber Monday. No code necessary.
-Annilygreen. Save 20% through Dec. 4th. Use code "BLACKFRIDAY20"

Any other good deals to be had out there? If you have a shop or know of one having a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale, leave the link in the comments section. I would love to check them out and I'm sure my readers would too.

Thankful.

The other night at our dinner table it was Ollie's turn to offer the blessing. Arms folded, eyes closed (very tightly) and head bowed. I know it wasn't the most reverent thing to do, but I hopped up and snapped a picture. I wanted to capture this sliver of time. It's moments like this that I'm feeling especially thankful for. I'm thankful to be a mother. I'm thankful to live in a land where I have the freedom of worshiping where I choose. I'm thankful to know who I am and why I am here. And I'm thankful for this space. For you. For your friendships, your insights and kindnesses. 

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Be sure to pop in on Black Friday for some fun. I may have a little something for you. 

xo.

Dandee 

Hello, Elisa Shere Jewelry.

I'm so excited to welcome back Elisa Shere Jewelry as a sponsor. Elisa's shop is one of my favorites. She handcrafts each of her pretty jewelry pieces from scratch using recycled metals. Her designs are original, sweet and simple-they go with everything! Not to mention, they're the perfect size to slip into your stocking (these are on my list).

Elisa is offering a special discount code to you lovely readers good through November and December. 10% off your entire purchase PLUS free shipping! Use the code DANDEE at checkout. Have fun shopping!

This is a sponsored post. If you have a shop that you think would be a good fit for Dandee and are interested in sponsorship, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at dandeedesigns@gmail.com for more information.

You Look Nice Today Photography.

I've mentioned a time or two how much I love a good family photography session. The best we've had has been with Ryan from You Look Nice Today Photography. There is so much to love about working with Ryan and his lovely wife Tiffany. They are relaxed (which is good when you're shooting five children!), friendly, and they simply know what they're doing. Ryan's work has been featured on numerous wedding blogs, in magazines and Martha Stewart Weddings.

This coming Saturday Ryan and Tiffany will be shooting our family portraits for a third time. We're so excited! Would you like some good news? While they're in town, Ryan has a couple of spots available for additional family sessions. If you're anywhere near the Tri-Cities WA area, contact Ryan as soon as possible here. You'll be so happy you did.

See images from our family shoots with You Look Nice Today Photography here:
2009
2010

Pinned.

I gathered a few of my favorite Thanksgiving inspired pins to share with you today. Are you getting ready for the big meal too? Our turkey is defrosting as we speak. Keep your fingers crossed for me that it's ready in time!

1.Cabin from Wish! via Lindsay | 2.Plaid from Now and Then via Alexandra | 3.Thankful Cards from Satsuma Press via Chelsea | 4.Leaves from Roost via Natalie

Weekending.

Happy Monday! I can't help but be chipper this morning, it's one of our favorite weeks of the year. Plus, I had a very productive weekend which is like icing on the cake.

This weekend we went to the temple for date night,

celebrated the successful re-opening of the shop,

purchased two new Christmas albums to enjoy (love them both!),

and cuddled miss Audrey. A stomach bug took hold of her most of the weekend. Sad face.

Other highlights: Sparkling wood floors (thanks to Ryan), an organized inbox, and my Christmas shopping is 99.9% complete. Looks like I'm going to make my before Thanksgiving goal! Hooray!

P.S. Today is the last day to enter the Winter Moon Giveaway. The winner will be announced tomorrow at the top of this post and will receive Mindy Gledhill's new Christmas album, her 2010 release Anchor and a little treat from me too. Good Luck!

Dandee Shop | Now Open!

The Dandee Shop is officially open for the holidays! Brand new Want, Need, Wear, Read tags, Cross Stitch Kits and packaging goodies to keep you merry and bright.

Happy Weekend to you, friends!

Winter Moon GIVEAWAY!

The winner of the Winter Moon Giveaway is:

Congratulations! You will be contacted shortly.

I have some happy news for your evening, friends. Mindy Gledhill recently released her Christmas album Winter Moon and I've been listening to it non stop. Do you listen to Christmas music early too? I have to admit, I usually wait until the day after Thanksgiving to pull out the holiday tunes but when Mindy's album came in the mail, I couldn't help myself. Winter Moon boasts Christmas classics like 'O Come All Ye Faithful' and 'Silent Night' and even has a couple of original songs that I know you'll love. The title track 'Winter Moon' is a catchy little number that instantly has me singing along. 'Little Soldier' is a gorgeous mellow song that quickly made it's way to my favorites list.

You need to add Winter Moon to your holiday music collection, that's all there is to it. Happily, Mindy is offering a copy of Winter Moon AND a copy of her 2010 release Anchor to one lucky Dandee reader. To put your name in the hat simply follow the giveaway guidelines below and keep your fingers crossed. This is one to get excited about!

Giveaway Guidelines:
-Make one comment on this post telling me what your favorite Christmas song is.
-For an extra entry "Like" Mindy's Facebook Page.
-Giveaway closes Monday, November 21st.
-Winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on Tuesday November 22nd at the top of this post. 

The 15 Friends Project.

I've been waiting and waiting to tell you about this little collaboration project and I'm thrilled today is the day. A few weeks ago I was contacted by the lovely Steve and Michelle from Twig Creative. They gave me details about this awesome idea they had for a traveling art project. They were calling it The 15 Friends Project. The idea was to ship a canvas between different artists all over the country, each person adding a bit to the piece. At the end the canvas would be auctioned off. Of course I said yes right away. I was intrigued and excited and really couldn't wait to see how it all panned out. 

I received the canvas last week and was the second person to add my artwork. I'd been hoarding saving this image from a vintage book and knew it would add a sweet touch. Some balloons made from book pages, embroidery floss and a little mod podge later and my contribution was complete. The canvas has  been packed back up and is probably in the home of the next artist on the list. I can't wait to see what the other artists add and how the finished canvas looks!

You can read updates about the traveling canvas by following along at the Twig Creative blog. This post gives you all the details about how the project started.

Also, visit the amazing talent they have lined up. I'm sure you'll be inspired. I'm still pinching myself that I was included with such a group.

Dear Lizzy // That's Happy // Oh, Hello Friend // Hue & Hum // Unruly Things // Dandee Designs // Papernstitch // Creature Comforts // IHOD // Rockstar Diaries // Design For Mankind // Gussy Sews // K Barteski

Make Something | Gratitude Garland.

Thanksgiving is next week and I've been brainstorming ways to help my children express their gratitude. When put on the spot (say, around the table before the big meal) the kids clam up and can't remember all the things they are thankful for. I thought this garland would be a great way for them to record their feelings throughout the next week.

Each envelope is full of little business card size papers that say "I am thankful for..."The children simply fill in the rest when they are feeling particularly thankful and put the papers back in the mini bags. Then, on Thanksgiving Day we'll gather up the little pieces of paper and read them out loud.

To make my garland I gathered pine cones, twigs, doilies, ribbon, burlap, feathers, tiny brown paper bags, clothespins and card stock. I've recently become affiliated with Lifestyle Crafts and used their new High Rise letter die (so familiar to my new favorite font) for the letters on the tiny paper bags. High Rise is part of the new "Just For You" line and it's all really fun.

Want some happy news for your Tuesday afternoon? Use promo code DANDEE and get 20% off your purchase from Lifestyle Crafts. I have my eye on the Rosettes Die. I think it would so cute on holiday packages. Oh, and so you know, I own an Epic but Lifestyle Crafts dies work with any manual die cutting machines.

Pinned.

You may have noticed a slew of packaging pins on my boards recently. I gave a gift wrapping presentation this past week and used some of these images as inspiration for my class. It was a lot of fun! I got to thinking you might like some inspiration for your holiday wrapping too. It will be here before you know it!

1.Hand Cut Feathers by Fellow Fellow via Nicolette |  2.Fabric Strips as Ribbon by The Sweetest Occasion via Jade | 3.Clothespins from Zsa Zsa Bellagio via Jessica | 4.Doilies by Doble Ele via Claire | 5.Letters + Numbers from Heirloom Philosophy  via Cheryl 

Weekending.

Cozy weekends at home are the best. I feel rejuvenated and especially inspired from a talk that was given yesterday at church. It was on time management and exactly what I needed to hear.

This weekend we painted our nails,

pretended to be "supa heeros!",

stocked up on our favorite before bedtime snack,

started some new cross stitch projects,

listened to sweet Ella,

and wrote letters to Santa. Too early? Try telling him that.

Other highlights: Costa Vida, happy mail, and 3 basketball games for Easton. How was your weekend?

P.S. Today's the last day to enter the Garnish Giveaway. There will be TWO winners and they will be announced at the top of this post.

Links to Love.

Happy Friday, friends! The first thing I did when I woke up this morning was put out our Old Glory. I'm  grateful to be an American and feel especially thankful to the men and women who have served/continue to serve this land that I love.

Do you have any exciting plans for this weekend? Easton has a basketball tournament tomorrow and I'm hoping to cross a lot off my list in preparation for my shop opening. Hopefully this next week!

Here are some links from this week that I loved.
-A triangle garland!
-The prettiest lantern DIY by Melanie.
-Commonly happy things.
-These brownies are at the tippity top of my "to bake" list.
-A cute way to dress up simple muslin bags.