When I first moved to the country I attended a canning class.
I was new to the neighborhood and thought I would make friends.
If you were there at the class with me….
….I’m truly sorry.
I was fresh from the city.
I bought my beans in a can with a Del Monte label.
I had no idea what I was in for. I thought a water bath was something you took at night with bubbles. And a Dutch oven was something they used in the Netherlands.
What happens at canning class, stays at canning class, but suffice it to say I left the class with my tail between my legs and two jars of tomatoes.
And now I use my mason jars to decorate.
So without further ado….here’s five simple ideas for decorating with mason jars.
1. Add fruit and flowers
Perfect combination for summer.
Add color to a back porch or outdoor space with mason jars used as vases.
Fill with limes or lemons, then add water and fresh cut flowers from the yard.
2. Personalize them
Add a sticker or vinyl to your jar to make a unique centerpiece.
You can create a monogram or spell out a word by placing a letter on each mason jar.
Perfect as a gift for a friend or wedding decor, too.
3. Hanging mason jar vase
You can make a simple wire holder for your mason jar or purchase one pre-made from any craft store.
Hang a hook on a fence post or a reclaimed piece of wood.
Then fill with water and fresh flowers and hang the wire holder on the hook.
DIY project found here.
4. Stack them for a tiered centerpiece
If one mason jar is amazing, why not seven?
Fill mason jars with fresh flowers and stack them in a galvanized metal stand.
More flower decorating ideas found here.
5. Decorate with wire baskets
Here’s a simple idea using what you have.
Place mason jars full of flowers inside wire baskets.
Fill with water and group them together for a mantel display.
I keep thinking I’m going to try the whole canning thing again.
Maybe one day.
I have a little more country in me now and I’m better at listening.
But just between us….
….I think I’d enroll under an assumed name. 🙂
Happy day friend.
PS A giant shout out to Homes.com for inspiring me and being such a wonderful brand partner.
I write articles like this one for their blog every month and I’m truly thankful for the opportunity.
If you are on a fresh cup of coffee and need some reading material….here’s some other articles I’ve written for them.
Unique Storage Containers
Wreath Project Ideas
Karianne, nothing wrong with store-bought veggies! Love you for trying and telling about it!
Great ideas as always, Karianne!!! I especially love the tired centerpiece and the wire basket ones!!! Thanks for always inspiring me!!! Happy day to you!!!
Went with my Aunt to the "Cannery" back in the day.. summers with my Grandmother and family on her farm..... Amazing!!! Wonderful!! Precious memories... BUT THE TRIPS TO THE CANNERY...??? made me appreciate that "Del Monte" label in a great big way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) .... Lovin' the Mason Jar decor!!!!
I can quite a bit every summer. It is a hot and dirty job, but well worth it. The food does taste better. If you're ever in Southern Indiana, I'll give you some and you "can" see for yourself!!!
In the South, the mason jar is just part of the home and besides all the jam I make, I love them too for vases, drinking, and collecting buttons & other treasures! Lovely post my friend, XOXO
I read somewhere on a snarky blog that mason jars were so over. NO never. Not ever. That's like cake is over. I love all of these and if you open, you'll find every thing under the sun in mason jars. I like putting herbs in them in all sizes.
Ohhhh I laughed out loud reading this. "And a Dutch oven was something they used in the Netherlands." KariAnne I won't lie, usually I'm notorious for purely perusing blogs for the imagery... but I truly love your writing style. I always read your content top to bottom and you never disappoint! (oh, and your imagery is also top notch ;) )
I love your story about canning. I do in fact can, make jelly and now dehydrate and make onion and tomato powder which is fun. I also drink out of them and use them when I can. Loved the story and will check out the other place you write for. You are a wonder writer and love the humor it really makes my day. Have a Great Week, Rowena
Why didn't you say something earlier? ;) Homes.com, welcome to my morning routine!
Well, at least you tried! I canned dill pickles once. It took a WEEK!! I had a horrrific mess of pots and pans filled with a hot water bath or whatever they called it. I only did it once - and that was enough for me. :)
Oh haha, you are too funny! Did they sat "bless your heart"? Thanks for the ideas and the laugh. Too cute. (I would have been your friend at that class). Smiles, Cecilia
Where did you find your "cups for days" metal rack? They do not offer it at Magnolia Market anymore. I might be a little heartbroken if I can't find one. BTW, love your blog. Charma in Florida
LOVE all these ideas!!! Your post is so funny too. hahaha! Visiting from the Crafty & Delicious Party. Pinned.
Love the mason jar ideas:) I've been collecting them for quite some time - thanks for the great new ideas! Enjoy this blog so much:)
As I read this, I'm waiting for my first canning class TONIGHT. Yep, tonight. Like you, I am going to attempt to can my own produce. It's not because I live in the country; I just have an appreciation of things like salsas and fruits. And remember enjoying the canned plums from my Grandma's garden. So, please think of me, and even say a little prayer that nothing explodes. LOVE your daily emails and stories, and have a newfound appreciation for milk glass!
I love these ideas! My whole family are jar lovers and we use them for decoration purposes like your vase idea, for drinking iced tea or other cold drinks, for storing items. We elevate them beyond mere utility items! My husband and I laughed out loud at your description of going to a canning class. Our small town's historical society has offered canning classes at the local community center and we envisioned his aunt's and mother's reactions to your being a part of their canning lessons. Perhaps their recent comments about our niece's upcoming nuptial celebration which includes the use of mason jars and burlap would give you an idea..."Why would she want to use plain old jars that need to have beans in 'em and old feed sacks?" Perspective!
Growing up in amherstburg, Ontario was a wonderful time. They had a canning factory right in town at that time. We would see the farmers hauling load after load of tomatoes, so overfilled that some tomatoes would roll off the top of the tractor bins right onto the roads! Then, the smell all summer of canning tomatoes filled the air throughout the town. It's a smell, to this day, that I can still smell if I close my eyes and think back. Sad to say the canning factory isn't there anymore, but Amherstburg is still a beautiful historical town!
I could just slap myself silly -- I GAVE away about 100 Ball jars. To think I could have given some to you to do with whatever you want. See, we did it opposite of you. We moved from the country to the city -- well actually town. Now I do miss canning and gardening but I'm sure that feeling would leave really quickly if I had to slave over a hot water bath for hours on end and clean green beans for 75 quarts. Yep!! I'd much rather be reading your posts and answering them back. I could use a Ball jar now to stick in some purple basil for decorative purposes. I think I'll go dump the two year old pickles in the fridge and use that jar. You rock!!
I bet that canning class was pretty entertaining, as you always are with your writing! Love, love!
I am crazy about mason jars...it's probably the southern in me! I would love for you to share this post on the #funsummerfinds linkup. It runs on my site from Thursday to Saturday! Shellie www.thefabjourney.com
She is telling the whole truth here folks, but she looked good at the class! And Kari Anne, there is another class week after next!
I really love all those, but my favorite are the vases with fruit and flowers. Great idea! So happy you shared it with Thursday Favorite Things blog hop!
.. Hi KariAnne... I love the way you have used the jars for decorating..... they all look so pretty... I've been known to buy jars because of their shape or because I like the label on them... great to use for storage too.. Have a great day ...'Hugs... Barb xxxx
Mason jars are such an amazing styling tool...they seem to make everything feel more homey, laid-back, and comfy-feeling. I love all of these styling tips...most especially your tiered tin tray with mason jars placed inside...what a unique way to build a beautiful centrepiece! What I also love about these tips is that they are an easy way to style your home for even a butterfingers like me to try and they are also very affordable, so they won't break the bank! As for the canning class, don't sweat it, you have probably made enough friends through this blog who would love to share their jars of bounty with you...I'd be pleased to some time!
Without further ado...I love the jar in a wire basket idea! You could make the wire enclosures fairly easily I think. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks for pointing out the correct phrase "without further ADO". Glad it annoyed someone else, lol.
Your a hoot! LOL! I kinda did the opposite...I was the country girl that moved to the city! The funny thing is, when I first made the move, I was thrilled!!! Twenty-three years later, we have found our happy medium. We are surrounded by woods, and live on 2 acres with a huge creek- but the "city boy" is 5 minutes from the turnpike:D
I love,love,LOVE reading your blogs ! You never fail to bring a smile to my face and inspire me! Lord knows I need a lot of inspiration when it comes to decorating. I am sitting on my porch watching the sun set at my weekend cabin in the woods just wondering what it would look like with your Magic touch. Thanks for your inspiring and happy blogs! P.S. I currently have a mason jar filled with wild ferns on my table....oh and one with homemade jam compliments of my mama !
Karianne, whenever I need a good laugh, I visit your blog. Seriously :) It never fails to brighten my day! ~Angie
I love these ideas. I have aa TON of mason jars and I love to use them for various things. Thanks for the inspiration. My post today is about the teal blue mason jar holder I made for my daughter's beauty supplies. Come take a peak at: simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com Best, Michelle from simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com
I tried to be that kinda girl that canned and baked fresh bread from scratch but why?? When Publix is just down the road! Love your ideas, my fav is the jar hanging on the porch hook.
Kari Anne- Beautiful pics! I love the stacked tray! NEVER would have thought of this. Have a great weekend- laura