An exciting update for you Sweethearts!

 

I am excited to announce the Sweethearts on the Homefront art event has been updated to make an incredible retreat for creating and connecting more accessible for everyone! 

 

 

Now for only $220, it is a 2 day art retreat jam packed with activities, classes and shopping at the Country Living Fair.

 

All proceeds go to benefit Operation Stars and Stripes which support our troops serving overseas and their families here at home.

 

Stop by and visit our amazing artists ~~~ Andrea Singarella and Jenny Holiday & Aaron Nieradka 

 

It will be a great time for a wonderful cause!

 

For registration details and information go ~~ HERE.

 

xo ~ Heidi

 

 

 

 

Love letters from the home front

The Patriot Girl, Rosalyn-Sue Smith had asked me to help her put together an art gathering to raise donations for Operation Stars and Stripes, a nonprofit organization supporting our troops overseas and their families here at home.

 

I have many family members and friends who have served or are currently serving in the military.  For Operation Stars and Stripes and the generous people of our great country to support the the men and women who put their lives in harm's way for our freedom is deeply appreciated.  In addition, Rosalyn-Sue is a very dear friend of mine.  I love her to the moon and back.

 

This year, the theme of Love Letters from The Homefront blossomed.

It is very important for people to feel connected with their families and home when they are in unfamiliar places doing extraordinary things. 

 

A simple letter is an incredibly meaningful token - for the hero overseas and for the loved ones here at home.

 

Rosalyn-Sue talked about the dying art of letter writing.

The handwritten notes, cards and letters are some of the simple things I treasure - I really am a nostalgic girl.

 

For the event, we had a champagne bar with various fruit juices and delicious fruit to add to your bubbly.

 

 

 

A few savory treats for our crafty guests.  Thank you to Jon and Walter at the Atlanta Marriott for your outstanding support with this event!

 

 

Our guests were surprised with some "souvenirs from the homefront".

Little nut cups filled with fortune charms, art supply goody packs, and more sweet treats, just to name a few. 

 

 

Our project for the evening was an heirloom quality love letter keeper made from dupioni silk.

We taught the ladies how to make various kinds of roses to adorn their keepers with.

 

In addition, there were gorgeous silk ribbons, beads, baubles and pre-made flowers to let fuel their imaginations.

 

 

It was such a fun night with new and old friends - lots of laughing and sharing memories.

To pause time, ever so briefly, and have these moments with girlfriends is a cherished thing.

More importantly, we collected generous donations to fill stockings for the men and women serving overseas so that they may have a piece of home this holiday season.

 

 

 

We will be hosting another art gathering next year to coincide with the Country Living fair.

If you are interested in attending, let us know!

Of course we will post details as the event draws near.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a beautiful day ~ 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

Fairytales do come true

This October has flown by with some wonderful fairytale memories.

Here are some pics from Jennifer Hayslip's beautiful fairytale event, Once Upon A Dream in Asheville, NC.

I have included a few pics of the event on this post.

If you want to see some truly beautiful pics of the event, please check them out on Jenn's blog:

Part I

and

Part II

It was a dream come true to attend this event with one of my besties, Tracy. 

See that backdrop?  It was breathtaking to create in such an enchanting location.

One of the cutie pie "sisters", Robin, joined us to strike a pose.

Tracy and the sweet and talented Sylvia.

Sylvia has a genuine soul through and through.

Our sensational instructors, Dee, Natasha and Andrea!

{aren't they darling in the photo booth?!}

A little of the flora blooming.

Sherry, Natasha and Tracy

Our day at the Biltmore House.

(peek at the landing - you might be able to spy us lined up there, lol.)

Sweet girls, Cheryl and Grace, enjoying the majestic views.

Tracy under the arbor

Sylvia, Tracy and Sonia

Marian and Rebecca

Shelley and Rosemary

Grace was my swap partner for the fairy laurels.

I love my laurel and all of the treats Grace!!

Thank you sweet girls for such fun memories ~ it was such a treasured weekend.

Don't forget to check out Jenn's pics!

xo's ~ Heidi

Tag - you're it!

These past few weeks have flown by with magical and fun events.  I am working on the blog posts to share.  In the meantime, some bloggy fun . . .

I have been tagged!  Tagged by sweet AndiBee at Brown Bee Studio.  Thank you AndiBee for some bloggy fun!

The instructions are:

         1. Post the button.


         2. Tell 10 things about yourself.


         3. Tag 5 bloggity sugahs you'd like to know some fun facts about.






1. When I sew, I have to sew barefoot.  Weird, but true - better control over the presser foot.

2.  Cats and dogs, I love them both.  Hence, "a dog person" or "a cat person" doesn't apply to me.  A "fur baby" person sounds more accurate.

3.  I am a Georgia girl with roots in Lousiana, a peachy crawfish of sorts.

4.  As a kid, I would make furniture and clothing for my dolls from random things I found around the house.  Sometimes, to the chagrin of my parents.

5.  I love the 1940's era - the music, the fashion . . . all of it.

6.  Both coffee and tea for me - although, I tend to drink coffee the most.

7.  Can a girl be a collector of shoes?  When I wore out my favorite leopard mules, I purchased another pair and maybe have worn them once or twice.  Sometimes I take them out, adore them and place them back in the box.

8.  One day I would love to have a cottage by the sea - ocean air is good for the soul.

9.  I tried to surf once . . . . once.  I think I would have benefited from some lessons but I was head strong and determined to just "go for it".  Some things never change.

10.   I would rather have sour candy, like Hot Tamales, then chocolate.  Yes, I know this may be shocking to my chocolate loving friends, lol.

I am tagging these sweet sugahs!  It will be fun to learn more about them.  :D

             Tracy at Creative Cure

              Nancy Maxwell James at Sugar Lump Studios

              Sylvia at A Pink Heaven

              Lisa Campbell at Dollies Daughter

             Grace at Pink In The City


One of the joys of blogging is discovering all of the neat people and wonderful things out in blogland.  Please stop by and visit each girl and show them some bloggy love!

Thanks for stopping by sweet friends.  Have a great weekend!  xo's ~ Heidi

Fairytale Cottage Condos

One of the swaps for the Once Upon A Dream art event was a fairy house.

Inspired by a bird house I found, I decided a fairy cottage condo would be fun to work on.

Of course, it would be a cottage made of bits and bobs found along a fairy path.

The first cottage condo was made using vintage ledger paper, crepe paper and vintage millinery.

I loved the sparkly knobs too!

Each cottage condo had an address (number) cut from the bottom of a book page.

I did not get a close pic of the numbers.

The second cottage condo was adorned with vintage lace, ribbons, vintage button and a splash of rhinestone.

Fairies like things that sparkle you know.

The third fairy cottage condo was covered with a dictionary page, German dresden scrap, hand tatted lace and a sparkly bauble.

I had such a wonderful time with my fairy friends!

I can wait to show you more pics of our fairytale weekend!

xo's ~ Heidi

Creating Vintage Charm giveaway winner!

Yay!  We have a winner for the Creating Vintage Charm anniversary drawing!

With the help of one of my lovely assistants, we drew a name out of a vintage hat {quite literally}.

and the winner is . . . . .

Sonia!!

Congrats Sonia and thank you everyone for the entering the fun!

xo's ~ Heidi

Fairytale memories

Fairytale memories need a place to be recorded and treasured.

For the Once Upon A Dream art retreat memory book swap, I made some prairie fairy memory books using vintage foiled and flocked wallpaper which I distressed.

Then, I layered a few more distressed and glittered {have I said I like glitter?} papers.

The darling prairie fairy image was covered with Wheatfields Glimmer Mist {and more glitter}.  I struggle with getting photographs which reflect the beautiful shimmer glimmer mists create.

The prize ribbon rosette was made from a gorgeous taffeta ribbon, foiled art paper, and snippets of trim.

The paper flowers were also inked and sprinkled with some Platinum Stickles.

If I had to list one of my favorite "go to" supplies, Platinum Stickles would be high on the list!

Thanks for stopping by sweet sugahs!

Have a  beautiful day ~ xo's ~ Heidi

Fairy slipper

The air has a crispness to it now on these Georgia mornings - a hint of the coming fall.

Fall brings so many festivals and fun here.

I am so excited to be attending the Once Upon A Dream art event held in Asheville this fall.

And, I have been busy working on some wondeful swaps for this event.

The fairy slipper swap is one where we were asked to alter a shoe and fill it with artful goodies.

I had some pointe shoes from my daughters old ballet school which seemed like the perfect beginning for a fairy princess slipper.

A hand-coiled, tulle rose with sprinkling of champagne glitter adorns the toe.

I dyed the shoe with a tan wash to give the pink a more earthy feel.

Then, I added bits of crochet and trim.

The inside is lined with vintage flocked wallpaper.

More sprinklings of lucious ribbon and tulle. . .

waitig to be filled with some prairie fairy goodies!

Wishing you a magical fall season ~ xo's ~ Heidi

Fairy slippers

One of the great things about art events is the opportunity to participate in swaps to create something special for a new or old friend.

This fall, I am delighted to attend the Once Upon A Dream art event hosted by Jenn Hayslip.  The event is themed around prairie fairies in magical meadows.

There were so many swaps to choose from!

One swap is an altered shoe theme.  We are challenged to decorate a shoe fit for a fairy and fill it with some magical treats.

Here is a little sneaky peek at the fairy slipper I have been working on.

I chose an old ballerina point shoe that would have otherwise gone into a thrift store donation bin.

{oooh, I can't wait to show you the final pics when I get it finished!}

Have a great day sugahs!

xo's ~ Heidi

Aged Ancestors

Many people have probably heard "when God closes a door, He always opens a window".

(sometimes I have trouble seeing the window - it must be the tinted glass)

It's true though - it may not be on the timeline you planned but it will happen - have faith and keep looking, you WILL find it.

Recently, a friend of mine, Kim Purcell (genuine soul and artist extraordinaire), opened an art studio and gallery in Senoia, Ga. called Creative Canvas.  There, she offers painting classes (and you can bring your favorite beverage) for any skill level and even if you have never painted before.  Kim is an enthusiatic and encouraging teacher.  She really loves helping people bring their inner artist to the surface.

In the spirit of living fearlessly (pushing aside the "who the heck am I to be teaching an art class?" - just keeping it real folks), I decided to go through that window and ask her if she might need some people to teach some classes.  And, by the way, have I thought of any classes to teach yet?   Um . . . no (go through the darn window - you will figure it out later - stop over thinking it).  Does anyone else ever over think it?  I sure do.

Well, Kim said yes.  Yes?! Yes??  Oh gosh - now I do have to figure out what I am going to teach!

I am so honored and excited to have this opportunity.

It is such a blessing to be able to share what I love in a way that gives immediate gratification while bringing enjoyment to someone else.

So . . . I decided my first class would be a simple mixed media class with enough elements to, hopefully, keep it interesting enough.  I am calling it Aged Ancestors.

The base is a cover from an old hardback book which I adhered ephemera to and washed with ivory paint.

I am going to bring an assortment of new and vintage goodies for people to play with.

A little dabbling of the charcoal pencil as inspired by the work of Sally Jean.

{Sally Jean Alexander has always been one of my favorite "rock star" artists - her book "Pretty Little Things" resides on my bookshelf and I adore all of the wonderful projects within).

This piece would not escape being adorned by some textile love.

If you know me, you probably saw this coming.

Also, I wanted to share that if you are interested in having an art party, workshop or just a girl's craft night out, Creative Canvas is a quaint venue backdropped by the charming, little "Mayberry", town of Senoia, Ga. Just give Kim a call and she can schedule your function or a few hours of bliss for your group. ;)

Thank you for stopping by sweet friends!

Keep looking for those windows . . .

xo's ~ Heidi