Good Morning!

Country Home - It's Not a Dream

Look what's back!

Isn't it exciting? I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it on a news stand.

It's back in it's full beautiful glory! Just look for yourself. . . .

It's only a special issue, but who cares? Something is better than nothing, right?

Creative Connection & Swap Reveal : Part Three

I am thrilled to be a guest blogger on The Creative Connection Blog today. Such a wonderful place to go for inspiration and to meet other creative bloggers. You can read my "In Your Own Words" post by clicking here. Take a peek and leave a comment on that post and tell me what you think.

Next up, I want to share with you the final installment of my Paris Edition Inspiration Box swap. The lovely box shown above is from sweet Becca. The entire box is covered with glitter, which really gives the box some sparkle and great texture. Take note of how she positioned the paper just right so that Ooh la la shows on the side of the box.

I just love the sweet little bird and pearls on top of the box.

As you can see Becca filled the box up completely to it's brim!

And look at how much was inside! With the exception of the roll of vintage sheet music, most everything else was inside the box.

Crepe paper, ball fringe, pink birdie, crepe paper, handmade stick pin, beads, creamy bouillon fringe. . . the list goes on and on!

Thank you SO much Becca - it was fun being your partner in Heather's swap

Cute Little Jars

This cute little jar was made by Elyse Major. I saw some of them in one of photos in this post and asked about how she covered the lids. She told me and then she said, "I'll send you one" and she did! Isn't she sweet?

And look at all the fun stuff that was inside the jar!

Thanks Elyse!!!

Post July 4th Ramblings

I hope all my U.S. friends had a wonderful holiday weekend. The weather cooperated in our neck of the woods (many times it doesn't) and lots of fun was had by all. My SIL was in town for the week so we had a nice visit with her. My DH got a new BBQ grill for father's day, but somehow I end up doing all the grilling. (That's okay though - he has a good excuse.) My next grilling attempt is to make individual veggie pizzas on the grill.

A co-worker sent us the most wonderful box of chocolate covered strawberries from Shari's Berries. This photo doesn't do them justice though. The strawberries were HUGE and completely covered in the most divine chocolate. Yum!

Crochet Tea Cup available in my Etsy shop here.

We've had it hot here lately and not very much rain, so I've been keeping busy running around the house everyday watering our flower pots and planters and beds.

These pale lavender petunias seemed to weather the heat the best.

Have a wonderful day!

Happy Fourth of July!

This is one of my favorite holidays because it oozes with summertime fun and patriotism. This vintage image reminds me of my grandfather who came to America from Denmark in the early 1900's. He was so proud when he and my grandmother took the oath to become citizens of the United States. Every year my grandparents would take my mother and her two older sisters to watch the neighborhood 4th of July parade. He made sure that each of them was carrying a small America flag to wave. He loved the flag because it reminded him of how fortunate they were to be a part of this great country! Let's all take a moment sometime today to remind ourselves just how lucky we are too!

Swap Reveal : Part 2

Welcome to Part Two of my Petite Inspiration Box - French Edition Swap reveal. This box was sent to me by the lovely and talented Elyse who put together quite a beautiful ensemble.

This is what I found when I first opened the box and unwrapped the tissue paper.

Elyse designed a box with a "petite box" stacked on top of it. It opens like a drawer just like it's big sister box below it.

Lots of fun things were tucked inside both boxes - big and small!

Elyse and I did an additional private swap on the side. I'll reveal that next time!

A Call For Celebration!

We're doing a "happy dance" at our house. Well, actually I am the one who is dancing. DH is still a little sleepy, but I'm sure he is dancing in his dreams!

Swap Reveal : Part 1

My swap partners have all received their Paris Edition Petite Inspiration Boxes so now it's time to reveal the goodies to the rest of the world. Are you ready? Today I will show you what I sent to Elyse and Becca. Then in the next two posts I will show you what I received in return from them!

I covered the outside of my boxes with French paper and then tied it with tulle, a delicate pink paper rose, some vintage millinery lily of the valley and a glittered tag featuring a vintage lady.

I covered the inside of the box with pages from a French book and packed the box as full as I could with all sorts of lovely pretties.

And Voila! Here's what's inside!

French postcards, vintage wallpaper, book pages from a French novel, French language flashcards, a fleur de lis rubber stamp, the palest of pink Mother of Pearl buttons, vintage lace, paper rose and velvet ribbon rose handmade by moi, brass charms in French motifs, and a few other fun items. Hope the girls enjoy their little treasure boxes!

Saturday Accomplishment

I mailed a couple of these out today. . .

. . . for this fun swap.

I can't wait to see what I get back in return!!!

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.

Gardening Indoors

I have a collection of glass cloches and sometimes I use them to create a pretty vignette like in my previous post or like Martha does here. But sometimes I use them for what they were actually intended for - to protect plants. I decided to start a little table top herb garden using some starter kits I picked up at Target's Dollar Spot. Instead of using the tacky plastic "greenhouse" that came with the kit, I decided to put the little pots on a pretty plate and cover them with one of my garden cloches. I just planted them over the weekend and look at how much they've grown already! The parsley (top right) isn't doing so well with only one sprout, but the basil, chives and oregano are doing great!

White Wednesday

Decided to join in on Faded Charm's White Wednesday fun today. You can see all the other White Wednesday participants by clicking here.

Today on Crescendoh.com, Becky Shander has her sweet Art Saves story up and she featured my Paper Roses Tutorial from Joli Paquet. Thanks Becky!!!

Featured!

My friend Linda has a new website featuring darling accessories for your dog, called Mandy's Mudroom, named after her very own adorable pooch! Linda asked me to design a few items to sell on her website and when I opened my new issue of Romantic Homes Magazine today, I discovered this page. . . .

. . . with an ad for Mandy's Mudroom which features my Glitter and Glam Monogram Tag front and center!

In addition to the monogram tag, I designed a cupcake tag and set of birthday party invitations for you doggy. They all can be found right here! And be sure to check out Linda's line of sweet party "Poof-Poofs" for your dog's next party.