Last-Minute July 4th Flag Jars

Combine cute mason jars and small American flags to add an easy patriotic touch to summer entertaining. Group several for an easy centerpiece or line several up on your summer mantel.

 

I don't know about you, but it's like summer has been on fast-forward. The 4th of July is only two days away. How can that be?

Easy DIY: Surprise in a Can Grad Gift

June isn't very far off, and around here that means Graduation Time. Cash and gift cards are popular gifts for grads, but sometimes I like to wrap them uniquely rather than using a traditional envelope.  If you're looking for something a little bit different for your graduation gifts this year, give this a try. It's sure to get a smile out of the recipient:)

UPDATED FOR 2015 (includes an option with NO YEAR)---Print It: Surprise Can Gift Wrap 2015

What You Need:

Fruit can with pop-top lid (unopened)

Can opener

Glue

Double-stick tape

Paper shreds or other filler

Cash gift or gift card

Congratulations Graduate Can Label (Get yours here)

Start by removing the bottom of your can (I used a 20 oz Dole fruit can). Use an opener that breaks the seal and doesn't leave a sharp edge. (Save the fruit for lunch!) Wash and dry both the can and the lid. Remove the fruit label.

Print and cut graduation label. Wrap around the can and secure with double-stick tape.

Make It: Hand-Stamped Pendant for Mom

What mom wouldn't enjoy receiving an adorable hand-stamped washer pendant made just for her this Mother's Day?

With Mother's Day coming up, I thought it would be fun to design a new washer pendant for the occasion. I'm sharing the how-to here today.

Make It: Egg-cellent Crayon Cookies

Crayon cookies are a fun and easy way to make dull or broken crayons new again. You've probably seen them before. We made our first batch of crayon cookies well over a decade ago (not to date myself or anything) after getting a copy of "Don't Move the Muffin Tins" by Bev Bos. Since then we've made them several times, including in heart shapes to give out as Valentines. We might've even done some Halloween shapes one year for a non-candy classroom treat.

So, call me crazy, but when I spotted this Easter Egg shaped cookie pan, I immediately thought crayons not cookies!

What You Need:

Egg-shaped baking pan

Crayon pieces

Make It: Beach Vacation Memory Jar

It's Spring Break time and I thought it would be a great time to share my Beach Vacation Memory Jars. This is a fun project whether you're documenting a recent trip or have a little vacation sand stashed away from a past trip. If you're at the beach right now, even better! Looking out our windows here, a beach getaway sounds fabulous!

We're at home this break, but we've been fortunate to take beach vacations in past years. With more snow in the forecast for the end of the week, I thought it would be fun to share a few favorite spring break photos from past trips and a fun keepsake project.

Here's how to put together your own beach memory jar.

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Supplies Needed for Beach Vacation Memory Jars

• Jar with Cork Stopper (I found mine in the Target Dollar Spot, but here's a link to a similar vintage-style glass jar with a cork stopper.)
• Large Paperclip
• Printed Vacation Photo (Mine's about 3"x4")
• Sand, Shells, or other small vacation mementos
• Embellishments (optional)