Creating a Fairy Garden/Linking up with Lily Jade for Giveaway!

It's warming up outside and that means Fairy Garden time! It seems that any nursery you go into has a whole section devoted to creating a fairy garden. They even host Fairy Garden parties, which MiniMe wants to do for her next birthday.

You can create a Fairy Garden for very little or you can go all out. It's really up to you and your budget. We spent about $75 on items for our two gardens--my daughter and I each made one. We had the pots and soil already so that was just for the little trinkets. Looking back, I actually think we could have spent way less but once you're in the nursery looking at all the little cuteness, you go crazy. After looking at some Pinterest boards, I realize there are many items you have around your home you could use--corks from wine bottles, rocks or pebbles from old fish tanks, old dollhouse furniture, tiny tea party dishes, bark from your garden, sea glass, sea shells, sand, beads and so much more--just look around!

Here is a pic of my supplies and plants before we start planting. MiniMe is planting a Fairy Garden and I am planting a Gnome Garden.

The first thing to do is to prep your pot with soil. We each have large pots that we can pull inside in the winter. Make sure if you are planting live plants that you have a hole at the bottom of your pot as well as a protective plate to prevent leaks on your carpet/wood when you pull your pot inside. We live in Colorado so we will be pulling our pots in.

Once you have your pot filled, just start creating and arranging. We kept our succulents in the center and plants that will grow more on the side so they won't take over the garden.

Here is the overview of my finished Gnome Garden and then a close up of some of the details:

And MiniMe's Fairy Garden:

Making a Fairy Garden with your daughter(s) is a fun way to spend time together. You don't even have to be a green thumb to make it work (I'm definitely not one!). Most of the plants are super hearty and it is easy enough to dig a hole and water on occasion. It will definitely get you in the mood for spring/summer!

I'm so excited and honored to link up with Lily Jade today to host a giveaway of a statement necklace and brooch from my shop! If you aren't familiar with Lily Jade, check out the site. Lily Jade sells beautiful designer diaper bags. How fabulous is the Madeline bag? I mean seriously, how many times do you have to drop what you're doing to help your little one? Every diaper bag should have a backpack option. Tori Spelling featured her Lily Jade bag on her Instagram account. Lily Jade followers can enter the code LILYJADE30 from now until Friday to save 30% off their purchase.

Cute Crochet Coaster Pattern

Every single night (if we are home) I start up the burner on my stove and set my tea kettle with water upon it. Every night after about 5 minutes when the kettle whistles, every person in my household yells, "Mommy! Your tea!" As if I have no ability to hear. It happens Every. Single. Night. Without fail.

Are you a tea person? I gave up soda on New Year's Day and haven't looked back. I still miss it sometimes but I know I don't yet have the willpower to only have it "on occassion." So I love my chai tea. It's my ritual to drink my tea and take 10 minutes for myself either reading, playing a game of Suduko, or just watching a bit of a TV show.

My favorite coaster to use is my handmade crochet coaster. It's cute and girly. And it is easy to make. It literally takes about 10 minutes. I wanted to share the pattern with you. You can make a group of coasters for yourself or as a gift.

You can download the PDF of the pattern here.

SHS Book Club: The Language of Flowers

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh is a sweet book that kept me turning the pages, anxious to get to the end. Unlike the last book I read, this one wasn't so predictable. I like that in a book.

In the Victorian era, the language of flowers was used to express emotions such as yellow roses for jealousy/infidelity, honeysuckle for devotion, and daffodil for new beginnings to name a few. The main character, Victoria, spent her childhood as an orphan and expresses her experiences in the world through her knowledge of flowers and their meaning.

Victoria's story is one of triump and heartbreak. It made me think about what it must be like to grow up without parents and how would I react to the world had I had her childhood. The book flowed so well that you just want to find out what happens for Victoria. I loved the education I got about flowers and their meanings. I was so fascinated I even purchased the companion book, A Victorian Flower Dictionary. It has all the flower meanings along with drawn images of each flower. It's a beautiful companion book and I'm so happy to have it!

I highly recommend The Language of Flowers whether you are the gardening type of couldn't care less about flowers. The plot will pique your interest regardless of your background with flowers. This was Vanessa Diffenbaugh's first novel. I can't wait to read other books she writes. I read in USA Today that she and her husband were foster parents and her character Victoria was inspired by a young lady she fostered who she couldn't reach emotionally even after having fostered her for over a year. She definitely is able to convey her personal experience through her character. I got a real feel for Victoria's emotional distance and walls she created.

On a side note, this book had me bawling my eyes out one morning when I found out the meaning of Cherry Blossoms. I mentioned how my mom passed away when I was 16. She loved Cherry Blossom trees. The last picture I have of her is standing next to the Cherry Blossoms in Washington D.C., just three days before she died. My daughter has a huge Cherry Blossom tree on the wall in her bedroom. The definition of Cherry Blossoms plays a bit of a prominent role in the book so I don't want to give it away but let me just say that it had tremendous meaning to me and literally made me shut the book (actually it was turn off my iPad) and have a good cry. It just made so much sense and really spoke to me. It was as though my mom spoke to me. It was a real "ah-ha" moment.

Have you read this book? What did you think? I'd love to know!

Valentine's Sale at Silly Happy Sweet

I love Valentine's day--the chocolate, romance, red and pink, and conversation hearts. In celebration of Valentine's, save 30% off your purchase in my shop by using the code VALENTINE30. A sweet Rosie Rosy necklace is the perfect gift.

Silly Happy Sweet Photo Shoot

I wanted to share some photos from the product photo shoot for my jewelry. The shop is updated and ready for business! Don't forget that today is the last day to enter the code HAPPYFOURTH for 20% off anything in the shop.

Isn't my model gorgeous? She's my childhood friend. We've been friends since seventh grade. We actually went to kindergarten together but didn't officially hang out until junior high. She is beautiful on the inside too! I'm blessed to have her. I'm trying to talk her into pursuing modeling for real. I think she's a natural.

Our daughters have know eachother their whole lives. They are the best of friends. I love that they have eachother. They wanted to be a part of the shoot too!

I hope you'll visit my shop and see all the other items I have available. I am now selling earrings because you all shared with me that you wished I had Rosie Rosys to match your necklaces. HAPPYFOURTH is the code to remember for 20% off!

Photo Challenge: Bokeh

This challenge is hard!!!! I've only been able to accomplish taking a Bokeh picture once before and it involved my Christmas tree lights. Since it is May, I was worried how I'd accomplish this one. I watched several You Tube videos about how to take a Bokeh picture. Bokeh is Japanese for "blur." Most bokeh images are of twinkly lights in the background that look like orbs, while something in the foreground is in focus. Or, you've probably seen images with car lights whizzing in a blur in the picture. There are also lots of cool nature images with dew drops of water in focus while the background is a blur--love those! Here is my best attempt at bokeh!

I'm so proud of B, who took this bokeh image of our irises. He's pretty good!

Handmade Holidays

I FINALLY found a frame for my embroidered flowers! I embroideed the flowers for my grandma as her Christmas present. I think (hope!) she will like them. My great fear is that the frame will break en route. Please no, please no.

Purple Monday

Our cornflowers are growing like they're on steroids! I just love this sweet and simple flower! I found this flower with a tiny spider nestled in the petals.

My Week in Pictures

T his represents some sweet moments from my week in pictures. Happy Friday!