Desserts in a Jar

New uses for mason jars -- that's the blah to TADA! transformation this week. When I saw photos of how bakers used these as containers for dessert, I really liked the idea! Mason jars can take really high temperatures (they need to be sterilized before use after all), allowing them to withstand the heat of the oven. Take for example:  

Pie in a jar 

S'mores in a Jar 

Rainbow cake in a jar 

Cheesecake in a jar 

My eyes are the size of saucers and my mouth is watering with all this deliciousness! I wish you all a fabulous weekend! 

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?"

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!  

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!

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 

a 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!

  

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!

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!