The Debut of "baby people" at Etsy......

Happy Wednesday Evening friends, I am so happy to announce that my second Etsy shop is up & running!...finally! As most of you know, I sell heirloom quality quilts, pillows and home decor items at heididevlin.etsy.com & I am proud to announce that I sold my first three items this past couple weeks! It's just such a wonderful feeling to know these quilts & accessories, that I love, are also finding a following, & home with many of you! Thank you so very much! I can't tell you how much it means to me!
And now the reason for my second shop, "baby people". I have always been an incredible fan of classic infant & children's clothing!...Pieces that are beautifully made & ones that will be kept & treasured. Tiny little prints, tickings & cozy flannels are the fabrics that make up this first collection of basic "bibs & blankets"! The blankets are a generous 39"x39", just the right size to wrap up the "little one" in your family....& of course these simple basics make incredible gifts for any expectant couples you know!
I decided to post coordinating pieces, but am selling each item individually. I hope to follow up with baby & toddler "one of a kind dresses", as well as "vintage-inspired nightgowns" & "classic pajamas."....all to come in the following weeks! And if there is something in particular you are looking for, either color or size-wise, please let me know...I would be more than happy to work with you!
I have posted some of my pieces here, but please visit my etsy shop to see more! Thanks so much for your interest!.....happy shopping!......Love, Heidi :)

One of my "baby people" bibs....love it's French-inspired print & color....

My little "nautical print" bib....with a tiny covered button closure.....

A stack of the prettiest " baby blankets".....

A charming "pink" combination........So sweet!.......

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A Good Busy Day.....

It has been a busy day....a good, busy day. It started early with a cup of hot tea & having my daughter, Holly help me photograph some of my new baby "bibs & blankets" for my etsy shop. We have a new camera...so exciting!) We then went downstairs to the kitchen to have breakfast....Somewhere over toast & jelly, it was decided that a trip to Target was in order! So off we went, leaving work responsibilites behind!....We had a wonderful time, stopping for lunch on the way home. Long story short, "fun & folly" happily made us forget about all we had to do today. Oh well, tomorrow's another day.........Off to bed for now.......See you in the morn........

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Tyler Florence's "Lasagna al Forno"....incredible!!

It's late on Monday.....I haven't blogged today, which is somewhat weird for me! ( just don't feel right without a daily post!)... I instead decided to "keep my nose to the grindstone" & finish sewing the "bibs & blankets" that I have been working on for my new etsy shop....I finished right before dinner tonight & am so pleased with the results! I will be debuting my new children's etsy shop, tomorrow afternoon. Enough about that for right now though.
Knowing that I would be busy today, I spent a bit of time in the kitchen yesterday, making Tyler Florence's "Lasagna al Forno". As with all lasagna, it takes a little time to prepare, but Tyler's was definitely worth the trouble! This is a family friendly recipe, wonderful flavor, lots of cheese...incredibly good! And I also really appreciated that Tyler includes tips throughout the recipe that are easy, & truly add to the successful outcome of this dish! Example: He explains a way to arrange the lasagna noodles, in the layering, that makes for a super stable casserole. I was able to cut & serve perfect squares without it all falling apart! Love that!.....Anyway, I have had Tyler's cookbook, "Tyler Florence's Real Kitchen" for a while...& am a devoted fan of all his Food Network shows, but have never actually made one of his recipes?? ( ashamed to admit that!) Well now I have & have also bookmarked many others!!! I so hope you take the time to make this incredible lasagna......Tyler is not only real "pretty"....he's real pretty & a great chef!

Tyler Florence......looks good & cooks!!...can't beat that!.......

LASAGNA al FORNO:
1 pound dried lasagna noodles

Olive oil

1 onion

chopped 2 cloves garlic, sliced

2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped

3 bay leaves

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 pound ground Italian sausage

6 ounces tomato paste, (1 can)

30 ounces ricotta cheese, (2 containers)

1/4 cup Italian flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped

Salt and black pepper, to taste

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

4 cups tomato sauce, prepared

1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

Grated Parmesan and mozzarella, for topping

Cook the lasagna noodles in plenty of boiling salted water until pliable and barely tender, about 10 minutes. Stir with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking. Drain the noodles thoroughly, coat with olive oil keep them moist and easy to work with.
Coat a large skillet with olive oil. Saute over medium heat, onion, garlic and herbs. Cook 5 minutes. Brown beef and sausage until no longer pink, about 15 minutes. Drain fat into a small container and discard. Stir in the tomato paste completely. Set aside to cool.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, parsley and oregano. Stir in beaten eggs. Add Parmesan, season with salt and pepper.
To assemble the lasagna: Coat the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch pan with a ladle full of tomato sauce. Arrange 4 noodles lengthwise in a slightly overlapping layer on the sauce. Then, line each end of the pan with a lasagna noodle. This forms a collar that holds in the corners. Spread 1/2 of the meat mixture over the pasta. Dollop 1/2 of the ricotta mixture over the meat, spread to the edges with a spatula. Sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella on top of the ricotta. Top with a ladle full of tomato sauce, spread evenly. Repeat with the next layer of noodles, meat, cheeses and sauce. Top last layer with noodles, sauce and shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Tap the pan to force out air bubbles. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Remove from oven. Let lasagna rest for 30 minutes so the noodles will settle and cut easily. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve

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"I Saw Red"....(on a little piece of French linen)

Today is June 8th, the last day of "I Saw Red" week,.... thought up & organized by Sara from the wonderful blog Sadie Olive. I just want to say "thank you" to Sara for such an enjoyably "red" week! I can't wait to see which color wins out for next week!

As for today, I decided to post one of my all time favorite things...old "French linen"!...I especially love the pieces that are embellished with either blue or red stripes &/or embroidery.. ...So incredibly charming! You can also use various weights of this linen for upholstery or stair runners!...As a decorator, it is something that I love to suggest to clients!....You can purchase the linen, either by the yard or already made up into napkins, tablecloths, pillows, etc. The pieces I have featured today are all available for sale from Beyond France. It is a lovely site, where you too will fall in love with this exquistite linen from years past.
Antique "French linen", made into napkins & monogrammed......
Wouldn't this piece be fabulous made into a pillow or used to upholster the back of a little chair!....
More little napkins...so simple & pretty!

Note: Once again Sara, "thank you" for such a fun idea & great way to meet new friends through blogging! Off to check out all our last "red" postings!......Heidi

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" I SAW RED"......in a rowboat

It is Saturday afternoon....I have been busy all morning, cleaning & reorganizing my sewing/craft room. How can a room become so cluttered, so quickly??.....I am in the mood to simplify my home & my life. Don't misunderstand... I want a comfortable, cozy home, but have somehow accumulated so much unnecessary "stuff"!!! I want it gone! I want to live with less!...I want to clear my surroundings & in turn my mind.....I want to focus my attention on "life" not things!....Does that make any sense at all??........You know what?...I just want to jump in one of these marvelously "red" boats & float away for a few hours..... care to join me?

A simple, "red" rowboat.......floating in the water.....

Another "red boat".....quietly existing.......Have a very "relaxing" weekend friends......

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Beverly's...."Pink Saturdays".....

Good Morning!... and welcome to "Pink Saturdays". The idea of posting something "pink" on Saturdays, was thought up by Beverly at"How Sweet the Sound". You may remember Beverly as having the amazingly charming "first" front porch, we all visited during our friend Rhondi's party last Thursday. What a lovely home & blog she has!..... Beverly decided by Saturday she was sometimes a little short on blogging material,.... so being partial to pink, she thought it might be fun to choose Saturday as the day of the week to honor this pretty color! Beverly thought her fellow "bloggettes" might like to join in, so she invited us all to participate! Just let her know by 5pm (EST) on Fridays, along with a link to your site & she will include you in all the fun! Here's to making Saturdays, "PINK"! Thank you, Beverly!....

For my first "Pink Saturday" I am choosing to post a few photos of Martha Stewart's incredible Maine guest house. Martha decided it would be fun to use the color pink throughout it's interiors. What a wonderful idea, Martha!

I just think this little table, with all it's "pink" necessities is incredible!.......

Oh so "Pretty in Pink"!!!.....

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"I SAW RED", SMILED & "I KNEW I WAS AT TARGET".....

It's late in the afternoon again today & I need to write my "I Saw Red"post. Well I will be brutally honest,... this bit of "RED" may be the one I love above all others!!!! Let me just say that TARGET, for me, has become the place I do most of my shopping! There was a time a while back, when I needed my weekly Nordstrom, Pottery Barn & Restoration Hardware "fix"....But no more, they have all been replaced by my beloved "TARGET"!!! I LOVE the fact that I can go in with one purchase in mind, maybe a box of laundry detergent or a birthday card. Instead I end up leaving with clothes, towels, popsicles, magazines, cd's, dvd's, candles, a couple "Matchbox" cars, shampoo, and a few live plants!!!!.....(& usually forgetting the detergent & the card???) ....Target has it all!... And that store does such an amazing job of copying it's much more expensive competition!!! I am so impressed! I leave happy, knowing I am not spending our "life savings" & so appreciative not having to spend most of the day running around!....I have proudly become a bonafide "TARGET GIRL" .....& proud of it!!!! Bring on the "RED"!

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The Inspiring Rooms of "Diamond Baratta"....

Note: A huge & heartfelt "THANK YOU" to Rhondi for treating us all to the lovliest "Front Porch Party" ever yesterday!!!!....and to all the ladies who took the time to visit & comment about my front porches, ..."Thank you" so very much!!! What a charming way of meeting new friends!!! I hope to hear from you all again soon!....Love, Heidi


This morning I am posting on the design team of "Diamond & Baratta". The rooms these talented men design & create are among the most beautiful interiors ever!!! They are known for their impeccable attention to details!!! They are "masters" with color & pattern too! .....They can transform anything into a lamp & their rugs are simply amazing!!!....And of course their use of my personal favorite, "quilts"!!!!...They hang, upholster & place quilts everywhere!! The particular house I am sharing with you this morning is just one of many that are worthy of your attention! William Diamond & Anthony Baratta show dozens of homes they have done in their book "Diamond Baratta Designs"....It is so worth checking out! Even if you never decorate at all, thumbing through their book will be a "feast for your eyes"!!!.........Note: And the color they use!!!...did I mention the color??? Unbelieveable!!!

All these photos are of rooms from the same home...It was decorated by the design team "Diamond Baratta". The first photo is of the living room ( look at the wingback that's upholstery is actually a quilt!) & of course now the dining room. ....Check out those "rugs"!!!!!!!!! They often are inspired from designs in fabric used or china collections owned by the client...such a personal touch!
Simple, quiet & "Oh so pretty"!!!!..........

May I draw your attention to the lamps, the rug ( again!), the ceiling, the furniture, the color & did you see the rug?!!......

Great example of how using "toile" can unify a room!....I have said it before,... "don't be skimpy when using toile"!!!!!....Use it everywhere!....The more you use, the calmer & more pulled together the room will be!................

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"I Saw Red"...In the Country.....

"Red tractors"!!......aren't they just the prettiest!

Hi Friends, It is a little after 5:00pm here in Valley Center, CA., & I am just now posting my " I
Saw Red" post for the day.....but better a little late than never!
It is true that I love amazing "handbags" & would give just about anything to have a pair of "Manolo Blahniks or Jimmy Choo's". And whenever I am in NYC and am walking the neighborhoods of the Upper West Side, all I want, is to purchase & re-model one of the city's lovely old "brownstones"!.....but for those of you who know me, my heart always ends up back in the "country"! I absolutely love everything about country living too!....So this evening I am posting pictures of some of the country things that always make me yearn my "country home!!!

"Red farmhouse & outbuildings"....in amongst all that green!....

Isn't this "red watering can" just the best!

And a pair of "red wellies".....I cannot tell you how indespensible these are!!! Mine have always been green or black?....what I wouldn't give for "RED"!.....

Another charming "red farmhouse"....Looks like something right out of the pages of "Avonlea" doesn't it....Enjoy your evenings....I'll see you again tomorrow!.......Love, Heidi

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Rhondi's "Front Porch Party"

Happy Thursday Friends! ( & Happy Birthday, Rhondi!).....It is June 5th....& a day we have all been looking forward to...Rhondi's "Front Porch Party"!! What is it about a "front porch" that just has a way of enchanting us all?....Maybe it's the way a front porch "welcomes" all who walk by,.... maybe it's the "relaxing calm" we feel as we allow ourselves to sit.... or could it be the realization, that by sharing a front porch for a moment, a " mere aquaintance can soon become a dear friend". I am sharing some of my favorite "front porches" with you my friends.... enjoy!

A little cottage front porch!!!....so inviting!............

A big grey house with an amazing "front porch"!....I love the color combination!....

So comfortable, so inviting!.......

What a "classic"!!!.....

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My Favorite "Red" Things......

Good Morning All, Hope you are doing well! Continuing with Sadie Olive's "I Saw Red" week", I thought I would post some of my very favorite things, here goes......
I LOVE "red toile" in just about any design!!!....This bed is such a great example of mixing it up a bit!...toile, stripes, various prints!....Note: always remember the more "toile" you use in a room, the better it looks....."More is more" when it comes to toile!!!!!

I LOVE red & white "quilts"!.....This is an amazing quilt found on Quilts.com.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Manolo Blahnik "maryjanes"!!!!!!!.....and in red?....Could it get any better! Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda & Samantha would be oh so proud!....

I LOVE red purses!....Oh who am I kidding?....I LOVE all purses!.....but this Nancy Gonzalez bag may take my obsession to a whole new level!....(Just $3250 at Neiman's????).....Not exactly in this month's budget, but a girl can dream!......

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"Penne with Five Cheeses" & "Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar"

O.K., O.K., O.K.....Three blogs in one day???....I promise, this is the last!....I had meant to post recipes yesterday afternoon, but time got away from me. I am just about to go make a little dinner for the family, but thought I might post first. This evening's recipe is another wonderful one from Ina Garten, the "Barefoot Contessa". You are probably thinking Ina's cookbooks are the only ones I cook from. I have a million cookbooks, but it is true that Ina's recipes are among my very favorites! She cooks simply with very fresh ingredients,... very earthy & rustic! I love that! Anyway friends, tonight's recipe is Ina's "Penne with Five Cheeses". I have served this dish for regular family dinners, as well as to company! It is great comfort food, but also a great side-dish along with grilled meat! It is easy to put together & is just so exceptionally good! All ages will love it!....Try it soon & please let me know what you think!

Note : I sometimes substitute the penne for "Farfalle" ( bow-tie pasta) & I usually add twice as much blue cheese! ( and all my picky-eaters still love it!)
Note: I also shred my mozzerella cheese, instead of slicing it.


The "Barefoot Contessa"......Ina Garten.

PENNE with FIVE CHEESES: ( serves 6)

Kosher salt

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup crushed tomatoes in thick tomato puree

1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano (1 1/2 ounces)

1/2 cup shredded imported Italian fontina (1 1/2 ounces)

1/4 cup crumbled Italian Gorgonzola (1 1/2 ounces)

2 tablespoons ricotta cheese

1/4 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced

6 fresh basil leaves, chopped

1 pound imported penne rigate pasta

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
Bring 5 quarts of salted water to a boil in a stockpot.
Combine all the ingredients except the penne and butter in a large mixing bowl. Mix well.
Drop the penne into the boiling water and parboil for 4 minutes. Drain well in a colander and add to the ingredients in the mixing bowl, tossing to combine.
Divide the pasta mixture among 6 shallow ceramic gratin dishes (1 1/2 to 2-cup capacity). Dot with the butter and bake until bubbly and brown on top, 7 to 10 minutes.

Note: You can bake the pasta in one large dish, instead of individual ones......

*** Another idea to accompany the pasta.... Slice up some beautiful "strawberries", three baskets per/4-6 people. Sprinkle with 1 Tablespoon of granulated sugar & toss.....Then as a final touch, drizzle with approx. 1-2 Tablespoons of really good "balsamic vinegar".....Oh so yummy!

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Simply Me Art & the Talented Jamie.....

"Charming and Sparkling"......

This is my second blog of the day!?... Believe it or not, I am getting a few other things done besides sitting at the computer, ...even though it does, at the moment look that way!.....I have successfully cleaned a horribly cluttered garage, as well as doing load after load of laundry! Such a glamorous life I lead!!!
In amongst all the cleaning though, I wanted to let you all know, about a fellow "bloggette" & her incredible Etsy shop! Her name is Jamie, & her blog & etsy store is "Simply Me Art". Her blog is just lovely!, with great posts & wonderful pictures! And you all need to visit her etsy shop, as well, where Jamie creates & sells the most amazingly pretty jewelry! Everything is exquisitely put together, ... her designs look as if they are treasured pieces from years past....& she adds lots of "sparkle" which of course is something that appeals to me!!
Last week, I ordered an amazing necklace. It arrived promptly & was beautifully wrapped & tagged! I just couldn't have been happier! Thank you Jamie so much!
Please visit Jamie & pick up a little something "sparkly" for yourself! I know she will become one of your favorites...just as she has become one of mine!
Back to the laundry......Love, Heidi

"Twinkle Twinkle"....

"Blossom"......

"Be Still My Heart".....

"Vintage Sparkle Ring XVI" ......

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My " I Saw Red" Post.....

Yesterday, I came across a wonderful blog, "Sadie Olive -the Journal". Sara Duckett who writes this blog thought it might be fun to make June 2- June 8th, "I Saw Red Week". If you would like to participate in her lovely "week of red", all you have to do is visit her blog & leave Sara a comment letting her know you would like to be included. ( leave your blog address!) She will post your blog along with all the others. Then during the week, simply enjoy posting your favorite "red" photos! What a great way to be introduced to a variety of fabulous blogs! Here's to a week of the beautiful color "RED", incredible pictures & meeting new friends!!! Thank you Sara for including all of us!!!!
Note: You should all know that I simply LOVE "red barns"!!! So for my first "red post", I thought I'd share some incredibly pretty ones with you!.....

Amazingly vibrant color!...the barn, the grass & the silo......

This barn is what I imagine in my mind, when I think of "life in the country"!

An old red barn in winter......

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Monday Morning Announcements....

It's Monday morning & a fresh start to another week!...Hope you all had enjoyable weekends! I have a couple announcements for you this morning....First of all, I want to show off my new "Summer Pillow" ( $35) that I just posted in my "Etsy" shop. I originally designed this pillow for my own patio, but thought it turned out so charming that I might offer it to you all as well! It is 18" square & made out of a classic denim awning stripe fabric. I thought it would be fun to stencil ( fabric paint!) words of "summertime" all over the pillow in a random & carefree pattern! ...... I offer 3 "word options" that you can choose from, each describing either the country, city or beach in summer. All are listed at http://www.heididevlin.etsy.com/ My "Summer Pillow" would be a wonderful hostess gift or a little something you might like to keep for yourself! I would love to make one up for you!

Another view of my "Summer Pillow".....

My other announcement is for my friend Rhondi's "Front Porch Party" on June 5th!....This is a wonderful idea! Please go visit her at "http://rhondisrosecoloredglasses.blogspot.com/" to find out all the details! I know you will all love to participate!

Note #1: I will be posting another delicious recipe this afternoon....be watching for it!

Note #2......Yesterday,... my husband, both Holly & Mallory & myself took in the "Sex and the City" movie....Let me just say it is worth every penny you will pay for your ticket!!! Simply WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!.......Make it a good Monday!.... Love, Heidi

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arte y pico award!

Thank you to my sweet daughter holly for presenting me with the Arte Y Pico award! This award recognizes a blog's creativity and overall contribution to the blogger community. The philosophy of this award is... "art is wonderful... but even more so in the company of others."

And now, I get to select 5 recipients as well:
1) Ragged Roses

2) oh happy day!
3) Little Cotton Rabbits

4) Simply Me Art

5) Posy

Once you've been selected, please follow these guidelines and pay it forward:
1) Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material, and overall contribution to the blogger community, regardless of the language.
2) Post the name of the author and a link to his or her blog by so everyone can view it.
3) Each award-winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award.

4) The award-winner and the presenter should post the link of the "Arte y pico"blog , so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5) Please post these rules!

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Our "Get-Together Group"......

Hello Friends, Last night my girlfriends & I all got together for one of our monthly dinners. Our "get-together group" is made up of women of various ages, ranging from the youngest being 23 to a couple of us in our mid fifties. I often feel we are similar to the women in the movie "Steel Magnolias", very different ages, very different viewpoints, but connected by the common thread of friendship. I usually feel we lead fairly similar lives, working or going to school during the day with all of us returning home to our families in the late afternoon. Some of us are single, some married. Some of us have children, some of us do not,... & one of us is expecting. We represent varied occupations, but then again have many of the same interests. We are ladies who enjoy each others differences & similarities, & we always enjoy a good debate!

Last night however,... more than ever, I was aware of each of us as individuals,....Usually we chat about antiquing, decorating & American Idol, which we did do..... At the moment though, each of us also have varied personal issues we are trying to deal with as well. One of us has just lost her father & is trying hard to understand the best way to deal with her own feelings while respecting her father's wishes. Some of us are having relationship issues that are proving difficult to resolve, while still others are feeling financial pressure, with the slow down of the economy. One of us will be hosting a foreign exchange student this summer, one is attending summer school & then there is always the issue of raising all our various ages of children,... teenagers, grade-schoolers, pre-schoolers & a "soon-to-be newborn"! Yikes!?

Even with all of these issues on our plates, I think we all realize the importance of coming together as dear friends. Gathering together for a wonderful meal ( & great cake!), great conversation & the chance to be among ladies who are there to support each other. Sometimes all each of us needs is the chance to be listened to. I believe this is what makes this collection of friends so special,... being able to share, and knowing that in four short weeks we can do it all again.....I love you all.....Heidi

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