14 Days of Valentine's Gifts - Day 8:

Valentine's Jars

by Sonya Shaw, LM Design Team

Valentine’s Jars

What do you do with all those jars you’ve been collecting? Or am I the only one who saves every single one? *embarrassed* I have jar issues and freely admit it! *giggles* I love to alter them, fill them to the brim with goodies and give as gifts. They are perfect for teachers, friends, and family members – anyone that is on your list and the best part of it is, is that they are so inexpensive to make.

To make my altered jars:

1. I started by taking the cap off the jar, and since I used a canning mason jar, it comes in 2 separate pieces for pressurizing. I took the insert out of the lid, laid it on my patterned paper, cut around it with my coluzzle knife, and adhered the paper to it with glue. Let it sit for a moment allowing time for the glue to dry, just enough to make sure it will stick to the metal surface. I then used my glue and ran it on the inside of the rim to adhere the insert with the paper.
2. Now it’s time to decorate the outside of the lid.
3. Using glue I ran a bead around the outside rim of the lid -- don’t worry about how much or being skimpy with the glue since we want to ensure our sequins will stick. You can come back with a baby wipe, or rag and wipe the excess off, and the rest will dry clear. I wrapped my sequins around the rim twice, making sure to cover the entire surface.
4. Once that was complete, I used a glitter glue pen and small paint brush, brushing over the entire surface of the lid, patterned paper, and even the sequins. Set it to the side allowing adequate drying time. (however, if you’re just a tad bit impatient as I am, you can always run a blow dryer and heat gun over the glitter glue).
5. While the lid is drying, I grabbed my patterned paper that I wanted to use and cut several different strips about ¼ to ½ inch thickness (depending on your preference). Using scissors, you can run your patterned paper across the blade to curl them -- the same way you would with ribbon -- or you can simply wrap each piece around a pencil to gently curl it -- whichever you prefer. After you have several done, set them to the side. These will be used later to add inside the jar along with the candy.
6. Using the same patterned paper that I used to the cut strips, I hand-drew 3 different flowers -- 2 with 5 petals, 1 with 4 petals. If you think you can’t draw, seriously don’t worry, these don’t have to be perfect, in fact the more imperfect the better. *smiles* Cut them out of the patterned paper, and ink with Tim Holtz Fired Brick distress ink. (For even coverage or more coverage, try using a cotton ball – this work fabulously!)
7. Once you have them cut out and inked, it’s time to piece them together. Alternate the patterns, so you can see them clearly when pieced together. Glue the center of the flower, and allow adequate drying time. After it’s dry, using a pencil you can curl the edges up to give it depth – this will stand out from the jar, and is also the reason that imperfections won’t matter. I cut my flower in half, since an entire flower was way too big for the jar. Then I added a Bazzill Blossoms, buttons and some of the strips I had previously cut and curled, just a few for an added pop of color. If you want to take it a step further, you can add glitter to your flower, like I did.
8. For the tags, I simply used KI Memories Hip Chip Shapes, stamped Happy Valentines Day on them, embellished with glitter and KI Memories Joyful ColorLab Jewels. I punched a hole in them using my hole punch, and tied it to the neck of the jar using KI Memories Wild Thing Sashes.
9. Now that your jar is decorated on the outside, grab the pre-cut curled strips and fill start filling your jar with goodies. I used 3 different types of valentine’s chocolates for mine, adding a few at a time, along with a curly piece of paper throughout the mix. This will act as a filler, and add to the color and embellishment of the jar!
10. Place the lid back on the jar, and finish embellishing it as you wish. I added left-over curls, Bazzill Blossoms and KI Memories Shapes Gel Candy to finish mine.

Now that you are finished you have a beautiful gift to give, that everyone is sure to love! Make several -- use up those jars hogging cabinet space -- but whatever you do have fun creating them! Whoever the recipients are, they will adore and appreciate the thought and time you put into making them something handmade and special.

Supplies Used:

KI Memories Wild Thing Collection 2006

Bazzill Blossoms

KI Memories Joyful Collection 2006 - ColorLab

Red Sequins

Glitter