Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable,excellent or praiseworthy...think about such things." Phil. 4:8

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

#2 Tea Cup Tuesday . . . Prudence ... and SNEAK PEAK of Bunday Monday Event...

Hi eveyone . . .

. . .hoping you had a super Memorial Day weekend! 
Thank you so much for stopping in.  I just love sharing my tea cups with you.
I am so excited to share this next pattern it is from my personal collection and one of my favorites.

Royal Albert - Prudence




The Backstamp


These last 4 photos are borrowed from the internet





It is by Royal Albert and the pattern is called Prudence (circa 1934).  In addition to my blue pattern Prudence was also made in pink and mint green.  I still hope to get some in pink.





I typically try to get 2 teacups/ saucers and dessert plates when I am collecting a pattern I just love.  With this set I have yet to get the dessert plates but because I love it sooo much I do have the sugar and creamer.  I am still looking for the tea pot, however, they are few and far between and usually out of my price range... but I keep looking!

A big thank you to Terrie at Artful Affirmations and Martha at  Martha's Favorites for co-hosting  this beautiful weekly event.  You are wonderful, ladies!

Today I will also be joining the following parties:
Tea Time Tuesday with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness with Kathy at A Delightsome Life
Table Top Tuesday with Marty At A  Stroll Thru Life
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday with Wanda Lee at Silken Purse
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday with Pam at a Breath of Fresh Air
Tuesday Tea with Donna at Comin' Home
   Tea Party Tuesday with Trisha at Sweetology
Teatime Tuesday with Lady Katherine at Lady Katherine's Tea Parlor





I wanted to personally invite you to my very first Event called . . .
"Show Me the Bunny" a.k.a "BundayMonday"

                  A Sneak Peak ...

Needle Felted Bunny Family
I received this as part of my Easter basket from my daughter (yes, we still exchange Easter baskets, hee hee) She bought it for me from a vendor on etsy  Jstforewe.  What is really funny is I bought a different bunny for my daughter from the exact same lady!

Little Bunny Secrets



It will be a weekly occurrence

- There will be a giveaway open to all bloggers that link up in the month of June and Show me their Bunny.
The first Monday in June (June 6th) is when the event will "premier:
 
-There also will be a giveaway open to those making comments at Pretty Is ... It will begin June 6th and end
when I reach 100 followers (LOL)or June 30 at 11:59 pm.
All comments received in June will be entered into the drawing. Comments received on BundayMondays will equal 2 entries!

I just wanted to invite you to participate either to
show and tell or to comment or both! 

If you would like to join in I would be thrilled ... just create a post with the bunny/bunnies you’d like to share , then come back to the current BundayMonday post and sign up with the link up provided ... be sure to test your link! 

You'll need to
include within your bunny post a link back to the current  BundayMonday post at Pretty Is ... The more people who know about this event, the better!

Hope to see you next Monday on the bunny trail!
Blessings, 
Linda

P.S.  I should be able to tell you the giveaway gifts, with pictures by next Monday Bunday  ... promise they'll be nice!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Pretty Is as Pretty Does Award #1 . . .

Today I bestowed my first "Pretty Is as Pretty Does" Award .... I just had to create it on the spot when observing another blogger who seems to be the embodiment of that sentiment (which my Mother would relate to me very often).

The recipient is Deb at Garage Sale Gal Blog and over the last month I've been in the blog world, I've just noticed a sweetness about her and the way she relates to others.  Her comments are so genuine and caring.  I noticed at every giveaway blog I visited today, she took the time to congratulate the winner and thank the Giver for the opportunity.  If you, by chance, read her blog and all that she had going on you'd see how impressive she is!

Now I need to get to work and create an Award and a gift  for Deb . . .

 Just know that when you least expect it .... someone is noticing your "prettiness"

                                                                      
Pretty Is as Pretty Does Award

 Blessings,
 L

And the "5th Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway" winner is ...




to be announced after this brief message . . . 

A big thank you to all of you who took the time to comment, check out my Etsy shops, mention this on FB and those of you who have become followers of Pretty Is . . .  If I have not had a chance to visit you , know that I will be doing that very soon with the hopes of getting to know you and making new friends.  I hope you'll visit often and please leave those sweet comments ... they mean sooo very much! 

I have some fun things to share soon and hope to have a new party started the 1st of June called "Show Me the Bunny" with a fun giveaway opportunity to  all linky participants!

Okay now..... and the winner is . . .

MeMe Sue at lil of this lil of that
'

Blessings to all who entered.












Blessings,
L

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

In the Studio . . .

Don't forget to sign up for the Cottage Charm Giveaway ... I'm #40 also check out my May 13th post.  Entries will be accepted through  May 28th.  The winner will be announced on May 29th. 
I became a follower of Janet's Creative Pillows a participant in the Cottage Charm give away.
I am also participating in "Wow Us Wednesday" hosted by Savvy Southern Style. I am very excited as this is my first time to party there!


I've been playing in the studio today ... playing with paper clay.  It is something I've been trying to teach myself. Pretty much by trial and error.


Creative Paperclay


 
This is what the clay looks like.  I really like the texture.

Right now I am working on birdies.  Here are some examples of birds in different stages:










The birds above are probably the most simple and easiest style to make.  I need to finish painting. glitter and seal. The paint I use is simply acrylic. The glitter I like is real fine. 











I make most of my birds without armatures.  Once I shape the birds, I use a damp paint brush to smooth and shape.  I let them dry for a couple of days and then sand them.  Sometimes I gesso them and let them dry for another couple days ... sand again and then I paint them.  There are several finishes to choose from.  I usually use glitter, however, you could use a crackle finish or dilute sienna or umber paint, paint it on and wipe it off to your taste.



My attempt at a Retro Blue Bird
 























This retro bluebird has another day to dry and then it needs to be sanded.  I've been thinking I might make a top hat for him . . . we'll see. 

I  am getting a little better but have a long way to go . . . it is a lot of fun though!  I'll post a photo of the finished birds.



Teeny Bluebird

This little bird is less than 2 inches wide.  I'll be gluing him onto the birdhouse perch once he's ready.



Thanks so much for your comments!
If you are having difficulty leaving a comment, I got this tip from cabins & cottages:
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Worthy Words #3

 The way to know life is to love many things . . .

Vincent Van Gogh


Thanks so much for your comments!
If you are having difficulty leaving a comment, I got this tip from cabins & cottages:
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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Tea Cup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations


This is my first posting for Tea Cup Tuesday sponsored by Artful Affirmations and it's very exciting!!  I used to own The CatBird Seat Cafe/Tea Room in downtown Colorado Springs so ... consequently I have a lot, a lot of tea cups.  I have a personal collection of tea cups, with Royal Albert being the largest part of it.

I thought today I would share a real sweet set which the cup and saucer on the bottom reads; Crown China, England and it has a gold crown. The rest of the writing is faded but on the sugar and creamer, in addition, it says Dainty Dinah,  Royal Albert,  and its numbers.

The things I love about this pattern are;

1) It makes me think of the rhyme Mary, Mary, quite contrary....

2) All the flowers, the arbor, everything except "Dinah" are embossed!

3) It's a little different, not as common as many of the patterns one sees.  Just a lot of fun.








The sugar bowl is humongous (is that a word?) it reminds me in size of the soup bowls they use in Chinese restaurants and the creamer is very tall. So far I have never come across a tea pot or dessert plates. Oh, and I found all these pieces on e-bay from different vendors!

Have any of you seen this pattern before?

You are invited to come along to these beautiful events I have joined:
A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life 
Tea Cup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations
Tea Time Tuesday at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor
Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage


Don't forget to sign up for my Cottage Charm Giveaway. I'm #40 and check out my May 13th post.  Entries will be accepted through  May 28th.  The winner will be announced on May 29th. 


Thanks so much for your comments!
If you are having difficulty leaving a comment, I got this tip from cabins & cottages:
 **De-select the "stay signed in" box at the Google sign-in in order to leave a comment.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Write it on your heart . . .

. . .  whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy  think about such things                                                     Philippians 4:8


Saturday, May 21, 2011

Someone's in the Kitchen ... Raspberry Pecan Scones


Illustration by Jessie Wilcox Smith


This is a wonderful scone recipe we  served at The CatBird Seat Cafe`/Tea Room.  It is very easy and soooo d-lish! 

Raspberry Pecan Scones
Preheat oven 400
2 1/4 C. Unbleached all purpose flour
1/3 C. Sugar
1 T. Baking Powder
½ tsp. Salt
3/4 C. (1 ½ sticks) chilled unsalted butter, diced
3/4 C. + 2T. Chilled whipping cream
3/4C. Toasted Pecans
4T. Raspberry Preserves
Combine 1st 4 ingredients in a processor. Blend 5 seconds, add butter using on/off button until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Add 3/4 C. Cream - blend by pulse just til dough comes together. Turn dough on to lightly floured surface. Sprinkle w/ ½ C. Nuts. Gently knead w/ 4-5 turns to mix in nuts. Divide dough into 4 equal parts. Shape each into a ball. Press out to 6" discs / 1/4" thick. Spread preserves over 2 rounds leaving ½" border. Place 1 disc on top of jellied disc. Seal edge. (Can be made 1 day ahead - wrap in saran and chill)
Butter large baking sheet. Brush each round w/ 1 T. remaining cream. Sprinkle w/ 1/4 c. remaining nuts and press nuts to adhere. Cut each round into 6 wedges. Space 1" apart on baking sheet. Bake til puffed & golden. Approx. 16 minutes
When you get a chance to make these scones... please come back and let me know what you thought! I think you are going to love them!
Enjoy!!!
Blessings, Linda

Thanks so much for your comments!
If you are having difficulty leaving a comment, I got this tip from cabins & cottages:
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Pretty Is...Out of Hand

Sometimes I just need to stop and make something pretty, frufru and sweet. I wanted to just show you a few of the pretties I've been working on in my studio.  I've been really trying hard to improve my pictures.  I ordered a table top tripod, which has not arrived yet, but realize I need a regular one as well.  Anyway the pics are somewhat improved as I learn the camera but I still have a ways to go.  (Ways to go ... is that even proper English?)


These pretties are headed for my Etsy Shop The Hopeless Romantic.  You may have noticed ... I like little birdies as much as I like bunnies!



Sweet Little Birdie in a Tea Cup


Decorative Bottle - "Seeds of Kindness"


Decorative Bottle - "Pearls of Wisdom"




Have you entered my Cottage Charm Giveaway?

Thanks so much for your comments!
If you are having difficulty leaving a comment, I got this tip from cabins & cottages:
 **De-select the "stay signed in" box at the Google sign-in in order to leave a comment.

Monday, May 16, 2011

"SHOW ME THE BUNNY"... An Upcoming Give-a-Way Idea

Don't forget to sign up for my Cottage Charm Giveaway. I'm #40 and check out my May 13th post.  Entries will be accepted through  May 28th.  The winner will be announced on May 29th. 





 As I have mentioned, I love bunnies.  I have a pretty sizeable collection.  I even have a bunny coffee table! I thought it would be really fun to see what other bunny lovers have. Hence,  the idea of "Show Me the Bunny" came to mind. It would be a once a month Giveaway until we either ran out of bunnies (if you know rabbits, you know that's not going to happen!)  or until we just tire of it.
I guess what I need to know is if anyone out there is interested?  If so, I have a lot to figure out... like how to create and grab buttons, maybe "Mr McLinky", all kinds of technical knowledge I don't have but am willing to learn ... with a little help from my friends?  Please post a comment to let me know what you think. 
If enough people are interested, I figure we could start maybe the first week of June.  Any input would be appreciated.
Blessings, L






Retired Fussie Tussie on her Fussie Mussie by Bunnies by the Bay


Vintage Style Bunnies

Thanks so much for your comments!
If you are having difficulty leaving a comment, I got this tip from cabins & cottages:
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Friday, May 13, 2011

5th Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway . . .

This is my very first giveaway and I am sooo excited to be a participant in the Cottage Charm Giveaway!  This affords you an opportunity to enter multiple giveaways and discover wonderful blogs and bloggers! This giveaway will run until May 29th  (my B-Day!!). 

I am giving away a sweet Cottage Tea Vignette.  It includes a framed "Tea" quote, a china cup and saucer, beautiful decorative sugars by Home Sweet Home Decorative Sugars, samples of Davidson's Dessert Teas, Harney and Sons Chamomile Herbal Loose Tea, both "Spring Blessings" basket and the paper clay bluebird on wooden spool were crafted by yours truly.  That is a total of 7 items ... just for you ... if you are the selected winner of my giveaway!  Due to the cost of shipping I am limiting this giveaway to the U.S and Canada.

My Cottage Charm Giveaway





Pastel Bouquet Sucre Moulé





Sweet Little Singing Paperclay Bluebird








  How to enter my Give-Away...
Simply leave a comment at the end of this post (if you don’t have a blog leave your email so that I can contact you in the event you are the winner!)   
For extra entries to Win                                                                                                        
-Sign up and follow my blog and leave a comment telling  
-Heart my shops on Etsy and leave a comment telling me for each heart left The Hopeless Romantic and Pretty Is ... 
-Post a link to my blog on your facebook and leave a comment telling me
(Each comment on the above will result in an entry ... 5 possible entries to Win!!!)


Thanks so much for your comments!
If you are having difficulty leaving a comment, I got this tip from cabins & cottages:
 **De-select the "stay signed in" box at the Google sign-in in order to leave a comment.