Mason Jar Possibilities

I recently returned from a youth camp where I was in charge of teaching several young women a new craft each day we were there. I wanted to choose something relatively easy and that the girls would want to hold onto even after camp was over. I decided to make these clever and ever so useful mason jar lanterns. The girls loved them and they used them each night as they found their way though the woods. They would also use the light to read by or write in their journals at night. I let them wrap the wire how they pleased and told them there was no wrong way to do it. It was fun to see the different results when given their freedom! As long as the wire was secure and the opening was not covered, they were good to go! Inspiration was pulled from here.
P.S. These are also really cute when filled with a little water and some flowers!

Materials you will need:

-Empty Canning Jar

-20 gage wire

-wire cutters

-needle nose pliers

-sand

-tea light candle

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Here are some other great ideas of how to transform your old canning jars into a DIY project!

Full tutorial for antique soap dispenser found at Heather Bullard. The antique glass and zinc lid is so pretty!

I little dirt never hurt! Transform your jar into a terrarium with a tutorial by Craftzine.

 

Cool off this summer with these jars-turned-glasses! Photo and info found on Brides.com. 

Lori Marie is the definition of clever! Glitter Globe tutorial found at Pretty Little Things.

Turn your canning jar into a pie for one! Tutorial found at Little Birdie Secrets. My secret is that I would eat it all in one sitting!

Organize your office or art space! Reclaimed wood, a canning jar and metal fasteners from a home improvement store is all you need to make this handy wall caddy! 

This is a similar concept with another useful purpose. You can purchase this adorable rack from Etsy seller Old New Again.

Keep your supplies handy for your next sewing project! Tutorial by Martha Stewart.

 

Shed some light on the subject with this pendant light tutorial from Design Sponge.

Winners!!!

Congrats to Brits and Keilann for winning the giveaway!! And thanks to all of you who participated. I love reading all of your nice comments! And a huge thanks to Miss Amy for letting me be a guest on her blog this week. I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend.

-Meg

Two can win! July Giveaway - Family Trees by Naturally Meg

I'm so excited to be hosting a giveaway here on Amy's beautiful blog today!

My name is Meg. I'm a wife and a mom to a beautiful little boy. I love bitter, dark chocolate and anything with lemon or lime. I like wearing skirts, painting my toenails red, and listening to good music. I really love making things, especially with my hands. I love to sew, knit, and paint, and try to do something craft every day if I can. I love nature and just about everything in it. I find that my greatest creative inspiration comes from the beautiful things you find in nature. I especially love trees...

I run a little shop called Naturally Meg where I  make custom family trees. I love making these trees. Family is the most important thing in my life and I love that I can make something to represent this wonderful gift of family to others. Each tree is handmade by me, and personalized with the initials or names of your choice.

Today TWO lucky winners will receive a personalized family tree of their choice with free shipping. Take a look, there are many different trees to choose from.

Shop: naturallymeg.etsy.com

Blog: naturallymeg.blogspot.com

Rules of the Contest:

1. Leave a comment

2. You must have an active blog

3. You must be a US resident

4. Extra entries for becoming a follower of the blog

5. Make sure that you have an e-mail address listed on your blog or in your comment so that I can contact you if you win.

***This giveaway is now closed***

Guest Post: Anthropologie Hidden Hummingbird Tank DIY

I am obsessed with chapstick, and am constantly losing my latest stick. I own 27 cardigans, and the collection shows no signs of slowing. My husband and I love visiting national parks, and want to see them all someday. I am usually overdressed. I think shoes might be the most important part of your outfit. I love moody music and YA fantasy books. The 4th of July is definitely my favorite holiday, and believe strongly that fireworks should never be taken for granted. My childhood (and current) dream is to restore a historic home. I like to think I am witty, and I think I am much more funny in person than I am in writing.

you can find my bargain style finds here | überchicforcheap.blogspot.com

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I started coveting this Anthropologie Hidden Hummingbird Tank months ago. I love the floral neckline so much it hurts.


{Hidden Hummingbird Tank - $78}

As soon as I saw that price tag I started plotting ways to make one of my own. Then I remembered this ridiculously awesome fabric that has been in my mother's fabric stash since about 1991.


It's a single side floral printed fleece. My mom said she bought it to make my little first grade self a sweat suit. So awesome.

I cut the flowers and leaves out to use in my design. I also cut leave shapes out of the solid blue portion of the fabric.


I laid the pieces out to decide what order I wanted them in. Then I pinned the shapes onto the shirt so I could begin sewing.


I used this button + carpet (heavy gauge) thread I had hanging around to hand sew the pieces onto the neckline. (I have no idea where this came from or why one would use thread on carpet. But it was in my Grandma's thread collection that I was lucky enough to inherit, along with my adjustable dressform. I owe almost all of my sewing equipment and fabric stash to the women who came before me. end tangent.)

I used a crew cut tee from wet seal that I got on clearance, so I cut out the neckline in a scoop. If I were doing it again, I would snag a scoop or v-neck tee to begin with. Here are some good options:



{Casual Scoop Neck - $2.50 | Basic V Neck - $3.50 | Basic Mid Scoop - $2.50}

I added stitching around the edges while sewing the pieces on. Then, I added beading to the flowers.


Here's the finished product:


{photos courtesy of Jackie Norris}

I am sort of in love with it. It took me a long time to do, but I couldn't be happier.

What do you think? Anything you are craving to make this week? Leave a comment!

{Thanks for having me, Amy!}

Happy Things

Today is the beginning of the rat race - the start of my very busy month! Since I will be out of town all week, I have posted a few videos as a fond and temporary farewell! They made me smile and now I would like to pass the joy along to you. I love innovation and people who think out of the box and break the norm!

Speaking of innovation, I will be having a very cool guest blogger later this week to help me out while I'm away! I'm really excited to have her featured on H is for Handmade so please check back to see what pretties she will be featuring and show her some love! 

Have a great week!