Romance is in the Air...and so is a Sweet Discount!

Happy Valentine's Day!  Since this is a day of love, I thought I'd share one of my little romantic collections with you.  Back in the day, a lady had a collection of handkerchiefs and once they were all ironed and ready to go, she wouldn't want them to get rumpled.  She no doubt had on hand a handkerchief keep that she could keep in the drawer to store her pretty hankies in.  As was the case, then and now, we ladies liked to make our functional items pretty, so you will find all manner of hanky keepers or holders if you keep your peepers open.  Many (most that I've seen) are constructed of silk in and out and fold over like a piece of paper with some type of either button closure or ribbon tie.  I have a few of these being the collector that I am, so I thought I'd share a few of my favorites with you.

This romantic little couple is basically a transfer on silk.  I know how we do this nowadays, but I am not sure of the process they used back then to put the image on the silk.

This gorgeous one is embroidered with silk thread.  LOVE the basket of flowers, don't you?

This one is a combination of the transfer for the face and hand painting all around, including the beautiful pink flowers.

This fabulous pansy design is hand painted.  Pansies were a favorite of the Victorian era I believe since you see them pop up on all sorts of decorative items from china to silk to canvasas.

I hope you enjoyed seeing a few of my favorite things and I hope you all have a wonderful day with those you love, especially if there is a special someone in your life.  As a thank you to my blog readers and my great Etsy customers, I am offering a very SWEET discount of 30% off ANY ITEM in my Etsy shop, Elegant Farmhouse.  Now is the time to buy yourself a treat or a gift for someone else...just enter the discount code IHEARTYOU at checkout.  This deal is sweet, but just like that Valentine's candy, it will be gone fast as it expires in 24 hours.  Jump on it before noon Pacific time tomorrow , February 15th.  I will be sharing this post for White Wednesday; join me, won't you?

Until next time,

Spreading A Little Valentine's Day Love

Happy Valentine's Day weekend!  I thought I would, predictably, share a little Valentine's Day love from my home to yours.  The first photo is my dining room centerpiece.  It is normally under a cloche, but I still haven't learned how to adequately take a photo of a cloche without glare and everything.  I am open to suggestion so all of you top notch photographers out there (and there are MANY of you), feel free to give me some hints.  But I digress.  Anyway, that piece that is normally under the cloche but for today is not under the cloche is a Goldbug Studios piece (Ashley Carter-awesome artist).  I normally can't afford her stuff, but last year, Earth Angels Toys had a significant sale on several things, this sweet Valentine's piece being one of them.  I scooped it up faster than you can say "CHARGE IT!".  I leave it out all year round although not usually in such a prominent place as plopped in the middle of my dining room table. 

Sort of sappy sweet, but I do love my little faux cookies.  I bought them several years ago from a gal on eBay.  I think her name was Rhonda, but I can't recall her seller name.  They are, in my humble opinion, some of the prettiest ones I've seen.  I chose to display them in my very old bride's basket.  You can't see them, but under the cookies are cherubs engraved on the basket part.  Somehow, just knowing they are there makes me feel a little more "Valentiney".  I know, I'm a goof.

I love vintage Valentine's Day cards.  I use them a lot in my decorating.  I don't do too much over the top decorating for Valentine's Day, but I do try to put at least some of my little cards out here and there.  Here are a few that begged me to be featured in today's post.

I hope you enjoyed the little peek into my world.  It's getting pretty late, but I'm going to head over to Beverly's place at How Sweet the Sound and link up to Pink Saturday. I'll bet there's loads of pretty pink Valentine's over there.  Why don't you join me?


Until next time,







UPDATE: Faux sweets are by Rhonda at http://rhondasrosecottagedesigns.com or eBay rhondasrosecottagedesigns

Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours...

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Pink Saturday!  As we prepare to share a day of love with our spouses, boyfriends, and significant others, I thought I would share a little of my home decor with you.  The sweet little bisque doll above has her quiver at the ready just for our special romantic day.

 

I just purchased this incredible hand painted Limoges trinket box from the amazingly talented china painter, Sara Miesner of Our Cottage Garden.  Although this beauty resides with me, you can find similar items here.

Colorado Springs artist Stan Awbry painted this most delicious cherub and roses painting.  It resides in my pretty parlor.  He really has the spirit of the Victorian rose painters down-and he's a guy!  Go figure...

These little sweeties grace a bookshelf that, until last week, held primitive salt glazed crocks.  I think this better reflects who I am right now.  I smile everytime I look at these little darlings...

 

Lastly, I have made up this pink wooden heart that is covered with a mosaic of vintage china and one of my original collages under glass.  It brings a smile to me every time I look at it and, if it makes you smile too, it can be purchased here.

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your special someone.  Before you do though, be sure to pop by Bev's place at How Sweet the Sound and check out the other Pink Saturday participants.  It should be an awesome week to make the rounds!

Until next time,