"A Vintage Valentine" This Fridays Shopping Theme

Dear Sweet Friends,

Valentine’s Day evokes thoughts of nostalgia and romance. Memories tied together with faded ribbons and trimmed with antique laces, telling of first romances long ago past, loving grandparents holding hands, and loves that have endured across long years and distances.Romantic memories stirred by your great-grandmother’s secret love letters, bound carefully by silk ribbons and bows, and tucked into a hat box stored in the back of a closet shelf. Stacks of vintage postcards, with words of love gracefully written across the back and faded images of another time. They speak of long-ago romance and promises that would be kept for many years to come.

A vintage handkerchief, hand-embroidered with tiny hearts and delicate flowers, tucked into the corner of a handbag or decorating the top of a night stand, adds a touch of romance to your everyday life. You were never sure where it come from, except that it belonged to someone who treasured this delicate souvenir of her love. Lifting the lid of an antique dresser box, a silver locket, still hanging from its antique chain, which once kept those loved dearest, close to heart.

Faded photographs placed in vintage frames upon an antique bookshelf, that tell of romance and happy times. The stories of lives built together fill the pages of a vintage photo album, now gracing your coffee table. You pick it up and slowly flip through, remembering the faces you used to know, and imagining stories about the ones you don’t recognize.

Beautiful vintage boxes for candy and romantic treasures, decorated with old-fashioned fabrics, handmade lace and satin ribbons, perfect for storing your favorite Valentine memories that your children and grandchildren will treasure for years to come.

Add a touch of romance to your home or gift giving this Valentines Day.
I thought I would post this early, so you all can put it on your Calendars. It is going to be a Great Shopping Day here at Coeur d'Alene and with all the other Boutiques at Make Mine Pink.

Have a Great week Friends!!
Huggs, Nancy
www.coeurdalenegifts.com

A Valentine’s Giveaway

Good Afternoon Sweet friends!

I just visited my friend Kathy's Blog ~ She is having a wonderful Valentines Day Give away! Kathy is always doing something Very Special for others, finding the most Unique things for all of us, and Sharing! Thanks Kathy!

So hop on over to Kathy's Blog and pay a visit, sign up for this Great Give~Away from the Artist Ashley Brooke. Most of all Have FUN!!
http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com

A Valentine’s Giveaway

I have a wonderful giveaway for you that is Valentine’s Day themed and even has a nod to home decor!

I came across a wonderful website this past week, Ashley Brooke Designs. I was thrilled when Ashley offered these very cool Valentine’s Day cards as a giveaway! I love these! I love the Valentine’s Day design and the hint of home decor with the desk set-up {don’t you wish this was your home office?}.

Let’s take a stroll through some of Ashley’s designs. How cute are these baby themed items!


When I do eventually move, I’d like to get these cards. Since we are looking to down-size, it kind of plays on the “empty nest” theme.

Christmas is over, but don’t these invitations make you want to plan your 2010 Christmas party now?

Ashley does custom designs and you can order some of her prepared cards and get them personalized. Here are some pictures of Ashley’s custom work and if you get a chance, click through her website to her blog and check out even more examples!


Ashley even lays out the steps for you on her website, from receiving your order to completion. Here’s Ashley at work on a design.

One of Ashley’s Thank You card designs!
I hope you enjoy your visit!

Huggs, Nancy
www.coeurdalenegifts.com

"Amour Valentine Swap"

I am really all jazzed up about 2010 and this fresh New decade we are in, how about you??
To start things off for me I entered a "Amour Valentine Swap" that Cathy from Treasured-heirlooms and Elegance & Whimsy is hosting. If you are interested, please visit Cathy's blog at www.treasured-heirlooms.blogspot.com
Here are the Details:
Here's how the swap will work. Easy, Peezy, Fun

1. Grab the "Amour Valentine Swap" image and place it on your blog sidebar linking it back to my blog (treasured-heirlooms.blogspot.com).

2. Post on your blog about the swap and encourage friends to join in.

3. If you would like to participate, email me at this email address: atreasuredheirloom@comcast.net ~
Subject line: Valentine Swap ~ with the following information.

a. Your name and home address
b. Your Email address (where I can contact you with your swap partner)
c. Your blog URL
d. Your choice of what color you would like your "Amour" swap box.
e. Choose one of the following:
*Shades of Pink
*Shades of Red
*Pastels
*Shades of White
*Any color is fine

4. Would you mind shipping outside of U.S. if necessary?

HERE ARE THE SWAP RULES:

1. You will need to purchase a LARGE (appx. 8"wx6"h±), heart-shaped, cardboard box from your local craft store (Michaels, A.C. Moore, Hobby Lobby.) I heard from Cathy today(01~02~2010) and a Round or Square box with these dimensions would be OK too.

2. Be sure your box has plenty of room to fill up with "Love Treasures".

3. Email and introduce yourself to your blog partner.

4. Create your "Amour box" with your imagination and your own particular style. It doesn't necessarily have to be a Valentine theme, but it has to be pretty and it has to be made with the color choice of your partner.

5. GENEROUSLY fill your "Amour Box" with lots of treasures from your heart. Most of you have participated in many swaps over the years so you already know what to put in the box. If this is your first time, email me for suggestions on filling up your "Amour Box". If you have something that doesn't fit in the box, wrap it pretty and send it along with your package.

6. Beautifully wrap your creation before packing so your Partner will be able to take lots of pretty photos once she opens the outside box.

7. Take lots and lots of photos for our reveal day, Sunday, February 14th.

8. You have three weeks to create and mail your "Amour" box. Make sure your package arrives to your swap partner NO LATER THAN, February 5th so she can enjoy it for awhile before Valentine's Day arrives.

On Sunday, February 14th, Valentine's Day, post all your photos and the name of your swap partner.

I will have a list here of all the participating blogs.

ARE YOU IN?
GREAT...
SPREAD THE WORD
AND LET'S GET SWAPPING KIDS!

I will be filling up Coeur d'Alene this week with Romantic treasures so please stop by!
TTFN, Nancy
www.coeurdalenegifts.com