A Valentine's Day Surprise

I hope there's a Valentine's Day surprise under your door today.

Sunflower Hearts

Happy Valentine's Day. I took this picture a several years ago and I still marvel at the heart-shaped stamens. This is an actual photo right out of the camera. I didn't even notice the heart shapes until I copied the photos to my computer or I would have taken more. I have never seen another sunflower like this either and I always look when they start to bloom. This one self-sowed and came up near the birdfeeder. Read a previous post about this flower.

A Beautiful Antique Valentine

Nothing store bought could ever compare to something hand made. I would love to see the inside of this beautiful antique valentine. Did you make yours yet?

via Two Straight Lines

Owls Celebrating Valentine's Weekend

This happy owl couple is getting a jump on Valentine's Day weekend. Hope you are too. 

Button Hearts

Button Hearts This is a pretty hanging Valentine heart beautifully crafted using mother of pearl buttons strung with wire. Why not go to your button drawer and see if you have enough of your own to make one of these yourself. Let me know if you do. Sometimes I buy garments at rummage and garage sales just for the buttons. 

Valentines to Print for School + Friends

For cutest results: print on 8 1/2″ x 11″ cream colored cardstock

Printer settings: highest quality

Envelope size: A2 envelope (4 3/8″ x 5 3/4″)

Click here to download the full-size image (PDF)
Thanks to OneCharmingParty 

Decorated Valentine Cookies

Aren't these cookies beautiful? I love them. Have you started making your valentines yet?

These Made Me Smile Today

Now this is what I call a pie chart.

Awww. How sweet is this?
Both images.




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My Blog in The Baltimore Sun

Susan Reimer mentioned my blog today in her Valentine's Day post for The Baltimore Sun. It seems that other gardeners were able to find hearts in their gardens too. This is so exciting. Thank you Susan. She writes Garden Variety, A Blog for the Mid-Atlantic Gardener.

What a nice surprise. Blogging brings us together in very unexpected ways, doesn't it? You can follow her on Twitter too.




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Year Of The Tiger + Love On Valentine's Day

In addition to being Valentine's Day today is also the first day of the Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year, The Year of The Tiger. The USPS has both events covered very nicely indeed. Happy Valentine's Day and Happy New Year too.

A wonderful antique Valentine from a past century. Luckily it was treasured, loved and preserved to inspire us today. Have a great day, Rosemary

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Hearts Are Everywhere If You Look Hard Enough

These are some of the photos I've taken since starting my blog twenty months ago. Each has a heart theme and is perfect for Valentine's Day. The first photo is of a wildflower that came up by itself on my property two summers ago. I did not even notice when I was snapping away the all of the dark stamens in the flower's center were composed of tiny hearts. I did not photoshop this image in any way...it is straight out of the camera just the way Mother Nature made it. Does anyone have any idea what kind of flower this is? I've looked at every center of black-eyed susans, sunflowers, etc. and haven't seen another one. Was this one unique? Please tell me there are others out there because I want to plant more.

My mac and cheese was baked in an old Bennington Pottery heart-shaped baking dish which I love. The walnut shell is completely natural too. The heart-shaped vine grows wild everywhere. I have a tree with heart-shaped leaves too but no photos.

Nature has a knack for producing hearts. Look around and see what you can find. Happy Heart Day, Rosemary




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A Real Sweetheart

Dogs can be Valentines too. Webster is mine. I think I will make him some homemade treats today on the Panini press just like the ones I made for his birthday. Recipe here.




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Valentine's Day Paperweight

Isn't this decoupaged glass paperweight the best desk accessory you've seen lately? Wouldn't it be great to give or receive as a Valentine present? Two days away and counting until February 14th (Valentine's Day). Available here. Actually, I think it's the perfect gift for any occasion.

You still have time to make one. I'm pretty sure they have the paperweight blanks at Michaels. Get out your Mod Podge and decoupage away. How-To instructions here.




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Great Valentine For A Birder

I have been trying to weed out some photos saved to my computer. I just ran across this one and though it was nice. It would be a great valentine to give to a birder. Don't forget to feed your fine feathered friends, especially if you got a lot of snow.




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Valentine To Make For The Teacher

We are expecting a snowstorm to hit overnight so I thought this would be the perfect time to show you this wonderful handmade Valentine. Gather all the supplies required while it is still clear outside so you can make some while you are snowed in. I saw this adorable mitten on a blog back in 2008. Luckily I was able to locate the link pretty easily. Thank you Google. Read all about it on a blog that no longer exists so I deleted the link. The red heart was created with a potato stamp and the mitten was crafted from old dictionary pages. I love the glassine envelope. I guess that determined the final size of the mitten cutout. You could also string some of these together to make a bunting to hang somewhere. Feel free to customize any way you want. Let me know if you have fun making these. Rosemary

Original 1845 Antique Folk Art Valentine . . .

Click to enlarge. I really can't make out the exact sentiment on this original Valentine glued in a memory book/lesson book from my collection. The lady's name was Pink. That name is inscribed on the tiny envelope in the man's hand. I just love the folky watercolor of the gentleman. This document was folded to fit in quite a small envelope 2" x 3-1/2". I wonder if it was presented in person as the watercolor depicts or if it was mailed?

Happy Valentine's Day.

Vintage early 20th century Valentines . . .

All of these Valentine cards are from one woman's collection (not mine). Each has a juvenile appearance but they don't seem to be intended for children...or were they? We'll never know. A couple are mean spirited too. They date from the first half of the 20th century. Enjoy this trip down memory lane! Don't eat too much candy tomorrow.

from this collection