clip art for glass etching!

A reader asked if I had any templates for mustaches. Ask and you shall receive! I would love to see your finished projects! You can add pictures to Fan Photos on the Jar's Facebook page! Load 'em up! Hope you all are having a lovely week and I'll see you back here New Year's Day for a HUGE announcement!

winner of lala photospot photo session!!!!!

The winner of the photo shoot with Vonnie is......{drum roll please}

Julie W!

She wrote:

"I would love a free photo session to get my maternity pictures taken!"

Congratulations to Julie on both winning the photo session and on your baby boy coming in March!

Thank you to everybody who lent their INCREDIBLE talent to the Jar for the 12 Days of Christmas. I hope everybody had fun! Now, I'm off to finish putting together toys that came in a million pieces. I wish that every single one of you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy new year. Start counting down the days because on January 1, 2011 I have a VERY exciting announcement to share!

day 12 - peppermint bark and a paper bow by help me ronda!

I can't believe our 12 days of Christmas are already over at the Jar! It has really been fun for me and I hope you've found lots of holiday inspiration and had a lot of fun too! Don't forget to comment on yesterday's post for a chance to win a free photography session with Vonnie!

Today's guest post is brought to you by the most fabulous Help Me Ronda. Make sure you cozy up and sit and stay awhile at her blog! She's one of those people that everything she touches turns into something jaw dropping. A MacGyver...of crafting! Enjoy!

I love the holidays & gift giving. I made some peppermint bark to give out to friends. It was simple & easy to make. There are directions on my blog here on how to make the bark. I was trying to decide how to package it up when I found this cute little cans in my craftroom that used to hold paper flowers. After washing it out, I decorated the can with pattern paper and added a cute little bow on top. My friend emily showed me how to make that paper bow and now I am going to show you.

First cut 6 strips of pattern paper 6” x 5/8” and one strip 3” x 5/8”. Mark the 6” pieces in the center of the side you want to show. I like the green side so you will see an “X” on the 3” mark.


Add a drop of liquid glue to the center of the strip

Wrap the pattern paper end towards the center making a pointy loop. Repeat this with other end. It should look like a figure 8.

Once you have all 6 pieces complete you can start layering the pieces. I used a dab of glue in the center, then press & hold until dried.

First create a cross, then add in the next few layers changing the direction of the points.

Make a loop with the 3” strip and glue into the center of the bow. It is so simple & so cute to make. You can use pattern paper, Christmas magazines, brown paper bags. So completely adorable.

XoXo,
Ronda

day 11 - lala photospot GIVEAWAY!!!!

Hello!

My name is Vonnie and I am the lucky shutter bug that has been fortunate enough to work with Leslie over the past year. I have always loved the art behind creative photography and the idea that a single moment can be frozen in time. However, most people do not think of photography in this way and often opt for the traditional studio type portraits to document their family’s growth.

Traditional studio portraits can produce beautiful well-crafted photos but they can often lack the simple nuances that make your family uniquely wonderful. So, what is a busy gal to do you ask? Well the answer is simple-pick your camera and start clicking away! Step out of the box and away from the idea the pictures are suppose to be perfect. Start thinking about the simple moments that make of your family’s day and document them. Don’t be afraid to zoom in tight, not get everyone’s head in the frame, or to just take a picture of your child’s wacky socks. What you will find is that your pictures are filled with:

JOY

LOVE

LAUGHTER

...LIFE AS AN ART

Just try it! You won’t be disappointed and you may even get a good laugh or two.

So, in the spirit of, “The Jar’s” 12 days of Christmas and my passion for documenting families through the art of photography-I am giving away a free mini-session for the spring! As you have most likely guessed my photo style is non-traditional, which is not for everyone and that is okay! But make sure you visit my site, you never know you might be surprised by what you like.

For one entry visit Vonnie's share site at http://lalaphotospot.shutterfly.com/ and leave a comment on your favorite picture.

For an additional entry leave a comment about your favorite family moment that you have captured through your own lens either here on the blog or on the Jar's Facebook page.

For an additional entry, follow Jar of Vintage Buttons by clicking the "Follow" button to the left on the blog.

The giveaway is open to residents of the Greater Cincinnati area (or if you are willing to drive to a local spot here in the Greater Cincy area!) The contest begins now and comments will close at 9PM on Thursday, December 23rd. I will announce the winner shortly thereafter!

Good Luck!

day 10 - diy pom poms by susan!

As a kid I LOVED crafting. My poor parents' fridge fell victim to many, somewhat tacky, creations. After graduating I was lucky to work nights at a small scrapbook store where my love of paper, fabric and card making developed. Today, between work, potty training, and play dates, I still love having the opportunity to create and design party invitations or simple decorations.

Pom poms are a "warm and fuzzy" memory from my childhood. I can remember my mom creating yarn pom poms for Halloween costumes and projects. Last year,while trying to create a flower for my daughter's birthday invitation, a fabric version of the pom pom seemed to be a perfect fit! Enjoy and have a Happy Christmas!

Fabric Pom Poms Supplies:

Two Cardboard "Donuts" (mini lesson ahead...you will need two circular objects to trace, thin cardboard and a pencil)

Sharp Scissors

String

¼ inch Fabric Strips

"Donut" Directions

Trace two circular objects to create a set of "donuts" out of thin cardboard.
I used a measuring cup (approximately 3 inches) and a paint bottle (1 ¼inch).

Pom Pom Directions

Cut or tear multiple ¼ inch strips of fabric.

Place both "donuts" together.

Hold the end of the fabric on the outer edgeof the donut.

Wrap the fabric around the donut through the hole in the center.

When ending a strip of fabric, trim at the outer edge.

Wrap fabric around the donut until the inside circle is half its original diameter.

Using the sharp point of your scissors, burrow and snip between the two pieces of cardboard.

Cut half way around the circle.

Insert a piece of string between the two donuts.

Continue to trim around the circle.

Gently separate the donuts, pull string as tight as possible, and tie a double knot (I recommend leaving the string long if you want to hang the pompom. If not, trim away).

Over a trash can, fluff pom pom and trim any pieces that seem a bit too long.

Add your fabulous pom poms to a party hat, headband or make a festive garland.

winner - personalized plaque by wildcatgal!

I have a winner for the personalized plaque by wildcatgal!!! And the winner is...

RoseMamie!!!!

She said:

"So cute!! I'd gift this to a soon to be mother and dear baby boy, it would look adorable over his crib! Thanks for the chance to win!"

Congrats! I hope you enjoy your personalized plaque :) Give me a shout so I can forward you Jessica's email address!

day 9 - diy - glass etching 101 from yours truly...Jar of Vintage Buttons

It's just me, so don't get too excited :) I had a day to fill and thought I could entertain you with a great tutorial on glass etching. It's so easy to do and makes wonderful personalized gifts on any flat glass or mirrored surface.

Supplies:

your glass item - I'm using a beer glass

glass etching cream (found at any craft store)

paint brush

glass cleaner and paper towel

printed image

printable sticker sheet

x-acto knife

Step 1: clean your glass item well with glass cleaner ensuring there are no fingerprints

Step 2: print your image on the sticker sheet and cut around the image leaving plenty of room around the image

Step 3: Carefully stick your image on the glass making sure there aren't any air bubbles

Step 4: Using your x-acto knife VERY carefully cut out the outline of your image

Step 5: Peel the inside of your outlined image off the glass and wipe again with glass cleaner

Step 6: Paint a generous amount of the etching cream onto your stencil. Remember that whatever the etching cream touches it will frost that area so be careful that the cream does not drip.

Step 7: Let sit for 5 minutes

Step 8: Wash the etching cream off and remove the remaining sticker sheet from the glass.

Step 9: Wash the glass thoroughly and you are now ready to enjoy a funny frosty beverage :)

The etching is permanent and dishwasher safe! I've used this same technique to make monogrammed sets of glasses for gifts and even monogrammed small mirrors and glued ribbon on the back as an ornament. The possibilities are really endless and one small jar of etching cream will last through many projects. Have fun!