It’s time for another round of Crafting with IGE! Today’s project:
DIY Spruce and Berry Jars
It’s been a grey and blustery day (although surprisingly warm) and I couldn’t help but feel the holiday spirit creep in as I ran around town doing my errands this morning. Every store I stepped into was dressed to the nines in cheerful, red & green decor.
I made a split second decision to stop at the craft store on my way home and pick up supplies to decorate my mantle with cheerful berries & rustic spruce fronds stuffed in shabby-chic mason jars.
Whee! First Christmas decorations of the season!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 7 mason jars
- 7 votive candles (mine were 1.4oz each)
- fake berries in any color
- fake spruce
- Hemp string or twine
Step 1
Drop the votive candle into the mason jar. Cut 4 pieces of spruce about the height of the votive and place them on 4 sides of the votive.
Step 2
Cut the berries off of the vine. These were attached by a thin wire, which I was able to cut with regular scissors.
I also used the mason jar lids to corral them.
Step 3
Drop the berries in between the spruce pieces. Because of the size of my votive, I was only able to add the berries to the front, which was fine because you only see them from the front.
Step 4
Cut a length of string/twine/hemp and tie it around the neck of the mason jar.
Step 5
Repeat!
I honestly had no intentions of putting up any additional Christmas decorations today, but the votives looked so lonely and out of place all alone up there!
So I did the damn thing.
Just imagine there’s one of these going on in there. ;)
I couldn’t have been more happy with how the jars turned out – and for so cheap!
Cost Breakdown
Mason jars = free from my Mom (thanks Ma!)
Berry springs = $.69/piece (used 6 total)
Spruce spray = $2.99
Hemp string = $1.79
Votives = $2.79
Total cost: $11.71
Gah, it feels so deliciously 1900s in here! ;)
~~~~~
Are you a crafty kind of person? Have you started putting up holiday decor around your house yet?
Normally I wait until after Thanksgiving, but I just couldn’t help myself this year. :)
Cait @ Cait hates Cake 11.19.2011
Very pretty – I’m a big fan of the cranberry and spruce sprigs combo. I do something similar every year using cranberries and spruce sprigs, but I add water and use floating candles. So cheap and easy, but looks amazing.
Christa 11.19.2011
Just saw your green bean casserole recipe linked over on howsweeteats.com. How fun to see a familiar face while reading other sites!
Karie @ The HoB 11.19.2011
These are super cute! Great job!
Rebeca 11.19.2011
I love your new layout!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga 11.19.2011
DIY gifts and craft projects are the best kind of gifts to receive…and to give. So fun!
Libby Bouma 11.19.2011
I try to be super crafty… but haven’t done it much recently. I love these super cute wintery jars!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie 11.19.2011
Those look beautiful! Awesome job!
Dream Mom 11.19.2011
Oh, those are really cute. They look nice on the mantle.
Yes, I am almost done putting up Christmas decorations. I was excited to get started this year since I am in a new space and couldn’t stop thinking about where things would go. Tomorrow, I’ll put up the tree so I can enjoy it.
The blog design is pretty although I did like the photo of you with the corn cob, lol.
Stephanie @cookinfanatic 11.19.2011
These are ridiculously cute, love them! And your pictures are absolutely beautiful of the finished product. Can you come to my house and do this too please haha? ;)
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) 11.19.2011
wow, this site looks great!
Lisa @ Fit in the Midwest 11.19.2011
Love the classic look of the decorations! I am not a crafty person, but I could handle that craft. I’ll start putting decorations up on Friday. I just want to get through Thanksgiving first.
Adore the new design! Now you have me wanting to give my blog a makeover.
Kristine @ Running on Hungry 11.19.2011
I absolutely love this idea! I had “pinned” something similar, and already picked up the fake cranberries (and got severely ripped off at Pottery Barn, but they did have the “frosted” and regular in a combo pack!) I can’t wait to make this, it looks beautiful!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss 11.19.2011
Beautiful! Great idea. I need to be more artsy like that. No doubt it’s much more enjoyable than just going out and buying it.
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) 11.19.2011
I’m not a crafty person but I am thinking I might try this idea!
Love the new blog design!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.19.2011
Thanks guys! I’ll walk you through the new site after we get all the kinks out, hopefully early next week! :)
Erika 11.19.2011
I love the new site redesign!!
Susie @ Foodie fabulista 11.19.2011
Super duper cute! I love the addition of the frosty berries and the way the light reflects! Love your new site layout too!
Julie 11.19.2011
Very cute idea! I have the same willow tree thing on our bookcase :)
Amy 11.19.2011
Yes you did, do the da– thing, soooo cute!!! I need to make some of these, a few for me and some for my mom’s home—it could be my hostess gift next Thursday:) Thanks IGE!
Kate @ Stripes and Polka Dots 11.19.2011
These are so cute! I like how you got a couple of different varieties of spruce berries and mixed them together.