>>----love note---->

love always,

the girl in the garden. 

spread the love // heart to heart. {a letter exchange}

happy valentine's day, to my darling friends! I hope all of you had a lovely day, even if you did not have anyone special to spend it with. *wink* honestly, 'tis a comfort to me that God has plans for my life, and hope that when I am of age to court or date, I shall still be as confident that He will direct my paths in this life. His ways are always best, although the concept seems very hard to grasp at times. 

for now, I know that I am much too young to "entangle" myself in a "relationship" with a young suitor, as such at my age are most often times temporary or premature. although, on valentine's especially, there is always something about receiving a little note from a certain little somebody that makes one's heart flutter with tingling excitement. just to know someone care's, someone notices you is endearing. for someone to take the time to send a little something to let you know that they are thinking about you. 

if this is the case, can we not name all letters and notes we receive love letters? I have a wooden box brimming with letters I have received from dearhearts all across the country {even around the world}, and every time I pick up and glance at the familiar, they are all dear as such sweet warmth and love is enclosed within all of them. can I not call it a love letter?      

I have connected with so many young ladies through blogger who now I am honored to now call my dearest of sisters. although this is a place for me to type my heart and share creativity to the world, one of my main  goals since the birth of this garden walk was to connect other young ladies in a safe environment. to connect a heart in Texas to a heart with the same dreams, struggles, and aspirations a heart in Washington shares. 

so with such thoughts in mind, I would like to present to you the concept of a letter exchange hosted here in my garden. now, I have not had time to make this very elaborate {and unfortunately, I should have presented the idea weeks before}, but I do so hope that you shall be able participate.  

>>-------------> here's how it works...

 enter your name and your blog address in the linky tool at the bottom of this post and leave your e-mailing address in a note on this post. {note :: if you prefer not to have your e-mail address published, please leave me a separate comment.} 

at the end of the week, I shall randomly draw two girls names and will send their contact information to you. 

suggestions on what to include in your letter...

write a little description about yourself. your life. your blog. your interests//hobbies etc. 

ask questions. 

include suggestions on book titles and magazines. 

add recipes.

make a valentine's card. 

add mini letters with verses written on them. 

include a little "extra" something to brighten their day. 

the requirements are simple. 

|one| because a fourteen year old young lady usually has little in common with a twenty year old, for this specific letter exchange I am limiting the age groups to being 14 ~ 19 years of age. 

|two| if you are a young lady 16 years of age or under you must have your parents permission to participate. 

|three| when participating, you are making a commitment that you will send a letter to your assigned penning friend by the end of the month. the deadline for sending your note is the first week of march. 

| four | there will be only 10 slots available. once 10 girls fill the linky below, the linky tool shall be closed. 

| five |  participating in this letter exchange, you will have to give your personal mailing address with another young lady. 

this letter exchange is designed to connect other like-minded young ladies with each other, and in all honesty just to encourage them with a little note. perhaps, the acquaintanceship will only last one letter, but the encouragement and thoughtfulness enclosed within the parchment page, shall be cherished forever.

sealed with love,
the keeper of the garden.

giveaway no. 2 // literary luxe

hullo, dearies!
well, I apologize for the lateness of this giveaway...it has been a horror to try to number my comments now that blogger has implemented their new comment form {which I found out to be named, "threaded comments."} in all honesty, I rather like the new form, but I need a way to number the comments, so that I may announce giveaway winners. :) which, has not been easy at all. also, I must apologize for not returning any of your sweet comments. I have been increasingly overwhelmed by life on and off of the computer, thus explaining my slowness in returning your sweet notes. ;) 

since the previous winner, of the Naomi Lynn Stationery did not respond, the new winner is...

comment #100 KHBride! 

and the winner of the lovely Valentine giveaway is...

comment #61 Miss Mary Beth! 

congratulations, ladies! please contact me at gracesgardenwalk@gmail.com with your mailing addresses 

to claim your prizes! as winners, you may not enter the giveaway published below. 

__________________________________

to-day, let us visit another simply darling shop, I know you shall adore as much as I do! 

shop // website // facebook // blog 

 Jessica owns such a charming shop filled with literary inspired, whimsies, handmade with lots of love...

her products are both useful, encouraging, and ever so bookish. 

_______________________________________

>>--- the giveaway ---> 

the winner shall receive...this lovely Jane Austen inspired journal! 

whether you like to write sensibly about every-day happenstances, or dream of a whimsical English mansion like that of Pemberly, this sweet little notebook with faithfully hold all your heart musings. 

special thanks to Jessica for contributing towards my garden party. 

____________________________________

>>--- requirements ---> 

{one} 'tis a requirement that you complete the madatory entry. you may proceed to gain additional entries thereafter completion. 

{two} you must leave separate comments per entry. example : three entries, do leave three separate notes. 

{three} when becoming an official visitor to my garden walk {in other words, following my blog} you must be a public visitor via google friends connect. 

{four} this giveaway is open to US young ladies only. 

{five} this specific giveaway shall close on sunday, february 26th at 12:00 noon {pacific timing}. late entries shall not be accepted, and winners when announced, must claim their prize promptly.  

:: mandatory entry :: 

to enter...simply visit Jessica's delightful shop and tell me what catches your interest.

and

tell me what your favorite quote is.  

:: extra entries :: 

{one} heart her shop, add Jessica to your etsy circle, and like her on facebook. 

// one entry per thing you accomplish //   

{two} be or become an official visitor of this blog.  

{three} spread the word. mention this little giveaway o' mine in a blog post, on twitter, facebook, etc.

 // one entry per place you share // 

{four} enter my other giveaway. 

 {five} purchase something from Jessica's shop. 

___________________________________

I look forward to hearing from you. 

lovingly,

the girl in the garden.