Love and Blessings Rose Journal

Good day, friends…

I’ve been wanting to transform a mini composition journal I’ve had for quite some time.  I had some ideas in mind, but nothing seemed to motivate me to really sit down and pull the ideas together.

Then a few days ago my neighbor’s mother passed away.  We’ve known our neighbor and her family for 19 years.  My son grew up with her eldest son and daughter (twins), and I’ve watched all four of her children grow to be fine young adults.  I wanted to do something special for her, so I sat down and worked on the journal.

I painted the binding, and used some lovely scrapbook paper for the cover.  Then I decorated it with some lace and leaves from a wonderful package I won from Terri at Artful Affirmations.  It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

I added some roses I had sculpted many years ago using polymer clay.  I also had quite a few rose petals I had also sculpted and incorporated some “falling” petals on the journal.

I thought that she might like to use it to write down some memories of her mom.  Upon giving it to her, and to my surprise, she said that she was going to use it for the very thing I had in mind.

Thank you for visiting Leisure Lane.  I hope you enjoyed the little rose journal.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne ♥

A Little Something Extra

If you’d like to see more creatively designed mini books, stop by and visit Florence at Florence and Freddie.

Joining the following:

Pink Saturday
Mosaic Monday

If It Weren’t For Friends…

Hello, Friends….

I hope you all had a delightful Valentine’s Day!  Valentine’s Day is also my birthday, and though I had to work, it proved to be a beautiful day.

Before my friend and co-worker, Sandra, left for the day, she approached me with a birthday surprise…

A rose
Organic Chocolate Truffles (that melt like silk in your mouth!)
Bath bubble roses
and a perfect card.

Then in my mailbox I found another unexpected surprise…a package from my dear friend, Brenda, from Down Memory La La Lane !

A pretty tan headband to keep my ears warm
Perfectly fun hand warmers
A gorgeous, silvery butterfly barrette for my hair
and a very sweet card from the heart.

Are they gloves? Are they mittens?
They’re super glittens!

These lovely gestures of affection inspired me to write another poem about friends, and the difference they make in one’s life.

     Friends are sometimes like a bellows on dying embers, recharging us with encouraging words, or a hug and a smile.  They are often the only ones available to stand in the gap, or on rare occasions to pray big and move mountains.

But I am prone to wonder of the simpler, yet meaningful impact of the…

Presence Of Friends

     If it weren’t for friends… our mail boxes would be less cheerful, our birthdays less happy, and our hearts less likely to shine on a rainy day.
     If it weren’t for friends…our tears might fall alone, and our laughter might have the hollow sound of an echo.
     If it weren’t for friends…a movie might seem duller, an outing more boring, and a caffè latte less tasty.
     If it weren’t for friends…the moon would seem smaller, the stars would have less twinkle, and a sunset less glow.
     If it weren’t for friends…our memories would be fewer, our smiles less often, and our lives less colorful.

     Friends, no matter how many or how few, how far or how near, are treasures worth cherishing.

    Copyright©2012 Marianne Coyne

A Little Something Extra

As you know, A Little Something Extra is a new feature I’ve added, where on occasion, I’ll be featuring an extra tidbit to my posts.  This time around it’s my pleasure to announce that Terri at Artful Affirmations is having a wonderful giveaway.  If you are not familiar with her site, you must stop by and say “hello”…you will be quite delighted with her unending talented creativity and tutorials.  Click on the Giveaway Button on my sidebar or below to enter her giveaway. (Note:  this giveaway has ended).

Thank you for visiting Leisure Lane.  If you are a first-time visitor, feel free to stroll around the lane.  Old friends and new friends are always welcome here.  Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Come along with me, and join Mary at Dear Little Red House for Mosaic Monday!

Liebster Blog Award

Hello friends, and welcome to Leisure Lane,

I still have the sniffles, but I expect in a day or two I’ll be on the downside of it all.  I received a special surprise, and wanted to share it with you as well as continue it.

Thank you, Yvette!

My blogger friend, creative photographer, and kitchen whiz, Yvette from Twistedvines has graciously nominated me for the Liebster Award.  Be sure to stop by and give her a big “hello”.  Liebster means ‘beloved’ in German, and the award is intended to bring additional traffic to blogs with less than 200 followers.

Regardless of how many followers the following blogs have, I’m delighted to link them to the chain of love by nominating them for the Liebster Blog Award.  When you receive this award link back to the blogger who sent it to you, and nominate 5 more blogs.  Be sure to notify the bloggers you nominate.  If you don’t wish to or can’t participate, you will still receive an increase in traffic to your site – it’s all about love!

Here are some of my “beloved” blogs:

Down Memory La La Lane – meet Brenda
Tea Diary – meet Miss Tea
Cottage and Creek – meet Lynn
Artful Affirmations – meet Terri
Bee Happy – meet ‘Bee’

Don’t forget to stop by and say ‘hello’ to these lovely ladies.  And until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Giving Vintage Linens and Things a Second Chance

Hello friends, and welcome to Leisure Lane…

Are you looking to give new life back to your antique crochet, knits, linens, blankets, and quilts?  My blogger friend, Terri, from Artful Affirmations was interested in brightening up a lovely antique fabric product she recently bought in England.   So I told her about a product that I had heard about a few years back when I belonged to a knitting/crochet circle at a local quilt shop.  And I thought perhaps there might be more of you interested in this product, as many of you collect vintage pretties.

I’ve never used the product personally, but I personally saw its results on a beautiful, yet yellowed stained old yarn woven and embroidered baby blanket.  It was made by the mother of a co-knitter in the group, but never finished.  She was in the process of finishing the blanket as she wanted to pass it on to her grandchildren.  She was using new yarn and she wanted to clean and brighten the rest of the the blanket.  Of course being packed away for so long it had developed those unwanted yellow spots.

The quilt shop employee suggested Vintage Textile Soak as the perfect remedy, so she bought it and tried it on the blanket.  At our next meeting she brought the blanket in with sparkling results!  It was brightened and cleaned, and the delicate embroidered flowers on the blanket were still beautifully preserved.

I couldn’t remember the name of the product, so I called the quilt shop (which most recently closed their locale in my area – whaaaaanh!), and they were kind enough to give me the name of the product and information of where to locate it.

If you are interested in giving your textiles new life ask your local quilt or fabric shops for Vintage Textile Soak.  If  you prefer going online you can find it at Star Spangled Sampler at  http://www.vintagetextilesoak.com/soak.html  If you are interested in Americana country decorating you can visit their home page at http://www.vintagetextilesoak.com.  

I hope this helps you.  You can also google reviews about the product.  Happy soaking!  And until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne☺

Tea Poem Cheer

Welcome, friends…

I know that many of you are very busy with one thing or another…refinishing, restoring, reconstructing, redoing, reorganizing, and that can be rather exhausting.  So for those of  you who could use a little TLC while taking a moment to restore a little of yourself, who are feeling under the weather, or who just want to relax and take a breather, I’d like to encourage you with a poem.

Feel Better Tea Poem

So you say you’re feeling funny;
The sort that needs some tea & honey,
And you only want to sit down and unwind.

Then just put on the kettle,
Take your tea & cup and settle
In the biggest, comfy chair that you can find.

And don’t forget to stir in
All the love that I am sendin’.
Keep good cheer and happy wishes on your mind.

copyright©2010Marianne Coyne

I’m joining these Tea Parties:   Tea Time Tuesday with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage.  Tuesday Tea for Two with Wanda Lee at The Plumed Pen, and Tea Cup Tuesday with Terri at Artful Affirmations.  Stop by and see more wonderful tea time fun.

   

Artful Affirmation Beauty

Hello friends,

Look what was waiting for me when I got home from work!  Isn’t it a beauty?  As a lucky winner of Artful Affirmations June giveaways, I won the Marie Matchbox.

Most of you know Terri, from Artful Affirmations, and are acquainted with her delightful creativity.  If not, you must stop by her blog.  I promise you won’t be disappointed!  She’s an exquisitely talented woman, with an equally exquisite  blog full of free tutorials, lovely art, a most beautiful tea cup collection, and much more. But don’t take my word for it, stop by and see for yourself.

The Marie matchbox was delicately created.  It arrived wrapped in pink tissue with this lovely white tulle and gorgeous rose!

The cover is exquisite, don’t you think?  The bow, the Marie portrait, the paper decoration makes for such a beauty,and I just adore the tiny Parisian tag.  Let’s open it and see what’s inside!!

I found all sorts of pretty single flowers, and the handmade ribbon roses are superb!  Lovely and delicate floral, paper, and sequin strips were gently nestled within.  And look, another smaller, decorative matchbox, which was was filled with all sorts of goodies of a variety of shapes and sizes!

And there’s more!  Laces, ribbons, silk leaves, romantic labels, all things French, and so much more.  And all of the colors and textures are delightfully cheerful.

And let’s not forget this little darling!

Thank you, Terri for your extraordinary generosity.  I promise that every beautiful item will be used and enjoyed.  I’ve been engaged in creating some very nice projects, and these will come in very handy for my near future delights.

Thank you all for letting me share with you today.  If you would like to see many more beautiful items, click over to see Terri, and say “hello” while you’re there.

Tomorrow I’ll be announcing a new item in My Little Bloomin’ Shop, so until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Tea Poem and More

Good day, dear friends,

For this Teacup Tuesday I would like to share with you a cup of tea, some good fortune, and one of my tea poems.  Enjoy!

A Cup of Tea

It’s nice to have a cup of tea
And share our thoughts…don’t you agree?

It’s nice to take a sip or two
And think of reason’s I like you.

So since you don’t live near to me,
I’m sending you this cup of tea.

And when you take your sip or two
Remember I’ll have thoughts of you.

modified

copyright©2007 Marianne Coyne

For more Teacup Tuesday, don’t forget to visit our hosts, Artful Affirmations and Martha’s Favorites.  They always have lovely things to show.  And when there you can visit other delightful sites with all sorts of teacups and other wonders.

Also, don’t forget to stop by Tea Pages, that wonderful blog of tea reviews, news, and more.  Katrina has just released a video book promo (on her Feb. 1st post) for her upcoming book “A Tea Reader”, which will be released this year.  It should be a very interesting read.

Thank you for allowing me into your lives today for some sharing and fun. My Wedgwood Wednesday idea has been a bit scattered.  So I hope to share some items tomorrow, as St. Valentines Day is approaching and I have some goodies for that occasion.

Until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne ♥

Teamug Treasure

Hello dear friends,

Welcome to Leisure Lane.  I’m very glad to be able to join you today for Teacup Tuesday, sponsored by those lovely ladies, Terri and Martha.

Well, as you may remember from last week, I mentioned that I was running out of traditional teacups, but  that I had a special item to share with you.  This is my tea-mug treasure, given to me by my son, Robert, on Mother’s Day, nearly 14 years ago.  He was 7 years old at the time ~ the same age as in the photograph.

It came in a kit with special crayons with which to decorate the ceramic mug, then you pop it into the oven to cure (I’m sure dad helped him with that part).  How surprised and happy I was to receive this.

I think one of the things that makes this cup so special to me, is the thought that he put into it when he decorated it.  To celebrate my love of art, he drew a paint brush, canvas with paint on it, an easel, and a brush and palette, as well as his sweet hearts, rainbow, and affectionate words to celebrate his love for me.  What mother would not cherish such a gift.

As you can see, some of the decorations and his signature have faded from use.  So to preserve the memory from fading, I don’t use it anymore to drink from, but rather keep it on a shelf in my kitchen where I can see it everyday, and smile.

Robert is now 21 years old and in college.  It seems a lifetime ago when he presented me, not only the with cup, but with his very self.  He added a light to my life which no words can express, and I thank God for him everyday.

Thank you for letting me share this with you.  I hope you enjoyed it.  While looking for something in my closet I came across another teatime darling that I think you will all enjoy.  I forgot all about it.   It seems, sometimes, that my life is packed away.  I look forward to sharing it with you next week.

Ta-ta for now, and until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne

My Tea Cups

Artful Affirmations and Martha’s Favorites hold Teacup Tuesdays…and I love looking at the extensive collection of their beautiful teacups.  Though I only have a few teacups, myself, I do appreciate their beauty, and would like to share my humble “collection” as it were.

This lovely petite cup and saucer was given to me by a dear friend who knew of my desire to one day gift a special teacup to each of my beloved friends…something tangible that would connect us together…isn’t it sweet, with it’s delicate flowers and shape?  The gold accent, though a bit worn adds just the right touch.  It was made in England.  This is the cup I used in my previous post to hold that yummy-licious  hot chocolate.

This cup and saucer are my everyday set, but I enjoy it very much nevertheless.  The cup design is very pleasing to me, and I like the simple, yet elegant flower buds and colors used to decorate it.  This set is from Ireland.

I hope you enjoyed looking at these.  Let me know what you think, and thank you for allowing me to share these with you. If you’d like to see more beautiful teacups, teapots, or other fun, creative things, take a stroll and visit Terri and Martha at their blogs.

Until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne