Blue Clear Sky

Blooms in Red, White and Pink for Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

I am sharing some flowers from our home last month, in shades of reds, pinks and whites.

I'm hoping that however you spend you day,

with a special significant other,

with loved ones,

with friends, pets, or some quiet time by yourself,

that your day is beautiful! Happy Valentine's Day!

Kitchen Shelves for Valentine's

2012-02-12T15:49:00.000-05:00

Our kitchen shelves got some Valentine's L.O.V.E.

The two shelves we added at the end of our upper cabinets are fun to decorate seasonally.

I made a quickie little banner of tags with a HAPPY VALENTINE'S message. Okay, it might be a bit too small to see the sticker letters in these photos.

I added a little pink bird to a stack of ironstone plates.

I love the scrapbook paper in pink toile, pink check and solids in pink and cream. The tags are tied to a piece of string with pink satin ribbon. The 'love words' are pretty in red and white glitter.

Both the little ceramic bird and the distressed THINK PINK sign were part of a Just Beachy blog giveaway I won from City.Cottage.

I love the soft pink and the chippy distressed finish.

'HUGS' to you my friends! Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blog world. I have seen my blog visits grow steadily since this little blog started 3 years ago this month, but since January the pageviews and unique visits have increased substantially. I don't focus on this but I am amazed that so many people choose to visit Blue Clear Sky. I wish you all the best this upcoming week.

I'm sharing this with...

SNS #120 at Funky Junk Interiors

103rd Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Met Monday at Between Naps on The Porch

Cowgirl Up! #2 Party at The Farmhouse Porch and Cedar Hill Ranch

Vintage Industrial Wooden Spools

2012-02-04T12:49:00.001-05:00

Hmm, industrial spools or industrial bobbins? Or maybe they are called both.

I do know that I love the patina and various sizes of each piece, and details like the red paint, green paint and metal ends. I often wonder the task they were made for and where these hard working pieces were put to use.

They are not used nearly enough in my decor and were kind of hidden away in my hobby room/studio (plus two new ones I found recently.)

I have been considering selling them in my etsy shop or trying to find a vintage sale to hook up with. We just don't have a lot of horizontal and open display surfaces here. For now I brought them down to our kitchen table to enjoy for a few days.

I'm joining the following parties...

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Cowgirl Up Week at Cedar Hill Ranch

The Start of an Ironstone Collection

2012-02-03T18:03:00.003-05:00

Just what I need, another collection and more white dishes!

The first piece in my ironstone collection was this covered dish that I found at a summer yard sale for a buck or two. I have to find pieces at a really good price because ~~I'm really cheap~~ we have a budget.

The second piece I found was a little butter pat at an antiques warehouse in Glen Williams, Ontario for 25 cents, at least I think it is a butter pat. It is the thicker round edge type with some lovely discolouration.

I shared my love of white dishes here and here. I loved seeing dish collections in the many blogs I visited and in magazines, but I was a bit confused as to what pieces were ironstone until I read Ellie at Frog Goes To Market's post My Antique Ironstone Collection. Have you seen her collections? Drool worthy!

I found out that the thicker round edged pieces with simple lines and the finer more detailed pieces are both ironstone. I love the antique shades of white and that some pieces show their age with crackling and discolouration. So I guess you can understand my excitement when I found more pieces at thrift stores in a neighbouring city this week. At one store I found 10 Myott Meakin bread/dessert plates with a scalloped edge, 39 cents each. They are marked 1982 so not really old but made in Staffordshire England.

At another store I found the two Johnson Brothers dinner plates, made in England, shown under the covered dish, for 99 cents each.

The third thrift store had two platters and a little dish. The little dish was $1 and the one above was $5.99 and is marked Unicorn Thomas Hughes and Son, Staffordshire England, and is 11.5" in diameter.

The largest platter is 14.5" long and has a very faint marking, only $3.

These pieces may not be super valuable, but I love the different shapes, sizes and the beautiful shades of whites. For now they will find a home on our kitchen buffet and hutch or in our dining room cabinet. One day I would love to have a fraction of Ellie's collection beautifully displayed in an open cabinet. For now I am enjoying my little collection.

Linking up this week at some of my favourite places to hang out...
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday at At The Picket Fence
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch To Yours
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
Saturday Nite Special # 119 at Funky Junk Interiors
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday #100 at Coastal Charm
Wow Us Wednesdays #52 at Savvy Southern Style

A Big Platter of Candles

2012-02-01T21:09:00.002-05:00

Happy February!

I love this huge platter and on New Year's decided to fill it with pillar candles of varying sizes and shades of white, including the large scented candle, a Christmas gift from my oldest son.

January has come and gone and I have barely changed the vignette (I have since removed the burlap and placed the little mason jar tealights on the window ledge) because I love it so much.

Stopping at a few thrift stores in a neighbouring city on my way home from work, I was so happy to find pieces of ironstone to add to my tiny collection. I am looking forward to taking photos and sharing them soon. It has been a long week and I'm looking forward to the weekend!

I am thrilled to have 600+ google followers as I approach my third blogiversary this month and I added the new Linky Followers on the sidebar. I would love it if you would follow me!

I'm sharing this with...

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Inspiration Friday at At The Picket Fence

Basement Guest Bedroom Progress

2012-01-29T01:00:00.000-05:00

Trusting my decorating instincts and learning to use what I really love is sometimes difficult for me.

Our basement guest bedroom makeover has been quite a challenge for me. Painting the walls was the easy part. Knowing how I want the room to look (using items I already have or can find inexpensively) has been much more difficult. But I think I'm getting there.

I'm joining Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Picture Perfect-a completed room for 2012 and sharing the updates I have made to the room so far.

I'm also joining the Wow Us Wednesdays party #51 at Savvy Southern Style.

Jennifer Rizzo's Refresh Your Room Party

This was the room in wall prep mode after selling and getting rid of a bunch of stuff we wouldn't be using.

I still need to find, repurpose or make lots of pieces but I am really enjoying the fresh new wall and trim colours.

I asked for opinions on the curtain choices, and I have loved reading the responses. Deciding to follow my heart, I will be keeping the white curtains (made from a new king size sheet) and adding a rattan blind when my budget allows it. I can always change things up later.

The pair of night tables are finally painted (Benjamin Moore Cloud White) and waxed. The denim bedskirt will soon be replaced with a cream bedskirt with crocheted edge. I still lots to do including finding or making a headboard, but I am happy with the progress.

I have also been invited to join the Imagine the Impossiblities Challenge Party at Thistlewood Farm.

Vintage Alarm Clock

2012-01-28T23:45:00.000-05:00

I found this vintage clock today at the thrift store for $3.99.

The colour is perfect for our guest bedroom because I have decided to use my rose mirrors and frames in this room. My plan is for a mix of metals and white frames. It was snowing fairly heavily when these photos were taken this afternoon so the photos are a bit dark. Below is a photo of one of the mirrors when I was trying it in the front hallway.

My Mom and Dad always had Big Ben and Westclox alarms like these and I remember Dad sitting on the bed setting the alarm each night. Pretty sure he still uses one. I'm of the radio alarm clock generation so hopefully he can show me how this baby works (IF it works.)

I'm sure this alarm clock will be the first in a new collection. Have you started any new collections lately?

I'm sharing this with...
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

My Pottery Barn Look Alike

2012-01-27T16:00:00.000-05:00

I had a pleasant surprise when I was poking around the Pottery Barn website today.

image: Pottery Barn

I stumbled upon this Pottery Barn Paned Foundry Mirror that is a pretty close look alike to the pine framed mirror I painted last weekend for our guest bedroom. PB describes "a warehouse window, its history expressed in layers of chipped and weathered paint, inspired our vintage industrial mirror." It costs $239.65 Canadian on the PB website. Yikes!

My version is a bit bigger and a whole lot cheaper.

My mirror cost $10 at a garage sale and I had all the paint and wax on hand. I wasn't aware of the PB version when I painted mine, but I am happy to discover that I have a PB look alike on my diy budget. Wishing you a great weekend! We are all feeling well now and I'm looking forward to working on some projects this weekend.

I'm sharing this with...

2805 Potpourri Friday #21

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence

SNS at Funky Junk Interiors

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Bedroom Curtain Colour Choices Opinions Please

2012-01-23T14:03:00.002-05:00

I'm struggling over the colour direction for our basement guest bedroom.

I love the fresh new Benjamin Moore Cotton Ball walls but I'm stuck on curtain colours. I tried the blue paisley Waverly print I sewed...

and I sewed a white cotton pair from a Land's End king sheet. (I haven't spent a lot of time on getting good lighting for photos quite yet, too much to do still.)

Before I make little curtains for the other two tiny windows, I thought I would ask for the opinions of my friends and readers.

I like lots of white but with blue and wood tones as well. The following are my inspiration photos, but I'm not planning on copying them, rather just using them loosely for a 'feel' and colours. I also don't want to spend too much on new items and hope to re purpose and collect items.

So my question is should I use the blue paisley and use lots of blue and white for linens and accessories in the room....

or should I use the lighter white curtains and touches of blue?

The carpeting is grey. The ticking and flannel quilt and paisley curtains both have grey in them. The bedskirt is blue denim but I could sew a white one. I have lots of white textiles for pillows.

I would love love to hear your opinions and ideas. Today I am leaning towards the white curtains and maybe using the denim and plaid quilt folded at the end of the bed. What I would really love is a white coverlet. What do you think?

More basement guest bedroom makeover posts here, here and here.

I'm sharing this with the wonderful parties here...

Met Monday at Between Naps on The Porch

Pine Window Frame Mirror Makeover

2012-01-22T22:21:00.001-05:00

I am slowly accomplishing work on our basement guest bedroom and finished this mirror on the weekend.

I can't find a before photo, but it was a pine window with mirror inserts that I got at a yard sale for $10. I'm sure it was an '80's reproduction because although it is solid pine, the finish was just too perfect to be vintage.

I started by layering on shades of blue to show through in the distressing and then a quick coat of white.

Then it sat in our living room for several months. I'm much better at starting projects then finishing them ;)

I still have lots of work left to do in the guest room but after painting the walls I was inspired to finish this mirror with a few coats of Benjamin Moore Cloud White, some sanding and waxing.

We have a large window (and two small typical basement windows) in this room, so I thought a few mirrors would help to bounce light around. I took these photos at night (sorry!) because I have had a crazy weekend with my kids and husband sick with a virus. They seem to be well on the mend tonight though.

Now I can check this project off my 2012 Home Goals to-do list. (You can see this room in progress and the old blue walls at the 2012 Home Goals link.)

As far as basement guest bedroom progress goes, I still have two doors and trim to paint and curtains to make for the small windows. And a headboard to make. I finished sewing the larger curtains (I used a white king bedsheet) and you can see a peek of them in the photo above. I'm still looking for a coverlet or bedspread in white that fits my teeny tiny budget. Now I need to decide on some accessories but I like the fresh look so far. And I really like this window frame mirror!

I'm joining in the fun at the following link parties...

Stylish Once Again: Restyled Sundays

SNS at Funky Junk Interiors

Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Hudson's Bay Point Blanket and Cabin Chic

2012-01-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

They had me at the iconic Hudson's Bay point blankets and grey walls..

High image: Style at Home dot com

Always a favourite of mine, the multistripe Hudson's Bay blankets look especially cool and updated in the neutral tones. Style at Home magazine's decorating newsletter comes by email and I enjoy the decorating ideas, especially a HIGH/LOW Cabin Chic feature this week.

Low image: Style at Home dot com

I'm not a fan of orange (or the buck fabric/wallpaper headboards) but the textures really appeal to me, especially this cold winter day. I will be keeping these textures in mind as I continue the search for budget textiles for our basement guest bedroom makeover. I'm loving the whites and creams I have so far but woolens and knitted pieces would really add a cozy feel for winter.

Red Flowers and Computer Problems

2012-01-20T19:18:00.001-05:00

We have been having computer problems these past few days.

We only have our one main family computer (no laptops in our budget yet) so it can really be a challenge when something goes wrong. Hopefully I have it resolved now.

I wanted to share an arrangement of red flowers in our kitchen. Roses, carnations and pretty little red berry branches. Red is not a colour I use often, but they certainly add a pop of colour to our snowy winter weather and simple decor. I used another white pitcher as a vase and a vintage textile that belonged to my mother. I love the cutwork detail.

The best part is that these flowers, and the winter white bouquets I shared last week, were both free, given to me as extras.

I hope you enjoy the weekend! We are having a cold (-11C or about 12F) and snowy end to the week here. Our 14 1/2 year old son just got over a virus, and our youngest, who turned 13 this week, started tonight. Yuck! Here's hoping my husband and I can steer clear of it! Lots on my to-do list this weekend, but I have a feeling we won't get much done. What are your plans for the weekend?

I'm joining Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Winter White Flowers

2012-01-15T19:25:00.002-05:00

I love fresh flowers in our home, especially on these cold and dull January days.

Two simple white pitchers and lovely white blooms.

It may be dull and frozen outside, with no snow in sight, but at least there is a reminder that spring will eventually come in these pretty flowers.

I am enjoying having all the Christmas items packed safely away until next year. Simple decor appeals to me at this time of year.

We have enjoyed a quiet, and very cold, weekend. Sleeping in a bit and getting a few things done around our home. Of course we made time to take our dog for a nice long (and frosty) walk this sunny afternoon. I'm hoping you enjoyed your weekend too.

I'm sharing this with...
the 99th Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Mantel Headboard or Rustic Plank Headboard

2012-01-14T23:45:00.000-05:00

I'm still working on our basement guest bedroom and spent some time today looking for headboard inspiration. I'm having trouble deciding between a mantel headboard and a rustic plank headboard.

We had this headboard, below, in the guest bedroom, but I decided to use it in our youngest son's room (also a double/full bed.)

I'm sharing these inspiration photos because I like having them in one spot while I decide, and because my before photos are not very pretty at all :)

image: The Old Painted Cottage via Pinterest

image: Southern Living

image: {aka}design via Pinterest

image: PB&Jstories

One idea I am considering is using this oak mantel shelf that we used to have in our living room a few years ago, below, and then building up the sides and back. I'm not sure whether I would do the upholstered center or something different. I picked up the mantel shelf a few years ago from a yard sale for $5 and then painted it.

But then I see rustic plank headboards and want one of those too. We have four of these 12 inch wide rough cut boards from my fil that I think would look really cool as a headboard. We would sand them a bit and then stain.

The rustic plank headboard is probably more my style and would look good against the freshly painted white walls. I need to decide soon because my boys are itching to help. Are you working on any projects right now?

Joining....

Elizabeth & Co.'s Be Inspired Link Party # 2

Home Goals 2012

2012-01-11T22:46:00.000-05:00

We have lots of goals for our home for 2012, some of the projects are nearing completion, others I have made plans for, and some are on a wish list.

Note: I'm having a lot of trouble with blogger tonight, the photo and text spacing is just crazy and totally unpredictable.

After I sorted and packed away all the Christmas decor, I spent some time deciding what our home goals were for this year. The Nester is hosting a 2012 Home Goals Party where she is encouraging us to make some goals for our home in 2012. I always have a written list of items I want to work on (what can I say, I'm a list maker!) Taking a deep breath, I decided to share not only my list, but also some not so pretty photos of areas of our home that still need a lot of work. My plan is to mark off items as we complete them and post the changes as they happen. I was able to get two items ticked off this weekend (highlighted in blue). So, here is our list for Home Goals in 2012.

Family room:

continue the board and batten from our kitchen to the fire place/family room side of wall and finally finish it

finally install a mantel

strip or repaint sideboard used as TV stand

new lamps and/or lampshades

redo photo gallery walls

The first photo is the kitchen side of the wall that will carry around to the family room side behind the TV. The second photo shows the wall last year, and the third is what we have accomplished so far this year. We also have half of the wall behind the TV completed. The fourth photo is the gallery wall(s) that needs work and I want to add the frames I got for Christmas.

Basement stairwell:

trim post at top of stairs (see dining room)

continue board and batten in stairway to basement

lots of coat hooks

paint walls and trim

remove carpet and try to unify the stairs (4 stairs are carpet, the landing has nothing, and the bottom 7 stairs are white painted wood that is chipping)

strip and re-stain handrail

Kitchen:

beadboard or subway tile backsplash

finish caulking and painting soffit board and batten (over 1/2 completed)

Basement guest bedroom:

paint walls, doors and trim

add curtains and curtain rods on large window, and two small windows

decorate using what I have or can update

replace headboard of double bed

paint walk in closet

make or find frame for twin mattress

new blanket or coverlet in white or cream

find a TV stand and short bookcase and possibly paint
finish painting, distressing and waxing pine framed window mirror

paint rattan chair frame

The first photo is the rattan chair that I recovered but the frame still needs painted.

The second photo is our guest bedroom while I was prepping the walls, but is now freshly painted Benjamin Moore Cotton Balls (updated photos to follow, hopefully by the end of the month.)

Basement kitchen:

update cabinets and/or remove cabinet doors

decide whether to change sink/stove configuration or just update sink with a new tap

tile backsplash if we find extra time and money for tile (and commit to layout)

Basement TV area:

find/buy a loveseat for additional seating

TV stand/cabinet

update decor and art or photos

possibly re-paint if I have extra time

Main floor powder room:

paint

frame mirror

possibly beadboard or board and batten

Master bedroom:

paint night tables and dresser

repair wall (from old roof leak)

curtain for closet

Master bedroom en-suite bath:

new tap

new lights

artwork/photo/or wall decor above soaker tub

curtains

frame mirror

Boy's (main upstairs) bathroom:

paint walls

paint trim

paint ceiling

new light fixture

towel hooks

wall shelves above toilet

frame mirror

shower curtain and accessories

scary bathroom photo of a really bad faux cloud ceiling I attempted circa 2004

Living room:

blinds

new curtains

find or make a new coffee table

bookcase/cabinet/dresser type piece of furniture for wall opposite window

finish wall gallery

Dining room:

add blinds

trim posts between dining room/family room and dining room/basement stairs

Laundry room:
new faucet
light fixture

add shelf below cabinets to somewhat disguise electrical and vent (thanks Julie for the ideas!)

Continue with overall maintenance and repairs including:
a whole other list of 'little repairs'

continue to caulk exterior windows (family room windows completed in Fall'11)

new garage door (we hope)

new garage man door
level or replace front walkway

I am looking forward to a new year of loving our home even more.We have a pretty tight budget, so all of our projects will be DIY and will re-purpose or creatively re-use items as much as possible. I am realistic and know that not all of these projects will be finished this year, but hopefully we will be able to complete many projects that will make our home more comfortable for us and at the same time maintain or increase our eventual resale value.

Thank you so much for taking time to visit, and if you have comments or ideas I would love to hear them? If you are sharing your home goals, let me know and I will be sure to visit.

I'm linking this with...

Paned Mirrors

2012-01-07T22:29:00.001-05:00

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

A Little Crate

2012-01-07T14:09:00.000-05:00

It was exactly what I had in mind, until I stained it.

Do you ever pick the wrong stain or paint colour? I think I did this time. Our 14 year old son made this little crate box for me at my request, and I added the little casters from Home Depot.

I enjoyed hand painting some lettering, FRESH MILK on one end, and MOUNTAINVIEW DAIRY on the other. I stained it with Minwax English Chestnut and it looks way darker than I had planned. Almost chocolate brown.

This little crate is darker than I wanted, but I am so proud of my son for making it for me.

I'll live with the darker colour for now, and maybe when it warms up I can try sanding it back a bit.

Hoping you are having a great weekend, I'm busy painting our basement guest bedroom. The wood piled against the baseboard in the background is to finish our fireplace board and batten. Lots of projects on the go here!

I'm sharing this with....

SNS at Funky Junk Interiors

Wow Us Wednesdays #48 at Savvy Southern Style

Basement Guest Bedroom Makeover-The Why's and The Inspiration

2012-01-04T04:00:00.000-05:00

I'm going to show you some pretty inspiration then I will share the 'before' pictures. Trust me it is kinder this way.

So this would be like take two, or maybe take ~~eleven~~ three in the whole basement guest bedroom makeover. Our basement was originally finished in 1999/2000 when we first bought our home by my brothers, brothers-in-law and a nephew, as a suite for my parents. One thing about our basement is that it is super dry and warm. The guys outdid themselves on making sure it was properly insulated for our cold winters and added tons of extra vents (even moving duct work to bring all the cold air, heat and a/c returns from the ceiling to floor level.) Our basement is the one floor in our home that is the perfect temperature, no matter the season. Mom and Dad had to finally move to assisted living (my Mom has since passed away.) Then my brother's family of four stayed with us between homes for several months. Finally we rented to a single teacher for one term. And my explanation is very wordy but helps to explain why it has taken me so long to make progress.

I have tried to decorate our basement guest bedroom several times, but kept hitting roadblocks. Does that ever happen to you? Some of the issues were...

a small budget
furniture and accessories I didn't like or love
did I say a very small budget?
an exercise area with big black equipment we never used
a huge drum set that our youngest seldom plays
trying to work around a mistint colour of blue I had painted the walls
worrying that ~~my younger sister~~ people would think I was crazy to repaint again, and I really didn't want to spend time and money repainting it
a 'Northwoods' or 'cabin' or maybe a 'lakeside beach' theme and all the accompanying accessories
our guest room is way down in the back of the basement and I can easily close the bedroom door
making a gazillion excuses that I have other rooms that need attention (okay I still have those rooms)
a ridiculously long and narrow room, two basement tiny windows and one large egress window, and a closet door that opens into the room, that make bed placement very difficult

So, I put a lot of thought into it, deciding what my vision (still on a tight budget) was for this room and I think I have a pretty good idea where to start now. I need to start fresh. Start with an empty room. Not an original idea, but it finally dawned on me that I wouldn't be happy until I took everything out and started with the 'blank slate'. No, I can't buy all new stuff, but I started by getting rid of or selling the items I don't like or love any more. ~~That left me with a double bed~~. I had to tell myself that it was okay to get rid of the theme items, and the three mismatched twin beds, and that I didn't have to use curtains I already have just because at one time the fabric was really expensive. That it was okay for my style to change and evolve and that the room could be a bit bare until I found the pieces I wanted and we could afford. You get the idea.

So the blank slate helped, but my plan really took shape when I was actually sitting in the room over the holidays and noticed a bunch of chips in the paint and so many greasy fingerprints and smears. When we have family occasions my kids and their little cousins and great cousins or friends would inevitably end up in the basement bouncing off the walls and banging on the drums. My clue to the dirty walls should have been the times I found more than one paper plate with a pre-schoolers bbq dinner after parties. We need to paint.

I'm prepping the walls and will be buying paint this week. So enough about the why's, here are my inspiration ideas.

Note: While I love the look of the plank walls in the following inspiration photos, I will not be adding it to the walls in this room. Our perfectly good drywall will be painted white instead (resale plus our family worked so hard on those smooth walls.) I plan to incorporate some plank personality in a different way.

This Pottery Barn photo and some of the features I highlighted that I really like

A long time favourite inspiration picture (tearout from Country Home Magazine)

And now several years of BEFORE photos...

What is staying? The comfy double bed and the grey wall to wall carpeting. I am still undecided on the headboard and two little end tables I am painting. Oh, and the suspended tile ceiling and florescent light ceiling panel have to stay (I can't even begin to think about that so I will be thankful that the ceiling is not bare and pretend the ceiling is beautiful tongue and groove.)

I will be sharing as our guest room evolves, and lots of little projects along the way. It won't happen overnight, but the walls should be white in a few days. And I have new white sheets in case we have guests. Now to pick a white for trim and walls. With grey carpet and being a basement, would you pick a warm white or a cool white? I'd love to hear your ideas.

I was inspired to get my before photos in order and my ideas written down so I could join in with Donna and Funky Junk Interiors' Picture Perfect -a completed room for 2012. And now it is 5:30 am and I'm going to bed. Good thing I'm still on holidays for one more week and my young teens will sleep in ;)

I'm sharing this with Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, a party not to miss!

Potpourri Friday at 2805

January Before Party at Shine Your Light

A Little Change of Colour

2012-01-01T23:40:00.000-05:00

My first paint project of the New Year started as a touch up of this little black tray.

I liked the original distressed black finish but noticed that the bead board had quite a few scratches (our family room gets lots of use.) {Black photo above, Dark Grey photo Below}

Touching up the beadboard in black would have been easy enough, but I decided to try a new dark grey mis-tint paint instead.

So my little tray went from distressed and super scratched black to dark grey with a wax finish. The wax finish (Minwax paste) just may be my favourite part. A simple change that I am enjoying today.

And I'm keeping it real here. Remington's favourite place to nap is our family room sofa. She always manages to get the pillows just where she wants them too. Our white slips and pillow covers need frequent washing with a chocolate Lab and teen boys (plus a gazillion nieces, nephews and greats) so the king size sheet is keeping it a bit cleaner. And it covers up all the great's little messes from Christmas Eve and Christmas meals. I have one more week off before heading back to work and hope to get a lot more of these little projects that have been bugging me done. Starting with washing the couch covers. Again.

I'm sharing this with....
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
WOW us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T13:55:00.001-05:00

We are saying good-bye to 2011 and welcoming in 2012!

Thanks for joining me here at Blue Clear Sky this past year. I look forward to visiting with you in the New Year.

A Ruffled Drop Cloth Pillow

2011-12-30T11:42:00.002-05:00

I snuck in one more project before the end of the year.

I used some leftover drop cloth fabric and a simple envelope style back to make a pillow slip, adding a loosely gathered ruffle detail. This time I left the ruffle edge raw. I had both the down insert and the drop cloth on hand, so this was a freebie project.

The chair is one of three I picked up recently with a lovely round oak pedestal table. I was going to paint the table for our kitchen but it was too big for the space, so I sold it on kijiji for more than I paid for all four pieces. That left me with three very sturdy chairs that I plan to paint. I would love to try some chalk paint on these, probably white.

We have had several days of snow since Christmas and I have been busy tidying and organizing, and blog hopping of course! Time to get out for a nice walk with the dog. So as this year draws to a close, I was wondering if you think using drop cloth fabric for projects is here to stay a while, or will it be a '2011' thing? I personally love that it is not only neutral, but so affordable and easy to wash with kids and a dog.

I'm joining in at the following link parties...

Air Your Laundry Friday #47 at Freckled Laundry

Best DIY Project of December at Beneath My Heart

Confetti Squares Recipe

2011-12-29T15:08:00.002-05:00

Looking for a sweet and fun dessert for a New Year's celebration that both adults and kids enjoy? Try confetti squares, our family favourite.

Now, this presentation and these photos are a bit rushed, but I have to cut quick and snap photos fast when confetti squares are in our house. Visiting family and my kids/hubby inhale them. I end up making them at almost all family get togethers or face the sad faces. Warning: super sweet and it is hard to eat just one. And not nut free the way we make them either.

This is not my original recipe, my mil has been making them for years.

Note: I always make a double batch by doubling all ingredients and chilling in a 9x13" glass baking dish (our extended family is numerous.) The following recipe below is for a single batch and would be in a 8 or 9" square pan.

Confetti Squares
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup smooth peanutbutter
1 package butterscotch chips
3 cups coloured miniature marshmallows

Place butter, peanutbutter and butterscotch chips in a pan on medium-low heat. Stir CONSTANTLY until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool 20 minutes. After cooling, stir in miniature marshmallows. Pour into a butter greased 8 inch square pan, plastic, or glass container. Chill in fridge until firm (a few hours.) Cut into squares (not too big as they are quite sweet) and serve. They freeze okay too.

This is what the ingredients (minus marshmallows) look like when melted, nice and smooth. Melting doesn't take long so keep stirring for a couple of minutes and to avoid burning, keep stirring anddon't walk away! They are quite quick and easy to make. Remove from burner and let cool before adding marshmallows. I've shared this one before, but thought it wouldn't hurt to share again (plus I had a moment to snap some ~~blurry~~ photos.)

I'm sharing this with....

Potpourri Friday #17 at 2805

Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest

Best of 2011 Projects

2011-12-28T02:51:00.001-05:00

Welcome to my year of favourites post. It has been fun looking back at projects completed this year (and a bit overwhelming seeing projects that still need to be completed) and deciding on my favourites. You know how it goes, if you want to see more details click on the link to the original posts : )

Board and Batten Wall in the Kitchen Part 1

Board and Batten Soffits in the Kitchen Part 2

Hand Painted Livestock and Farmer's Market Sign

No. 8 Hand Painted Faux Grainsack Pillow

Where Bloggers Create, My Studio/Hobby Room Updated

Before:

Weathered Tables to Fresh Grey

Painted Living Room Benjamin Moore Cotton Ball

Quilted Pillows in Denim and Whites

Thanks so much for stopping by and for the many kind comments I have received this year.

I'm joining the fun (and looking for inspiration) at the following parties...

Southern Hospitality Top Projects of 2011

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays Favorites from 2011

From My Front Porch To Yours First Annual Auld Lang Syne

Beyond The Picket Fence These Are A Few of My Favorite Things Party

My Favorite Post of 2011 Party -Dairy Inspired Cloche

2011-12-27T02:45:00.000-05:00

I'm joining Home Stories A to Z 's My Favorite Post of 2011 link party tonight, with my favourite post of 2011, Dairy Inspired Cloche.

Here it is reposted, from November 1, 2011:

Most of my readers know we are a bit farm and cow obsessed at our home, in the nicest way of course ; )

With the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair starting this week in Toronto, Ontario, I was inspired to create a dairy themed cloche centerpiece for our kitchen. We have always attended 'The Royal' (Canada's most prominent agricultural event held indoors for two weeks every November) but it is even more fun for us now because our oldest son participated in the dairy show last year, and will be participating in the beef show this year.

For this centerpiece, I used a black wire cloche on a white platter. Because the cloche is tall, I added a vintage wooden spool to raise the old milk bottle with the embossed 'Brampton Jerseys' label. A white Holstein Dairy show ribbon and vintage brass cow tags, and a trio of little milk/cream bottles complete the centerpiece. My son thought it was crazy that I wanted to use a white ribbon because white ribbons are 3rd place, when I could have used 1st place red ribbons. It's all about the colour, baby.

We have put away all our Halloween decorations and I'm enjoying this simple look in the kitchen. This centerpiece, the Keady Livestock and Farmer's Market sign, and my barn photos will be the backdrop to many conversations our family will have around this farmhouse table in the next few weeks. A bit of farm love in suburbia!

Thanks to the many blogs I read, including Marty's A Stroll Thru Life, I had the courage to attempt this little arrangement using items I already had on hand quickly after work today. Marty said just about anything could go under a cloche. If you question your decorating skills, as I often do, or think you don't have the items it takes to put together a little vignette, you may miss out on the pleasure of adding some personality or seasonal fun to your home. Look around your home, take inspiration from others, and just go for it. Happy November!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are enjoying this time between Christmas and the New Year. Thanks to Beth from Home Stories A to Z for hosting.

A Year In Review ~Vignettes

2011-12-26T13:11:00.001-05:00

I enjoy changing the decor on table tops and shelves for the seasons and today I am sharing a look back at some of these vignettes.

The two little shelves we added to the end of our upper cabinets in our kitchen are frequently changed for the seasons. I love that I can easily add seasonal decor and colour to our otherwise neutral kitchen with these display shelves.

The farmhouse table in our kitchen has also seen many centerpieces and 'photo shoots' this year, from flowers, to baked goods and new finds. The light from our patio doors and skylights usually make this the best spot for photos, even on darker days.

My vintage aqua mason jars and galvanized sap buckets are favourites to use in displays.

I use lots of whites in dishes, textiles and flowers and shades of whites usually show up in most of my photos.

I shared my authentic design style post here, and I love making changes to our home and decor that better reflects the style I love. Our home, like many, is constantly evolving but I love that with a mostly neutral background I can add seasonal pops of colour, like red at Christmas, to keep things interesting.

I hope you enjoyed your Christmas and thanks for taking time out of your day to visit.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T23:18:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a Christmas season blessed with God's gifts of peace, joy and love! Thank you for stopping by this little corner of my world. I have been blessed to meet so many good people, and brightened by your kind comments.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T19:09:00.002-05:00

Christmas break is finally here!

I finished work this afternoon and will be off for the next two weeks. Hooray! We have been busy tonight cleaning our home and getting ready for guests (think chocolate Lab, white slipcovers and piles of dog hair two days after vacuuming, just keeping it real.) With the help of my sister and family, we will be hosting Christmas Eve after Mass and Christmas day. Lots of loved ones and lots of food and I am so looking forward to spending time with family.

Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas Village ~2011

2011-12-20T04:33:00.003-05:00

Our living room tree has been moved over to make room for a Christmas village. Again.

Last year I shared our Christmas village and how my plans to keep it in storage changed. Plans and memory making for our boys trumps my plans for more simplified decorating once again and tonight our almost 15 year old son got a plank from his grandfather's old sawmill out of the garage, and two little night tables from the basement for a makeshift display table. {We seriously need more horizontal display surfaces in our home.} I love the rustic wood and that this display is waaaay narrower than the farmhouse table he used last year.

Our miniature Christmas scene has a farmhouse, barn and outbuildings, a Victorian home, and a Church, school and gas station. Villagers, lights, a bridge, lots of bottle brush trees and kids tobogganing add some charm.

The farmhouse and farm were the first pieces I collected before kids. Our youngest son (almost 13) was rushing out to his hockey game tonight with Dad and only added a few people and trees, but I'm sure by tomorrow part of Josh's huge collection of farm vehicles will be added.

This is what Kyle came up with for a display surface. I love this weathered and rough sawn wood that was from my fil's old sawmill. We have several pieces and I think in the New Year Kyle and I will have to make something cool with them. He's my tool guy. Actually, both our boys ask for tools every Christmas.

Kyle wants to know which version my readers prefer....Our Christmas village 2011(keeping in mind tractors etc. might be added) or....

our Christmas Village 2010 (below)?

Thanks for stopping by during this busy week! If you have a spare minute Kyle would really appreciate your opinion (they are busy making plans to expand for next year.)

I'm sharing this with...

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wow us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

A Simple Christmas Dining Table with Faux Grainsack Runner

2011-12-19T16:48:00.007-05:00

Going for a simpler and more rustic look, I added a faux grainsack runner and a smaller arrangement to our dining room table.

When I shared our Christmas dining room tablescape here, I knew that to use our table for dining, something simple and lower would be more practical. I loved seeing this as I walked by many times each day, but the height will make it a bit more difficult for conversation and there will be lots of great-nieces and great-nephews around over the holidays. I already had one casualty, a candlestick not a kid ;)

On Saturday I had to pick my niece up from her volleyball practice in a nearby city so I stopped into Fabricland. This tea towel fabric has been on my 'want' list for a while and this weekend it was on sale for 40% off.

Blue stripes came home with me but it also comes in red, green and yellow. For $12 I have the the look of grainsack and although not as rustic as vintage grainsack, this was an easy and affordable project. The ends could be left raw or frayed, but I chose to simply hem them.

From the original Christmas centerpiece I kept a piece of burlap ribbon, a birch kissing ball, large and small pinecones and mini glass ornaments in blue, silver and cream.

For votives I used mini canning jars with tealights nestled in table salt (epsom salts are on my shopping list.)

Sisal twine wrapped around the jars makes them a little more rustic and, I think, cuter. I have seen this done in so many pretty homes I have visited with all the Christmas party link ups and if I get a chance before Christmas I may add some cute numbers or such to each one.

For actual dining purposes (and so I can put a place setting at the ends of the table) I will probably cut the burlap in half and use a shorter version, with the extra going to our farmhouse table in the kitchen. I have a large family and we usually overflow several tables. I plan to wait and add sprigs of fresh greenery to the tables on Christmas Eve so they don't dry out before then.

And because I still love seeing my china cabinet arrangement, I am sharing a link to Christmas in our dining room and our Christmas home tour. Thanks for stopping by, and to my new followers from the Christmas tour, welcome! As I'm sure many of you are facing, this week will be especially busy but I am making a real effort to not sweat the small stuff and to enjoy this last week of Advent. I have a few gift certificates to pick up after work tomorrow, and then some wrapping left to do. What about you?

I'm sharing this with...

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wow Us Wednesday #45 at Savvy Southern Style

White Wednesday #131 at Faded Charm

Christmas Home Tour ~2011

2011-12-11T21:04:00.011-05:00

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

Christmas on Our Front Porch~ 2011

2011-12-11T15:20:00.008-05:00

Welcome to our little porch here in southern Ontario, Canada!

In winter our spring/summer porch chairs get switched for this big Muskoka chair that can handle lots of snow and cold weather. I added a simple wreath to our door, and vintage skis, figure skates and hockey skates for decor that reflects our love of winter sports. We have about 25 hockey sticks around here (no kidding!), and they often turn up on the porch (and the entry, in front of the TV, in our bedroom...) So it was fitting that I didn't move the pair on the porch today. Just decorated around them.

I used greenery, red, black and neutrals that are similar to the colours used in our kitchen and family room Christmas decor. The same burlap ribbon, red and black buffalo checked ribbon, and red wood berry garland are also used on our family room tree.

Hockey is big in our family and home. Our boys, and almost all my many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews have played or currently play hockey. And some figure skate too. Skating and hockey is a national thing, and for us it is a family thing too. We learned to skate when we were three and had to hold onto a chair or get help from older siblings and cousins.

I reused my black planters and filled them with fresh princess pine and aromatic cedar, along with some red dogwood branches for colour. Love the smell of the greens as we come and go. The little snowman in the sidelight window was made by our oldest son in grade 4 (I must have dropped his other stick arm and mitten, oops.)

I shared my vintage skis find on our porch last Christmas, here. Do you skate, and if so do you wear hockey skates or figure skates? When I was growing up we called them 'boys' skates and 'girls' skates but now there are so many girls playing hockey (and some boys figure skating) that they are 'figure skates' or 'hockey skates.'

No matter where you are, I thank you for dropping by and wish you a wonderful day!

I'm sharing this with...

At The Picket Fence's Christmas Blogger Block Party~doors and porches

SNS at Funky Junk Interiors

Savvy Southern Style's WOW us Wednesdays

Christmas Vignettes

2011-12-09T21:38:00.003-05:00

Today I am sharing some vignettes of my Christmas 2011 decor for some fun link parties.

family room armoire

kitchen buffet and hutch

kitchen shelves

kitchen breakfast counter

top of hutch

living room bench

dining room china cabinet

dining room table

kitchen table

Details of the vignettes can be found in the links below each picture. I will add more as I finish and find some good light to take photos in. Thanks for stopping by!

And these are the parties I am linking to...

Feathered Nest Friday Holiday Vignettes and the Christmas Blogger Block Party at French Country Cottage

Saturday Night Special #111 (aka SNS) at Funky Junk Interiors

Christmas in our Family Room ~2011

2011-12-08T19:01:00.003-05:00

Our main Christmas tree with our special and collected ornaments is in our family room.

Our kids help decorate this tree so I still need to adjust a few ornaments and wrap presents, but I thought I would share what we have in this room so far. This tree is all about special memories and colour. Carefully school-crafted ornaments mix with ornaments we picked up on various vacations. There are also lots of farm and Canadiana themed ornaments as well.

There are lots of ornaments that I hand stitched and for my guys some hockey ornaments. We decided with just all the snowmen ornaments we could decorate a whole other tree.

The lights are a mix of coloured (our boys' favourite) and white (my favourite) in two size. We switched to energy efficient Christmas tree lights over the last few years and I love that they don't get hot. The wood berry strands act as garland each year, but this year I changed from the red and green plaid bows to my red and black buffalo check and let it fall from the top of the tree.

The only additions to our collection this year are the three primitive farm animals (about $12 at A Country Mile in Milton) and the wood Dear Santa and rustic wood candy canes ($1 each at the Milton Farm Museum annual Craft Show.) Our boys think we need a taller tree next year because this one is decorated all the way round and is very full! They also said no burlap garland on this tree either because it was hiding some of their favourite ornaments. I'm just happy that at 12 and 14 they still love decorating it.

Our tree topper is a metal folk art Santa that I bought at Peek Thru My Window in Markdale, Ontario when our boys were little.

These Mickey, Goofy and Minnie ornaments came back from our family trip to Disney World in 2008 and another Disney ornament from our honeymoon trip.

I stitched both the quilted panel wall hanging and the Here Comes Santa Claus pillow a few years ago.

I also love these little cross-stitch ornaments I made over the years.

To help pass time on hot summer days, I taught my boys and two of my nieces how to cross stitch ornaments. Now several of my great nieces want to learn.

The lights are so pretty at night and I just love that ribbon! The interior branches are full of shiny red balls that reflect the light so nicely but I'm having trouble getting a photo.

Well, I'm getting carried away with the photos so I will stop here. If you would like to see our Canadiana living room tree last year, click here or our Canadian family room Christmas tree last year, click here. I hope to share more of our family room and our porch on the weekend. And maybe I can get a less blurry shot of the full tree ;)

So many great regular parties and special Christmas theme parties to link up to! I hope you get a chance to visit them. I am linking to the following...

Blogger Block Christmas Tree Party at 2805

SNS at Funky Junk Interiors

Christmas in our Living Room ~2011

2011-12-06T17:10:00.004-05:00

Continuing with our Christmas decor, today I am sharing our living room.

Our living room tree is decorated in neutrals with a touch of blue. We used whites, creams, browns and tans, silver and shades of blue, mixing natural elements like greenery, wood and pinecones with shiny and sparkly. Colours and textures similar to our everyday decor.

The gallery wall is still a work in progress, but I'm fine with that. No stressing before the holidays and keeping Advent in mind.

For the tree we used small and large balls in cream, white, silver and blues in matte, glittery, shiny and mirrored finishes. Ornaments with beads and jewels and simple burlap and muslin garland.

Crocheted snowflakes and wedding bells.

Shiny jingle bells and clear glass balls.

Rusty barn stars and angels in pewter and glass.

Lots of textures and finishes on this slim tree.

The PEACE banner I made hangs in the front window.

This is the room we use for visiting with family, a place to read or do needlework. Our TV, computer and main family tree is in our family room. The presents under the tree are real but still need some ribbon and tags, oops!

Real pine and mini glass balls were added to the white square platter with faux berry wreath holding the scented candle.

When I shared our Christmas dining room I mentioned that the only thing we bought new for Christmas decor this year was some fresh greenery (and some I gathered for free) and $4 for a 24 pack of the blue mini glass ornaments (Real Canadian Superstore half price.) So unless I see something really tempting in the next week or so, our entire Christmas decor budget was less than $20. The fun was in finding new uses and places for our everyday decor and Christmas things.

And our Remington girl with the crazy strong tail was my constant companion as I sifted through the many Christmas bins. Luckily the only casualties were a few glass balls that couldn't hold up to the baseball bat of her tail.

Thanks for stopping by and if you missed them, I also posted our dining room and kitchen. I also shared our tabletops here. I would love if you could take a moment and leave a comment (it is a great way for me to catch up with friends and find new blogs.)

There is so much beautiful inspiration in the Christmas parties that are happening (and I'm joining) in the following link parties....

Thrify Decor Chick's Holiday Home Party~Trees. Thanks Sarah!

Savvy Southern Style's WOW us Wednesday. Thanks Kim!

Coastal Charm's Nifty Thrifty Tuesday. Thanks Linda!

Blogger Block Christmas Tree Party at 2805. Thanks Honey!

Christmas Tree Linky & Giveaway at Midwestern {sewing} Girl

Christmas in Our Kitchen~2011

2011-12-05T06:30:00.008-05:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at our home and today I'm sharing our kitchen!

I'm still using lots of white, naturals and greenery for our Christmas decorating, but in the kitchen I was inspired by our metal dairy sign and vintage rolling pins to add traditonal Christmas colours.

Strings of red wooden berries fill a mercury glass footed bowl as a centerpiece on the kitchen table. There are at least a dozen strands in that bowl (and more on the family room tree.) Back in the late 80's I bought every package I could get my hands on at the now closed White Rose Nursuries. Ha! I'm 46 and making myself sound like an old hoarder. More beads, little silver and cream glass balls, pine and aromatic cedar fill the silver tray.

Repeating the white dishes, greenery and pinecones from Christmas in our dining room with red, green and blue added.

The breakfast counter got a little vignette too. It was fun taking our everyday items and using our Christmas stuff in a new way. Didn't have to buy a thing!

This might be my favourite little spot with my vintage rolling pins and cookie cutters in a glass cannister and the quilted ball I made. My neice Heather (13 now) was helping me bake one day and accidently broke the lid but I kept the container for storing cookie cutters and icing tips. I used a bit of raffia to tie a large gingerbread man cutter to the front. Can you see it?

Love the simplicity of white pitchers and greenery. Hate popcorn ceilings ;)

An advent calendar I quilted when my boys were little.

Digging out my red china chargers added a big pop of red to the buffet and hutch.

Greenery, pinecones and a little sheet music wrapped gift on oval diner/ restaurant ware plates. The smell of the aromatic cedar is just wonderful.

The old Christmas string bulbs gave me a reason not to put away my much loved aqua Crown mason jars.

See a theme here? I kept the broken cannister and also several strands of red berries when the string broke. They make great filler.

I didn't even move my vintage kitchen scale, just added the wood berries.

Okay, just one more photo because I think the etching on these mercury glass candleholders is so cute. A lot cuter than the ~~etching~~ scratches on my refinished farmhouse tabletop.

Thanks for stopping by (and for making it this far with so many photos!) If you missed our dining room you can see it here.

I'm sharing this with the following holiday link parties....
Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
WOW us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
At The Picket Fence Blogger Block Party ~In the Kitchen

Christmas Table Decor ~2011

2011-12-04T18:58:00.006-05:00

Our mantel is still a work in progress so I am happy to be able to share four Christmas table tops in our home.

Dining Room

For Christmas decorating this year in our dining room and living room I am using whites, creams, browns and tans, silver and shades of blue, mixing natural elements with shiny and sparkly. These colours, along with black, are the colours we have throughout our home all year.

I shared more photos and details of this arrangement here and the rest of our dining room here.

Living Room

We are still searching for an affordable rustic coffee table for our living room so I am using this little white wood bench as a stand in. I simply added fresh greens and silver and cream mini glass balls to the brown wood berry wreath and scented candle on the square white platter. The lanterns have the most lovely wavy glass.

Looking at these photos I am now going to go back and add a strip of burlap to the bench to give it more texture.

I think the colours and simple arrangement suit our more rustic living room.

My full living room Christmas post can be found here.

Kitchen

Our farmhouse table in the kitchen has a mercury glass footed bowl etched with snowflakes. It is simply filled with strings of red wooden berries that I placed on an old silver tray with strings of cream and white beads, fresh princess pine and aromatic cedar, and mini glass balls in silver and cream.

The pair of votive holders are mercury glass with a lovely etched pattern on the glass and I added red wood berries and sugar cookie votives. I shared Christmas in our kitchen, including the display shelves and buffet here.

I will be adding our family room ottoman arrangement when I finish in there and then editing this post.

Thanks for stopping by and I would love if you could take a moment and leave a comment to let me know you were here.

I'm sharing this with and looking forward to seeing all the other link ups in the following Holiday link parties...

Holiday Home Link Party at TheLetteredCottage -Layla's Table Decor

Met Monday at Between Naps on The Porch -Thanks for hosting, Susan!

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life- it's # 93 thanks Marty!

Christmas in our Dining Room ~2011

2011-12-03T14:19:00.012-05:00

It is looking like Christmas at our home and today I am sharing our dining room.

We have a simple country look all year in our dining room. For Christmas decor I added greenery and natural elements, shiny and glass ornaments and candleholders, ribbons and burlap.

Our dining room is visible from the front entry and open to the living room so I kept the colours and textures of our holiday decor in these areas consistent: whites, creams, browns and tans, silver and shades of blue, mixing natural elements like greenery, wood and pinecones with shiny and sparkly.

I adore my white dishes and keep this black pine Mennonite cabinet (and our kitchen cupboard and buffet and hutch) filled with many pieces. Crocheted and vintage linens are also things I love to collect, so little bits show up in most of my photos.

The little star hanging on the knob is made of battenburg textile and I added some pinecones and aromatic cedar to the cabinet.

I shared more photos and details of the dining table vignette here.

The ornaments in the window were shared here. We already had all of the items used in our dining room Christmas decor, except for a $4 package of the little blue glass ornaments on the table and the greenery.

We woke up to beautiful sunshine today so I was able to take lots of photos that I will be sharing in the upcoming week. Tonight after our youngest son's hockey game, we plan to walk our dog to my sister and bil's. Most of our neighbours have their homes and yards decorated and it is so pretty at night! Thanks for stopping by, and if you leave a comment I will be sure to visit!

I'm sharing our dining room at these great parties...

SNS at Funky Junk Interiors

Potpourri Party at 2805

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello

and Christmas Blogger Block Party ~Holiday Dining at No Minimalist Here

Christmas Dining Room Table Vignette

2011-11-29T19:46:00.007-05:00

I had fun styling our dining table for the Christmas season.

For a focal point on our dining room pine farmhouse table I started with a plank of rough sawn solid cherry that we got from my father-in-law's former sawmill. The plank is layered on a white cutwork tablerunner and wide burlap ribbon.

Then I began to gather items from around our home and in our Christmas bins. The only new purchase for this vignette was a pack of mini glass ornaments in blues (a pack of 24 on sale for $4 at Real Canadian Superstore this week.) I started with another length of burlap on the plank, then a length of sheer silver ribbon. Strings of cream and white beads were added on top of the ribbon and across the burlap. Then I added the little sled to the centre and an apothecary jar with silver balls and a glass vase with wine corks on either side. Gaps were filled in with silver and white votive candles, lots of glass candleholders, creamy-white pillar candles, and white square cut dinner candles.

Next came large and small pinecones and fresh princess pine and aromatic cedar followed by shiny and matt mini glass ornaments in white, cream, silver, and shades of blue.

A vintage Crown mason jar with river rocks holding some fresh pine and a kissing ball made of birch bark curls sit on the little sled.

Despite the constant rain these past few days, and the fact that it gets dark now so early, I decided to take these photos this afternoon. I am hoping for some sunshine by the weekend to take photos of both Christmas trees. I'm not a pro, but I sure had fun pulling this together. It is probably not practical for dining, but we have another table in our kitchen. For Christmas Eve and Christmas day we will need both tables so I will probably move this display and just use a simple pitcher with greenery or flowers. But for now, we are really loving it.

There are so many great parties to join this week, and I'm loving all the holiday inspiration at the following parties...

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

WOW Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Christmas Cheer Link Party at A Thoughtful Place

Potpourri Party at 2805

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Easy Christmas Idea #7 ~Hang Pretty Ornaments

2011-11-28T10:24:00.001-05:00

Today in #7 in my Easy Christmas Ideas series I am sharing a use for extra ornaments.

Easy Christmas Ideas ~A series at Blue Clear Sky~

I will be sharing some simple ideas for Christmas decorating using items you may already have or that you can find inexpensively. My goal is to inspire readers looking for affordable and easy ways to decorate this Christmas. Your style may be different than mine, but many of the ideas can be altered to suit your taste.

Easy Christmas Idea #7 ~Hang Pretty Ornaments

Bring some Christmas cheer to a room by hanging pretty ornaments in a window, from a curtain rod, on a cabinet knob, or from a shelf. I used a sheer pale aqua wired ribbon, but any ribbon, twine or even fishing line would work. It is a great way to highlight special, vintage or just pretty ornaments (and it keeps delicate ornaments away from little fingers and our chocolate Lab's weapon of a wagging tail.) I bought these ornaments a couple of years ago at Canadian Tire, and used them in our masterbedroom window before, here.

We are having rain with overcast skies here for a few days that is making it difficult to get proper light in our rooms for photos. I hope you are having a great start to your week. I'm getting pretty excited with all the Christmas posts and photos that are beginning to appear on my favourite blogs!

Did you miss any of the other posts in this series?

Easy Christmas Idea #1 Buckets and Balls
Easy Christmas Idea #2 Leftover Christmas Lights
Easy Christmas Idea #3 Fabric and Burlap Garland
Easy Christmas Idea #4 Vintage Sports Equipment
Easy Christmas Idea #5 Mason Jar Snow Scene
Easy Christmas Idea #6 Make Your Own Bunting or Banner

I'm sharing this with...
The DIY Showoff

A Calf Print for the Photo Gallery

2011-11-26T16:55:00.002-05:00

We added this prize winning Charolais calf to the photo gallery in our living room.

A professional photographer I am NOT, but I enjoy printing and framing photographs I have taken of our family and interests including the huge barn photo in our living room and the barn photos in our kitchen. It is not expensive original art, but I love the look and personality they give to our home. I had an 8" x 10" print made from the photo I took of my son's 4-H calf project at the Royal and added it to this photo gallery in the living room that is STILL a work in progress. With Christmas, work, and family I realize that this gallery is not going to be finished before Christmas, but I can live with that. We don't go back to school and work after the holidays until January 9th so that will give me some time to devote to it then, and save me stress worrying about it now. That's how I roll.

These photos of the print aren't as good as the in-real-life print which shows the beautiful old barnboard of the Royal Winter Fair barn stalls. But then, the in-real-life print doesn't do justice to the real live calf either. She is a prize winning beauty and we are thankful to our friends, her owners, who allowed our son to show her this past year.

I hope you are having a great weekend! I'm sharing this with...

SNS at Funky Junk Interiors

The DIY Showoff

Easy Christmas Idea #6 ~Make Your Own Bunting or Banner

2011-11-26T08:41:00.001-05:00

I crafted a Christmas banner for today's Easy Christmas Idea #6.

Easy Christmas Ideas ~A series at Blue Clear Sky~

Easy Christmas Idea #6 ~ Make Your Own Bunting or Banner

Christmas buntings or banners can be made with fabric, ribbons, string, cardstock, fancy papers, paint, chipboard letters, glitter... there are so many options using supplies you may already have on hand or can pick up at discount or dollar stores. The flags can be plain or have text like 'JOY', 'HOHOHO', 'NOEL', 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' and more. Hang the banner or bunting on a mantel, curtain rod, Christmas tree, banister, across a doorway, on the porch... and enjoy a splash of Christmas cheer.

Hoping all my American friends had a great Thanksgiving. I'm so looking forward to your Christmas posts!

Did you miss any of the other posts in this series?
Easy Christmas Idea #1 Buckets and Balls
Easy Christmas Idea #2 Leftover Christmas Lights
Easy Christmas Idea #3 Fabric and Burlap Garland
Easy Christmas Idea #4 Vintage Sports Equipment
Easy Christmas Idea #5 Mason Jar Snow Scene

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

Gorgeous Christmas Salt Box in ConneCticut

2011-11-24T16:59:00.002-05:00

Isn't this a pretty front door for Christmas and winter?

It belongs to this charming salt box home in Connecticut...

and the owners, Frank and Andra Mollica. Many of you may have seen the article in Country Living magazine, or on countryliving online, but I can't help sharing it. I admire the colours, textures, and simple feel of this home so much (including the Christmas decor.)

The wall and trim colours are very much like our main floor and hallways. Love the little trees in bowls and buckets. I would love to have a wall of windows with a wreath in each one. I might just have to try a similar look in our family room. Hmm...

The galvanized tub for a tree stand is another perfect touch, in my opinion. Can you tell I like my home to be a little simpler, a little more rustic?

Stop by the link to CL if you would like to see the kitchen and other photos. I'm going to strain my eyes analyzing these photos a bit longer ;)

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends today. Enjoy your weekend and safe travels, including to my sister, brother-in-law and two nieces travelling today from here in Ontario to Pittsburgh, PA. We have our family room tree up, but lots of decorating still to do. On another note, I have always considered myself a pretty good speller, but I really did not know that Connecticut had that middle 'c'.

PEACE Banner in Naturals and Blues

2011-11-20T21:40:00.008-05:00

It may not have traditional Christmas colours, but this PEACE banner is the first thing I have made for Christmas decorating this year.

It is also the first indoor decoration we have in place. (Warning: Evening photos that are making my white living room walls look yellowy. I'll have to try again in daylight.)

I made this PEACE banner with items I already had in my craft supplies, so there was no new cost. I didn't have chipboard letters to glitter, so I used cardstock to print out large outlined letters on Microsoft Word. I cut the cardstock into squares making sure the letter was centered in each square. Using a small paintbrush I painted inside the outlined letter with white glue and poured on the Martha Stewart glitter in azure. If you miss a spot, just add more glue with the tip of the brush, and then pour on more glitter.

With blue accents in our living room, I decided on a natural and blue theme for this banner. My boys are taller than me, so they hung it up tonight, but I may adjust the height.

I love the sparkle of the Martha Stewart azure glitter. With chipboard letters there would be more dimension and a layered look, but I'm happy with my make-do version. The loose weave burlap is cut from a roll of burlap from Michaels craft store (the same type I used on our Canadiana Christmas tree last year and our Cowboy Christmas Tree the year before.)

The little bows are a light blue sheer wire-edged ribbon.

Wishing all my American blogging friends a Happy Thanksgiving! and PEACE! We are having a quiet weekend (our Thanksgiving here in Canada was back in October) but my sister, bil, and nieces are headed to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania for a girl's hockey tournament.

I'm sharing with...
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
WOW us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Under $100 party at Beyond the Picket Fence
SNS at Funky Junk Interiors - Rustic/Natural/Burlap Christmas Decor 2011 Special

Easy Christmas Idea #5 ~ Mason Jar Snow Scene

2011-11-19T10:31:00.003-05:00

Thanks for stopping by this fifth installment in my Easy Christmas Series.

Easy Christmas Ideas ~A series at Blue Clear Sky~

Easy Christmas Idea #5 ~ Mason Jar Snow Scene

You can easily and inexpensively add a little Christmas or winter scene to your home with a mason jar, food jar, apothecary jar, or vase. Simply add some artificial snow or epsom salts, a favourite Christmas ornament, little house, bird, forest animal...whatever suits your style or theme. Tie a ribbon, a scrap of fabric or twine around the top of the jar and enjoy. I have also made others to share with family and as little hostess gifts. Only 35 days until Christmas!

Did you miss any of the other posts in this series?

Easy Christmas Idea #1 Buckets and Balls

Easy Christmas Idea #2 Leftover Christmas Lights

Easy Christmas Idea #3 Fabric and Burlap Garland

Easy Christmas Idea #4 Vintage Sports Equipment

I'm sharing with....
SNS #108 at Funky Junk Interiors

Easy Christmas Idea #4 ~Vintage Sports Equipment

2011-11-16T20:41:00.005-05:00

Thanks for stopping by to see this fourth post in my Easy Christmas Ideas series.

Easy Christmas Ideas ~A series at Blue Clear Sky~

Easy Christmas Idea #4 ~Vintage Sports Equipment

Add some outdoorsy Christmas style to your home by displaying vintage sports equipment with greenery or ribbons. You could use old skiis, ice skates, snowshoes, equestrian helmets, an old fishing vest or creel, or even tennis rackets. Indoors or out, just pick your favourite sports and keep your eyes open at thrift stores, yard sales or dig in the garage or shed for these vintage pieces.

Did you miss any of the other posts in this series?

Easy Christmas Idea #1 Buckets and Balls
Easy Christmas Idea #2 Leftover Christmas Lights
Easy Christmas Idea #3 Fabric and Burlap Garland

I'm sharing this with...
WOW us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Farmhouse Friday at Laurie Anna's Vintage Home

Easy Christmas Idea #3 ~ Fabric and Burlap Tree Garlands

2011-11-13T19:18:00.003-05:00

Time for part three of my Easy Christmas Ideas series.

Easy Christmas Ideas ~A series at Blue Clear Sky~

Easy Christmas Idea #3 ~Fabric and Burlap Tree Garlands

A Christmas tree garland can be easily made from cut or ripped fabric strips or burlap. A chain of book page or scrapbook paper strips would also be easy and affordable. Pick a colour or texture that suits your decor style and theme. Garland is great for adding some fullness to your tree. Do you use a garland and what type?

Did you miss any of the other posts in this series?

Easy Christmas Idea #1 Buckets and Balls

Easy Christmas Idea #2 Leftover Christmas Lights

I'm joining...

WOW us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Easy Christmas Idea #2 ~ Leftover Christmas Lights

2011-11-12T09:23:00.002-05:00

Today I am sharing the second in a series of Christmas ideas.

Easy Christmas Ideas ~A series at Blue Clear Sky~

Easy Christmas Idea #2 ~ Leftover Christmas Lights

Do you have broken Christmas light strands or have you switched to energy efficient bulbs? Don't throw away the old bulbs. Gather assorted coloured bulbs, or just your theme colours, and pop them in a glass vase, under a cloche or in a basket for some inexpensive Christmas decor.

Did you miss any of the other posts in this series?

Easy Christmas Idea #1 Buckets and Balls

I'm sharing with SNS at Funky Junk Interiors

I Will Remember ~Highway of Heroes

2011-11-11T16:08:00.006-05:00

On this Remembrance Day, as we remember the young lives cut short in their brightest of days by war,
WE WILL REMEMBER.

Here in Ontario, one of our major highways is the 401, also called the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway. A few years ago a stretch of Highway 401 was also named Highway of Heroes, in honour of Canada's fallen servicemen and servicewomen. This length of highway 401 is often travelled by a convoy of vehicles carrying a fallen soldier's body, with his or her family, from Canadian Forces Base Trenton to the coroner's office at the Centre for Forensic Sciences in Toronto. Since 2002, when the first of Canada's fallen soldiers were returned from Afghanistan, crowds have lined the overpasses to pay their respects as convoys pass. Highway of Heroes was co-written and co-produced by The Trews and Gordie Johnson. It was inspired by the 2006 death of Captain Nichola Goddard from The Trews' hometown of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. We thank and honour those who have sacrificed all in service of country.

The Highway of Heroes by The Trews

The day I shipped out,
They numbered a dozen.
Upon my return,
Were a hundred or so.
From the coast and from the prairies,
I bet they keep coming.
add one more name from Ontario.

Chorus:
Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes.
True Patriot Love,
There was never more.

I served with distinction,
No visions of glory.
I served without question,
Or personal gain.
Seek no justification,
Its not part of my story.
and it offers
No comfort to the ones who remain.

Chorus:
Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes.
True Patriot Love,
There was never more.

I took up my vocation,
I was called by my nation.
Without hesitation,
My answer I gave.
Now I am not wondering,
the things that I might have been.
I'm no consolation,
To the forgotten brave.

Chorus:
So Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes.
True Patriot Love,
There was never more.

Chorus:
Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes.
People I love with their heads held low.
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes.
True Patriot Love,
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more

Easy Christmas Idea #1~Buckets and Balls

2011-11-09T18:57:00.004-05:00

Today I am sharing the first in a series of Christmas idea posts.

Easy Christmas Ideas ~A series at Blue Clear Sky~

Easy Christmas Idea #1 ~ Buckets and Balls

Hiding the base of a tree can be easily accomplished with a bucket, pail, or crock (in this case an ugly plastic stand.) I used a $2 galvanized bucket from the dollar store to hold a tabletop tree. Filling the bucket with beach stones helps to keep the tree steady and balanced. Shiny and matte white, silver and cream Christmas balls from the grocery store and bead garland from earlier years fill a thrifted vintage silverplate tray and add sparkle and interest to the arrangement. This would be a great way to use new, thrifted or vintage balls and garland.

I'm sharing with...
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

4-H at The Royal

2011-11-08T17:29:00.000-05:00

This little miss and our oldest son had a busy time at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.

The photo below shows K competing in the 4-H National Junior Beef showmanship. In Comformation they won 1st place in Calf Class.

It was a sea of green in the 4-H beef parade that started the competition, with youth from Ontario and across Canada showing their region or provincial signs and flags.

It was a busy, exciting, fun, and tiring few days and we are proud of K and all the competitors. So much to see, to eat and hours upon hours of walking and standing. (And I have learned that I need a different lense on my camera for next year for distance photos.)

Barnyard Ornaments

2011-11-04T19:37:00.003-04:00

Can you tell where my mind is lately?

I just bought my second Christmas magazine in a week, kind of a record for me : ) The Special Issue of styleathome 100+ Favourite Holiday Ideas is full of inspiration (and I have the same footed mercury glass bowl as displayed on page 20.)

I took a quick trip to Milton, Ontario to visit my favourite coffee and gift shop, The Country Mile. I always stock up on candles and votives there as they have the most awesome scented soy candles. I'm using up the last of my 'fall' scents and colours this week, so I picked up some white 'orange cupcake' scented votives.

The store is decorated beautifully and they are still adding product. There were so many items I would have loved to bring home with me, and I couldn't resist this trio of carved barn animals, a cow, a pig and a sheep. We're off to The Royal this weekend so I'm sure to get even more inspiration there. Wishing you a great weekend.

I'm joining the Potpourri Party at 2805

Dairy Inspired Cloche

2011-11-01T18:08:00.008-04:00

Most of my readers know we are a bit farm and cow obsessed at our home, in the nicest way of course ; )

With the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair starting this week in Toronto, Ontario, I was inspired to create a dairy themed cloche centerpiece for our kitchen. We have always attended 'The Royal' (Canada's most prominent agricultural event held indoors for two weeks every November) but it is even more fun for us now because our oldest son participated in the dairy show last year, and will be participating in the beef show this year.

For this centerpiece, I used a black wire cloche on a white platter. Because the cloche is tall, I added a vintage wooden spool to raise the old milk bottle with the embossed 'Brampton Jerseys' label. A white Holstein Dairy show ribbon and vintage brass cow tags, and a trio of little milk/cream bottles complete the centerpiece. My son thought it was crazy that I wanted to use a white ribbon because they are 3rd place, when I could have used 1st place red ribbons. It's all about the colour, baby.

We have put away all our Halloween decorations and I'm enjoying this simple look in the kitchen. This centerpiece, the Keady Livestock and Farmer's Market sign, and my barn photos will be the backdrop to many conversations our family will have around this farmhouse table in the next few weeks. A bit of farm love in suburbia!

Thanks to the many blogs I read, including Marty's at A Stroll Thru Life, I had the courage to attempt this little arrangement using items I already had on hand quickly after work today. Marty said just about anything could go under a cloche. If you question your decorating skills, as I often do, or think you don't have the items it takes to put together a little vignette, you may miss out on the pleasure of adding some personality or seasonal fun to your home. Look around your home, take inspiration from others, and just go for it. Happy November!

I'm joining...
Fall Cloche Party at A Stroll Thru Life
White Wednesday at Faded Charm
WOW Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Charm

Bloggers in BHG Christmas Ideas.

2011-10-30T21:21:00.002-04:00

I know, I know, it is only Halloween, but I just had to buy this Christmas magazine.

While waiting in a really loooong grocery lineup today, BHG Special Interest Publications 2011 Christmas Ideas caught my eye. A quick flip through revealed lots of pretties including the Christmas homes of diy/decor bloggers Layla and Kevin of The Lettered Cottage...

Jennifer Grey of The Old Painted Cottage...

Lauren Liess of Pure Style Home...

and Kate Riley of Centsationalgirl (edited to add this one that I somehow missed on my quick flip through.)

Of course I brought this one home! I find myself reading shelter magazines differently now, always checking to see if the photographer, stylist or home is the work of someone I 'know' from the world of blogs. I admit it kind of makes those articles even better. I can hardly wait for some quiet time this evening to read the whole issue.