The Jolly Jam Jar Project 2010

I hope you have been enjoying your winter holidays. We certainly have. I don't think I have ever seen such beautiful icicles around here. Perfect weather for long evenings by the fire.The vista from my kitchen is fringed with icicles !

Anyhoo...I dropped by to tell you about my Jolly Jam Jar project 2010. I hope to bring you a little creative inspiration - a Jam Jar upcycling tutorial every month. ( I say jam jar, but there may be a honey jar, or pesto jar in the project too.) So watch this space...

It's going to be fun!

Snow snow snow

There has been quite a bit of snow here the last couple of days. The kids have had a happy time making igloos and snowmen. My husband had a snow day from school, but had to go back in today, (after digging the car out!) The main roads seem fine now, but we were kind of hoping that we would be snowed in for a few days!

It's the best snow we've seen here for some time. It might not seem much if you live somewhere a little colder, but we're impressed.

One of the things I love about this time of year is when we start candlemaking again.

It's my husband's craft really, but he very graciously lets me play too. He made the blue candle and I hand dipped the pillars. These are for a friend, but we will get around to selling some once we get going again. (For me, part of the fun is packaging them!)

Hello!

I had to share this with you. My 3 year olds lovely drawing of her granny. Not sure it is totally complementary - but isn't it a great drawing? (Proud mummy)

December

Some of Naomi's images for the month.

Distracted as usual!

It doesn't take much to distract me from my intended projects does it! This time it was some Pebeo 150 porcelaine paint which caught my attention. I bought some cheap white plates from Tescos, and some black paint which you cure in the oven to become dishwasher proof, and this is what I made. I used a little stencil that I cut from an old brochure.

I have a thing about topiary trees, and also black and white artwork, and so I combined the two.

I think these would make nice gifts - with some homemade cookies on them of course!

A quick Aloe!

This is my favourite house plant. Aloe Vera. I hardly water it or give it any attention, and I haven't managed to kill it off yet. I love the way it looks, and I can pull off a leaf, slice it open and use the wonderful healing properties of the gel inside for wounds and skin irritations. If you're only going to have one houseplant, get an Aloe Vera. (I think it is time I re potted this one.) I can get lots of new baby plants from this one!

Wintertime activity

On those long dark winter evenings, I like to keep my fingers busy, so I tend to make my little felt creations sitting by the fire while we are all watching TV.

Usually, I spread all my felts and threads about the place making a right old mess, but this year I am more organised. I picked up this wicker 3 drawer unit for £5 at my local auction. The castors make it easy to shift out the way when I am not using it, and there is ample room for all my felt supplies.

My next problem was that I didn't have a proper work light and the rest of the family didn't want the big bright overhead light on. I priced floor standing lamps but I thought they were a bit too expensive, then I found this very handy clip-on light from B&Q for about £10. It works a treat. I have to stop Miss G switching it on and off all the time, but I am sure the novelty will wear off eventually! So I am all set. Watch this space to see what I churn out!