Spring cleaning giveaway....

At the pink front gate

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picture from http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

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Time to recycle some items that I am not in need of anymore. As I do my spring cleaning I will be offering items as spring cleaning giveaways…

first giveaway: Foof-a-Life Idea Book (Autumn Leaves)

If you would like a chance to win this recycled item just leave a comment on this post, I will pick a name on March 1.….

YOU need to have a blog or leave your email address with your comment so that I can get a hold of you if you win...

Good luck!

THE COLOR AQUA

I realized when I opened this pretty 1940's ring box that I won on ebay that I truly love the color aqua. I have been slowly collecting small items this color, vintage ribbon, buttons ,pottery without realizing my attraction to the color. I am now searching for the perfect aqua paint color to paint an old dresser that I plan on using in my office and work space. At first I was thinking black and then French blue but now think that aqua would be different and fun. While searching flickr for some inspiration I came to some conclusion about the color aqua...

1. Jenny from Everyday is a Holiday is the queen of aqua, I found more aqua collage mosaics done by her than anyone else, she also has a lot of pictures tagged aqua.

2. Aqua is a retro color.

3. Aqua has a range of shades from aqua blue to aqua green,

I like the green hues 4. A lot of Aqua's I would call turquoise.

5. I like the word aqua....

click on picture to make bigger 1. DSC02986, 2. Aqua Filigree Earrings, 3. Wolf Mannequin, 4. Dreamy Dresser, 5. Chippy Blue Candlesticks, 6. DSC_0448-aqua, 7. Silk Ribbons & Bits, 8. Aqua door, 9. aqua house, 10. DSC02988, 11. Little aqua door, 12. Gate, 13. Classic 214

Here is the mosaic I made while looking for aqua inspiration, as you can see I wasn't thinking retro but "shabby aqua with a French twist". And about the aqua car, I just put it on my wish list, well a girl can dream can't she.

the one about love

“If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever”

Winnie the pooh

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In our house this day has always been a day of

NO expectation, it’s an open day to celebrate the ones we love and care about…Some years it has been filled with big gifts, like the time I bought a Toyota truck for my husband, to celebrating the day with out spending a penny.

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I find of all holidays it is Valentine's day that stands out for me, yes Christmas is wonderful, although it has been tweaked over the years it still somewhat remains the same, gifts, tree, decorations, dinner. Whereas February 14th can be anything from grand to minute. We have had Valentine days that were celebrated with fast food after our son's basketball game and others with romantic dinners. One that I remember so well was spent at our favorite restaurant, followed by the movie MOONSTUCK. Now is that romantic or what?
And another spent with paper heart decorations made by my daughter and a family dinner of stew and pink frosted cupcakes.

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It really doesn't matter how we spend this day as long as we are together and if one of our
family members is not here in body, their know they are here in our heart..
..Happy Valentine's Day..

Valentine's day Cuteness .. plus

Ellery a Helen Kish doll...hat and dress from ebay.

It's snowing here again, so I got a cup of coffee

and went visiting on the web....

First stop,

The Queens Cobbler has opened her shop:
Fete et Fleur Designs

I love blog giveaways and if you do too don't miss

this, you still have a day to play, over 300 of them at:

ONE World-ONE Heart

Some needed knowledge:

It wasn't until 1537 that St. Valentine's Day was declared an official holiday. England's King Henry VIII declared February 14th a holiday.

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

In Victorian times it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine's Day card.

Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.

Count down to Valentine’s Day & romantic movies

"An Evening Dance"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninabradica/1492130534/"

This year for Valentine's day my husband and I will be staying at home
and watching one of my favorite romantic movies "Somewhere In Time."
I love the theme, I love the place, I love the clothes.

What are some of your favorite romantic movie ?

I would love to hear.

Some of my other favorites are “Summer of 42”
and “The Way we Were”

POLAR FESTIVAL

The Ice Church
The Ice Princess


Nothing is more romantic than a wedding.

My brother won a trip from his company to
the ICEHOTEL - The original hotel built of ice and snow at the Artic Circle.
Here are a few of his pictures that he took during his stay.
There are about 150 weddings a year here, I think it would be beautiful but I am

not sure about the cold...

You can visit more ice and snow at the Polar Festival

Be... Dream... Play...

#1..Count down to Valentine’s Day…

Looks so good... Food - Banana-caramel Milkshake - CottageLiving.com

Click above to get the recipe.