Musings of a Designer on Jewelry, Crochet, Crochet Patterns, Knitting, Running a Crafty Business, Movie Costumes, Books, Art, Design, Steampunk & the Geek Girl Life

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Romantic Country Party & A Giveaway!!

Karla's Cottage is having a Romantic Country Party! She's asking party goers to post photos of what they love and find most romantic about their homes. Well, those of you who follow my blog know there is really only one good answer to that question this fall. It's my new patio of course!! It's finally done and I LOVE it!!! It is so blissful to sit out there sipping hot cocoa, listening to the crickets and watching the sun set. Let's go on a patio tour!
This is right outside the backdoor. We started with a traditional French gravel border but switched to Japanese style rocks. They look marvelous when wet and glistening with rain. And there is a lot of rain here :)
The main seating area. It has a canopy over it right now so it can stay cool and damp for moss growing. And look closely ... it's working! We built it right up to the lemon thyme and English lavender and oh, how divine it smells when the wind blows through!

And this is looking up the shallow tiered risers to what will be the potted herb and vegetable area. The "culinary patio". It was the last bit to be finished and you can still see paving sand that needs to be swept away and surplus bags of rock. But we already have two potted peppermint plants there growing tall! Eep! Don't look at the grass! It was hard to mow around 50 lb. pavers and rock, so we just let it go.

It has been a long journey getting this patio done, but sitting out there in the autumn evenings ... well worth it!! It's a wonderful place to retreat to and the most romantic spot in my house to me :) In my imagination, it's five years down the road....all the pavers are mossy, white climbing roses blanket the fence, a small fountain is babbling and I'm plucking fresh berries from a potted blueberry bush for the breakfast laid out on the table. I can even smell the fresh squeezed orange juice and chocolate croissants. Ahh! Blissful!!

And now....as promised....in celebration of finally getting the patio finished ... A GIVEAWAY!!!!!

A. Tiny Keys
B. Vintage Style: Old Agate & Turquoise (reworked into my signature hoops)
C. Classic Everyday Pearl Drops
D. Peacock Feathers
E. Magical Fairy Tale Stars
F. Happy Ladybugs (a brighter, cheerier yellow in person than in the photo)

I'm giving the giveaway a bit of a twist because I'm a modern girl who believes in having choices :) I also really want you to love what you win! Take a look at the photo montage above and choose your favorite earrings. Then comment on this post making sure to mention which pair (A,B,C,D,E or F) you want to win. Blogger doesn't always automatically capture your email/blog link, so please put a way to contact you if needed. I'm giving away all six earrings, so we'll have 6 winners!! (Oh! I almost forgot. These all have surgical steel earwires so most metal sensitives can wear them.)

Good luck to everyone entering the giveaway! And if you'd like to see more romantic homes celebrating, you'll find a list of participants at Karla's Cottage!

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh wow... they are all so beautiful how could you chose just one?? I really Love c though. And your patio is beautiful to boot!

Anonymous said...

Ooh! I'm so excited for you. Pretty pics, and a really dreamy sounding future garden. I'd love to have a little back yard area. Super excited about the giveaway too! I like them all, but I'd say B. is my fave.

KV said...

Good to see you posting again -- your patio project turned out beautifully! Although I don't have pierced ears, I love your F set of earrings.

But then I also thought all of them were gorgeous, too!


Kathy V in NM

roseroomnz.com said...

It's beautiful, I am so fascinated with the moss, how long before it started to show??? And I love hearing what you have planted and can imagine the smells. I have huge lavender, mint and rosemary bushes in my courtyard, there is nothing like the scent. You have inspired me to get outside and rework my 'salad' garden in time for summmer alfresco dining.
I would love to be an A earring girl - thanks - Enjoy - Rachaelxo

Unknown said...

it was a tough choice but i think i like c the best.
and i am so envious of the patio. looks awesome and very nice to go relax in or entertain outside. i hope you enjoy it.

Katrina Chambers said...

Hi! I love C the best, but that was a tough decision. I love your patio too! I am participating in the party as well and I am having a giveaway too, so pop past my blog if you like!
Have a great day,
Katrina :)

Jenny Froh said...

Oh my gosh! I love all your earrings, but my favorite are "C"! and thank you thank you thank you for using surgical steel... I never get to wear pretty earrings because my ears turn bright red and itchy.. whaa! So I hope I win!!!!

Love your patio! I'm participating in Karla's party too... so stopy by www.pearstreetstudios.typepad.com
to visit :)

bluemuf said...

Fantastic patio and from the looks of it, well worth the wait. Enjoy your fall evenings.

Karen

oops, I forgot, I love all the earings they are lovely

Beth Leintz said...

Your patio is great- I'm sure you'll enjoy a lot of wonderful days and nights on it!

Betty said...

I love your patio. I really like the looks of the japanese stones. I think I need to get some.
Your earrings are pretty, all of them. The set with the keys (a) are my favorite.

Anonymous said...

Love them all- but especially the ladybugs......with the stars (fairy tale) a close second...
Put my name in the drawing, please!
You're terrific for giving choices....
Thanks!!!
MimiG
mimig2002@yahoo.com

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

Your patio looks fabulous; enjoy!
Oh the earrings are lovely; I especially like "C".
:)

Rashmi said...

Looks beautiful - both the new patio and the prizes :-)

Count me in for "C". Thanks!

callmeabookworm at gmail dot com

Terri Steffes said...

Wonderful idea! I am enjoying your blog today!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely patio area!

I'll pass on the earrings since I don't have pierced ears, but they're lovely.

Reflections from the Stone Nest said...

Your patio turned out beautifully! I too can see that moss! I like the little fairy earrings, "E".

Kitty
Kitty

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

Your patio is great! I would sit out there every evening! What a great giveaway. I'm going for B~ ,but they're all wonderful!

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

So glad to meet you and thank you for visiting me today! I've been adding new blogs to my list like crazy, your lovely blog included. Golly, being new to your blog and having a giveaway...I feel like I am not worthy! But, feel free to include me in...all of your earrings are precious..lets see, B or C....How about B.
Thank you for your generosity!
Becky

CatieAn said...

i love your patio. I also love your earrings. I am an a or a c girl either would be beautimous!
catiean@aol.com

PattieJ said...

Beautiful Patio!! I LOVE those stones all around! Hmmm I may have to copy! lol!

Pattie :)

a Pocket Angel said...

Hello, What a delightful and peaceful patio!! I love the Japanese style rocks..
Your earrings are so very beautiful!
What a lovely visit I've had here. Thanks you..~Mary~ :-}

Anonymous said...

You are going to just love your patio. What a great space to decorate and lounge in.

I adore all your earrings, but I especially like F and A.

I will be back to visit, again :<)

Rosie
www.rosieswhimsy.wordpress.com

Bethany said...

I love the stones you chose for your patio! We were about to order some smaller, but after seeing yours, I just love them!! And those shoes in the previous blog...WOW! Loved your home photos and the rest!!! Thanks for visiting my blog today!! ;))

Southern Lady's Vintage said...

Congratulations on your patio! It looks like a very nice place to spend time! I love your blog and will be back soon to ready more! Now am off to see the rest of the participants in Karla's party!!!
Oh...love all the earrings! C is my favorite!
Barbara

Lori said...

your patio looks wonderful, watch out for that mint...it spreads right in front of your eyes, i swear it's true!!! love "C"

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

What a great patio!

Love your blog!

My favorite: "C"

Katherine

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Ooops! I meant to say my favorite is "B" Sorry!

Katherine

Natasha Burns said...

Your patio is amazing!!!! Want to come over and do mine too??!!!
I love all of your earrings, thank you for the giveaway, it is so hard to choose one favourite!!! I think I'd have to say my eyes went first to B.
Enjoy your week!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

hard choice, but a fun one! I like F

Erin Nowak, Designer and Illustrator said...

Alright, so as everyone else has mentioned I love ALL of your earrings. C and F especially, but I am strangely attracted to D as well!!! Probably because one of my favorite custom invites I've designed used peacock feathers (you can see it here if you're curious; http://bridedesign.blogspot.com/2007/03/details.html ). I'm just wondering, can I carry those bad boys off? They're so long and dramatic! OK, since it looks like no one has said D yet and I want to win..I'll go with D! They're so unique!

Sherri said...

looks like a great place to relax and unwind. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Guess what came in the mail today...a package with the three most adorable dresses you have ever seen!! I love them, and will add them to my blog tomorrow morning!! I love your new outdoor living space...just to savor coffee and hear the birds sing is such a treat all in itself!! Wish I could share some plants with you, My neighbors all love to garden and share plants. Your earrings are fabulous and the pretty pink and green ones #C are my fav! So delicate and feminine, so perfect as "jeweled elegance"!! -Sandra

Debbie Doughty said...

Your patio is beautiful. How clever of you to plant fragrant plants within nose reach! Your earings are all so pretty. I think C is my favorite. Most of the time I'm a classic everyday kinda gal...

Anonymous said...

The patio looks great! Count me in on those super cute earrings!! I haven't done jewelry in so long I swear I forgot how to wire wrap!

Anonymous said...

Oh Heather...your patio is SO gorgeous!!! And OH BOY a Bejeweled giveaway! I love 'em all...really...I think I like B's the best though. Those peacock feather ones kind of grab me too though! Thanks!!!

Reflections from the Stone Nest said...

Everything looks so lovely on your patio. Love the japanese style rocks. Those MA shoes are delightful, aren't they??

Kitty

Anonymous said...

difficult choice:) I want the patio:) thank you for the giveaway, and for me, if there is no patio, A can be the key...
http://corinaj.wordpress.com

Lizzy said...

Ahhh... So jealous. I want a patio! If it's as nice there today as it is here, I imagine you must be totally enjoying your patio tonight! :)
Ohhh... and look at all those gorgeous give-aways. Hmmm. Well, I really love them all, but if I must pick one, I'll take C. GORGEOUS!

Gracie said...

Eee! I can't believe I nearly missed out on this. I love all your earrings they are all so beautiful and unique. I think I would have to say A. The key is just so sweet!
Gracie

Anonymous said...

Oh Heather, I was just admiring that patio and happened upon a GIVEAWAY! Yahoo! I LOVE "D"- gorgeous Peacock feathers!!
Congrats on the patio! I know how important good outdoor space is! Enjoy it to the fullest!
xo natalea

Anonymous said...

Love your patio. Looks like the perfect spot for an outdoor meal and a quite sit. Thanks for coming by my blog. I'm still making the rounds of the house party and missed the ball gown party. Yours are quite cute btw.

Anonymous said...

Wow it is all beautiful, but I think C is my favorite, thank you for the chance to win
Leonie
alandl@iprimus.com.au

Lola Enchanted said...

Oh my... I LOVE A... I got your email and I want to thank you for it! You lifted my spirits sweetie!!!!! Thank you!! Oh, please add me to your LOVELY give-away!!!!!!!!!~