Link Party Time!

After giving much thought, I decided to try hosting a link party regularly. It will be every Wednesday, and next time I will make sure that you can start linking from Tuesday night. I can't say that I will do a giveaway every time, but if I have something, I might, so who knows... I think it will be fun to see what everyone is up to and to get to know more of you.

Before I start the party, I will share my latest project first... I have been working on this baby blanket for the last couple of days. Christopher's teacher is going to have her first baby soon, she has been such a wonderful teacher for him; I wanted to do something nice.

I love making baby blankets like this. They are quick projects, I get to play around coordinating fabrics, and I looove the feel of minky while I am working on it.

For the back, I used the same minky shown in the picture. There are zig-zag stitches on the edges.


I hope she and her baby boy will like it...


Ok everyone, it is your turn! The rules are simple:

1. Please post something YOU made. It doesn't matter if it is crochet, quilt, clothing, anything would be fine. I want to see it!

2. Link to your specific post, that way it is easier for everybody to find and read it.

3. Please grab the "Tea Rose Home" grab button, and link back from your post. If you can mention the party in your post or place the button on your side bar, that would be great! I want more people to have a chance to come and show off their creation.


4. One more thing, please DO NOT link anything inappropriate or any kind of advertisement.

Go visit people on the list and say hi! I can't wait to see your projects!

Pink, Silver and White

As the ranunculus started to show signs of fading, I trimmed their stems and gathered them up into two small arrangements. I just love, love, love the combination of the pink, silver and white on the kitchen shelves.

I also love how their centers look like the little bum of a bumble bee.

What I love most about flowers is their heavenly power to completely embrace you with their intoxicating beauty.

I left the milk glass vase arrangement on the kitchen shelf...

...and placed the mint julep arrangement on my nightstand so that I may open and close my eyes to their mesmerizing beauty.

THE SECRET GARDEN ..........

I have found a key, so come with me and see if we can find my Secret Garden ..........

.......... along the path ..........

.......... through the greenery ..........

.......... it must be around here somewhere .........

Ah, there's the door .........

It's very overgrown ..........

Oh, this is better, how pretty is this ?

Even the women are beautiful in this garden !!

Tea anyone ?

image by photographer Mustafa Hacalaki

Collect yourselves some fireflies ..... it's getting dark ..........

Now, where's that gate gone ..... I've got to get home.
Here in the U.K., we had a taste of Spring BUT apparently, rain and even snow are coming again so, images of beautiful gardens are all I have at the moment !






If you are having wonderful weather, enjoy your gardens. If not , start planning it !!




Image 16: photograph by Mustafa Hacalaki




Jackie

Water, Pure and Simple

Shortly after our indoor plumbing was updated, I sent a water sample out to be tested. Although the test results were good, we felt more comfortable taking the cleanliness of our water one step further.

Our concerns were centered on the old water lines that supply our house. Despite updating our all of our property's water lines, the main line that runs to our house is old, very old. And old pipes aren't the cleanest.

So Hubby installed an under counter filter. It is plumbed into the cold supply line under the sink so now every time we get a glass of water, fill up the tea pot or steam rice...the water is filtered. Even our little Lucy will reap the benefits of cleaner water.

We opted for this model here, from Best Filters.

I like that this model allows you to have the benefits of filtered water without the visible hardware that usually goes along with it. We prefer sparse and simple in our kitchen so using an under counter filter was the perfect solution for us.

Filters are replaced once a year.

Cheers!

A Story of Statement Jewelry

A few weeks ago, I was watching a short documentary on the Japanese channel. It was about jewelry artists living in NY. They introduced a few designers, all of them had a common ground. They make "Statement Jewelries".

Usually, statement Jewelries are big, bold,and most of the times inexpensive compared to its size (Think of a diamond, people pay how much for a tiny stone?). In the documentary, the reporter also said that statement jewly become popular when the economy is not doing so great. During the Great Depression era, statement jewelry was a big trend. I guess people were after the "Wow" effect and something to cheer them up for a price they still could afford.

I thought about our economy now... hmm... that make sense. Those statement jewelries are everywhere. I usually perfer small real jewelry. BUT, I see so many pretty necklaces, earrings, and rings to drool over. They sure make a plain outfit shine.

I particularly liked one desinger who collects antique parts and pieces to make her original jewelry. She showed some of her collection. My eyes went wide, while hold a dust rag in my hand (I was dusting the furniture). Wow, they were truly a piece of history.

I have been itching to find my own statement jewelry pieces. I am no expert with antiques. Nor, can I tell the difference when I find something; what is "old" and what is "vintage". They sure sound sooo different. Although, when I see something I can immideately tell if I love it or not. If I think it's beautiful, that's good enough for me.

The other day, I found two jewelry pieces that I fell in love with at a local thrift store. They are unique and my style. Above all, they were $2.99 each!

A pair of earrings with rose print...


Then, this gorgeous pendant head with dainty detailes.


Lucky me! I found a chain that would match with the pendant in my jewelry making box! I can start wearing it right away:) Next time when you go visit a thrift store, or yard sale, look around a bit carefully, you might find a piece of history too.

Worth the Wait

When my husband and I built our house 8 1/2 years ago we made the choice to spend our money on permanent features and eliminate virtually anything that could be added later. This meant no kitchen island or butler’s pantry, no air conditioning (for two years), crown molding, bead board or wainscoting, no driveway, landscaping, patios or sidewalk, no built-in cabinets, finished basement or gardens. The outside of our house looked like this the day we moved in - not a blade of grass, bush or tree, and no hardscaping to be found.

I mentioned in an earlier post that my husband is quite handy and talented when it comes to projects around the house. I wanted to share a few of the many incredible outdoor things he has accomplished.

Retaining walls were the first project on the list as they were necessary to hold back the hill behind the house as well as the dirt around the side of the house. The first picture below shows where we started. My husband had help on the first wall from his Dad but after that he was pretty much on his own. I helped out by carrying rocks but everything else he did.

This is what the side of the house looks like today.

Next came the sidewalk and front retaining walls. We lived for five years (yes, five!) with just a dirt path to the front door.  Below is a picture from Mother's Day 2005.  You can see we still do not have a sidewalk or retaining walls around the front light post (which also has been changed).  We have just finished planting my present - a red maple tree.

Here is a view of the front today - lots of landscaping and a sidewalk.  My husband lined the bluestone sidewalk with Belgian blocks to keep the bluestone from moving over time. We also designed and planted everything you see.

The upper patio and steps were then added. Unfortunately, I do not have a before picture of this view.  It is enough to say, however, that all that was here was dirt.

Finally, the patio behind the walkout basement was completed.

It has taken 8 years of hard work to get to this point. Since we do not own a tractor, my husband and I used only a wheelbarrow, shovel, level, and circular saw. We bought materials as we could afford them, one load of rocks and bluestone at a time. When it came time to build the sidewalk and patios, we wanted only “blue” bluestone. Each time our local supplier received a new shipment, my husband and I went and chose each piece for our projects by hand.

The overall landscaping has also been an ongoing process.  We planted grass seed in stages and then developed the flower beds and other gardens. My husband and I dug up the oak trees that line our driveway (You can see the branch of one of the trees in the picture above of what our house looks like today) from the woods behind our house. Most of the trees and shrubs are Mother’s Day presents. Instead of going out to dinner or buying a present, every year we have lived in this house I have received a new addition to our landscaping.

I obviously am proud of what we have accomplished. It has taken years of hard work to get to this point and it has definitely been worth the wait.

U Create Guest Blogger

I am so thrilled to be a guest blogger today at U Create. 

I am sharing an updated version of my vintage block printing projects tutorial. 

Kari's blog is filled with a wonderful variety of creative projects.  I hope you will stop by for a visit!

Also today - head over to Holiday with Matthew Mead to find out how you can win the opportunity to have your blog or online shop mentioned in the magazine. Holiday with Matthew Mead is a "book-azine" celebrating and offering inspiration for the Christmas holiday season. To be released in October 2010, Holiday is offered via online orders only - in limited quantities - and will not be sold on newsstands. But, by simply following the BUY HOLIDAY MAGAZINE link below their banner, you can reserve your own copy of this beautiful magazine, with guaranteed delivery of the magazine straight to your mailbox! Holiday with Matthew Mead is144 pages of holiday inspiration with well-known and admired designers, bloggers and top-notch features, printed on beautiful paper and not drowning in ads!

Now, head on over for your chance to win!

Ranunculus

My Mom always planted ranunculus in my Grandmother's garden every spring. I always think of the them oohing and ahhing over these full feathered flowers whenever I see them.

They make me smile...them and these.

I wish they'd last forever.

Tutorial ~Fabric Flower~

Just as I promised, I am going to show you how I made some flowers from the top portion of the dress. The top part had lining (it was also gauze) that is a very pretty light blue. When I separated them, I thought to myself, "I have to use this too! :)"

{You will need}

Light weight fabric
Matching Thread

{How to}

1. I cut out 8- 2 1/2" squares from each color.


2. Fold a square in half, then fold it again to make a smaller square.


3. Cut the outer edges(not the folded edges). It will almost look like a heart shape.


When you open it up... it will look like this. Repeat the process for the rest of the squares.


4. Pinch in the middle and stitch 2-3 times. Keep adding the rest of the pieces to it.


5. Then you will have a flower like these...



For the floral print flower, after you fold the squares into fourths, cut opposite corners to make it look like a leaf. When you unfold it, it will look like a four leaf clover with pointed leaves. (Sorry, I didn't take a picture of that.)

I loved the frayed look. I am very curious about using different types of fabric; I wonder how the flowers will turn out. I haven't decided what I am going to do with them, but I have a weekend to think about it.

Meanwhile I made this too... all I can say is you can never have too many flowers.