corners of my home

for corners of my home thursday i wanted to welcome you to my home with the front entry. recently i painted the floor a checkerboard pattern, in cream and mushroom brown, then further distressed it with more paint - it was a bit too perfect. painting it was a solution to a big ugly problem - old sub flooring. i decided that since i needed to live with it i needed to make it look more interesting. everyone thinks we put in a new floor. i have to say, i'm quite pleased with how it turned out, and think it kind of gives the entry a frenchy feel.
this little space has become a haven for us. we read, eat breakfasts on rainy sundays, bring the laptop in and snuggle up and watch movies - just for fun.
some of my absolute favorite things are in here; the french daybed was a last minute bargain at brimfield, the wicker chair was scooped up off the side of the road, the vintage flower that holds the glitter "W" is from dulkin & derrick, and the cement dove watches over all the comings and goings. most everything is vintage, things i've picked up on my flea market jaunts, even the fabrics. these worn, chipped, aged peices fit perfectly with our casual lifestyle. although i have a passion for patterns that vine, swirl, and twine, and have roses on them, i do also like simplicity. touches of these elements are everywhere in my home.

that's clementine. she was wondering why i put her up there when she was happily resting in the sun, under the daybed. sorry clem, the photo needed something more, and i knew asking one of the kitties to co-operate wasn't going to work.

thanks for stopping by. i hope you'll come again. and for my local friends i hope you'll come by to sip some iced tea by the pool soon.

you can see more photos here.

xo, heidi

a mermaid & her flock

while my sewing machine is in the shop - and cursing my name for making it sew all that paper...i've been busy with other creations. these are the fruits of last nights creative clay session. chloe joined me and set about making the mermaid, while i made the birdies. each birdie has it's own personality, they're really quite charming. chloe said "make one with a big head, it will be so cute." she was right, it's our favorite.

recently i had an idea to use my collection of vintage capodimonte flowers, roses, and leaves to make some smaller, different style mirrors. i've always loved the vintage balboa mirrors, and the design of these remind me of them. the mirrors i've made have been made out of broken china plates for mosaics, with a few flowers or roses added in, like this one. this time i'm using just the flowers, filling in the gaps with a few bits of china, i think, and bits and pieces of vintage jewels. that's the plan anyway. i've started laying out the groups of flowers; pink roses, wildflowers, and tulips. i use both the porcelain and clay capodimonte, i like the clay ones best because they have fingerprints in them. it's the imperfections that i find endearing.

i'll post more pix when theis project is complete.

xo heidi

venturing close to home

recently i spent the day in concord, ma; strolling, browsing, shopping, all by myself - lucky me! it's about 40 minutes from my home, but out of my ordinary circle. there is much to do and see in this historic little downtown area. i didn't venture to any of the historical sites, unless you count the many antique shops i visited. one of my first stops was a second story shop called nesting on main, which was pure perfection, talent, passion, and genius. why didn't i have my camera! i had actually heard of it, they had a fabulous booth at the brimfield flea market where i picked up their card, but didn't put the two together until stepping foot in the shop. if i had a shop this is what i would want it to look like - it was like dream walking! the little "pet bird" print i had to have, it's so sweet. the shop was packed full, and wonderfully displayed with vintage bird cages and baths, garden and home items, mixed in with some newer items like faux eggs & nests, and freshwater pearl jewelry.

i'll have to go back during the holiday's to see this little shop all dressed up and sparkly.

xo, heidi

life

why is it some weeks so much happens, and then other weeks seem so ordinary. well, not this week. so much going on. how many ceremonies does a 5th grade class need - true they were all sweet and wonderful. it's only we've had the longest school year ever - until the 27th long! and softball playoffs which were exciting and fun, fun, fun, especially when they kept winning!
a few short days later, on the 26th, we recieved the great news of the arrival of my sister jenny's baby, river james! it was just the news we all had been waiting for, and needing. i absolutely love the shot of big brother quinn holding him so sweetly and looking so intently at him - we'd love to know what was going through his mind. the picture surely shows the love. all five of us will be heading west to denver the end of the month to finally see the happy family, our sweet new baby, and their new home. we only wish we lived closer, we're counting down the days, 21! he was born on the same day as two of my dearest friends, suze (suzanne as she now calls herself, but i don't becasue i just can't) and lisa. lisa is my decorating friend. we used to live in the same hood and whenever i would drive or walk by at night i'd spy in her windows. not actually a peeping tom, but crane my neck and glance at all her wonderful things - i knew i had to meet her, and when we did that was it! suze and i have been friends since 4th grade. she and her family moved a year ago to monticito, ca. i hadn't seen her (except in photos) in almost a year until this week, and she looks fabulous! gone are the comfy knit pants and sweatshirt (i'm sure she still pulls them out now and then,) but now she is wearing designer jeans and cute hip tops. i'd post a photo here, but she'd never speak to me again. you'll just have to take my word for it. her natural blonde hair is long, and her braces, yes she got braces, are almost done - she is one hot mama! i miss her, but wow life is surely agreeing with her. i think it's the lovely glow of happiness that is most noticable.

one more picture, becasue we love pictures, of chloe's softball team after they lost their final playoff game, but came in second in their league. it was a great season. great job girls!

xo, heidi