NewlyWoodwards' Third Annual Dare to DIY Party

This past year thanks to a few of the blogs I've been a long-time reader of, and new groups like Blue Door Blogs, I've come across several new and inspiring bloggers that I have faithfully added to my (not so improved) Google Reader. While I don't always participate in link parties or respond to every post out there, the Dare to DIY party from the NewlyWoodwards looks like fun and something that I would generally be doing on my own anyway so I thought I'd take this time to sign up and pass along the information for any of you that are interested.

What's a Dare to DIY Party, you ask?

The point of the ongoing parties is to motivate us to DIY from through Thanksgiving and Christmas – and to do it together. For six weeks bloggers from all over North America (and maybe even elsewhere?) will be posting their DIY holiday themed crafts, starting with a Thanksgiving project and ending with a post on your holiday traditions. I'm especially looking forward to the post on cookie making because we know what we're doing here at casacaudill when it comes to throwing down cookie style.


The schedule for the holiday link parties is as follows:

Date: Monday, Nov. 14

Theme: Dare to be thankful!

Take some time making your own DIY Thanksgiving project. It could be a fun Thanksgiving advent calendar, a banner or something completely unique. Post about what you made, how you made it and photos in its new home.

Date: Monday, Nov. 21
Theme: Dare to entertain!

Show us your table! If you are not hosting Thanksgiving, take this opportunity to make your table look great. Bring out your dishes and napkins and set your table. I promise you that it will make you smile every time you walk by. Get creative and use new things. Or go true DIY and make something totally new.

Date: Monday, Nov. 28

Theme: Dare to eat cookies!

As we begin to attend holiday parties, share your favorite cookie recipe for all to enjoy. It’s like a digital cookie swap. Share the recipe and a review of the cookie. If you can, add a picture. And don't worry about the extra calories. At Christmas, cookies are calorie-free.

Date: Monday, Dec. 5
Theme: Dare to give homemade gifts!

Nothing is more special than a gift made by you. Try out something new to give this year - ideas include bath and body items, kitchen gifts, hand-sewn clothing or home decor. 

Date: Monday, Dec. 12
Theme: Dare to deck the halls!

Make something new to deck your halls. Did you find something in a catalog that you wish you had? Wreaths, stockings, pillows or advent calendars? Make it! Inspire us all to do the same.

Date: Monday, Dec. 19
Theme: Dare to have traditions!

Everyone has traditions for the Holidays. Tell us all about your favorites or start a new tradition to share.

So how does this thing work, you ask?

Each Sunday evening a link will appear on NewlyWoodwards. From there participants will post their take on the challenge in the link party, pointing readers back to their blog. To help encourage a more social atmosphere, readers and posters should then visit at least one other blog - and here's the big one - COMMENT. As the original post so aptly puts it, this is important because we want to meet new blogger friends and get inspired. This is a PARTY. Talk about your projects, but make sure you're looking at what others are doing as well. No one wants to be the loud, know-it-all standing in the room saying, "me, me, me." I'm sure we all know that person and abhor her (or him). 

With that, happy planning.