Mason Jar Apron Rack

Hey Everyone! Hope your all doing well.  I've been spending my time working on some projects I've had started and am now finally finishing a few.  This particular one was made purposely for my aprons so I may have a place to hang them in the kitchen.  I've seen different ideas floating around out there that attach a mason jar to the rack and I really like it.  This is the version I've created.  Partly because its useful to me and partly because its what I had floating around the house. 

First I found a scrap piece of wood and sanded it so the edges were smooth and the corners were rounded. 

Second, I painted it wicker white. 

I let the paint dry and then I sanded the edges a bit to give it kind of a distressed look. 
Then with min-wax dark walnut I dabbed a little on the sanded parts with a paper towel and quickly wiped it away to give more of the distressed look.

Next I used a 4" hose clamp that I bought at wall-mart for maybe $2.  With a flat head screw driver, I pried out the slat closest to the last one so that I could fit a screw through it.

I screwed it to the board almost to the end of one side.

I had a few little helpers along the way.  (so cute!)

Next I added some hooks of various kinds that I had floating around the house.

I added some picture hooks to the back and then added the mason jar to the hose clamp on the front.  I made sure to tighten the clamp so the jar would not fall out.

I meant this for my kitchen but I felt this one fits better in the cellar way.  I added a fake hydrangea to it and I think it looks rather pretty.  I still need one for the kitchen so that project will be coming up soon.

Here we are, all finished!

A few "for fun" shots:

I think it came out pretty cute.  What do you think?  If you like please share your thoughts with me, I would love to read them. 

xoxo

I linked to these fabulous parties.

And

My Living Room Design

My living room has been a work in progress for quite sometime now as you can probably tell by some of my previous posts.  The walls are painted  a pale blue which I am bitter-sweet about.  There are times during the day I truly love this color and the effect it has on the room.  However, there are other times during the day it seems a little too grey and bleak; kinda like a rainy, over cast day. This is the effect that I'm really trying hard to over come and make go away.  This spring I am looking forward to bringing in some natural elements like bamboo blinds and a natural fiber rug to warm it up.  Also I have some work- in-progress wall art that I'll be doing in a dark walnut stain.  I’ve seen some low cost ideas that are really intriguing me right now like drop cloth curtains and pillow covers that may add a nice effect.  We'll see, but for now this is what I'm working with:

What do you think of the red curtains?  Obviously, I need new curtain rods....darn grommets!!

The lamp shades are a project from last summer as well as the pillow covers.  Clearly, they've been washed a few times.  Kids you know!!

I had several different colors of ribbon and fabric wrapped around the shades until I settled on this combo.  I thought it matched both the walls and the curtains best.  (oops, I spy an imperfection in the wall.......Oh Husband......)

The ‘B’ monogram wall art is a project from last fall.  I wanted something that would go with the lamp shades and also something quick to slap up on the wall before Thanksgiving guests arrived!  As you can probably tell I drew the ‘B’ free hand and then cut it out.  Not too bad though!!  One of these days I might actually print off a stencil and do it right. Who knows?! 

  
Well, that’s my living room in a nutshell.  It’s getting there but still needs plenty TLC.  Oh, and its not the brightest room in the house which is a cause for some of its dilemmas.  I’ve had some ideas for better color choices since we've painted but were really not ready to re-paint quite yet.  What’s your living room like?  Is it a work in progress or do you have the living room of your dreams? Please, do tell!!

xoxo

A Winter Display

I love decorating with pine cones around the holidays.  They're so festive and perfect for that time of year.  Now that the holidays are gone, I've still decided to keep a basket of them around for a while.  Don't get me wrong, I can't wait 'till spring but I'm trying to keep my patience and wait for it......juuust wait for it.

Winter is here in New England for at least another month.  We might as well make the best of it. 

That greenery you see, I picked it shortly before Thanksgiving.  I can't believe how well it has lasted. 

xoxo

My Twine Vase's

Hey Everyone!!  Spring is on it's way and I've gotten back into the groove with some DIY projects.  The first one I've conquered are these lovely little vase's.  I love them because of the natural texture. They're great because they were super easy to make!

I started with two clear vases, some twine and my hot glue gun.  I cleaned the vases up good because they have been sitting up in my attic for quite some time.

I put a dab of glue on the bottom of the vase and then wound the twine tightly around.  Every so often I would stop to sort of pinch the twine together to avoid gaps also to add a dab of glue. 

Soon it looked like this.  What do you think?  You can stop how ever far up on the jar you want to give it your own look. 

 I set them on my dining room table for display.  I can't wait to have some spring blooms to add to them!

xoxo

I linked up with these linky parties:

 

Living Room Decor

I've been shopping around gathering ideas for our living room.  The goal is to warm up the space and give it a bit of a cozier feel. I want to walk in the room and feel alive yet secure and cozy.  Do you know what I mean?????  It seems easy enough but its been almost exhausting figuring out how to accomplish this goal.  I'm really happy with the pale blue walls but at the same time I'm not.  I need to figure out how to make them work.  Here are some of the items I've come across so far...

1.Amy Butler fabric.  Love the fun and colorful design.

2.Bamboo blinds.  I like the warm look they give to the windows.

3.Jute Rug from natural area rugs.com.  I think this will act as a nice foundation for the white slip covered sofa and love seat. 

4.More Amy Butler fabric.  This of course compliments the above fabric I'm thinking about. 

Still much to think about and more ideas and shopping around to do.