Mermaid's Cache ~ Creative Tea

You're invited!

Sunday July 19th
at 4:00 in the afternoon

For more details, please contact me at hkwdesign@verizon.net

xo Heidi
P.S. If you click on image it will enlarge

idol chatter ~

chair 1 ~ i just can't get enough of him, his eyes, his voice, i think he's the "one"

chair 2 ~ they're both fabulous, so much talent, and so sweet! hey, i thought you loved acoustic guitar?

chair 1 ~ i know, i do, but this guy makes me melt, he's creative and soulful, i'm just "feeling good" about him

chair 2 ~ well, someone's gonna be "cryin"

chair 1 ~ they'll both be crazy successful, they've got a "whole lotta love " behind them. do you see their parents gushing (over them) from the sidelines ~ love that, so cool

chair 2 ~ yea, but it's a crazy "mad world" out there, hope they stay true to their dreams. can't wait to see what they do next!

p.s. don't worry, we'll be back to our regularly scheduled blogging soon . . . after this brief idol diversion!

chairs ~ vintage pincushion, wendy addison

Sugared Messenger Doves ~

Have you heard ~ hand dyed Sugared Messenger Doves are in the Shop!

Here they are drying after they took a little dip in the bird bath

Each carries a different sweet message

I've been battling the worst Spring allergies and a cold all week, can't seem to shake this thing this year ~ grr! Brimfield was wonderful, lots of amazing treasures! I promise a post in a few days...hopefully I'll be feeling all shiny and new

Have a wonderful weekend ~
xo Heidi

Chick Mafia ~

This post is dedicated to all my favorite "Chick Mafia" shops in Northern Cali ~ enjoy!


Dharma Trading ~ what a fiber source!


Tangerine in Dublin~ Gifts, supplies, classes, and artful creations
Gina, the owner, had closed the door for the day to reorganize the store, but when she saw our sad faces peering through the glass she cheerfully opened. Lots of fabulous teachers host classes here, so check the schedule!

Next stop Danville, what a wonderful jewel of a town this is ~ go spend the day!

Cottage Jewel ~ Antiques


Sweet Magnolia ~ French home store ~ gorgeous, wish I could've taken it all home with me!




Gardenseed ~ you have to go to experience it, not one inch of this amazing shop is left uncovered!


Robin, the owner, makes the amazing chandeliers ~ very fun!


We stopped in Walnut Creek

Filthy Gorgeous ~ French home goods (much smaller than we imagined)

Heading back up to Oakland

Bella Vita ~ Vintage & New items, gifts and goodies, with a sweet baby section upstairs


Maison D'Etre ~ Antique & New Home Furnishings & Gifts

Addison Antiques ~ Geneva is moving to her Mom's shop in Berkeley (Addison Endpapers)

Bake Sale Betty's ~ Yummo! (see Monday's post)


Article Pract ~ Delicious yarns

Then to Berkeley

My last day in Cali started with a french country breakfast at one of our favorite restaurants, La Note ~ tres magnifique!

My cousin Maria and her sweet boyfriend Bobby joined us

Trattoria Corso ~ We had dinner here Saturday night, absolutely divine country Italian, each dish was memorable ~ pricey but worth it!

Mixed Pickles ~ Antiques (psst, she's looking for a biz partner ~ I live way too far away!)


Jeremy's ~ Closeout clothing, shoes, and home goods from Anthro, J. Crew and others (hit or miss)

Castle in the Air ~ The most amazing creative supply shop! Check out the classes (I highly recommend Ulla)


Sweet Adeline Bakeshop ~ We love our baked goods, and these are scrumptious!

Tail of the Yak ~ Amazing gifts, paper, and eye candy!


Scout ~ Home decor, staging services & gifts

Ici ~ Gourmet ice cream and treats ~ amazing!



Addison Endpapers ~ Paper, delicious paper! The shop was closed, but Julie heard our heavy sighs and let us in, but since she is restructuring she couldn't sell us anything ~ more sighs! Yes, it was torcher; it was all at my fingertips ~ my first paper-less trip! She'll be re-opened in a couple of weeks. No website, you just have to go!


Scrapbook Territory ~ lots of paper, supplies, classes, and treasures

Picante ~ It was Cinco de Mayo afterall ~ole!
Cafeteria style, but don't let that fool you, this is fresh authentic Mexican, delicious!

Do you have any favorite shops in this NoCal, Bay Area? Please let me know, I'm always looking to add some new shopping spots to my list (I love running my sister ragged with my to-do list!) Of course I didn't include all the shops in San Fran ~ that will have to wait for another day!

I'm off to Brimfield Friday ~ come back next week for another epic post with lots of fun eye candy!

Have a wonderful weekend `
xo Heidi

* Photos of Dharma Trading, Bella Vita, Mixed Pickles, Castle in the Air, Bake Sale Betty's, and Addison Endpapers taken from Google Images

The Queen's Domaine ~

As we wound our way through the town and then country roads of Port Costa, suddenly it felt like we had been transported to the French countryside

Unfortunately, because it was Monday, all the little shops were closed

including the cafe

but we had a very special appointment with the Grande Dutchess of Paper, the Queen of Glitter. . . Who am I speaking of you ask? Well, Wendy Addison of course!

Her beautiful book, Theatre of Dreams

Ben sifting and sorting...

The pictures tell the story of what a magical world hers is...and she was the most gracious host, allowing me to take pictures, and ask endless questions. She even read her new book to us {swoon,} a compilation of her sketches, set in a hand printed and bound book, which tells a beautiful love story {in poem.}

For all of you who have made the trek, you know her fairy theatre is the piece de la resistance, she gladly gave us a show! Of course we left with many trinkets, but spending time with Wendy in her magical studio was truly the greatest gift we carried home!

Thanks for coming along on this picture journey ~ come back tomorrow for one more post of my fabulous Cali trip, to my favorite "chick mafia" shoping in NoCal!

Have a wonderful day ~
xo Heidi

My ZNE Sistas ~

Has it already been a week since the ZNE Show; Art, Paperie & Pleasantries, hosted by Chel, in Pleasanton, CA? The best part was hanging with my sister, and getting to meet several of my customers who stopped by to say hello ~ very fun, thank you! And to mix & mingle with all the talented artists teaching and showing ~ very cool!





Here's a little trip down Memory Lane ~

Me, Julie, and Ingrid

Julie, Me, sweet Shari, and Ruth

Ann-Denise, Claire (her sweet hubby and three adorable kids were a big help,) Barbe, Me, and Benta (my sister.) Be sure to stop by the Handmade Parade event in Sacramento the end of the month

Creativity and silliness abound

The cute as a button Deborah and Shari (she and I traveled the farthest, and we we're e-mailing back and forth ~ so great to finally meet!)

Shari, Me, Lisa, Mica, and Iva (you must check out her amazing class project; a whimsical lighted fairy theatre, created from an oatmeal box!)

Here's all the teachers. I didn't get a picture with the sweet and talented Julie (bottom left,) or Anna (why is she not in this pic?) and I'm so sad that I didn't get to see Ulla again

It was a fun weekend, thanks to all you fabulous gals!

xo Heidi

P.S. And last but not least, it's time to draw a winner. . . the now 14 and much more grown up {than last month} random generator will choose the lucky winner. . .

. . . it's Emile of Firefly Shop, congrats!

And what's your prize you ask, my Flower Garden Kit, enjoy!

xo Heidi

P.S. Everyone guessed correctly, yes, Rosie does have only three legs! A few months ago she came home after missing for a week with it dangling. She hasn't missed it at all, surprisingly, and we're just glad she's ok. She used to be quite the hunter though, now she's sticking close to home and is much more affectionate. The vet said she's do just fine without it, and he was right.

Back from Cali ~

I'm back and had the most wonderful trip, even though it rained nearly every minute of every day!

Day 1 ~ My brother-in-law, Bryan, picked me up at the airport and our first thought was of course food! So he took me to Bake Sale Betty's in Oakland...here's the very talented Betty holding her signature chicken sandwich ~ yum! This place is a must if you love baked goods like your grandma used to make served with a smile! We stood in line to get the above mentioned famous sandwich, iced lemon drinks, cookies, and scones. All the ironing boards were taken, so we got it to go (yes, outside on the sidewalk you eat on vintage ironing boards ~ how cool is that!)


As we drove to the "gnome hut" (their cottage in the Berkeley Hills)


playing in the car was the new album Raising Sand, by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. I had watched the Grammy's (when they won,) but had no idea it was so fabulous. Bryan says it's pure musical genius...and I think he may know a thing or two about that! Anyway, I couldn't get enough of it, and will be picking up my very own copy soon

Later that night we went to see Bryan's band, The Music Lovers

at The Makeout Room in San Francisco

It's a funky old bar decorated in vintage man cave style, but with a twist; the ceiling is dripping with ooodles of silver sparkle and a disco ball, and the stage is set with perfectly pleated red velvet drapes. It was really quite magical. A surprise were the perfect margaritas ~ I highly recommend!

Stop back tomorrow for my weekend with the talented ZNE artists and show talk, plus I'll announce the winner of this month's giveaway!

xo Heidi

* Photos ~ Google Images