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

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas dear friends

May your holidays be filled with joy and blessings.

xo's ~ Heidi

Popping in to say hi!

The beginning of our holiday break starts today.

{woo hoo!}

I am soooo thankful - it has been so hectic with wrapping up school and extracurricular activities!

I just wanted to take a moment to grab a cup of coffee, snag a few moments of bliss and wish everyone a merry week.

There are still packages to be wrapped, ornaments to be hung, baking to be done, parties to attend, "to-do" lists to check off and family/friends to see.

When you step back from all of the hustle and bustle, it is a pretty beautiful time of year filled with some of the greatest joys.

xo's ~ Heidi

ADD and a creative soul

How many of us crafty people have craft ADD?

You know what I mean . . .  a kabillion ongoing projects and different types of crafts you like to do, sometimes simultaneously.

It's ok, we are all friends here - raising my hand, lol.

Recently, I have been on such a jewelry making kick.

I dunno what has gotten into me.  If it doesn't move, I bet I could make jewelry out of it.

This is a pic of necklace I made for my Mom for Christmas.  She doesn't not surf the internet much so I am taking a chance this will still be a surprise.

She wanted something with a longer length and more neutral colors.  I added some pink in there because that is the kind of girl she is. {hey, I get my girliness honest}

Twisting wire like a bead fiend, I also made this lovely.

Seriously, I think I am addicted to rhinestones.

Even addicted as I am, I don't think I could pull off this pendant as an earring (in its prior life) so the earring was repurposed as a pendant.

Switching gears, (because we are talking ADD, right?)  I was making coffee last week during the flurry of holiday activity and as I poured coffee into my cream, a darling heart revealed itself in the cafe bubbles.

No joke!!

Look!  There it is!!

It was a sweet moment, a gentle reminder . . . Love is good.

I hope everyone had a beautiful Thanksgiving week with lots of love and blessings.

xo's ~ Heidi

Champagne kisses

In the midst of decorating for Christmas, I have also been making a few things for the holiday season.

I decided to repurpose a vintage brooch into a necklace.  Some of the rhinestones had turned a champagne color.  I used the color as an inspiration for this piece.

There are fire polished Czech beads, freshwater pearls and mother of pearl beads to add some bubbly sparkle.

A little close up - I love the shimmer!

The length is approx. 18.5" and has a toggle clasp.

It would be darling with a cocktail dress or jeans and a tee!

The price is $40. 

 Message me if you would like a little elf to send it your way!

Have a beautiful day sugahs!

xo's ~ Heidi

I am dreaming of Christmas!

It seems every year I get in the Christmas spirit early.

Is now too early? 

Seeing all of the Christmas decorations displayed in the store had me longing for a little celebration of the season.

This weekend, as our family was hanging out, I put on some Christmas music.

Yeah, it had me . . .

hook.

line.

and sinker.

I started pulling out some Christmas decorations and suddenly, our home starting to become a winter wonderland, lol.

This season goes by so fast.  I don't mind enjoying it a day (er week? or two?) early.

Have a wonderful weekend!  xo's ~ Heidi