New Years Valentines ~

Happy New Years everyone!

Thank you for being part of a wonderful year!
Wishing you a joyous, bright, creative & sparkly year ahead!

As promised here is a new kit and a giveaway ~

The Sweetheart Decor Box


It's filled with oodles and oodles of Ruffle Crepe Trim in deliciously romantic colors, and lots of other goodies to decorate endless Valentine projects and cards!
Leave a comment on this post ~ winner will be drawn January 16th!

Did you see the newest issue of Sommerset Life Winter Edition?


Here's a peek inside at my lavender hearts sewn from vintage French fabrics ~

...and just inside the front cover you will see this fun ad for Lollishops; be sure to check out all the wonderful vendors and their lovely Valentine wares!


Those of you who are Jenni Bowlin fans ~ and I know there are lots of you, may be swooning over her recent kit! Jenni has such a distinct sense of style and color, not the expected, and her newest kit does not disappoint! It is Valentine-y without being overtly frilly. Included in kit is my Petite Double Ruffle Trim in Dove Grey ~ thanks Jenni!

Whew, if you're still with me ~ don't forget to leave a comment for the very sweet giveaway!

Best of luck!
xo Heidi

P.S. Check back around the first of every month for a new giveaway!

New Years clip art given by Heidi Woodruff

A Chandelier Tale ~

Does Smoochie look like he has a secret?

Doesn't every treasure have a story...

Well, I found an Italian Tole chandelier with white porcelain roses in the little antique shop downtown, that I of course fell in love with. It was so out of the ordinary that she would have something like this. I went in several times over the last couple of months to visit it, but could not justify purchasing it. I did let everyone know of my love for it though. When the shop owner moved it to the front window I knew she really wanted to sell it! Every time we'd pass the shop I'd say to the girls "there's my chandelier!" A couple of days before Christmas I went to a friends to help decorate her house and when I was heading home it was gone! I came home and announced that my chandelier was gone, even called everyone who cared to listen to let them know that it was gone...


Christmas morning was truly wonderful, made especially extra wonderful because my sister and her hubby came out! My hubby had talked of it being a "practical" Christmas (for he and I it generally is) and he was true to his word ~ I got a salad spinner, I needed that!, even though I had told him a salad spinner was not a real gift. Then the kids were directing me to look behind the tree - look outside - and there it was, my chandelier hanging in the sun room.

Me ~ the happy camper

I got a little teary and everyone else did too. Little did I know that it hung in the window of the shop with a sold tag on it for the last month. That hubby ~ he's a keeper! Although he really shouldn't have, I'm very happy that he did!

My tall brother-in-law holding it up where it will go.

It will be a while before it's hung, but as soon as it is you know I'll post the big reveal!

Happy New Years to all ~
xo Heidi

Winter Dreams ~

Baby it's cold outside, and snowing, and snowing, and snowing!
But we're cozy by the fire decorating, creating, baking and eating lots of goodies!

Thought I'd share these sweet little ornaments who grace our tree every year...

I bought these little felt mice bride & groom in England when I was 13 and made them into ornies when I got married. We just celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary last week ~ anniversary, Christmas, and my birthday all within one month!

Here's the Little One building her gingerbread house (Trader Joe's) of course we had to add extra candy and a sprinkling of glitter (I could not get her to smile or look at the camera!)

Getting ready for a house full of guests ~ can't wait!

Wishing you all a holiday season filled with peace, joy & love!

xo Heidi

Holiday Cone Making ~

Here are some of the happy cone makers showing off their creations!
It was such a wonderful evening with so many saying "this is just what I needed!" As usual I did not have time to make any as I was helping everyone with theirs, but I plan to make some for gifts. I just loved all the materials I had on hand this year ~ so yummie!

I hope you are taking a few moments for yourself this holiday season to create.

Enjoy ~
xo Heidi

The winner is...

The sweet Heidi Woodruff of Everyday Cookies

These candles will be the centerpieces on each table tonight, and four lucky crafters will take one home. I was inspired by Cari Kraft's gorgeous candles at Silver Bella. Vintage music sheet, flocked wallpapers, rayon ribbons, crepe paper rosette, with a beaded earring centers.

Next months giveaway will be a Valentine theme!

Have a wonderful weekend!
xo Heidi

My latest obsession ~

I'm completely in love...with vintage flocked wallpaper! I can't get enough of it, just ask Donna of Under the Red Roof. I bought some from her at Silver Bella, came home and ordered more, and then contacted her asking if she did custom lengths ~ the answer was of course, yes! So I bought more ~ I know you know how it is!

a few more ~ aren't they yummy!?

I've been buying up a craft supply storm lately getting ready for my annual

Girls Night Out ~ Holiday Cone Makin' Party

This year I decided to host it at my local Art Association so I could have a bigger crowd, besides my dining room is production central these days! Of course I'll have my Ruffled Crepe Trims, assorted bowls of glitter and mica (from Lonnie,) shreds (from Cari Kraft,) smaller sheets of vintage wallpaper (Pam Garrison,) reels of rayon seam binding, lots of faux birds, trims, fabrics, and vintage baubles & sparkly bits ~ it's going to be so much fun!

Don't forget to throw your name in the hat for the Giveaway,
tomorrow is the drawing!

Best wishes ~
Heidi

Gifties, Cookies & a Giveaway ~

Look what came in the mail yesterday ~ these surprise precious gifties! My sweet Bella friend Jessi sent them to me. I collect these German glass ornies; how sweet is the little bird house, and you can never have enough of the clip-on birds! I love the feather stamp too ~ it will get lots of use! Thanks sweetie I will treasure them all!

She is hosting a Holiday Cookie Swap today
That's Jessi! Do you remember those play kitchens!? A girl down the street had the whole set and I loved playing with her ~ kitchen envy, still got that ~ lol! Only now I want all white with marble counters and vintage hardware ~ someday!

Here's one of our holiday favorites ~
Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons
I adapted this version from Susan Branch's "Christmas From the Heart of the Home"

2 2/3 cup flake coconut, firmly packed
2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour
3 egg whites
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

To make Susan's original variation: Add 1 more egg white, 1 cup sliced almonds & 1 tsp. almond extract to above recipe.

Preheat oven to 325. In a large bowl combine coconut, sugar & flour with a spoon. Stir in egg whites & vanilla (almonds & almond extract.) Form balls from rounded tablespoonfuls & place 2" apart on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 20 - 25 min. until golden. Remove from pan & cool.
Chocolate ~ Melt in microwave 30 seconds at a time until smooth, stir between each. Dip one edge of each cookie into chocolate and set on wax paper until set. Makes 18 - 24 cookies.

and now a Giveaway!
One lucky winner will get a Holiday Decor Box
See my Lollishop for more details of the kit, and be sure to leave a comment here ~ winner will be drawn and announced one week from today ~ Friday the 12th!

Best of luck!