day 3 - christmas card holder by my friend julie

I'm pleased to bring you another fun DIY for all of your holiday greetings by my friend Julie!

Enjoy!!!

Items you need:

Craft glue
Glitter or craft paper
Ribbon
Clothes pins
Cross stitch ring or wooden letter
Scissors
Paint
Glue Gun

1. Paint your cross stitch ring or letter the color of your choosing and let dry completely.

2. Cut craft paper to fit on the clothes pins.

3. Using craft glue affix your craft paper to the clothes pin. If you are using glitter in place of craft paper painting the glue on with a brush and then dipping in the glitter works best.
4. Glue fancy clothes pins to the letter/ring in a lovely arrangement. Remember that these will be holding your Christmas cards so be sure to space accordingly.
5. If you made a wreath out of a ring thicker ribbon looks nice and can be looped around and tied in a bow. If you did a letter affix ribbon for hanging to the back with your glue gun.

6. Yippy! A easily made way to display your Christmas cards

day 2 - christmas memorabilia holder from just be me!

After falling in love with the Christmas Card Holder in my current Pottery Barn catalogue, I was hoping to recreate it for a fraction of the price. Although I wasn't sure if it would work at first, I LOVE how easy it was, and the final result turned out great. I can't wait to fill it with memorabilia from this month of celebrating and fun. I'm also planning to use it year round, to showcase favorite photos or other little things that bring me joy.

Step 1: Find a frame and "gut" it. You will only need the frame and any materials to hang it up. (I reused that too.) I found this frame at the local antique mall for only $9.00!

Step 2: Grab some supplies and head outside to spray paint. Notice I also brought candy, as no crafting project is complete without it!

Step 3: Spray frame until covered, or until your likeness. I left a small bit of gold showing on the inside for added texture and color. Let it dry, as you enjoy your treat of choice.

Step 4: Once dry, it's time to gather more supplies. (Of course you could do that while it dries, but I prefer to eat candy instead!) You'll need a level, sharpie (my other must have when creating), strong tape, scissors, metal clips and your string of choice. I used very thin twine by American Crafts, and Tim Holtz clips. Using the level, mark every 3.5 inches, or any size depending what you want it to look like.

Step 5: Once your lines are measured and marked, cut the twine and tape on each marking. Make sure to make them extra long, so you have room to pull them tight, and to staple. Continue until all are added. Press the tape firmly into the wood, and check that they are level and lined up to your liking.

Step 6: Now the fun with "tools" begins. Grab a staple gun, staples, more candy if needed, and if your husband is willing to help, grab him too. Mine offered, so of course I took him up on it. The goal is to pull the twine as tight as you can, then add the final staples. Don't worry about taking the tape off, it will just help the staples and twine stay in place.

Step 7: Once all staples are in place, trim the excess off.

Step 8: Add your favorite photos or holiday items using the metal clips. This would also be a fun advent calendar, taking off a card each day, etc. So many possibilities for just a small amount of work! And now, the final product!

Thanks so much for allowing me to share in the fun! Feel free to check out more about me at
http://www.erinwells.typepad.com/, and email me if you have questions or suggestions! I'd love to hear from you and see your creations!

Happy Holidays and Merry Crafting!

day 1 - jewelry by misty giveaway!

Hello there! Let me start by saying THANK YOU to Jar of Vintage Buttons for this wonderful opportunity! It’s an honor to be apart of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” My name is Misty Porter and I’m the sole jewelry designer for JewelrybyMisty.Etsy.com.

I’m a lover of jewelry, especially Swarovski crystals, pearls, gemstones and all things that sparkle and shine! You’ll see this translated into my pieces. My passion for jewelry started at a young age. I was fortunate enough to have a family full of women who loved jewelry and taught me early on to adorn myself in eclectic, meaningful pieces. Throughout the years I’ve collected brooches, rings, and necklaces...pieces that stand apart from the rest. My philosophy is: wear accessories that make a statement or tell a story in it of itself. It's very rare that you will find me wearing something that wasn't gifted to me from a loved one (my lovely husband), passed down from my great-grandmother or that isn’t a "one-of-a-kind" handmade craft. Through this philosophy, I have been inspired to create my own collection. My jewels help to satisfy my craving for unique jewelry and also act as tokens of love and appreciation for my family and friends.

I started creating my first designs as Christmas gifts just two years ago. I am fascinated by the endless array of mediums that can be used to create jewelry. I continue to be inspired by the unique perspectives or “flavor” that each individual has for their own jewelry. And after two years, I have only scratched the surface.

I’m so excited to reveal the jewelry pieces that will be given away to the lucky winner! The items pictured are an earring and bracelet set called Stairway to Heaven in Cloud Blue & Gold. The bracelet is an interwoven bracelet made out of Swarovski crystals in light colorado topaz & faceted-glass rondelles in sky blue. The bracelet also includes a beautiful silver-plated flower toggle and clasp also adorned with Swarovski crystals. The earrings are made with Swarovski crystals, faceted-glass rondelles (colors listed above) and sterling silver fishhooks. ENJOY!!!!

Set value: $50

The contest begins now and will end on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 9:00 pm EST. You will have up to 3 chances to enter!

For one entry - check out Misty's etsy site and come back and leave a comment either on facebook or on the blog on your favorite item in her store

For another entry become a fan of jewelry by misty or jar of vintage buttons on facebook. Leave a comment and let me know you did that. If you already are, let me know that too!

For another entry click the FOLLOW button on Jar of Vintage Buttons the blog by using Google Connect. If you already do follow the blog, let me know and I will count your extra entry!

Good luck!

12 days of christmas at the jar!

Hey ya'll! I've been cooking up some fun things for everybody to kick off the holiday season! Well, don't get too excited. I didn't really cook up anything, but I know some people who have!

Beginning December 6th, Jar of Vintage Buttons is pleased to present the 12 Days of Christmas! I have assembled some of most fabulous, talented, wonderful people that I know to bring to you 12 days filled with giveaways, inspiration, DIYs, and yes, you are reading this right, recipes!!! Each day (Monday-Friday) beginning on December 6th the Jar will feature a guest post from one fabulous lady who will be sure to brighten your day. My hope is that by December 21 you will be bursting at the seams with holiday awesomeness. To date I have 3 insanely awesome giveaways lined up so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for details on how to enter.

After all of our holiday fun has worn off and we've settled in for the long winter ahead, I'm going to begin a new series called Sit and Stay Awhile. I will feature some of my most favorite blogs in hopes that you will grab a cup of coffee, get your new snuggie you got for Christmas (don't lie, I know it's on your list!) and settle on in for awhile and get acquainted with some new friends.

In the meantime before the 12 Days of Christmas madness begins I'm keeping busier than ever getting ready for the Fine Art and Craft Bazaar happening at the Christ United Methodist Church on Rt. 18 in Burlington, KY on December 4th from 9am to 3pm. If you are in the area, please be sure to stop by and see me! Cheers!

thankful...and a giveaway!

This week as we approach Thanksgiving, let's all take a minute out of our busy crazy lives just be thankful. Since I am your typical Type A personality, I prefer to make a list, but by all means you can be thankful in your own way.

Because I am so thankful to have you all as readers and friends of Jar of Vintage Buttons I am going to offer a giveaway today! The lucky winner will receive a $15 credit to my store on www.jarofvintagebuttons.etsy.com. Or if you are in the area and will be attending the Fine Arts and Craft Bazaar, I can hook you up with your credit there.

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment here on the blog or leave a comment on Facebook and tell me why you are thankful this Thanksgiving (or anytime!). The contest begins now and will end on Wednesday, November 24th at 9:00 am EST. I will use random.org to pick a winner and announce the winner on Wednesday by 12:00 pm EST.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families! Much love from the Jar!!!

a lime green bed and pink chucks

A few Sundays ago my dear friend Vonnie of Lala Photo Spot spent the afternoon with our little family to take some pictures of Kate for her 18 month photo shoot. After seeing the idea for the bed on Joy's Hope, I could not even wait to get my hands on a similar bed (from Craig's List) and get some spray paint on it. I found the bedding on super super clearance at Belk all the way in Richmond, KY, the banner was a Target Shabby Chic find, and the Joy banner was also a Target Shabby Chic find from several Christmases ago.

Kate's big cousin, Lyndsay, stopped by for a little bed jumping fun :) Aren't those dresses (etsy) ADORABLE?! My necklace was borrowed from the fabulous Jewelry by Misty. So, without further ado, enjoy!

hittin' the road

I am SO EXCITED to announce that Jar of Vintage Buttons and Jewelry by Misty are hitting the road together on December 4th! We will be live and in person at the Fine Arts and Craft Bazaar in Burlington at the Christ United Methodist Church. Look for our white canopy tent, we'll be selling our freshest and hippest wares under the glitter chandelier. We hope that you will stop in and say hello! We'll have even way more than on etsy so make sure you shop early for the best selection! See the attached flyer for the rest of the details. Can't wait to see you there!