DIY Memory In A Jar Instructions

DIY memory jars instructions

what you’ll need

• upcycled mason or pasta sauce jar
• hot glue gun
• collected memories and photos

let’s do it

• wash and dry jar
• gather items for jar
• select filler for bottom of jar (sand, moss, dirt, leaves, fabric)
• hot glue filler to secure
• start layering memories in jar, hot glue to secure

TIP: less is more so pick your favorite items or make 2 jars

• make banners with name, year and location
• screw on lid tightly, add exterior embellishments if desired
• decorate your shelves with memories

DIY Personalized Planting Pot Gifts

DIY personalized planter instructions

what you’ll need

• terra cotta pot
• blue painter’s tape
• exterior house paint or spray paint
• foam paint brush
• small point paint brush
• letter stencil
• stencil or stipple brush

let’s do it

• wipe off pot with cloth to remove dust
• apply tape around pot leaving approximately ¼ of pot exposed

TIP: instead of tape, measure and mark with a ruler and pencil. Use marks as a guide for tape placement to create a straight edge.

• paint planter
• let dry
• apply another 1-2 coats, allowing to dry between each coat
• repeat with tape and paint for other half of pot
• remove painter’s tape

TIP: remove  tape at an angle so you don’t pull up the paint you just applied

• let dry another 1-2 hours
• place stencil between colors slightly overlapping bottom color
• TIP: hold stencil firmly with hand since it’s a curved surface
• paint first letter with color used on bottom of pot

TIP: move brush up and down to stencil so the finished letter has crisp edges

• let dry before moving to next letter
• position stencil for next letter and paint
• repeat for all letters
• freehand “the” using small point brush

TIP: pencil in letters on the pot or paper first to create a guideline for painting

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Chunky Guacamole

chunky guacamole recipe

makes 8 servings

what you’ll need

• 4 avocados
• ½ small red onion, grated
• 1 small tomato, diced
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried cilantro
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• juice of 1 lime
• salt, to taste
• grater or microplane

let’s do it

• remove avocados from shells; save shells
• mash 3 avocados in bowl with back of fork
• dice 1 avocado and add to other avocado mixture
• add rest of ingredients and mix well
• serve in avocado skins

cheerios sheep treats

What You’ll Need

Makes approximately 6 sheep

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 1/3 cups mini marshmallows (plus additional for assembly)
• 2 cups either multi-grain and chocolate Cheerios (depending on desired sheep’s color)
• White or dark chocolate chips
• Pretzel sticks
• White and dark chocolate coated almonds (or Whoppers if you don’t like nuts)
• Toothpicks

Let’s Do It

Sheep’s body:

• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter; add marshmallows and stir until melted
• Remove from heat and add 2 cups of Cheerios, mix together
• Spoon out heaping tablespoon of mixture and use lightly greased hands to mold into egg-like shape
• For legs, melt white or dark chocolate chips to use as glue; break pretzel sticks to ¾” lengths and attach to sheep’s body

Sheep’s head:

• Apply small amount of melted chocolate and press into end of body
• For ears, cut mini marshmallows into small pieces and use melted chocolate to glue them on top of head
• For eyes, dip toothpick into melted chocolate and add two dots to face

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Strawberry Garden Dessert

What You’ll Need

Makes 6 pots (plus additional strawberries)

• 12 medium strawberries
• Orange chocolate melting wafers
• http://www.groovycandies.com/candy/chocolate-orange-melting-wafers-5.asp
• 4 Fun Size bags of Oreos
• 2 boxes sugar-free Jell-O chocolate pudding mix

Let’s Do It

• In food processor blend Oreos into crumbs; set aside
• Make pudding according to package instructions; set aside
• Place melting wafers in small metal bowl
• Place water in small saucepan and bring to boil; lower water temperature to medium-high and set metal bowl with melting wafers on saucepan, making sure water is not touching bottom of bowl; melt wafers while stirring constantly
• Dip strawberries in melted chocolate, remove excess back into bowl and transfer to a parchment-lined plate; place in refrigerator until chocolate is set
• Pour remaining melted chocolate in piping bag with narrow tip; drizzle lines over strawberries to simulate growth rings on carrots
• Line pots with food-safe parchment paper (or insert small cup); fill with alternating layers of Oreo crumbs and chocolate pudding, ending with Oreo crumbs on top
• Add “carrots” and enjoy

Origami Paper Mache Egg Centerpiece

how to create this origami paper mache egg centerpiece

what you’ll need

• Mod Podge (Matte)
• origami paper
• balloons
• craft sponge brush
• small plastic plant liner(s)

let’s do it

• blow up balloons
• cut origami paper into 1 ½ x 3 inch strips
• apply generous a coat of Mod Podge to balloon using sponge brush
• attach origami paper until 2/3 of balloon is covered
• add additional layer of Mod Podge over origami paper
• set balloon aside to dry overnight
• pop balloon and place plant liner or miniature vase inside paper mache egg
• insert small plastic plant liner to display potted flowers or small bunch of flowers within paper mache egg

Gift or Shower Basket Ideas

how to create a mother’s day spa basket- wedding shower-graduation gift- baby shower basket........

CHANGE and make it a Father's Day gift too.

What You’ll Need

• A medium-sized basket
• Tissue paper or crinkle paper
• A few of mom’s favorite magazines
• Make-up remover wipes
• Yummy smelling soap
• Natural sea sponge
• Luxurious lotion
• Pretty nail polish
• Pocket tissue

Let’s Do It

• Fill basket with tissue or crinkle paper
• Place magazines in back of basket
• Carefully add other items in front with labels out
  

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DIY GARDEN MARKERS

I LOVE THIS IDEA.
NOT JUST FOR MOTHER'S DAY.
DO YOU HAVE A BRIDE-TO-BE THAT LOVES GARDENING?
A FATHER'S DAY IDEA TOO.

jewelry nickel stamping blanks DIY garden markers instructions

what you’ll need

• jewelry nickel stamping blanks found at your local craft store
• 20 gauge floral stem wire
• fine point sharpie
• colored nail polish
• wire cutters or scissors

let’s do it

• write name of herb on the jewelry nickel stamping blank using a fine point Sharpie
• paint one corners of tag with 1-2 coats of colored nail polish to add a little flair
  TIP: if you mess up with the marker or nail polish, use Goo Gone and a paper towel to wipe clean and start over
• cut floral wire to approximately 9″ using wire cutters or scissors
• sculpt wire into swirl or other fun shape
• thread stamping blank onto wire
• put marker into pot

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paint chips DIY garden markers instructions

what you’ll need

• paint chips from local hardware store or colored craft paper
• scissors
• ruler
• 20 gauge floral stem wire
• fine point Sharpie
• small hole punch

let’s do it

• cut paint chips or craft paper to approximately 1″ wide by 2 1/2″ tall
• punch hole in each corner of paint chip
• write name of herbs on paint chips with marker
  TIP: to create a more artsy garden marker, it’s fun to sketch a little picture of the herb to go along with the name
• hold floral wire in the middle with one hand
• gently bend wire over your finger with your other hand (both sides should be even length when finished)
• thread paint chips onto wire, almost up to curve
• trim wire if needed
• place in indoor herb garden

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Bridal Shower Idea & Reception Idea

bridal shower guests write a date night idea on a stick

Wedding Day Emergency Kit

PRE- WEDDING BRIDAL GIFT


A Wedding Day Emergency Kit is exactly what it sounds like: a collection of things one might need on one's wedding day.   Here's what I included in mine:

• Bobby pins (I went with black as the bride is a raven haired beauty :)
• Advil
• Visine
• Lip balm
• Kleenex
• Hairspray
• Band-aids
• Breath strips
• Disposable toothbrushes
• Tums
• Tide stain stick
• Scissors
• Thread
• Seam ripper
• Safety pins
• Q-tips (I had to remove them from the plastic case to make them fit.)

day: an emergency kit! (In a mason jar, of course!)