A Few More Days To Join Me!....

Hi Ladies, Thank you so much! I have had an overwhelming response to my Very Vintage Valentine Swap!...Since I have so many of you e-mailing me wanting to be part of it...I am extending the deadline for signing up till Saturday, January 3rd.....With the holidays & all, I realize many of you were very busy & just now beginning to get back to blogging!...Please come on over & read all about it!......Will be a lovely time for us all!......

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New Year's Eve.....

New Year's Eve, the last day of 2008.....can you believe it?....Not being folks that ring in the new year with party hats & whistles......we will be home, once again enjoying a fire, a warm dinner of soup & a good movie!......This kind of evening is getting to be somewhat of a routine around here!.....
I do imagine, that as the evening progresses, we will be tuning in to watch the glittery ball drop in Times Square, counting down those last few seconds before 2009!.....
I wish you all a cozy, safe New Year's Eve,.... surrounded by the those you hold most dear.....& just maybe.... a tad bit of champagne!..........Cheers!

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"Holidays Continue, but in a Quieter Way"......

Yesterday morning, our holiday company left to return home. We have had a wonderful time having everyone here, but since the house has been "busting at the seams" since December 18th.....It is just lovely to have our home back to normal......just my husband & I, our two girls, our grandson & all seven dogs & cats......still "full" to some of you, but "oh-so quiet" to us!
Unlike many of you,.... I am quite happy to be leaving up our tree & most of my decorations. I was late in putting it all up, so am in no hurry to see it gone!....With all the holiday "hub-bub", I haven't baked even one Christmas cookie??....So tomorrow, I am picking our two favorites & making up a batch of each!....I still haven't watched "White Christmas", "Miracle on 34th Street" or "The Holiday", .....so am looking forward to a few nights of fireplace fires, sipping hot chocolate & losing ourselves in these holiday movie classics!...I think I have just described our evening tonight!.....warm, cozy & full of continuing holiday spirit!.......Enjoy your evening!.......Heidi XO

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"A Gentle Reminder "....& "Pretty Holiday Images"

Happy Holiday Friends,...I hope you are all enjoying this wonderfully festive time of year!....I know we are!.....I also wanted to remind you all, of my upcoming swap....the next in my "vintage" series.......the Very Vintage Valentine Swap! There is only a few more days to sign up, with the deadline being December 29th.... I invite you to join me!....What a delightful time we all will have!.......

Note: And to all of you who have already signed up....if you have not received an e-mail from me, then I DO NOT have you officially on my list of participants! Remember, you need to send me an e-mail & then fill out & send me your information sheet. Thank you so much!.....Any questions please just ask!

Love the slightly "off" colors of the red & green!.....soft green & a rosy red!....

I also have collected so many charming "Christmas images" that I wanted to share them with all of you!.....I love magazines,.... found these ideas in some of my favorites....& thought they were worth sharing. Enjoy them!.... & be inspired!...I know I am!

Such a simple guest room!......yet undeniably "Christmas"!

With just the addition of "red".... this mantle takes on a "holiday feel"!

And finally, ....in this December's "House Beautiful ".... was this amazing use of paper bells!...What a splash of holiday color!

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"Our Holiday Happenings".....

I hope you all are enjoying your homes, your families & your holidays!...We are all having a wonderful time!...With extended family visiting & staying with us, I have found myself hostessing both Christmas Eve & Christmas Day festivities!....I am thrilled to report that both evenings have been very successful, with many memories of past holidays remembered & hopefully lots of new memories made for the future......
Tonight, my nephew & his parents made dinner...which was delicious & a very welcome treat,.... after two nights of cooking!....After an early dinner, we piled both our families into the cars, driving out to the Hotel del Coronado, a gorgeous old hotel & resort located on the beach across the bay from San Diego. The hotel is beautifully decorated with tiny white lights covering it's beautiful architecture.....& traveling out to view the incredibly decorated Christmas tree in the lobby has become a yearly tradtion! This year the hotel has also set up an ice skating rink, situated between the hotel & the beach, where all the kids spent an hour or so...then we all went inside to warm up with a bit of holiday dessert & coffee!....What a lovely evening for us all!.....Not sure what tomorrow's plans will be, but if they are anything like the last few days, we are all in for one of the best Christmas weeks ever!.......Wishing you all a holiday to remember!......Stay warm!......Heidi XO

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"Gift Wrapping"....one of my Favorite Holiday Tasks

The "gift wrapping" has begun at our house!.....& I love it!....Being a true believer that the "wrapping" of a gift is as important as it's contents,....makes this holiday task one of my favorites!.....I tend to lean toward papers that are similar to old wallpaper...."vintage designs in glorious colors"......I like the unexpected, so I often use ribbons that are a bit faded or slightly off in color.....which ends up giving such an interesting effect to the overall look of the wrap.....And since "millinery flowers & leaves" are something I have gravitated to since childhood, their velvety leaves & organdy petals sometimes have a way of sneaking in the ribbony folds of grosgrain.....and of course at holiday time.....sprigs of berries, fresh & faux are also often spotted peeking their little round faces out from under greenery & twine!

To finish off these joyous packages...the "perfect tag" has to be added......I often make my own, by stamping unique designs & monograms on simple packing labels, sometimes adding a "wax seal" as a charming, old-fashioned touch!......and usually a "dusting of glitter" adds just that last bit of sparkle that every wrapped gift deserves!.....

IFor me, wrapping a lovely gift for someone special, is a wonderful form of self-expression. With simple papers, tidbits of ribbon & a bit of imagination, the gift you give can become something that will be delightfully appreciated.... & remembered for always......

So on that note,.... join me this year, in creating the prettiest assortment of parcels ever!....Make every box nestled under the tree, one that will thrill it's recipient,.....while all the while, filling you with the warmest holiday spirit!..... Heidi XO

Note: Just a simple reminder to be sure & sign up for my Very Vintage Valentine Swap!.....There are only a few days left....So take a minute from all your holiday "goings-ons" & add you name to the list!...I would love having you join me!

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"Decorating the Tree"......

"Simple beauty"...... Today our holiday company began arriving. My sister-in-law Jackie, & my niece Kylee flew down from a snowy Seattle, to help me get ready for our big family Christmas!....Her husband & sons, along with other members of our family will all be gathering for quite the celebration!...We haven't all been together for the holidays in 15 years, so I thought we were overdue! .....and luckily everyone agreed!......I am usually the lady who needs to have everything in order, having every task done & wanting the house to be perfect for my guests!...But this year, I have decided to ease up a bit. I am going to enjoy my holiday & all my guests,.... even though things are far from being completed!.....I am welcoming help, & in fact realizing, that getting everyone involved is actually allowing each person to truly experience the holiday!...So the first task tomorrow morning is our "Christmas tree"......the tree is up & lit, but not decorated.....so after breakfast, we will be turning on the carols, with a coffee cup in one hand & an ornament in the other & "decorating our tree"..... I am hoping,....that by getting us all involved, & letting go of perfection, that the tree we create, will be the one that is remembered not only for it's beauty, but for the experience itself.......Heidi XO

P.S. Am posting some of my favorite trees!.....


What a wonderful tree for any little boy!....The "farm animals" & "picket fence".....so perfect!

Warm & cozy,..... & oozing charm!

" Cool & wintery".....but so, so pretty!

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"And the Stockings Were Hung".....

Isn't the tradition of "Christmas Stockings" lovely!......The idea of a "simple sock" hung from the mantle on Christmas Eve.... & then filled in the night by Santa is just the most enchanting thought!.....Stockings, in our home.... & I'm sure in yours, are almost more "revered" than the actual gifts under the tree!

I love to fill them with the most wonderful little surprises!....My mother, who by her very nature tends to be a bit "snobbish" & very proud of it.... has always emphasized that at Christmastime, each & every piece tucked in a stocking is never to be anything but "exquisite"......As a child, I received stockings where Barbie outfits had been carefully taken from their box.... & each article of clothing, pair of shoes & hat were wrapped in the tiniest bits of tissue & satin ribbon. If humble underwear was needed, it was not just a pair of standard white cotton, but instead something that quite resembled a "frilly confection"!....& candy was never anything you saw in your everyday life.....oh! no!....Instead it was the "food of fairies"....delicious chocolate Santas wrapped in shiny foil, gold coins in mesh bags (which later become shoe bags for my Barbies!) & tiny pieces of hard candy, never seen at any other time of year but Christmas!

As a mother myself, I have indeed kept up this tradition.....It needent be "expensive or elitest"....Just "imaginative"!...My mother had no money to speak of...but oh she did have an imagination & the ability to sew!...and with that made our stockings truly what "dreams are made of"!....

So this year, even though money is tight,.... I will be making up the most darling stockings....and I (Oh! I mean Santa!) will be filling them with the most wondrous contents ever!....& on Christmas morning the stocking's tiny treasures will inspire others to continue this tradition.

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My "Tiny Tree Box" Tutorial....

A snowy little forest!......

I am reading about all you ladies who are all organized,.... with your holiday preparations almost finished?...& as much a I would love to add my name to that list, I am nowhere near! :) I still am decorating & baking!!....I still have two darling "dresses" to make for my daughters, along with two Amy Butler "messenger bags" ( with Anna Maria Horner & Amy Butler fabric....sew pretty!)....I have a "felt board" I am making for Andrew ( my 4 year old grandson), along with creating a "clubhouse" for his beloved "Mutant Ninja Turtles"! ....I have no grandaughters, so this is my attempt at putting together a "dollhouse"! :)

In the midst of all my projects, I held my annual "Christmas Cookie Party" last week. As a "favor" for each of my sweet friends to take home,... I made these charming little boxes! Let me rephrase that...I "decorated" these charming little boxes. A year or so ago, I found these little cardboard boxes, approx. 4 " square at Walmart. You could use any box you like, but these were so cute with the edge of the lid being scalloped.....What I did was this...I took each lid & painted it white.....I then made up a "glitter mixture" of Martha Stewart's course glitter, her fine glitter & then the old-fashioned "mica" glitter, which is readily available. After painting the box lids, & allowing them to dry, I painted the top & sides with Modge Podge & generously sprinkled on the glitter mixture & let that dry.....I then took tiny little bottle brush trees (available in the holiday aisle at Walmart & approx. 3-4" tall) & glued them to the top of each lid. I carefully sprayed the tree ( be careful not to spray on you glittered lid) & then glittered those as well....Then at Michaels, I found the most amazing little spools of "twill tape" printed with the word "Cherish"....I cut litle pieces of it & then draped & glued those on the trees, adding a long pearl-headed pin as well.... I added a wee jingle bell & there you have it.....the most adorable "Tiny Tree Box"!..I think the end result is so vintage looking! It is perfect to give alone or to tuck a little surprise in!.....This project was so quick, it was so easy & so inexpensive! There is still time friends...even if you still are knee-deep in "to-do's" like me.....Go pick up a few supplies, come home & create a "Tiny Tree Forest"!!!........Happy Crafting!

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The "Etiquette of Swapping"......

There is no question about it...I LOVE SWAPS!.....I love being paired with a partner, putting together a lovely box specifically for her & sending it off!......and then of course, it is equally wonderful to be on the receiving end......hearing the UPS man screech on his brakes, run up the walk & hand me a much anticipated "swap box"!
Feeling this way, a few months ago I decided to begin my own series of "Very Vintage" swaps. The "Very Vintage Halloween Swap" was first, which was followed by the "Very Vintage Christmas Swap"..... & now we are looking forward to the "Very Vintage Valentine Swap" as well. I so enjoy hosting these & will certainly continue to do so,..... as long as I have interested ladies who wish to participate!.....After all,... "you all" make it possible! :)
Since beginning the swaps, I have met some of the nicest women ever!....Ladies who have become & will continue to be dear friends!......With well over a 100+ ladies joining me in the last two swaps, I am overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness & kindness you have shown me & your partners! I cannot "thank you " all enough!.....You all make "hostessing" such a pleasure!
With this said, there is another "point" to this post.... one that I am extremely serious about......When I announce a swap, I am expecting you to "follow through". I am trusting you....I am assuming that you would not be signing up unless you wish to participate thoroughly. I also am a reasonable women....realizing that sometimes "life happens"....forcing you to be need a bit more time or in some cases completely drop out of the swap. I understand this. And I have asked repeatedly, if you find yourself in this circumstance, than to PLEASE let me or your partner know immediately.
This is where I will admit,.... I am getting very upset! In the last days of my most recent swap...the "Very Vintage Christmas Swap"...I have been getting e-mails from wonderful ladies who have done what they were supposed to...putting together lovely boxes for their partners, sending them off & NEVER HEARING A WORD & NEVER RECEIVING A SWAP BOX BACK!!!! It would be an understatement for me to say I am MAD!....I'm not mad,... I am FURIOUS! ...In this economy, when money is tight, & at this time of year when we are all busy, I think this behavior is especially DEPLORABLE!!!...It's Christmas time for heaven's sake!!!!???....I am hearing stories of of ladies who sent their boxes off (with confirmation slips),.... know their partner has received it,... e-mailed several times with absolutely NO RESPONSE...& all the while their partner continues to post on her blog!!???....The "nerve"!!!?...To me this is incredibly disrespectful & quite simply "dishonest"!......It also seems to be happening much more to ladies who do not have blogs!....Blog or not, your partner deserves respect!.....This "blogging community" we all love is made up of wonderful people, but a few of you are really making us all look bad! So shape up! Be responsible!
I will get off my "soapbox" now....& I regret having to say this,.... however, I must.....With every e-mail of a lady being "stood up", I politely try & " get ahold of/ e-mail" the partner in question. I also leave comments on their blog. Sometimes, I get a response back & everything turns out just fine (which I appreciate!) .....But most of the time I never hear from the person????....They just disappear, leaving their responsible partner with nothing....no box & no explanation....I am just letting you all know I will simply not put up with this in my swaps!...Please let me know if this is happening to you!....I am keeping a "list", ...yes a list of ladies who are NOT following through & are leaving their partners "stranded", I have that list right next to my computer. I know who you are!....Unless you get ahold of me immediately, with a good explanation...you will NO LONGER BE WELCOME in any of my future swaps!!!!!.....In my frustration, I have even considered posting names, but will try & be a "lady" & refrain from that...but please don't push me!......In closing,... Iwill continue hosting swaps that I hope you all will enjoy!.....All I ask is to please communicate with me & your partner,.... & be honest. I want my swaps to be enjoyable for everyone.....I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!.....& hope to see you all in my "Very Vintage Valentine Swap"!!!........Your friend, Heidi XO

P.S. For your information....I too seem to have been left stranded?...can you imagine "standing up the hostess"????? :)

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Ribbons, Pillows & Peppermints!.......

I just adore "old-fashioned" hard candy in all it's glorious forms!....It's sweet & oh-so pretty!....Whether it's the lovely "swoops & swirls' of candied ribbon.....

or tiny striped "pillows".... & peppermint "chunks".....

Or the" filled" candy canes, with centers of chocolate.....

All these sweet confections of Christmas, I hold so dear. For me, memories of childhood are vivid once again when one of these charming little candies are brought home!.......I make sure each year that tall glass jars are filled with a sampling of all these holiday classics!.....

For me, old-fashioned Christmas candy is not only a treasured treat for me, but one that I hope my children & grandchildren will also remember fondly, when the Christmases of their childhoods are remembered......

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Sweet Images of Christmas......

Blush pink roses, old silver & a scattering of wee oranments.......

This afternoon, finds me thoroughly enveloped in the "Christmas Spirit"!.....Last night was my annual "Cookie Party".....a gathering of my dearest friends, for a cozy evening of chatting, eating & just enjoying the season!.....In preparation, I begin dressing up the corners & cubbyholes of our house, & even though there is still much to do, our home is beginning to feel like Christmas might be just around the corner!......Instead of coming up with "grand decorating plans" for our house, I am instead focusing on decorating in a sweet, sort of "old-fashioned" way...with no real plan, or color scheme, no theme..... I'm not interested in buying "brand-new" or trying to create anything "elaborate"...... What is calling to me is a simple, cozy, some-what "humble" feel.....tiny red printed fabric lampshades, jelly jars & crocks filled with "peppermints & candy canes" & lots of greenery!......strands of sparkling white lights strung across my kitchen,... masses of pure white votives scattered among antique ornaments & the sparkle of slightly tarnished tinsel! There will be paper chains made from brown craft paper & dusted with glitter, "snowballs" of plain "muslin & mica dust"......& stacks of somewhat tattered, but dearly loved, Christmas stories, just waiting to be enjoyed. This is the type of holiday decorating that is happening at my house, charmingly "plain & simple"!...... I hope you enjoy these "Sweet Images of Christmas"........ Heidi XO

Soft, worn linens..accessorized with "bits" of Christmas.....

A room where, ...... "visions of sugarplums dance through our heads".....

Sweet, tiny trees.......

Note: All photos courtesy of Country Living magazine....

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It's Time...."A Very Vintage Valentine Swap"!....Please sign up now!

Hello Ladies, .....I hope you all have had a relaxing Sunday,....because if you're like me, the week ahead will be filled with holiday preparations!.....I LOVE this time of year & all that goes into it!.....but if I can, I would so appreciate you taking a break from all you have to do, just for a minute..... I know it seems a bit early, & I realize all your thoughts at the moment are holiday ones......However, before we know it another very sweet day will be upon us...that being St. Valentines Day!.....And in anticipation, I am continuing my series of "vintage" inspired swaps into the new year, 2009!.....I am announcing my 3rd one, my Very Vintage Valentine's Swap!.....Please take a minute or two to sign up!! All you need to do is to leave me a comment, here on my blog, along with e-mailing me (heididevlin@gmail.com) with your answers to a few simple questions!.....You may sign up from now till Monday, December 29th..... On Friday, January 2nd, I will e-mail each of you with your partner!.....You will then have till Wednesday, January 21st to send out your swap box!.....St. Valentine"s Day is one that is very "old-fashioned"......a day dedicated to charming gestures "from the heart" & "tiny treasures wrapped in ribbons"!.....Let us approach it as such!....Please make your swap boxes as "pretty" as possible, spending only up to $20 before postage!....Use your imagination!...."pretty" does not have to mean expensive!.....So Ladies, I invite you all to sign up!......Now back to all the decorating, wrapping & baking!.....& Merry Christmas to you all!......Your friend, Heidi Xo

Leave a comment on this blog only, letting me know you would like to participate in the swap. Then email me immediately at heididevlin@gmail.com , sending in the following form completely filled out so that I have your information.
Name:
Mailing Address:
Email Address:
Blog:
Would you be willing to swap with an international partner?:
Decorating style (vintage, modern, country, primitive, glam, funky etc!):
Any likes/dislikes (ie. anything you especially love or collect versus things you dislike):
Favorite candle scents:
Favorite confections:
Favorite flower:
Do you prefer your valentines red, pink or another color altogether?

After you have emailed me the filled out form, I will email you back a confirmation, letting you know that I have you down for the swap. Make sure you receive an email back from me.. if you don't receive a confirmation within a day or two, email me again so that I don't miss anyone who wants to be involved! I will leave the swap open for signing up until December 29th, and then will assign partners to each of you on January 2nd. The boxes should be sent by January 21st, so that everyone will have their valentines in time for the special day!.....Thank-you so much again for your interest!
P.S. Feel free to use this graphic and add it as a button to your blogs, or post about the swap!!

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"Paperwhite Narcissus".....one of my Holiday Traditions

"Paperwhite" bulbs being forced in pebbles & water.....ever so simple....ever so beautiful! One of my favorite holiday rituals is the planting of "paperwhite narcissus". Years ago, shortly after moving to Southern California, I had been admiring the December issue of House Beautiful. The magazine was featuring a beautifully decorated home, all dressed for the upcoming holidays. The one thing that caught my eye was these amazing white flowers?...They were tall & white & added such a freshness to the overall decor!....As I read, I learned that these were called "paperwhites"....they were part of the "narcissus family".....& were very easy to grow, as well as force. The next day I was off to the nursery "to get me some bulbs"!!!.....With magazine in hand, I went from one garden center to the next, each one knowing what the flower was, but trying to explain to me that it was a "spring flower"...not something they carried at this time of year...& definitely NOT a flower suitable for Christmas!.....Well, that was simply unexceptable!....I went home & begin my research.....It wasn't long before I was ordering bulb catologs & purchasing "paperwhite bulbs" through the mail...... I carefully planted a "few" that first year, with amazing results!....the next year a few more & on & on!!....Over the last 20 years, it has become quite an obsession!.....And as you are probably quite aware, paperwhites are now quite readily available from high end nurserys to the local Home Depot!...For me this lovely pristine flower "exemplifies" Christmas...."simple & pure".....At our house, paperwhite "forcing" has become tradition.....So tomorrow, bulbs in hand, this girl will be putting on her garden gloves, & once again planting a few pots of "Christmas"......I invite you to do the same.....& possibly a new tradition will begin at your house.......Heidi XO

Paperwhites grow to approx. 24" & usually need at some point to be given some support. Isn't this "cage of twigs" the perfect answer.....

So tall & regal.......

Because paperwhites can be planted very shallow...this antique "birdbath" makes a charming container.

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A Slower & More Meaningful December....

This morning my mother left to go back to her home in Washington State after the Thanksgiving holiday. She has been here a week & it has been a wonderful visit all around!.....however, it's always nice to get back to our normal schedule for at least a few weeks..... For some reason, I am finding myself not running out to the garage to drag out all the Christmas decorations quite yet....This year I am taking it a bit slower,.....& trying to approach this year's holiday season in a far simpler way than ever before. We are making most of our gifts, we are decorating with what we have collected over the years & skipping purchasing new.... & I am planning a Christmas Eve dinner of delicious pasta dishes, instead of an expensive prime rib. A Christmas of far "less spending" & far "more meaning" is what I am after......So instead of December being a month of running through malls, & hurried stressful days....this family is going to step back a bit, breathe, enjoy being with our family & thank God for all our blessings.......Heidi XO

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