Spring Fever Has Hit!.....

Here are those lovely "strawberry cupcakes"!.....Wearing this apron may make them taste even better!?..... O.K....."Spring Fever" has officially hit!.....I don't know which way to turn?.....What should I tend to first??.....Maybe the the yard?...., after all, I have dreamt for months of all my pots brimming forth with bloucey pink geraniums!......Or maybe I should stay inside, organizing my linen cabinet?...You know, stacking all the ironed pillow cases & tucking in tiny lavendar sachets among them.....But I also feel the need to be preparing for Easter!?....I have found my bare branch, have my glitter in hand & am all ready to create the lovliest & sparkliest "egg tree" ever imagined!...and of course what's an egg tree with out charming little eggs hanging from it?....So those too I am looking forward to creating!.....But along with the Easter decorations, I am still putting together our new home. You know,... hanging pictures, fluffing pillows & making this house feel like like our own! So much to do!.......Not to mention the strawberry cupcakes I am dying to try!.....I plan on using strawberries in many ways this year, with those cupcakes being at the top on my list!.........but at the end of this long list of "to-do's" there is one very important task....to "enjoy doing it all", one project at a time!....So off to the back porch I go, tea in hand, to collect my thoughts & decide which direction I will head first?......Oh! How I love "Spring Fever"!

I think these eggs belong on my tree?.....

Shouldn't every house look this "fresh & pretty"!.....

Such a beautifully arranged linen cabinet!!!....I can only dream!

And of course in those dreams.....this is my yard!!!! Enjoy your day!......

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Happy PInk Saturday!....

Wishing you each a charmingly lovely "Pink Saturday"!......Thank you Beverly!.......

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Here I Go Again....

This evening, before making dinner, my husband & I thought we would listen to President Obama's press conference.......We listened about his ideas for his "upcoming budget"..... I guess I just don't get it?......When our family decides a " tighter budget" is needed, we look at what we have spent on "neccessities" during the last few months,..."cut out" anything we really could do without & then make due on that "lesser amount of money".......that is our "household budget"......But for some reason, when it comes to our federal goverment....a budget means taking what was spent last year, & adding trillions of dollars to it???... for years & years & years?????...Like I said?.....I just don't get it???.....I guess making our country's budget means something entirely different than making up our personal household one's????...Hmmmmm?.....Something for us all to think about?..........

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Let's Make Pincushions!.....

Martha Stewart's "Home Grown Tomato" Pincushions......Aren't these just darling!! I have so been busy organizing my "sewing/craft area" in one corner of our garage! It is finally begginng to take on all the needed characteristics of a wonderful work space!.....A great big "table", lots of "shelves" for fabric, ribbon & notions.... & an "ironing board" all set up & ready for action!....However, while sorting through all the scissors, threads & tape measures, I decided I must have a few new "pincushions"...& I have vowed it is time for some "charming" ones!!!.....So I did a bit of research, & have collected a few "ideas & tutorials", that you too might want to whip up! These are some of the "prettiest" examples I could find,... & ones that any "stray pin" would be proud to call home!....I invite you to take a peek!.....Happy Creating!.......Heidi XO

Anna Maria Horner's "Wild Flower" Pincushion......what wonderful fabrics she has,... & patterns too!....

Heather Bailey's "Patchwork" Pincushion.....another delightful idea from such a talented lady!....

A lovely little "pincushion" by Purlbee, so sweet & simple.......

And Martha Stewart's "Strawberry" Pincushion.....A basket of these would be perfect for Spring!....don't you think?......

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"Spring Inspiration In Yellow & White".....(& a comment)

Happy Friday To You All!....Well, it has certianly been an interesting 24 hours!....Let it be a lesson to everyone, that you will get quite "passionate responses" when you blog about anything other than, what I call "pretty topics"!!.....Yesterday's post was about my "personal views" on President Obama & how he is trying to run this country.....Some of you were very supportive, while others were so upset, that you felt the need to not only critisize me, but also some of the people who had left comments for me!?....One lady, even decided to write their own blog post about what I had written, .... "reprimanding me" for speaking of anything other than "pretty topics"..you know decorating, cooking, crafting & swaps!.....In response, I left this comment on her blog......

I just am not sure where to start?....I love having a blog & posting my day to day observations on it. Some days that means posting a recipe, beautifully decorated rooms or maybe just about my everyday life. However, sometimes it also means standing up for what you believe, just as you have done here on your blog....Afterall, isn't that the point of blogging?....You are absolutely right, we all have opinions & sometimes those will differ greatly between us, but that doesn't mean we should simply hide behind the "prettier" topics... the ones that make us feel less uncomfortable. In fact those are the topics that we maybe should be chatting more about?....Maybe that's the reason the country is in the state it's in?....we have trusted our leaders far too long, we have trusted the media far too long & we have trusted our institutions far too long without "speaking out". This has to stop before we find ourselves in a country we simply do not recognize anymore! I will continue to post occasionally about politics on my blog, "Foxgloves,Fabric and Folly", and stand proud doing so....Just as I will also post about quilting, swaps & gardening! I invite you to visit & participate with me. Afterall, "honest free speech" & "differing opinions" is what this country was founded on...& I for one plan on continuing that tradition.....Your friend, Heidi XO

So with this said, I am now continuing with today's "pretty things" post! :)......
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"SPRING INSPIRATION IN YELLOW & WHITE".....

Tulips, white ironstone egg cups & daffodils!....... I simply adore the Spring color combination of "yellow & white"!......So with today's post I would like to pay tribute to this "classic pair"!......Whether it be flowers, or interior design or even a simple dessert, nothing makes as beautiful a statement as "yellow & white" does!....So fresh, so innocent &.... oh! so! "welcoming"!.....Maybe it's just that we have been so deprived of "color" for so long during the winter months, that "Mother Nature understood", & in turn decided to treat us to "daffodils & sunshine", as the first "Signs of Spring".....Whatever the reason, I will look forward to "yellow & white" gracing my table, my home, & my life,... every year..... come "Spring".......

" Lemon Meringue Pie"...... Recipe courtesy of "Country Living Magazine"...amazingly good!.....

Daffodils, daffodils & more daffodils!!!!!!!......

Even our homes, can take on an "inspiring feel" with "Spring Yellow & White".....

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"Not Pleased" Mr. President......

Well,... this afternoon I planned on writing a post about lovely Spring "daffodils"...but then I happened across this next piece of legislation that President Obama has decided would be good for us, & my blood is boiling!.....Yet another bit of "change" promised by our new president & quickly & quietly voted through!....He has now decided to "do away" with the idea of commercial airplane pilots being able to have accessibility to a gun in case of an emergency of some kind, highjacking, terrorists, etc!?....Are you serious!?....Mr. Obama, not all of us are lucky enough to have access to "Airforce One"!.....All of us need to use regular air service & I for one was thrilled to know that the pilot of any plane I happen to be a passender in,.... knows how & is able to have a firearm in case of some horrific emergency!....Now you have decided to stop the training "mid- stream"????
I realize "budget cuts" definitely need to be made, but having state & federal governments cutting things like this, as well as closing libraries & laying off firemen in our communities, in order to prove the point is ridiculous!....I know these are areas that make some people think things are really getting done, but I disagree. Let's instead, do something that really matters & would make huge differences in our country.....How about STOP printing more money, we don't have, just to give to banking establishments that continue to spend & abuse it! How about letting them just go down, like any other business that fails to work!....Let them hit rock bottom!....Then & only then, honest, hard-working & smaller institutions could begin to take their place. Maybe then some progress could be made!
I realize though, this is not what this administration wants. This administration is only interested in making this country one "huge government run business"!....It seems that until this country is comsumed by "socialism", President Obama & the Democrats will not rest!....
I think we all better be paying close attention to what is going on, because this bunch is doing everything it can for us to be "government owned"....not a situatition I will accept... & one I will fight against every step of the way!

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Aprons......

Earlier today, my sister-in-law Terri, sent me the most charming written piece about "aprons"......Having a mother that cannot cook without an apron tied around her waist, & avid fan myself, especially of the "old-fashioned styles", I just had to re-print this piece for all of you to read & enjoy! I hope you like it as much as I did!........Your friend, Heidi XO

*I don't think our kids or grandkids know what an apron is.

*The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath. Because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

*It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

*From the chicken coop the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

*When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

*And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

*Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove..

*Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

*From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.

*After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

*In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

*When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

*When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

*It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

*Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool, now her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw after taking them from the freezer..

*Some people today would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.......I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron though........but love!!

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An Observation.....

Beautiful fabric from Anna Maria Horner.....
Lately, ...I have been noticing something that makes me so incredibly happy......more & more ladies seem to be returning to the simple hobbies of "sewing, crocheting, knitting, quilting", etc!.....Even the more recent activities, such as "scrapebooking, stamping, card making & crafting" seem to be flourishing!......How refreshing it is!!..... to see these pastimes coming into their own again!.....At out house they never left!.....Our sewing machine is constantly "whirring", the glue gun is always "plugged in" & fabric scraps are continually "decorating" every flat surface in our home!...."Projects" of all kinds, have always been & continue to be part of our everyday life!.....

To see the popularity, of the new fabric designers/authors such as Amy Butler, Heather Bailey & Anna Maria Horner reaching out & exciting a whole new group of people, is very encouraging to me!...Their wonderful books & gorgeous fabric offering creative excitement to us all!

I would like to think this is one of the "good things" about our country & world being in the state they're in.....Living in this time of recession & job loss....with our elected leaders, deciding it best to "leverage" our children's & grandchildren's economic futures,.....Knowing the "home arts" may not only serve as a wonderfully creative outlet for us all, but one that will indeed come in handy in this world we are creating. For whatever reason though, I am thrilled to see these old-fashioned pastimes returning!.....bringing "creativity, beauty & self-expression" to our everydays....... Try something creative this coming week!.....Heidi XO

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"Happy Pink Saturday".....a tiny bit late!

Good Morning Friends, I am late posting my "Pink Saturday" post, since last night we had no internet access?????....I checked for hours, not wanting to be a "no-show"!......However, even at 11:30pm.....nothing!??
So this morning, I am posting the most beautiful "Pink Saturday" photo I could find!!.....This one came from "Country Living" & it just took my breath away!.....So pink,.... so pretty!......& oh!..so!....."SPRING"!!!...Can you tell I am ready!? :).......
Well a cup of coffee, & then we are off this morning to the "open market" in Old Poway!.....So excited!...Make this day a special one!.....& of course...Happy Pink Saturday!!...thank you Beverly!.........Your friend, Heidi XO

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Little Announcements......

Today's blog is filled with a few little "announcements".......

1)- The "Winter Basics & Baubles Swap" is over......what a wonderful time we all had! ..."Thank You" to all of you who joined me & helped to make this truly another great swap!.....Note: only one "FLAKER"........"Vikki E.".....

2)- The "Very Vintage Easter Basket Swap" is now in progress..."partners" were e-mailed yesterday & today, so let's get started making up those lovely baskets!

3)-"Thank you" to all of you wonderful ladies who purchased quilts & runners from my Etsy shop, "Heidi Devlin Design"...what a successful sale!...due to all of you!..I am in the process of packing up your purchases & sending them out!.....

4)- I am off to "decorate" for my friend/client Suzie C. today....Her & her husband have purchased a lovely home... & my partner, Lauren & I are helping her make it a "home"!.... Off to work I go!!

5)-Spring is almost here!!!! I can feel it in my bones!!!......

6)-Wishing you all the best Tuesday ever!.........Heidi XO

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Last day To Sign Up!!!.....

Good Morning & Happy Sunday to you all!.....Just a quick announcement....Today is the last day to be signing up for my "Very Vintage Easter Basket Swap"!....If you are at all interested you "must" e-mail me (heididevlin@gmail.com) your information sheet by this evening!....Thank you to those of you who have already signed up!...Hope to hear from the rest of you!....Heidi XO

INFORMATION SHEET:Name:
Address:
E-mail Adddress:
Blog:
Favorite Colors:
Favorite Easter Symbols: (bunnies, chicks, crosses, etc.)
Style: ("clean & contemporary", "country", "feminine & shabby chic", "bright & glittery", "classic & traditional", etc.)
Religious?...yes/no:
Candle scents:
Favorite Easter confections:

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"A Hint of Early Spring Pink".....

The softest "pink peonies".... Once again, Beverly @ "How Sweet The Sound", is hostessing a Saturday celebration of "PINK"!.....I do love pink....all shades of it in fact! And even though it is just barely early Spring, "hints of pink" are beginning to appear....in flowers, in fabrics & in tablesettings!...There is nothing like a lovely "whisper of pink" to make us each anticipate the "Season of Spring"!....Wishing you each the sweetest of "Pink Saturdays"!!.....

Glorious "pink floral draperies"......

And a "placesetting" with the "freshest touches of pink".......

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"Monogramed Linens"....Make Them Part of Your "Everyday"....

Exquisite workmanship.....& so, so pretty!
As I have been organizing, & going through virtually each & every stored away box during this move, I have finally gotten to the "box of linens".....Now the photos I am showing you are not mine, but many are fairly similar, pieces of cloth beautifully "adorned with letters"...exquisitely "monogramed" linens......Some are from my husband's side of the family,.... & some are ones I have picked up through the years, while rummaging through antique shops & partaking of garage sales!....I truly become "weak in the knees" when I happen to stumble across a basket of old linens!! I could spend hours "unearthing" the treasures that might be hiding away!.....I also am not a "snob" about the "proper initials"!...Who cares!...If a set of lovely "pillowcases" call to me, I couldn't care less if the letter is "X", as long as the overall effect is well-done!.....I believe it was Martha Stewart who mentioned that she often "made up" a ficticious relative, when questioned about the particular initials! ....which I too, think is perfectly appropriate! I also am one who believes in using what you have,.....So today, while happy to be home puttering, I will be washing, ironing & preparing my linens for their "Spring Debut",....gracing my kitchen tables, my bedroom pillows & possibly being transformed into a charming pair of "lampshades"!?.....Who knows?.....What I do know, is monogramed linens are little pieces of history, the "history of families". Take them out of hiding, use them.... & begin to create the memories that your grandchildren will remember! Make beautiful linens, monogramed or not.... part of your "everyday"!.........Wishing you all a very nice weekend!!......Your friend, Heidi XO

A very simple "button monogram".......

In my dreams, all my chairs would be "dressed" like this!

"G F"?.........Who was this person?....What is their story?

Linen dishtowels, stenciled with a charming "E"......so amazing & perfect for "everyday"!

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SUPER SPRING SALE!!!!!!!!!!!........ALL PRICES SLASHED!!!

CHEERFUL TRIANGLE QUILT (70"x54").....originally priced at $295,..... now only $75!!!!!! OH MY!...I guess the title of this post is more appropriate for a "used car lot" than my etsy store!!?......But I have to admit it is true!!! I am "SLASHING" prices in my etsy shop, ....Heididevlin.etsy.com.... on a variety of quilts & tablerunners!.....Even though some of these lovely pieces are among my favorites,.... I want to make room for new "Spring" items that I want to introduce into my shop in a few short weeks! ........You will be amazed at these crazy inexpensive prices I am offering!!!......"Runners" from $110-150, now selling for $30 ,.......& my quilts usually priced between $160-395, are now $75-99!!!!!!.....How can you go wrong!?.....& remember all my pieces are heirloom quality.....machine washable/dryable.....& ones that only improve with everyday use by busy families!!!...... I invite you to go check out these, & many other amazing offers now in my etsy shop!!!!! I don't think they will be around long!!! :)

CLASSIC DOUBLE-IRISH CHAIN QUILT (42"x60").......originally priced at $395,.... now $99!!!!

CHRISTMAS QUILT RUNNERS (various colors & sizes)......originally priced between $110-150, ....now all $30!!!!!!!!!

Visit my shop now....HeidiDevlin.etsy.com & check out all the fabulous deals!!!!!

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Updates on my "Winter Basics & Baubles Swap"....& my "Very Vintage Easter Basket Swap"....

Hi Ladies, Just a short post tonight, with an update on both my "Winter Basics & Baubles Swap" & the upcoming "Very Vintage Easter Basket Swap".....As far as the "WB&B"swap, March 1st is today, so those wonderful swap boxes you all have been making up should be sent off tomorrow!...If you are going to be delayed for any reason, please just let me & your partner know immediately!....I will understand!......And a reminder to the rest of you...Be sure & let me know when your box is mailed to your partner! Many of you have already, which I so appreciate!!!...With this swap I have not posted a list of names on my blog, but I am keeping track.....So again make sure I know you have sent your box! ...Thank you! Thank you!

And secondly, ...there is still one more week to sign up for my next "vintage" swap (March 8th)....the "Very Vintage Easter Basket Swap"!!....As I have mentioned to some of you, I think this may be my favorite swap so far!...I think somehow "Vintage & Easter" is the perfect combination! :).....If you are interested in joining me, please fill out the following information sheet & e-mail it to me, heididevlin.gmail.com......I will be sure & contact you with a confirmation! I would love to have you joining me!

Have a lovely week!...Your friend, Heidi XO

INFORMATION SHEET:
Name:
Address:
E-mail Adddress:
Blog:
Favorite Colors:
Favorite Easter Symbols: (bunnies, chicks, crosses, etc.)
Style: ("clean & contemporary", "country", "feminine & shabby chic", "bright & glittery", "classic & traditional", etc.)
Religious?...yes/no:
Candle scents:
Favorite Easter confections:

Read more...