D is for Doilies & . . .

D is for Doilies . . .

Do doilies make you think of Valentine's Day?

Paper doilies have been around for decades 

and are styled after the crocheted or lace doilies of 

Victorian and Edwardian times.

These delicate lacy papers come in many

sizes, shapes, and colors. 

 The designs resemble fine lace.

Doilies are often sold in packages 

of 20-40 and usually cost only a few dollars. 

 I like to pick them up when I see them. 

 They are useful to have on hand to line a silver serving tray 

or bowl or just the thing to make some handmade valentines.

You can find lots of doilies during the month of February 

because they are perfect for Valentine's Day.

I fondly remember using doilies as a child to decorate my yearly Valentine's box for school. As an elementary teacher I'm sure I've purchased dozens of packages of doilies through the years to have on hand in my classroom each February for Valentine Day projects. Boxes were decorated with these lacy delights, and special valentines were made with love for moms and dads and grandparents.

With this in mind I decided to make a few doily inspired valentines this year when a friend suggested that a group of us exchange handmade valentines. All that is needed is a pair of sharp pointed scissors to easily cut out the various flowers or hearts or other design motifs within a doily. So I reached into my stash of doilies and began cutting. I purchased a pack of precut cards with a rickrack edge at Michael's to use as a card base.

Then I took the various doily pieces 

and let my imagination take it from there.

I added stickers of friendship quotes among 

the doily designs on the front and a single quote 

on the back of each card along with a personal note.

Each one was unique with its own design and message. It's not too late to make some of these cards for those sweethearts on your valentine list. This is a quick and easy idea for a handmade card.

But that's not all!

D is also for . . .

Laurie @ Bargain Shopping and Chatting with Laurie is hosting a Valentine Party this week where everyone shares their valentine decorations. As you might guess, as a retired elementary teacher I just happen to love Valentine Decorations. So scroll on down if you are interested.

One of my favorite activities is to needlepoint or cross-stitch. I've an assortment of pillows that I've done with a nod to St. Valentine. The pair of cross-stitch pillows with the little boy and girl, as well as the red sampler, are all French designs.

Valentine figures and one time candy boxes 

sit around in various places.

Heart shaped topiaries of ivy fill 

containers both large and . . .

small.

Mary Engelbreit tins are scattered 

among the French faience in a pine cupboard.

Round Top Collection 

jars are filled with Valentine treats.

A purple rooster sits among 

glass hearts on a pewter tray.

Silver with sweetheart roses and sentimental 

heart shaped boxes definitely says "romance".

Collections of Mary Engelbreit boxes along

with other heart shaped boxes fill silver baskets, 

and a collection of various petite heart shaped 

boxes gather on a silver tray.

Valentine's Day wouldn't be complete 

without red hot hearts. 

 So help yourself!

Thanks for joining me today. Click here to join Mrs. Matlock's class on the Letter D. Don't forget to join Laurie @ Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for her Valentine Party.

C is for Checked

C is for . . .

Checked dishes to set the stage for Valentines.

Courtly Check hearts hang from the brass chandelier,

Courtly Check balls fill a silver bowl,

and Courtly Check bows are abundant.

C is also for Change . . . just for fun each place setting is different.

A black woven mat below a pewter charger anchors this setting.

Layers of red mix between the black and white checked pieces,

and are topped with a sponge ware heart shaped bowl and a crown themed cloth held by a checked ring by Round Top Collection. Flatware is antique bone and silver.

The color block mat holds a 
Courtly Check charger by MacKenzie-Childs

and is topped with layers of red mixed 
with black and white checks.

Red and white flatware is from Pottery Barn.

A small square decoupage plate holds 

a Round Top Collection jar of red hot hearts.

This perky little Courtly Check rooster is the work of talented blogger Linda @ My Shabby Rose Cottage.

More of the crown themed textiles anchor this setting. A white charger in Vintage Garden from Ambiance Collection holds the stack of red pottery mixed with the checked pieces. Sterling is Sir Christopher by Wallace.

Layers of red and white with a touch of the black and white check.

The footed bowl is from Crate and Barrel.

A square woven mat, a gold charger from Home Essentials & Beyond, and a red square Waechtersbach plate from Germany contrast with the round checkered pieces.

The squares are topped with layers of plates in the 

Queen's Rooster from Neiman Marcus and 

Royal Stafford's black and white checked. 

Christophe silver is in the Talisman pattern.

A small checked heart from 
Round Top Collection holds a cloth napkin.

Sweetheart topiary ivy take center stage . . .

along with this key to my heart,

this spiffy red shoe . . .

and a little mercury glass.

The charming Courtly Check hearts are the creative efforts of Linda @ My Shabby Rose Cottage.

This week I'm linking my Thursday post to two fun weekly memes. Stop by Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday for more Letter C Lessons, and don't forget to head over to Susan's to see her beautiful valentine table set for Tablescape Thursday.

Birds of a Feather

Metal Flowers and Birds, Round Top Collection

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch. The birds are gathering here at Hyacinths for the Soul for lunch. Glad you could join in the fun!

Bécassine Figural from HB Quimper Tabac Series

Bécassine is here to greet our guests with bouquets of

fresh flowers and seed for our feathered friends.

Unmarked Desvres Figural Salt

As are our sweet young French friends, 

Monsieur Jean Marc and Mademoiselle Sophie.

Jean Marc loves to talk to Sophie's sweet little yellow finch, but young Sophie worries that her little birdie may take flight and not return to it's own special birdcage where he lives in Sophie's home.

Unmarked Desvres Figural Salt

So here she is patient and at the ready 
should the little finch take flight.

And yes, here comes more feathered friends to join the feast.

Detail on Brass Serving Tray

The sweet natured cockatoo 
with his fluffy head feathers is here.

Detail on Brass Serving Tray

And listen, did you hear the flutter of wings 

as this little parakeet flew in to the perch?

Detail on Brass Serving Tray

Could this be a large African grey parrot? 

 No doubt he got word of the party and 

definitely didn't want to be left out.

"Un Verre D' Amitié" Glasses, Simon Pearce Water Pitcher, HB Quimper Porringer, Brass Tray w/ Birds

So take a glass of blackberry sage ice tea 
and join in a toast to friendship.

"Un Verre D' Amitié" - A Glass of Friendship

Here's to friendship and our fine feathered friends!

I see the little chickadees are gathering on the table. 

 Let's see what the chef has planned.

Porte-Carte, Formaintraux Coquin

A nice light lunch for each of you with double
chocolate brownies for dessert!

Hand Crafted Victorian Gardener's Cottage 
for Wren or Purple Finch

Looks like a few of our friends live right here on the table.

Cast Iron Bird Feeder w/ Birds

Yes, I see they have begun on a lunch of their own.

Arthur Porquier Double Sided Porte-Carte

HenRiot Quimper Plate, 9.5"

The morning dove, no doubt a cautious mother, 

has brought along her little family to keep a watchful eye.

HenRiot Quimper Plate, 9.5"

Mr. Peacock is here to strut his feathers in 

celebration of joining all his feathered friends.

HenRiot Quimper Plate, 9.5"

And the crane, carefully and delicately approaches the group.

HenRiot Quimper Plate, 9.5"

Oh just listen to this sweet song bird 
as he flutters in from the garden.

HR Quimper Fan Shaped Porte-Carte

Little feet are scampering everywhere!

Unmarked Quimper Sugar Bowl with 
Bouquet of Zinnias and Fresh Basil

Does he think he is in the garden?

Unmarked Quimper Covered Casserole w/ Handles

Don't let them jump into our 
basket of fresh pain de campagne.

Chicken Salad Served in Avocado Boat in Blue Glass Bowl, Christophe Silver, Placemats by Lenox

Would you like your chicken salad with avocado?

Chicken Salad Served w/ Vine Ripe Tomato in Blue Glass Bowl

Or perhaps you prefer yours within a vine ripened tomato.

Birds Eye View of "Birds of a Feather" Luncheon

I think the birds are up on the chandelier eyeing our table. 
 Bon Appétit!

Buffet: Metal Cake Stand w/ Birds, 
Desvres Yellow Dessert Set w/ Blue Bird, Quimper Lady,

Desvres Figural Salts, Copper Planter w/ Peace Lily and Round Top Collection Accents, Brass Tray w/ Glassware

Don't forget to have a brownie before 
you flay away to visit more tablescapes.

Cosi Tabellini Italian Pewter Charger, French Appliqué Napkin

Hope you enjoyed our little birdie celebration. Click here to fly over to the QCI blog where I'm spotlighting another little party with just a few photos. Then don't miss the other beautiful tables that are listed here @ Between Naps on the Porch.