"A Quiet Weekend"......

Happy Friday to you all!.....It is the end of June & the weekend is here!....At our house, it will be a quiet one,..... "dinner" tonight with my friends, a little "flower gardening", a "bit of sewing" & maybe a "movie" on Sunday!.....Just the way I like it!

I am also going to writing up my "July newsletter" that I will be sending out on July 1st! Last month, after sending out my June newsletter, I received the most "lovely comments" for so many of you, so I am very excited to continue sharing my thoughts & tips! Thank you so much for your interest! If you would like to receive my monthly newsletter, please e-mail me at heididevlin@gmail.com...

Off to straighten up this house of mine, do laundry & bake a little!.....Happy to begin this day!....Wishing you each a relaxing June weekend!......Your friend, Heidi XO

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"Flags, Flowers & Feathered Friends".......

I have been sewing up a storm lately!.....I have decided to design & make "one of a kind pillows" for my etsy shop & thought this darling "vintage-inspired pillow" should be the first to be shown off!.....After finding this amazingly pretty "flag & roses" print in my stash, I decided it only fitting to add an "appliqued bird & a bit of vintage rick rack"!.....I simply cannot resist this combination!...a little country farmhouse with a dash of romance!....The reverse sides of these little beauties are a blue/white awning stripe.....& to me the combination is pure "Summer Charm"!...What home or patio would benefit from one of these sweet pillows!

I invite you to visit my etsy shop, "Heidi Devlin Design" today!....Lots of lovely things!

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"My Mallory"......

Mallory bringing her subject's pretty face to life!

Well Friends,.... tonight I feel the need to "brag a bit" about my talented "artist" daughter Mallory......Yesterday she was busy working on a charcoal portrait of the daughter, of one of my dearest friends, Susie C........ My business partner Lauren & I, commissioned Mallory to do a portrait of each of Susie's daughters...& we are planning on hanging them in Susie's living room as beautiful reminders of the girls during their teen years.

Without the perfect studio, my creative daughter has improvised by using her double mirrored closet doors as her easel!......and somehow it seems to be working! I think she is proving that creating beautiful art has nothing to do with fancy equipment, .....but instead just a "great eye" & "lots of talent"!......Thank you for humoring a very "proud mama".....Your friend, Heidi XO

My "little artist" at work!......

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Very Vintage Fourth Of July Swap "Update"......

Hello Friends, For those of you who are involved in my "Very Vintage Fourth Of July Swap", I have a little "update".....As you all know, June 15th was the deadline to mail off your lovely swap boxes to your assigned partners!....However, if you're like me, you have been running a bit behind!?.....However I will definitely be mailing out my boxes on Monday morning!...I promise!...Afterall no one wants to get a July 4th box after the actual holiday!

Many of you have already e-mailed me, letting me know you have sent your swap box & some of you have even received one!!...but for those of you who have not yet contacted me, would you please do so!.....I would so appreciate it!.....I am trying to make sure each & every one of you, who signed up for this swap receives a box!!.......So once again... PLEASE E-MAIL ME WHEN YOU SEND & RECEIVE YOUR SWAP BOXES!!! (heididevlin@gmail.com).....I am very serious about posting "flakers" & will do so in an upcoming blog! I so hope that won't be necessary, but if it is, I will do so!

Thank you once again to all of you dear ladies for making this series of "VERY VINTAGE SWAPS" such an amazing success! I will be beginning another series this Fall, so be watching for it!....Happy Summer!.....Love, Heidi XO

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Celebrating "PINK SATURDAY" & the "JUNE BRIDE"....

This "pale pink color & glorious texture" of this bridal bouquet simply takes my breath away!!
Today my "Pink Saturday" post is celebrating the "June Bride".......Every Saturday, Beverly at "How Sweet The Sound" encourages us all to write about this "enchanting color", so this week, before June quietly disappears, I wanted to post the most lovely "wedding inspired" pictures!

The beauty of "antique crystal & lace"...... accentuated beautifully with pretty "pink" bows!....

These sweet bouquets are almost "porcelain-like"......a delicate, almost fragile shade of "pink".

You can almost hear this gorgeous arrangement singing..."Here Comes The Bride"!!.....

Make this "Pink Saturday" a delightful one!........ Love to you all,.... Heidi XO

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One Little Boy & Lots Of Water....

Could this little fellow be any happier!!......A few afternoons ago, my grandson, Andrew begged his mother to let him "run through the sprinkler"...... & so she agreed. Afterall, "Summer Days" are meant for such activities, are they not?

A warm day, a sprinkler, water & a little boy!......Pure glee!

Isn't this what "childhood" is all about!...... Wishing you a day filled with this much joy!........Your friend, Heidi XO

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"Jon & Kate Plus Eight".....??

O.K. Friends, I have to comment!.....I know many of you will not agree with me, but please don't bother writing me!......

I have to admit, I used to love watching "Jon & Kate Plus Eight"! I loved watching this average couple deal with everyday life!...a small house, limited budget & trying to raise their eight children.....In the last year or so though, Jon & Kate have become "celebrities"....which they seem to have totally enjoyed becoming!.....Oprah appearances, expensive vacations & visits from Emeril & the fellas from American Chopper??? I think they have become the new "Brandgelina"!.....Jon seems to have gone from a nice, normal husband to a whiney, irresponsible child & Kate appears to be a horrible " *-itch" who totally enjoys her new celebrity status! ....Now they have money, & a huge home, bodyguards & fame?

Along with all their so-called "success" though has come the negitive side of fame as well....The tabloids & entertainment shows report infidelity, scandal & now child abuse???....All I can say is this. Maybe Jon had an affair?....Maybe not?.....Maybe Kate yells & is hard to live with???...& maybe not?.....Who knows! & who cares!...They are not the first to have marital problems & certainly will not be the last! Let them be! Celebrities or not!

And about Kate "spanking" her child?.....OMG!....The media is blowing this totally out of proportion!!....Yes, her child was misbehaving & she swatted her bottom?....So what?....I completely believe in "swatting a bottom" in the appropriate situation!...That does not mean slapping a child's face or other body part, but a "spank on a bottom" is, in my opinion perfectly justified!....In fact, many times watching the show, I have thought Kate may have been too lenient with the spanking,... after hearing her older daughter Maddie "mouth off" dozens of times on air!!..... I think Kate may becoming somewhat of a "primadona", but I also think no one should be pointing their fingers at her for "spanking" her little girl! ....When we each are responsible for raising 8 children, then we can criticize her methods! I for one, was proud to see her, not being afraid to reprimand her child when needed,.... knowing the "politically correct media" would fully well make a huge issue of it!

In closing, I do hope the Gosselins are able to work through their problems. I hope they decide to return to the original format of the show, following a normal family through the "good & bad of everyday life"......Afterall, that is what we have all appreciated about this family..... & that is definitely what this year is missing.......

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Wishing You A "Rose-y" Pink Saturday!.....

This Pink Saturday finds me celebrating our favorite flower, "the rose"!.....in particular, the "pink rose"!......Like many of you, I simple never tire of this beautiful blossom!....Whether "gracing" yards of white cotton chintz or "scattered" across wallpaper...... simply "filling" a vase or "painted" on china, the result is always the same....."pure beauty"!

Have an enchantingly lovely "Pink Saturday" everyone!....& Thank you, as always to our hostess, Beverly at "How Sweet The Sound"!.......Enjoy your weekend my friends!.......Heidi XO

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My "Back Porch"......

Hi Friends, Greetings from my "back porch"!....I just love this little area of our home!....This is where we begin & end each day, so I am trying to make it very comfortable & very pretty!....As you can tell I just adore "farmhouse style", so I'm having a lovely time mixing antique pieces with my true patio furniture...... & throwing in lots of bright pink geraniums,.... soft, squishy pillows & some of my very favorite accessories!

Among my favorite treasures, is this "chalkware chicken"!!....I found it a few years ago when the girls & I spent a couple days at the Brimfield Antiques Show!.......I think he looks terribly appropriate strutting atop my old green table!

Classic "iron urns" are also pieces I love to keep an eye out for!....So versatile all year long, but so charming with flowers & flags throughout the summertime!

This year, I have let my "ivy topiary" go crazy!.....It is my "wild child", & like all unruly children I am allowing it to run & behave carelessly....without a care in the world!!!.... Also a peek at my "old green bench" & one of my "floral pillows"!!!

Thank you for stopping by & allowing me to take you on my little tour!.....I hope you too create the "back porch" of your dreams!...One that your family & friends will gravitate too & wish to spend time!....Nothing fancy....just a sweet & simple place to while away the summer!

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Let's "MAKE IT" A July 4th To Remember This Year!.....

Simple "paper cones", beautifully decorated for the "Fourth of July"!......

Happy Tuesday evening to you all!.....It has been a lovely day here at out house.....A little straightening up, a little sewing & laundry & all of us happy to be "home". As many of you know, I am busy hosting my "Very Vintage Fourth Of July Swap". In fact, those of us participating have only a few more days before our swap boxes are to be mailed out to our eagarly awaiting partners!......."Vintage" is certainly the theme of this "year-long series" of swaps, & this one is no exception!....So if you are still looking for a few quick & very charming projects to make up before your box is sent, than look no further!......I have found some of the most darling ideas!...courtesy of Country Living, Martha Stewart & just plain old me!....So if crafting is something you are into, for a swap or for your upcoming "July 4th" celebration, you may want to take a peek!......All these ideas are very simple.... & ones that would add such a lovely touch to our country's birthday party! .....So "Good Luck" with your swap boxes ladies!!!.... & "happy preparing" to those of you who wish to "Make It" a July 4th to remember!

Are these "little hats" just the cutest!.........Perfect to be used as "placecards" or tiny "favors"!

And one of my own ideas, "sewing up pillows"!....Make a few of these from

"old grain sacks"!....Super durable & so "patriotic" with their red or blue stripes!

Isn't "July 4th" the best excuse to create a festive "pendant banner"! Draped across your back porch or between a couple old trees, banners lend such a "jubilant"feel!......

And last, but certainly not least is this amazingly pretty "garland"!...So vintage, so charming & worth taking an afternoon to create!!....Happy Crafting Friends!

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Welcoming "SUMMER"....That is the season & my new pillow!

Hello Friends, Hope you are all doing well!.....Forgive me for not posting for quite a few days?....The last few weeks have been very busy with decorating work, stocking my etsy shops & just plain keeping house!.....However, I think things are calming down a bit, which is exactly the way I like my summers to be!....."Old fashioned summer days", spent puttering around the house & garden, sipping lemonade & enjoying the the warm weather!....

This summer, I have designed a new "summer"pillow, perfect for all our porches, patios & decks!....As always I like to use "classic awning stripe", this year's being a Ralph Lauren stripe which just "exemplifies" the season! ......I have "hand-stenciled" "SUMMER" in bold Old English lettering (4") & am so happy with the results!....To celebrate this delightful time of year, I am offering my "Summer pillow" for just $30! (instead of $38), from now till June 15th!....I invite you to visit my etsy shop, "Heidi Devlin Design" & order one for your particular outdoor space!....

I wish you all a "Summer to Remember"!.....Time spent with family,....making memories & simply enjoying this lovely season that is upon us! .....Looking forward to chatting again soon!...Your friend, Heidi XO

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What An Evening!......

A peek at Susie's table..... Last Friday night, our "get-together" group met at our dear friend Susie's new home!......

Let me back up a bit.....A few years ago, a group of my closest friends & I decided it was silly not seeing each other on a regular basis....so we came up with the idea of all meeting at one of our homes, each month for "dinner & conversation" ......a chance to get caught up & enjoy each other's company!.....Well, I am thrilled to say we have been "getting together" like this now for a few years!.....& what wonderful evenings we have!!!.....

This most recent one was hosted by our sweet Susie, who just so happens to have purchased a great house a few months ago!......and even more fabulous has hired my friend Lauren & I to help her decorate it!....Needless to say we are having the "time of our lives" & so appreciate Susie allowing us to help create a beautiful home for our friend & her family!...We are going for a "mid-century" feel, which is turning out so lovely...very "simple & classic" , with just a "whisper of the early 60's"

and what a living room!....

We are far from finished, but Susie thought it would be fun to have our group of friends over to see what we have done so far & to enjoy an incredible dinner of "salmon, grilled asparagus & wild rice"! It was so good!!!!...Lauren & I had the best time setting Susie's new dining table, so we all could sit & eat together.....& talk & talk & talk!!!!

I so appreciate this group of women (Susie, Lauren, Tere, Debbie, Laura, Deena, Holly, Mallory & Judy)!...You are my very best friends & I love you all!.....Thank you for making these dinners happen.... & feeling "getting together" is important in our lives!....."Caring enough to stay connected" means so very much to each of us...... Here's to many more "get-togethers" & dear friends like you!......Love, Heidi XO

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