Small Changes in the Entry

Do you ever have so many projects on the go that you just don't know where to start? Or what to finish? I tend to start more projects than I finish.

One thing I have been working on is freshening our front entry. Our entry is small but I wanted to add a bit of decor and continue to work on organization, so I borrowed an idea from Holly at Down To Earth Style, using some burlap to hang a little wood berry wreath on our closet door. Simple, super easy and using items I already had on hand, but I love the look.

I was also frustrated with the dog leashes and doggie bags that we had in a basket in the entry cabinet. Whenever the kids took out a leash, they would just drop it on the floor or leave the cabinet door half open. I chose practical over pretty and decided to paint some shaker peg hooks charcoal grey and hang them behind the door. No more leashes on the floor! A little rose toile bag holds doggie bags (I may switch the pull close top to handles.) I still need to cover the screws on the peg hooks but that is another project completed.

We are now on March Break from school/work for nine days and I am looking forward to squeezing some extra time into our schedule to hopefully complete a few more projects I have started. The major project I will be working on is prepping and painting my sister and brother-in-law's kitchen (ceiling, walls and trim.) That is a pretty big project but my sister is taking two days off work to lend a hand. Luckily they only live two streets away.  Today we picked paint samples and tomorrow we start the prep work.

Are you the type that loves to start projects and has many on the go, or do you start and finish each project before moving on?

I'm sharing this with...
SNS #124 at Funky Junk Interiors

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Mason Jar -Collection Updated

I love mason jars and today I am sharing my updated collection all in one spot.

Mason jars are just so appealing and practical.

My favourites are the aqua jars with zinc rings and matching aqua glass seals. I have about a dozen of these, many so old that there are very distinct bubbles visible in the glass and they are a bit mis-shapen.

Mixed with my little collection of silver, or my growing collection of white dishes, ironstone pieces  and linens, it is hard for me to resist photographing them.

I always keep part of my aqua mason jars on an open shelf in the kitchen, and enjoy decorating the shelves seasonally.

This past Christmas the mason jars on the kitchen shelf were filled with old Christmas lights just for fun.

Miniature mason jars make great tealight holders. Simple twine was wrapped around the rims for some texture.

We also use mason jars, new and vintage, for food storage. In the little beverage center beside our stove a vintage jar holds tea bags and a new jar holds hot chocolate mix. I switched all my spices to  small mason jars and used my label maker to label them.

I love to use my vintage mason jars to hold fresh cut flowers from the garden.

In my hobby room/studio I use vintage mason jars to hold paint brushes, buttons, knitting needles and trims.

Using lamp kits, I made a few little lamps out of bigger jars.

And of course we use new mason jars for jam and frozen soups and stews.

Almost all my vintage jars, aqua or not, are Crown jars made in Canada. I found a pair recently that have the Improved Gem lids...

one an Improved Gem and the other with a Mid West logo, both also Canadian Made.

I shared my first mason jar post with Funky Junk Interiors' SNS Mason Jars the first time around here, and now I am sharing this updated collection at SNS Special Mason Jars #123 here. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Flowers in the Entry

These flowers are really brightening up a windy and wet weekend.

Our snow has melted (hopefully we have seen the last of it but that is not for certain) and we have had more rain, which makes for muddy and soggy grass and gardens. But oh how I long for warmer and drier late spring weather to tidy the gardens and plant some bright colours. Here in southern Ontario we are lucky if we can do some light gardening in late April, but the majority and planting has to wait until late May. So for today I will enjoy these cut flowers in our entry and work on some indoor spring cleaning.

Wishing you all a pleasant weekend and thanks for stopping by! Have you seen any signs of Spring in your area?

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My First Chalkboard

Chalkboards have been around in the blog world for a long time now, but I finally got around to making some. 

I saved a bunch of dated framed prints that were given to us, but I didn't find the chalkboard paint until January (at Home Depot.) This is the first one I made. I didn't bother taking apart the frame because the back was professionally sealed and in good shape.

I just painted 3 or 4 coats of Rustoleum Chalkboard paint with a trim brush and then carefully painted the frame with a mis-tint sample pot of Behr Ultra paint and primer in one, in a white shade. Right over the glass because the can said I could ;)

The top of the frame has the perfect groove for chalk. As I was thinking of a great quote to write on it one day after work, I happened to glance into the hallway and saw my boys' coats on the stair newel post and our youngest son's backpack dumped on the floor. I swear they used to be much better at putting things away! So forget cutesy or inspirational quote for now, this message is what we need right now.

There have been a few other small changes to our entry which I will share soon. With the black and white happening in this small area, I am really feeling the need to change out the pine mirror I blogged about here.

You can find me at these great parties...

Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesdays #55

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

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Paned Mirrors

I guess I have a 'thing' for paned mirrors because I just bought another one.

Actually I guess I just have a love of mirrors in general, plain or ornate. This arched one is oak and I scored it for $5 on kijiji this week. Now I have to decide if I'm going to paint it white or grey and then distress and wax it or leave it alone.

We also have this knotty pine mirror, above, in our entry.

Our third paned mirror is this work in progress (with paint smears all over it) that I just need to put a finishing coat on. I'm trying to decide if it will go in the basement guest room I am currently working on, or if I will choose one of the other mirrors in my growing collection. What would you do with the oak one, paint it or leave it?

I'm joining the link party...

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

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Christmas Home Tour ~2011

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop in!

I'm so glad you came. My home tour has lots and lots of photos, so I will keep the commentary to a minimum. For more details you can stop by the indivdual room links.

~Enjoy the tour~

Welcome to our home, and come on in!

Our porch

(I'm saving a spot on the entry cabinet for our nativity, ours broke and I am searching for another.)
The first room you will see from our entry is the living room. 

Walking from the entry past our stairs and powder room, to the right is our dining room. 

Now straight ahead to our family room.

Sharing the cathedral ceiling and skylights with our family room is our kitchen.

We didn't decorate our bedrooms or our basement guest suite this year, at least not yet ; ), so the last stop will be a glance up the stairs to the window in our staircase. 

I hope you enjoyed your visit! Before you go I would love if you can take a moment to leave a comment so I know you were here. Thanks!

I will be visiting lots of link ups in the following parties....

The Nester's 2011 Christmas Tour of Homes


Met Monday at Between Naps on The Porch

Christmas Home Tours at The Inspired Room



2011 Virtual Holiday House Party at Jennifer Rizzo

Christmas Cheer Link Party at Michaela Noelle Designs


A Room By Room Christmas Tour at Cottage and Vine

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