Valentine's Day En Francais

Hello blogging friends,

I have a Valentine's Day card to share with you today.  Do you remember as a kid making homemade Valentine's Day cards to pass out at school and the nostalgic feeling you had?  This is exactly how I felt creating this one.

When it comes to Valentine's Day I always think of something vintage, old, pink and nostalgic.  

I started with a Natural White Linen card base with a layer of Primrose Petals.  The floral paper is by K & Company.  The pocket heart design I saw on SCS and added the pretty gold metal flourish to the bottom of it.  Before folding the paper, I stamped the script background in Versamark and embossed it with gold embossing powder.  Sponging was then done in Distress Antique Linen & Soft Suede.  The inner heart was cut from a Spellbinders Classic Heart #5 die and embossed using a Craft Concepts Budding Vine embossing folder.

A piece of vintage seam binding with a heart brad finish it off!

The inside sentiment was also stamped in VersaMark and embossed with gold embossing powder.  Distress Walnut Stain was used to stamp the key.

Sending you sweet wishes ...

Stamps:  SU En Francais, Key to My Heart, PSX Valentine's Day
Paper:  Natural White Linen, Primrose Petals, K & Company Ancestry.com Designer Paper, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla
Ink:  VersaMark with Gold EP; Sponging - Distress Antique Linen & Soft Suede, Distress Walnut Stain    
Accessories:  Cream Seam Binding, Making Memories Je t'Adore Heart Brad, Gold Metal Flourish (from my stash), Spellbinders Classic Heart #5 Die, SCS Heart Template, Craft Concepts Budding Vine Embossing Folder, Bow-Easy
Technique:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

River Garden Studio

Happy Saturday!

During the cold, gloomy winter months I find myself craving greenery.  Perhaps that is a sign of a true gardener.

So today we headed to the River Garden Studio.  This is a quaint nature inspired shop located in the shopping district.  Would you like to come along for a tour?

As soon as I walked in my mood completely changed.  The aroma of evergreens and fresh cut pines just brought me back to the holiday season.

Pretty tropical plants and palms were everywhere.

Look at this gorgeous Silver Queen plant!  It doesn't even look real.

They had a beautiful display of air plants in hanging glass terrariums.

I love these tree trunk containers - perfect for that farmhouse look.

Barr-Co soaps in different scents.  The Fir & Grapefruit has a citrus smell so fresh and crisp.

I literally wanted one of everything and didn't want to leave.  I'm even more anxious now for spring to arrive.

Have a fabulous weekend my friends!

Antique Candle Works

Hi friends,

Look what arrived today!  I can't tell you how excited I am to try these soy candles by Antique Candle Works.  I made a conscious decision in December to switch from paraffin candles to soy.  I was fortunate enough to pick these up on sale.

They came beautifully packaged and with a cute muslin bag hand stamped with the Antique Candle Works logo.

White pine makes you feel like you are in the middle of a forest - so fresh and clean.  My home is going to smell heavenly!

The peppermint candle is amazing!  It has a refreshing and soothing aroma - sweet and minty.

"Look at how a single candle can both defy
and define the darkness."

~ Anne Frank ~

I can think of so many ideas for the adorable little bag and how to incorporate it into gift giving.  I plan to share with you in the near future more about my decision to switch to soy candles and why I chose Antique Candle Works.

Stay warm & cozy!