A little surprise from the Patriot Girl Sugar Refinery

One of my very dear friends, Rosalyn-Sue Smith of The Patriot Girl Files, and her son Coe, sent me a sweet valentine surprise.

I know I gasped out loud.

Rosalyn-Sue is one of the most compassionate and thoughtful women I know.

And, her son Coe follows in her footsteps - he is such a sweet boy whose clever commentary always cracks me up!

This is a lolly from the Patriot Girl Sugar Refinery.

(some incredibly delicious things come from that refinery!)

Look at all of the delicious paper and sweet treats!!

It is like having Christmas in February!

Darling buttons - {sigh}

Pretty paper tags with yummy tulle and ribbon

Neopolitan bits - eep!

Sugar rations - seriously, a girl needs these in a pinch!

My heart is filled with gratitude for such a sweet surprise.

Thank you dear friend!

I love you to the moon and back!!

xo's ~ Heidi

Valentine Tussie Mussies!

Happy Valentine's Day friends!

Cheryl was hosting a valentine tussie mussie swap and I couldn't resist participating!

When I received Molly's cone, I was blown away with vintage sweetness!!

I love the music sheet paper and her gorgeous ribbon work.

She even tucked a sweet glittered valentine card inside.

The brooch and beaded velvet leaves make little heart go pitter pat.

But wait, there is more!!

Look how she spoiled me - gaaah!!

Everything was so thoughtful and treasured.

Thank you Molly for the gorgeous cone and sweet gifts!!

One of my very favorite things she sent was this toast stamp.

This has been on my wish list of frivolous things a girl would love to have.

I can't wait to make "french" toast - j'adore!!

Cheryl was so kind and sweet to give us a love letter mail bag.

Isn't it gorgeous?!!

I love the idea of having a pretty bag to tuck sweet love letters in.

Here is the cone I made that was given to Kelly Gibbs Lamb.

A peek at the millinery blooms and tulle

Vintage flocked wallpaper yumminess!

Sweet treasures for Kelly!

Dyed crinkled crepe paper

Has anyone ever seen little baskets made out of cards and yarn?

I came across a stack of these and thought they were just darling.

Thank you for stopping by ~ get out there and spread some love today sugahs!

xo's ~ heidi

Soul nourishing

This past weekend was spent doing alot of soul nourishing.

Spending time with people I love

Working on projects around the home

Cleaning off my desk and getting my art out

Large or small, those moments of time are needed to refresh

and recharge our batteries.

Today, I am making one of those moments lunch.

Not just standing at the counter, crossing off my to-do list while haphazardly consuming a meal. But,

savoring the moment,

being still.

Yes, I did shoot these pics today but that was before I sat down so that kind of interference doesn't count, hehe.

Give a little gift to your self and take a moment to recharge your battery today sugah.

We take care of the world.  Our spirit needs to be included in that care too.

xo's ~ Heidi

A Cinderella story

Our story begins with a mirror.

A mirror that was covered in grit and grime with a chippy, faintly gilded frame.

What I loved most about this mirror was the fantastic deteriorated patina of the glass.  The frame still had wonderful, intricate detail.

I could be a fairy godmother and wave my diy wand of paint over it.

Here she is with a good cleaning, some primer and some fresh coats of white paint.

I have started putting some Valentine inspiration on my mantel.

A pink chippy cherub holding some of my favorite seashells.

(I use seashells year round because I would happily go to the beach year round)

Some petite tea rose bushes and pink mercury glass.

I am such a sucker for that mottled patina of the aging glass.

At night, the tealights dance against the glass . . . soothing perfection.

I am joining these fun ladies here:

Stay warm friends!

xo's ~ Heidi

The little things

Sometimes it is the little things that bring so much joy.

I save bits and bobs of little things that I might use to tie on a package, mix in a collage or use in another crafty project.

A few sparkly bits which have been tucked away have found a new home in some new jewels.

A broken rosary, a random earring and some vintage glass beads are a few a my favorite things.

{tell me if Julie Andrews is singing that song from the Sound of Music in your head - haha, me too!}

My daughter went to an estate sale with my honey and brought me a surprise rhinestone necklace.

{I love my family, they get my love of quirky, vintage things}

I took apart the necklace and used it as part of the centerpiece along with a Mary medal for the repurposed necklace.

A little scatter pin was added to the longer necklace.

A little bird charm and sparkle magic.

Using found magpie objects and repurposing them into something new brings me joy.

Ever since I dicovered jewelry artist, Amy Hanna and her book "Rejuvenated Jewels", I have been smitten with repurposed jewelry.

I adore the wonderful objects she finds and the way she weaves them into something breathtaking.

Thanks for stopping by dear friends - have a beautiful day!

xo's ~ Heidi

Happy New Year!!

Happy NewYear!!

Time to renew, refresh and jump start a brand new year.

Normally, I might have some inspiring words or a bucket list this time of year.

Hmmmm.  Nope.  I have been to pre-occupied with other kinds of buckets.

Like these  for organizing and decorating . . .  :D

Cool huh?!  I might swap the paint for white.  I found this on pinterest (and a million other organization and crafty tips!).  Click the pic to go to the pin on pinterest.  Mission organization, homemaking and fluffing our nest have me ringing in the new year.

If you have not discovered the fun (eh um, addiction) of pinterest, you really must!

Imagine bookmarking all of your favorite tutorials, recipes and things you want to surf back to on the internet with visual pictures that you "pin" to boards you create.  "AND" you can follow your friends pins and repin those too!!

Pinterest is set up so you need an invite to join (why I have no idea - seems silly).  But, if you would like an invite, please email me and I will send one your way.

Well, I am off to go move a few more mountains around here (like maybe some laundry, haha!).

I hope you have a safe and wonderful New Year!!

xo's ~ Heidi

Apron Adoration

One of the things I love the most about the holidays is making gifts and decorations.

Ornaments and gifts made by my children, family and friends are among the things that make the season magical.

When my friend, Cheryl of Nouveaux Portmanteau, asked me to join her holiday apron swap (here) I thought it was a fun way to celebrate the season with handmade treasures.

None of us knew which apron we would receive.  They were all so darling - I would be smitten with any one of them!

When the apron box arrived, I had sugarplums dancing in my head, lol!

Cheryl had beautifully packaged everything and included a gorgeous tote bag which she had made for each of us.  I was so delighted to receive Cheryl's apron (which I am completely smitten with!!) and package of vintage and handmade goodies!!  She had included wonderful vintage ephemera, a brass stencil "H", vintage ornaments and cookie cutters and a soldered ornament made by her.

Cheryl had used the most gorgeous fabric and trims - some were even dyed to match.

Whether I am serving cocktails or cookies - Cheryl, your apron makes me feel like a vintage princess!

Golly gee, piles of satin and lace - heaven!

Here is a closer look at the rosette on the pocket of Cheryl's apron.

So pretty and frothy!!

In the midst of holiday mayhem, I forgot to take pics of the apron I made (ack!).

This is a pic I borrowed from Cheryl.

(photo by Cheryl)

Please stop by Cheryl's blog to see pics of the other beautiful aprons.

Thank you again Cheryl - I had such fun with this swap!!

I would be delighted to know your favorite handmade gift your either gave or received. 

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season!  xo's ~ Heidi