As Thanksgiving approaches (it’s on October 11 here in Canada) thoughts turn to everything I’m grateful for. No matter what stresses I have, I can always find at least one reason to be thankful. So it seemed the perfect time to write them down on slips of paper. That way when I’m having a tough day I can look back at them to restore my perspective on life. With that in mind this morning I sat down and created this blessings jar.

BELLY BAND

The jar itself is just a standard 8oz (250ml) mason jar. However, instead of the usual two-part metal lid I changed it for a solid white one.

To start I wanted to create a belly band to go around the jar. So I began by cutting a 2-3/4″ x 8-3/4″ strip of Misty Moonlight Card. Then I put Tear & Tape Adhesive on one end and wrapped the card tightly around the jar, sticking it to itself.

Next I turned to the Beauty Of The Earth 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. I knew exactly what I was looking for; the delicate blue ‘sky’ design, and cut a strip 2″ x 9″.

Before adding the paper to the jar I flipped it over and put Tear & Tape Adhesive along all four edges. Then I cut two pieces of Very Vanilla 3/8″ Scalloped Lace Trim. Next, using the adhesive, I attached the lace to the two long sides of the DSP. Then I wrapped the DSP around the jar fixing it to the card band and itself.

At this point I decided to decorate the top of the jar and fortunately the Layering Circles Dies were there to help me.

From Misty Moonlight Card I cut a circle using the #6 plain-edge die (counting from the smallest up). Then from the ‘sky’ DSP I cut a circle using the #5 plain-edge die. Finally after using Tear & Tape to layer the two circles together I attached them to the lid.

BLESSINGS

With the jar prepared I was ready to begin work on the decoration, starting with a sentiment from the Happy Holly-Days Stamp Set. I only wanted part of the sentiment though, the word “Blessings”, so I’d need to work some magic.

First I inked up the word “blessings” by carefully placing just that part of the stamp onto the Misty Moonlight ink pad. Of course that’s not easy with a red rubber stamp and I still got ink on parts of the sentiment I didn’t want. That was easily solved when I covered the unwanted parts of the sentiment with sellotape. Once that was done I stamped “Blessings” onto Thick Very Vanilla Card.

From there I cut it out using a die from the Ornate Frames Dies and set it aside.

ANGEL

Next I chose the little angel from the Angels Of Peace Stamp Set. Like the sentiment there was some of the image I didn’t want; the holly bouquet. So as before I simply inked up the stamp and used sellotape to cover the parts I didn’t want. Then I stamped the altered image onto some Thick Very Vanilla Card.

To colour the image I used Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers starting with Ivory for the skin. For the angel’s dress I used light and dark Pool Party, followed by light Crumb Cake for her hair. Finally I added I coloured the flowers in her hair with dark Daffodil Delight.

On the angel’s wings I used a Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush to add a touch of shimmer. Then I cut out the completed angel with my Paper Snips.

To complete the jar I put a line of Stampin’ Dimensionals down the centre of the angel then attached her to the jar. Then I added the sentiment on top using more Stampin’ Dimensionals and I was done. Now all I have to do is fill it with things I’m thankful for.

I love how this project turned out. It’s quite a simple concept that I know will be a reminder of all the blessings I have in my life. I hope you like it.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – The Happy Holly-Days Stamp Set is available by itself or as part of a bundle with the Holly Border Punch (not used today). Buying both items together using a single ‘bundle’ item number will save you 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle in case you want to explore that option.