5 Grubby Mason Jar Tree

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! I love celebrating Christmas and decorating with handmade primitive crafts. I love the rustic appearance, which adds to the charm of the craft items. This Christmas I wanted to create my very own "Charlie Brown" Tree, with a Country, Grubby look. "Grubby" is another word for primitive crafts that look aged, old or dirty.

My "Charlie Brown" tree was created using Artificial Pine Greenery, a Wooden Spoon and a "Grubby" Mason Jar Base. I embellished the tree with Berries, Metal Stars, Star Anise, and Rusty Bells. I rusted my bells following Primitive Folk Art tutorial.

To begin, I gathered the following materials:

Materials:

• Mason Jar
• Mod Podge
• Instant Coffee Granules
• Foam Brush
• Rub-On Transfers
• Artificial Pine Greenery
• Wooden Spoon
• Martha Stewart's Metallic Glaze in Black Coffee
• Floral Foam Block - $1.00 Dollar Tree
• Berry Stem
• 7/8" Christmas Ribbon
• Hot Glue/Sticks
• Golden Metal Stars
• Star Anise
• Floral Moss
• Rusty Bells
• Glitter
• Wire Cutter

Directions:

1. Pour Coffee Granules into a large plate.
2. Working in sections, apply Mod Podge to Jar
3. Roll Jar into the Coffee Granules until jar is completely covered
4. Let dry overnight and repeat process 4-5 times

5. Please note: some of the coffee granules will fall off and/or melt.
6. When you are happy with the jar's look, apply a final coat of Mod Podge and sprinkle glitter all over the jar. Let dry completely

7. Following Rub-On directions; apply Rub-On transfers to Jar. I decided to add Gingerbread men on each side of the jar, plus a Christmas stocking in the back.
8. The Jar's surface will be rough. Therefore, take your time transferring the rub-ons.
9. Apply a coat of Mod Podge all over the jar to seal the rub-on transfers.


10. Paint the Wooden Spoon with the Metallic Glaze. Let dry completely.
11. Cut floral foam block in half. Glue the two halves together vertically.

12. Using the wire cutter; cut two 4", three 3" and 2" length of greenery.
13. Snip the berries close to the stem.
14. Glue a berry to one end of each greenery lengths, except for one of the 3" length, which will need a berry at both ends.
15. Beginning 3" from the spoon's bottom, start forming your tree by gluing the 4" lengths opposite each other.

16. Continue adding two - 3" lengths spacing 1 1/2" from the 4" lengths. Add two - 2" lengths spacing 1 1/2" from the 3" lengths. Add your final 3" length with the two berries.

17. Insert and glue spoon bottom into foam. Add glue to foam's bottom and insert inside jar. Glue Floral Moss to Jar's top to cover foam.

18. Begin embellishing your tree. Glue stars, rusty bells and Star Anise to the tree branches and spoon's bowl. Add the ribbon to the jar's mouth and embellish as desired.

I love how my "Charlie Brown Tree" turned out. The Grubby Jar adds a rustic primitive look to the tree. This Grubby Tree will add a country charm to my kitchen Christmas Decor.

Here is the back side of the tree and the Grubby Jar.

Merry Christmas!!!!

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31 Raffia Sunflower Wreath

Oh AUTUMN!!! The Fall leaves are turning into beautiful hues of Orange, Red and the crisp Chartreuse.

I stumbled upon a few Raffia hanks in my craft stash. To my surprise they were the perfect color scheme to create a Country Fall Wreath.

Raffia is an inexpensive and versatile product with many decorative uses; from embellishments to covering a simple straw wreath.

To begin, I gathered the following materials:

Materials:

• 14" diameter Straw Wreath
• Burlap - Natural Shade
• Raffia Hanks - 2 or more colors
• Fall Sunflower Stems
• Felt
• Chipboard Letters
• Sunflower Adhesive Glitter Shapes
• Ribbon - 2 1/2" wide

• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Sharp pair of Scissors

Directions:Wreath:

1. Cut Burlap into strips measuring approximately 36" long.
2. Wrap straw wreath with Burlap strips. Tack with hot glue gun as you wrap them around the wreath.

3. Take several strands of each color Raffia. Glue ends together to form a cluster. Begin wrapping and gluing Raffia clusters around the wreath.

4. Continue wrapping Raffia color clusters until the wreath is covered.

Embellishments:

1. Cut wire from Sunflower Stems so that they lay flat once glued to the wreath.

2. Glue 3 Sunflowers to wreath's bottom section.

3. Trace cardboard letters onto felt. I inversed my letters before tracing to avoid tracing lines from showing.
4. Cut letters around tracing lines.
5. Glue glittered shapes onto each letter's top section.

6. Glue letters to either side of wreath to create your choosen word or phrase.

7. Cut a piece of Ribbon measuring approximately 25" long. I used my Pinking shears to decorate the ribbon edges.
8. Wrap ribbon around wreath's top section. Tie to make a knot.

And here it is.... my colorful Raffia wreath will add a country look to my Fall Decor. I love the rustic look and texture Raffia added to my wreath.

I hope you give this tutorial a try.

HAPPY FALL!!!!

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Today's Creative Blog
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9 Country Red Rooster

I joined the Mason Jar Fun Blog Swap - Crafting Edition.

For this fun swap, a Mason Jar must be decorated and filled with five of my favorite craft supplies and/or leftovers.

My swap partner is Kim Sminkey from Tiaras & Bowties. I decided on a Country Theme to decorate my Mason Jar. The jar could add a country farm feel to Kim's kitchen.

The Hosts are:
Jen @ Should be Cleaning Dyanna @ Just Simply Live

Materials:

• Glass Mason Jar. I purchased a "Ball" Smooth Jar at ACMoore.
• Mod Podge
• Foam Brush
• Scrapbooking Paper
• Paper Trimmer or Scissors
• Twine
• Tag
• Country Clip Art (Roosters, Stars, etc.)

Directions:

1. Remove the jar's lid, set aside.
2. Print and trim your images.
3. Apply a thin layer of Modge Podge to one side of the Mason Jar.
4. Carefully, apply your images. Smooth any wrinkles with your fingers.
5. Repeat on other side. Let dry 10-20 minutes.
6. Apply 1-2 more coats of Mod Podge all over the jar to seal the design surface. Let dry completely.



7. Measure around the jar's band; about 11" long x 1/2" wide.
8. Using these measurements, cut the band strip from the scrapbooking paper.

9. Glue scrapbooking strip around the jar's band.

10. Place the jar lid on back side of scrapbooking paper or choosen clip art and trace around lid. Cut out paper circle on traced line.

11. Place jar lid on jar. Twist on jar band.

12. Attach the gift tag to the jar using a piece of Twine.

13. My crafing items included Acrylic Paints, Foam Brush, Washi-Tape, Embroidery Floss.

14. The Mason Jar is now filled with all the crafting goodies.

I love this Blue rooster.

I hope Kim likes my country theme Mason Jar. I enjoyed this swap and looking forward to others in the near future.

Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often

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Today's Creative Blog
debbie-debbiedoos