Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Jack-o-lantern Mason Jars


Hello Friends! With September arriving I am thinking of fall, my favorite time of year, and with canning season in full force there are lots of mason jars available. This calls for some mason jar craft creations. I love the mason jar, they are so versatile. If you look them up on Pinterest there are hundreds of ideas on ways to use a mason jar. Over the next month I will be highlighting some of those projects. 

This weekend I created jack-o-lantern mason jar luminaries. They were easy and fun. Here is how I did it. 

Gather up the following:
  • Mason jars (I use 3) 
  • Roll of orange crepe paper streamer 
  • Mod podge (Yes, a flashback from your school years!) 
  • Black paper (I used sticky back vinyl from my Silouette America Die-Cutting Machine) 
  • Green paint 


Start by measuring the height of your jars and cut the crepe paper streamer to that size.

Paint Mod Podge, a section at a time, onto the outside of the jar. 

Lay down a strip of crepe paper and smooth it down well. Then, move onto the next section. Overlapped the strips of paper to make it look more like the ridges of a pumpkin. Don’t worry if it’s a little wrinkly, it doesn’t show once it’s dry. 

Keep going till you get the jar covered. 

Then, it is time to work on cutting out the faces. You can download faces off the web or create your own using black craft paper. (I created mine on my Silhouette Machine.) Just make sure you size the face according to the size of your jar. Apply the faces to the jar either by gluing the pieces or using sticky back vinyl and paint the tops with some green paint. 


Now you can do 1 of 2 things to seal the pumpkin:
  1. Brush on a coat or 2 of Mod Podge 
  2. Can of spray enamel (this is the method I used) 

The finishing touch... add a flameless votive/tea light candle or a string of lights. 

Oooooooh how Scary!!!!! 


Now go get your craft on and make some scary jack-o-lantern mason jars ! 



Monday, September 8, 2014

Unlocking a Mystery


Hi All! I hope you had a fabulous weekend! We did, the weather started off hot and humid but by Sunday it was in the 70s and dry. I was busy getting my craft on all weekend long. I completed some projects that I will display in the coming days.

Today, I wanted to share with you a little skeleton key love. There is something about an old key I find intriguing. Did it come from a far away place? What kind of door did it once open? Was it a door to a house or a gate to a yard? Did it unlock a great treasure hidden inside a trunk? I wonder what stories those keys would tell if they could speak. 

When walking around the North Haven Flea & Farmers Market, I came across a vendor that had some old keys for sale. I was drawn to them immediately, and since he only wanted $10.00 for all 4, they were coming home with me. 

Aren’t they just gorgeous? I was told the large key at the top was a key to a gate. But the others are a mystery....

Now I am hoping these keys will unlock a unique and creative idea to re-purpose them in a decor piece. In what ways have you used skeleton keys in your own home? I’d love to hear about it! 

Have an inspired day!

Friday, September 5, 2014

Friday's Fancy

For All the Times you made us Laugh... We Thank You.

Your Legacy Lives On...

RIP

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

It's County Fair Time


This weekend we spent a great day with our good friend and her son at the 102nd Haddam Neck Fair. I have lived in CT all my life and it was my first time at this fair. It was a real treat. There is something about a county fair that screams fall is coming. My favorite time of year. At the fair we experienced great fair food, played some carnival games, checked out all the vendors and agricultural entries. This was our first fair of the season and you can be sure we will be visiting more. 


Here are some facts about the Haddam Neck Fair from their website. Rated as a major agricultural fair, it is known for the family friendly atmosphere in a beautiful setting. The many events offer somethings for everyone including tractor and truck pulls, horse and oxen pulling contests and a horse show. Exhibits of rabbits, poultry, sheep and goats are popular. Exhibitors are encouraged to enter arts and hobbies, vegetables, flowers, canned goods and hand work. There are contests offered throughout the weekend including women's skillet throwing, beard, multiple birth and children's contests. Live music on the bandstand on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Do you love attending county fairs? What is your favorite part? I love all the food they have to offer. 

Here's to looking forward to fall.