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Freshen Up Your Doors With Trim

24/4/2025

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Slab door
Before
Door with base shoe trim
After
by Maria Lisa Polegatto

Have you looked around your home lately and thought about replacing anything? Or, instead, what about an easy DIY project? 

I recently did a few slab doors in my home and freshened them up to make them look fancy! lol Sometimes an easy and cheap DIY is better on the pocketbook and a small change can make a big difference. So how did I do it?

I took a look at my colonial doors and used the same measurements from the top, bottom and sides to the inner style. I then measured the same measurements on the slab doors with a tape measure, marked them with pencil and took a long straightedge to run the lines for the trim I planned to add to the doors.

Then I went to my local building supply company and picked a trim. There is lots to choose from but I went with base shoe trim to give it a nice clean addition. I bought 2 pieces of trim for each door, a miter box and glue to put it on. I was going to use my nail gun but the doors are hollow so the glue was a better option. Now for the fun part.

Home I got to work. I cleared the potting bench outside on the deck and began measuring, double measuring, cutting, more measurements, more cutting and gluing. I made a few mistakes cutting the trim the wrong 90 degree angle along the way but by the time I was done, I was getting the hang of it, lol. 

Then it was time to stand back and see if it made a difference and it did! I am impressed at how much difference that little change made to the doors. It was easy, cheaper than buying new doors and nice to have done it myself. The trim is white which matched the doors so I have time to decide on paint color before I do that another day.

What DIY projects have you done lately to save from replacing items you already have? If I can do this, so can you! Believe in yourself. 

DIY Door Freshen Up Supplies:
Plastic mitre box (I got mine for less than $13.00)
Hacksaw
Base shoe trim or trim of your choice
Glue - I found mine in the same isle as the trim
Pencil
Long straightedge
Doors - use your own instead of buying new ones!




#DIY #diyprojects #diyhomedecor #diyideas #DIYinspiration #novascotialife
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DIY Memory/Gratitude/Blessings Jar

1/1/2025

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Blessing Jar
Memory/Gratitude/Blessing Jar
Picture
by Maria Lisa Polegatto

Happy 2025 new year everyone!! I am wishing everyone a happy, wondrous, healthy, prosperous year.  Today is a great day to look forward to a great year ahead. I want to share with you something to create creativity and positivity into your year.

Have you made a memory/gratitude/blessing jar before? Here's a quick and easy way to remember your year of blessings for the coming year you can read on next new year's eve. You can even use items you already have around your home. Here are the details:

Ingredients:

*jar of your choice - just a few examples in the pic. Bonus points for a jar you have already. No need to go out and buy a jar. A mason jar has a top you can place an image on the inner top and cover with the screw part top.  You can paint the jar, leave it as is or decoupage an image on it.

*pen of your choice - l love an old fashioned bic pen. It writes smooth and you can see when it is ready to replace the ink with a refill. You can use a pretty pen or one of sentimental value and even tie it to your jar.

*paper of your choice to write and fold up your memories on, ie notepad, paper bag cut in squares, post its. Get creative with paper you have already. You can fold, roll or make shapes with your paper pieces.

*small envelopes to put items in, ie: petals, button, gift card tags.

*paper clip - not too big so it fits in the jar, one with a fun top, a color one or plain.

*Embellishments of your choice, ie:  lace, fancy paper, yarn to wrap around the jar, ribbon, etc.. Make a bow, add some stars and flowers. Be creative, have fun, enjoy the process. 

Process:

*Decorate your jar as fancy or plain as you like. Write on the outside a quote, words, year.

*Place in a spot you will see each day to remind you to add a note to the jar.

*Open jar on new year's eve next year and read all the blassings, good memories, laughter, positive vibes you have had all year.

*At the end of the year, if you want to you can keep your memories in a paper clip or folded in an envelop with the year noted.

Get ready to do this again next year too! It is fun and a reminder of days gone past, loved ones, friends, events, 

Feel free to share your decorated jar in the comments below.

Cheers and blessings,
Lisa

Maria Lisa Polegatto
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Reclaimed Bricks

22/9/2023

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Picture
Picture
by Maria Lisa Polegatto     September 22, 2023
In Fiona Hurricane (2022) my chimney was damaged due to the high winds. It was just replaced and it looks beautiful again.  I'm so happy it is back in great condition.

With keeping sustainability in mind, I pulled out some of the bricks that were reusable from the tear down to use around my property. They make great additions to flower beds, walkways and art. There is no need to throw out perfectly good materials to the trash when they can be reclaimed and used.  I do need to chip off the old cement but I love the look of these bricks.

Recycle, reuse and create art whenever you can :) 
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1950's Trunk Recycled

5/8/2023

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Picture
Picture
by Maria Lisa Polegatto

I love looking for project ideas to recycle and use items instead of throwing to the trash items that have great character and usability.
​ I can't lie this project was a whole lot of work but so worth it in the end. 

To start this project I purchased this old 1950's trunk from my local thrift store and wiped it down to clean it as soon as I got it home. I could tell it's age by the joins of the joints that is no longer being used. It is a big trunk and I'm lucky it fit in my small vehicle. I know  I need to upgrade to a bigger vehicle but the gas mileage is keeping me in my small vehicle that I absolutely love. You would be surprised what I can fit in my car with the seats folded down, including 3 big dogs when my cousin's dog came to visit for a few weeks. 

Next I sanded down this project on my back deck and filled all the holes, scratches and dents in with wood filler. I hope my neighborhood doesn't mind the constant noise pollution of sanding, hammering, and noise coming from my backyard. There is nothing like being outside in the sunshine gardening and doing projects.

I continued with this project by painting it with many coats of already mixed paint and paint I mixed up and and waiting for it dry between coats  while swinging in my hammock while the dogs brought me balls to throw for them over the deck. I just need to convince them to let go of the ball  when the bring it back to me. More training for Mom required!

I used a  decoupage process for the turtle and blended it in and had to add more of the turtle and design as it was not long or wide enough to fit the entire top of the piece. While painting is a lot of work, decoupage is so much more work. I felt like I was cheating at first but there is an art in itself of this process to get the wrinkles out. 

To finish the product I aged it and waxed it with both black and clear wax. I was lucky to be able to use the original hardware that was on the trunk, including handles, hinges and latch. The only part missing is the key which I might try to obtain from a local locksmith. 

While I'm attached to this trunk now, I also sell my art so if you are interested, let me know. Otherwise, I have a blanket on top to protect the top and my dog has decided I put that blanket on for them to sit, lay, sleep and do neighborhood watch from.  It's definitely Tilly and Bella approved!

The best part is the turtle. I love my sea turtle beach patrol missions with my two furry beach patrol assistants (officially that's the word but I really know it's the dogs that find all the beach treasures, finds and interesting items that wash ashore).  I'm happy to report we have had no turtle strandings. 

#furniture #Artist #art #naturelovers #getoutside #sustainability #recycle #lovewherewelive #NovaScotialife #beachbums #beachcombing 










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DIY Rolling Cube Cart

20/2/2021

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Picture
I am constantly trying to organize and reorganize my home. Today I decided I was going to get more organized in the kitchen but this will also work for a craft room, office or any room in your home.

#DIY #DIYprojects #womenempowerment #projects #weekend ​

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DIY Radiator Cover

25/8/2020

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Picture
Would you like to hide those hot water radiator covers in your home and have them instead look like a window seat/shelf?

#DIY #DIYprojects #womenempowerment #projects #weekend 

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