palepinkandroses

Happy Independence Day!

 

To my American readers, Have a safe and happy Independence Day!  May everyone have a wonderful weekend filled with a oodles of fun and family.

Make Mine Pink ~ Pink Friday ~ Shades Of Red, White And Blue

 

Shades of red, white or blue remind me of 4th of July parties and fireworks and special times with family and friends. Vintage aprons, adorned with red roses against what was once a vivid blue, now slightly worn with time. Blue and white checked linens - once grandmother's finest, still carrying traces of the 4th of July picnics I had as a child. Pale blue Depression glass against the finest white tablecloth, topped with a white milk glass vase and filled with the summer flowers. On the wall, a white French farmhouse shelf displays white china hand painted with red and blue buds Adding a little color to your table, shades of red, white and blue can turn any meal into a celebration. Blue and white Italian place settings against a red tablecloth.

 

An angel food cake atop a favorite white cake stand, topped with fresh summer blueberries and strawberries. Red sugar-coated candies in a white candy dish hand painted with blue forget-me-nots. Hanging nearby, white and blue checked kitchen towels decorated with shiny red apples Placed somewhere you didn't expect, red, white and blue can create a burst of color in any corner. Red roses on canvas and hung on a freshly painted blue wall. A piece of broken china jewelry - tiny blue and red roses against pure white china. A white lace sun catcher, with a red and blue design, hanging in the window. In the guest bathroom, a blue tissue box holder painted with white and red flowers. Tucked into a corner of your purse, a blue hanky trimmed with red and embroidered with white daisies. And dangling from your wrist, a bracelet made of cinnabar, turquoise beads and bone.

 

 

For a special touch of whimsy, plug in 4th of July light bulbs in red, white and blue. Use a white table runner with appliquedéd blue rabbits and red rose buds. Display faux strawberries dipped in white chocolate placed in a blue cake box that looks pretty enough to eat. You can wear a soldered charm of red breasted robins against an azure sky, sprinkled with white German glass glitter or write on the white pages of a notebook decorated with red roses and blue ribbons. With shades of red, white and blue surrounding us, celebrations of life can happen any day.

 

Photo Contribution 1: The Sassy Beach  Photo Contribution 2: Grandma G's Photo Contribution 3: Candy Lights

 

Make Mine Pink ~ Pink Friday ~ "A Rose By Any Other Name"

 

I've never seen a rose I didn't love. From the first blossom of spring, gently swaying in the breeze, to an intricately stitched needlepoint rich in history, I love them all. Silk roses mixed with a bunch of silk hydrangeas, gracing a vase on the mantle. Cabbage roses on a sugar bowl and creamer, brought out for a grandmother's tea. Colorful rose cupcakes scented as beautifully as they look.

Roses represent so many wonderful things and are often used to celebrate special milestones such as weddings, births and anniversaries. We might write a special announcement on stationery with long-stemmed yellow roses lying against a background of a French poem. Use white satin roses to create wedding memories in a vintage box.

Roses have also been used throughout the centuries in home décor. Like wild pink roses painted on porcelain china plates. A crystal bud vase embellished with a pink silk rose, ready to hold a freshly picked rose bud from the garden. A French ribbon rose attached to a crocheted cushion in the living room. Hand built ceramic roses to use as drawer pulls, or as a magnet to hang up a special photograph.

Milliners used silk roses to embellish the finest hats; perhaps one covered with embroidered lace and handmade millinery roses. Seamstresses stitched the richest brocade drapes adorned with roses.  Grandmothers embroidered the most delicate rose patterns on tablecloths and handkerchiefs. Now we can give silky velvet rose pins a special corsage. For everyday occasions, you might wear a vintage pink rose apron or admire a rose-shaped pillow made of hot pink satin.

Throughout the years, famous artists have studied and painted every aspect of the rose. Antique lithographs and post cards from the 1800's grace our homes today with their everlasting beauty. From a rhapsody of roses printed on canvas and hung over a doorway to garlands of decal roses that make favorite items look hand painted, roses continue to gracefully fit every lifestyle and décor.

 

 Photo Contribution 1: Katie's Rose Cottage Photo Contribution 2: The Decal Cottage

Make Mine Pink ~ Christmas In July Shop Hop! ~ July 20th - July 26th

 

Oodles of fabulous products and services will be available.  Not to mention the great prizes.  Registration will begin soon!

Make Mine Pink ~ Pink Friday ~ "Favorite Finds"

 

You know that sudden flutter you feel when you discover a long sought after treasure? Maybe it's a piece of faux pastry delicately iced and trimmed with lace satin ribbon that takes hold of your imagination and makes you smile. Or vintage china pieces with hand painted roses that bring back forgotten memories. A cottage frame trimmed in vintage wallpaper to hold a treasured photo. Crisp table linens, reminiscent of special teas shared with Grandmother so many years ago. Hand painted silk roses adorning a beautifully wrapped gift or Cameo soaps, delicately scented to tuck inside a drawer of vintage hankies.

An armful of hand-embroidered pillowcases you can't wait to bring home and show off by piling them on your bed.  A rose scented candle that hides inside a special teacup. Garden party hats with vintage floral brooches and ribbon bands, just right for a party or to dress up a corner of your room. Broken china mosaics on a teapot, lamp or silver plated tray to bring out when company comes.  A vintage rhinestone necklace and bracelet to put on for just the right occasions.

A white painted cottage cabinet to be filled with hand-painted dishes, appliqueéd tea towels, chenille bedspreads or vintage toys. Wrought iron candle sticks that dangle delicate crystal drops. They add an instant aura of old-fashioned romance. Vintage nursery jars to put in your powder room or the master bath, unexpectedly filled with rose-shaped soap petals and lavender potpourri. Hand stitched needle points, rich in history, combined with pastels silks for a treasured pillow. Tea cozies trimmed in Venice lace and satin ribbons and bows - stunning as any china teapot and just right for an afternoon tea party with friends.

Favorite finds of all shapes and sizes, to fill each corner and to suit every whim, wait for you to discover at Make Mine Pink.

 

Joyce Lucas, Founder
Make Mine Pink

 

Get Ready, Get Set..... Bingo!

 

It's time for another game of bingo at Make Mine Pink.  In order to be eligible to play you must be a public forum member.  That part is easy, just visit Make Mine Pink and sign-up, it free!  This games prize is donated by Nancy of Coeur d'Alene, a Jim Shore figurine from the Heartwood Creek Collection Called "Angel Of Summer", isn't she just gorgeous!  Game starts tomorrow at noon, hope to see you there.

We Have A Winner!

We have a winner for our June Give-A-Way!

I used a random number generator to select the winner, there were 42 participants.  The randomly selected number was "6".

So, without further adieu... our winner is ldh!

Please email me your mailing address so that I can get your book in the mail to you on Monday.

Thanks to all that stopped by and participated.  I'm already looking forward to next month.

Happy Pink Saturday ~ "The Rose"

Finally, my rose bloomed and she is breathtaking!  As mentioned in an earlier post this is the first time that I have nurtured a rose bush from the bare root.  I waited patiently for months for this and I'm tickled pink.  I'm hoping for more blooms before the end of Summer.  For more Pink Saturday fun visit Beverly's blog "How Sweet The Sound".

Make Mine Pink ~ Pink Friday ~ "Along The Garden Path"

  

Delights and pleasures that make your heart beat a little faster await you along the garden path. Sights and sounds and smells that excite your senses and inspire your imagination. Perhaps it's the purple cone flowers, multicolored morning glories, fragrant angel trumpets, or the lordly foxglove, all grown from seed and tended with love, that line the path and remind you to dream. Or the delicate shadow of a Victoria trellis supporting a new vine that takes you on a new flight of fancy. In the early morning hours, or when the sun begins to set, a verdigris candle holder or metal scroll work lantern might illuminate the garden pathway. But it's the vintage metal buckets painted with floral designs and planted with overflowing flowers, that seem to light the way.

Along the garden path, a cherub garden sculpture, or a vintage cherub planter might welcome you to this less-traveled road. Ceramic plaques engraved with thoughts and sayings to brighten the day remind you of the peace you find when you walk here, and invite you to linger a while. Garden mushrooms greet you, as does the sparrow-song sung by tiny birds that have stopped to rest on bird-feeders shaped like perfectly opened petals and delicately formed tea cups.

A garden tea party...a hand painted table brought outdoors just for the occasion. Sparkling candy lights make this a fairy-tale place in the midst of an enchanted path. A Victorian cake stand filled with roses and sweets takes center stage, the vintage china tea cups and plates are set. In the shade, you can remove the sun hat that was created just for you, in a design that makes you smile whenever you catch a glimpse of it. 

The garden scenery is reflected in a beautiful handmade cushion, stitched from fabric alive with pink blossoms, then placed on a nearby garden chair. A decorative vintage birdcage hangs from a weather hook. On the table lies a gardening book filled with inspiration and ideas to share. Later, you'll remember absent friends and lovingly write to them on note cards reminiscent of a favorite rose garden.  But for right now, you'll celebrate with those who are here, and share the treasures you've found along the garden path.

 

Joyce Lucas, Founder
Make Mine Pink

 

 

 Photo Contribution 1: Treasured Heirlooms Photo Contribution 2: Caroline Alexander

---

 

June Give~A~Way

  

This month I am joining Cindy of "My Romantic Home" for her monthly blog give-a-way.  One of my favorite decorating books is "Decorating With Blue And White" written by Gail Abbott.  The photography is stunning... I think it will become one of your favorites too.  For your chance to win this fabulous book just leave a comment on this post, it's that easy.  A winner will be chosen using a random number generator.  For a list of participating blogs and oodles of chances to win visit "My Romantic Home".   Just a reminder, don't forget to leave me your email address so I will have a way to contact you if you are the winner.  If your prefer you can email me at lmcdonald2986@comcast.net.  Contest ends at midnight on Friday June 12, 2009.