4/24/2010

Sunday Favorites "One Year" Birthday Celebration!

*
Welcome to the 52nd Sunday Favorites...
"One Year" Birthday Celebration!!!

*

*
"Happy Birthday to youuu...Happy Birthday to youuuu...
Happy Birthday Dear Sunday Favorites...Happy Birthday to youuuu"!!!
*

*
Hello my friends!
*
Well it's here! It's here at last...the 52nd run of Sunday Favorites!!!
*
And...as you know...52 weeks equal one year! Today is the birthday of Sunday Favorites...she is one year old today!
*
Happy Birthday Sunday Favorites!!!
*
As many of you know, Sunday Favorites is a Sunday meme designed to give bloggers a chance to share a post from the past. If you will allow me, I would love to give you just a little history of how Sunday Favorites was born. You and I know as bloggers, that we just love to get a post out...some may post everyday...some post two or three times a week...whatever the amount, we all work very hard to get a post published! Well...one busy weekend, a year ago, I was hoping to get a post up and going, however time just got away from me! For many of us, the weekends are just a busy, busy time. Don't you just hate when real life gets in the way of our blogging? Hehe!
*
Anyway the thought occurred to me that I could just copy and paste one of my favorite past posts. After all, I had spent alot of time and effort preparing many of them. It was just kind of sad how they seem to get lost and forgotten about under the myriad of new posts! Hmm...and it wouldn't take any time at all to just "copy and paste" one of those posts and republish it. It seemed like the perfect solution...I could share, once again, one of my favorite posts and I could get a post published for the weekend and it wouldn't take much time! Thus...Sunday Favorites was born!!!
*
One Year Later...
*
So here we are...one year later! Sunday Favorites is celebrating its 52nd run and "One Year" birthday! I have had so much fun hosting this Sunday meme and the participants have certainly shared some fabulous posts this past year!!! I would just like to say a big ol' hearty thank you to the Sunday Favorites participants and the Sunday Favorites readers for making this little Sunday meme so successful!!! I just couldn't have done it without you, dear friends!!!
Thank you...thank you...THANK YOU!!!

*
"Gift Card" Giveaway
*

*
As a little token of my appreciation, Sunday Favorites is hosting a "Gift Card" giveaway!
*

*
Yeeeehawwww!!! Don't you just love a great giveaway? Hehe!
*
The winner of the Sunday Favorites "Gift Card" giveaway can choose one of the five choices of gift cards.
*
1. A $50 gift card to Chilis Restaurant.
2. A $50 gift card to Hobby Lobby.
3. A $50 gift card to Home Depot.
4. A $50 gift card to Amazon.com.
or
5. A $50 gift card to Target Dept. Stores.

*
I thought that I would offer a choice of 5 different gift cards...hopefully there will be one of interest to the winner!!!
*
**The Rules of the "Gift Card" giveaway**
*
This "Gift Card" giveaway is opened to everyone...whether you have a blog or not...
*
However, you can gain up to 4 chances to win!
*
1) Leave a message on this post for 1 chance.
2) Become a follower of Happy To Design blog for 2nd chance.
3) Add my "Gift Card" giveaway logo button to your blog sidebar
or share the giveaway info. in a blog post for a 3rd chance.
4) Participate in Sunday Favorites this week for a 4th chance.

*
Ohhh my...and to help me keep all of this straight...please enter a comment for each chance that you earn! It will certainly help when using that "random generator" thingy! Hehe!
*
(For example: leave a comment for 1 chance. Leave a 2nd comment letting me know that you are a follower of Happy To Design for a 2nd chance. Leave me a 3rd comment letting me know that you added my giveaway button to your blog for a 3rd chance, and leave a comment letting me know that you participated in this week's Sunday Favorites for a 4th chance.)
*
Eeeeks...I do hope that I'm not making this too difficult...if you have any questions...please just ask.
*
The "Gift Card" giveaway begins today, April 24th and will end May 1st (Saturday night at 5pm). I am hoping to announce the lucky winner for next week's Sunday Favorites post!
*
I'm wishing each and every one of you the very best!!!
*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*
Now...onto Sunday Favorites!
*
Welcome to the 52nd run of
"Sunday Favorites"

*
Instructions for Participating in Sunday Favorites

If you are participating in Sunday Favorites, please be sure to add your permalink to Mr.Linky and not your general blog address.
*
Please copy and paste the Sunday Favorites logo button to your Sunday Favorites post or your sidebar so your visitors will know that you are participating. Also...please link back to the host blog, Happy To Design. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful blogs that are participating.
*
Please do not add your link below, until your Sunday Favorites post is actually published to your blog.
*
Thank you so much for your participation!!! I am going to really enjoy going through your "Sunday Favorites" posts!!!

Love ya'll,
Chari




*

*
If you would like to view my very first Sunday Favorites post from April 25, 2009...you can click HERE.
*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*
Well my friends...thank you so much for coming by today! This truly is a momentous occasion for me...Sunday Favorites "One Year" birthday!!! Thank you for helping me celebrate and thank you for your love and support!!! I've had sooo much fun this past year and I really look forward to the year to come!!!
*
Have a super Sunday!!!

*

4/22/2010

*
It's Almost Here...2 Days To Go...
the Countdown Begins!!!
*

*
You Are Invited...

*
Hello my friends!
*
It's almost here...2 days to go...the countdown begins!!!
*
I'm sooo excited!!! Only two more days until the big Sunday Favorites "One Year" birthday party! This Sunday, April 25th...will be the 52nd run of Sunday Favorites!
52 weeks...one year!
*
For those of you who might be wondering what Sunday Favorites is...it is the Sunday meme that I host here at Happy To Design every week! This fun filled Sunday meme is designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past. So many fabulous posts have been published...and regrettably, forgotten about...they have been buried under a myriad of previous posts. I believe that these fabulous posts deserve a "second showing" and Sunday Favorites makes that opportunity available! If you haven't ever joined Sunday Favorites and would like to...you will find more information and the "how to's" of republishing a past post by clicking on my Sunday Favorites Info. button in the sidebar!
*
I am making a special invitation for you to join us for the Sunday Favorites "One Year" birthday bash this coming Sunday! Several of the "regular" Sunday Favorites participants are preparing one of their most favorite "all time" posts for the party...so there will be many fabulous posts for your viewing pleasure! I would love for you to join in with the fun of our Sunday Favorites party this week by publishing one of your favorite "past posts"! However, even if you are unable to particpate...please come by and celebrate with us!!! There will be a special gift giveaway in honor of Sunday Favorites "One Year" birthday!!!
*
A Special Gift Giveaway in Honor of Sunday Favorites "One Year" birthday!

*
You won't want to miss it...
*
Soooo...stay tuned!!!
*

*
Sunday Favorites "One Year" Birthday Party
Sunday, April 25, 2010
at Happy To Design
*
Well my friends, I'm soooo happy that you stopped by today! I hope that you're having a fabulous week! You may have noticed that I added a Sunday Favorites Birthday Gift Giveaway button at the top of my sidebar! I would be tickled pink if you would add it to your delightful blog...helping me to get the word out! Thank you!!! Ohh yes...you'll get an extra point or chance in the gift giveaway if you'll display the button! Yeeehawww!!!
*
Hehe...you'll just have to stay tuned to find out more about what kind of gift card(s) will be given away!!!
*
Have a fabulous day, my friends!

PS...Don't forget to grab my Sunday Favorites Gift Giveaway button at the top of my sidebar!

*

4/21/2010


*
It's Here...It's Here...It's Almost Here!!!
*

*
Hello my friends!
*
Can you hear it? Can you feel it?
*
I can hear the sound of revelry in the air...and I sense an excitement building!!!
*
It's Here...It's Here...It's Almost Here!!!
*
Sunday Favorites is about to have a birthday!!! Yes...that's right...this Sunday, April 25th, Sunday Favorites will be celebrating its very first birthday!!!

*
For those of you who might be wondering what Sunday Favorites is...it is the Sunday meme that happens every week here at Happy To Design! This fun filled Sunday meme is designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past. So many fabulous posts have been published...and regrettably, forgotten about...they have been buried under a myriad of previous posts. I believe that these fabulous posts deserve a "second showing" and Sunday Favorites makes that opportunity available! If you haven't ever joined Sunday Favorites and would like to...you will find more information and the "how to's" of republishing a past post by clicking on my Sunday Favorites button in the sidebar! I would like to make a special invitation for you to join in with Sunday Favorites Birthday Celebration this Sunday by sharing a special post with us!!!
*
Well my friends, you won't want to miss the Sunday Favorites Birthday Celebration!!! I can tell you now...there is going to be a special giveaway...so stay tuned!!!
*
"Happy Birthday to youuuu...Happy Birthday to youuuu...Happy Birthday Sunday Favorites...Happy Birthday to youuuu"!!!

Ohhh my...I can hardly wait!!!

4/19/2010

A Springtime Tea



Hello my friends...I hope that you're having a great day!

We have been having beautiful weather here in Colorful Colorado. Ahhh...there is nothing like a warm, spring day to inspire a little decorating! So I have been busy changing out my home's warm winter frocks for a fresh...lighter...springtime look! I always enjoy redecorating for the new season!!!

Last week I created a "Springtime" tablescape for Tablescape Thursday. Before I put away the centerpiece that I used for that table, I decided to do a little "Springtime Tea"! I hope that you enjoy! *

*A Springtime Tea


Here we are in my french country dining room! *


This springtime tea is done is soft sagey greens and blues...paired with white! *

A "Springtime Tea" Centerpiece...

*The focal point in this "Springtime Tea" centerpiece is a white, decorative iron bird cage filled with trailing greenery...and if you look real close, you will see a white bird inside of the bird cage. I added two white masonary candleholders with white pillar candles to each side of the bird cage. A pretty ornate, masonary orb on a pedestal and a green vintage pitcher sits to the left of the cage. On the right hand side, you will find a decorative plate on a stand and a wooden block with a pretty picture of a bird on it. *


I am using my white ironstone tea/coffee pot that was manufactured by JG Meakins.


*



*A close-up photo of the wooden block with the pretty bird and the decorative plate on the stand. *


One of the things that I love best about spring...are the sweet birds!!!

*This sweet little white porcelain bird has a pretty cutwork design on his wings! *


I just love this wooden block...it measures about 5"x 5"...and has a picture of the prettiest little bird on it! Love the soft aqua blue background! A little white, cast iron bird sits atop the wooden block! *


A "Springtime Tea" Place Setting...

* I am using a teacup and saucer from my old white ironstone set of dishes, A dessert plate called Nature's Garden by Certified International, and a white lacy charger plate. *

The pretty sage green and blue striped napkin is from Pottery Barn. *



Nature's Garden dessert plate by Certified International.

I won this pretty set of plates in a gift giveaway from Diann over at The Thrifty Groove. Aren't they gorgeous? Thank you, Diann!!! There is a different design on each of the four plates...2 different birds...a butterfly...and a dragonfly. These pretty plates were the inspiration for last week's Tablescape Thursday. If you would like to see that tablescape...just click HERE. * I just love the bird on this plate...and look at the beautiful sagey greens and blues!!! *


A close-up of the Pottery Barn napkin.

The wooden napkin ring has carved leaves on it...from Walmart. *


The second place setting with a different bird. *

I just love my lacy charger plates. They were a gift from my best friend Gloria from Happy To Be blog. I have gotten "miles" of use out of these pretty metal charger plates!!!

Many of you know Gloria...she is just one of the dearest and sweetest ladies! I just talked to her yesterday, she is very sick with pneumonia and may be going into the hospital today. Would you please say a prayer for my dear friend? I really am worried about her!!! *


A Springtime Tea


I am joining these fabulous parties today...



Tuesday Tea for Two...hosted by Wanda over at the Plumed Pen.*



Tea Time Tuesday...hosted by Lady Katherine over at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor. *



Tea Time Tuesday...hosted by Sandi over at Rose Chintz Cottage. **


Table Top Tuesday...hosted by Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life. *


Thank you, Wanda, Lady Katherine, Sandi, and Marty for graciously hosting these fabulous Tuesday parties for us!!! We appreciate you, dear friends!!!


Please go by and see what these sweet ladies have prepared for us today...you won't want to miss it! You will find a list of all the other party participants while you are over there!


Well my friends...I hope that you enjoyed my "Springtime Tea" table today! Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I'd love to visit with you!!!


Have a fabulous day!


4/17/2010

Welcome to the 51st "Sunday Favorites"


"Sunday Favorites" is a Sunday meme designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past!!! For more information on how to republish a past post just click on the "Sunday Favorites" info. photo in the sidebar.

~~~~~~

Hello my friends!

Welcome to the 51st run of "Sunday Favorites"!!!

I hope that you are having a fabulous weekend! Well my friends, can you believe that we are on the 51st run of Sunday Favorites? Ohhh my...how time flies when you're having fun! Hehe!
*
Next Sunday, April 25th, will be the one year anniversary of Sunday Favorites!!!
*
This is such a momentous milestone for me and for all of you who have been participating in Sunday Favorites this past year! I have had soooo much fun hosting this fun filled Sunday meme! I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of the Sunday Favorite participants...you guys and gals are the "cream of the crop"!!! Thank you...thank you...THANK YOU for your faithful support and participation in this weekly, Sunday event!!!
*
In celebration of Sunday Favorite's one year anniversary...I will have a special surprise next week...so you won't want to miss it!!! I am going to ask you, the participants, to put your "thinking cap" on and find your most favorite blog post of "all time" to share for our first year anniversary...and I would love to hear exactly why it is your "all time favorite" post! So my friends, get ready for a special Sunday Favorites "one year anniversary" celebration next week!!! Oooh...I'm sooo excited!!!
*
Have a super Sunday!

~~~~~~~~

Instructions for Participating in Sunday Favorites
*
If you are participating in Sunday Favorites, please be sure to add your permalink to Mr.Linky and not your general blog address.
*
Please copy and paste the Sunday Favorites logo button to your Sunday Favorites post or your sidebar so your visitors will know that you are participating. Also...please link back to the host blog, Happy To Design. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful blogs that are participating.
*
Please do not add your link below, until your Sunday Favorites post is actually published to your blog.
*
Thank you so much for your participation!!! I am going to really enjoy going through your "Sunday Favorites" posts!!!

Love ya'll,
Chari






Sunday Favorites

My favorite post from: March 1, 2010

*

*
Hello my friends...I'm so happy that you could come by for a visit today!
*
I will be serving tea today in my Tea Rose bedroom...won't you join me?
*
*
Tea in the Tea Rose Bedroom...

*
Ohhh my...it's snowing at my place today! I am so ready for Spring! I thought it would be nice to spend a little time in my Tea Rose Bedroom...it's such a sunny, cheerful room! It's the perfect room for chasing away the winter doldrums!!!
*
I have prepared a tea tray...would you care for a hot cup of rose tea?
*
Let me show you around the Tea Rose Bedroom while you're sipping your tea!
*
*
The Tea Rose Bedroom

*
This is the Tea Rose bedroom. It is my step-daughter's bedroom while she is here with us and it also serves as our guestroom! I took these photos very early in the morning...just as the sun was beginning to shine into the room!
*

*
This is a fairly small room...but very cozy and comfortable! The morning sunlight always shines so sweetly into the room...spilling upon the bed! It's like getting a "good morning kiss" from the sun!!!
*
We have tried to provide everything that our guests may have need of...a warm, comfortable bed...a writing desk for correspondence...and a cozy rocking chair to catch up on a little reading or maybe to just enjoy a warm cup of tea!!!
*


*
The bed linens are called "Tea Rose"...and thus the name for this room! I purchased this beautiful Tea Rose bedding a few years ago from JC Penneys and have been very pleased with it! I love the colors...the soft pinks and buttery yellows, and the sagey greens...all on a background of creamy white! I also really like the mix of fabric patterns in this bedding...love the florals mixed with the stripes! It's very indicitive of the English Country decor style....which I love!
*

*
A close-up of the linens...
*

*
I just love how I was able to catch the sun shining in upon the bed...so pretty!
*
I love, love, LOVE pillows! Again, a mix of floral fabric patterns can be seen on the decorative pillows!
*

*
A small writing desk...just the place to sit and catch up on your correspondence!
*
A Tea Rose Bedroom Vignette...
*
I placed a frosted Victorian hanging vase filled with pink roses, yellow and white flowers on the left hand side of the desk...along with my late mother-in-law's set of three pink glass vanity jars! I think they look so pretty here! On the right hand side of the desk is my little teacup lamp that my dearest friend, Gloria from Happy To Be...made for me! It's sooo perfect for my Tea Rose room!!! Sweet little bunnies have made their way into this vignette as well!
*

*

*
I just love these beautiful pink vanity jars! I have searched high and low for information concerning these...to no avail! I think that the glass is so unique with the diamond tucking design! Ohhh...and look at the handles...sparkling glass cubes! They almost look like ice cubes!
*

*
A close-up of my beautiful teacup lamp and little bunnies!
*

*
I thought I would show you a few details of this writing desk. I refinished it...it was a medium wood tone before I painted it a creamy off-white color. I also added these pretty garlands of "roses and bows" to the drawer fronts....and clear glass knobs. I was very pleased with how it turned out!!!
*

*
I found this pretty chair at the antique flea market. I love the shabby chic "chippiness" of it! Love the style of the chair and the ornate carvings at the top of the back. Ohhh...and I love, love, LOVE the green and white toile fabric on the seat...sooo pretty!
*

*
A close-up of the detailing on the chair.
*

*
This sweet rocker was just $5 at a yard sale! Of course, I refinished it...painted it off-white and recovered it with a beautiful beige and olive green toile fabric that I found on sale.
*

*
Ohhh boy...a few more decorative pillows! I did mention that I love pillows...didn't I? Hehe! I found this beautiful throw at Hobby Lobby on sale for just $14...the pretty pink and green matches perfectly with the bed linens!
*
How about another cup of tea?
*

*
A Tea Rose...Tea Tray
*
This pretty white teapot is one of my newest treasure finds. I found it a TJ Maxx for just $9.99! I love the delicate porcelain roses that stand up off of the teapot! The white teacup and saucer is from one of my oldest sets of ironstone dishes. A lace edged napkin with a little silver teapot napkin ring sits along side the teacup. Ohhh yes...and we must have a pretty bouquet of flowers...don't you think? I used my lace charger plate to sit the teapot on...all sitting atop a silver tea tray!
*

*

*

*
Well my friends...I'm so happy that you came by for a little chat and cup of tea today! I hope that you enjoyed the Tea Rose bedroom...I enjoyed your company!!!
*
*
I am joining in with these fabulous parties today...
*

*
Tuesday Tea for Two...hosted by my dear, sweet friend, Wanda over at The Plumed Pen.
*

*
Table Top Tuesday...hosted by our very own Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life.

*

*
Bedscapes and Beyond is a brand new Tuesday event hosted by Karen over at Nittany Inspirations! I was really excited to hear that Karen was doing this fabulous party...giving us the opportunity to showcase our bedrooms! Please go by and pay Karen a visit...I just know that she'll have something fabulous for all of us today! It's time to get your beds all "fluffed" up...and your dressers dusted off...so that you can join in with this fun filled party!!!

Please go by and see these dear ladies and all the pretties that they have prepared for us today and while you're there you can check out all of the other Tuesday party participants!

Thank you, Wanda, Marty, and Karen for hosting these fabulous parties for us today!!!