Saturday, November 22, 2014

A FEW CRAFTS FROM MS. ALL THUMBS (AKA. BLONDIE)

Hello!  Lots happening in Blondieville and for that I'm grateful.  I've been stuck close to home with temps in the single digits and The Husband using my car (for long time followers, you know the situation of The Husband buying a sports car 6 years ago which you can't drive in cold wet weather, and he did that obviously, so enamored with said car that he failed to remember we live in the Midwest).  More on that later.  So...I was able to finish up some of those crafts I've been hinting at in my last few posts.  The first is a Mason jar (in this case Kerr), filled with faux snow and a votive candle and then dressed up a bit for the holiday season.   I want to thank Jennifer at Town And Country Living for the inspiration. 



Some hints from me:  I find purchasing Mason jars in the summer and early fall to be the most economical way to do it.  Especially at grocery stores, Walmart and some drugstores like Walgreen's and CVS.  THE best prices around.  If you can't do that, they are sold at Michael's and Hobby Lobby for just a bit more and a few more choices in size.  Secondly, the votive candles were found at Michael's, 12 in a pack for around $8.  Once they burn down, pop them in the freezer for 5 minutes and the old wax will poke out with a knife and you can then re~use them with another votive or a tea light candle.  The artificial snow is from any craft shop as well.  In a nutshell, or Mason jar, fill 3/4 with the faux snow.  Tuck a votive candle jar in the center, pushing it down as far as possible.    Using a teaspoon (or even a small funnel or handmade paper cone), fill in around the candle with the snow.  Any excess that falls in the candle can be scooped out with a small spoon, yet I didn't find it to be flammable.  But don't take chances.  Since you don't want to mess up the "snow", use a long match stick or lighter.    And you can just keep re~using these as much as you want!! :)


Another Mason jar idea came from Yvonne at Stone Gable.  God knows I've gone through tons of Epsom salts in the bath with my bad back, but I never noticed the sparkle (maybe not through my pain!).  So in this case, take your Mason (Kerr, empty pasta jar...no matter), and spread Mod Podge over it with a small spongy applicator or paint brush.  MP is like a glue that dries clear.  Spread it on evenly, not too thick yet not too thin.  Pay careful attention to the very bottom of the jar which you might miss as it curves under.  Go just up to the the top and not over the ridges near the lid.  Fill a small bowl with the Epsom salts, hold that sticky jar  by the rim over it and just spoon the salts over... covering evenly.  Voila!  Snow covered jars. 











With the crafts, you must think my feet are firmly planted in December.  Before you put that Scarlet "C" on my sweater, know that I have The Turkey!  For some reason, if I know the bird is in the house (or the  ham for Easter), I rest easy.  A short story:

This morning my son in law Mike stopped by and we all had coffee.  He asked about the Thanksgiving plans.  I said...well, I have the turkey.  Abby  bolted upright and said, "Where is it at?"  As if I had it in the backyard...we all laughed.  But The Husband and I know where this is coming from.  His clients are very generous, especially at holidays.  One year, when the kids were very small, one his clients, an older Illinois farmer, gifted us with two pheasants that he had hunted down (no, not a fan of that but I was gracious).  Before a small pre~holiday gathering, I defrosted the tightly wrapped birds I had kept in our big freezer in the basement.  Although I had made various types of fowl and game (and no, totally am not a fan of any of it now), I wasn't prepared for the feathers as I unwrapped the newspaper and then plastic.  Yes, lots of feathers, adhered to the birds if you know what I mean.  My little ankle biters heard my screams and then ran out of the kitchen in horror after seeing them.   "What am I going to do?" I wailed to The Husband.  He countered with, "We have to figure it out, Ed has to know we appreciated his gift!"  So we did a little research on what was then a very ancient and limited Internet.  Our choices were to do the boiling water method to pluck the feathers...or the hot wax method.  Oh, dear God.  So aware of wasting food when there are so many hungry people in the world, well, it was a hard decision. We had no choice but to dispose of the pheasants, and have a lovely lasagna for our dinner party.  We wrote Ed a note that the pheasants were wonderful. Gorgeous feathers. Gulp.  And that was that.

I may pop in before Thanksgiving.  I'd like to show you how the bathroom and office turn out once I get them jazzed up.  I hope you like the crafts.  I'm all thumbs as you know, I just like to brag a little when I have the opportunity! :)  I also want to introduce you to a blogger friend of mine that has the most exceptionally written posts and photography, and is now offering cards of all sorts that I think you would love to have a peek at.  Can't wait to share that,

Jane xx




47 comments:

Linda said...

I am going to have to try out those snow covered mason jars!! They turned out so pretty!! Great ideas!
We do NOT have 'The Turkey!' yet.
We will be with my siblings and mother in Fort Worth on Thanksgiving but we ALWAYS pop the turkey in the oven before we leave that morning. We also do NOT have 'The Ham.' THAT one is important since we are taking it to Amber's for another Thanksgiving gathering on Saturday. I think we shall be shopping right after church tomorrow!

Terri Steffes said...

Pretty jars!! Who knew Mod Podge and epsom salts could be so glamorous!

I am looking forward to our holiday. My daughter is home and that makes me very happy!

Maggie said...

Love your Christmassy jar lights, IKEA have something similar that I could use I think, will have to check. Thanks for the mini tutorial and the link to another interesting blog to be discovered.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

I love your Mason jar votives especially the snow covered ones Jane …… so creative.
…. and, if I looked like that when my roots needed doing and so close up, I would be over the moon !!!! I have highlights and hate it when they need doing and I can't get an appointment but, I don't think they look as bad as we think they do …. other people don't notice …. the 6th of December isn't too far away !! XXXX

JoAnne said...

Your craft projects turned out great. I love using epsom salts for fake snow - we mustn't tell the epsom salt people though, they'll raise the price of it! You have beautiful hair, Jane, even with a few dark roots showing. Doesn't it feel so good when rooms are freshly painted - I'm sure you're loving it. I could not have done the pheasant feather thing either - yikes!

Theresa said...

Love the candle ideas:) I have some of the blue jars, I bet they would be pretty all dolled up! I know how you feel with the hair! I wait as long as I can between trips to the beauty shop... a little too long! Enjoy your day dear friend, keep the ideas coming! HUGS!

Anonymous said...

I'm definitely snitching the idea with jar and Epsom salt!!! Brilliant, I keep forgetting its American Thanksgiving, I hoep you have a wonderful time, oh and I think your selfie is beautiful, you have such lovely hair and lots of it!!

Julie Marie said...

Hi Jane, all of your jars are so pretty!... I'm not sure which is my favorite?... I want to give those a try!... I have so many canning jars, so I won't even need to buy those, and lots of tie ons, etc from other years... I even have epsom salts!!!... (yep, for aches and pains!)... I have never used modge podge in my life, wouldn't know it if I saw it... will have to ask someone at Michaels to find it for me... your photo is beautiful!... you DO look glamorous!... I have lots of freckles too... but I love them... enjoy this week before Thanksgiving... we have snow and cold here this morning... a good day to stay inside and sip some coffee... much love, xoxo... Julie Marie

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

LOVE those mason jars!!.. and you look maavelous, as always, Jane. Really. :-)

Lulu said...

You are on a roll which must mean your hands are much better. I'm thinking I'll take the easy way out this year and do nothing new.

Stacey said...

Hello Gorgeous!

The pheasant story reminded me of a similar situation we have with doves. Ugh!! In my world, birds come boneless and skinless and frozen.

Your little office all painted will turn out perfect I bet.

Love your jars. I love simple ideas like that.

Susie said...

Blondie, You are acrafty girl. I like those jars. Very nice...you actually could decorate them in any color or style. Can't wait to see your new office. I will tell you these pretty girl, I have had freckles all my life. My MIL used to sing this little ditty to me , "She's Got Freckles On Her But She's Purdy" Which would always sound like I had freckles on my butt. LOL. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving day. xoxo,Susie

Mary said...

Jane you have become such a great 'crafty gal' lately - I love what you're doing with the mason jars for the holidays. I've not started anything regarding decorating yet, other than winding some white lights around the arbor yesterday when we'd finished raking, and raking and raking fifty million oak leaves! Rain due today so may start indoors IF I can get Bob into attic storage spaces to drag out those many plastic boxes!

Sounds like your hands are healing well now - so pleased to know that.

Much love, Mary

must love junk said...

Cute jars! Had to laugh at your pheasant story!
Happy Thanksgiving :)
Susan

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Jane,
Now just look at Miss Crafty!!! Those jars are so cute my friend...the craft bug has hit me too. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Blessings,
Linda

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

Love all your jar ideas and tips! I can't wait to get started on my Christmas decor! That pheasant story is hilarious! I would have freaked out at the feathers too! I also can't eat any fish that still has a face on it. Ha!

Balisha said...

Love your crafty side, Jane. You do things that so many can do...that don't require a lot of time.

I often had pheasants given to me...my first husband was a hunter. After plucking all those feathers and ending up with a scrawny dry bird....I decided to skin the birds and made a wonderful wild rice and pheasant soup.After I made the soup...I never again roasted pheasant.
Have a nice day today...are you getting rain?
Balisha

Bluebird49 said...

Hey, Glamour-girl--love that selfie! I always wanted freckles.
I've always kept Modge Podge, too...save every jar...and yes! bathe in Epsom salts for my back, too! And I scored a nice supply of Votives last year, I'm ready for this one! (I'm amazed!)

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, dear Jane--we're with our little family in the hills til Saturday! Love it--though I always miss my bed and my chair. Having my family around ne makes up for what little I miss!
xxx,
Trudy

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Jane,

Forever Blondie I adore each and every new post from you. Love the mason jars filled with faux snow and votives. You can also use the fairy lights, LED battery pack 5 foot on wire with the timer (on for 6 off for 18) and bury them in the snow, they look whimsical and magical.
Love your Epsom salt jars too, plus you did a beautiful job decorating them.

Love your selfie, love your freckles! I used to have them until I started using Micro Retin A and poof freckles were gone! I guess that's one of the trade offs ... cute freckles or retin A benefits.

Oh my ... Plucking Pleasant feathers? You sure made the right decision, plus I'm sure your lasagna was yummy!

Looking forward to your office reveal.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving day with your family.
Sending love and kisses,
Vera

podso said...

Nice to see those mason jars in action. I did notice those on stone gable and that may be my one crafty thing to do this season. Looks so pretty. I hope this means your hand is doing much better. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Look at you, getting your craft on, Jane! : ) I always chuckle at people who way they aren't crafty and then those same people do a fantastic job on a project I may have to try those Epsom salt jars. I have loads of Epsom salt here that hubby uses for his backache baths.

cathy@my1929charmer said...

Jane, what a thumbed crafty girl you are!I love anything to do with mason jars. I've not started anything regarding Christmas,or Thanksgiving for that matter yet. We took the perennial from the front porch containers and put them in the ground to hold over till spring between the rain drops today. Chaz is pulling out the holiday decor from outside the outdoor crawl space. Gave a great Thanksgiving!
Sounds like your hands are healing well now - so pleased to know that.

Much love, Mary

doreen@househoneys said...

Hello Beautiful (Freckles and all!). I love that story about the pheasant lol. I would have done the same thing. No way would I have plucked those feather! UGH!!

You do justice to Epsom salts :). Very pretty!!

xxx

Mandy said...

I love all of the DIY mason jars, especially the "snow" covered ones! Super cute!! I do not have anything for Thanksgiving yet, except the cranberries ;) I need to get my act together.

Beth said...

You are very crafty, Jane! I love the snow covered jars and your snow candles! Lovely! I like your selfie - you look sultry, like Lauren Bacall! Your hair is so thick and beautiful, Jane. Have a great week my friend, and a wonderful Thanksgiving. We all have a lot to be thankful for. Blessings are many! :)

Carla from The River said...

Hi,
I am posting a craft Monday, you just might like it. ;-)
Love your craft idea.
And your photo is fun. I totally get what you are saying about the hair ... my hair can grow so fast. And I am off to get things fixed up, I just can not stand the gray/white peeking. :-)
xx oo

Happy Thanksgiving
Carla

Gypsy Heart said...

I have some jars ~ will have to try this. Thanks so much for sharing! It seems you're feeling better and that's great. My back is absolutely killing me! If you have any suggestions,let me know.

I'm grateful I don't have to cook this year...just making desserts and going to a friend's house.

Looks like you're working with something beautiful from South House ~ can't wait to see!

xo
Pat

Poppy said...

Hi Jane,

When I need that extra hit of 'cozy', I know that I can find it here, at Blondie's place, and today, I got an extra, festive fix! Your snowy mason jars are adorable; will give these a shot this season, thank you. And speaking of snow...when my pure white roots show up every 3½ weeks now, the top of my head looks like a snow-capped mountain! Not a pretty sight.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!

xx
Poppy

Maria Elena said...

Love your jars! That is a pretty craft for the holidays. Keep the ideas coming. I sure need them this year! :) I have never used the Epson salts, but I was going to this year after seeing so many pretty Christmas projects everywhere. I think your hair looks beautiful! A few dark roots is nothing compare to a full stripe of white hair. Yeah, I know what I am talking about. LOL Happy Thanksgiving dear friend!

Kathleen Grace said...

Well for being "all thumbs" I think your candle jars turned out quite beautiful! I had to laugh at your pheasant story. I actually have three cooked pheasants in the fridge to make pheasant and wild rice soup for the kids this week. We all love it and the pheasants are compliments of Earl's uncle Arthur. He hunts regularly and a few years ago I told him I really wanted some pheasant feathers to decorate with. He showed up with feathers for me...still attached to a live pheasant! I did not know what to do. I couldn't see myself killing the poor thing. I tied a rope around it's leg and fastened the other end in a part of the chicken coop that kept it away from the chickens. It somehow got loose and when I opened the door to the coop the next time it flew away. Truthfully, I breathed a sigh of relief. I'm sure Uncle Art laughed himself silly about his "gift"!

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

You DO look glamourous in that shot! : )

Traci said...

I'm cracking up over the pheasants!! I would've been screaming too!

sweetbriardreams said...

I am going to show my work colleague your mason jars as she is getting married next year and wanted some ideas for her wedding, I think your ideas will give her a good starting point :-) As for your hairdresser, I had to smile! My hairdresser went on maternity leave in August and I have only just had my hair trimmed again after she returned. I wouldn't change her for the world! Take care xx

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

I love your little craft projects, they are perfect for the holidays. I can't believe you've done so much for a girl that has wounded hands so to speak. Enjoy Thanksgiving with your family, I'm sure it will be wonderful.

Melanie said...

Love the Mason/Kerr jars - so pretty for Christmas! I bet they'd be really pretty lined up on your fireplace mantel. Hilarious story about the pheasants. lol

Unknown said...

Hi Jane, I love all of your fun mason jar ideas. I'm not in the crafty space at all right now but I'm feeling the need to get a little creative. Perhaps with my tablescape for Thanksgiving. As for the hair, I feel your pain. At least you have lots of dark roots. Mine went gray way early on. I get a 'mixed metals' look when the roots grow in. I've colored my roots for years and recently did my own highlights (I know-so BOLD!). Happy Thanksgiving to you,
xx Heather

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Jane, I absolutely love the Christmas jars!! I'll have to try and make some for the holiday! They turned out so cute, thanks for sharing!! Love your selfie!!
Happy Monday!
Hugs,
Jody

Kit said...

Great craft idea! Love your pheasant story. Oh my! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. :) Kit

Fox and Finch Antiques said...

Hi Jane,
Isn't it amazing how adding red and green ornaments to any type of candle conveys everything that says Christmas. I could just line a row of those up on the table and I'd be perfectly happy. Looks like you've got one of those fabulous waves in your hair just where everyone wants one. Lucky girl. I used to tell my ex-husband not to shoot any bird that was sandwich size. (In other words, I'd rather go without lunch and let the little bird have its life.)Happy Thanksgiving, Jane.
-Ginene

angie said...

tolle bilder und inspirationen, danke dafür und liebe grüße von angie

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

I just took a big box of mason jars to the thrift store. Try there!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

You do great on the crafting Jane! I love catching up here and hearing of all your adventures.
Maybe we should plan a winter get away? Just thinking.
Oh and by the way, your hair always looks beautiful. Love the selfie!
Hope your Thanksgiving was a happy one.
Hugs friend,
Cindy

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Well, Ms. All Thumbs, I think you did an awesome job on your craft projects! I think "jars" are just so much fun to decorate with. I save all interesting shaped jars that have an easy-to-remove label! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Jane!

HWIT BLOGG said...

Oh the Christmas jars are lovely! Great idea! It´s always so nice to take a look at your beautiful blog...
Happy weekend!
Titti

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Your jars are very pretty. Even though you say your all thumbs, they turned out really well. I hope that your hands are healing and will be back to normal soon.
I do hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Take care my friend.
Mary

Elaine said...

Those mason jars are so pretty! I think I will do the first one. I have some mason jars that I can use. Looks like an easy and inexpensive craft.

Just tonight I lit a candle ring on fire so I will be extra careful with the snow and the votive.

Bluebird49 said...

Stopped back in to see how Turkey-day was for you, thikning you'd have some pretty pictures and sweet words up. You must be taking your time with your T-Day post, just hope you or someone in your family isn't sick with the new "whatever's going around" thing!
We decided to stay up here til tomorrow and then spend the night on the way home, midway, so we can rest from our "vacation with the kids"! Then, they're coming for the weekend at the end fo the week--so I have to rush home and clean and get sheets on beds and , rest some more in between having more tests on my kidneys. I've noticed that climbing all the stairs in this house has be winded all the time, but being able to spend any time at all with my sweet family up here is---heaven!
Kristi and Ed saw a cooking show that suggested soaking the turkey in buttermilk for several hours at least--actually 2-3 days if you had time and room-- then patting the buttermilk off and stuffing oranges, apple, celery and onion in the cavity. It was one of the most beautiful, moist and tasty birds we've ever had.
Hope to hear--and see some pictures--that you had a beautiful Thanksgiving, dear Jane!