Today’s Mason Jar Monday Idea can be found at Craftzine.

They write:

“The crafting world seems to have come down with a major case of terrarium fever, and I’m no exception. It’s so much fun creating these verdant little worlds, and I especially like that my cats can’t get to the plants inside. I’ve been having a lot of fun making woodland-themed moss terrariums for friends, so I thought I’d share what I’ve learned with CRAFT readers. You can purchase lidded glass containers at craft stores, but this project relies on reusing mason jars you may already have on hand. The rest of the materials needed can easily be found at home and garden stores. Read on to find out more!

Materials:
• Glass mason jar with lid (I used an old spaghetti sauce jar)
• Potting soil
• Activated charcoal (sometimes called terrarium charcoal)
• Small stones, pebbles, or gravel
• Sheet moss (sometimes called preserved sheet moss)
• Decorations (such as small toys, larger rocks, etc.)
• Chopsticks or bamboo skewers
• Spray paint (if desired)

First prep your jar by washing and drying it. If you’re reusing a mason jar, you may want to spray paint the lid to cover any logos, etc. I painted mine using Krylon spray paint in “Blue Ocean Breeze.” The coverage is great and the drying time is only 10 minutes. I also had to remove some sticker residue from the glass. I soaked the jar in warm, soapy water, which removed most of the label. Then I took the residue off with a bit of vegetable oil on a cleaning cloth.

Start by adding a 1″ layer of pebbles to the bottom of the jar, followed by a thin layer of charcoal. The charcoal will help filter the water in your terrarium and will absorb odors — otherwise your terrarium may start to stink. (You can also choose to mix some charcoal into your soil at a 1:4 ratio, but I prefer the layered look.) After the pebbles and charcoal, you’ll add a 3″–4″ layer of potting soil.

Now you’ll start adding in the greenery. Simply tear pieces of moss off the sheet and place them in a single layer inside the jar. It can be hard to fit your hand inside the jar to adjust things, so use chopsticks or a bamboo skewer to move the plants around.

If you want to create some interest with height, you could mound up the soil in one area to create a mini-mountain to cover in moss. All-moss terrariums look great, but you can also experiment with adding plants like small ferns and the like. I found some nice plants growing between the sidewalk cracks while walking my dog one morning, so I ripped a few out and brought them home to add to my jar. They’ve been absolutely thriving in their new mason jar ecosystem.

Decorate as you wish with a variety of rocks, shells, plastic toys, or whatever you like! I used some fun plastic deer and mushroom cupcake toppers from Bake It Pretty.

Now water your terrarium lightly (until you can see some moisture down in the pebble layer), and screw on the lid. You will need to water your terrarium every few weeks. Droplets of moisture are fine — you want to see these — but if it starts looking especially foggy in there, take the lid off for a few hours to let moisture escape. Otherwise, an occasional water and/or spritz with a spray bottle should be fine.

If you want to get super crazy, use a teeny jam jar to make a mini-terrarium! Here’s one I made using a Bonne Maman orange marmalade jar. I love these because the glass has a beautiful shape and they have a fun red and white gingham lid. Follow the same directions as above, just use less of all the supplies.”

AH! Sorry, I’m slackin’ again with the posts.  I do have a reason- you can read it here.  As for the giveaway the winner was: Miss Jocelyn!  I will need your contact info ASAP to get the giveaway DVD on its way to you.  So, be looking for an email.

Jen

I am very excited to announce that the Vision Forum has generously offered to send one of my readers a free DVD choice from the following NEW Reclaiming the Culture Titles!

- The Devolution of Law

- Top Ten Questions About Genesis and Creation

- You May Not Take Our Guns

- The State of Parental Rights in America

- Christianity and Science Fiction (Reclaiming the Genre for Christ)

To enter the giveaway please click on the titles above to learn more about each DVD and leave a comment in the comments section with your name, contact info, and DVD of choice. The giveaway will close at midnight central time on Monday the 11th of May. The winner will be announced Tuesday the 12th and MUST sent me their shipping information by May 15th.

Click above image to go to download page.  Download available today and tomorrow.

Ah, so it’s been awhile since my last post. Here is a quick update on what’s been going on in my life at my other blog, The Heart of the Household and here are this weeks Walgreen’s Deals from Money Saving Mom.

WEEKLY DEALS

Rimmel makeup–on sale Buy One, Get One Free
Buy 2 mascara and use free Rimmel mascara coupon from the April All You magazine
Get both mascaras free after coupon and sale

Campbell’s soup–$0.59 after in-ad coupon
Buy 2 and use $1/2 printable coupon
$0.09 each after coupons (Thanks, Charlene!)

Scotch Packaging Paper–$0.99 after in-ad coupon
Use $0.50/1 coupon from 4/19 RedPlum insert
$0.50 each after coupons

Visine–on sale for $3.99
Use $3/1 coupon from 3/15 RedPlum insert
$0.99 after coupon

Trident Gum Value Pack–on sale 2 for $4
Use $1/1 coupon from 3/8 SS insert
$1 per value pack ($0.33 per single pack) after coupon

Flipz–on sale 2 for $3
Use $1/2 coupon from 4/5 SmartSource insert
$1 each after coupon

Starbucks ice cream (pints)–on sale 2 for $6
Use $1/1 printable coupon
$2 each after coupon

REGISTER REWARDS DEALS

Buy 1 Bayer Breeze or Contour Blood Glucose Meter at $14.99, Get $5 Register Rewards
Use $30/1 coupon from 3/1 or 3/22 RedPlum inserts (coupon will need to be adjusted down)
Free plus $5 in overage after the coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Ecotrin Tablets (45 ct.) at $2, Earn $2 Register Rewards
Use $2.25/1 printable coupon (coupon will need to be adjusted down)*
Free plus $2 in overage after the coupon and Register Rewards

*Note: If you have trouble getting this coupon to go through at the register, you might consider buying 2 Ecotrin and then using the $2.25/1 coupon plus the $1/1 coupon from the 1/25 SmartSource insert. You’ll pay $0.75 plus tax out of pocket and get back a $2 Register Reward.

Buy 1 Nivea Body Wash at $4.99, Get $4.99 Register Rewards
Use $1/1 coupon from 4/19 RedPlum insert
Free plus $1 in overage after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Rembrandt Toothpaste or Mouthwash at $5.99, Get $5.99 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Bayer Quick Release Crystals at $2.49, Get $2.49 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 2 Listerine Mouthwash at $4 each, Get $4 Register Rewards
Use 2 $2/1 coupons from the 2/8 RedPlum insert or here
Free after coupons and Register Rewards

Buy 3 Suave hair care products (on sale 3 for $5), Get $2 Register Rewards
Use $1.75/3 coupon from the 3/1 RedPlum insert
$0.42 each after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 2 Got2B Hair Products at $5 each, Get $5 Register Rewards
Use 2 $2/1 printable coupon
$0.50 each after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy $10 in Participating Band-Aid and Neosporin Products, Get $4 Register Rewards

Buy 2 TreSemme Hair Products at $3.50 each, Get $2 Register Rewards
Use 2 $1/1 printable coupon
$1.50 each after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Schick Quattro for Women razor at $8.99, Get $3 Register Rewards
Use $4/1 coupon from 3/22 SmartSource insert
$1.99 after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner Starter Kit at $13.99, Get $3 Register Rewards
Use $7/1 printable coupon
$3.99 after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 2 Huggies Pull-Ups (on sale 2 for $20), Get $2 Register Rewards
Use two $3 coupons from the 4/19 SmartSource insert
$6 per package after coupons and Register Rewards

Tonight I was going to post the adorable easter bunny mason jar that my Mom spent forever making specifically for this post- BUT I am a bad daughter and not only have I not found eyes for him yet but I also left my camera in the car which is at work with my husband so I can’t take and show you any pictures tonight.  SO, next week- Mason Jar Easter Bunny… this week- Pantry Stocking with Mason Jars!

Recently, I have been looking into pantry stocking.  With all the talk about how the economy is going to get worse, I figured instead of complaining- let’s be proactive!  Well, I truly believe that God led me to some pantry stocking resources right when we needed it because after about a month of pantry stocking, my husband had two paychecks which were short and we lived off the pantry stock without crisis for quite some time and still are until his next paycheck.  Why the post about pantry stocking for Mason Jar Monday you might ask?  Because of this!

and this,

and this,

and this,

and this,

and this

and this.

Is there any prettier way to stock your pantry than with mason jars?  Seriously.

Here are some of my favorite pantry stocking resources.  Hopefully, they will bless your life as they have mine thus far.

NOTE: These blogs are from mostly Mormon religious background and do not reflect the faith of this blogger but are wonderful pantry stocking resources.

http://theprudenthomemaker.com/ (Thanks to Nancy for referring me to this site)

http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/

http://vaughnshire.com/?s=pantry+2009

]]> http://weepingcherries.wordpress.com/2009/04/13/mason-jar-monday-14/feed/ 3 Jen pantry14 pantry16 pantry7 pantry5 pantry6 pantry4 http://weepingcherries.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/happy-good-friday/ http://weepingcherries.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/happy-good-friday/#comments Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:25:04 +0000 Jen http://weepingcherries.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/happy-good-friday/ ]]>

and have a very happy Easter!

Check my other blog this Monday for a belated Easter Dress/Bonnet Parade of cute kiddos in cute dresses or pictures of the dresses that were hand sewn by their Mama’s.
NOTE: If you have a picture to contribute of your child in their Easter Array or a picture of the dress (or suit for boys) that you made that you want included in the virtual parade- send the pics to me at weepingcherries@live.com by midnight Sunday evening.

Weekly Deals from Common Sense with Money

Palmolive Dish Liquid $0.99 after in-ad coupon
Use $1/2 from 3/29 SS insert
Pay $0.49 after coupons

Playtex Feminine Care $3.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 3/22 SS insert
Use $1/1 coupon from Easysaver catalog
Pay $1.99 each after coupons

Glade 4oz Jar Candles $2.99
Get $1 via ESR rebate #20 when you buy one (Limit 4)
Use $1.50/2 coupon from 3/15 SS insert
Pay $2.48 for two after coupon and rebate

Garnier Fructis Hair Care 3/$10
Get $10 when you spend $20 via ESR rebate #3
Use $1/1 coupon from 3/8 insert
Pay $4 for six items after coupons and rebate

Hershey’s Candy 4/$10
Get $5 back when you send $10 via rebate #25
Use B3G1 free coupon from 3/15 SS insert
Pay $2.50 for four bags after coupon and rebate

Oust Surface and Air Sanitizer $2.99
Get $1 back when you buy one via rebate #20 (Limit 4)
Use $2/1 coupon from 3/29 SS insert
FREE after coupon and rebate

Register Rewards Deals

Colgate Total Advanced 4oz $3.49, earn $3.49 in RR when you buy one
Use $1.50/1 from March All You magazine
FREE plus $1.50 in overage after coupon and RR

Visine A.C. $3.99, Earn $3 in RR when you buy two
Use two $3/1 coupons from 3/15 RP insert
FREE plus $1.2 in overage after coupons and RR

Reach Ultraclean Toothbrush and Floss 2/$5, Earn a $2.50 RR when you buy two (mix and match)
Use $1/1 coupon from 2/8 inserts
Pay $0.50 for two after coupons and RR

Monthly EasySaver Rebate Deals

One a Day Multi-Vitamin Drink Mix 2ct $1.49
FREE after Easy saver rebate offer #1

Buy $10 in Physicians Formula Organix Wear Make up, Get $10 via ESR rebate #6
Buy Physicians Formula organic Wear Origin Tinted moisturizer $12.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 2/22 SS insert
Pay $1.99 after coupon and rebate

Happy Savings!

It’s officially Spring and you know what that means- wedding season!  As I was looking through pages and pages of pictures of mason jars used in weddings, I couldn’t narrow it down to a few favorites because they are all breathtaking, clever or just plain make me smile, so this post may be longer than my normal Mason Jar Mondays.   If you or someone you know is planning a Spring wedding, this is the post for you!  Here you go!  The best of Mason Jar Matrimony!

Centerpieces-

Drink Glasses-

Lanterns-

Wedding Favors-

One bride requested that her wedding guests send her their wedding pictures and displayed the wedding pictures of all her guests in mason jars at the reception.  How is that for creative!?

Theme Montage-

WEEKLY DEALS from Money Saving Mom

Glade Soy Candles–priced at $5.99
Use $4/1 coupon (if you printed it while it was available here)
Stack with $2/1 coupon in the April EasySaver booklet
Free after coupons

Equal Sweetener–on sale 2 for $5
Use the $2.50/1 coupon from 1/4 inserts
Free after coupon

Reynolds Foil–on sale for $0.89 after in-ad coupon
Use $1/1 from 2/8 insert
Free after coupons

Printer Cartridge Refill–$7.50
Submit for $7.50 April Easysaver rebate #28
Free after rebate

Wal-Itin Allergy Relief 30-ct.–on sale for $6.99
Submit for $6.99 April Easysaver rebate #10
Free after rebate

SoyJoy Bars–on sale 2 for $1
Use B1G1 coupon from 2/22 SmartSource insert
$0.25 each after coupon

No Nonsense Pantyhose–on sale B1G1 Free (2 for $2.49)
Use $1/1 coupon from 3/29 inserts
$0.25 each after coupons

Vitamin Water–on sale 3 for $3 with in-ad coupon
Buy 6 and use the $1/2 Vitamin Water coupon from the April EasySaver booklet (should take off $3 total)
$0.50 each after coupons

Halls cough drops–on sale for $1.39 with in-ad coupon
Use $0.75 coupon here
$0.64 after coupons

Bayer tablets (24-36-ct.)– on sale for $1.99
Use $1/1 coupon from the 3/22 SmartSource
$0.99 each after coupon

Schick Xtreme 3 Disposable razors (4 ct.)–priced at $7.49
Use the $2/1 coupon in the April EasySaver booklet
Stack with the $3/1 coupon from the 3/8 SmartSource
$2.49 after coupons

REGISTER REWARDS DEALS

Buy 1 Edge Infused Energy Shaving Gel at $3.59, Get $3.59 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards (Thanks, Stephanie!)

Buy 1 Skintimate Cream Shave at $2.99, Get $2.99 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards (Thanks, Stephanie!)

Buy 1 100% Natural or True Shimmer Chapstick at $1.99, Get $1.99 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 2 Quaker Life Cereals (on sale 2 for $5), Get $2 Register Rewards
Use 2 $1/1 coupons here
$0.50/box after coupons and Register Rewards

Buy 4 Diet Pepsi 12-packs (on sale 4 for $12), Get $3 Register Rewards

APRIL FREE-AFTER-REBATE DEALS

Buy 1 One-A-Day Multi-Vitamin Drink Mix 2 ct. at $1.49
Get $1.49 April EasySaver Rebate (offer #1)
Free after rebate