Welcoming A New Puppy To The Family #ILoveMyK9

Not too long ago, my stepson Jason came over and said.. "Come out to my truck, I have something to show you."   Sitting in the front seat of his truck was a PUPPY!  His girlfriend Becky bought the puppy for him as a surprise!  Jason lost a dog that was left to him by a good friend who passed away and I think Becky thought this would help fill the void.  
His name is Diesel.  He is such a little spaz but a cute spaz.  He is part husky and part, I-don't-know-what.  If you look closely, he has two different color eyes.   Cool, right?
Last year we also lost a  dog, so it was nice to have a puppy around.
Diesel doesn't live here at my house.  Honestly, I'm not sure I could handle a puppy myself right now.
We have Como, a 5 yr old cream colored standard poodle.   We got him last summer after our black standard poodle Stewie was diagnosed with bone cancer and passed away.   Cosmo is actually Stewie's nephew.  My inlaws called the breeder where they bought Stewie about 7 years ago to ask if there were any puppies in Stewie's blood line.  They told them that they didn't breed anymore but that they had a dog related to Stewie that needed a new home.  So we drove out there and met him. He was so sweet,  we couldn't help but bring him home!  Cosmo was a bit skittish at first, as you can imagine.  I'm sure he didn't understand why he was in a new home.  Cosmo grew up in a kennel with other dogs, not in a house with people fawning all over him.  It didn't take him long at all to get used to being spoiled rotten. 
When Cosmo first met Diesel they played like two little puppies even though Cosmo is twice Diesel's size.

I thought it would be a good idea to head to Walmart to pick up some puppy supplies to welcome Diesel to the family.  So off I went...

The first product I'm drawn to is Milk-Bone.  We all know and love Milk-Bone products, right?

Of course I went for the box with the husky dog on it, but then saw the Trail Mix and thought "that was different."

The Milo's Kitchen treats are so cute, they look like actual food.   The meatballs are round, the grilled chicken strips even have the black grill marks on them.   We HAVE to try some of these!

Then there was the Pup-Peroni products.  What dog isn't going to like these?  There is even a new Mix Stix that I grabbed for Diesel (and Cosmo) to try.

Now it's home to get the "Welcome Basket" ready...

I got a lock top bin to keep all of Diesel's snacks and toys in and of course I had to personalize it with his name.   I've learned the hard way, you have to keep this stuff in a sealed container so they can't get into it.

Welcome to the family, Diesel

For my whole shopping trip and everything else I bought for Diesel, check out my story on Google+.

On Facebook you can Like Milk-Bone or if you are on Twitter, you can follow Milk-Bone @MilkBone and Pup-Peroni @PupPeroni .

*Disclosure*

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric”

Cupcake Kinda Day (Wordless Wednesday)

It's ALWAYS a cupcake kinda day isn't it?  

Burlap & Painters Paint Markers #ExpressYourself

Right now burlap is hot, hot, hot.   Well, at least in my world it is. I just LOVE it!
So when I was given the opportunity to come up with a project using Elmer's Painters Paint Markers, I knew exactly what I was going to use them on.   I've used these markers for a long time now.  I use them for all sorts of projects from home decor to personalizing gifts to make them a little more "special."
I've used them on just about every surface except burlap. (duh, don't know why I didn't think of it sooner)
I ran to my Walmart to get all my supplies.   Burlap, Elmer's Painter Paint Markers and a frame.
I'm making this sound so organized and quick, but believe me I hemmed and hawed over what project to do! (Note to self: STOP OBSESSING)   Ok, so here I am at Walmart and I have to be very "ninja like" because some employees in my store don't like it when I take pictures.

Look at all the different colors they have to choose from!  I really love that you can buy a single marker. At my store the singles are $1.97.  I knew I was only going to need the black for this project. It was nice not to have to spent $9.97 for a set of 5 mixed colors.  (even though I know I would probably use them in the future)

Whewww.. no one hounded me about my picture taking!  Now, it's home to get crafty!
First I decided to make a vase and since I just love to personalize things... yup you guessed it, I'm stenciling a "V" (for VanDeusen) on my burlap.  I used a glass pickle jar I washed out and saved.  It was so easy and quick.  Less mess then using a paint and brush to stencil! I did put a folded paper towel under the burlap so the paint wouldn't go through to my table.  

My next project was to make a framed HOME sign for a shelf unit in my living room.
First, I spray painted the frame black to match my other stuff.  Next, I took it all apart and covered the back part with the burlap. I stenciled "HOME" with my paint markers.  I drew the squiggle under HOME free-hand.  Then, I put the frame back together.   EASY PEASY!

ALL DONE! 

I really think Elmer's has some great products for all sorts of craft and home projects!   You should totally check them out on Facebook, Twitter and their site at Elmers.com 

Have you made any projects using burlap or the Painters Paint Markers?   I'd love to see them!! 

Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community.  This shop has been compensated as a social shopper inside study for Collective Bias.  #CBias #SocialFabric #ExpressYourself     

Price Chopper Pancakes -- Giveaway

..... The Winner is #3 Laura!  Congrats! Enjoy!

My friends at Price Chopper have given me the opportunity to giveaway some of their Central Market Classics brand products to my readers.
This month's products are perfect for a Mother's Day breakfast or brunch.

1. Central Market Classics Buttermilk Pancake/Waffle Mix
2. Price Chopper Pure Maple Syrup
3. Central Market Classics Cranberry Blood Orange Tea

I wanted to show you what I came up with for a cute breakfast or brunch idea.
I made little silver pancakes, cut up strawberries, stacked them like a sandwich with a dollop of cool whip and held it together with a toothpick.  These little yummy treats are perfect dipped in the Price Chopper maple syrup!  I also got a little creative (some might say "dorky") and used a cupcake decorating tube I had to write the letters MOM with the pancake batter.   I think it makes a special breakfast along with the yummy Central Market Classics tea!

To win your own set of the pancake mix, syrup & tea I'm asking that you
 1. Leave a comment telling me what your favorite breakfast/brunch food is - MANDATORY

 2. Follow my blog via email/feedburner - extra entry

 3. Like my Facebook page  here - extra entry 

 4. Follow me on Twitter @DecoratingDork  -extra entry 

 5. Follow @PriceChopper on Twitter - extra entry 

MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A COMMENT WITH EITHER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR YOUR TWITTER NAME SO I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!    ALSO, REMEMBER TO LEAVE A COMMENT FOR EACH OF YOUR ENTRIES!     THANKS AND GOOD LUCK!  

GIVEAWAY ENDS WEDNESDAY MAY 9th AT 11:59PM  

I'm Going To BlogHer '12

Believe it or not but I've been blogging on and off for just over 3 years now and I have NOT attended one blogging conference, not a one!    I'm thinking it might be just a bit nuts for my very first conference to be the biggest blogging conference in one of the biggest cities.  But you've gotta start somewhere at sometime, right?

Since I came up with the idea for The Decorating Dork, I really feel I've found my "niche."  No.. I would call it my passion. Listen, I don't claim to be an expert in the decorating, crafting or d.i.y-ing fields, I just LOVE it!

I figured this is actually the most enthusiastic I've been about blogging in a very long time, so why not just get over my fears and go for it.   What's the worst that could happen?  I could sit at a table by myself. I could eat and drink by myself.   I could feel all the other bloggers looking at me and think "who the hell is she and why is she here?"  But on the other hand, I COULD make some great friends, make some great connections and learn about how to make myself and blog the best it can be!  

I am excited, scared out of my wits, but EXCITED!   

Are you going to BlogHer?  If so I would love to check out your blog and meet you in August.  I would also love some advise from any blogging conference veterans.   

See ya there....   

Combining My Love of Burlap & Goodwill

If you are on Pinterest then you must also know that right now the "in" thing is  BURLAP!  I have happily jumped on the burlap bandwagon.   I LOVE it!  Some might actually say, obsessed.  I wouldn't go that far but I have yet to see a project made with some sort of burlap that I didn't like and want to recreate.  

This is something that I put together to hang above my bed.   I made the burlap wreath myself (I will post a tutorial in the future when I make one for my mom.) The "His" and "Hers" frames I bought at my local Goodwill for $4.00 each.   They still had the sticker on the back from Bed Bath & Beyond.   I just added the burlap bows.    

You'll have to forgive my photography skills.  I never take good pictures and I promise this looks better in person.   (I'm thinking this should be disclaimer on all my posts with photos I've taken myself.)  

Do you shop at Goodwill, Salvation Army or any Thrift store?  I do and I'm proud to admit it!

How Do You Like My New Look?

 
I wanted to give a BIG shout-out to Emily over at Blogaholic Designs for my new look.
I had been searching and searching for a design that was both my style and affordable.  I really didn't think that it would be so hard or take me so long.   I actually stumbled across Emily's site by accident.   I had been searching Google Images for  header designs that would give me inspiration.   Now, if you ask me what keywords I searched, I couldn't tell you.  I believe it was fate that I came across her site that night.    
In no time at all after I filled out the form to request a blog template/design (and some extras), Emily got to work and had it up the very next day!  I am one for instant gratification, so I was quite a happy camper! 
I hope you enjoy my blog design as much as I do.  If you are interested in great designs, great service at an even greater price you HAVE to go check out Emily over at BlogaholicDesigns.com .   I'm glad I did!