BailiwickStudio

Valentine

Valentine's Day! I love this holiday, perhaps because it's the anniversary of Will's and my first date. Or maybe it's because I love hearts, romance, chocolate, roses, love notes, and romantic movies... Whatever the reason, it's a very sweet day! And this year, Will and I were in tune - we exchanged the same Valentine's cards!

Hearts :: 5

This week I'm going to show my hearts. I adore hearts and I have them around all year long since they figure prominently in the things I make. I love that they give concrete form to romance, love, affection, and passion. A simple outline of a heart can say so much!

I made this batch of hearts last week with several red and tan French-inspired fabrics. They're stuffed with fragrant lavender, so this basketful transports you right to the south of France in late summer. Some of them are still available in my etsy shop. To see the hearts of others, visit Rebecca's blog.

Valentine Roses

I'm joining Beverly's "Pink Saturday" for the first time. Since today is such a "pink" day in itself, I couldn't resist! I do believe this is one of the pinkest photos I've ever taken - it's actually from last February but I thought the pink roses really ought to bloom again this year. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Be sure to click on the link above to be swept into a sea of pink from all corners of the world!

Hearts :: 4

Last Christmas I went to a Holiday Quilt Show and I was intrigued with all the appliqued quilts I saw there. It was something I wanted to try my hand at, and I finally had some time to make a tiny wall hanging - covered with hearts, of course! I used two shades of linen for the background and other fabrics in red, tan and ivory for the hearts. Each heart is attached with a blanket stitch, and trimmed here and there with charms, buttons, beads and little flowers. The border is stitched with hearts, too. A pair of buttoned tabs will eventually slip over a dowel - painted red, I think? - and then it will be finished. For now, I had to lasso my daughter's old stick pony into use, who, after 18 years of languishing in a closet, is now getting daily workouts with future-horseman Ryan!

Hearts :: 3

Last month I joined a Valentine swap with the lovely Heidi (her swaps are wonderful, by the way!). It was right up my alley, and I couldn't resist. This is the box I put together for my partner. I started with a pretty rose-covered box from Michael's, put in some dividers, and filled each spot with a small Valentine's gift. I thought it turned out just right, and it smelled good too because, naturally, there's a lavender heart in there, and a bar of lavender soap. I also received a lovely box in return, but I completely forgot to take photos before I dived into it. Needless to say, it too was full of Valentine goodness!

Hearts :: 2

Along with hearts, I also love lavender. Combine the two, and you've got yourself a charming and wonderfully fragrant sachet - a perfect little token of regard for someone. Or yourself! I make these hearts all year long, but they're especially sweet around Valentine's Day. I've got several available here.

Hearts :: 1

I love hearts. I love the shape, the sentiment, and the association with romance - probably because I'm such a romantic. I cry at happy endings and can completely lose myself in a Jane Austen love story! We humans have had a long-standing perception of the heart as the seat of our emotions, so we "set our heart" on something, we "believe with all our heart", we give "heartfelt" thanks, we experience "broken hearts", we hear "heart-warming" stories, and we probably all know some "heartless" person.

I have hearts everywhere, and I thought I'd share them during the next two weeks leading up to Valentines Day - which, by the way, is a favorite holiday of mine! I know it's been over-commercialised just as every other great holiday has been, but to me, it's all about honoring true love (and the thought of true love), perhaps with a little flirting, coquetry, and "fluttering hearts" involved. And, hopefully, chocolate!

The wreath above is from Michael's - inexpensive (especially with a coupon) and so pretty against a weathered fence.

Romance :: Lockets

Diamonds are sparkly and pearls are lovely, but lockets have to be one of the most romantic treasures in the jewelry box, simply by their purpose. They're worn near the heart, whether hanging from a chain or pinned to a blouse, and are nearly always filled with a tiny photo or two of loved ones, or perhaps a lock of hair. The oldest one I have is the large oval on the left. It belonged to my grandmother and is unusual in that it holds four pictures - one of her, one of my dad as a young boy, and two more of an apparently memorable picnic. The smallest locket holds teeny tiny pictures of my own children. What wonderful mementos they are of times gone by!

 

Romance :: Hearts

Hearts. Love. Romance. There's something about a heart that's pretty special. One of its definitions in the dictionary is "the innermost or central part of every thing, with reference to intuition, emotion, or feeling". I like that - a heart is where romance begins.

The hearts in the photo are now in my etsy shop (if I may be allowed a 'heartfelt' plug for my business!) They hang from velvet cords, are trimmed with vintage buttons and filled with lavender. They smell oh so wonderful! Click here to see them.

Romance :: Paris

I've been to Paris just once, but I came away with an unshakable impression of it truly being the most romantic city in the world. A cliche, perhaps, but it's true! I suppose it's a combination of many things that make it so - its physical beauty, its history, the savoir-faire of the French, the sidewalk cafes, the baguettes and the pastries, the skies (I had never seen such lovely, constantly-changing skies), and naturally, the Eiffel Tower. Can't wait to visit again one day!