Be Inspired #126: Celebrating Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm sending you a little note today

 just to let you all know how much you are loved and appreciated.

In keeping with the day,

 I wanted to highlight some of the links that shared a romantic,

 sweet, and loving theme. 

I "fell in love" with this wonderful vintage window

 and Valentine's Day Mantel from Bella's Rose Cottage.

This sweet lace confection started out as a felted cuff bracelet,

 but after some contemplation, became a romantic

Needle Case from Kadee Willow.

Jamie from Better With Age
created this fun Valentine-y Heart Banner,
and just look who made a cameo appearance!

Jeanette from Creating a Life encouraged her kiddos to

express their feelings and creativity with this

Valentine Love Note Station

Marissa from Becoming Kindred, with her girls, created a 

Woodland Valentine Mantel in their Dining Room.

LOVE that moss heart!

I just had to share this precious image of one of the latest creations

 from our talented friend Rosemary, from Villa Barnes,

Birdie Crowns

...can it get any cuter?

I've heard that it takes months to perfect 

these yummy looking Chocolate Macaroons.

Jennifer from Town and Country Living

shares the scoop on her first batch.

My mouth is watering just looking at these...

And Hey...

Have you entered the

Give Away with EpicLinen?

just click here

EpicLinen is a young company from Provence 

where you will find clothing accessories, 

and lovely linens for your home.

And while you're in the party mood today,

please visit my other Friday Party Pals:

Hope you'll join in for the party today,

Come link up your inspiring posts, vintage or new.

Please have a link within your post to be featured.

Lots of Valentine Hugs and Kisses,

Top Visited Links from Be Inspired Friday

There was so much Valentine fun last week, I'm seeing hearts in my sleep! So here are the top visited links from Be Inspired Friday last week. Thanks so much for linking up the inspiration!

Guest Room Makeover

from Restoring the Roost
(I just adore that wonderful red iron bed!)

Junk Salvation Show at Faded Charm

(Kathleen gave us a tour of her booth space)

Breakfast Trays

from May Days

(wow, LOVE that red/white quilt!)

Freshening Up the Dining Room for Spring

from Town and Country Living

(Jennifer always brings her A Game to the party!)

Did you enter the Give Away with Epic Linen?

Just click here

See you tomorrow for

xoxo,

EpicLinen Give Away

I'm so excited to introduce you to my newest sponsor,

EpicLinen 

EpicLinen is a young, family company based in Provence, France that has been gathering together some of the most beautiful linens manufactured in their home country of Lithuania. Created from some of the finest linen in the area, they have been busy designing one-of-a-kind table and home accessories, just now debuting in the U.S. These items are just a few of the beautiful pieces available through their website.  Take a peek at what you can find.

Table Linens

Lovely Napkins, Hemstitched Linen Table Runners and Placemats

You can find Cushions and Pillow Covers, and also Fabric by the Yard. Do you have a project in mind like slipcovers, curtains, or your own special table coverings? I think you'll find some beautiful ideas here.

Now here's the fun part, EpicLinen is not only offering a Gift Certificate for $30.00 for one lucky reader, but they are also sharing a discount code for 20% off all orders now through March 3. If you are the winner of the Gift Certificate it will automatically be applied to your purchase. Discount code is CG USA. (Discount not applicable on "Special Offers") When browsing the site, please click on the dollar icon in the upper right hand of the page for currency conversion. 

I think you'll find some beautiful things at wonderful prices...

(look for the button on the sidebar)

Here's how to enter:

For multiple entries leave a separate comment for each:

1. Visit  EpicLinen and look around to see how you would use your gift certificate, then leave a comment on this post.
2. Visit and "Like" EpicLinen on Facebook
3. Follow EpicLinen Blog 
4. Follow EpicLinen on Twitter and Pinterest
5. Share the Give Away on your blog, Facebook,Twitter, and/or Pinterest
6. And just to be sweet, be a follower of this blog, Common Ground, thanks!

Give Away closes Tuesday, February 19
Discount code available until March 3

Have fun getting to know

  EpicLinen,

thanks so much for entering,

(I was compensated for this post by EpicLinen as one of the Sponsors of Common Ground,
 but all opinions are my own)

The Marketplace: Do you have an Etsy Shop?

Or an Online Store?

Then come on and link up!
The Marketplace 
is open to everyone who has an online store or Etsy Shop.
(Hi Everyone, hope you had a great weekend!)

Here are some great links from last week:

You Are My Sunshine Sign

from Red Hen Home

Vintage Journal/Ledger

by The Brown Shed

1930's Royal Albert Teacup Trio

by Antiques and Teacups

Chippy Shabby Florentine Picture Pair

from Vintage Goodness 1

Victorian Silver Butter Dish

from the Lazy Peacock

Today's sponsor for The Marketplace is talented watercolorist, Christie Scibior. Her soft and fluid color palette, and precious subjects from the English Countryside, remind me of the work of Beatrix Potter. You'll want to browse her shop to see them all. Full of rabbits and ducklings, and adorable babies of the animal variety, you'll feel like you are stepping back in time. Christie has art prints and also a line of note cards that you'll just adore!

Cows Watercolor Print

Robin Watercolor Art Print

Archival Art Print of Country Cottage Farmhouse

Thank you, Christie! 

You're welcome to link up to three of your individual items, or a link to a selling site. Please give information  for people to purchase your items if possible. You don't have to have a blog to join in, but if you do, it would be so nice for you to be a follower, and to grab this image for somewhere on your blog, letting your readers know about this shopping link-up.

So glad to have you here to shop, and since the link is open all week, please come back to see all the new items being listed throughout the week. I still have sponsor space available if you're interested in becoming a sponsor of Common Ground, just click on the menu below the header under "Advertise".

thanks everyone for coming by,

Love Tokens

I've posted about this wonderful gold locket that was my paternal grandmother's before, but when I was looking back through some February magazine issues I really enjoyed this article in Martha Stewart Living about Love Tokens, and wanted to share it once again.

Lockets of all shapes and sizes were very popular gifts to loved ones in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Often they contained photos, an inscription, and a lock of hair from the beloved. Given when soldiers went to war, engagements, or the birth of a child, lockets and charms were highly valued tokens of personal affection, and worn daily.

(click on the image below to enlarge then click again to read)

I love coming across antique pieces of jewelry, charms, and lockets, and I have several personal pieces that I wear frequently.

This large gold locket was an engagement gift to my grandmother with my grandfather's photo and a lock of his thick gorgeous hair. Her initials are inscribed on the cover, Irma Gertrude Russell.

They were married around 1910, and my daddy was the last of 6 children born to them. I had an uncle born in 1912 (the first) and then she had 4 stillborn babies before my dad was born in 1929. They hadn't expected my daddy to live and so he had very few pieces of clothing as she didn't want to get her hopes up, but there he was; tiny, but healthy; a little miracle.

Just a little sentimental Valentine to share.

Linking to:

The Dedicated House
Knick of Time
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Savvy Southern Style
Stone Gable
French Country Cottage
The Charm of Home
Shabby Art Boutique
Rooted In Thyme


Have a wonderful Sunday,

What's on the Sideboard for Valentine's

Hi Everyone, 

coming to you live today from the dark and dreary hallway...

yes, the one with no natural light...

the one I have to hang from the chandy like a monkey

just to get a decent pic.

But it's Valentine's Week, so I had to share the update.

I changed things up a bit, bringing in a new galvanized drawer that has been painted with chalkboard paint. It's so super cute and I found it at The Feathered Nest by my talented and sweet friend, Ruthanne from the fun blog Sugar Pie Farmhouse. Sugar Pie Farmhouse was one of those blogs I read before I started blogging myself. Ruthanne lives only a short drive from Branson and Ozark, Missouri. If you don't know, her run by and check out all the homespun goodness.

Vintage look Valentine's Banner hanging from the old window

I always laugh and say that someone must have either been out in the rain,

or shedding many tears when they received this humongous box of chocolates!

But I imagine it was just the leaky roof from the old attic I found it in.

And I saved this wonderful wine bottle from a few years ago,

cause I just love the label.

Since this adorable drawer is galvanized, it's also magnetic.

Ruthanne also included this blinged up cake server;

just perfect for some tasty romance of the chocolate variety.

Vintage Valentine I found last year

 Do you all have big plans for the weekend,

maybe a little get away with your Sweetie?

Linking up with these parties:

Cozy Little House

A Stroll Thru Life

Mod Vintage Life

Cedar Hill Ranch

Timewashed

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

No Minimalist Here

Have a great one!

(I'm trying to convince myself I don't want any chocolates this year...)

xoxo,