Check

Do you ever feel heavier when you have things to do hanging over you?
I do.  I feel even heavier the longer something hangs over me. 

That's why I thrive off of checking things off the to-do list.

Over Labor Day weekend I re-did my jewelry holder, and a couple nights later, hung it up in our bedroom.  That inspired me to hang other things around our house.  Up until my jewelry holder, nothing in our house has been hung since we moved in.

I enjoy walking in my house and looking around now.  Hanging pictures, etc. on the wall make it feel more like a home.  It says, "this is our mark on our home." Love it.

Be back soon - hope you all have a great week!

Sage

I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. - Anna Quindlen ~ brainyquotes.com

***Edited version
While I completely agree with the above quote, I really enjoy other sources of home decor.  Especially, DIY home decor projects. 

Yesterday, my friend Amy [who now lives in California :( ] and I met up for coffee.  Somewhere in our conversation she invited me to a wreath making class that she, her mom, and the one and only Heather (in our book) were planning on attending.  Casey was working late, so after some deliberating, I said yes to going with them. AND I'm very happy I did.

We started out with metal wreaths and strips of burlap.

We talked and tied knots for two hours - I'll take that kind of female fellowship any day.

This was my view at the table.  Amy is to the left and Heather's hands are to the right. 

Amy's almost done wreath and Heather's completed one.

Mrs. Paula's wreath - very festive and Christmas"y".

Here is my finished sage burlap wreath!

Now I just need to find a door hanger big enough for it... 

Colorful Canvas

Do you ever feel like you need a fun project?  And I don't mean cleaning out your closet, although sometimes that is enjoyable to me.
Anyway, I saw this idea on The Pleated Poppy (you should click and see hers first) and really wanted to create one for our home.

A mix of brown, gold, white, and gray.

Casey helped me with the geometry part of it.  He is very precise and has a steady hand.

I bought a 24 inch ruler with a metal straight edge.  It was nice to have around.

Our squares are 2 inches by 2 inches because we used a 4 inch circle.  According to Lindsey, you half your circle for the squares. 

We used a protractor to trace our circles.   

Now for the most time consuming/fun part.

I really like the neutral colors - the black, white, brown, and gray really make the canvas "pop" in my opinion.  As you can maybe tell from this photo, I had to do a second coat for some of the colors.

Here is the finished product! I love color.  You should have seen my freshman dormroom.

Not sure which way I want it to hang yet.

One thing is for sure, the old nails it is hanging on nail are not level...Oh well, easily fixed.

Storage

is important.  Especially, when you live in a one bedroom apartment.  Living here does keep me in check with the amount of stuff we keep.  I clean out often, and ultimately try to maintain what we really need.  Also, I am always moving things around and try to get the most use out of the space we are working with. 
For example, my scarves have lived in a little brown ottoman since college.  It is impossible to see all of them because they are on top of each other, and they don't get the opportunity to "air out."  I was thinking of ways to fix this, and I remembered having what is known as an accordion hat rack and or mug rack hanging in my room when I was little.  It held all of my dress-up purses.  I called my mom and asked her if she remembered what I was talking about, and if they still had one.  She in turn consulted with my dad, and the answer turned out to be no.  So, my next option was to hit the antique stores/flea markets.  I went one day after work to one of our local shops.  I kept my eyes on all of the walls, because I figured if they had them, they would be hanging up.  Sure enough, I spotted one, way up high out of reach.  I asked the man behind the counter to help me, and we he pulled it down I noted that the price was $2.  Score!  (The others I had seen on e-bay were anywhere from $4-7.)  I paid for it, and came straight home to hang it up.

Not only is my brown ottoman available for storage again, but the scarves add color along with texture to our bedroom.  Which is very desirable according to my interior design friend.

I call that easy wall art.

 

Sometimes things have to get worse...

before they can get better...

Here is an example.

I cleaned both my winter and summer clothes, as well as rotated out my winter and summer clothes.  I made a mess doing this.  It took me several days to complete the project.

Today, I have restored our bedroom to its normal state.  (But please do not think that it always looks like the below picture).

Doesn't spring cleaning feel good?

A little mod podge project

I really enjoy using mod podge.  Casey had never heard of the stuff until he met me - thank goodness I came into his life "learned him real quick" on its wonderful purpose.  (He would roll his eyes right now if he knew I was typing this.)  For those of you who don't know what it is, it is basically a glorified glue and water combo. 

This is what I did.

Now the lids are pretty!

Have a great weekend!

 

My mega, medium, and mini mason jars

Original inspiration for this post came from 3 different places.  Number 1 - The Pioneer Woman.  You can view her post here. Number 2 - The Pleated Poppy.  You can check out her post on mason jars here.  I really like her idea for the Christmas votives.  There will probably be some of those in my home for Christmas 2011.  And Number 3 - Spoonful.  You can visit her post here.  I think the neatest part about viewing these three different posts is the variation of ideas and looks the mason jars take on.  They are perfect for any home!  
Now for my own pictures...

Table arrangement.

I found the pumkin spice potpourri at Target at the beginning of fall, and it's still out.  I've just changed what it has been contained in throughout the months.

One final shot.

I like them empty and out for decoration too.

Also, these are a great size for juice glasses.

Look at these little guys.  I almost squealed out loud in Wal-mart when I spotted them.

Wouldn't they be pretty with little candle votives in them?

Or make a sweet valentine?

And look what I received yesterday from my friend Stephanie - timing couldn't have been better!

Guess who realized that these are mason jars? Casey!  We wash them out every time we empty a jar and add them to the collection.

The big ones make the best vases. 

I can't wait to fill this big one with spring flowers.

 When I'm not using the lids I just bag em' up and store em' away.

And that's a wrap for the busy mason jars.

Have a wonderful Thursday!