Beautiful Butterfly Cards To Make

I just love these beautiful butterfly cards that open up like an accordion. You can decorate these cards with just about anything - ribbons, beads, colored paper - or jewels! Write a sweet note on the largest butterfly and you will make a fabulous impression.

I have a template ready to go for your here. Have fun!!!!

Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts ; Metatmorphisis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch ; Making the World Cuter Monday at Making the World Cuter ; Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative ; Make Your Monday at Twice Remembered ; Make It Mondays at at Persimmon Perch ; Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy ; Made from Scratch at Poppies at Play ; Tout Your Horn Tuesday at A Little Sparrow ;;Transormation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage ; Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple ; Get Your Craft On Thursday at Life As Lori ; Thrifty Thursday at Bloggeritaville ;; Frugalicious Friday at Findings Fabulous ; Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home ; Friday Fun Finds at Kojo Designs

Two Little Dolls On A Swan

The faces of childhood - happy, full of joy, innocent and sweet - as seen through the eyes and pen of my favorite children's writer and illustrator, Joan Walsh Anglund, are unforgettable and touching reminders of my own childhood.

These two little dolls represent two generations. The little doll on the right is my childhood doll which was my constant companion. I will treasure her forever. The little doll on the left is my daughter's little doll which she also loves dearly today.

Today these two little dolls are having fun together riding on their favorite swan through the garden...

I entered these pink little dollies in Beverly's Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. Click here for a direct link to How Sweet the Sound. Please pay Beverely a visit, her site it is fantastic!!!

Flowers - Fresh and Extraordinary

In my garden there is a large place for sentiment.

My garden of flowers

is also my garden of thoughts and dreams.

The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers,

and the dreams are as beautiful.

-Abraham L. Urban-

Treasures from Venice

On two recent trips to Venice, my parents have brought back these delightful little mask for my daughter. We hope to continue to add to this little collection...

The Carnival tradition in Venice can be traced back to the 14th century. During Carnival -Venetian people used to wear fancy dresses and elaborate masks. Carnival as you may know, is the time of year to let loose -party and feast before the fast of Lent. During this time the streets of Venice become full of people in masks. Of course, in days gone past (and maybe today too), the reason which made them dress up and conceal their faces was the most obvious one: they did not want to be recognized.

I hope you enjoy these little masks as much as I do :-)

It's Thankful Thursday at Petite Little Bee - Feburary 18, 2010

I drive through Golden Gate Park everyday. We have amazing blossoms all over....especially around the Japanese Tea Garden. It is just so delightful to see and I am so very thankful for them!
(The mosaic above was made with photos found on flickr. Photo credits here.)

Chocolate Souffle Cake From Petite Little Bee

Decided to make my favorite Chocolate Souffle Cake. This cake is very soft and moist - and has no flour at all -just butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla and chocolate. Mmmm scrumptious.

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Petite Little Bee's Chocolate Souffle Cake

Ingredients:

1 and 1/4 cups sugar divided; 8 large eggs at room temperature (I often cheat and take them straight out of the frig); 10 ounces melted semisweet chocolate pieces (I use toll house because I think they taste just fine); 1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter melted and cooled.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, prepare a 9 inch spring-foam pan, butter and coat with sugar instead of flour; in a large bowl beat all of the egg yolks and 3/4 cup of sugar at high speed for 5 to 7 minutes; at low speed add your melted chocolate and butter mixture until well mixed; in a separate bowl beat all of the egg whites until soft peaks form then add 1/4 cup sugar; very gently fold the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture; pour into prepared sugared pan and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a cracked crust forms.

I like to serve this dessert with creme Chantilly! You can serve it warm or at room temperature.

Happy Baking!

Update: This was entered in Designs By Gollum -Foodie Friday. Go check out this amazing blog if you have not already.

This was also entered in the fabulous Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. Please visit this amazing site for wonderful tablescape inspirations.

This is an antique sterling silver tea set - shown above is the coffee pot, creamer and sugar.

Happy Valentine's Day

" The best and most beautiful things in the world
cannot be seen or even touched.
They must be felt with the heart."-Helen Keller-

Wishing you a very happy Valentine's Day!
Love,
Lia

(The mosaic above was made with photos found on flickr - photo credits here.)

UPDATE: Here is an adorable little heart that I found on our Valentine's Day card made by my daughter at school.... I just couldn't resist sharing it with you today!

Shopping In Larkspur, California at French Store Coquelicot

A big thanks to everyone that participated in our Thankful Thursday by leaving a wonderful

Thank You Comment!

Today I wanted to share with you pictures from a beautiful shop I found in Larkspur, California named Coquelicot. They have amazing chandeliers, french provincial tablecloths and so many beautiful dishes and other gifts. The wonderful lady that was in the store was super friendly.

Couldn't resist getting some Valentines (one for myself and one to give away :-) I just love their giftwrap!

It's Thankful Thursday at Petite Little Bee - February 11, 2010

(The mosaic above was made with photos found on flickr. Photo credits here.)

Visit to California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco

We recently visited the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. We took pictures of these amazing underwater aquariums. Aren't they beautiful. The last one is a picture of a Seahorse Dragon!! So delicate and unique. I would never even be able to imagine that such a creature existed upon this earth. I am glad I was able to learn about it here.

Froggy Valentine's

Made these little froggy Valentine's with my daughter for her to give to her classmates for their party. They were a fun project to do.

We are really looking forward to

Valentine's Day!

Aren't you?

Scarf Framing - Regina the Queen

This is a little decorating secret I have, which I just love - framed scarves. I have them all over the house and only wish I had more. Frankly, I prefer them over other pictures. There are so many scarves out there that you can always find one that suits your taste or decorating needs. Because of their size they look amazing over a bed or over the couch.

I have been framing scarves for many, many years. There used to be a really beautiful department store here in San Francisco called I.Magnin. As you would walk into the store one of the first things you saw was their scarf department. They always had a few scarves in these amazing frames that were spectacular. My partner in crime (my mom) and I inquired about where we could get a scarf framed. They informed us about a lovely frame shop also in San Francisco. We visited the frame store only to leave very, very disappointed as the cost of framing the scarf was many times over the price of the scarf. Yikes! So my mom and I decided to do it ourselves. We have never regretted it. Here is one of my favorites. It hangs over a bed and it is the focal point of the room. I just love it. He

Update: I entered this scarf frame in Cindy's Show and Tell Friday. Cindy's amazing blog is at My Romantic Home click here for link.