Fine dreams

With the slow pace of summer, I have been finishing the pile of projects I have going on at any given time.  Craft ADD? . . . maybe.  Ideas and dreams start swirling in my head.  Sometimes a quick sketch is all I have time for until the idea has a chance to blossom.

This shabby french style hanger was inspired by a cache of ornaments I found while on a junk hunt.

A stack of gilded fleur de lis ornaments called my name.

They were about 11 inches tall, pretty just as is, but I had other plans for upcycling them.

First, I gessoed them so they would be "toothy" and, possibly, adhere better to paper and glue.

I started layering paint, scrapbook papers, french book pages and vintage wallpaper.

La Fin Du Reve

I believe this translates to "fine dreams".

If any of my french-speaking friends know for certain, please share! 

And, some of my favorite Tim Holtz paper tape.

Then, I started gathering ribbons, trims and vintage millinery.

I adore this sweet cameo cabochon by Jolee's French General scrapbooking line.

A sweet bouquet of flowers and trim.

For some dreamy sparkle, a little sprinkling of mica flakes.

A quick knot of ribbon on the top and the french inspired hanger was complete!

I hope your day is filled with some dreamy moments.

Thank you for stopping by!

xo ~ Heidi

The head or HEART of junkin'?

When you go junkin', do you buy with your heart, head or both?

Definitely both for me.  Sometimes I have a specific need in mind.  Then something really charming comes along and just sweeps me off of my feet, lol.

On a recent junkin' outing, I found a creamy pottery vase, a tattered book of poems, well loved crochet napkins, a darling pearl pin and a vintage jewelry box.

The tattered book of poems ~ that was the heart charmer.

The colors, the title - I love its aged beauty.

The crochet napkins were somewhere in between the functional and heart strings purchase.  I like to use cloth napkins (less paper we have to buy).  It makes me giggle when friends and my kids' friends come over and ask "Can we really use these? You don't mind?"

Why not enjoy the good things in life, eh?  They are only napkins after all.

Isn't this pearl pin sweet?!

I thought this would make a lovely component to a repurposed jewelry piece.

It is going straight into the vintage Miele jewelry box.

Old jewelry boxes can be fun, decorative storage.  And for what some plastic or cardboard storage costs these days - the vintage type is both cute and functional.

Functional or heartfelt - such happy finds lately!

What are your favorite finds?

Thanks for stopping by!

xo ~ 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

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

Seeking organization one pretty project at a time

On a recent archaeologcial dig through my cabinets, {insert giggle here} I found an old recipe box.

This wasn't any ordinary recipe box.

It was once a domestic administration box (my personal chore chart in a box).

This is a story of the upcycling of that box and my journey toward organization.

Well, "pretty" organization.  {because I like pretty}

Here is what my heart wanted.

Here is where our story begins:

This was once what I liked - pretty different than shot above, huh?

I was determined put my chore cards back in action fluffed up with the kind of pretty that makes me smile.

Some sanding, a can of spray paint, Mod Podge and pretty paper later . . .

*b l i s s*

"Don't forget" -- I have a set of index cards with monthly and daily dividers inside.

The index cards in between hold the daily, weekly, monthly things I want to get done.  When I am finished with the task, I move it along to the next day, week or month.

I want to keep this box out in my kitchen on a daily basis so that it will be easier for me to use.

{and maybe not end up in the next archaeological dig, haha}

"Live Today" - embrace the day, it could be the best one yet.

I wanted some pretty tags on the top

 like the one that says you are perfect.

I know I am not perfect but I am perfectly . . . me.

This quote by Mark Twain is one of my favorites.

This box is not only about doing chores {blah blah blah} but also about making the most of each day.

{family time, creative time, business time, soul stretching time}

Here is another shot of the sweet pearl buckle of this tag.

It is from Cerri of the Little Pink Studio.  I just love all of the sweet embellishments she has!

Another tag with one of my favorite papers (and nothing else - just plain paper love).

With my new found inspiration, I created a hub for the daily menagerie of life.

A sweet place for cell phone, planner, keys, purse and

all the other accoutrements of shuffling from point A to point B.

The table was from a friend.

A repainted tiered stand plays the organizer

Bavarian dish (holds keys and the occasional pocket contents)

Handpainted creamer (wrangles cell phone charger cord)

 

A silver sugar dish (plays cell phone holder)

I need to look around and find something to cover that awful black cell phone charger.

The darling "fly" tag is from my friend Tracy.

I've got some creative muse set to make a cover for that planner too!

Was is the best thing you have found {or found again} to repurpose or reuse for organization?

I love to hear new and inspiring ideas!

I am linking up with Amaze Me Mondays

Thanks for stopping by sugahs!

xo's ~ Heidi

Romancing the summertime whites

Recently, I have been rearranging some of my favorite finds and treasures.  Some things I put away for a season so that it will seem fresh and new the next time the season comes back around.

I adore a calming fresh palette of whites.

Mixed with some seashells, I tucked my whiteware and McCoy pottery here and there.

{the white ruler crown is one of my very faves lately}

I found this sweet bust while thrifting.

For mere pennies, the treasures that are out there waiting to be found amaze me.

Here is a close up of my unbottled time.

{if only it could be that easy, right?}

Maybe it would be need to tuck a little sea inspired scroll in the neck of the bottle.

There are two sides to this story.

I also love the look of handpainted china. {hence the next shelf down}

I am so fickle about what I want to display in this cabinet.  I know it will come together one day.

As a result, both styles are remain displayed for now . . . on different shelves, of course. 

I am linking in to Faded Charm's White Wednesday for this post.

Happy White Wednesday everyone!

Sending you happy summertime wishes sugahs!

xo's ~ Heidi

Beach cottage Juliette

Hi sweet friends!  I just wanted to pop in and share one of the projects I have been working on lately.

Joy at Snazzie Drawers sells some beautiful patterns for rosettes and clothing for little girl couture.

This is the rosette I made from her Juliette pattern.  I was in a beachy mood and paired a nubby linen style fabric with an aqua floral.  Clipped to either my pool bag, beach bag or hat, I will enjoy its sweet charm this summer!

I was digging through some old postcards I have collected over the years in search of some Easter theme ones I that I would like to use to decorate with.

Here is one you are welcome to right click and use for your Easter crafting projects.

For a quick Easter tree ornament:

Punch a hole in the corners, set the holes with eyelets, add a ribbon hanger and maybe some millinery, glitter or other goodies.  Voila! You have instant ornaments!

Have a wonderful week sugahs!

xxoo ~ Heidi



Tidying teacups

Lately, I have been able to squeeze in a few minutes here and there to tidy some teacups and a few other random things like this curvy mirror.

It measures about 5x7 inches which makes me wonder if it was used as a shaving mirror

or maybe for a vanity.

The mercury glass tealight holder splashes light against the mirror when I light it at night.

At a recent trip to TJ Maxx, I scored this super cheap and super chic wire basket.

I knew I could find something to corral in it {like our pile of napkins}.

 And, there were other sizes too!

If you need a pretty basket to hold towels, art supplies, toys, get over there quick!

{sidebar tip -- their reusable shopping bags are usually cute only cost a dollar = cute gift bag for cheap}

Many years ago, I found some German morning glory placecard holders.

They are just too pretty to keep in storage.  Not only do they make sweet placecard holders for a tea but they also make beautiful beverage or dish markers.

I have been culling out alot of what I don't use {yay Goodwill and some happy friends} and trying incorporate what I love and use more in my decor.

While some people may love a china hutch filled with chintz, I think my love would be Limoges.

{pale, delicate pastel flowers, and curvy designs}

A petit Limoges tureen and some butter pats - the butter pats have also served as tea bag rests.

One of my dearest and best friends, Kelli, gave me this soup bouillon cup (my first one!).

The pale green wash is a perfect backdrop to the handpainted flowers.

Wouldn't a shrimp bisque be pretty in this one?!

Here is a closeup of the handpainted flowers and gold flourishes.

What spaces have you been tidying up that you love?

Thanks for stopping by sweet friends!

xo's ~ Heidi