How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?

I was expecting some really fun company this past weekend, and he never came. My heart is {a little bit} broken.

Source

I was expecting my newest golden retriever foster dog and at just 8 weeks old, he already had me wearing my heart on my sleeve.

Source

But alas, it was not meant to be. I can't really go into too many details, although with rescue organizations, I am learning that nothing is certain until the dog arrives. Even then, there are always a ton of questions and many times, no answers. Hopefully the puppy will thrive in his home and all will be well.

Soooo.... what was a girl to do with a weekend planned to play with a puppy? I'll save that for my next post. For the post announcing news of his planned arrival, click here.

Vintage Valentine Decorations {Books of Love}

I had these pretties on hand, but you can find similar books at the thrift store, flea market, antique store or used book store at the library. They make a unique vintage style Valentine's Day decoration.

I don't worry about the titles. I bought these just because they were red. I love the ones with textured or cloth covers. I suppose if you could find some with romantic titles, that would be especially sweet.

Frayed, shabby edges and yellowed pages always catch my eye.



Add a yard of creamy white ribbon and wrap them up tightly with a bow.

They're pretty and subtle, and I had everything on hand. Even though the titles may not convey it, to me they are most definitely, books of  love--at least in for the month of February!

LINKING THIS POST UP TO FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE    & 

A Little {8 Weeks Old Little} Golden Love

I'm getting company. The four-legged variety. He just so happens to be eight weeks old. I'm a foster mom for a golden retriever rescue organization and he will be my newest charge.

Am I excited? Yes! I am smitten with any golden retriever, but a tiny puppy... well that's going to be heaven. I know, puppies are full of energy, into everything and aren't quite house trained.

But they are soft, sweet, and at eight-weeks of age, they also sleep alot {in your arms} and like to cuddle and play. So it will be fun, I'm sure. I'll keep you posted on this {golden love} story and of course I'll have pictures!

Update: My heart is broken... well, just a little bit. The puppy is not coming. Got a call this morning from the rescue group and the woman who was relinquishing him changed her mind and is giving him to her mother to care for. I understand, and as a pet owner, I know how hard it would be to give my Breeze up if I were ill. Hopefully all will go well and she will be reunited with him and his presence in her life will help her get well.

Check out this Amazing Vintage Valentine Image Collection

I've found the mother lode.... of vintage Valentine's that is. While browsing on Flickr I came across the photostream of James Kimberlin

I'm just posting three of the images, there are 58 in the collection . The images are great quality, high resolution, and some of the cheeriest Valentine's I have seen. You had to know this puppy one below would be my favorite.

For those of you who love to make paper crafts or other creations from vintage images, this is a great library of artwork. You can see all of them (and the usage rights) over on James' flickr page , (his profile name on Flickr is Valart2008) by clicking here.

 

Another Creative Version for My Free Calendar Craft!

The best part about adding freebie printables to my site has been seeing how they are used. Imagine my surprise when I received this picture via email!

I love seeing how everyone uses my free mini calendar printable a little differently. Instead of binding the calendar like a little notepad, Geraldine used eyelets.

If you'd like to see more versions of this cute calendar craft, click here and here. It's only January.... you have plenty of time to make this for yourself or a gift. And if you do, please send me a photo of your creation!

Thank you Geraldine!

Thrift Shop Finds {Score!}

Just a quick post to show you some of my fabulous finds during my last thrift shop trip.


I've always been drawn to images of Mary, and lately statues and vases. This is a Lefton vase with pretty gold trim. It's kind of shabby as there's some residue that's a bit yellow on it, but even if it doesn't clean up I think it's lovely.

This little vase I picked up and put back several times, and it finally landed back in my cart. It was only 64 cents and I think it will look lovely with some lily of the valley peeking out this spring.

I saw this vase last week and this time it was marked down. I'd like to find a hyacinth bulb to set abloom in it. It would even be pretty with q-tips or makeup brushes.

When I walk in to the thrift store, I never know what I'll come out with. This time I was definitely pleasantly surprised! What's your latest find?

Check out the link parties I'm joining on my sidebar & below!

Sweet Vintage Valentine Images {I "Wancha" for My Valentine!}

 I've got a few more of my Valentines ready for you. The cute puppy and little bluebird caught my eye on this one.

This one reminds me of a stubborn little girl.. my oldest daughter adopted this pose as early as preschool!

And one of the older Valentines I have is below. It's kind of spotty; I tried to clean it up a bit in Photoshop. I love their little outfits and their faces are so sweet. I think some of these images would work in crafts throughout the year if you cut them away from the heart (sounds brutal, I know)..

 I'll be adding this to my Vintage Valentine Linky party. If you have some images to share, please link up--see the party button on my sidebar or click the button below!

Linking this post up to parties on my side bar and...

My Color of the Year {Creamy White}

I've had the draft of this post on my computer for a while, so when I got am email from Ballard Designs with this photo, I knew it was time to hit the publish button. They have so many beautiful pieces of furniture and accessories in this catalog, I have many of the pages earmarked.
 


If you saw my post yesterday, you know a certain shade of pink is it for 2011 according to the color gurus at Pantone. But my color of the year is most definitely White...  and Creamy White.

Which is going to be interesting because I have a lot of wood in this house... dark wood.

I'm going to need many gallons of paint. I won't be changing the floors or trim, so it's up to my walls, furniture and accessories to help me make this white-out happen. Others have done it...

 

Source

Alison at Stuff and Nonsense had a white out weekend herself... she went to town on her furniture the night before company was coming with amazing results.

Apartment Therapy did an article on white-on-white rooms and has some nice images as well. Love this little kitchen.

This pretty white bedroom exemplifies serenity. No matter that there is a ton of stuff piled on those shelves. If all the stuff is white, it kind of disappears, like white camouflage.

Source

One of my favorite things about white is the way it stands back and lets the other colors take the stage.  The green stems of these white tulips pop off the page. Such a pretty accent. And that pink velvet chair from yesterday's post? That beauty would sing in a white room!

In my case, the color of the year is going to be Creamy White. I need a bit of warmth to my white, mainly because most of the furniture that I have painted is already creamy white it would be a heck of a lot easier to keep that theme going..

 

Source

The work week ends tomorrow and I'm hoping to get started. It's going to take some time, but I think it will be worth it!  In the meantime, a girl can dream {in white}, can't she? 

Color of the Year {Theirs} Will You Use It?

I know Pantone has made their selection for color of the year, and as a graphic designer, I respect their choice and I'm sure I'll be seeing it everywhere.

To break it down simply, it's pink.  And we know that's been a very popular color for the romantic style of decor--for many years, really.  Is it going in my house?  Probably only as an accent here and there.  Walls will not be painted Honeysuckle. If I was lucky enough to have my dream closet, something like this... well, I wouldn't think twice about Honeysuckle for the walls. So flattering to the skin tone!

Source

If my office was larger and it could accommodate a sofa, I might pick this one. It's got a vintage/modern vibe to it. Plus it's velvet. I've got a thing for velvet furniture lately.

Source

That sofa is kind of big though, and for a powerful color like this, I think something smaller might be in order.  Perhaps a chair.  I could  smuggle carry in the house myself.  And I love the tufting.

Source

Pantone has also given designers a palette of accent colors to go with it. I've made a little canvas of some of them below. I'll definitely be using these in my print and web projects. I especially love the bright yellow-green and charcoal with this color.

However, my choice for color of the year is completely different.  It might already be many of yours as well.  I think you'll love it.  Care to guess?

I am choosing....  {check back tomorrow for the reveal!}

A Touch of Vintage to My Valentine's Day Mantel

I see my fireplace mantel everyday, many times. It's actually a part of my kitchen and dining area and of course, I spend a lot of time there. When I took my Christmas decorations down, I knew a little something had to go up in it's place.

I left the chippy window up and added my new Valentine printable pennant banner.

I left the candlesticks and candles that were up at Christmas, but took the hurricanes off and filled them with glittered pinecones (it's still winter, after all).

Added a vintage Valentine candy box here and there...

Finished off with hearts...

and flowers. Perfect for Valentine's Day, don't you think?

Linking up to parties on my sidebar and...






"/>

Faith is... {a printable)

A printable 5x7 subway sign with this amazing quote.

CLICK HERE for a  high resolution image on my flickr page.

Really? Puppies Making Pancakes in a Pink Book {Children's Book Illustrations}

I always check out the old books when I'm antiquing or hitting the flea market. They take up less room than a shabby piece of furniture {my most favorite find}, and they are easy to store. But the main reason I pick them up is that I enjoy looking at the illustrations, especially in books for children. This book had me at "hello."

First of all, it's pink. Secondly, it's about puppies. Thirdly, these are some really interesting looking puppies.
I think you'll agree. The story is pretty cute, too.

This is probably my favorite picture.The sign on the left reads "more bones," and the sign on the right reads "more meat."  I didn't realize I didn't get the whole sign in the picture until I processed the photos. If I get a chance I'll fix this picture in the next week or so in case you would like to use these little guys in your craft projects. I know I would.

This one below would be cute for Valentine's Day, perhaps a little heart where that red stamp is?

These puppies not only help kitties reach mailboxes, they make pancakes and take baby kitties for walks in beautiful carriages..

Hope you found these illustrations as irresistible as I did! The books is a Rand McNally Elf Book called Four Little Puppies. My copy was published in 1957. The author is Ruth Dixon and the photographs {yes, it says photographs} are by Harry Whittier Frees. There's a notation on the inside cover that reads "These unusual photographs of real puppies were made possible only by patient, unfailing kindness on the part of the photographer at all times." Photographs.... really?

Once again, if you make a craft or card with these images and blog about it, I would love to see it! Please let me know so I can link up!

Linking this post to: