Mason Jar {Red, White, & Blue} Lanterns

I've seen some clever ways to use Mason Jars around blog land and on pinterest, and I think they are kind of fun!  For this month's Crafting Challenge, we were challenged to come up with a project using these mason jars, and what a challenge it was!!  I couldn't think of anything to do! I wanted so badly to do something for the 4th of July, but I thought and thought about it and I couldn't think of anything.  Then, I was looking on pinterest and came across these cute jars.  I thought they looked so festive, and it got me going on my project.  (I didn't read the blog post these came from, the picture inspired me, and I did these on my own.)  Let me show you how I made these.

I started by wrapping wire around the tops of each bottle.  I just wrapped and twisted and then left enough wire to make a handle.  Using my Cricut I cut out some vinyl stars and stuck them on the jar.

Using a sponge brush, I brushed paint over the top of the stars.  I didn't want the paint to be completely solid, cause I want the candle light to show through the color a little.

Once the paint was dry, I peeled the vinyl off. After I had the vinyl peeled off I coated the outside/painted part of the jars with Mod Podge Matte Clear Acrylic Sealer. I love the way it made the glass look slightly foggy.

Once everything was dry I added some dry northern beans and put a candle in each jar.

It think these would be so fun to have hanging outside while you enjoy the evening summer air, or just to put up on a shelf.

I think these are so fun and add the perfect touch to my Independence Day decor!

If you want to see the other projects for the Crafting Challenge, click here.

Linking to some of these parties:  Monday: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Keeping it Simple, Craft-O-Maniac, Huckleberry Love Tuesday: Love Grows Wild, Lolly Jane, Sweet Little Gals, The Winthrop Chronicles, Blooming Homestead, Sugar Bee Crafts, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Not JUST A Housewife, Todays Creative Blog Wednesday: The 36th Avenue, Ashley's Dandelion Wishes, Made to be a Momma, Creations by Kara, Clean & Scentsible, Lil' Luna, Ginger Snap Crafts, SNAP! Creativity, Seven Thirty Three, Rae Gun Ramblings, Daisy Cottage Designs, Polkadots on Parade, Someday Crafts Thursday: The Shabby Creek Cottage, Artsy-Fartsy Mama, A Glimpse Inside, Seven Thirty Three, House of Hepworths, The Crafty Blog Stalker, The Girl Creative Friday: Simply Designing, One Artsy Mama, Just Us Four, Wait Til Your Father Gets Home, Design, Dining + Diapers, The Shabby Nest, Tatertots & Jello, Practically Functional, Happy Hour Projects, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Whipperberry Weekend: Six Sisters' Stuff, I Heart Naptime, Flamingo Toes, Housewife Eclectic, What's Cooking with Ruthie, Your Homebased Mom, Or So She Says, Home|Styled

USA Wood Letters

I'm over at A Little Tipsy today sharing another 4th of July decoration.  Head on over and check it out. 
Five or six years ago, I made me some USA letters, using paper mache letters from Joann's.  Last year, I decided that I wanted to update/replace them, so I picked up some wood letters.  I didn't get them finished last year, so they were at the top of my list for this year.  I don't know why I didn't get them done last year, they were SO quick.

I painted all of the edges and backs of the letters, and then traced them onto the paper.  I cut the paper and adhered it to the wood, using wood glue.  Then I sanded the edges down on each of the letters. 

I added twine to the U and it was finished!  It only took me about 30 minutes from start to finish!  You gotta love that kind of project!

Have you ordered your Star Slat Board yet?  If not, head on over and order one, you don't want to miss it!

Linking to some of these parties:  Monday: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Keeping it Simple, Craft-O-Maniac, Huckleberry Love Tuesday: Lolly Jane, Sweet Little Gals, The Winthrop Chronicles, Blooming Homestead, Sugar Bee Crafts, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Not JUST A Housewife, Todays Creative Blog Wednesday: The 36th Avenue, Ashley's Dandelion Wishes, Made to be a Momma, Creations by Kara, Clean & Scentsible, Lil' Luna, Ginger Snap Crafts, SNAP! Creativity, Seven Thirty Three, Rae Gun Ramblings, Daisy Cottage Designs, Polkadots on Parade, Someday Crafts Thursday: The Shabby Creek Cottage, Artsy-Fartsy Mama, A Glimpse Inside, Seven Thirty Three, House of Hepworths, The Crafty Blog Stalker, The Girl Creative Friday: Simply Designing, One Artsy Mama, Just Us Four, Wait Til Your Father Gets Home, Design, Dining + Diapers, The Shabby Nest, Tatertots & Jello, Practically Functional, Happy Hour Projects, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Whipperberry Weekend: Six Sisters' Stuff, I Heart Naptime, Flamingo Toes, Housewife Eclectic, What's Cooking with Ruthie, Your Homebased Mom, Or So She Says, Home|Styled

Designs by Chelsee Giveaway!!

Have you ever seen the adorable baby beanies that are out there?  I've always admired them from afar.  Before my sister had her baby, a friend of mine, Chelsee, shared some pictures on facebook of some that she makes.  I knew that I wanted to get one for my sister's baby.  For a newborn 0-3 month size they are only $12.00, I thought that was a steal! These little hats are great quality.  Not only does she have newborn sizes, she has Child ($15.00) and Adult ($18.00).  She also has afghans and baby shawls.
Here are a few different pictures of the one that I gave my sister, on my new little niece of course.

Isn't she precious?  And isn't that hat adorable?! 
Chelsee would like to giveaway one beanie, with one embellishment, any size, and you can specify the colors.  Enter using the Rafflecopter below.  Giveaway runs from June 13 through 11:59 pm on June 16.  Winner will be announced June 17.  Giveaway open to US residents only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Star Slat Board {Patriotic Decor}

Some of you may know that I teach classes at The Wood Connection. This Star Slat Board is the next class that I'll be teaching.  It will be taught at the Murray location on June 25 and in American Fork on June 27.  The kits are $18.95 and come with everything that you need to finish the project.  The slat board, MDF star, paper, paint, ribbon, paint brushes, sandpaper, etc.  You can call the store to sign up (801.265.2255 or 801.763.9556) , but if you are not in Utah, I have great news for you!  You can order this online!!! :) 

If you would like to purchase this kit online, click here! Don't wait, order yours today!

Photo Block {Fathers Day Gift}

You know those projects that have been sitting in your "to-do" pile for a long time?  This Photo Block project is one of those.  My husband asked me to make him a block like this with our kids pictures on it for Christmas 2011.  Yes, I'm a little behind...When I finally take the time to finish one of my "to-do" projects, I'm always surprised how quickly it actually gets done.  These only took me about 20 minutes to do.  I already had the wood blocks, paper, and the pictures printed, so I just got to work putting it all together.

I started by painting my blocks top and edges.  While the paint was drying, I cut my paper to size and cut my wallet sized pictures down to 2 1/4" x 2 1/2". Once the paint was dry, I used mod podge to put it on.  I put the paper on, then I put some mod podge on the paper and put the picture on, and then sealed it with a layer of mod podge as well. Once that was dry, I was finished. Anymore, a lot of the projects I do that have paper on wood, I don't seal it, there hasn't been a need for that, but since one of these will be sitting on my husbands desk at work, I wanted to make sure it had something on it for protection.

Each block has all 4 boys on them, I made one for my father in law and one for my husband.  I wanted to keep them pretty masculine, so I didn't add ribbon or anything else.  I might have my boys sign their names on the tops of the blocks, but I'm still not sure about that. :)

I'm pretty excited for the way they turned out!  I sure hope that my husband and his dad like them!  But how could they not with those faces on them?!

Are you ready for Father's day, or are you still trying to figure out what you are going to do for it?

Linking to some of these parties:  Monday: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Keeping it Simple, Craft-O-Maniac, Huckleberry Love Tuesday: Lolly Jane, Sweet Little Gals, The Winthrop Chronicles, Blooming Homestead, Sugar Bee Crafts, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Not JUST A Housewife, Todays Creative Blog Wednesday: The 36th Avenue, Ashley's Dandelion Wishes, Made to be a Momma, Creations by Kara, Clean & Scentsible, Lil' Luna, Ginger Snap Crafts, SNAP! Creativity, Seven Thirty Three, Rae Gun Ramblings, Daisy Cottage Designs, Polkadots on Parade, Someday Crafts Thursday: The Shabby Creek Cottage, Artsy-Fartsy Mama, A Glimpse Inside, Seven Thirty Three, House of Hepworths, The Crafty Blog Stalker, The Girl Creative Friday: Simply Designing, One Artsy Mama, Just Us Four, Wait Til Your Father Gets Home, Design, Dining + Diapers, The Shabby Nest, Tatertots & Jello, Practically Functional, Happy Hour Projects, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Whipperberry Weekend: Six Sisters' Stuff, I Heart Naptime, Flamingo Toes, Housewife Eclectic, What's Cooking with Ruthie, Your Homebased Mom, Or So She Says, Home|Styled