Fill Your Mason Jar Full of Memories

Mason Jars. Trendy. Useful. Nostalgic. My father in law uses them for canning (go figure), my husband prefers to drink from them, I love to look at them.  I love them for their many creative and decorative uses, but also for the down home nostalgia it congers up. 

My mother’s family came to California from Kansas in the 1950’s.  At 94 years young she just recently had to difficult decision to sell her home of 50 years and relocate to Alabama where her oldest daughter lives.  A collector at heart and a pack rat by nature, preparing her home for the move was a picker’s delight.  If she had a garage sale she would have made thousands, but instead she made a fortune for Goodwill.  I was lucky enough to be given a number of items that to me were priceless because they belonged to my grandmother. Every piece tells a story. 

Among the items that almost made it to the dump was a box of eight dusty old mason jars that had been on her patio for decades.  I had no idea what to do with them, but I knew I wanted them.  This annoyed my husband, the anti-pack rat, because they sat in our garage collecting just a little bit more dust.  Thanks to Pinterest I found a number of cute and clever ideas, but most required altering the jars or filling them with wax to make candles.  All good ideas, but these were special and I didn’t want to change anything about them.  In fact, I kinda liked the dust too – call me crazy. 

I put them here and I put them there, but nothing was “it”.  Then I decided to line them up along my mantle with a pretty string of white lights glowing behind them. Perfect! Absolutely perfect! The simplicity if exactly what I wanted.  Paired with a timer I also scored from her garage it could not have been better.  Each night when I see the glow of the jars as I walk down the hallway I think of my grandmother’s home and all the memories that were made there.

Ball Mason Jars Pat'd July 14, 1908

Ball Ideal 1908 - 1923

As I was taking pictures I noticed that the jars were imprinted with “Pat’d July 14, 1908”.  I did a little internet research to learn more. The patent on these jars was for the wire fastener on top.  I know based on the typeface of the Ball logo that these jars were made between 1908 – 1923. They probably belonged to my great grandparents who lived in Hanover, Kansas. My great grandfather, Max Seaberger, owned the creamery in town, a business he started when he was just 17. 

Aaahhhh, a BIG sigh of relief because my long anticipated wall art project is finally complete.  What took you so long, you ask?  Well, between chasing a three year old around, preparing for a baby and actually having the baby, I was also a little intimidated by the stain aspect and frustrated with mod podge.  I am happy to tell you that I put my big girl britches on, had the baby and went to town on the stain. 

I was inspired by a pin I found from Becoming Martha (http://jensidea.blogspot.com/2011/06/easy-art-blocks.html).  In  the end I went a little rogue and am proud to say I did it!

Supplies Used:

• Paintable/Stainable Shelving Board (I used pine and asked Lowes to cut it down to 12"x12" squares). This was less than $20.
• 9 12"x12" coordinating scrapbook pages.  I selected double sided paper, so it was $1 each.
• Spray adhesive - approximately $6. 
• Clear Acrylic Sealer - approximately $8
• Wood stain (or paint) - less than $5
• Sand paper
• Distressing ink (optional)
• Picture hangers - less than $5 for two packs of 6

I have been at odds with Mod Podge lately.  When working with paper it is difficult to avoid wrinkles.  After unsuccessfully following the advice and tips from many other crafters, I am still wrinkling.  I have tried other Mod Podge mediums and still wrinkles. 

After thinking outside the box I came up with this:

• Cut 12"x12" squares of wood (I actually bought two shelving boards so that I had extra for other projects.  I am glad I did because the last piece on each board was a little shy of 12".)
• Sand the edges of the board so that you have all smooth edges.
• Stain the edges/sides of the boards with desired stain. You can also use paint.
• Trim paper to fit exactly.  (I prefer to trim just a hair smaller than the board.)
• Adhere paper to boards using spray adhesive.
• This is optional, but I gave my boards an extra sanding in just a few spots, then applied some distressing ink to finish the look. This made the corners less sharp and appear more natural.
• Seal the deal with clear acrylic spray.  For mine is just used two coats.
• Last step was nailing the picture hangers to the wood and then hanging them even and level on my family room wall.  This was probably the most difficult task, so be sure you are rested and have a full tank of patience.  Measure twice, nail once!

Here is my end result:

This is one huge step in decorating this room.  I have been at such a loss for what to do for so long and now I feel like I have a jumping off point!  (Maybe the hubby painting the walls was the real jumping off point.)