Thursday, September 27, 2007

ies and lettes

not sure why i do this, but i add -ies and -lette to the end of my kid's friends names, i guess as a term of endearment. so, it only seems natural when i make things with personalities (that i love) i add the same. i have always called these cagelettes, but in doing a search on-line i found that another sweet creative soul calls her handmade cages this, although very different. so, for the purpose of selling on-line, and not stepping on any toes, i have gone with cagies. this goes back to the whole "birds of a feather" thing...we truly do flock together, and often think along the same lines. good thing i looked!

this cagie is definitely victorian style don't you think? i had to add the little flower in her beak, as if she is going around decorating her sweet abode. i've had so much fun designing and making this new batch, which is why it's so hard to part with! all are made with vintage supplies, and are available in my etsy shop. these sweet little songbirds truly are the perfect pet, not to mention p-r-e-t-t-y!

Monday, September 24, 2007

sent on pink wings

look what a sweet birdie left on my doorstep ~ gifts from cerri, and dede! i tell you these blogger gals are the sweetest!

cerri contacted me back in the spring to do a little swap...well, as you can see, it was worth the wait! vintage papers, glitter, flowers, seam binding, buttons, sequins from france, a pink baptism cone, and of course the little birdie in her nest ~ love every little piece ~ thanks! i dove into dede's packet of lots of vintage wedding articles and poems so fast i didn't take any pix, but thank you!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

more goodies

busy like a little squirrel...in the studio creating lots of new goodies for the shop. i seem to have hit a creative burst here, very happy to be in creative mode! today is a beautiful pre-autumn day, but it has been c-o-l-d here, and i am not liking it. i'm like a little old lady at night with my flannel jammies and heating pad set on high to warm my feet in bed ~ i know, what a vision! see, now you know one more kooky fact about me!

here is an atumnal tussie mussie, hot out of the studio. i've got mine hanging filled with reeses minis all wrapped in fall colors ~ yum! did you know that acorns symbolize rebirth and renewal? seems strange doesn't it, since they come out in the fall right before everything goes into slumber mode. maybe it's more the promise of renewal, since they are a seed? i've had a long fascination with acorns; love the shape, and the meaning behind them.

Monday, September 17, 2007

in the shop

new notebooks in the shop!
...lots more goodies coming this week.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

chic prom tour

have you heard about this event? rachel ashwell's vintage prom dress collection is going on a cross country tour. they will be shown in her signature shabby chic stores, and with 50 new stores poised to open, they will surely be twirling through your state someday soon! if you love vintage prom dresses with their sweet details, layers of tulle, lace, and millinery, then this will surely top your list as a not to miss event!

the first time i saw rachel was in her mailbu store, long before she became the shabby chica we all know and love today. being an east coast girl, who grew up surrounded by dark furnishings and long cold winters, i hadn't found many kindred spirits who also created a cocoon painted vintage shades of white - i didn't want to leave. then again, i am a cali girl at heart! a couple of years ago i had the pleasure of meeting her at the be creative country home event in nyc, and she is as lovely as you would think, very approachable and warm. if you have a chance to go to one of their events, do it! the most wonderful gift of the day, besides sharing the day with my sweet friend tamsen, was actually getting to meet and mingle amongst all the designers! sue & ki from junk market (don't miss their junk bonanza!) are two of the coolest and fun chicks ever. this was my pre-blogging days, but who knew a huge flock of them converged on this event - wish i knew you then!

a funny story about mary emmerling, or i should say me! at the event a couple sat next to us and asked if i was mary's daughter, and i laughed and said no, but they insisted that i was not being straight with them and went on and on quizzing me...i wonder what it would be like to be mary's daughter? probably great, and i'd be a blond!



one thing's for sure, i would so love to carve out a dream design gig like any of these fabulously creative and inspiring women have. to travel the country, and abroad, in search of treasures, setting up casual but elegant homes for my clients - too fun! then of course there would be the designing of my very own product line...it could happen!

- prom dress photo from shabby chic

Monday, September 10, 2007

plenty-to-do-farm


what a fabulous weekend! jes was the gracious hostess with the mostess! her 'plenty to do farm' was the perfect setting for this creative gathering; warm, welcoming, filled to the brim with her collections and art ~ so inspiring!
the project she planned was not something i had ever done before - each of us started a canvas and then passed it to the next, adding our own touch, creating a unique story each it's own. tammy, leah, jes, and mindy. unfortunately, susan couldn't stay, but it was great to meet her!



we had a little "surprise" bridal shower for leah! jes and tammy snuck out and decorated the tables with handmade wands, flowers, and gifts at the beautiful victorian restraunt. lots of creating, eating, wine, laughs, flea marketing, and an antiquing trip through wiscasset. then in a whirl we were all heading home.


i created this little gift for leah ~ a paper bucket filled with a customized match box and candles, and a simmilar one for the hostess.

thanks for the memories girls ~ each is a treasure, as are all of you!


Friday, September 07, 2007

creative retreat


no, i didn't drop off the edge of the planet, i'm here, trying to get back in the swing of things, if only this heat would let up a bit. i'd like to put in an order for a perfect 70 degree day, please. what have i been doing, well, lining up work, back to school shopping, and we finally got the kiddies off to school. the big guy is in an apartment this year with three friends, a big deal! we loaded up the van and drove him last sunday...good thing i have actually seen a few college bachelor pads, and i asure you, this one did not disappoint! the middle one is a senior, her 2nd year at a her "new" school, it's not easy being away from her home town friends, but she's grateful for the education, and the little one is in 7th grade, so hard to believe!

i'm so excited, tomorrow i'm heading out of town for a girl's creative weekend, jes is hosting at her lovely house in maine. she has all kinds of great things planned; a cool project, eating, eating, eating (there was mention of crabmeat - yum,) a surprise, and a flea market trip. the other creative gals are; mindy, tammy, leah, and susan. this is definately the spark my creativity needs, not to mention a change of scenery. be sure to check back next week for the show and tell-all.

the little goodie packs i made using recycled altoid tins, one for each of the girls. inside are little bits and pieces of vintage scraps; papers, netting, lace, findings, buttons, leaves, and flowers.

take care -
xo, heidi