Pink Valentine Perfection

I’ve been lucky to have had the same true valentine for over 34 years. We first exchanged cards in Miss Dobson’s 3rd grade class.

In reality Valentine’s Day is a holiday for women. Just two days ago a Hallmark commercial came on tv and Mr. Décor said “When is Valentine’s Day?” I laughed out loud and then said “February 14th~ the date never changes”.  My one true love is very happy that I spend every second week of February with my childhood pal celebrating her birthday.

So to plan a day in which the details can truly be appreciated, I allow my mind to go all out.

My dear friend arrives via a pink blossom covered lane.

To a home covered in luscious pink climbing roses.

Inside dinner is waiting in a pink fairy wonderland.

Or perhaps a pink peony and seashell delight.

But this is a bit more her style. I could make the roses out of recycled paper bags.

Perhaps there might be a small gift waiting at each place setting.

I really like this ombre centerpiece. Hmmmm…..ideas are swirling.

On the menu? One of her favorites of course~ baked ziti.

Accompanied by a pink champagne punch. But glitter hearts instead of sequined stars.

Her cake would remind us of our childhood days when our favorite television star, Mork, wore rainbow suspenders and we will laugh until our sides hurt.

We’ll reminisce and chat some more while I am seated in this chair….

…and she’ll relax in this one:

Our designated driver will arrive to escort us around town.

The chauffer might wear shoes that look like this:

But it’s patent pink flats for me…

…and tennies for Tracy.

 

We’ll for sure be seeing this movie~ “The Vow”.

Another cinematic possibility is “Waiting For Forever”.

 

Completing the chick flick trifecta is “Perfect Sense”.

Then we’ll return home for a late night gab fest and feel like we’re 9 once again.

Who is your special valentine?

Laura

Romantic Antique Lace Napkin Rings

My name is Laura and I am an antique lace scrap hoarder. Some of my precious bits are so small I wondered what I would ever do with the pieces other than admire them. Inspiration struck when I began planning my Valentine tablescape. I wanted romance and lace and lots of it!

I began by tearing strips from an old cotton pillowcase and a well worn French linen tea towel. (Yes, it is ok to imagine yourself in Edwardian times doing something noble like rolling bandages. :)

I then spent a bit of happy time laying out different patterns with the lace.

Here’s a yummy close up.

After carefully stitching the lace pieces onto the cotton strips I then hand sewed a few seed pearls and iridescent beads in various areas for a bit of pretty sparkle.

The beading is a bit easier to see in this image and oh so lovely in person.

I raided my stash of mid size antique mother of pearl buttons and sewed them onto the napkin ring using linen twine that I purchased in France last spring. Cotton twine would also work.

Each of the 12 finished napkins rings are all similar, yet delightfully different.

I am so excited for you to see the pink and white lace Valentine tablescape next week.

Do you have a romantic dinner planned?

Laura

UPDATE: Dear lovely readers: Yes, by all means these could indeed be worn as a cuff. I am currently working on a prettier design intended as a cuff which will be featured in my Etsy shop very soon.

Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Jen at Tatertots and Jello for the Weekend Wrap-up Party

A Return To Romance Necklace Tutorial

Over the weekend I  created not one, but two necklaces that made me really, really happy. I thought this tutorial would be the perfect way to kick off the annual DTA Valentine extravaganza.

First, I have to tell you a story. See the well groomed people in the photo below? My Aunt Jan is on the upper left, my mom is on the right, followed by Papa Jack and Grandma Mary. Now my Grandma had beautiful taste. She was ALWAYS put together perfectly even when she was just going to the grocery store. She loved to have matching shoes, purses, and jewelry. Oh the jewelry.

When my grandmother passed away I was the only one with any interest in her costume jewelry. Her jewelry box was like the faux spectacular version of Ali Baba’s cave.

Rhinestones and pearls galore! In every color and length imaginable.

Sadly they have since sat in my jewelry box for the past 13 years barely worn. I have been making the family do a drastic purge of everything they don’t use. It seemed only fitting that I apply the same rules to myself. But I COULD NOT bring myself to part with the gems so I decided to give them a makeover so that I would actually wear them.

I took stock of all the bits of leftover chain I had from previous projects like the recent medicine cabinet makeover.

To get the length I needed I had to combine a few chains together with “O” rings.

Then I went to Joann’s to fill in a few gaps and found that their jewelry making supplies were 40% off. Oh Happy Day!

I laid out several different patterns until I found a layout I liked.

The same scenario occurred with the pink.

I attached the strands via another “O” ring to the bar set closure.

Here is the finished look of the other bar set with lobster clasp.

It looked good sitting in a dish.

It looked good with jeans and a T shirt…

…as well as a fancy lace top.

But the best part is that Grandma Mary’s gems are back in action.

Have you updated a family heirloom?

Laura