Eye Candy for Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Did you get a chance to visit the wonderful Before and Afters posted for yesterday’s Met Monday?  I was once again blown away by all the wonderful talent and creativity in Blogland!

I started to name today’s post, “Hijacked” because this post started out with one topic and it kind of morphed into something else.  You’ll see what I mean in a sec.

If you’ve been reading BNOTP for a while, you probably remember this little feather tree.  I found it one Christmas for 50% off at Michael’s and placed it here in the guest room.  (See more of that post here: A Feather Christmas Tree in the Guest Room)

Feather Christmas Tree in Guest Room

This past Christmas I decided to use it in the upstairs family room, instead.  (View that post here: The Upstairs Family Room Decorated for Christmas.  I know you can’t tell, but it’s decorated with clear, etched glass orbs, crystal-like garland and a crystal/beaded snowflake on top.   Well, the squeaky wheels started turning and I thought, hey, wouldn’t a feather tree be cute decorated for Valentine’s Day? Hold that thought.

Feather Christmas Tree in Upstairs Family Room

Last Thursday I posted this Valentine’s Day table setting.  (Click link to view.)

Papier-maché Hearts for Valentine's Day

 

The centerpiece included hearts I covered with sheet music (tutorial can be found HERE) and pink glass hearts I found on eBay. A dearheart mentioned in the comments on the tablescape post that the pink hearts were also available at Jo-Ann’s.   I was planning to reuse these pink hearts on the feather tree, but with this new development another idea popped into my fuzzy little brain.  Off to Jo-Ann’s, I did go.

Pink Mercury Glass Hearts

 

Not only did Jo-Ann’s have the adorable pink hearts, they were half price, too!  At $4 for a dozen, I bought several boxes.  They had one box of red hearts left, so that one came home with me, too.  After paying $17 for one box on eBay, I couldn’t resist buying several at this awesome price.

Using this amazingly soft, pink yarn called Angel Fleece, I strung the pink hearts together to create pretty, heart garland for the feather tree.

Pink Mercury Glass Heart Garland

 

I attached more of the Angel Fleece yarn to the red hearts and they became ornaments for this Valentine’s Day tree.  The tree topper is a heart from the garland I used to decorate the guest bed in yesterday’s Met Monday post, HERE.

Valentine's Day Feather Tree Covered in Red and Pink Mercury Glass Hearts 1

Remember this little pitcher from yesterday’s post? I’m so glad I cut the daffodils from the garden a few days ago. Tonight they are forecasting snow flurries and I’ve been hearing something that sounds like ice crystals falling all evening.  The “Love” pitcher came from Old Time Pottery a few years back.  It was the centerpiece for this Valentine’s Day table setting.

Daffodils in Vase for Valentine's Day Decorating

 

Now here’s where this post gets hijacked.   This post was supposed to just be about making heart garland with pink glass hearts and soft pink yarn, but I got distracted.  Yesterday, I purchased a couple of lenses I’ve been hoping to add to my picture taking arsenal.  The photograph below was taken with a  Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens.   I didn’t use the tripod for this shot, so it’s not quite as crisp as I’d like.  But I am loving how this prime lens laughs in the face of low lighting.

Daffodils in a Love Pitcher for Valentine's Day

 

This was also taken with the 35mm.

Valentine's Day Feather Tree Covered in Red and Pink Mercury Glass Hearts 4

 

The other glass I’ve been not-so-patiently-waiting-for is a macro lens.  I had planned to buy a 60mm lens but the store manager recommended the Nikkor 85mm since it has VR (vibration reduction).  So, I went with the Nikon 85mm micro lens since I may not always have a tripod handy.  Nikon calls their macro lens a micro lens, but it’s the same thing.  (Update:  Returned the 85mm and upgraded to the 105mm.)

So, this means I have no more excuses for not bringing you in close for some detailed shots of tablescapes and the other goodies I post about.

Valentine's Day Feather Tree Covered in Red and Pink Mercury Glass Hearts 7

 

With a little cropping, we can get insanely close.  Okay, I won’t always take you this close, I’m just testing the boundaries right now.   I love how you can even see the little fuzzy fibers surrounding the strands of the Angel Fleece yarn.

Valentine's Day Feather Tree Covered in Red and Pink Mercury Glass Hearts 6

 

I do love this macro lens.  I took these pictures using a tripod and my next purchase will most likely be a remote shutter release so I don’t have to actually touch the camera to take the photo.  When you’re using a macro lens, the less chance of movement, the better.

All the photos I posted for last weeks Tablescape Thursday and yesterday’s Met Monday were taken in Manual mode.  I’m rarely shooting in Auto now because when I’m taking photos facing into bright light (like the porch windows for last week’s tablescape and the guest room windows for yesterday’s post) the auto setting just isn’t getting the job done.

Back to the original purpose of this post…if you buy some of these adorable hearts, they also look great strung on jute for a more casual, shabby cottage feel.  I think they would be adorable strung across a mantel, a headboard, the top of a secretary or armoire, in front of a window…really just about anywhere.  And why not keep them out all year!

Valentine's Day Feather Tree Covered in Red and Pink Mercury Glass Hearts 2

 

I used a Larks Head knot to attach my hearts spacing them out about 9 inches apart.  Attaching them with the Larks Head knot made the process fast and easy.  If you aren’t sure how to tie this knot, just Google it and you’ll find a demonstration on You Tube and several online sites.  By some miracle, I still remembered how to make that knot from my macrame days.  Can’t believe I can even still remember what it’s called.  It was such a common knot with macrame, I guess it has stuck with me.   Even if you don’t use it for this, it’s a good knot for hanging decorative tassels and other such things.  Just google and there are numerous tutorials…and it’s easy.

Valentine's Day Feather Tree Covered in Red and Pink Mercury Glass Hearts 3

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Hope your day is extra special. ♥

Valentine's Day Feather Tree Covered in Red and Pink Mercury Glass Hearts 1

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Comments

  1. Happy Valentine's Day to you, Susan! All the festive touches to your guest room are just lovely. (It's my all-time favorite guest room anyway.) You've brought the outdoors in, which makes it even nicer.

    This is a special Valentine's Day for me because it's the first holiday that I get to spend in my new [almost] finished study–thanks again for all your encouragement!

  2. Happy Valentine’s Day!!! This post is FULL of eye candy 🙂 First, your photography is amazing! Second, I am crazy about your home. I just pinned your guest bedroom. Your cottage style is perfect. I want to have two of my chairs recovered in the country blue plaid! Of course the porch is where I could live…I would eat there, read books there, nap there….beautiful. Now, the Valentine tables setting is dreamy. All of your Valentine vignettes are dreamy. I LOVE the Valentine jute string of hearts. You painted the jute string pink…it looks like!! The branch tree is my fav! I am a sucker for branch decorating. My comment would be as long as your post if I pointed out everything I loved. Hugs, Jan

  3. Susan…….you little tree is so delicate I was looking for a sweet little fairy hiding in there. Happy Valentine’s Day!

  4. I LOVE your little feather tree!!

  5. miss flibbertigibbet says

    I love the little heart garland! That tree is like the traveling Gnome in the TV commercials! LOL It looks wonderful no matter where it is! Lorraine

  6. Gorgeous feather tree!! Love the ornaments and the jute garland! Great images with your camera!! Happy Valentine’s Day! Miss Bloomers

  7. Modern Country Lady says

    It looks fabulous, Susan!! And I love your photography skills! You’re so talented!! Happy Valentine’s day to you and much love.XOXO Bea

  8. Lani @ Its My Life says

    Both of those trees are amazing! I totally want one!!

  9. Happy Valentine’s Day to you as well! And you used the Love pitcher again! Where ever did you find it? Perfect with the daffies. The tree turned out beautifully and the closeups of the hearts are stunning!

  10. suburban prep says

    Thank you for such a lovely posting. It put a smile on my face. Happy Valentine’s Day!! Everything is just beautiful.

  11. Olga@Stardust-Decor&Style says

    Susan what a nice and clever idea! You’re amazing girl! Happy Valentine’s Day!

  12. I love the feather tree. I think they are so pretty. The hearts are very nice also. Great ideas again.

  13. Tombstone Livestock says

    Next month you can decorate your feather tree with Shamrocks, in April, Easter Eggs, July, Flags, October, Pumpkins, bats, etc. I’ll keep thinking about the rest of the months. I have thought about leaving my artificial Christmas tree up and decorating for the other months, oh, I forgot, I left it up for several months on the porch, just didn’t decorate, lol. Love your blue plaid chairs, just bought similar style at Salvation Army Blue/Brown plaid, for $47 (Senior Discount) now I can take the orange rocker I inherited when a relative moved out of my living room.

  14. Linda/patchwork says

    Great shots! And, the tree is adorable. Our daughter is keeping her Christmas tree up now, year round. It was a ‘harvest tree’, for Thanksgiving…then Christmas, now Valentine’s….Solves the storage problem. Happy Valentine’s Day.

  15. Wow! This is the best Valentine’s Day candy I’ve ever had–zero calories and a real feast (for the eyes). Those shiny hearts among the feathers look almost like they are suspended in fluffy white clouds. And I love the light glowing through the daffodil petals. So pretty and ethereal. I think you’ver really outdone yourself this time, Susan. (I know, I keep saying that!)

  16. lori @ In My Kitchen, In My Life says

    I admit to being happy to think of skipping V-day and heading straight to daffodils!

  17. You have become a pro with your photos–no end to your talents!

  18. Kristin_Texas says

    In love with those hearts. My mother would love these, too. Kristin

  19. I ~hijacked~ the second close-up of the feather tree for my desktop wallpaper! sooooo pretty!

  20. Congratulations on the lenses! I love your blog and your photos are fabulous. I have a Nikon D 90. I had a Nikon manual SLR 35 mm back in the day but I am still learning from you with the digital! I’m so happy I found your blog! Happy Valentine’s Day – enjoy your presents to yourself!

  21. Lizabeth @ Infuse With Liz says

    Aw, this is so sweet! What a cute idea! That’s a nice way to get a chance to use a tree like that for more than one holiday! Good idea! You did a beautiful job with it! Happy Valentine’s Day!

  22. Just lovely! Happy Valentine’s Day!

  23. susie @ persimmon moon cottage says

    Your Valentine’s Day tree was so pretty. I just found your site today. Your photography is great. I am planning on starting a blog in the near future and I so appreciated the photography tips in this post and in an earlier post that was referenced. Your pics capture the light and the feeling of your subjects so well. The little pink glass hearts and music sheet hearts were just perfect together. Now I am going to go back and see all of the posts from the past that I’ve missed. Happy Valentin’s Day!

  24. Happy Valentine’s Day, just love all the hearts and great postings.

  25. Who wouldn’t want a heart tree…I use a real tree with bare branches I grabbed in the fall…so glad I did!

  26. Michele @ The Nest at Finch Rest says

    OH! VERY well done, Susan! And I am so excited about your new lense(s) I was jealous (in a good way) of all your other pictures, but your new lense and your up-close-and-personal shots are going to be SO over the top! I am too excited. Love this, hope you had a wonderful day!

  27. Little Susie Home Maker says

    I can see why you got distacted and your post morphed! Those are really the most beautiful picures! I would love to use the close up of the feather tree heart as a framed peice! Would you let me do that? I love them! I think you should start dedicating a series of different things on that beautiful feather tree! I just think they are the prettiest thing ever!!! Blessings, Susie

  28. How cute is that feather tree! It’s so nice of you go share all the pot tips with us. Your pics are so detailed and lively and how about those daffodils!

  29. Susan, that is so pretty decorated with the hearts..did you get the hearts at Old Time Pottery? Are they glass or plastic? I saw some light hot pink ones at Big Lots yesterday on the Valentine’s Day display which didn’t have much left but lots of St. Patrick’s Day so I think I’ll stop by next week after bowling for a few St. Patty’s day decorations. Good excuse to have a dessert party with my widowed ladies or invited some other friends over that I haven’t seen for a long time.

  30. Julie @ Knot All That I Seam says

    Wow, love (green with envy actually) your little feather tree. It is so beautiful with the hearts! And your pictures are AMAZING! Thanks for sharing. x Julie

  31. Ohhh Great 🙂

  32. SheilaG @ Plum Doodles says

    Oh, feather tree, how do I love thee?! 🙂 The hearts are perfect on it. And I love your photography. ~sigh~ Maybe some day, but I’m overwhelmed with the options on my point & shoot, never mind a dslr! 🙂

  33. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    Wow…I never thought to not pack away my white feather tree and use it for other holidays!..Great idea and beautiful Valentine Tree!!

  34. For the Love of a Cottage says

    Happy Valentine's Day!!! This post is FULL of eye candy 🙂 First, your photography is amazing! Second, I am crazy about your home. I just pinned your guest bedroom. Your cottage style is perfect. I want to have two of my chairs recovered in the country blue plaid! Of course the porch is where I could live…I would eat there, read books there, nap there….beautiful. Now, the Valentine tables setting is dreamy. All of your Valentine vignettes are dreamy. I LOVE the Valentine jute string of hearts. You painted the jute string pink…it looks like!! The branch tree is my fav! I am a sucker for branch decorating. My comment would be as long as your post if I pointed out everything I loved. Hugs, Jan

  35. Susan…….you little tree is so delicate I was looking for a sweet little fairy hiding in there. Happy Valentine's Day!

  36. I LOVE your little feather tree!!

  37. miss flibbertigibbet says

    I love the little heart garland! That tree is like the traveling Gnome in the TV commercials! LOL It looks wonderful no matter where it is!
    Lorraine

  38. Gorgeous feather tree!! Love the ornaments and the jute garland! Great images with your camera!! Happy Valentine's Day!
    Miss Bloomers

  39. Modern Country Lady says

    It looks fabulous, Susan!! And I love your photography skills! You're so talented!! Happy Valentine's day to you and much love.XOXO Bea

  40. Love your new lens. Great photography is so enjoyable in a blog. I was going to do an Easter egg tree for Easter so I was thrilled to see your Valentine tree. I bet Joann's is sold out of those adorable pink hearts. I'm not sure how to anchor the branches so they don't move or lift out. Thank you for all that you share. Your blog is the best I have found (and we are neighbor's). I live in East Cobb.
    Marsha

  41. Lani @ Its My Life says

    Both of those trees are amazing! I totally want one!!

  42. Happy Valentine's Day to you as well!

    And you used the Love pitcher again! Where ever did you find it? Perfect with the daffies.

    The tree turned out beautifully and the closeups of the hearts are stunning!

  43. suburban prep says

    Thank you for such a lovely posting.
    It put a smile on my face.
    Happy Valentine's Day!!
    Everything is just beautiful.

  44. Olga@Stardust-Decor&Style says

    Susan what a nice and clever idea! You're amazing girl! Happy Valentine's Day!

  45. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    Aww, thanks Jan…you are so nice! On the tree I used pink Angel Fleece yarn from Hobby Lobby. I made the garland with the jute to just show a totally different look. I love the glass against the rough jute…such a great combination.

  46. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    Chris, it needs a Valentine's Day fairy. 🙂

  47. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    Thanks, Liz!

  48. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    Thanks!

  49. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    Bea, thanks! I'm just learning…have soooo much to learn! I hope my pics get better with time.

  50. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    Lani, hopefully Michaels will get one in again this Christmas.

  51. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    Happy Valentine's Day!

  52. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    Labbie, I found the pitcher at Old Time Pottery a couple of years ago. Thanks and Happy Valentine's Day!

  53. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    Thanks, Marsha! I found mine at the JoAnns near Town Center. You may want to check another JoAnns though…I about cleaned them out. lol I was so excited to find them after paying too much on eBay when I needed them quickly for my table.

  54. I love the feather tree. I think they are so pretty. The hearts are very nice also. Great ideas again.

  55. Tombstone Livestock says

    Nezt month you can decorate your feather tree with Shamrocks, in April, Easter Eggs, July, Flags, October, Pumpkins, bats, etc. I'll keep thinking about the rest of the months. I have thought about leaving my artificial Christmas tree up and decorating for the other months, oh, I forgot, I left it up for several months on the porch, just didn't decorate, lol.

    Love your blue plaid chairs, just bought similar style at Salvation Army Blue/Brown plaid, for $47 (Senior Discount) now I can take the orange rocker I inherited when a relative moved out of my living room.

  56. Linda/patchwork says

    Great shots! And, the tree is adorable.

    Our daughter is keeping her Christmas tree up now, year round. It was a 'harvest tree', for Thanksgiving…then Christmas, now Valentine's….Solves the storage problem.

    Happy Valentine's Day.

  57. Wow! This is the best Valentine's Day candy I've ever had–zero calories and a real feast (for the eyes). Those shiny hearts among the feathers look almost like they are suspended in fluffy white clouds. And I love the light glowing through the daffodil petals. So pretty and ethereal.

    I think you'ver really outdone yourself this time, Susan. (I know, I keep saying that!)

  58. lori @ In My Kitchen, In My Life says

    I admit to being happy to think of skipping V-day and heading straight to daffodils!

  59. You have really become a pro with your photos — no end to your talents!

  60. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    I wish. lol You are so sweet to offer that encouragement! I'm determined to master this manual setting. 🙂

  61. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    Thanks, Junie! You are a love! Happy Valentine's Day!

  62. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    You know what, I say awesome to that! Life is short…ya gotta live it to the fullest and do what you love! I think that's wonderful! I'd love to see pics of it decorated for all the holidays.

  63. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    LOL That's not a bad idea! 🙂 That might be kind of fun! Great deal on your chairs!

  64. Susan @ homeroad.net says

    I love the jute and pink heart garland! I wish I could think ahead at Christmas and think of hearts for Valentine's Day!
    Susan

  65. Kristin_Texas says

    In love with those hearts. My mother would love these, too.

    Kristin

  66. Happy Valentine's Day Susan, May God Bless you with much peace and happiness today!!
    Angela

  67. I ~hijacked~ the second close-up of the feather tree for my desktop wallpaper! sooooo pretty!

  68. What a beautiful room..so inviting. Happy V day.

  69. Well it is a beauty! You have great taste!

  70. Congratulations on the lenses! I love your blog and your photos are fabulous. I have a Nikon D 90. I had a Nikon manual SLR 35 mm back in the day but I am still learning from you with the digital! I'm so happy I found your blog! Happy Valentine's Day – enjoy your presents to yourself!

  71. Lizabeth @ Infuse With Liz says

    Aw, this is so sweet! What a cute idea! That's a nice way to get a chance to use a tree like that for more than one holiday! Good idea! You did a beautiful job with it! Happy Valentine's Day!

  72. Just lovely! Happy Valentine's Day!

  73. susie @ persimmon moon cottage says

    Your Valentine's Day tree was so pretty. I just found your site today. Your photography is great. I am planning on starting a blog in the near future and I so appreciated the photography tips in this post and in an earlier post that was referenced. Your pics capture the light and the feeling of your subjects so well. The little pink glass hearts and music sheet hearts were just perfect together. Now I am going to go back and see all of the posts from the past that I've missed. Happy Valentin's Day!

  74. Happy Valentine's Day, just love all the hearts and great postings

  75. Who wouldn't want a heart tree…I use a real tree with bare branches I grabbed in the fall…so glad I did!

  76. Michele @ The Nest at Finch Rest says

    OH! VERY well done, Susan!

    And I am so excited about your new lense(s) I was jealous (in a good way) of all your other pictures, but your new lense and your up-close-and-personal shots are going to be SO over the top!

    I am too excited.

    Love this, hope you had a wonderful day!

  77. Little Susie Home Maker says

    I can see why you got distacted and your post morphed! Those are really the most beautiful picures! I would love to use the close up of the feather tree heart as a framed peice! Would you let me do that? I love them! I think you should start dedicating a series of different things on that beautiful feather tree! I just think they are the prettiest thing ever!!!
    Blessings,
    Susie

  78. How cute is that feather tree! It's so nice of you go share all the pot tips with us. Your pics are so detailed and lively and how about those daffodils!

  79. Susan, that is so pretty decorated with the hearts..did you get the hearts at Old Time Pottery? Are they glass or plastic? I saw some light hot pink ones at Big Lots yesterday on the Valentine's Day display which didn't have much left but lots of St. Patrick's Day so I think I'll stop by next week after bowling for a few St. Patty's day decorations. Good excuse to have a dessert party with my widowed ladies or invited some other friends over that I haven't seen for a long time.

  80. Julie @ Knot All That I Seam says

    Wow, love (green with envy actually) your little feather tree. It is so beautiful with the hearts! And your pictures are AMAZING! Thanks for sharing. x Julie

  81. Oh what a beautiful Valentine's Arrangement!! white feather tree and red hearts!! and the red/white pitcher and yellow flowers! Thanks for making Spring a little closer!! Love your blog, Susan … a favorite of mine!
    Pink Hugs,
    Dee

  82. SheilaG @ Plum Doodles says

    Oh, feather tree, how do I love thee?! 🙂 The hearts are perfect on it. And I love your photography. ~sigh~ Maybe some day, but I'm overwhelmed with the options on my point & shoot, never mind a dslr! 🙂

  83. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    Wow…I never thought to not pack away my white feather tree and use it for other holidays!..Great idea and beautiful Valentine Tree!!…

  84. Susan BetweenNapsOnThePorch says

    Thanks so much, Betty. The little pink glass hearts came from Jo-Ann's and they are on sale now for half off. That sounds like a great idea…a dessert party! Love it!

  85. BerryMorins Bits & Tips says

    How beautiful. Happy Valentine's Day!

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