Glitter Jars for the Holidays

Hello friends.  I cannot express how happy I am to be here sharing this post with you today; not because of the post itself (although I think you're going to like it) but because I am finally over this terrible flu that I had.  Unless I could have crafted and typed curled up in the fetal position it wasn't going to happen.  Anyways, enough of that- onto the good stuff: today's craft.

Whether hosting a holiday party (this works for Christmas, New Years, anything) or giving gifts to the neighbors (a first for us this year), this craft will surely fit your schedule, budget and plans:

All you do to make these is cover a mason jar in paint (I used white) and then cover in glitter, tapping off the excess.  That's it!  If your glitter is still really loose, cover it with a sealer so that it does not get everywhere (and boy, does glitter get EVERYWHERE).

As you can see from the picture on the left, this would make a totally cute holiday drinking cup; just add a festive straw and you are good to go!

As for the picture on the right, fill the jar with baked goodies like candy, chocolate covered pretzels or cookies, add a lid, gift tag and bow (love that contrasting red) and head on over to your friend or neighbor's house for a gift they wont be forgetting.

{Your Turn}
Do you have any other uses for these glittered jars? What colors would you make them in?

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann

LINK LOVE!  Linked up to: Every Day is an Occasion and Chick-n-Scrap

Simple Halloween Decor

Happy Thursday!  Can you believe it is almost October already?  I. Love. Halloween.  My husband asked me the other day if I thought maybe it was a little early to be hanging a skeleton in the window.  I looked at him with confusion as I finished hanging it up.  That being said, he is patient with my decorating and I try to keep it tasteful (and not too feminine!)

Today I will show you how to make a simple Halloween decor that speaks volumes!

Pieces like this are festive yet not over the top.  The best part is that you can make it yourself!  That's my favorite kind of decoration!


{Materials}
- 3 Glass Jars in different sizes
- Candy, Popcorn, or other fillers
- 3 Mini Pumpkins
- Black Vinyl or Sharpie Marker

{Decorate the Pumpkins}
I cut images out of vinyl using the Silhouette Cameo.  However, if you do not own a cutting machine, drawing on the pumpkins with a sharpie would work too!  I think the "boo!" is my favorite.

{Fill the Jars}
Using Halloween or fall themed food or candy, fill each jar to the top.  If you have extra that means you have earned a mid-craft snack!

{Put it Together!}
If your jar allows, place a lid on top.  I covered mine with burlap for that "fall" feel.  Next, place your mini pumpkins on top of the jars and voila!  A simple yet totally festive Halloween decoration.

{This picture isn't the best quality but I wanted to show you how darling it looks above my fireplace}

{What Do You Think?}
What designs would you put on your mini pumpkins?  Would you fill the jars with anything different?  As always, if you make your own version I would love to see it so please share it with me!

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann

Link Love!  Linking up with the craftaholics anonymous fall frenzy link party and Every Day is an Occasion!

Wedding or Anniversary Gift for a Friend or Yourself!

I. Love. Pinterest.  Three little words that mean nothing to an "outsider", yet brings about a sense of connection to those who are also *ahem* addicted.  I try to design my own crafts on this blog so that you are receiving new ideas and not just my version of the same old thing that is pinned a hundred times elsewhere.

Well today, I have to source pinterest for this idea.  BUT... before you click off this page, let me tell you how I took the same idea and changed it up to fit my life.  If you stick around I will give you a cookie.  Okay, I can't do that but I will give you a memorable gift idea for a friend, or for yourself!

{It is a decorative jar filled with our ceremony program from the wedding.  What a perfect way to remember that special day and decorate the house}

Here is where I got the idea:

                            

[christyrobbins.blogspot.com]

How I changed it:

{1} I used a mason jar instead of a Christmas ornament.  I wanted something that I could have sitting out year round instead of only at Christmas.  Just FYI- I plan to also make the ornament this year.

{2} I used our ceremony program instead of the wedding invitation (like she did).  I did this for two reasons; 1- I needed more paper because the jar is larger and 2- Our invitation was not done on regular paper.  Want to know what it looked like? See it here.

What you need:

 {All you really need is a copy of your program (or invitation) and a jar.  I also opted for some heavy twine just to dress it up a little in rustic fashion}

Cut the paper into strips and roll them around a pencil:

 {I cut everything into a single line except for our scripture (see top picture) and our song/composer (see bottom picture) because I thought those were best kept together}

Lastly, I added some twine:

 {I might trade this out for some lace, or ribbon or bakers twine.  I am giving myself time to think on it}

Isn't that easy?

This craft takes no time at all but says so much to the person receiving it.  I think I may go back and cut up some more of the back paper (the yellow) so that the jar is all the way full.  

One more thing...

{I know this is a terrible picture but I wanted to show you all this added part.  I connected a small light to the inside of the lid so that when it is dark (or even shady) the paper pieces light up!  How neat is that?  Now it sits in our new curio cabinet between bride & groom figurines that we received as a wedding present.}

What do you think?

Do you like the idea of the paper pieces in a jar or would you just stick with the ornament?  Any other idea for how to make it a part of "daily life"- a shadow box maybe?  Give me your thoughts!

With Love,
Kelsie Ann   

 LINK LOVE!  This post is linked up to Every Day is an Occasion, go over there & check them out as well!

Painted Storage or Home Decor Jars

Have you ever started making something with the intent of using it for a specific reason, just to change your mind halfway through?  It happens to the best of us, don't worry.  The good thing is that when we do that, we usually LOVE how it turns out.  Just like these:

I have seen mason jars painted all over and I liked the idea of that, but I wanted to be able to see inside.  Plus, I had already done that in this post and was ready to try something different.  My original intent was to make these and put them on shelves in my craft room to store paintbrushes, pens, ribbon, buttons, really anything.  That is why I wanted to be able to see inside them yet have each container be a little different.

Then I found this beauty at the store:

 
I didn't buy it, but I came right home and asked my husband to make me something just like it!  I love that instead of just having shelves (our initial plan for the craft room) it also has individual spots for the bins (they can't move around!) and I love the bar underneath it.  I probably wouldn't use hooks, but that rod is perfect for hanging ribbon!

Yes, the jars could still work but by this point I was way past them and onto bigger and grander ideas.

So what to do with the painted jars?  Our upstairs bathroom has bright yellow walls (they are glorious!) and green accents (like my lovely leaf shower curtain).  It may be one of my favorite rooms in the house... really.  They would be a perfect fit!

{I especially love the budded sprays coming from the jars.  The one on the right sort of looks like a bushel of wheat... without the tops.... if you squint your eyes a little...}

If I ever decide to bring them back to the craft room, then I am just one door away.  Until then, they are looking lovely in the upstairs bathroom- proving once again that my first idea is not always my best.

What about you?

Do you still like them best for holding craft items or would you consider using them as decor for rooms in your home?  Maybe you have an even better idea for where they should go!

With Love,
Kelsie Ann

 LINK LOVE!  This post is linked up to Every Day is an Occasion, go over there & check them out as well!

Mason Jars + Paint = Cute, Cute, Cute!

First things first- I want to apologize for not posting Monday.  In a perfect world I would like to post every Monday and Thursday but sometimes (like this week) that just can't happen.  I am sure none of you noticed, but for future reference that is what I am trying to do.  That being said, expect my next one on Monday.  Aaaanywho...

I have said it before and I will say it again- I have got a LOT of mason jars lying around this house.  I want to start making those "sand art" food mixes and giving them to people, but I seem to be behind on that as well.  Until then, I am using the jars for my own selfish purposes.

Here is what I did today:

All it takes is some paint and an empty jar.  Really... it is that easy.

Flower Jar

I sponged pink paint onto the front of the jar, let it dry, then with a lighter touch- sponged some green paint over it.  These colors don't actually match my kitchen (which is where it sits) but I love how it looks with those blooms sticking out of it!

{I love the way it sits in one corner of the window and sort of reaches to the other side}

{These "blooms" are actually from some sort of wild flower that grows at our house.  I know it is probably considered a "weed" but I just think they are so pretty, especially when arranged like this}

Black & Gold School Mug

Okay, okay.  I was actually intending to make a Halloween jar but my "orange" paint came out looking a little more golden.  Nonetheless, my family LOVES Purdue football (and basketball and everything) and so this became my little "Purdue" jar.

This one was easy and fun to make.  All I did was squirt paint onto the edge of the jar and let it drip down.  Then, when it got to the bottom I swirled it around so that it would mix along the bottom edge.

I thought this jar would be a really cute gift container for a friend that goes to Purdue.  A football jersey fits inside it perfectly:

Then, when they are done with it, they can use the jar to store all those fun "school supplies" on their desk!

So easy but totally cute, right?  

These jars are easy to make and take no time at all (it actually takes longer for the paint to dry than to apply the paint)!  

Would you make these jars for a friend (or yourself!)?  What school colors would you do them in?  {P.S. Although my family loves Purdue, it needs to be said that black & gold were MY school colors too at Manchester College- go Spartans!}  

With Love,
Kelsie Ann

Link Love! This project is linked up to: Every Day is an Occasion

Rainy Day Project {love in a jar}

Our home was a little off yesterday.  First we found out that the guest bathroom causes water to leak into the basement, then we lost power during a storm.  Between no power, no water and my husband being out for a meeting I was stuck trying to find something to do. 

I had just spent the day cleaning the house so that option is out.  No water, so catching up on laundry is a loss.  No electricity, so my sewing machine was out of commission.  I had to find a craft that I could do the "old fashioned" way!

Here's what I came up with:

I've been thinking about doing a project like this for a couple days now.  As I was helping my husband fix up the tool shed the other day I saw a piece of OSB Board that had all the smaller pieces of wood pressed together.  I think that looks so neat, so why couldn't I create that with a different material?

I love everything about newspaper (aren't you sad to see the decline of it?) and it was perfect for this project.

1. Grab a container.  I used a quart sized mason jar.

2. Tear different shapes and sizes of newspaper.  Tearing it instead of cutting it creates rougher edges which gives it that neat kind of romantic/rustic look (or maybe that's just me)!

3. Attach the newspaper to the jar using mod podge.  I think it is easier to put the glue straight onto the newspaper so that  you aren't fussing with glue everywhere.

{I pressed down along all the designs on the jar just for fun!}

4. Make sure to set one piece of newspaper aside with a heart cut out of it.  For this jar, my heart was about the size of a nickle.

5. When you have figured out where you want the heart to show through, take some paint and color a small area onto the jar.

6.  Finish attaching the newspaper and place the heart piece over your paint.  Once it has had time to dry, cover the entire thing with Mod Podge to create a seal.

Isn't that easy and totally cute?

 

 I love that meshed together newspaper look!

Want to know my favorite part about it?  Right next to the pink heart are newspaper pieces of a "love story" article.  Totally on accident and entirely too perfect! (check out the full jar pics to see it)

Don't wait for the next power outage to make your own, it is a fun and easy project for ANY day!  As always, I'm interested in seeing your creations so feel free to share here.

With Love,

Kelsie Ann

{Linked up to: Jaihart - sundays are lovely- #11 }