Happy Memorial Day

Hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend with family and friends. Just wanted to share the cupcake toppers that I made for our family cookout.

I love these. They are so versatile and can be used for so much more than just toppers. Goody bag labels, stickers, tags etc. etc. Can't wait to make more for our next celebration.

Joining the party at:

Under the Table and Dreaming

Tatertots and Jello

My First Feature !!!

I'm very excited that my Mason Jar Luminaries have been featured on The Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming. I have only recently started blogging and linking up to parties so this was a total shock to see my project featured. I've been a fan of this site for a long time and drool at all the creative goodness that people post. I'm so happy that I can share my ideas with others and to know that they actually like them. I have so many more project ideas to share and love that I have found an outlet to share them.

Mason Jar Luminaries

We have a screened-in back porch perfect for relaxing and sipping margaritas or your adult beverage of choice after a long day. When we first moved in, it was bare and plain, obviously. It needed some pizazz. I have always liked the look of those strings of lights that people hang from their porch. No, not the Christmas lights... the ones that look like little lanterns. And I have a love for glass jars. I decided to combine the two. I call them Mason Jar Luminaries.

Here is what you need:

1. Three Mason jars. I used 2 large ones and one smaller one. The largest one (the one that will be used at the top) has a metal handle on it.

2. Floral wire

3. Tea light holders

4. Tea lights

5. Glue gun

6. Tongs

7. wooden spoon or something similar with long handle.

Step 1:

Cut a piece of floral wire. This measurement will vary depending on how high or low you want your top jar to hang. Secure one end of the wire to the metal handle by twisting. Secure the other end to the handle on the other side of the jar the same way. This will be the loop from which your top jar will hang.

Step 2:

Cut two pieces of wire and wrap them around the mouths of each of the other two Mason jars, forming a circle. Secure by twisting the ends together.

Step 3:

Cut another piece of wire. Thread one end of this wire under the wire circle that you formed in Step 2. Secure by twisting ends together (shown to the right in the picture above).

Step 4:

Loop the other end of the wire through the metal handle of the large Mason jar and then back under the circle loop on the other side of the small Mason jar. Twist to secure.

Step 5:

Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for the other Mason jar. You should now have all 3 jars hooked together. Hold it up to make sure you like the way it hangs. You can always adjust the wires if you do not like it.

Step 6:

Squirt hot glue on the bottom of a tea light holder. Place the holder into the jar, securing it to the bottom. To do this, place the tea light holder very gently into the jar and moved it into place with tongs or the handle of a wooden spoon. You will need to do this quickly because the glue dries fast. Don't worry if the candle holder is not exactly in the center. Repeat this for all 3 jars.

Step 7:

Using tongs, place the tea lights into the holders.

Step 8:

Hang and enjoy. Light the candles using one of those lighters with the long ends.

Here it is at night in all its glory

Linking up to:

DIY Sprinkler

Summer is almost upon us and the kids are in desperate need of some outdoor toys to keep them busy. Apparently, the sand and water table, slide, rocking horse, bubbles and chalk just aren't cutting it anymore. To save us from this wicked heat and humidity that will surely hit us this summer, my husband made this DIY sprinkler for the kids.

Here are the instructions:

Step 1: Get your Supplies

2 ten foot lengths of PVC
3 end caps
1 threaded female hose connector (slip fit)
2 elbow joints (90 degree)
2 T connections
1 pack quarter circle mister jets (12 count)

Step 2: Get your Tools

measuring device
pen or pencil
saw
PVC cement
drill
5/32" drill bit

Step 3: Cut Pipes

You will need the following sections and sizes:

2 at 5 feet
1 at 4 feet
4 at 18 inches

Cut one of the 10' lengths in half so that you have two 5' sections.

Then, cut a 4' section from the second one. Cut the remaining 6' section in half and then each of the 3' sections in half.

Step 4: Make a Center Line

You want all the misters pointing more or less in the same direction, so start out by making a center line on the three longest pieces of pipe. Hold two pieces of pipe next to one another and use one as a guide to mark the other.

Step 5: Mark Locations for Misters

Measure 9" from the end of each pipe, mark it, and then mark three more locations at 10" intervals. This will center the four misters along the top, and provide nice coverage on the sides.

Step 6: Drill Holes

A 5/32" hole was perfect for the mister jets, but check yours before drilling holes. The mister jets have threads and a taper that increases as they go in. The bit should leave a hole that allows the bottom to slide in easily, but engages the threads where they start. With the right combination you'll need to bear down to get the first threads to "bite", but after the first or second turn they'll cut their own threads into the pipe for a tight fit.

Step 7: Assemble Upright Pipes

Make sure there are no PVC chips or other debris in the pipes before assembly. Fit the drilled pipes together to form a "U" shape with all the drilled holes facing up. The drilled holes on the side pieces should be closest to the end with elbow joint (near cross piece). Once you're satisfied glue up the "U", making sure the holes stay facing up.

Step 8: Screw in Mister Jets

Screw the mister jets into the holes. You'll need to bear down at first to get the mister jet threads to catch, but after a turn or two they'll burrow into the pipe just fine. When you get down to the last turn or so, align the jet so it faces inwards. Angle the jets near the corners towards the center.

Step 9: Glue Base

Now that the "U" is glued up and has the misters are installed, we need a base to stand it up on. Check the fit of all your parts and glue them up.

Step 10: Attach Base

Assemble the "U" and the base without glue. Make sure the base pieces are parallel with each other, and perpendicular to the plane of the "U".

Step 11: Ready Set Go!!!

Let the glue dry before testing. Turn the water on low enough that you get a little spray from all the misters. Check and adjust the direction of the misters to direct the water towards the center. Turn it on full and look for leaks around the base of the misters. If you find one, you can use a wrap of teflon tape around the base of the mister to stop it.

Sharing the fun at:

Customized Headband

I wanted to share this cute headband I made to match my daughter's Easter dress. She has tons and tons of bows but now likes to wear headbands instead and has requested that she have one to match each outfit. Here is a picture of her dress with the headband.

I chose a slightly darker pink ribbon than what was on her dress mainly because it was the color that looked the best out of the choices that I had.

And here are a few close-ups of the headband.

Here are the supplies you need:

1", 3/4'" or 1/2" headband

3/8" ribbon in 4 different colors

Hot glue gun

Lighter or matches

Alligator clips

There are numerous tutorials out there. I followed this one:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/3276459/Ribbon-Woven-Headband-Instructions

I love making these headbands. You can customize them to any outfit.