Placecard Giveaway at The Stories of A to Z

Happy Friday!  Okay, so before I get cranking away on the giveaway, I wanted to share my fireplace mantel with you all.  Weird?  No...not if you're participating in a good old fashioned Mantel Party, which is exactly what I'm doing over at The Stories of A to Z today (yahoo!)...right after I'm finished with two huge closings over at my big girl job (boo!).  Be sure to stop on over here, and check out all of the other fabulous mantels on display, and feel free to join in the fun and show off your very own mantel.  It's good stuff, folks!

Okay, now to the bonus giveaway....so, the charming and oh-so lovely Beth over at The Stories of A to Z is hosting a giveaway today for 12 of my handmade placecards along with her mantel party (see above referenced goodness), SO.........if you have a bridal shower or any dinner party gathering in the works, and you would like some pretty placecards (or heck, if you just like free stuff), head on over here to enter Beth's giveaway.  She has all the details lined out for you.  These cards are ready to be shipped, and to be honest, I kind of want to keep them myself (shameless plug) because they are so darn cute. Anyhoo, be sure to enter, and good luck!

Ciao!

Nikki

Rebecca Thuss

You may recognize the images below from Martha Stewart Living, but have you met the amazing and talented designer/photographer behind this fabulous eye candy?  If not, let me introduce you to the incredible work of Rebecca Thuss...

 

Aren't those baby shower favors the cutest?

According to her website:

Rebecca Thuss is an award winning photo-stylist, a creative director, wedding designer and crafter....For nine years Rebecca's contributions were instrumental in defining the creative vision of Martha Stewart Weddings. During her tenure it became widely recognized as one of the most popular wedding magazines in a highly competitive marketplace. Rebecca has received six Society of Publication Designers (SPD) Merit Awards for her styling work. While under her style direction Martha Stewart Weddings won the prestigious American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) General Excellence Award in 2005. As Style Director of Weddings, Rebecca oversaw idea generation, editorial content, and the style direction of the magazine, while also developing a team of talented stylists to achieve the magazine's creative goals. She has created and styled editorial stories on every wedding-related topic, including fashion, décor, cakes, favors, stationery, and flowers.

WOW.  This is my kind stuff! So often, I come across amazing designs and images, and very rarely do I stop to think of the hands behind the scene that work so hard to bring these designs to life, so when I came across Rebecca's website, I was thrilled to make the connection between some of my favorite Martha Stewart images and the creative visionary behind them. 

Rebecca currently works with her husband Patrick Farrell at their photography and graphic design studio ThussFarrell.  For even more information on Rebecca, be sure to check out her her website.  It's cool beans! Have a wonderful day, gang!

Ciao!

Nikki

Project: Valentine's Trees

I wasn't really sure where I was going with all of this...

...But if you've been following my blog for awhile, you may recall the many lives of what was once my wedding centerpieces back here.  So, naturally, I decided to give these urn centerpieces yet another transformation for Valentine's Day.  Here's what I came up with.......(caution: RED OVERLOAD)

Do you remember those little bird centerpieces I made back here?  Well, I have this terrible habit of recycling ideas if you recall yesterday's reference to my "idea file"...so I just used the little bird pattern that I created back then to create the little birds you see here, and then I simply added white feathers to the tail to make the little guys pop.  All in all, I'm really liking the outcome.  Now, I just need to plan some sort of festive brunch or dinner where these babies might actually be appropriate.  Hmm....

Happy Tuesday, gang!

Ciao!

Nikki

Placecard of the Week: Little Owl

  

Happy Monday, lovelies!  Okay.  So, I designed this week's Placecard of the Week with a children's birthday party in mind.  I can't get enough of all the fun "little owl" party ideas floating around the internet these days, so I thought I would try to incorporate this adorable, classic character into my placecard this week. 

If the pictures look a little dark it's because I was working late last night from a t.v. tray as I watched our beloved Minnesota Vikings fall short of a trip to the Super Bowl (insert massive sigh...).  Anyhoo, on a much brighter note, I did have fun designing this little guy...so much so, that I'm considering designing a matching invitation for my idea files.  We'll see.

It was fairly easy-peasy to make, so I thought I would tell you just how I did it.  For the center of attention: the little owl himself, you can see that I used an owl stamp.  Then I simply cut the little fella out and prett-ied him up with crafter's gems.  I had some cute cross-hatched paper (that is actually much more colorful in person) that I thought fit quite nicely with my theme.  Then I simply used patterned scissors to embellish the corners and I called it a night.  You see...easy-peasy!

Stay tuned, gang, I have a few new projects up my sleeve that I will be sharing with you this week, so it should be good stuff.  Wishing you a blessed day!

Ciao!

Nikki

Luminary Centerpieces

I always like to check in from time to time to see what fun ideas the crew over at Martha Stewart Weddings brings to life, and I have to admit, I completely adore these lovely paper luminary centerpieces.  I also included a link to the templates below each picture just in case you want to give these darling centerpieces a try for yourself.  I think I may even give this one a try!

Get Templates Here

Get Templates Here

Get Templates Here

The lace template is most definitely my favorite.  I'm envisioning a ladies brunch with some of my dearest friends with the lace luminary centerpieces.  If only it were spring...I think hydrangea's would fit my vision quite well along with some silver mint julip cups, and perhaps some damask linen napkins with lace tie-backs...oh-oh, and placecards (naturally!) and so, SO much more.  Sorry, I can't control myself.

Anyhoo, as for me, I'll hopefully be wrapping up some fun Valentine's projects this weekend that I have in the works to share with you all.  Have a wonderful weekend, and happy crafting!

Ciao!

Nikki

P.s. If you're looking for some inspiring words to kick start your weekend, stop on by and visit my friend Jen over at With Grace and Lace and check out her post on Living Intentionally.  Good stuff, Jen!

Eat Drink Pretty Giveaway!

Hey, gang, my incredibly talented sister-in-law Jenna over at Eat Drink Pretty is hosting her first ever giveaway, and it's a fantastic one at that!  Head on over here and check out her stylish new blog design, and be sure to enter to win these fabulous champagne glasses.  Give her a kind hello for me. Yay for Thursday!

Ciao!

Nikki

A Lovely Retreat: Chateau de Cayx

Wouldn't it be wonderful to escape to the French countryside...just for a little while?  That's exactly what one regentpar (couple), Prince Henrik and Queen Margrethe, from Denmark do when they travel to their private chateau in France...Chateau de Cayx.  This stunningly dreamy 14th century landmark has been renovated several times over the years, and Swedish online magazine Skona Hem gives us a little sneak peek at what it looks like today.  Check it out...

Images via Skona Hem

So...have I mentioned that I am a history buff?  I even have a degree in it, not that that makes me an expert by any means, but it may shed a little light on why I love semi-useless facts.  AND they all say, "Aha!"

That being said, here is a little detail from Skona Hem on the royal Danish couple who owns this fabulous chateau, as always, just for kicks!

In 1966 Prince Henry was working at the French embassy in London, where he met the then Crown Princess Margrethe, and they married the following year.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is the cousin of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf. She is the daughter of Princess Ingrid of Sweden, prior to Denmark's Queen Margrethe. Ingrid's older brothers were Sigvard Bernadotte and Prince Gustav Adolf, the father of King Carl XVI Gustaf. Her younger brother was Prince Bertil and Carl Johan Bernadotte.

Regent The couple have two children, Crown Prince Frederik (born 1968) and Prince Joachim (born 1969).

And with that, I wish you all a wonderful day!

Ciao!

Nikki

Pretty, Pretty Paisley Rooms

Pottery Barn

Country Living

Laura Casey Interiors

Nacho Polo via Desire to Inspire

House Beautiful

House Beautiful

Roberts Erickson Design via House of Turquoise

There are so many fabulous paisley textiles and gorgeous rooms out there that this post could carry on forever.  However, here are just a few rooms that have recently caught my eye. Paisley has a way of bringing an elegant and whimsical touch to any style room, two factors that shoot me right over the moon!  Throw in a fanciful chandelier, and I'm most definitely hooked.  I hope you enjoy these pretty paisley rooms as much as I do.  As for me, I'm off for the day, but I wish you all a happy and blessed day!

Ciao!

Nikki

Placecard of the Week: Paisley Punch

So...I have a thing for paisley.  You may recall another paisley placecard I created back here.  The truth is I just really dig this funky and eclectic pattern for being so wonderfully fantastic...which compelled me to do a little ol' Wikipedia search on random fun paisley facts, and here's what I discovered:

Paisley or Paisley pattern is a droplet-shaped vegetable motif of Indian and Persian origin, similar to half of the Yin yang symbol. The pattern is sometimes called "Persian pickles" by American traditionalists, especially quiltmakers,^[1] or "Welsh pears" in Welsh textiles as far back as 1888.

Resembling a large comma or twisted teardrop, the kidney-shaped paisley is Indian and Persian in origin, but its western name derives from the town of Paisley, in central Scotland.

Imports from the East India Company in the first half of the 17th century made paisley and other Indian patterns popular, and the Company was unable to import enough to meet the demand. It was popular in the European Baltic states between 1700 and 1800 and was thought to be used as a protective charm to ward off evil demons. However, in modern culture, the youth of these countries have used it as a symbol of rebellion. 

Protective charm or rebellion...hmm, how does a girl decide?  For all you smarty pants out there who already had the deets on the paisley factor, please forgive the extra details.  For the rest of us average folks, don't you feel smarter already?  Yep.  Me, too!  For even more random paisley facts, you can finish scoping the goods over at Wikipedia.  I'm sure there's far better information elsewhere in the worldwide web-o-sphere, but I thought this was a good place to start. 

Perhaps, I will dig up some fun paisley interior designs to share with you all.  You know, I think I will.  If you come across any beautiful, charming, and lovely paisley rooms that you think I might like, please email me at lovelyscribbles@gmail.com.  I love your feedback!  I would also love to see all the different ways this fabulous pattern dating back to the 17th century still impacts interior design today.  Pssst....I even have paisley pillows on my couch, which you can see over here.

AND...finally, I bring you this week's Placecard of the Week: Paisley Punch.  I really had fun making this pretty little thing, and I concluded that it would be most fitting at a tea party or bridal shower, due to the detail.  Where would you use this cute, little placecard?  Have a blessed week, pretties!

Ciao!

Nikki

The Perfect Tea Party

Real Simple

For those of you, like me, who follow the Hostess Blog and haven't had a chance to check out Jenn Sbranti's article over at Real Simple yesterday, I encourage you to do so.  Here, she gives us a sneak peek at the new Rosanna collection, which is totally fabulous, indeed!  This "eclectic" set of partyware is totally my cup of tea (no pun intended!).  It is entirely adorable and fun and the perfect addition to any girls only tea party and brunch.  Wouldn't you agree?  Happy Friday!

Ciao!

Nikki

Knobs & Orbs

Yesterday, I took the day off from work and spent the day in Rochester, MN with my mom.  I went along to her doctor's appointment since my dad was at work, then we went out for breakfast followed by a little shopping, topped off with a late soup and salad lunch.  If you're from my neck of the woods, you may recall that the sun was out all day yesterday and the temps were finally climbing up (a little) which meant that it was an all around perfect day to be out and about hanging with my mom.

Did you notice that little word I snuck in there..."shopping"?  Unfortunately, for me and my pocket book, I found way too many great deals yesterday, a few in particular that I have been keeping my eye out for - for quite some time now. 

First up, are the new knobs I found for my t.v. cabinet, coffee table and end tables.  This particular set of furniture I bought from Target a few years ago and was fairly inexpensive for my itty bitty furniture budget at the time.  You may even like the previous knobs better (I'm undecided)...

But I decided to get new knobs just for a change of pace...

It was too bright and sunny (yay!) in my house when I took this picture, so the colors are a little washed out, but I purchased mustard and mint colored knobs from Hobby Lobby, and I must say that I'm really kind of digging the new look...

The pillows you see in the background are from T.J. Maxx.  I took the plunge and bought them a couple months ago.  It was love at first site!  So...I decided to buy the knobs with the colors of those pillows in mind. 

The other purchase I made yesterday, was the bowl/urn of pretty-pretty orbs.  I've been wanting to get some orbs (decorative balls) for my coffee table for quite some time now, but I just hadn't come across the right ones yet.  Until yesterday.  I bought these little babies from Kirkland's Home, and I must say they fit quite nicely with my clearance Target candle holders and sparkly chocolate candles.  What do you think?

Stay tuned...I also have a few new Valentine's decor projects in the works that I'm excited to share with you all.  What can I say?  I love having an excuse to decorate!

Ciao!

Nikki

A Touch of Strawberry

It's funny how a simple concept....

Peppers Polly Wogs

Turns into a whole bowl of ideas...

Closet Cooking

For example, I came across these darling berry recipe cards from Paisley Tree Press.  Incidentally, I think these recipe cards would make a fantastic gift, or even simply a fun way to pass along a recipe to a friend...

Paisley Tree Press

But then, I came across this lovely strawberry and wheatgrass topiary from the Hostess Blog, and I thought that perhaps a little cooking party + recipe exchange with friends might be in order, and wouldn't this make the perfect centerpiece for such a party?

Hostess Blog

From there, it all gets kind of foggy. I think somehow I concluded that a cooking party would obviously need to be centered around the kitchen, so why not throw a pretty kitchen in the mix...or a few of them...AND a couple other rooms for good measure!

Country Living

Country Living

Country Living

Country Living

Coastal Living

Gaita Interiors

Where do your little ideas take you? 

Ciao!

Nikki