Mason Jar Madness

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I admit it!  I suffer from Mason jar madness - and I’m hoping it’s contagious! 

I use a lot of mason jars, even though I don’t do as much home canning as I have previously.  And when I was preparing to downsize from a home with three bedrooms, family room and garage to a small two bedroom apartment across state last year, I sold, donated and gifted things (including a lot of my - horrors! - craft and sewing supplies) for a solid two months. But I kept my mason jars!

In kitchen cabinets, I use them as storage containers for legumes, small pastas, grains and home dehydrated foods. I use them to store small amounts of leftovers in the refrigerator. I use them for homemade ‘convenience’ mixes and recipes in a jar and I use them as containers for homemade snack mixes and to grow sprouts. 

In other areas of the house, they might be used to store cotton balls and makeup sponges (not that I wear makeup very often these days!) or bath salts; to keep bandaids and antibiotic ointment together; and to store paint brushes, craft supplies and markers on my art table.

Photo courtesy of Amy at Four Corners Design

They’re easy, convenient, inexpensive – and can be left plain, decorated or painted.  Do I have you convinced yet?  Time to start collecting and developing your own case of mason jar madness!  Check garage sales, Craigslist and Freecycle for inexpensive, or even free, mason jars.

 Back to recipes in a jar!  They’re a great way to make your own convenience foods, both allowing you to cut food costs AND to have some control over the ingredients that are used.  If you use organics, which I prefer, buying staples in bulk and making your own mixes is a great way to make organics more affordable. 

Front left to right: Chicken-Rice soup; Italian cheese seasoning; Skillet lasagna; Taco seasoning; Parsley-Parmesan spaghetti

They also make wonderful and inexpensive gifts for family and friends, topped with a circle of fabric and a tag with cooking instructions.  When I give them as gifts, I usually put a set of 3 or 4 in a basket; usually a main course, a bread and a dessert or two – and they’re always a hit!

I’ll be posting recipe in a jar mixes once in a while, so keep your eyes open! In the meantime, check out this link to an awesome, alphabetized list of recipes .  And, if you know of any other awesome sites or posts dealing with mason jars, leave a link!

Frugal Decor - Getting Creative With Windows and Frames

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I love repurposing things, and have found that vintage frames and windows are the perfect foundation for some unique decor. The four projects that I'm sharing here have been my favorites!

Whether, like me, you’re living with a drastically altered (and lowered) income or you simply enjoy saving money in creative ways, these are just a few ideas for using vintage and garage sale finds to decorate and enhance your home space without spending a lot of money or time.

~Salvage an old window with a wooden frame.  Hang on your wall as is, or sand and repaint to match your décor.  If it doesn’t have glass, place small nails on the back above the window openings and hang small items (hearts, ornaments, miniature wreaths, etc.) for display. 

Found in an antique store on the Oregon coast, and painted with acrylics, this window hangs in my daughter's diningroom

 ~ Use a frame to make an earring holder.  Cut a piece of netting or lace slightly larger than the inside of the frame.  Tack or staple the fabric to the back of the frame.  I used a vintage frame found in my grandparent’s garage.  This has been in storage since my move a year ago, so it’s looking a little bit neglected!

~ Convert a frame into a bulletin board. Cut corkboard or a piece of foam core board to fit the opening. Cut the fabric of your choice (medium weight fabrics work best) the size of the cork board, plus two inches larger on all four sides. Center the fabric, right side up, over the board then flip the board over. Adhere the two inches of excess fabric to the back of the foam core board, pulling to tighten as needed, A hot glue gun works great for this. Attach the fabric covered board to the back of the frame with flat tacks, strong glue or nails.

The one that I made for my office (above) used a vintage white frame salvaged from my Grandparent’s storage and a scrap from a colorful hand-embroidered wall hanging from India (I first posted this project on my Creative Artitudes blog several months ago)

~ Experiment with altered art and create something unique!  I bought this frame on the Oregon Coast too – for another $10.00.  I decoupaged the frame with heavy tissue paper, added the letters to the top and embellishments to the left side and bottom.  I created five separate collages, using some 2 and 3D embellishments.  I then mounted each one to a square of heavy, clear plastic and centered each behind its own pane of glass.  Four of the panes were decorated with embellishments on the front; one with glass paint and crystals as well. I'll be able to add additional panels later, or remove and replace already existing ones. 

My Inspiration Window - the final project for my ARTbundance coaching certification class 

I hope you find some inspiration of your own in this post!

This post is part of 

Get Your Craft On Tuesday at Today's Creative Blog

Share Wednesdays at the Trendy Treehouse 

Whatever You Want Wednesday at Free Pretty Things For You 

Rustic, Recycled & Shabby Chic Ongoing Link Up at Rustic Crafts & Chic Decor

Shared for Show and Tell Saturday at Be Different Act Normal

Shared on Show Off Your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans