Endless uses for mason jars...

The mason jar...oh, the uses! I gobbled up oodles of them at garage sales before Miss B's tea party. We used them for the "princess tea" drinking jars - they were adorable, inexpensive, "green" and spill proof. You just can't beat that. My friends have since borrowed for their children's parties. Drinking jars are just one use...head to the flea markets and scoop them up. You'll never look at a mason jar the same way again....

jar drinking glasses at Miss B's tea party

craft shelf in our home

jar button lamp from my bedroom

nosegay in mason jar - door of Cherry Hill Cottage

wedding chair flower jars ~ Georgie My Love

cookie jar ~ Bakerella

hanging mason jar candleholders ~ Pottery Barn

craft wall ~ source unknown

pantry of jars ~ Country Living

vacation memory jars ~ Martha Stewart Kids

sewing kit in a jar ~ Martha Stewart Living (August 2006)

Soap or lotion dispenser ~ Midwest Finds (Etsy)

candle display ~ Country Living

for more mason jar love - head to The Inspired Room

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is a special day...March 10th - my Mother's birthday. She is a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She lives her life with passion and grace.

I see my beautiful daughter in her eyes.

Mom ~ we wish you a wonderful day. Happy birthday! (snapshots of a life being well-lived)

Hippity, hoppity, Easter's on its way!

After being covered in snow this winter - we're finally feeling Spring. The temperatures are creeping up and the birds are chirping. Speaking of chirping birds...I found these sweet chicks and fell for them -- and yes, they do "chirp". I thought Miss B's classmates would like them this Easter. I'm trying to steer clear of giving them candy and I think their parents and dentists appreciate it. Although, I did slip in ONE teeny-tiny bunny lollipop.

Thinking of Spring, Easter and flowers here....

chirping chicks

all the makings...

I couldn't resist the bunny bags (Dollar Tree)

gingham bow stickers from Martha Stewart (she's a genius)!

"grass" paper shred...

bunny bags...

Saturday at Shutters ~ blues!

It's Saturday and I'm at Shutters. Blue skies and blue decor!

For more....visit Shutter's blog here.

Wicker covered bottles

Little Miss B has been home sick two days in a row. So, this blog post is going to be short. We've been busy doing puzzles and playing make-up artist ;-) No time for extensive blogging.

I adore wicker covered bottles. I gravitate toward anything with texture. I have several bottles, my mother has some and my sister has oodles of them. They make for a wonderful collection. Enjoy the photos below. Bye for now.

wicker bottle collection on shelf surrounding our bath

wicker bottle collection on Grandma's kitchen counter (salt & pepper shaker too)

more wicker covered bottles at Grandma's

even more from Grandma's (she owns more than I thought)

large textured bottle from Shutters in Fair Haven (we all own one)

Blue Ocean Traders

source unknown

And the Oscar goes to...Kathleen at Twig & Thistle

This blog-world stuff thrills me and here's why. Each year I have somehow been elected to create Oscar ballots for my boss's Academy Awards party. It's a small part of my very "diverse" job. I inwardly grumble about the task but secretly kind of love it. It allows for me to be somewhat creative. I usually create my own instead of using ballots from online. So, I completed this year's Oscar ballots and moved on UNTIL I came across Kathleen's blog, Twig & Thistle. There she has created two blog posts dedicated to a do it yourself Oscar party - complete with downloads. There are downloads for invitations, candy bag toppers, candy trays, fresh popcorn bags and YES a beautiful Oscar ballot! She just oozes style. Of course, I quickly purged my ballots and downloaded away. I simply added red and silver star brads to the ballot and the additional 6 categories which Kathleen left off due to space constraints. So, if you're having an Academy Award party this Sunday - head to Kathleen's blog right away. She makes me want to host a party next year. Below are some images of the Oscar ballots. The first is mine.

And the Oscar goes to...Kathleen at Twig & Thistle!

added red and silver star brads for Hollywood sparkle and to hold the ballot within the cover

Twig & Thistle

Grab a fork

Forks, spoons and knives ~ they're for more than just eating.

I love the look of them in kitchen decor. Or functioning as a recipe holder, garden marker or dishtowel.

Their uses are endless...

shadow boxed spoons and butter knives ~ from our kitchen

close up of spoons ~ love the green scripted background with five of our favorite months

three butter knives

large fork flanking our stove ~ this fork was once black and damaged but restored with silver spray paint

Vintage fork easel for recipes or photos ~ WHIMSYlove at Etsy

Vintage silverware garden markers ~ MonkeysAlwaysLook at Etsy

Yummy tea towel ~ MrPS on Etsy