16 February 2012

Pin Party

Mason jars are a reminder of a simpler time where summer afternoons were spent canning fruits and vegetables for the coming winter. Hard labor my friends -- sterilizing the jars, peeling and cutting the produce, sealing the jars, listening to the lids pop. But what a joy to see them lined up on the shelf, then tasting summer's glory at the peak of winter.

That's what I think of when I see mason jars. I've kept the ones that used to be filled with jellies and pickles because even if they're empty, they're still very useful. 

Here's my version of the famous sewing kit in a jar. It's a brand-spanking new home for my safety pins. You know why? Whenever I'm getting dressed, in a hurry, then suddenly realize I need a safety pin to add some modesty to a low-cut top, secure a skirt when the button has popped out {and there's no time to mend it} -- I'll have to rummage through my sewing kit for that safety pin. So blah! Time's a ticking!

This is where the safety pins hang out. Some straight pins and a travel sewing kit have been invited to the party too. TADA!

Maybe I'll introduce some fashion tape or accessory dots to the gang because you'll never know when you'll need them.

I keep this in the bathroom medicine cabinet to keep it accessible whenever a family member says, "Where are the safety pins?"

15 February 2012

Light and Bright

 Howdy Friends! Appreciate that you 
could stop by today. 

Empty mason jars can be practical 
even outside the kitchen.

They can be transformed into
light fixtures: 

Window display at Fishs Edy 

A closer view 

On the ceiling of Haven's Kitchen 

Use bigger jars & replicate these
hanging lamps from West Elm

To make your own, you may find some easy instructions here and here. Have a de-LIGHT-ful day!  

14 February 2012

Light My Fire


Do you like mason jars? It's a vessel for storing jams and pickled fruits and veggies that you canned yourself. I have yet to learn the proper way of making my own preserves. In the meantime, I'm using these for crafting. 

blah: a mason jar that once contained
strawberry-rhubarb jam

TADA!: a container for matches

I saw a photo of this on Pinterest and I thought it was brilliant. You put the matches in the jar and add sandpaper to the lid. Just strike a match on the sandpaper to light it! I tried it out but it didn't work.

Maybe because I didn't use strike anywhere matches? I just have these ordinary ones. So here's what I did:

I put all my match sticks inside the jar 
but saved the boxes.

I decorated the lid and attached it in place with glue. I cut out the striking surfaces from the match boxes and glued these on the lid. Then I sealed the lid to the rim with some hot glue. This is necessary because the lid easily detaches from the rim and falls out when the jar is opened.

Just strike to light

Now I have all my matches in one place and storing it in a clear container tells me when I'm running low. Buddy it up with candles {but away from children please} and setting the mood can be ready in an instant. TADA!

Happy Valentine's Day!

13 February 2012

Last Minute Valentine Gift


Happy New Week Everyone! Today, I'm carrying over last week's Valentine's Day theme for another crafty idea.

blah: an empty jar and a cloth-like 
sheet rescued from packaging of 
birthday present

I like that the material is similar to 
fabric but the edges don't fray 
when you cut through it.

The pale pink color reminds
of peonies.

Attach the petals onto the lid of 
the jar with hot glue.

Here's a top view of the flower

Fill the jar with chocolate dressed 
up for Valentine's Day.

Or some salted caramels
would be yummy too.

TADA!: A cute and easy
Valentine's gift! 

See you back tomorrow, and let's see what we can do with mason jars. Have a nice day!
  

10 February 2012

Home-baked and Handmade

Hooray, it's Friday! Whether you celebrate Valentine's Day or not, it's always a good excuse to send cards, exchange gifts or have a party.

Did you know that Julia Child and her husband Paul sent out Valentine cards? In her book "My Life in France", she says: Valentine cards had become a tradition of ours, born of the fact that we could never get ourselves organized in time to send out Christmas cards. With our ever-enlarging network of family, friends, and Foreign Service colleagues, we found that Paul's hand-designed valentine cards -- usually a woodcut or drawing, sometimes a photograph -- were a nice way to keep in touch.

I'm a fan of their creativity, sense of humor and how supportive they were of each other.

Darcy Miller, the editorial director at Martha Stewart Weddings, marks Valentine's Day as a red letter day. She mails presents to dear friends, usually beautifully packaged candy with personalized cards featuring her three daughters.  What lucky friends she has -- I bet they look forward to these Valentines every year! 

And since I didn't do any baking during the holidays, I'll make Valentine's Day a reason to make some treats!

 I made a batch of chocolate crinkles.

Just enough chocolate-y sweetness! 

I packaged them in these reusable containers. 

 Then added these fancy "hats" made of red tissue.

Add a ribbon and a tag made from blah scrap paper. 

 TADA! These are ready to be handed out.

Home baked & hand made --
 always TADA!

09 February 2012

Cuddly and Sweet


I was at the drugstore the other day and
I found this really adorable gift:


It's a plush toy with a built-in pouch {similar to a backpack}. You're supposed to stuff it with little thoughtful things like snacks, pencils or wishes to say "good luck", "congratulations", "get well soon" or "just because". I love the concept! Here's my version:



blah: what was once a jewelry pouch
in the perfect Valentine color


Fill it with sweet delights like candy
and pair with a teddy bear.
TADA! A present that will melt anyone's heart!

08 February 2012

Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve


Very nice to see you today!

Yesterday, I made this vanity bag inspired by a Marc Jacobs clutch. It's made from an old airline amenity kit and felt.

I had a few extra hearts.

I'm drawing inspiration from these
heart-shaped pins by ban.do

These ban.do hearts can be worn as a corsage,

All we need are two pieces of the felt hearts,
needle & thread, a lapel pin, sequins, scissors

Sew the sequins on to the felt

You can put as little or as many
sequins as you want -- in the same
color or in a contrasting shade

You'll notice that the wrong side of the sequined heart has the stitches {not pretty}. So what we'll do is cover it with another felt heart. Sandwich a piece of cardboard in between the felt hearts to provide structure. Hot glue will keep everything together, then finish off by sewing a lapel pin at the back.

TADA! A shimmery heart pin!