Neverland Birthday Party

Hello to all of you! We have certainly had a busy month around my house. My little girl had a birthday this month. It's crazy how fast time flies when you have a child.  Every year since her first birthday I have tried to make all of the birthday decorations and invitations myself. It is so much work but so much fun as well. This year was the first year my daughter has been old enough to know what she wanted to do for her birthday. It all started with the idea of her wanting to have a pirate ship just like captain Hook's on her birthday cake. My daughter is a fan of Jake and the Neverland Pirates and anything Peter Pan. So, I thought it would be kind of fun to do a Neverland themed birthday party for her.

Mason Jar Solar Lights

Don't you just love all of the things you can do with a Mason jar? My favorite is the old aqua jars with the zinc lids. They look so pretty sitting in a window sill with the sunlight coming through them.  Did you know that first Mason jar was invented in 1858? I am also amazed at the popularity of the Mason jar, if you get on Pinterest or most home decorating/craft blogs you are more than likely to see an image of a Mason jar. 

Well, I have been wanting to make Mason jar solar lights since I saw them in a catalog three years ago. I can't remember where I saw them first but they were around $40 for the solar light lid and jar. I am a very thrifty girl and $40 was just a little too much money for me to spend on a pretty Mason jar. Last week while I was at the Dollar Tree I spotted  some solar lights. I knew for a $1.00 each that this was a sign for me to make my Mason jar light. I have seriously been swooning over for these lights for the past three years. Here is a tutorial for all of those that might have been swooning over them too.

SUPPLIES

Mason Jars

Dollar Tree Solar Lights (Or any solar light)

Duct Tape

Lids for the Jars

Spray Paint (Optional)

Painter's Tape (If you decide to spray paint)

TUTORIAL

First Step: Screw off the top of the light 

Prep your lids and the lights for spray paint. I used Duct Brand clean release painter's tape to cover the solar panels on the lights. 

Spray paint the lids and lights. I used a few light coats of Krylon's flat black spray paint.

Since, the lights are smaller than what the size of the hole is for the jar I needed a way to keep the light in place. I though duct tape would work well and it's weather proof. I cut the duct tape into 7 inch strips and folded the duct tape in half to make it double sided. 

I then wrapped the tape around the light after the spray paint had dried. Note: You don't want to put too much tape around the very top because it will stick out when you put the lid on.

I then placed the light inside of the jar. I wouldn't put too much pressure on getting the lid in. I just kind of pushed it in until it felt snug, adding the lid will make it even more secure. 

 Can't see the duct tape can you? 

Aww, my three year obsession is now over! It's still a little cold here to sit on the patio, but in another month or so I am sure I will be outside enjoying my new lights. 

I am linking to:

Debbie Doos

Fox Hollow Cottage

Savvy Southern Style

Coastal Charm

Tatertots and Jello

DIY Showoff

Home Stories A to Z

Serenity Now

House of Hepworths

Shabby Creek Cottage

Beyond The Picket Fence

Under the Table and Dreaming

Pink When Monthly Craft Showcase

Jojo and Eloise: Knock Our Socks Off Party!

Rain On a Tin Roof

Thrifty Decor Chick

My Vintage Valentines

Wow, two posts in one day! With Valentine's Day being only two days away I thought I would post some pictures of my decorations. You might not know this about me but I like old, vintagey decorations. Oh, wait what am I talking about...I love all vintage things.

I found  these vintage Valentine cards at an antique mall that were surprisingly cheap (no more than $2.00 a piece). I had bought the twine and the hearts from the Dollar Tree.  The hearts were actually garland that was hooked together.  I took the hearts off the Dollar Tree garland and added them to my garland.  I had some red fabric scraps that I tied around the bows and bought the tiny clothes pins from Wal-Mart in the craft section. I added the garland to a shelf in my daughter's bedroom. I love decorating her room as well as the rest of the house with holiday stuff.

The little girl is my favorite, she kind of reminds me of my little girl!

I thought the light above our kitchen sink could use a little love. I got the doily, heart and twine idea from Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy with her mason jar decorations. You can use double sided tape to make the doily and heart stay and then wrap it in twine.

 

A little mason jar sitting by my favorite Valentine!

These mason jars have some kind of lights in them from October to February. I usually put orange lights in them during the fall months. The hearts are the garland from the Dollar Tree.

This little white dish was a Goodwill find from my last visit. I bought a bag of sparkly hearts from Wal-Mart and filled the bowl. I thought it was a nice pop of color for the little bowl. 

Do you like vintage decorations as much as I do? :)

I am linking to:

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Party

Southern Savvy Style: Wow Us Wednesdays

House of Hepworths

Tatertots and Jello: Weekend Wrap Up Party

Spring Mantel!

It is officially spring here! The unusually warm weather has been awesome. It feels so good to walk outside without a coat and take long walks after supper. I love the Magnolia trees blooming and my cute, little daffodils. It's been hard to do anything inside because you just want to absorb every minute of the beautiful weather. I did manage to get a little spring decorating in.

I found this quote by Robin Williams, it just seemed so appropriate for spring!  

I have really been into aqua and green here lately. I am also a little obsessed with Ball jars. This one was my grandmother's and I love being able to display it.

We received the,green, ceramic pitcher as a wedding present. It was one of my favorite gifts and always reminds me of that day. The white pitcher was a Goodwill find (gotta love those).

And here is the finished mantel. It's simple, but makes me happy!

I am linking to the following parties: