Jarred

For a while we were collecting little glass jars to organize screws and nails in my husbands work room. We saw an immaculate space at a family friend's home years ago and were inspired. Since then, nails and screws and loose items alike have been scattered neatly stored away but from time to time I can't resist hanging on to a nicely shaped glass jar.

So let's make some fun vases, ok? This is a quick project that you can do on a rainy day and would even be fun to make with your kiddos.

Materials

Glass jars

Paint

Paint brushes

Painter's tape

Exacto knitfe

Bowl

Washi tape

Glitter

Soak the labels off in warm soapy water. Using painter's tape, mask off a design on the jar and paint. Once the paint is dry you can remove the tape and use an Exacto knife to remove any excess paint or little smears. You can further embellish the jars with Washi tape, glitter, or tissue paper.

These fun jars can now be used as bud vases or storage. We use ours in the bathroom for cotton balls and Q-Tips. Or arrange in a grouping and use a the centerpiece at your next brunch!

From the Craft Closet: Stamped with Love.

Don't you just love getting mail?? I have always been a fan. I love to send it and I also love to find a nice surprise in the mailbox from time to time. Last summer I picked up this really great return address stamp on Etsy. I had been searching for the perfect one for years. It was a great deal and I use it all the time. Then for Christmas, I got this really awesome set of alphabet stamps that have been great for personalizing stationery and homemade cards.

When it comes to making your own stationery it's nice to have supplies on hand like mustache stamps or self portraits (how fun are those?!), ink pads, and craft paper. I am a collector of supplies so I often have all the things I need to make something special for a friend. Have you ever thought of making your own stamps? It's really easy if you have the right tools.

Supplies

Craft Paper

Ink pad

Carving tool

Wine cork, or Speedy Carve

Pencil

Simply decide on a design. It can be one simple shape like a heart or triangle or something a bit more complex like this goose neck bird. Draw out your design in pencil. Then use the carving tool to carve it out. Get out your ink pad and get to stamping! You can take it a step further and use a nice pen or marker to embellish it even more. I think the wine cork is a clever thing to use and it's free once the wine is gone.

Hope you like it!

The Envelope Please

I'm in the process of throwing a baby shower for a very dear friend that lives all the way across the country along with a few other friends. The theme will be books, which set us into a tizzy of ideas for the invites. I had the big idea to use old children's book pages to make the envelopes, well then that meant I'd have to make 25 or so envelopes....hmm. The best thing about working with others is they can reign you in when things are a little too lofty. Instead I found an old Dr. Seuss book at the local Goodwill and made envelope liners. Voila. I am pleased.

Materials:
Blank envelopes, I used Kraft paper envelopes.
Exacto knife and ruler or scissors
Cutting mat
Glue stick
Scrap paper
Old children's book or decorative paper

How To:
Trace the envelope flap onto a scrap piece of paper.
Use template and trace onto the pages of an old children's book, making sure that the template is slightly smaller than the actual envelope so it will still slide inside.
Cut out with scissors or exact knife and ruler.
Slide into envelope and use a glue stick to secure into place.