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.

Silver Sunday Thrifty Finds

A recent out of town trip with my sister yielded a few thrifty finds. The little trio of silver items were each in an antique shop, all tarnished with age, and each only a few dollars. I debated with myself as to if I should polish these gems. No doubt all you shabby chic girls would have voted against removing the fine patina of age. Honestly the two candy dishes were darker than the candlestick. I wish I had thought to take some before photos. The patina was truly beautiful, and I could have loved them as they were. In the end though, I decided to let the glow of sliver shine through for Valentine's Day.

Still waiting on this one. Not certain if it will even polish or if this is simply now the color of the metal. I rather like it as is. What do you think?

The base on this sweet candy dish was literally black. It is marked sterling, so I was confident this piece would polish out beautifully. And it did!

The base is simple with just a rim of detail.

The crystal dish has a fluted rim and is cut with nice detail. It is going to be perfect for candy or jams.

This beautiful dish was the prize. It too was completely black with age, and I was worried it might not polish up.

The central detail in the base of this dish features a mass of delicate little flower blooms. I wanted it to shine to highlight the amount of relief work in the design.

With the beautiful flower design, the sculpted edges, and the interesting shape . . . well, I think this piece is just full of charm.

It's perfect for a few Valentine chocolates. Help yourself!

This is the last day of Beth's Silver Sunday Season One. I'm a bit late joining in this week, but didn't want to miss the final day. If you want to see more Silver on this Sunday afternoon just pop on over to see Beth @ The Gypsy Fish Journal. Then look for Season Two to begin next week. Beth is now going to host Silver Sunday on the second Sunday of each month. See you then!

Sailors' Delight

Evening Sky at Sunset

Pink sky at morning,

Sailors take warning.

Pink sky at night,

Sailors' delight!

Wishing each of you pink skies tonight.

Thanks for joining me for Pink Saturday. Last week Teresa of Gardening with Soule was a new participant. Click here to check out her blog. She shares amazing photos. Then click here for more pinkness @ Beverly's How Sweet the Sound.

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.