EAB Designs

English Garden Roses

My English garden roses are blooming this week and I couldn't be happier.  I chose the roses based on my favorite colors and it's such a treat to place them in bouquets around the house.  I wish you could smell them.  In the past, I've had a terrible time with deer eating the roses and buds, but I've finally discovered a deer repellent that keeps them at bay.  Now I'll get to enjoy these beauties well into the fall.

Cookie Tradition

Sometimes you don't have to search long for the perfect recipe.  Our favorite oatmeal raisin cookies are made from the recipe right off the lid on the Quaker oatmeal box.  Chewy on the inside and crunchy on the outside - perfect!

Historic Monuments

This weekend, we visited Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA.   Established in 1847, it was designed in a rural garden style and given the name "Hollywood" from the many holly trees on the property. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it's the final resting place of two Presidents (James Monroe & John Tyler), as well as Jefferson Davis and thousands of Confederate soldiers.  Its rolling hills and winding paths overlook the James River and you can walk through the beautiful grounds and ponder history.

 

DIY Note Cards for Gift Giving

 

These handmade lace notecards take just minutes to make, are super inexpensive and are perfect for gift giving or thank you cards.  Bundle four of them together with a pretty bow, add a gift tag and you have a charming and thoughtful little gift. 

While it's so convenient to send off a quick email or text message, I do try and send handwritten notes whenever I can.  I know I always love when I discover one in my own mailbox.

Whenever I come across plain note cards on clearance, I try to pick up a package.  I found a box of 50 of these Anna Griffin cards on clearance at Michael's for under $5.  You can find beautiful lace yardage at your local fabric stores.  Look in the bridal section and don't forget to check the clearance section where they have great buys on lace remnants.  I use my Scotch Advanced Tape Glider to attach the lace to the cards. (The tape glider is fabulous by the way & I use it all the time!)  Just run a few strips down the edges and center of the cards and the lace adheres beautifully.

Spring is here & summer is on the way because...

 

our '69 VW Crew Cab is back out on the road,

 

fresh flowers can be found all around the house,

and tickets have been purchased for outdoor summer concerts & picnics on the lawn at Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center.  (Less than 10 minutes from our house!)  Looking forward to hearing the B 52's; Rain (A Tribute to the Beatles); Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, Donald Fagen; and more!  Can't wait.

The Gardens of Colonial Williamsburg

As I'm in the process of planning our own kitchen garden, it was the perfect time to visit the gardens at Colonial Williamsburg.  This is one of my particular favorites.

A central area of raised beds, sourrounded by a white picket fence and floral borders.

I'm not certain what the name of this climbing flower is, but you'll find it adorning the tops of many of the picket fences around town.

Another beautiful spot, this garden is located directly across the street from the previous one.

Deep red tulips accent this symmetrical garden design.

You'll find many boxwood gardens which are beautiful all on their own.

A favorite feature in all of these gardens are the brick-lined and pea gravel paths.

I came home with lots of inspiration and a Colonial Williamsburg gardening book to help with designing our own little garden.

A Visit to the College of William & Mary

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Easter weekend.  We just returned from a weekend away to visit our girls at college and deliver a few Easter treats.  First stop was the College of William and Mary.

Founded in 1693, it's the second-oldest university in the United States.  The campus is beautiful and it was a perfect weekend to explore.

This is Crim Dell bridge on campus.  Urban legend has it that if two lovers cross the bridge together and kiss at the crest of it, they will be together forever.  However, if that couple separates at any point thereafter, the lady must throw her ex-lover off of the bridge and into the water to break the curse of being single forever.

Another campus tradition is to swim the Crim Dell pond prior to graduation.  We came across a few snapping turtles enjoying a swim.  (Can you spot this one?) Our daughter has taken a swim in the pond, but has a few more years to attempt the last two legendary tasks. (Jumping the wall of the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg after hours and streaking through the sunken garden on campus).  These three events make up the W&M Triathlon.

Spring is a great time to visit, as the tulips, dogwoods and wisteria are in full bloom.

The campus has cozy wooded areas and beautiful Georgian and Anglo-Dutch architecture.  This is Barrett Hall, our daughter's dorm.  From the campus, we headed across the street to Colonial Williamsburg.  Next time, I'll share a few pictures of the gardens there which are always inspiring.

Happy Easter!

to read more about my decoupage eggs, visit here                     

Small Flower Arrangements, Spring Centerpieces

I've always been a fan of petite centerpieces with flowers of all one color.  White flowers are a particular favorite - the beautiful scent from these stock filled the entire room.

I'm also a fan of mercury glass and actually use my mercury glass votives as petite vases.  To protect the finish of the votives, I tuck in small plastic sandwich bags to hold the water.  Once the water is added, I trim the bag so it's hidden from view once the flowers are added.

For a dinner party on Saturday, I lined the petite arrangements down the center of the table and placed tea light candles in between each one.  I love mixing the iron tea light holders, and copper chargers with the mercury glass.

New white lace trim was dipped in tea to obtain a vintage feel and the eggs were dyed in tea as well.

Swarovski Cushion Cut Earrings, New to the Pemberley Collection

I adore these petite cushion cut crystal earrings.  At only 12mm square (just under 1/2"), they are lightweight and extremely comfortable to wear, but offer maximum sparkle.  Brand new to the shop are six gorgeous colors, perfect for spring and summer!

champagne, peridot, antique pink, copper, tanzanite and chrysolite opal

DIY Easter Craft Free Download

With Easter just a few short weeks away, I'm delighted to share my template for these easy DIY Easter paper cones with gift tags. (Link to pdf file provided below.)

They are the perfect size for presenting Easter treats. Just nestle them inside, or bundle them in tissue paper, tulle or fabric and cinch with a bow.  Tuck them into Easter baskets, or with the addition of a ribbon handle, hang them from mantels, wreaths or door knobs.

The cones can also be used for small floral bouquets.  To keep the flowers fresh, just insert the stems into plastic flower vials.  (I always save mine from any arrangements I receive.)

Directions:  Print the template onto cardstock.  I chose kraft and blush color paper to compliment the sepia tone graphic.  Cut the cone out, along the solid lines.  (I cut the top of mine with scalloped scissors, but straight edge scissors would work as well.)  Score and fold, along the dotted line.  This space is the tab where you will apply glue, or double-sided tape to hold your cone together.  After forming the cone, punch two small holes on each side, 1/2" down from the top.  Thread ribbon from the inside of the cone to the outside, through the first punched hole. Leave a ribbon length of 4" on the outside of the cone and then tie a knot near the hole.  Allow a length of ribbon for the handle, and then thread the remaining hole and tie a knot, again leaving a ribbon tail of 4".  Cut out the gift tag and tie it around the knot on one side of the cone. (Supplies used to create my cones:  Midori Ribbon, Stampin' Up Cardstock & hair flowers by me).

If you would like to share this on your blog or pinterest board, please be kind and add a link for your readers directly back to this post, rather than copying the pdf file onto your site.

Thanks so much & enjoy!

To download your free full-size cone template, click here.

pattern for personal use only please

Oh How Sweet!

The Spring 2012 issue of Sweet Paul Magazine was released last Friday.  I've been saving it to enjoy over a leisurely breakfast on Saturday morning.  Based on a few peeks, this issue is as inspiring and beautiful as the previous ones.  To view the online digital issue, click here.  I've also read that a printed version will be available for sale at Anthropologie. Enjoy your weekend!