"Crowns, Roosters & a Bit of Christmas"!.....

*"Crown/Message" pillow.......so, so pretty!.....you can personalize this pillow with your zip code, a monogram or even a child's brithdate!

It is the last week of October, which I can hardly believe!??....Where does the time go?.....We are taking this week to prepare for Halloween, which at our house is quite a big deal!.....Baking "cut-out cookies" in the shapes of bats & pumpkins,...."sewing costumes".... "decorating" inside & out & "watching lots of scary movies"!!!

And in the mix of all this creativity, I have also added lots of new pillows to my Etsy shop, "Heidi Devlin Design"!.....I have hand-stenciled some amazingly pretty "crown designs", along with a charming "rooster" pillow & darling "Santa" as well!.... You must come take a look!...I will be continuing to add new things this week & next, preparing for the upcoming holidays!....Such an exciting time of year!....

I would like to wish you all a wonderfully "spooky" Halloween week.... & at the same time, please take a moment to come take a peek at what's new in the shop!!.....Your friend, Heidi XO

* "Santa" pillow.....so cute & somewhat "retro"!

* "Paris/Crown" pillow.....such an interesting design!.....so pretty & just a bit French!!

* "Judy's Rooster" pillow....."Country" at it's best!.....

And my "SOFA" pillow......so simple, yet so charming!

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"Today at Our House"......

Hello Friends, It is Friday once again!....Today at our house it is all about "decorating for Halloween"! We made a vow at the beginning of the year that we would decorate in a more timely manner! Even though stores have had Halloween displays since August, we decided to try & resist & stick to our plan,....since some years we were almost tired of the holiday before it had even begun!.....So now a week before the big day, our family is so excited to begin! We are adding lots of Martha Stewart "paper rats"...a must with a 5 year old grandson!...Lots of "spider decals" adorning windows & mirrors!...eerie "cobwebs".....& armloads of "pumpkins"!!....This is the day we have been waiting for!!!!....Excitement is in the air!.....Afterall, the "prep" is half the fun!....Off to decorate with wild abandon!!!.....Love, Heidi XO

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Autumn "Whites"......

I'm sure many of you will agree..."white" is beautiful in Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter!....Sometimes , especially at this time of year though, we have a tendancy to give only the warm colors the proper attention. ......turning our backs on "white". We gravitated to it in Spring & loved how crisp it felt in Summer,.... but somehow forget how versatile & lovely "white"can still be when Autumn arrives!.....Look around your homes for pieces of white that are hiding out in your cupboards or stored away in linen closets!.....& bring them out!.....Mix your "white iron stone" with white pumpkins & berried branches!......drape your "white slipcovers" with cozy quilts & colorful textured pillows..... & even consider painting thrift shop finds like old urns the color white & filling them with beautiful bouquets of wheat or dried hydrandeas!.....You will be pleasantly surprised how adaptable & "Fall-ish" white can be!

When using white in "cool weather" you must also remember to use pieces of white that are very textural!..... soft fluffy rugs, Irish knit pillows & even architectural pieces that are aged & interesting..... I have a pair of old candlesticks where the white paint is chipping & for some reason I love them more than ever in the fall & winter months!

So Ladies,...... in amongst all the incredible color that we are enjoying now in October, remember the color "white". Whether it takes "center stage" in your rooms, or you have just "hints" of white here & there, it is important to realize how this classic color can take on any season & look as inviting & charming now as it did a few months ago!.....

I encourage you to run out & purchase an armload of "white pumpkins".....

Or simply show off a fabulous collection of "white dishes"!.....Whichever way you wish to bring the "Autumn Whites" into your home, will be the right way!.....Happy decorating!......

Love, Heidi XO

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"So Simple....So Charming".....

I have been absent from blogging for days & days!?......I have seen nothing, but the 4 walls of my garage workroom!.....I am very content working out in the " studio" on all my projects, but find myself a bit more caught up so have decided to emerge for the day!.......

Earlier this morning, I was looking through a few of my old Country Living magazines & came across this picture. I thought it was just the most darling idea!....using a "transferware teacup" as the "scoop" in your flour jar!!!....I just have to copy this idea!....I already have everything displayed in large glass jars, but will definitely be replacing my tin scoop, for a tea cup like this!.....Thank you Country Living magazine!! I just treasure easy ideas like this!!

Letting you all know too that my newsletter, "Living Little with Heidi" will be sent out tomorrow!...Finally!!!!!!...more than a little late I'm afraid!...

O.K.... off to whip up a bit of dinner......Pasta?.....Waffles?.....Chicken?.....???????

Wishing you a fabulous little Wednesday evening!......Heidi XO

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"Nini/Andrew Days"....

So busy concentrating on this drawing!...Is that a precious face!

Today was a "Nini/Andrew day"....a day spent just with me & my grandson Andrew. Even though we both live in the same household & I have the privledge of seeing him every day, it is nice to once in awhile have an entire day to have the house to ourselves! The girls were at school, my husband at work & since Andrew is home from kindergaten this week it was just he & I!

We started the day by making "chocolate cupcakes & peanut butter blossom cookies"! Believe it or not, not all the batter was eaten!...some of it was actually transfomed into some sweet treats! We also decorated the house with Martha Stewart decorations, "spiders" on all the mirrors & windows & "little black mice" gracing all the baseboards!....We went in the back yard & found a bare branch that we made into a "Halloween Tree", with lots of "spiderwebs & black widows"!...How proud we were of that!..... Then after a lunch of "tuna & saltines", we got cozy on the couch & turned on "Coraline" with the 3-D glasses & all, until it got a bit too scary for us both!!

What a day it was!.....How fortunate I feel to have this little man in my life!...He is a blessing to our family & makes this "Nini" so very proud!.....I love you Andrew!...& I love "Nini/Andrew Days"!.....

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A "Pretty Pink Room".....for Pink Saturday!

Happy Pink Saturday!......You know me & lovely interiors!.....I never tire of a well-put-together room!, especially one in "pink"!.......All these different pink shades combine to create such a confortable, yet enchanting space!......Enjoy this first Pink Saturday of October!.....& thank you Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound for hostessing!.......Heidi XO

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"Running A Little Behind".....

Good Morning Friends,.....& a very "Happy October 1st" to you all!.....I apologize for being a bit absent from "blogging",.... but "work" here at home has kept me from writing regularly!....So much to do!.....Like most of you,... running a household, along with work & now an Etsy shop that is crazy busy, I haven't had much time for anything else!......I am not complaining at all though!....Very thankful to have clients who ask for advice & customers who are requesting my pillows & accessories!
However, some of you who read my on-line newsletter, "Living Little with Heidi"* may be wondering where the October issue is this morning?......afterall it is October 1st!?..... I will be sending it out on Monday, October 5th instead...a few days late I know, but it will be worth the wait!.....So thank you for your patience! I do appreciate it!......
So off to straighten the house, throw in some laundry & windex all the paw marks & fingerprints off my sliding door???.....I hopefully will be caught up with everything shortly!.....Here's to a happily busy October for us all!........Heidi XO

* If you have not signed up to receive my monthly newsletter, & would like me to send it to you, please e-mail me at heididevlin@gmail.com!..... Thanks so much!

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"Sweet Halloween" is Alive & Well!.......

My adorably simple "little black cat" picture!.....Soft wool felt, appliqued on textured burlap & framed!....Nothing too threatening!....Just " friendly Halloween" in our house!

Happy Sunday Friends, Hope you all are enjoying a restful weekend!.....Here at our house, we are combining a bit of relaxing, with a few projects scattered in!.......Yesterday, after enjoying a long walk at the beach & lunch at a wonderful little sandwich shop, we headed home to spend the afternoon working on various projects, some for school.... & some for work.... & a few just for fun!.....At the top of my list was doing a little stitching, stenciling & packing up boxes to send tomorrow morning!.....

You see "Halloween" is certainly alive & well at my Etsy shop,

"Heidi Devlin Design"!.....However, it is a "Sweet Halloween".....not the scary, creepy variety.....just charming pieces that work well tucked in & around your home, adding just a hint of "sweet spookiness"!

.....You really should stop by!......There are darling burlap pillows hand-stenciled with

"all hallows eve" & little wool felt "blackbird", far to "chubby" to be mistaken for a threatening crow!

There are also pretty little pictures, with burlap matting & a stenciled "Oct. 31" & another tiny blackbird!...So cute to tuck on your bookcase or kitchen hutch!.....

And of course there is my "BOO" pillow..... one that every home should display!.....Such a darling hint of "Halloween"!

So please stop by & pick up a few pieces of "Sweet Halloween" for your house!...Afterall, October 31st is approaching quickly!!.....Enjoy your Sunday!.......Your friend, Heidi XO

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"A Dusty Shade of Pink"

I thought this had to be the prettiest room!.....It's obviously "pink", but such a "dusty, antique" shade of pink!.....So soft...so quiet....and very appropriate for this last "Pink Saturday" of September......Thank you so much Beverly @ "How Sweet The Sound" for being our hostess......Here's to the making it a delightful weekend!.......Enjoy every minute!....Heidi XO

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"Weekend Wishes".....

Hello Friends, Once again Friday has arrived!.....& once again I am planning the coziest of weekends!.....It is still extremely hot here in "So. Cal.", but with the air conditioning cranked up, you would almost think it was a cool crisp Autumn day outside!!......Our plans for this weekend are very simple......staying home, .....baking, sewing & decorating our house for Fall!.....I am bringing in big branches, lots of yellow leaves & filling old crocks with deep yellow chrysanthemums!!....Who knows?...I may even add a pumpkin here & there!...afterall it's almost October!

So here's wishing you all a similar weekend!....one of sweet aromas, a cozy home & pretty Fall scenery!.....Your friend, Heidi XO

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Come See What's New!

Sparkly "Snow Dusted Candy Canes"...perfect in soft quiet colors!......

Hello Friends, Just a little announcement......My Etsy shop "Heidi Devlin Design" has some charming new items!......"Hand Stenciled Pillows with lovely sentiments"......"Snow-Dusted Candy Canes in soft neutral colors"......& darling "Ragball Snowballs" all ready for Christmas! I am so proud of each new addition & invite you to come take a peek!......Afterall, each piece in my shop is looking for a new home!.....maybe even yours!.....Happy shopping!.......Heidi XO

"Chandelier/French Settee" pillow......so simple & elegant!

A lovely sentiment.....perfect for a pillow! ("Love You" pillow)....

My "Bless Our Home" pillow.....a pillow perfect for each of our homes!

And my "Paris/Chandelier" pillow!.....So, so pretty!

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Rhondi's.... "Welcome Fall Party" is Today!

Good Morning Ladies, ..... My friend Rhondi @ "Rose Colored Glasses"is hosting a "Welcome Fall Party"! Afterall, it is the official 1st day of Autumn, so I am thrilled to welcome in this gloriously beautiful season with a party!...... For me, Fall means taking time to enjoy all that this time of year has to offer!.........I am planning on enjoying a few cool, Autumn afternoons with a warm blanket, a stack of new magazines & a cup of hot tea!

I also am so inspired with the lovely Fall colors, that I look forward to setting a few tables with my brown transferware, & my orange pinwheel quilt!

And of course what would Fall be without "long walks",.... enjoying Mother Nature's lovliest show!

But most of all, I am so looking forward to "moving back inside my home"!...."Cozy-ing up" every little corner, with quilts, soft pillows & warm rugs!.....I am such a homebody.....& this time of year just speaks to those of us who are!......I welcome Fall with open arms!....& am wishing you a wonderful season as well!......Thank you Rhondi for such a sweet idea!......Your friend, Heidi XO

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"So Cozy....So Pink".....

Happy Pink Saturday!.....Because Fall is here, I am all too aware of wanting to make my house as "cozy & inviting" as ever!...So when I saw this sweet "pink" living room at the House Beautiful website, I just had to share it with all of you! Just shows that "pink" can be as charming in Fall & Winter as it can be in a Spring/Summer room! Between the lovely "pink" fabrics & that amazing needlepoint rug, this room is one where I could spend many "cool weather days"!....Thank you Beverly, at How Sweet The Sound for allowing us another day of reveling in pink!

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"Friday Morning Dreaming".....

How I love Fridays!....Friday morning allows you the opportunity to "dream"!.....What are your weekend plans?.......What would you like to accomplish?.....With a large cup of coffee in hand, I so enjoy sitting & dreaming about where the next two days will take me!......Maybe no further than my sewing room,......maybe a relaxing drive in the country....or maybe getting cozy with a stack of brand-new Fall magazines, .....becoming inspired by all their lovely Autumn photographs!

One thing I know for sure is on the agenda, is whipping up a batch this "Golden Pumpkin Cake" from Country Living magazine!......I have had this recipe printed out & tacked to my bulletin board for a few weeks now, so I believe a bit of my weekend will be spent making a couple loaves! Think about the wonderful aroma drifting from my kitchen!!

Time now to go pour my coffee & begin the dreaming! I hope you will join me in making it one of those memorable Autumn weekends!.....Your friend, Heidi XO

NOTE: October is quickly approaching!.....The next issue of my newsletter, "Living Little with Heidi" will be sent on October 1st!...I would love to send you a copy!...... just e-mail me at heididevlin@gmail.com & I'll add you to my list!

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The Beauty of Autumn's Orange".....

Good Morning Friends!.......Happy mid-week to you all!.....I hope you are all well & enjoying this incredible time of year!....At out house, here in California, the temperatures the last few days are a little cooler, which I love....... Sitting out on our backporch, sipping my coffee these last few mornings, it almost seems that "Autumn" has truly decided to unveil herself!....The mornings have been "misty"..... & evenings, might I say "a bit chilly"!!......& I plan on enjoying each & every minute of it!

This year, like every year when September comes around, I return to my seasonal love affair with the the color "orange"!....There is just something about this "gloriously enchanting color of Fall"!.....I am usually a person who throughout the year favors colonial blues & browns, with lots of white & a bit of black to accent it all!...but at this time of year I simply must have splashes of orange tossed throughout our home!!!

This year however, I have decided my "orange addiction" is going "au natural"!....no more "faux"!.....No more Michaels "fake pumpkins"! This year it is all about the real thing!....REAL PUMPKINS!!!...I know buying the artificial ones is practical, but I am tried of storing seasonal decorations! No wonder all our garages are overflowing? ....I am going to enjoy visiting the farm stands & picking out a few fresh pumpkins!....Then when the season is over, I will make a few pies & compost the rest!.....

Another way to add "orange" to my home, is to pull out my delightful "orange/white pinwheel quilt",.... to be thrown over a chair.... or once again used as a lovely tablecloth, creating one of the most cozy tablesettings ever!

And it is also always charming to add small arrangements of "Orange Blooms" throughout your home!....."Roses & mums" in shades of russet....so pretty & such a fresh way to celbrate Fall!

And remember all the simple areas that can benefit from a bit of "orange"!...With just the addition of this darling pumpkin, .....this plain little chair has become a beautiful "still life"!....The combination just makes you smile!

And of course Mother Nature's most perfect "orange"!......the "Leaves of Autumn"!!!.....All shades of orange mixed together to create the most "breath-taking allure"!

I encourage you all to add Autumn's most spectacular color to your decorating!!!.....I think you will agree that "orange" is definitely this season's "in" color!.....Use it everywhere you can!......Allow this bright & vivid shade to transform your home! Enjoy this "enchanting color" Mother Nature has provided! Afterall it only comes but once a year!.......Heidi XO

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"A Day with Friends"......

It's very early Saturday morning.....& I'm off to go antiquing today with my best girlfriends!!!....We are off to the charming town of Old Orange, California where we are first meeting for coffee ( a must!)..... & then will be enjoying this Autumn day preusing for treasures! This group of friends, Tere, Debbie, Judy, Lauren & Susie.....& my Mallory & I ( missing Laura, Deena & Holly) usually make a habit of planning days like this on a fairly regular basis, ......but with summer, families & jobs, haven't in some time!!....So today is just that much more exciting!!.....Orange is the most darling town, with sweet shops & tree-lined streets!....So off we go for a day unto ourselves!.......Girlfriends & antiques!....The perfect day!.......Wishing you the same!.......Heidi XO

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"Last Day To Sign Up"!!!!!.......

Hello Friends, I have spent the last couple of days cleaning everything!!...I am happy to report this tiny house of ours is "clean as a whistle"!...Even had the carpets professionally cleaned this morning, along with the two sofas in my living room!!!!.....What a great way to be going into the weekend!

And while I was busy dusting & organizing, I remembered that this is the last day to be signing up for my "Heidi's Homemade Halloween Swap"!..... If you are at all interested in a wonderful way to welcome in the Autumn, I invite you to join!!!!! You know I would love to have you participating! What a lovely time we will have!!!

Off to do a bit of sewing!!! Happy weekend to you all!.....Your Friend, Heidi XO

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"Bringing Back A Favorite Friend".....

Happy Tuesday to You All!...... I hope you have been enjoying this day as much as I have!....Today I have been able to "hole away" in my craft area, working on one project after another!......which I absolutely love being able to do!......I am working on many projects for decorating clients, as well as stitching up pillow after pillow for my Etsy shop!........You are all keeping me very busy!.......So thank you so much! I certainly appreciate it!

I am adding new pieces all the time,..... & even though I am not in a habit of posting Christmas ideas or products in September, ......I know many of you are beginning to shop for pretty items for Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas!.....If you're like me, with a "limited budget of time & money"...... you enjoy picking up decorations gradually, a bit at a time! So with that in mind, I am posting about my charming "Snow Dusted Primitive Candy Canes", which I have just listed at "Heidi Devlin Design"! These darling candy canes were one of my bestsellers last year, so I am offering them again this year, just a little earlier! The demand was so great, that I was making these little "canes" in my sleep!

Very similar to antique "candy canes" I had seen when antiquing, I designed these to be multi-functional!.......Being "soft & lightweight", I have "tucked" them in the branches of Christmas trees...... "piled" them into old buckets & earthenware crocks....used them to "adorn" a beautifully wrapped gift...... & even have had friends give them as "handmade favors" to very fortunate holiday guests!.....

So Friends,.....I invite you to visit my shop soon!!!..... "Perfectly Pretty Pieces" are being added as quickly as my hands can make them!...Back to the sewing room!!!......Happily Sewing!......Your friend, Heidi XO

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"PINK SATURDAY & SPRING BULBS".....

The "Pastel Collection" from "White Flower Farm"...what an incredible mix!

It is time again for PINK SATURDAY...... & also time to be ordering your "Spring bulbs"!....Thank you Beverly @ "How Sweet The Sound" for having us.... once again.... for a day set aside to appreciate our favorite color, "pink"!......


So to get back to the "spring bulbs"......I'm sure you too are all receiving lots of bulb catologs...I know I am! I will admit I get quite carried away with all the amazingly beautiful offerings! This year however, I am going to be very practical & stay within a small budget!.....However, I do believe, that all three of the exquisite tulips I am showing you today will be finding their way onto my order form! ......Happy "Pink Saturday" to you all!.....Happy "perusing" those catologs!......Heidi XO

* "Parrot tulips"...so frilly & feminine!

One of my all-time favorite tulips..."Angelique"!...so. so pretty!

NOte: All these tulips shown are from the White Flower Farm catolog!

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"Our Autumn Bedroom".....

I do love this gorgeous shade of "Autumn yellow"...so pretty here in an "old antique quilt"...& my "newly sewn pillow shams"!

"Quilts,Toile & Grain Sacks"!........gotta LOVE that combination!......

Our finished master bedroom, all 10x10 feet of it!......Looking so "cozy & inviting"!......

This month in my on-line newsletter, "Living Little with Heidi", I wrote about my August "project" of sprucing up our master bedroom for Fall!.....My goal was to make our room a "cozy Autumn haven", while "spending little money & little time.... in very little space"!...

I made drapery panels, pillow shams & covered lampshades with yellow toile fabric I have had for ages!....I bought a very inexpensive drapery rod & sheers at Target......trimmed out my white door mirrors by gluing on black grosgrain ribbon ( which I also had in my stash!) & purchased a few bright golden sunflowers at Michaels when they were recently 40% off!.....

Using one of my old quilts as a "headboard" & using our basic white sheets, pillow cases & dustruffle, our room really has a charming Autumn feel!....

Without having a great deal of time lately to decorate, I was able to put this room together in a couple days, working at it here & there, between doing laundry, making meals, etc.....I am so happy with the results!...It just goes to show if you take a bit of time to assess what you have.... figure out what you can make yourself..... & purchase a few inexpensive items...a fabulous room can come together in no time! I encourage you to pick a room in your house & "Autumn-ize" it too! You will be so thrilled you did!.....Happy decorating!.....Your friend, Heidi XO

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

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