Altered Prize Ribbon Journal

It won't be long before the lazy days of summer will be here.  In less than two weeks, the kids will be out of school and days at the pool will begin.

While my kids are bit older, I still struggle with productivity in the summer.

So, if any of you have some pearls of wisdom, please share!  There are probably other people who would love to hear what works for you too.

Truly, though, I am looking forward to just spending time with them (park visits, sandy toes, ice cream trips and picnics, even the dog days of Georgia summer).  The older they get, the faster time seems to progress.  Every moment - I want to savor it before we are packing the car for college.

Squeezing in some creative time, I covered a composition notebook with pretty papers and adorned it with a doily prize ribbon.

A little dresden butterfly and some glitter.

A close up of the paper tails.

I did a little distressing and stamping too - very subtle, just for texture.

The velvet damask paper on the spine is super luscious!

If you are a very tactile person, you may love velvet too.

This journal is available for sale on ETSY here.

Let me know there is a different color palette you would like.

I would be happy to list one just for you.

Thank you for stopping by sweet sugahs!

xo ~ Heidi

Easter Egg Carton Swap

In the spirit of spring, I recently participated in an Easter Egg Carton Swap hosted by Cassandra from An Artful Adventure.

We were asked to alter an egg carton and fill it with fun treats for our swap partners.

I was inspired by some sweet German scrap bunnies and used them to decorate the interior of the cartons.

This is Judy's carton.  I had gessoed each carton and spritzed them with some pink pearlescent glimmer mist.

A bit of "glimmer" grass and trims

A little peek of the treasures inside  :)

The tag was made from a vintage postcard image which I glimmer misted and added some Fruit Punch stickles (my fave pink stickles!) then a little ruffled crepe paper and velvet ribbon.

Each box was wrapped in vintage lace and pale pink seam binding, adorned with the tag and nestled in some yummy tulle.

Next is Becky's carton.

I used some crinkled, dyed seam binding for her bunny to hop in.

More vintage and shabby sweet treats!

Some pretty eyelet lace and velvet ribbon for the tag.  I also used the Rock Candy stickles on the eggs (you can't really see it from the pic) which I really liked because it gave the eggs a chunky frosted effect.

Here are the gorgeous cartons from my swap partners!!

I love the sweet bits each used to adorn the cartons.

Judy had this really neat touch of creating a strap of lace held by two buttons.

The strap is holding bits of lace and pretty textiles.

I love this idea!

Oodles and oodles of baubles and treasures.

One of my favorite things is the adorable princess chick!

She is wearing some vintage millinery and and sparkly tiara - so cute!!

Becky spoiled me with all of the fantastic trims and vintage buttons!

I love the frozen charlotte and glitter filled salt shaker she sent.

More beautiful baubles . . .

Thank you ladies for such wonderful presents!!

I had such fun!!

xo's ~ Heidi

A little surprise from the Patriot Girl Sugar Refinery

One of my very dear friends, Rosalyn-Sue Smith of The Patriot Girl Files, and her son Coe, sent me a sweet valentine surprise.

I know I gasped out loud.

Rosalyn-Sue is one of the most compassionate and thoughtful women I know.

And, her son Coe follows in her footsteps - he is such a sweet boy whose clever commentary always cracks me up!

This is a lolly from the Patriot Girl Sugar Refinery.

(some incredibly delicious things come from that refinery!)

Look at all of the delicious paper and sweet treats!!

It is like having Christmas in February!

Darling buttons - {sigh}

Pretty paper tags with yummy tulle and ribbon

Neopolitan bits - eep!

Sugar rations - seriously, a girl needs these in a pinch!

My heart is filled with gratitude for such a sweet surprise.

Thank you dear friend!

I love you to the moon and back!!

xo's ~ Heidi

Valentine Tussie Mussies!

Happy Valentine's Day friends!

Cheryl was hosting a valentine tussie mussie swap and I couldn't resist participating!

When I received Molly's cone, I was blown away with vintage sweetness!!

I love the music sheet paper and her gorgeous ribbon work.

She even tucked a sweet glittered valentine card inside.

The brooch and beaded velvet leaves make little heart go pitter pat.

But wait, there is more!!

Look how she spoiled me - gaaah!!

Everything was so thoughtful and treasured.

Thank you Molly for the gorgeous cone and sweet gifts!!

One of my very favorite things she sent was this toast stamp.

This has been on my wish list of frivolous things a girl would love to have.

I can't wait to make "french" toast - j'adore!!

Cheryl was so kind and sweet to give us a love letter mail bag.

Isn't it gorgeous?!!

I love the idea of having a pretty bag to tuck sweet love letters in.

Here is the cone I made that was given to Kelly Gibbs Lamb.

A peek at the millinery blooms and tulle

Vintage flocked wallpaper yumminess!

Sweet treasures for Kelly!

Dyed crinkled crepe paper

Has anyone ever seen little baskets made out of cards and yarn?

I came across a stack of these and thought they were just darling.

Thank you for stopping by ~ get out there and spread some love today sugahs!

xo's ~ heidi

Soul nourishing

This past weekend was spent doing alot of soul nourishing.

Spending time with people I love

Working on projects around the home

Cleaning off my desk and getting my art out

Large or small, those moments of time are needed to refresh

and recharge our batteries.

Today, I am making one of those moments lunch.

Not just standing at the counter, crossing off my to-do list while haphazardly consuming a meal. But,

savoring the moment,

being still.

Yes, I did shoot these pics today but that was before I sat down so that kind of interference doesn't count, hehe.

Give a little gift to your self and take a moment to recharge your battery today sugah.

We take care of the world.  Our spirit needs to be included in that care too.

xo's ~ Heidi

A Cinderella story

Our story begins with a mirror.

A mirror that was covered in grit and grime with a chippy, faintly gilded frame.

What I loved most about this mirror was the fantastic deteriorated patina of the glass.  The frame still had wonderful, intricate detail.

I could be a fairy godmother and wave my diy wand of paint over it.

Here she is with a good cleaning, some primer and some fresh coats of white paint.

I have started putting some Valentine inspiration on my mantel.

A pink chippy cherub holding some of my favorite seashells.

(I use seashells year round because I would happily go to the beach year round)

Some petite tea rose bushes and pink mercury glass.

I am such a sucker for that mottled patina of the aging glass.

At night, the tealights dance against the glass . . . soothing perfection.

I am joining these fun ladies here:

Stay warm friends!

xo's ~ Heidi