A New Season's Upon Us!... Hello September!

Happy September 1st!......I am so thrilled that Fall is beginning!....I know it may not be the "official" first day of Autumn, but for me it might as well be!....As much as I love the carefree days of summer, I am thrilled to be replacing them with routines & schedules & early weeknight suppers!.....I find each season brings it's own unique appeal & it just so happens that Autumn's sensibilities suit me just fine!.....So it is back to work, back to school & back to "normal"!!.....Call me boring, but there is nothing is better than "normal"!......Enjoy your week!......Your friend, Heidi XO

P.S. My September issue of "Living Little with Heidi" just went out! If you would like a copy e-mailed to you, please just let me know! It's a great issue!

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Welcoming "PINK SATURDAY" with the Glorious fabrics of Anna Maria Horner!

Today it is all about the "incredible fabrics" of Anna Maria Horner!.....& since it is also PINK SATURDAY, I chose to post a few of her luscious "pink" fabrics!....What amazing prints her designs are!...."Large & bold & terribly happy" is how I would describe Anna'a fabrics!

If you have not visited her website before, you must!...and what a charming blog she has as well!....Along with designing fabrics/patterns & writing books, she also is the mother of six children!.....With that said, I salute Anna Maria Horner, as well as another incredible lady, our Beverly @ "How Sweet The Sound",..... hostess of all PINK SATURDAYS!......Enjoy your day!.....Heidi XO

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Some Pretty New Things......

My two "French-inspired" pillows......one with a "grain sack design" & the other the "address of a little French bakery"!......So pretty!
As I mentioned in my last post,..... "creativity" has been flowing at my house!....Whether it is stamping, sewing or appliquing, my hands are always busy!.....I guess my inspiration comes from the fact that Autumn is near! I adore the season of falling leaves, crisp cool weather & the idea of "cozy-ing" our homes up for this lovely season! So in preparation... & anticipation, I have a few new pillows & a charming art piece that I would love to show you!..... All have been listed in my Etsy shop, "Heidi Devlin Design".......OH!....You must go take a peek! So many pretty things!..... I am like a "proud mama" wanting to show off her babies!.....Please forgive me!!.... It's just that I have been stamping & sewing for days!.....& quite tickled with these creations! I can't wait to display a few at my house!...& so hope you will feel the same!......So come on over & shop a bit!....I would love to "wrap something up" just for you & your Autumn home!

Love this design!..... Simple & yet so interesting!

A new "seasonal art piece"!.....Stamped burlap with a wool-felt appliqued black bird!....(A bit to chubbly to be crow!) What a sweet way to be reminded of Halloween!

And my "All Hallows Eve" pillow.....classic phrasing in Old English lettering!

And of course,.... what Halloween would be complete without that quintessential word of all proper ghosts, "BOO"!!!......All the best for the most delightful Autumn season ever!!!.......Always Your Friend.....Heidi XO

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Just Checking In.....

Good Morning Friends, Please excuse my absence lately! I have been "designing & making up" another batch of lovely new pillows & artwork these last few days! You all are keeping me very busy! Thank you so much!.....I also am working on my September issue of "Living Little with Heidi" that I will be sending out on September 1st!....I know many of you are receiving it, but if you are not, & would like a copy e-mailed to you, just contact me at HeidiDevlin@gmail.com & I will be more than pleased to do so!...This month I will be covering "apple recipes", "Autumn decorating" & yes!...there will be a charming Fall "giveaway"!....So just let me know!

Wishing you all a great day!....I am off to spend the day in my sewing room!.....working, working & more working! LOVE it!..........Your Friend, Heidi XO

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PINK SATURDAY.....Getting Ready For Fall!

Don't misunderstand, I am thoroughly enjoying the rest of my summer....however Fall is right around the corner & I am thrilled about that!....I am ready for schedules & rountines, cooler weather & getting my house all cozied-up for the Autumn months ahead!.....In doing so, I love to add "small bundles of millinery flowers" to little tabletop vingettes around the house!.....maybe on top of a stack of antique books or filling a slightly tarnished mint-julep cup .....It doesn't scream Fall, but instead whispers of the upcoming season.
I was looking for a photo of "millinery flowers" & happened to come across this one from Country Living magazine!.......A perfect picture for what I'm trying to do decorating-wise & also perfect for Pink Saturday! ( due to that gorgeous deep pink ribbon!)...So once again "thank you" to Beverly @ "How Sweet The Sound" for hosting our Pink Saturdays!!!....Make it a great day!.....Heidi XO

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New Additions & a Great Big "Thank You".....

My "Family" pillow has been selling as a wonderful bridal shower & wedding gift!....Something I never thought of, but many of you did!!.....Great idea!

Happy Thursday evening to you all!.....I have been away from blogging for the last few days, since I have been happily buried with lots & lots of creating, stenciling & sewing!!....Since debuting my "Urban Colonial Collection" of pillows a few weeks ago.... (in my Etsy shop "Heidi Devlin Design").... I have been "utterly thrilled & completely overwhelmed" with your response!!!!....You've all been keeping me super busy supplying your orders & I just couldn't be more appreciative!!!! Thank you!...Thank you!...Thank you!......Afterall, without all of you, Etsy shops would be fairly quiet places! :)....So once again "a big hug" from me!

"Laurel Wreath Monogram" pillow( $18)....whispers of another era.....

Along with my sincere thanks,.... I also wanted to announce the newest addition to my "Urban Colonial Collection" of pillows,.....what I fondly refer to as my "tiny tuffet" pillows! .....Measuring just 12"x12", they are so charming tucked among a grouping of sofa pillows or placed on a small antique children's chair!.....Made of burlap, which gives that "grain-sack texture" without the high price tag, & hand stenciled in Old English lettering, these wee pillows are just the prettiest additons to any home! I invite you to come visit me & check out these little beauties!.....Enjoy your evening!......Heidi XO

A tiny pillow, with an important message for us all!.....My "Be Kind" pillow, $18

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For the Love of Sunflowers"!......

Burlap runners, hay bales & sunflowers!.....a "classic combination"! You either "love them or not"!.....& I LOVE them!... "Sunflowers" that is!.....They are big, bright & simply amazing!....Sunflowers are not a shy, demure flower. Instead they are a proud, "look you in the eye",..... very confident bloom!.......

Martha Stewart's darling "sunflower" cupcake!.....so realistic!.....

Sunflowers lend their "Plain Jane prettiness" to "country style" so beautifully!....Since they're so bold, they can hold their own in any rustic outdoor setting!.......And yet, short bouquets of sunflowers, "marching like soldiers" down the middle of a table, could be quite effective in a contemporary home as well!

Easy to grow & quite available at open markets & grocery stores alike, I encourage you to pick up a couple bunches!....Bring sunflower's "happy faces" into your home.... & see if they not only look charming, but make you smile as well!.....Happy August to you all!......Heidi XO

A very monochromatic corner,... brought alive by these "glorious sunflowers"!

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"Pink Hollyhocks".... for PINK SATURDAY....

With Summer winding down, I thought a lovely glimpse of these "bright pink hollyhocks" would be the perfect thing! Before long, hollyhocks will be just a "sweet memory of warm days".....but right now they are standing tall & proud!.....not able to quite let go of the relaxing days of summer.....Let us enjoy them "now".... & their memory "forever"!.....Happy PINK SATURDAY to you & yours!...& thank you Beverly.... at "How Sweet The Sound".



P.S. Just announced "Heidi's Homemade Halloween Swap"!.....a new series of swaps I will continue throughout the year!....I invite you to join me for a bit of "homemade" fun! For information, just scroll down to my previous post!.....Enjoy your weekend!.....Heidi XO

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"Heidi's Homemade Halloween" Swap!

Happy Thursday to you all!......I am so tickled to be announcing my new series of swaps, the "Heidi's Homemade Swaps"!....Starting with Halloween, I will continue throughout the year, with Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day & the Fourth of July!...Last year it was "Very Vintage" & this year "Heidi's Homemade"!!... For those of you who are familiar with my blog & newsletter, you know I love nothing more than "colonial country-style" with a bit of "urban" tossed in the mix!.....And I also am encouraging us all to "live little"!....living beautifully with less time, less money & in less space!......So with that said, I am changing the rules a bit with this series of swaps!....

I thought it might be fun to spend a little less money, no more than $15.00 on the contents of your package.....( that does not include postage).....I am asking you to send one nicely done "homemade" item,....one wonderful "Autumn recipe".....& any other "tiny treasures" you would like to include, staying within the budget!.....Please also be sure & make a very "pretty package" for your partner, something you yourself would like to receive!!!!.....

Here are the rules.....

* please e-mail me @ heididevlin@gmail.com if you would like to join!....

* please also fill-out & e-mail me the information sheet that is listed below....

* deadline for signing up: September 11th, 2009

* swap box must be sent by: September 30, 2009

* partners will be announced on September 13th, 2009

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With Autumn just around the corner, swapping sounds like so much fun!...but be sure you have the "time to create a lovely box" for your partner, or please "pass" on signing up! I am not tolerant of "flakers"!!!! I would love to begin my new series on a postive & happy note, so please don't disappoint me!

Like I mentioned before, I am thrilled to be announcing my "Heidi's Homemade Halloween Swap" & would simply LOVE having you join me!!!! Let's began this Autumn season in a grand manner & treat ourselves to new friendships & lots of little presents!!!......Hope to hear from each of you!!!......Your friend, Heidi XO

(P.S. Please feel free to add my button to your blog!!!)

Information Sheet

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*name:

*mailing address:

*e-mail address:

*blog:

*hobbies:

*favorite colors to wear:

*favorite colors to decorate with:

*do you prefer sweet or scary Halloween decorations:

*favorite Halloween symbol (black cat, ghosts, pumpkins, etc):

*favorite Hallowen candy:

*candle scents you enjoy:

*your "style" (primitive, contemporary, romantic, tradtional, etc.):

*Would you like an international partner:

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Keeping My Fingers Crossed?.....

*You are asked to send a photo of how your booth would possibly look!....so I added some of my things to my back porch hutch & this is one of the pictures I sent!

Well Ladies, I finally took the "plunge"....I just sent in my application for a booth at the 2010 "Farm Chicks Antique Sale!!!!!.....I'm sure you have heard of the "Farmchicks"!....two friends, Teri & Serena, who share a love of country & together decided to start a terrific antique show in the Spokane, Washington area!......They have also written a perfectly darling cookbook, "The Farmchicks in the Kitchen", which you must check out! Delicious recipes & wonderful ideas!

*And this one too! I first read about these two creative women in "Country Living" magazine, & having been born & raised in Spokane myself, took a special interest in what they were doing!....I have now enjoyed their website & blog for some time & encourage you to visit!!

Since I love designing & sewing, especially my "quilts & pillows",...I decided it might be fun to apply to be in their next show, which will be held in June of 2010!....So that is what I just did!....I am to hear back within a couple weeks, so I am keeping my fingers crossed & holding my breath!.....I will let you know as soon as a hear from the "Farm Chicks"!...Wish me luck!....Your friend, Heidi XO

*Serena & Teri.......the "Farmchicks"!

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Celebrating Pink Saturday with Very Little Ladies!......

Good Morning to you all! Today is "Pink Saturday"...a celebration of all things "pink"!...Today , I can't help but share these adorable little ladies!...Each is showing off the most exquisite creations available at "Loveable Creations",.... an on-line shop on Etsy. You must stop by & see for yourself the darling things you can have made for a tiny "miss" you might know!

Whether it is a crocheted hat, ....or headband......

decorated with "fabric roses",.... a huge "peony" or even "feathers"......You will not be able to leave without purchasing one of these unbelieveable adornments!

Make it a "Pink Saturday" to remember!.....& as always....."Thank you" to our wonderful hostess, Beverly @ "How Sweet The Sound"! Here's to the color "pink" & to the "tiniest of ladies" who love it too!.........Heidi XO

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Sewing, Sewing & more Sewing!.......

Such a cozy little bedroom!.....& look at that colorful "quilt"! OH! How I love it!!
Lately I have been sewing, sewing & sewing!!!....With every piece I complete, there are two or three or a possibly 37 more ideas & projects I imagine doing!??....I'm afraid my thought- process runs far ahead of my ability to complete all I think up, but it certainly doesn't stop the crazy creative process that is going on upstairs!! .....So with that said, I was looking at some photos on the Country Living website & came across this "bloopie quilt". I know they are technically called "yo-yo's", but in our household growing up we referred to the "yo-yo" as a "bloopie"?????...Don't ask me why?...Just what my mother affectionately referred to them as......Anyway, this charming quilt is going to be added to that unrealistically, sky-high list of glorious projects of mine!!.....Isn't it just the most darling piece?.....Can you really blame me?.....Wishing you a sweet little Friday!.......Heidi XO

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Two Great Pastas, From One Bare Pantry!

A couple days ago, I was was all ready to make dinner, realizing my pantry was becoming a bit bare?.....But a hungry family was slowly encroaching on my kitchen, so a meal had to materialize quickly!

After taking inventory of my meager ingredients,.... I ended up making a couple pasta dishes.....They both seemed to turn out quite nicely,...However, I never expected my family to LOVE them the way they did!!??....My husband just kept eating & eating, saying how delicious the fettucine dish was & my daughters & grandson raved about the "bowties"!......I was just delighted!...& very proud of myself for coming up with two pastas that were healthy, inexpensive & ones I will make again & again!!.....Thought you might like to try them as well!.....Enjoy!!

Fettucini with Cheddar & Broccoli:

Ingredients:
*1 pkg. of fettucini
* 3- individual servings of Green Giant's "Broccoli/Cheddar Cheese"( frozen foods)
* olive oil
* 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
* 3- large fresh tomatoes (chopped into 1/2" pieces)
* kosher salt

Prepare fettucini according to pkg. instructions, making sure it is "al dente", no one like mushy pasta!!.....Drain pasta & place back into pasta pot. Take all 3-individual "broccoli/cheese" servings & place in microwave & cook for about 2/3 the recommended time ( again so vegetables stay firm). Add the broccoli/cheese servings over the hot fettucini, along with a a few swirls of olive oil ( approx. a scant 1/4 cup) & a sprinkling of kosher salt. Toss. Add tomatoes & a 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Lightly toss again & serve!!.....
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Farfalle (bowtie pasta) with Sour Cream Pesto & Capers: ( sounds so fancy doesn't it!)

Ingredients:
* pkg. of Farfalle ( bowtie pasta)
* 3/4 cup pesto ( store bought or homemade)
* 3/4 cup light sour cream
* olive oil
* Parmesan cheese
* 3-4 T. capers

Prepare Farfalle according to pkg. instructions ( again al dente).....Drain & place back into pasta pot....Combine 3/4 cup of pesto with 3/4 cup of light sour cream & stir. Add approx. 6 swirls of olive oil & stir again. Add to hot pasta & toss. Add 3-4 T. of capers & a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese & lightly toss again. Serve.

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August's Newsletter "Living Little with Heidi" Has Been Sent!

Hi Friends, I hope you all are enjoying this first day of August!.....I wanted to let all of you who have requested my newsletter that the August issue of "Living Little with Heidi" has been sent!....This is my third newsletter & of course with each one I am trying my best to send you a professionally put together newsletter.....But somehow each month I find another little error!?.....I am not the most "computer savvy individual", having to ask for help often from my girls & husband.....I am learning so much, but still have so far to go!....Next month I am attempting to add photos, so please wish me luck!!!.....

If you have just received your August copy, you will notice the "links" were not working properly, so to rectify it I sent you all an e-mail with the websites & links! Again so sorry!.....You are dealing with a amateur I'm afraid!

The list is getting longer all the time of interested ladies, which I just couldn't be happier about!.....Please let me know if you have signed up & have not received your newsletter!

Once again a heartfelt "thank you" to all of you who have requested "Living Little with Heidi"!.....& thank you for your patience!....I have received so many lovely e-mails & comments from you all!.....Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!......Heidi XO

Note: If you would like to receive my newsletter, please e-mail me at heididevlin@gmail.com

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First "PInk Saturday" of August!.......

Greetings!..... & Happy Pink Saturday!.......Hope this first day of August finds you all doing well!....A pair of the "prettiest pink slippers", which any one of us would certainly love wearing..... is my contribution for our "Day of Pink"! Thank you to Beverly @ "How Sweet The Sound" for providing us with such a day!......Enjoy yours!.......Heidi XO

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