Tool Time Tuesday...Canning Jars Projects

Tuesdays..."Where we always thinks outside the box" or the jar in this case. Did you know your local hardware store carries boxes of canning jars. They are actually in a lot of stores this time of year for storing fruits and veggies right from the garden or farm stand. However, no such edibles in these jars!

Canning jars come in so many different shapes and sizes.

Wide mouths and small mouths...

Short ones and tall ones.

Gold ones and silver ones. Yahoo for the silver ones. I just about died in the store when I saw the new silver covers.

If you have old jars and just want to change the lids to the new silver, they sell boxes of them, 12 for about $2.00-$3.00.

Ahhh...brushed silver. I can't say enough for the person who thought of this idea.

However, if you want to use these jars for anything OTHER THAN FOOD, you can always spray paint your gold rims.

A quick spray and they were done.

Not too bad! Looks like the ones from the store. Just don't can food with them.

So now that you know a little about whats out there for jars, here are a few ideas.

space

The first is a project I've been making for years. Canning jar pin cushions!

space

You will need some fiber fill or cotton balls, a square of fabric twice the size of the size of your flat lid and the disk from the lid.

Your square of fabric should be about twice the width of your jar lid disk. This little one is about 2 1/2" across, so I cut this square about 5".

Now, here's the order of the layering. Flat solid disk first on the table, then the ball of cotton batting, then your square of fabric and finally the ring from the lid.

Pick up the pile and start to push the flat disk up into the ring...

until the ball of batting has popped up high above the ring.

Make sure all the batting is inside the ring and the fabric is gathered evenly around the ring.

Work the fabric to smooth out the puckers.

Now trim to 1/2 inch all the way around.

So it looks like this.

Hot glue time.

Glue down opposite sides so the fabric is distributed evenly. Glue all the way around.

Now it would be nice to cover all the raw edges on the inside. You could just glue on another piece of fabric or you could print a special phrase that's meaningful to you.

I just print it out and glued it on.

Nice to read something every time you open the jar.

Gather up all your favorites for your sewing kit.

and you are ready to go...or should I say ready to sew!

Canning jars are great for storing just regular old things too...like buttons.

The next 2 projects are memory jars.

space

This bag of sand and seashells will be 23 years old on August 1st...our anniversary! I have kept it in this bag all through the years. Well, no more.

I found an old picture of the beach we stayed at on our honeymoon.

Center the picture with the lid.

Trim to fit.

and just pop it inside.

Now I filled the smallest jar I had with the sand and shells.

Isn't it the cutest little memory jar you've ever seen. You can always print a little hang tag with all the info from your event, vacation, birthday, special memory etc and then tie it on with a ribbon.

This next one is for the girls' prom memories. They both save their bouquets and dry the flowers. They also save the invitation and little things from the dance.

Just place all the memories into the jar...

and make a label for the inside of the ring. I printed this on a heavier weight card stock, but any paper would work.

Hold the lid disk behind the paper to center the lid on the text.

Trace and cut out.

I used a piece of the ribbon that was on her flowers to decorate the jar.

I found this little picture on the internet. It's the case the canning jars come in. Wouldn't it be cute to store all your memory jars in this box. You can identify each memory by the lid on the top of the jar.

The next ideas are decorative candle lights for parties.

space

I used epsom salt to hold the candles in the jar in these pictures. Works great and glistens like snow for Christmas. I've also used sand, cat litter, beans, coffee, candy, marbles etc. Whatever fits the party or function you are having.

Just fill the jar about half way and drop in a votive candle.

Here's a blue bow just in time for 4th of July...add a little flag and you're all set.

Great for the evening when you're outside enjoying the warm summer nights.

Skipping right to Christmas...yikes it will be here before we know it. I know, bite my tongue!

These are great for table decorations, for the mantel or add a scented candle for the guest bath.

I use mine every year along the walk way to our front door for our Christmas parties. They are much safer than the paper bag luminaries.

I know there are a thousand different uses for canning jars. I especially love all the food recipe jars. If you have any other ideas, share them in your comment if you'd like.
spaceI hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday and don't forget to enter this week's Sharing on Sunday give away.
space

Talk to you soon,

~Karen~