I believe everyone is thinking of SPRING

When mid-February arrives each year most people in the Northern Hemisphere are pretty much done with winter.

It's time to break out the flowers and colorful decor to cheer us up from the gloom of winter.
Here are a few items of inspiration for your home.

Paint an old frame (or dollar store / thrift shop frame) also get bunches of colorful flowers.   Hot glue them onto the frame in a pleasing arrangement and take a look at spring!  For extra pizzaz, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the silk flowers.  NOTE: Use painters tape to mask off the mirror before painting to keep it neat and clean.

Fresh smells of Spring can be so easy to have in your house,  What is your favorite scent?  Mine is Lilacs, nothing says spring to me like lilacs and hyacinth.  Use the essential oil of your choice with baking soda.  Or for a truly clean and freshening effect use only the baking soda and change it out every couple days.

Shake the jar daily to increase the aroma or cleansing.

images borrowed from cleaningtutorials.net

 

Add our jar accessories to make it PRETTY and consider painting the jars with our chalk paints, and our DIXIE BELLE paints.  We have brushes, pro brushes, and sanding tools

Colorful faux succulents from Stacey Turner Creations 

Have fun getting SPRINGY

Holly Jolly Times

Are you READY?
We have a giveaway!   

I made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and Grinch cookies so far.  I had an amazing helper who is THE best at watching the clock to ensure no burnt cookies!  Something I am guilty of not doing (multitasking diversion).

I am in process of making a variety of sweet Biscotti today.  I also found a recipe for Savory Biscotti with dried tomatoes, olives, basil, and parmesan!

I will also make chipotle cheese crackers and a pomegranate covered cheese ball among other things.  

I got tired just typing this!  It is the time of year that brings out the cook and baker in me.  I have always loved to cook and bake.  I'm not a Julia Child, but prefer honest, simple, homey foods.  

I will do a giveaway of the beautiful mason jar lids for the Holidays. 

Comment below and share to Facebook to have your name in the drawing.

Here are some tried and true recipes for your gifting and eating!

Beer Cheese Spread

1 lb aged natural cheddar cheese

1 lb natural swiss cheese

1 clove garlic, mashed

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 -2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

8 ounces beer  (regular or non alcoholic)

DIRECTIONS

Grate the cheeses finely.

Mix the cheeses with the garlic, dry mustard and Worcestershire.

Gradually beat in the beer until the mixture is well blended and of spreading consistency.

Place in a small mason jar for gifting.  Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Serve at room temperature.

                         ********** 

 VERY CHERRY FLUFF

1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling

1 (8-ounce) bowl frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (any kind)

In a large bowl, fold together all ingredients.

Spoon into a serving bowl or individual dessert glasses. Chill before serving.  You can add a pirouette cookie to the glass for a garnish.

                          **********

Make sure to comment!                           

In the FALL mood

We are a DIY store, so let's DIY Fall!

I like to have a simmering pot or mini crock pot of spices to give the house a great autumn aroma.

Below are a couple recipes and ideas for gifting a welcoming aroma for the home during fall and winter holidays.

Add the following combinations to water and allow to simmer to bring out the gorgeous aromas.  

You can also use cheesecloth to gather your spices (dried), tie with twine and place into a mason jar with our wonderful lids, give with a bag of oranges or lemons as a hostess gift. 

For a truly special gift add our ornate Vintologie Silver metal jar jewelry added to the jar with a label.

You could also use our Autumn Felt flowers.

 

We also have die cut instructions for creating beautiful flowers as adornments as well.    

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   
Orange Cinnamon scent

2 cinnamon sticks 

1/2 tablespoon nutmeg (or a whole nut) 

1 orange (large slices) 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups water

Orange Spice Scent

• 1 orange rind  fresh or two rinds dried
• 2 whole anise stars
• 2 tablespoons whole cloves
• 3 bay leaves
• 1-2 cups of water

Southwest Autumn

• 3 lemons thickly sliced
• 3 star anise
• 1 small knob of fresh ginger cut to release scent (or grated)
• 1/4 teaspoon dried orange peel
• 2 dried chili peppers
• 10 peppercorns
• 5 cups water

Thanks for visiting today!

Sweet gifts for Friends.

Do you agree that Homemade is the BEST?

We think so.

As you know, we carry mason jar lids and metal rings, this project uses both.   Plus our wonderful collage sheets.  You can order a full kit or purchase the individual items. 

Our collage sheets allow you to make any jar theme you want; kids, women, men, floral, holidays.  

Read to the end for a wonderful "recipe".

These precious lids become ornaments 

or simply jar lids!  

Add lace to finish it off.  

Think out of the box.  Jars hold so much more than foods, it can be luxurious body care items, or a fun and wacky birthday gift.

Homemade Luxurious Moisturizing Lotion:

16 ounces baby lotion
8 ounces coconut oil (solid form, not melted)
8 ounces vitamin E cream
Mix together with a handheld mixer until it resembles icing.

Store in airtight containers…keep it for your own supply…or create a label or lid insert for gift-giving!   Collages are available to create lid inserts.
My friends loved it! 

Cost breakdown:
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil $7.00
Dollar Store Baby Lotion $1.00
Dollar Store Vitamin E Cream $1.00

Use half the jar of coconut oil, the whole bottle of baby lotion & 1/2 the jar of vitamin E Cream.