a real boy

While cleaning out my bedroom I came across these old frames, and I thought I might as well repurpose them with this quote I have wanted to put in the boys room. I could not decide which one to use, so I used both. If you have an opinion - please share!

Pretty cute for free.

Recycling and repurposing at its best

I just thought that I would share a fun idea with you today that I found on the internet. This is a caddy made with a piece of wood and some tin cans from Martha Stewart.com

This is another version of the same idea from the blog Under the Table and Dreaming by Stephanie lynn. She is a super crafter. She has made some incredibly cute things. I think I like her version even better! 

You could use this for pencils, markers and scissors (like Martha), or flowers (as above) or to hold your cutlery at a party, or candles, or whatever else you can imagine.

 Here is another project idea for reusing tin cans.

{I don't know the source of this picture, but the credit goes to them}

Canning Jar Garden Lanterns

Our friend Shauna is getting married next weekend and I offered to make the canning jar garden lanterns for her backyard reception, which we saw in a picture on the internet. So my girls and I got to work. We found all the supplies at Walmart. I was kind of particular about the jars (I didn't want jars with fruit on them). 

Next I needed to buy some tea lights. I found these really BIG ones in the candle section. 

They came in a package of 12 for $3! They are perfect for this project. 

They fit the jars really well, without looking too small. Seriously, these things are huge!

If you are going to use them just for decoration you can remove the metal cups (which looks better), 

otherwise if you are going to light them they need to stay on, or they will melt into a puddle of wax (I tested). 

You could also use votives that are already in a little glass holder. 

But since we were making quite a few and trying to be thrifty about it, this worked just fine.

I took a 2 foot piece of wire, folded it in half and made a small loop.

Then I wrapped the wires around the jar...

and twisted them together on the other side.

I continued to twist both wires together and put them through the loop and the other side of the jar.

Next I wrapped the ends around the wire handle.

You can either leave then plain (which is kind of my favorite. I know - I am so boring).....

 or tie a ribbon around them, burning the ends with a lighter. 

Shauna wanted ribbons in different garden colors.

 Now they are ready to be set out in the garden and/or interspersed among the dishes on the table and counter. 

They are super simple, but so cute. I think they will be perfect for her casual garden calling reception. If nothing else, we had fun!