Making Do ~ DIY Chevron Ribbon Vase

I grew up "making do." I had an abundance of what seemed to be everything and yet now I know it was a very, very frugal lifestyle and we did so much "making do." I thought about this all morning in the shower, folding clothes, watering plants and then I realized that the life I feel the most comfortable living is a life spent with simple abundance. My parents made do by "recycling" most everything and that was before recycling had a name. Since Momma was a grow your own and preserve it sort of gal, we always had jars of all shapes and sizes sitting on tall shelves in the basement.

Well naturally that gene of hoarding, saving jars has been passed on to me and I have a entire shelf of  pickle jars, jam jars, olive jars that are all neatly organized on a top shelf in my pantry...and I soak the labels off them too. You do know the longer you live the more you become like your Mother...sorry dear daughters to tell you this...smiles...a little laugh too. Did you know that there are so many projects that a person can do with jars-including making homemade jalapeno jelly. Or this DIY STENCILED FALL JAR CANDLE, which was featured in the Hometalk newsletter.

So about three weeks ago one of those jars took on quite the transformation and even though it is so simple, it's sort of cute and making do is sort of a neat thing to do.... I am not short on flowers (even though it is the end of October...sigh...) but I am short on vases that would fit the bill for this little missy.

Granddaughters and grandsons are like magical sprites which flicker here and there.  My husband and I have been blessed with the joy of really getting to know most of our grandchildren and most of them as soon as they were born! So on this particular sunshine filled day Maisy Lou had a Birthday Tea Party.  My daughter asked me to bring a bouquet of flowers from my gardens, she mentioned to me that the girls associate me with gardening and that Maisy would really like them. This request was just what I needed to get busy crafting!
Materials for The DIY Jar Project
1. One empty recycled jar (I used a pickle) 2. Chevron ribbon 3. Faux flower 4. Faux butterfly 5. Glue gun and glue sticks 6. Scissors.

Directions for Making the Chevron Vase Jar 1. Measure the width of the jar and cut ribbon to the size of the jar. 2. Apply hot glue to jar (adult supervision required) 3. Wrap ribbon around jar and hold until set. 4. Glue on Flower and Butterfly 5. Add Flowers

Tea Time!

If you enjoy "making do," you might enjoy these projects too!                                                              Creative Christmas Jars

DIY Valentine Bags

Did you know that living an intentional life with with less makes you appreciate what you have more.

XO

Love Of Home, Life and Linda, Let's Add Sprinkles, Julie's Creative Lifestyle, Cottage Making Mommy

Affiliates links have been included for this project.

Old Fashion Christmas Shopping With Etsy Shops

I am striving to bring back the good old days while keeping life real in my home, heart and Christmas shopping this season.I  grew up in a time period where the Big Box stores were only in the big cities, or not at all and most definitely not on every street corner.Mom and Pop stores were the norm and everyone in the county purchased everything from their clothing to dish soap. These hardworking shop owners not only knew your name, they knew the name of your dog, cow and even how your crops were doing. Sort of sounds like Little House On The Prairie doesn't it?Well in the scheme of things it really wasn't that long ago and it really was my life...a life I long for once again.In fact, I never even went inside a Walmart until I was in college.When I write this, it makes me realize even more how important it is to be to get back to the basics.

Oh, I know how convenient one stop shopping is and all that jazz, but seriously how about you and I supporting real shop owners who craft out of their studios and homes like little Christmas Elves creating home-made goodness just for you and I.Or those other creative shop owners who have that discerning eye and go junking, picking and hop in their cars to travel to estate sales to find fabulous treasures from the past, filling their shops with one of a kind items.

Well now, if this is your cup of tea you my friends are in the right spot.Beginning November 4th  there will be etsy shops each week sharing their goods with you and I right here on my blog- Home With Jemma.Did I  mention that these shops will also be offering some super sweet discounts or giveaways for you on select items in their shops.Yep, it's true, true....sort of a Norman Rockwell outlook on life...

These shop owners all have hearts of gold and talent to match.So, if you will just envision a main-street in small town America about 40 years ago with welcoming shop owners greeting you at their shop door, you will want to join in on this positive experience.You will use a unique code that each shop owner provides you on their featured day to receive the discount or giveaway which they are offering.This code is for tracking purposes only, we are interested to know if you like this style of shopping and the opportunity to embrace the small business owner. If the response is positive we will bring it back in the Spring.

I am thrilled be working with these talented entrepreneurs as well as delighted in having the joy of introducing their beautiful shops to you today!These links will take you directly to their shops and will give you the opportunity to visit them ahead time.Looking forward to sharing the time and talents of these successful and inspirational business women.Any questions please feel free to email me.Thank you from all of us.NanNas Things Vintage Collectibles Eastern Ave Designs Hand-sewn Original totes, bags and AngelsThe Gnome Makers-Handcrafted Whimsical GnomesNatural Home Made Soaps and Essential OilsRose Garden Market-Hand-painted Cottage, Shabby Chic and French CountrySecret Garden Herbs-Organic Herbs and Wedding WhimsyTin Roof Studio Art Work

DIY Clothespin Christmas Angel Ornaments

As the Holidays draw near I am reminded of the many traditions associated with the celebrations of the season. I know each one of you have many that you hold dear to your hearts. One of my favorite traditions began years ago when I was just a young girl at home. My Mother would always give me a keepsake Christmas angel ornament to hang on our Christmas Tree. It was such a special gift to me because I knew how much time and thought had gone into choosing it.

The years rolled on and I had children of mine own. Each year I would go to the Hallmark store and choose the perfect ornament for the children. Quite frequently I would give my girls Christmas Angels, just as my mother had given me. For my son I would choose a more whimsical ornament that reminded me of him. I still remember the year he took Spanish, I found the most precious little ceramic boy with a colorful Sombrero. I  have all of those ornaments to this day and I decorate a special Tree filled with those childhood ornaments of theirs and mine.

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Time marches on and now I have grandchildren who I give special Christmas ornaments to, as well as my adult children. This year the grandchildren be will receiving personalized Clothespin Christmas Angel Ornaments from me. These ornaments require a little cutting, sewing and hot gluing but other than those few simple tasks they are easy and enjoyable to make. With a good dose of imagination these ornaments can take on personalities of their own or those of the people that you are making them for. SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR CLOTHESPIN CHRISTMAS ANGEL ORNAMENTS
I know, you are thinking this is alot of stuff for these little ornaments but all of this will make many clothespin Angel ornaments! With a little assistance this would be a great craft to do with children too.

The List Of Supplies  1.   Pinking shears 2.   Scissors 3.   Glue gun 4.   Glue Sticks 5.   4x4 inch squares of muslin 6.   Wooden clothespins 7.   Wooden doll heads 8.   White thread 9.   Needle 10. Gold wired ribbon 11. Paint pen 12. Buttons (Halo) 13. Mini gold bows 14. Faux rhinestones 15. Gold String  Instructions for making DIY Clothespin Christmas Angel Ornaments

Step 1- Glue wooden doll head on top of wooden clothespin with hot glue. (Be careful not to burn your self. Adult supervision is required.)

Step 2- Hot glue button (halo) on to the wooden doll head.

Step3- Use gold paint pen to paint clothespin body of angel and draw on face.

Steps 4-9 Hot glue faux rhinestones, gold bow and any other embellishments that you like. Tie gold string around the top of the head for hanging on the Christmas Tree.

Affiliate links have been included.

                                                                  DIY Pom-Pom Wreath

                                                          Styrofoam Christmas Ornaments

                                                                    The Christmas Sled Have a lovely Wednesday! xo Jemma Please join me~ Love Of Home, Life and Linda, My Heart Lives Here, Share It One More Time, An Extraordinary Day

Making Delicious Homemade Vegetable Broth

You know I am still working on discovering and implementing ways to living a life that is plain and simple. It just so happened that while I was at market the other day I overheard two ladies discussing the benefits and uses of vegetable broth.Well, their conversation got me to thinking about how I should be making my own vegetable broth instead of buying it. I'm pretty sure living with intent and simplicity can begin with vegetable broth too!Vegetable broth can be a little pricey, tasteless and watery,  while homemade is always tastier, richer and of course more economical.

I use vegetable broth in so many of my recipes, it adds a robust flavor to stews, gumbos, chowders roasts, rice, quinoa and stir-fry.I have a favorite dutch oven that I use to saute my vegetables in and then I simmer the stock for a few hours to enhance the flavors for a full-bodied and rich vegetable broth.These dutch ovens really do work well, as they don't boil away the moisture.Those heavy pots and lids just hold all of that goodness in.
I highly recommend them and just look at the colors they come in!(Thanks to my kiddos for this awesome pot!)
So, you see I have the garden and the pot, so the world is my oyster!

 

TIP:Keep in mind the dish you will be using your broth in.Savory and Sassy or Mild and Moderate.Savory and Sassy add extra onions, leeks, and garlic, robust herbs such as chives, tarragon, basil, oregano and if you dare some jalapenos too!
Mild and Moderate just a smidgen will do and of course not a single jalapeno.

The Recipe For Delicious Homemade Vegetable Broth.

yield: When served as a broth alone- 1 cupAuthor: Jemma Olsonprint recipe

Delicious Homemade Vegetable Broth

prep time: 1 hourcook time: 3 hourtotal time: 4 hours

Dairy free, wheat free, gluten free, low sodium, vegan, vegetarian, low fat, sugar conscious.

INGREDIENTS:

Homemade Vegetable Broth Ingredients

• 1-2 sweet Vidalia onions-chopped
• 1 small bunch of leeks-chopped
• 1/2 bunch of celery-chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic-chopped
• 1 small bunch of carrots- chopped
• 6 ripe tomatoes-diced
• 2 small seeded jalapenos (optional)-diced
• 1 gallon of water
• 1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
• 5 tablespoons good olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

Instructions for Homemade Vegetable Broth

1. Heat olive oil in dutch oven over medium heat (until it reaches about 240 degrees-well below smoke point) Add all the vegetables except tomatoes and sauteed until tender-crisp, stirring frequently. When they are tender add water, tomatoes and peppercorns bring to a vigorous boil. Simmer over low heat for 2-3 hours. If you don't like any chunks in your broth drain with a fine mesh sieve and once again with cheesecloth. Cool and refrigerator up to 3 days.

http://www.athomewithjemma.com/2016/10/making-delicious-homemade-vegetable.html

Created using The Recipes Generator

How Long Will This Vegetable Broth Keep?

You can keep it in your refrigerator between 3-4 days.

You can freeze it for 4-6 months.

Homemade vegetable broth is really good for you and a fantastic alternative to getting yourhealthy dose of veggies in your diet.(Do you know that some people do not eat their vegetables!)Sort of like a V-8 but so much better....laughing just a little.
More Ideas On Infusing Veggies in your Diet

How to cook fresh peas

Homemade Jalapeno JellyThank you for joining me today!xo

My Heart Lives Here

How To Make Easy Christmas Wreath Ornaments

Well by now you know me and wreaths.I think we can truly say  that I really do not need a season or a reason to make them!So, when I spied these adorable mini grapevine wreaths I knew that we were a match made in heaven...smiles.So here we go friends an easy Christmas wreath ornament tutorial.

First off I would like to welcome you to day 16 of the second year of 31 days of Handmade Christmas Ornaments Blog hop.
I am so thrilled to be part of this extraordinary group of bloggers who are inspiring us with Christmas ornaments all through the month of October.
You will find links to the other handmade Christmas ornaments at the end of this post.

Time from start to finish for Christmas Wreath Ornaments~under 1 hour.

The mess~minimal

The Cost~under $2.00 per ornament

The Supplies~

1. Mini Grapevine wreaths (package of 6) 

2. Mini embellished wood slice (package of 4)

3. Mini Gold bows (package of 8)

4. Thin Gold metallic cord

5. Scissors

6. Glue Gun

7. Glue Sticks

8. Gold faux stick with beads

The Tutorial~

Step 1.
Snip 11 gold beads off of the gold faux stick.

Step 2.

Space gold beads evenly on mini grapevine wreath and hot glue into place.
(being careful not to burn yourself, supervise young children)

Step 3.

Remove twine bow from embellished wood slice and replace with gold metallic cord.
Attach wood slice to grapevine wreath by tying the gold cord around the wreath.

Step 4.

Hot glue gold bow on top of the mini wreath where you attached the wood slice with
gold cord.

That is it!

Easy and ready to hang on your own tree as soon as the snow flies!

Thank you for joining me today and I invite you to visit the other Christmas ornament links below!

Here are all 31 Bloggers in order of their appearance:

Day 1 - The Silly Pearl :: Day 2 -Yesterday on Tuesday Day 3 - Cupcakes and Crinoline :: Day 4 - An Extraordinary DayDay 5 - Knick of Time :: Day 6 - Pet Scribbles :: Day 7 - Simply Kelly Designs Day 8 - Town and Country Living :: Day 9 - Petticoat JUNKtion Day 10 - The Everyday Home :: Day 11 - Up on Tippy Toes Day 12 - Remodelando la Casa :: Day 13 - DIY 180 :: Day 14 - 504 Main Day 15 - Sum of their Stories :: Day 16 - At Home with Jemma Day 17 - The Kim Six Fix :: Day 18 - Shabby Art Boutique Day 19 - Morena's Corner :: Day 20 - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Day 21 - Our Southern Home :: Day 22 - Domestically Speaking Day 23 - The Crafting Nook :: Day 24 - Sweet Pea Day 25 - Dukes and Duchesses :: Day 26 - Heathered Nest Day 27 - Lovely Etc. Day 28 - Stone Gable Blog :: Day 29 - Mod Podge Rocks Day 30 - Running with a Glue Gun :: Day 31 - All Things Heart and Home

Love Of Home, Life and Linda, My Heart Lives Here, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, An Extraordinary Day,A Stroll Thur Life