Tinted Mason Jars

I have a top secret project I'm working on that I thought a colored mason jar would look better than a clear one. 

I promise to post once it's complete and has been given to the recipient!

I got this tint recipe here, but I like how mine turned out better!

You'll need:

Gel food coloring

3 T. water

1/2 C. Mod Podge

In a measuring cup (I used a 2 cup size), microwave the water for 30 seconds.

Stir in food coloring.

I used 1/2 jar (each jar is 1/2 oz) Sky Blue by Wilton brand.

Mix VERY well and then stir in Mod Podge.

 Leave the mixture sit for a few minutes so the bubbles go away.

Pour into glass container and swirl around to coat the entire inside. 

Pour liquid back into measuring cup and tip the jar upside down onto a paper plate (I put foil and then paper towels on top of the paper plate). Leave sit for about 10 minutes to drain excess back out.

I really liked how it looked, so I searched around my house for another glass dish to use my mixture on! All I could find was this lame candy dish!

Bake for 25 minutes at 170. 

Take out of the oven when the jar is transparent again. 

You may have to bake it longer than 25 minutes.

It will be really hot, so make sure to use hot pads!

I love, love, love how the jar turned out and I CANNOT wait to tint more glass!!

xoxo

Momma B

DYI Earring and Bracelet Holders

I am a jewelry hoarder. Plain and simple. 

The disaster below is what I dug through on a daily basis to find what I wanted to wear.

I was in need of a serious renovation of my jewelry storage and have seen a few things like this for earrings on Pinterest. I took care of my necklaces (see this post) earlier this year and decided to make something for my earrings and bracelets at the same time. 

I used:
1/4" square chicken wire mesh (technically it's called galvanized hardware cloth)
10x13 picture frame (for earrings)
8.5x11 picture frame (for bracelets)
Spray paint
Manly stapler (as in the kind that should not come into contact with paper)
Wire cutter (if your husband is anything like mine, just pretend you don't know what you're doing and he'll take care of this part.)

 Take the back out of the picture frame and remove the glass. Cut the wire to the same size as the back of the picture frame so that it can be stapled easily.

If you want the frames to be a different color then what they came, paint them now! Mine weren't wood, but the spray paint would have stuck to them a lot better if they were. FYI.

I sprayed my wire also.

 Once everything is dry, staple the wire to the back of the frame and WA-LA.

 The bracelets are either hooked through the squares or clipped onto the squares. Easy-peasy!

The small brown bowl in the bottom of the picture above is just painted flower pots that are glued together!! Some jewelry just doesn't work well with the holders above, so I had to have something for those pieces! I bought each piece below for under $1 at JoAnn Fabric.

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole (Quick Version)

My two favorite kinds of potatoes are mashed and baked.
This dish has the best of both worlds!!

This recipe is a weeknight version, so I cheated with a few steps. If you have more time you could mash your own potatoes and cook your own bacon. Working full time all week just doesn't leave me with enough time at night to prepare all of that!!

INGREDIENTS

2 pkgs. (3.3oz each) Betty Crocker instant potatoes

[plus milk and water according to package]

3 T. sour cream

3/4 C. bacon crumbles

2 C. shredded cheese (cheddar or marble jack is best)

2 T. green onions or chives, diced small
Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Make potatoes according to package.

3. Stir sour cream and 1 C. shredded cheese into potatoes.

4. Spread potatoes into 9x9 or 8x8 baking dish.

5. Top with bacon, remainder of cheese and green onions/chives. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

6. Bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling.

Pre-Baking

Post-Baking

xoxo

Momma B