"From HOUSES to HOMES".......

Ever since I was a child, I have been attracted to "charming homes". I remember Sunday drives when my mother, sister & I would travel across town to the "South Hill", an area of town with the oldest & most lovely neighborhoods!....We would stop for a snack (usually a candy bar), & then slowly drive down the winding, tree-lined streets....imaging what it would be like to actually live within these beautiful structures.......I also enjoyed books with "illustrations" that brought the text to life, ...the "Secret Garden", "Anne of Green Gables" & the "Little House"series, all of which went on to tell of houses, where the main characters lived in homes that were "old & enchanting"...or small, simple & "filled with love"!.....And as a high school student, I couldn't wait to enroll in the "architectural drawing" class, just so I could surround myself with,... & create drawings of homes, that I would imagine myself someday living in.....
Growing up, our small family lived in a modest home with a large well-manicured yard. Even though money wasn't plentiful, my mother created an extremely cozy & pretty home!!!...She painted furniture, sewed everything from curtains to clothes & had flower gardens that were brimming with blossoms!!....I saw that if the "desire" was there, anyone could make a humble dwelling into a lovely home! Her influence has had a tremendous effect on me!....
Through the years I have been very fortunate to have had many very nice homes. I have always, ...immediately after moving in, taken all the ideas I had accumulated,... from those Sunday drives, illustrations from "girlhood" books & my own mother's talented example, & begin decorating & creating the home I had dreamed of!....
Of course there are certain styles of homes & architectural details that I have always loved & will continue to enchant me!....I LOVE "cottages"....I LOVE "shuttered windows"...... "ivy & rose covered walls"..... "picket fences"...."rock walls"...."dormer windows" & landscaping that helps "create a mood"!

At the moment, I find myself living in a fairly new, suburban neighborhood...very nice, but devoid of much imagination.....So now my challenge begins again.....making this house of ours into something special......
I have been reaching deep for that "inspiration from the past"... & have begun to apply it to this wonderfully blank canvas I call "home".
Before long, our recently built home will be taking on the look & feel of one much older.....bit by bit, room by room I will be adding the little touches that I love so much.....

And before you know it, through lots of hard work, it will take on the features of the beloved homes I used to drive by on those Sunday afternoons long ago.... I personally love this process,...of taking something "raw" & making it all your own!....And maybe the reason this has always been such an exciting process for me, is because of the people I'm doing it for,....my family.....After all, without them....the most important feature of a home would be missing.....that being, "LOVE".....

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"A Delicious Recipe & A Lovely Award".....

Hi All, it has been quite sometime since I have posted a tried & true recipe! So I thought that would be exactly what I do today!...This recipe comes again from the "Barefoot Contessa",...Ina Garten. For those of you that read my blog, you already know that I LOVE Ina's philosophy when it comes to food, ..fresh, beautiful & delicious food served simply!...So today's recipe is all those things...Ina's "Sun-Dried Tomato Dip"!....so delicious you will make it again & again! This recipe is extremely easy & quick ...& one that I have made forever!!! Whip some up & let your family be the judge!.....
INA GARTEN'S "SUN-DRIED TOMATO DIP":

4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped (8 tomatoes)
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup good mayonnaise
10 dashes, hot red pepper sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)

Puree the tomatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, red pepper sauce, salt and pepper in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the scallions and pulse twice. Serve at room temperature.
Serve with crisp veggies and crackers... or as done at our house,..spread on slices of slightly warm Tuscan bread, alongside a salad of "garden greens" tossed with a bit of sweet vinagrette!! So yummy!
Note: makes 2 cups....

And one more thing....My dear friend Lori at "Morning Glories and Moonflowers" honored me this evening, with the "You Make My Day Award"!!!!....I have never seen this charming award, so was simply "over the moon" that I was among the lovely ladies who Lori passed it on to! Thank you so much for thinking of me!...you always "make my day"too!

Now for the deserving ladies I am pleased to pass this award on to!.....

Tracy....Rhonda....Tonya....Holly....Carol....& Carol....Kim...Rue...Jill....A-M.....You all have amazing blogs I love to visit regularly!...Thank you for being my friends!......Heidi XO

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"Monday Morning" ...& Lots To Do!

It is very early Monday morning....I am up & ready to start my day!...Lots to do!...After a bit of blogging & checking e-mails, you will be able to find me on the treadmill,... followed up by the pool....I have been continuing my quest for a healthier lifestyle, & even though perfection has not been reached, my commitment to eating better & exercising is proving to get results....as of this morning I have lost 8 lbs......& I am feeling fabulous already!!!...I have a long road ahead, but one step at a time & a good attitude can work wonders!

Today will also find me finishing up with the cleaning & organizing of my "dining room" ...& then an afternoon of sewing, sewing & more sewing...As well as a quick trip to the post office to mail a few packages...one to Jill, Katy & Carol....the three winners of my recent giveaway!!

I also have been very busy designing & creating some charming "Christmas items " for my etsy shop (heididevlin.etsy.com) & will be posting them later today! I know the holidays seems ages away, but I thought for those of you who wish to plan a bit ahead, it would be perfect timing!..."Quilted Table Runners" & "ornaments" will be posted in a few hours, with "stockings" & "tree skirts" coming later in the week!...And always remember I love doing custom orders, so contact me if you are interested.

And finally this morning I want to say a huge "Thank You" to all of you who have come by & signed up for my "VERY VINTAGE HALLOWEEN SWAP"!!!!...I have simply been "thrilled" & completely "overwhelmed" with your response!!!...Remember you are all welcome to add the button I have on the right side of my blog & display it on your site...& please let anyone you think might be intersted know about it!!.....You have till August 25th to sign up,.......so please know I would delight in having you participate! .......Hope to hear from you soon!.....Heidi XO

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"Window Boxes of PINK"....for PINK SATURDAY

The symmetry of these "puffs of pink" takes my breath away!.....

In this last month of true "summer", I thought I would like to pay tribute to the quiet beauty of "window boxes". I guess I should rephrase that....the "quiet beauty of window boxes overflowing with "pink blossoms". Window boxes are actually such a simple, "old-fashioned" idea,...yet when done properly, result in a breathtaking "cascade of beauty"! These, that I am posting today, are some examples of just such an extraordinary beauty. I hope you enjoy these lovely photographs, & in turn enjoy your "PINK SATURDAY". Thank you Beverly @"How Sweet The Sound" for continuing this beautiful journey for us all....... Elegant & tasteful,......& "pink"......
WOW!....."pink" in it's most brilliant form!
Sweetly "pink" & oh-so-"feminine".........

Note: I invite all you ladies of Beverly's "PINK SATURDAY" posts, to join me for my
"Very Vintage Halloween Swap"!...And feel free to take the button on the right side of my blog & use it on your own! Please spread the word! I am anticipating a "wickedly good time" for all!.........Heidi xo

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"My Living Room"...All Clean & Ready To Welcome Early Autumn.....

My "living room"...looking down from the first landing.....I love the "color combination" of all the blues & browns. It really helps "ground" & give the room "weight"...especially after making the decision to paint all the walls "pure white".

If you read my blog, you know I am going through my house, room by room, giving everything a thorough cleaning! I am pulling out furniture, dusting baseboards & reorganizing each & every drawer!....Little by little it is getting done & I am feeling happier & happier the more I accomplish!....On an everyday basis, I keep a fairly picked up home, but over the coarse of the summer, ...with the doors open & all of us going back & forth to the pool & garden, this house of mine had gotten pretty darn dirty!....So it feels good to be reclaiming it once again! I happened to be chatting about all this to Rhonda at "ScooterBlu's Whimsy". She mentioned that she was hoping I would post photos of the finished room...so these "glimpses" of my living room are for you, Rhonda!
Looking across the "living room"....I love mixing really "great furniture" with all my "flea market" pieces!!!.....And may I say there is very little "really great"....& lots & lots of "flea market"!...
One of my "leopard velvet couches".....This may have been my single most brilliant design decision! (if I do say so myself! :).....With 3 large dogs, 3 cats, a 4 year-old grandson, 2 college age daughters, 1 husband & lots of friends & relatives, this house gets a lot of use!...especially since this room is our only "living space"! (there is no family room)...This "leopard velvet" is incredibly durable & stain resistant...& yet so soft & comfortable! I have had these same two couches for almost 20 years, recovering them in this fabric 2 years ago...& they still look brand new!
Looking up the staircase from the "living room"....I decided to keep the white walls, since it gives the perfect backdrop to my "collection of quilts"....all done in blue, white & brown. These are all quilts from "Fairfield Quilts"....my own business at heididevlin.etsy.com
Our "Henry",... quite content on the couch.

A "still life" arrangement on a very old table I picked up years ago.
A "cozy corner" for reading.....
All my "ragballs" filling an antique box...& set in front of yet another quilt!!! I have to keep these up high, since Cooper, our other Australian Shepard prefers to use them as "chew toys"!.....
Another photo of the entire display....
Our view of the patio, from our the "living room" window.....still need to place the coffee table back among the chairs! ....O.K. friends, I hope you enjoyed my "little house tour", it's back to work now!!!...next is the dining room/library!!!

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The "Adirondack Chair" ...a Summer Classic.....

It is August..& summer is winding down. And as much as I am looking forward to Autumn, I really want to concentrate for the moment,... on warm weather, swimming pools & fresh tomatoes from the garden!...One of the "classics of summertime" is the "Adirondack Chair"! I cannot tell you how much I love this chair!....It is comfortable, well-designed & looks appropriate anywhere you place it!....the beach, lake, mountain cabin or in-town patio! It is a style that has stood the test of time!....& I for one adore them!.....Grab a good book, a cool drink & spend this afternoon in an Adirondack chair......But I do warn you!....if you sit in one,... you may also fall in love & never want to get out! .....Happy Thursday to you all!......Heidi Adirondack in "pink"......
A" pair"..... sunning themselves on a sandy beach!
"More is More", when it comes to Adirondacks......
And even in the "dead of winter"....half covered in snow.....the "Adirondack Chair
can stand on it's own & make quite the statement!

Note: Please don't forget to participate in my "Very Vintage Halloween Swap"!!! I would love to have you join us!!!!

Note: Attention: "KatCollects"......I am so thrilled to have you participate in my "Halloween Swap"...would you please send me your e-mail address, so I can send you all the information....Thank you so much!...heidi xo

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"Taking My Hat Off"...to "Fashion", "Photography" & "this is glamorous"....

What a backdrop!......

It's late on Tuesday evening.....I am writing a post that I have wanted to do for a very long time. As many of you know I am an interior decorator, ...I absolutely LOVE creating beautiful living spaces ....spaces that truly meet the needs of the family that live within. I love the designing, the rearranging & the putting together of rooms....Even as a child, I looked forward to the days when my mother would switch around all the living room furniture....or the afternoons she would spend making flower arrangements. All the aspects of making ones home "cozy & pretty" were very appealing to me. Therefore, interiors & architecture have always had a special place in my heart! My sister on the other hand was, and still is incredibly intrigued & talented with "fashion"....She would easily know exactly what pieces would work together, tweeking the "expected" just enough to make a fabulous statement!... I guess you could say we both love making things "beautiful",.... my sister with clothes & me with interiors!.....and on occasion we switch & find ourselves enjoying each others "forte"!....
That is the reason for all these amazing "couture" photos from the early 1960's! I have been so busy designing & sewing toddler dresses based on "vintage clothing patterns" that I have had my head wrapped around "fashion" lately! When looking for children's styles, I somehow came across these amazing photographs!!! I forget who's work they were,.... the clothes & the photographer...but I do know they are simply spectacular!!!!!

"1960's couture" against "ancient ruins"....

My friend at "this is glamorous" has the most intriguingly beautiful site imaginable! She blogs about interiors & fashion...posting consistently spectacular photographs!!! If you have not had the pleasure of visiting her blog, you must treat yourself!.... I guarantee, you will be swept away! In some small way, tonight's post is my tribute to "this is glamorous"!......"Incredible locations", "lovely clothes" & "exquisite photography"! I hope she will enjoy my post, bringing her as much "inspiration" as she does to me on a daily basis........Enjoy!
Looking "cool and crisp" against a sky of green.......
Remember when we "dressed up" to travel!.....
So "theatrical"....... so "graceful".....

This may be my personal "favorite"!....The hat, the dress, the fabric!!!...."epitome of summer chic"....
The "dress & the rock formations" taking on the very same shape......
Total '"fantasy"!!......
A moment of "quiet reflection"......A "tailored dress", made "ultra-feminine".....
And last, but not least.....The simplest of lines of "couture",... set against the simplest lines of "nature"....Just incredible!

Note: I invite you to be a part of my "Very Vintage Halloween Swap"!...All the information is in the post below.....Should be wonderfully fun for us all!!!......Heidi xo

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A "Very Vintage Halloween Swap"......

It's true!......I have decided to host my own "little swap".....a "Very Vintage Halloween Swap"!

I have participated in a couple so far & found that they were simply delightful!!! It is a chance to meet some of the lovliest people & put together the most charming surprises!......I know it is August & we are all continuing to enjoy the summer, but I wanted to get this swap started, since I would love to give you all plenty of time.

So this is how it will work. You will have till Monday, August 25th to leave me a comment, letting me know you would like to participate....Please make sure you add your e-mail address to your comment so I can get in touch with you.....As soon as you sign up, I will be sending you each a tiny "Halloween Favor" for signing up....a small assortment of darling Halloween tags...courtesy of Holly at "mommyholly.etsy.com"..... I've also added a "button" to the right side of my blog, that you can add to your own blogs....Please help me spread the word! After I have all the participants, I will pair you up with a partner,..... e-mailing you to let you know who it is & their specifics.

As for what to send your lucky partner?....I think something with a "vintage feel" would be lovely! I know I always covet the darling Halloween items that look like pieces from years ago! It can be one thing or a grouping of little Halloween surprises....but should not exceed $20-$30. You are all a creative group out there!!...you could make something wonderful or purchase your gift!....Either way, please make sure & put a bit of thought in the presentation!...wrap in sweet paper, add a little ribbon, write a wee card!...make it something you would LOVE to receive!!!

And the last thing...You will be responsible to make sure & have your "Halloween" swap box in the mail & sent to your partner by Monday, September 22nd. That way we all will have our suprises in time to set out & use during the month of October.....Also I thought we might all enjoy seeing what each other received, so on Wednesday, October 1st, lets all post about this swap, showing all our "gifts"!!!.....I will add a list of all the participants & their partners & we can go down the list visiting each other! What a great way to kick off October!

So I invite you all to be part my "Very Vintage Halloween Swap"!!!!...I think it could be amazingly fun!!...& maybe a bit "spooky" in the process!....Sign up soon!......Your friend, Heidi XO

P.S. Of course I am hosting a Halloween swap..... After all, I am a naturally born "witch"......my birthday is October 31st!!!!....Bye for now!....

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"The Winner" of my "100th Post Giveaway"

Me again....the "winners" have been chosen! Many of you have your children randomly pick the names, so in that tradition, I am having my daughter Holly pick the winning names! Holly however, has requested a "disclaimer"....she just realized she still has her jammies on (& I'm sure will for sometime today!), so please take that into account while viewing these photos! :) The "earthenware bowl"...the "names" of all who entered....& my "jammie-clad" Holly....
Congratulations to Jill from "Bailiwick"...you have just won my "Striped Fairfield Quilt"!!!!......I hope you will enjoy it...it is a lovely piece!...large taupe/white stripes, very classic!....Please visit Jill's lovely blog & etsy shop!...... She is a very talented lady!
who the next "winner" is?........
It's Katy at "The Country Blossom"!!!!....Katy you have just won my "Christmas Runner"!!!! I will be adding more of these on my etsy shop soon, but this one is all yours!!! It is 8 feet long, & just darling!.... being pieced in wide red/white stripes & decorated with silver "jingle bells at both ends! I so hope you will enjoy it!!....& be sure & visit Katy at her darling blog....you will be so glad you did!!!

"Clover Yard"!!!!......Carol has one of my all-time favorite blogs!!! It is so pretty & "oh-so" charming!!!!......Carol, you have won my "Summer" pillow!.....This delightful pillow is made from "awning-striped" fabric & stenciled with wonderful "summertime" words.....So pretty!

Congratualtions to all three of you ladies!!!!...And I truly want to say a heartfelt "thank you" to all of you who took the time to enter my "giveaway'!!!....You make this blogging experience just a delight! & am proud to call you all my "dear friends"!!!!

Note: Tomorrow I will be announcing my "Very Vintage Halloween Swap"!!! I am putting together all the last minute details & will be posting it tomorrow!.....Please plan to join me!.....

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PREPARING THE NAMES!!.....

Happy Sunday to you all......Something was effecting our computers last night???...so I was unable to even get access to all your comments?...Anyway, everything seems O.K. at the moment, so I am wildly gathering your names & tossing them in my big earthenware bowl. I will hopefully have the winners very soon!.....Check back in an hour or so!!! Good Luck & Happy Wishes to you all!.......See you in a bit!.......Heidi

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"PINK SATURDAY'S"..."Pink Misty Mornings"

An old country road...clouded in "pink"......

Good Morning!....I always look forward to our "Pink Saturdays"!....Beverly was brilliant in thinking it up!..... It is always so lovely to check in with all of you ladies and see what you are posting... & how your week has been! My week has been mainly spent in my sewing room, working on "Christmas items", ....some I have promised for friends & clients.... & some are being made new to add to my etsy shops in a few days. It seems a bit early, but with August here & me not being the "speediest" sewer, I decided I am starting early!.....This year we have invited my husband's entire family here to our house for the holidays, so I know I will be fairly busy preparing!...Therefore, another reason to be on top of it all!......With August's arrival, I get a little excited thinking Autumn is not far behind!...Don't get me wrong, I am still very happy to be able to enjoy "Summer" for a while longer, but I do love Fall!....And one of my favorite aspects of Fall is waking to "Misty Pink Mornings"!!...Early mornings that are clouded in an enchanting "pink haze"!......Along with "cooler temperatures" & a "nip in the air"...I look forward to those magical mornings all year long! So today, for "Pink Saturday", that is what I am posting...."Misty Pink Mornings".......Enjoy your weekend!.....Heidi xo Standing alone, but kept company by the "pink of morning"......

Lovely "silouettes" against the" sheerest of pink skies".....

Note: Thank you to all of you who added such amazingly lovely comments on my 100th blog!...I will be picking 3 names randomly this afternoon & will post the winners this evening.....Thank you so much for helping me celebrate!!!

Note: Jan, I am so sorry your computer isn't cooperating!.....we will be thinking of & missing you today!.....

Note: To Kim N.- So sorry Kim, but no classes or quilt shows are planned at the moment.....Please visit me at heididevlin.etsy.com or babypeople.etsy.com...I am adding to & changing up both shops a bit in the coming weeks, so please keep visiting!

Note: Today's photos..courtesy of Flickr.com

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