*The Brambleberry Cottage*: Blog Parties

Showing posts with label Blog Parties. Show all posts

Monday, February 8, 2010

AND THE WINNER IS...

What tremendous fun we had with the first week of the Fourteen Days of Love Valentine's party!

Be sure to take a look at all the wonderful posts linked to those first seven days. Great job everyone!

Here is the wonderful assortment of treasure this week's grand prize winner receives:

Day 1 – How do I love thee? Bag of Chocolate Mint Bliss Ghirardelli Chocolates

Day 2 – On Angels' Wings Sweet Vintage Cherub Dish

Day 3 – Pretty in Pink Bejeweled Gift Box of Note Cards

Day 4 – Straight to the Heart Lovely Decorative Heart Plate

Day 5 – Seeing Red Sweet Nesting Bowl Pair

Day 6 – Oh…You're so Crafty Assortment of Vintage Fabric, Trims, & Buttons

Day 7 – Kid Central – Crafts, Projects, and Games Young Crafter's Starter Kit

And now...drum roll please!!!

The winner of the first seven days' bounty of gifts for the

is...

Jenn Raley

Peacorn, Popnuts, Soda Gum & Chewing Water

CONGRATULATIONS, JENN!!!

Now, is everyone geared up for the next seven days of fun and creativity?

OK...here comes week two of the Fourteen Days of Love.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Fourteen Days of Love - Day 5 - Seeing Red

Even more so than pink, the color red rules the month of February. Do you see that blazing beauty around your nest every day, or is it merely an occasional visitor for special events like Feb. 14th?

I tend to feather my nest with subdued, earthy colors. That just happens to be the common ground on which the Yankee and I stand unified.

I'm sure by now you must think I live a

very deprived, monochromatic life! Well, we'll just have to discuss that on another day.

Because...today is all about red!

You've already seen my wonderful, vintage red goblets in the tablescape here.

And I do have a gorgeous down-filled parka that the Yankee bought for me years ago. But, I won't bore you with that. So…outside of the handful of red pens and markers in my desk drawer, oh, and the lovely red cardinals who frequently visit my feeders, the red around this cottage is well...lacking!

Despair not all ye lovers of red! I knew right where to go for you to get your fix.

No, I'm not color blind. The color of the outside of her cottage just happens to be my guest blogger's second favorite color. Who am I talking about ? None other than Ms. Kim of Daisy Cottage!

Prepare yourself for a feast of red that should keep your color palette satisfied for some time to come. And if the pictures I'm showing you from around Kim's cottage don't do it…visiting her here will!

Some of us are totally content with a token of red here or there.

Like the cherry on this adorable crocheted cupcake at Kim's cottage,

or...

the lovely flowers on the handkerchief she found at a yard sale, or

the fun rickrack ribbon on her memo board.

Then…there are others who require a bit more than just a nod to red to gratify their tastes.

Like…

the bold red in the flowers on Kim's table, or...

the gorgeous red plates and the flower stems she used as napkin rings.

This red cushion on Kim's rocker offers a nice contrast to the bright yellow wall.

And all but the most color-phobic person could fall in love with her cute crewel pillow and polka dot napkin!

Perhaps the doses of red you prefer are relegated to the outdoors and are found on whimsical items like Kim's birdhouse and bird, or…

her front door and outdoor furnishings.

But our dear Ms. Kim uses red with total abandon–inside and outside her cottage.

Like here…

on her kitchen table, or…

here on her vintage buffet. And, I thought I was being bold by painting my buffet blue!

And, Kim hasn't stopped with just small splashes of red. She has painted the town red. Ok…so maybe just some of the rooms of her cottage.

For instance,

her red-walled office…with all its cute red accessories...

and her dining nook.

And who would have thought of painting a bathroom red?! Our bold Ms. Kim, of course! It's gorgeous–don't you think?!

Now, if that doesn't motivate you to stroll right on over to Kim's lovely cottage, I don't know what will!

I hope you enjoyed your visit!

Wow! Today's addition to this week's giveaway would look terrific anywhere in Kim's cottage. Don't you agree! But then, it might look just as wonderful in your nest.

Oops!!! You'll just have

to come back tomorrow to see!

Reminder: Please be sure to publish your

Valentine's post, before you link to the party. And

don't forget to mention the Brambleberry Cottage

in your post.

Remember to leave a comment to be entered in this
week's drawing for the giveaway!

1. Marilyn
2. Ann
3. Jenn Raley
4. Donna

5. http://sweetnothingsbj.blogspot.com/2010/02/seeing-red.html
6. Tammy
7. http://beansiebabbles.blogspot.com/
8. One Cheap B*tch

9. Herself
10. Debbie

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Fourteen Days of Love - Day 4 - Straight to the Heart

What is Valentine's Day without hearts? By far, this one symbol outshines them all as a representation of love and devotion.

As I planned out this party–months ago–I thought of all the symbols one associates with Valentine's Day. I listed as many as I could think of and, from that list, chose fourteen to be the topics of the

Fourteen Days of Love.

I didn't give a great deal of thought to the fact that as the hostess of this little affair, I would have to have things to share for each day's topic.

Now, don't misunderstand. I knew I would be publishing a post

each day–hopefully, one filled with fun and creativity. I just had not taken stock of how many things I actually had around the cottage, or in my personal photo files, that would actually match those topics.

So…bear with me as I share what I could find related to hearts!

The day I was in Marshalls, I was a camera-clicking machine. After all, I figured I was already there–and they had lots of pretties–so, why not take lots of pictures.

I really liked this heart-shaped wire basket filled with roses. I even contemplated purchasing it and using the roses in my tablescape here.

They also had the basket in a different finish with solid pink roses. I liked the silver basket better, but preferred the other roses…so, I just passed on both of them.

I did think seriously about that cute serving set though. Then I decided that I wanted to go in a different direction with the look of my tablescape, so I nixed it as well. Hey, a girl can change her mind–right?!

But, I was very happy with the Valentine's dishes I was able to get–with all their pretty hearts and sweet pinkness! ; )

Though these ramekins were terribly cute additions to the dishes Marshalls had on display, I wanted something that would play well with all the crystal and glass that I would be using on my Valentine's table.

When I found these sweet little votive holders, I knew they would be perfect! I used them as salt cellars in the tablescape, and will later use them for their intended purpose.

After reading a lot of blogs, I've made a discovery. Many of you love, love, love red! So…you should really shine tomorrow for the day's topic–Seeing Red.

I use very little red in my decorating–even at Christmas–but, Marshalls dedicated as much space to red Valentine items as they did pink.

Want to know why I'm such a fan of that chain of retail stores? They have a fabulous selection–at least in my area–at phenomenal prices. Their original prices are great, but their clearance section is awesome!

Honestly, that's the first place I check in each department. And they always have great bargains there!

These crystal napkin rings were reduced to $7.00. Can you make out the shape? Yep, hearts!

And this sweet little teapot was only $5.00–because it had blown its lid.

These whimsical Annalee mice would have been something I would have snapped up for my children when they were younger. Since our darling little granddaughter, Lana Lexie, is a bit too young for them right now, I just took in all their cuteness and passed on by.

When I think of this holiday dedicated to love, I think of all those near and dear to me who have captured my heart.

This little blessing is at the top of the list!

OK...your turn to show your heart(s)!

Do you recall my tale of woe here, over those wonderful Valentine's dishes,

and how I was only able to find a few

when I returned to make my purchase?

I really wanted a number

of those cute heart-shaped ones. Alas, I could find but one!

Guess what the prize of the day is

that will be added to this week's giveaway?

You guessed right!

Reminder: Please be sure to publish your

Valentine's post, before you link to the party. And

don't forget to mention the Brambleberry Cottage

in your post.

Remember to leave a comment to be entered in this

week's drawing for the giveaway!

1. Marilyn
2. Jenn Raley
3. http://tinandsparkle.blogspot.com/

4. http://sweetnothingsbj.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-love-this-time-of-year.html
5. Tammy
6. Debbie

7. http://donna-sugarspicesouthernlife.blogspot.com/
8. barbara jean

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Fourteen Days of Love - Day 3 - Pretty in Pink

We all know how popular this color is during the month of February,

but individual tastes determine whether it prevails in a home's décor all year long.

As I survey the cottage, I'm hard pressed to find much pink anywhere! My Yankee, being the man's man that he is, believes pink should be reserved for...little girls, flowers, and bubblegum.

Over the years, any cravings I've had for pink have been satisfied vicariously through my antiques and collectibles businesses.

I find something I really like, bring it home, display it for as long as the Yankee can tolerate it, and then–when he can stand it no more–I sell it.

For example…

When I bought this creamer and sugar pair, I thought I would be adding them to my personal collection.

I liked the way they looked perched atop my vintage pink cake stand–when entertaining friends over coffee.

And isn't this antique porcelain basket, with delicate pink roses, adorable?

Well…the stay here at the cottage for each of them was short lived!

This early 1900s lithograph–with its lovely Victorian lady and luscious pink roses–was totally captivating. Even the ravages of time had not detracted from her beauty.

But, I'm sorry to say…she has taken up

residence with someone else!

I did manage to keep these vintage dishcloths for awhile. Their cottagey-pink cuteness made me smile, each time I used them.

I had this Bavarian creamer and beautiful vintage plate for some time.

I thought of them as sweet, feminine additions to my china cabinet. I liked the way they introduced little splashes of color to
my white ironstone pieces.

They have since gone the way of eBay!

Remember this cute shabby table from my front porch? Gone!

But on the bright side…now I have a reason to redecorate my porch when the weather gets a little warmer! ; )

I do still have this pretty pink dish–with its romantic rococo scene. I like the way it teasingly peeks out of this vintage ironstone gravy boat displayed in my cabinet.

And I did get away with using a good deal of pink in my outdoor Valentine's tablescape. Remember seeing that serene setting here?

So, I suppose, until my beautiful cottage flowers start blooming in the spring, that pretty much sums up "pink" at the Brambleberry Cottage.

I can't wait for spring!

Then, I'll be able to sway gently in my hammock, admiring the gorgeous pink blossoms of my ornamental flowering cherry tree and dream of the delicate pink blooms of the impatiens I will once again plant.

Because, other than my flower garden,

there's only one place where the Yankee and I can always agree on pink…

on our precious granddaughter, Lana. She's always "pretty in pink"!

Now it's your turn to share your pink pretties–for decorating, crafting, collecting, gardening–or just something pink that warms your heart!

"Pretty in Pink" is a perfect post for Beverly's Pink Saturday Party at How Sweet the Sound. Let's go visit. Shall we?

When I was in Marshalls snapping up all those pictures

for the post here, this lovely bejeweled notepad caught my eye. I thought it would be terrific for Pretty in Pink day, as an addition to the giveaway this week.