12+ Fall Mason Jar Crafts

Mason Jars are fantastic for storage, but did you know they are also a favorite supply for crafters? 

This collection of 12+ Fall Mason Jar Crafts has fabulous ideas. I have a feeling you are going to love these ideas for how to use mason jars in your fall crafting sessions.

From lovely luminaries to mason jars that look like Indian corn, this collection has ideas for everyone. I can't wait to hear which is your favorite. 

Fall Leaf Mason Jar Luminaries by Create Craft Love
Fall Pine Cone Mason Jars by Pillar Box Blue
Fall Mason Jars by Crafts by Amanda
Hanging Fall Mason Jars by Live Laugh Rowe
Fall Leaf Mason Jar Candle Holders by Creative Homemaking
Fall Mason Jar Centerpiece by DIY Beautify
Plaid Painted Mason Jars by Daily DIY Life
Mason Jar Centerpiece with Burlap Rosettes by Oh My Creative
Fall Themed Mason Jars by My Turn For Us
Glittery Pumpkin Mason Jars by The Best Ideas for Kids
Scarecrow Mason Jars by Easy Peasy Fun
Fall Harvest Corn Mason Jar by Thrifty Jinxy

You can find more mason jar ideas here.

Some of our favorite fall crafts include:

Apple Tree Window Clings

Easy Ombre Pumpkins

Apple Desserts to Fall For

Favorite Fall Cocktails

 As the leaves change color and the air gets crisp, there's something undeniably magical about fall. It's a season that begs for cozy nights in, warm blankets, and, of course, delicious comfort food and drinks. And what better way to embrace the autumnal spirit than with a selection of handcrafted cocktails that capture the essence of the season?

Forget the store-bought pumpkin spice lattes (although, there's no shame in those either!). This blog post is all about elevating your fall experience with a variety of cocktail recipes, each bursting with the rich flavors of the season. Whether you're a seasoned mixologist or just starting to explore the world of cocktails, we have something for everyone.

Dive into Deliciousness:
We're not just talking about the classic pumpkin spice concoction. These recipes offer a spectrum of flavors, from the warm and comforting to the refreshingly tart. Make sure you click through the links to get the full recipes.

Fall Gin and Tonic by Gastronom 
Whiskey Blood Orange Smash by Saporito Kitchen
Honeycrisp Apple Cocktail by Mooshu Jenne
Fall Sangria by The Forked Spoon
S’mores Shots by Spabettie
Tootsie Roll Shots by The Short Order Cook
Autumn Harvest Sangria by Ann’s Entitled Life
Apple Cider Mimosa by Crayons and Cravings
Amaretto Apple Cider Cocktail by Who Needs a Cape
Ginger Peach Whiskey Cocktail by Snacks and Sips

While you are here, check out a few of my other favorite cocktail recipes.

Sour Apple Margaritas are just right for those unseasonably warm fall afternoons.
Hillbilly Moonshine Apple Cider is always a favorite! This is a must try this fall.

Apple Process Art

It's that time of year again - leaves are changing, pumpkins are popping up everywhere, and what better way to celebrate than with a fun fall craft project? This activity is perfect for keeping little hands busy and creating some adorable apple artwork!

What you'll need:

• Construction paper
• Red, green, and brown paint
• Shallow dishes or trays for paint
• Wine corks
• Baby wipes or paper towels (for clean-up!)
• Optional: Glitter, markers, googly eyes for decorating

Let's get stamping!

Prepare your canvas: Unfold a large piece of construction paper. This will be the background for your giant apple!

Cork transformation: Pour a small amount of red paint into one of your shallow dishes. Now comes the fun part! Press the flat end of the wine cork into the red paint, making sure it gets a nice, even coat.

Stamping time! Carefully, guide your child's hand as they press the painted end of the cork onto the construction paper. This will be the body of the apple. Repeat this process, creating multiple red circles close together to form a large apple.

Stem and Leaf: Use a paintbrush and green paint to add a long, curvy stem coming out of the top of the apple. For the leaf, dip a corner of the paintbrush in green paint and make a few small teardrop shapes next to the stem

Browning time (optional): Fall apples often have brown speckles on the skin. Use a brown paintbrush to gently dab small dots around the red apple to create this effect

Decoration Extravaganza! Now comes the fun part - decorating! Let your child unleash their creativity. They can add glitter for a sparkly apple, use markers to draw stripes or a cute face, or even stick on googly eyes for a silly apple friend.

Pro-Tips:

• Safety first! Cover your work surface with newspaper or a tablecloth to avoid paint splatters.
• Little artists, big messes: For younger children, use washable paint and have plenty of baby wipes or paper towels on hand for clean-up.
• Get creative! Don't limit yourselves to red apples. Experiment with other fall colors for a variety of apple creations!

This easy and engaging craft is a fantastic way to spend quality time with your kids this fall. It allows them to explore their creativity, practice hand-eye coordination, and celebrate the beauty of the season. Plus, you'll end up with some adorable apple artwork to proudly display! So grab those wine corks, unleash the paint, and get stamping!

Find all of my favorite fall crafts here:

Play Doh Pumpkin Faces

Lego Stamped Pumpkins

Sunflower Stamped Pumpkins

11 Apple Crafts to Make with the Kids

I can't help but get excited about the end of summer, because it means that fall is near! Trips to the orchard with the family; lots of action in the kitchen, the temps are finally cool enough for baking! And of course, the crafting with the kids! How could I not get excited for fall!? 

This year I have 11 apple craft to make with the kids to share with you that I know you will have fun making with your little ones!

Toilet Paper Roll Apple Stamp
Paper Plate Apple Craft
Caramel Apple Fall Craft
Apple Suncatchers
Take a Bite Out of Fall Craft
Apple Playdough
Button Apple Trees
Fruit Loop Fall Tree
Apple Tree Craft
Toilet Roll Apples
Stuffed Paper Apples


I love all of these ideas! I am hoping to make them all with the kids! We are planning to make these Apple Tree Window Clings again this year but we might make it a crafting marathon with these great ideas!

You can find my Halloween posts here

You might also like this easy homemade play dough recipe

12+ Tree Crafts for Kids

 Fall is near and I am super excited about crafting with my kids! We love to display our work around the house and add a festive touch to our decor.  If you are looking for some cute as can be ways to craft trees with the kids, you are in the right spot! i found 12+ Tree Crafts for Kids to share with you.

Click through the links to check out the tutorials. There are some really fun ideas on this list; for all ages and skill levels. 

       

Puzzle Piece Tree
Torn Paper Trees
Autumn Splatter Trees
Leaf Stamped Trees
Dish Brush Trees
Twig Paintings
Pumpkin Seed Tree Art
Hand-print Fall Tree Project
Fingerprint Autumn Trees
Autumn Button Branch
Fall Tree Sun-catchers
Tree Silhouette Place-mats

Which of these ideas do you think your kids would love the most? If you have a tree craft I would love to hear about it in a comment! 

You can find all of our favorite kids crafts for fall here

11 Apple Crafts to Make with the Kids

Apple Tree Window Clings

Paper Apple Craft

Apple Tree Window Cling

Fall days are the perfect time to find inspiration from nature and create fun crafts with the kids. This easy DIY window decal comes together within a few moments and adds a colorful touch to your windows. The kids will love displaying their artwork for the world to see!

This is such a simple project you guys! For $2 you can make a dozen or more window decals to add a festive fall touch to your windows! Best of all, this imaginative craft is perfect for the kids!

To make an apple tree window cling you will need:
Transparent contact paper, cut to the size you wish to work with. We used a 6'x4" section.
Tissue Paper Squares in dark green and yellow
One strip of brown construction paper
Scissors

First peel the backing off of the contact paper and lay it sticky side up. Add a strip of brown paper for the tree trunk.

Cut several circles from your yellow tissue paper, place around the tree trunk.

Next lay your squares of green tissue paper over the yellow dots, forming the leaves of the tree. 

Finally, find a window that gets a lot of sun and smooth the sticky side to the window. It will peel off without mess or residue whenever you are ready to take it down.

I love this craft for kids because it introduces them to a sticky texture to work with, and manipulating the paper into the right placements is great for fine motor skill development.

You might also enjoy this Fall Tree Silhouette Placemat Craft for kids.

Rustic Recipes for Autumn

The weather is starting to cool down, and the leaves are changing color. It's the perfect time to start thinking about fall cooking. Rustic recipes are all about using simple, seasonal ingredients to create hearty, flavorful dishes. They're the perfect way to warm up on a cold day and celebrate the bounty of the fall harvest. I have gathered some of my favorites to share with you. From stews, to galettes, there is something on this list for everyone. Be sure to click thru the links to visit the recipes at their original source.

Photo Credit: Various Sources.

Fresh Tomato Galette by If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen

Rustic Lamb Stew by Spend with Pennies

Mum’s Beef Stew by Kelly Neil

Rich and Rustic Mashed Potatoes by Sense and Edibility

Irish Vegetable Soup  by Cook at Home Mom

Sausage and Sauerkraut Skillet by Bitz n Giggles

Italian Minestrone Soup by Cucciharella 

Creamy Stewed Potatoes  by Broke Bank Vegan

Authentic Coq Au Vin with Rooster by The Peasants Daughter

French Hunter Chicken by 24 Bite

Oxtail Ragu by The Pasta Project

Beef Roast by Sungrown Kitchen

Meat Pie by The Gunny Sack

Dutch Oven Pot Roast by The Healthy Epicurean

Cacio e Pepe by Centsless Meals

If you are planning to make some rustic family style food this fall here are some tips:

Here are some tips for making great rustic food: Use simple, fresh ingredients. Rustic food is all about using the best ingredients you can find. This means using fresh, seasonal produce, and high-quality meats and cheeses.

You can stock up on ingredients and save cash by checking out these BJ’s Wholesale Membership Deals. After grabbing your groceries at BJ's you will be ready to hop into the kitchen to start making the best rustic food.

Don't be afraid to get creative. Rustic food is all about letting your personality shine through. Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors and ingredients.

Don't overcook your food. Rustic food should be cooked until it's just tender, but still has a bit of a bite to it. Overcooked food will be dry and bland.

Let your food rest before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.

Use rustic cooking methods. Rustic food is often cooked using traditional methods, such as roasting, grilling, and braising. These methods help to preserve the natural flavors of the ingredients.

Present your food simply. Rustic food doesn't need a lot of fussy presentation. A simple, rustic platter is all you need to showcase your delicious food.

Which of these recipes do you think your family would most enjoy? I want to make the Irish veggie soup asap.

While you are here you might also like to check out some of my favorite recipes.

3 Ingredient Fool Proof Biscuits

Butter Garlic Glazed Carrots

Cork and Button Apple Tree Process Art

This cork and button apple tree process art is perfect for preschoolers or kindergartners this fall. It is an easy activity that requires very little prep. 

We love process art, and we love all things fall around here! Harper and I have been hoarding fall decor since we saw the first adorable decorative pumpkin in stores back in July. Rolf is not so quick to jump seasons, but on the first of September, he said "Finally! It is September. Now we can buy all the pumpkins we want without comment." HA! 

Related: Apple Tree Window Clings

Harper and I felt like painting and wanted to start on some fridge decorations for the season. We came up with these adorable cork and button apple trees. They are so worthy of displaying! Plus, they are easy to make!

 

Supplies Needed: 

Paint in Brown and Green

A Wine Cork

A Paper Plate

White Paper

Buttons

Glue

Directions:

Pour a quarter sized drop of both the brown and the green paint onto a paper plate.

Offer your child the cork.

Encourage your child to first stamp the trunk of the tree with the cork.

Then ask your child to give the tree leaves with the green paint.

Allow to dry for about an hour in a warm, sunny place.

When the paint has dried, offer your child the glue and some buttons. We used yellow for this project to make the kind of apples we like. Feel free to use red, green or even a mix if you like. As you can see below we also made one with red buttons, just because we had so much fun the first time.

Encourage your child to spread out the buttons, pressing them onto dots of glue.

Allow the glue time to dry. Then display! This is perfect for refrigerator art!

Are you looking for more awesome apple art projects for kids? 

Here are some favorites:

Easy Paper Apples

Apple Process Art

Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Shrimp

 This 6 ingredient dinner is PERFECT for busy nights this fall. It is so easy and delicious. The whole family will love this one, and it couldn't be anymore fuss free!

Now that school is back in session and we are getting geared up for the fall soccer season, I am all about sheet pan dinners. I love to toss everything in the oven and have less mess to clean up later, and I love that this dinner is fun to eat. Or am I the only one that loves biting shrimp from their tails?

This is such a fuss free meal. With just a few seasonings and some tasty butter, you are in business!

This meal only takes about 25 minutes from start to finish; so you can get a delicious dinner on the table even on the busiest of nights.

Ingredients:

1 pound of frozen shrimp

1/2 pound of baby red potatoes, halved

1 pound of asparagus

1/4 cup of butter, melted

1/2 a Lemon 

2 teaspoons of garlic, minced

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

After cutting the ends off of the asparagus and halving the potatoes, place them on a sheet pan.

Add shrimp.

Add garlic and lemon, salt and pepper to the melted butter and stir.

Drizzle the butter over everything!

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

You might like to give everything a little stir at the halfway mark so that the veggies don't stick to the pan.

Enjoy!

You can find other tasty recipes here

3 Ingredient Foolproof Biscuits

Snickerdoodle Cake

Chocolate Cherry Floats

6 Things Not To Bargain Shop For

6 Things Not To Bargain Shop For

We all love a good bargain. Saving money is awesome and unless you are one of the nearly 500 billionaires in the United States, it is often a necessity.  As the financial adviser in my family, I try my best to get the most bang for my buck on every purchase. I check ebates to see if I can earn cashback.  I use my paypal debit card to purchase nearly everything I buy because I earn 1% cashback each month, which adds up! I look for sales, coupons and discounts. I even shop the closeout stores like Big Lots and Ollie's Bargain Outlet. Who doesn't like buying stuff at a lower cost?

In all of my attempts to save money, I have discovered things you should not scrimp on. Things that are just worth the cost in the long run. I want to share these suggestions with you to help you in your attempts to save as much as you can.

1. Laundry Detergent 

I say buy something good for several good reasons. One your clothes are meant to last. Washing them in something like the brand from Dollar Tree is going to take a toll on your clothes. You can take my word for this. I bought a new pair of jeans, washed them in the cheap cheap LA Awesome (or something like that) brand exclusively. Ya know what? In 6 months time the denim was so worn and threadbare all over that I was afraid to go outdoors in them for fear they might just fall apart! I bought a new pair of jeans to replace the holy than thou pair and went back to Tide... same brand of jeans, same style. That was 5 years ago... I still have the 2nd new pair today. Secondly, your clothes should look and smell good after washing them. A cheap detergent is mostly water, it just can't do the job as well as Tide.

2. Deodorant

This should be a no brainer. Buy something good, don't try to save money here... cause no one wants to smell your attempts to save money on a hot summer day....

3. Pet Food

If you can't afford to feed a pet quality food, you shouldn't have a pet. Feeding off brands of food, such as EverPet, will lead to health issues. Pets deserve to be cared for in many ways, but their diet is vital to the overall health and well being of any pet. 

4. Trash Bags

I have bought cheap trash bags before and ended up picking my trash up off the lawn as the bag rips, tears or whatever on the way to the curb. No fun, not worth saving $2 in my opinion.

5. Shoes

I think buying quality footwear is important. Not only do your feet feel better in great shoes, but they are safer. When my son was about 18 months old and on the go, go, go we found a great deal on a pair of well known kids shoes. I jumped on them. Days later I realized why they were so affordable... the hard way. The sole of the shoe detached, causing my toddler to fall and he got a black eye out of it. Since that moment, no more bargain buys on shoes. Find the new air force 1 here.

6. Pillows

Repeat after me. "I will not buy a $5 pillow. I will not buy a $5 pillow." 

I am not saying you need to spend a few hundred on a great pillow, but invest in one that is going to give you a good quality of sleep. I use a Technogel pillow. I love it. I can't sleep without it, without waking up in pain or exhausted. A good pillow is an investment in your quality of life. 

Do you have any items to add to this list? What do you think you should buy without bargain hunting?

Glam Pumpkin Make Over

From outrageous orange to golden glam in a flash! This is how to make those plastic pumpkins super stylish!

I was browsing at the local thrift shop a few weeks ago and I noticed they had a huge pile of Halloween stuff out. Everything was 10 cents. I sorted out about 10 plastic pumpkins and happily took them home. 

I grabbed some gold spray paint and gave them a generous coat. I let them dry throughout the day, and now I have some total glamorous pumpkins to display! It may be only August, but I am ready for a super stunning and stylish Halloween display this year!

You might want to wear gloves when you spray paint... I got a little too enthusiastic about the idea and I just went for it. My hands were a lovely shade of gold too. HA!

How am I going to use these glam pumpkins in my Halloween and fall decor?

Make sure you come back in a few weeks to peek at the final results. 

But:

I am thinking to have hubby drill a hole in the bottom of a few and use them to plant mums.

I am going to stack 3 together and create a fall totem pole of fun. I am looking for Rose Gold and bronze spray paint to add to the colorful display!

If you have any ideas for my remaining 4 pumpkins, please leave it in a comment!

Hungry Caterpillar Process Art

This easy Hungry Caterpillar Process art project is perfect for preschoolers and elementary aged kids. It gives them a chance to create an adorable picture to go along with story time. I don't know about you, but I love storybook crafts for kids!

This project is perfect for fall. We used fresh apples that were too bruised to eat, and painted these cuties with them. If you have an abundance of apples. maybe you will want to put one to work for this art project.

We have lots of apple crafts on site! 

These cork and button apple trees are a favorite fall craft for kids of all ages.

Corked Stamped Apples are an adorable craft for kids.

Apple Tree Window Clings are a fun budget friendly project.

3D Paper Apples are a good project for using up scrap paper.

Apple Tree Addition makes for a fun way to learn math.

Supplies:

An apple 

Green, red , yellow, black paint.

Paper Plate

A pencil

A knife

Paper

Slice an apple in half

Pour a large dallop of red, green and yellow paint onto a paper plate.

We kind of mixed a little green and yellow together to create a cool effect.

Offer a small drop of black paint.

Offer the child an apple and encourage the child to dip the apple into the paint, and stamp the apple, so that the circles touch one another, going across the page.

Have your child give the caterpillar 4 or 5 segments.

Then encourage the child to dip the other apple half into the red paint and stamp the apple to form the head.

Next, dip the pencil into the black paint and create the eyes and mouth of the caterpillar.

Next, dip the pencil into the yellow paint and finish the eyes.

Now, I know what you are thinking.

Why not use a paintbrush?

Well, we did try that, but it smeared the yellow and black together. We found that the pencil was much easier to work with; and it gave Harper the chance to paint with a non traditional object. We both enjoyed that! You can kind of see in the mouth of the caterpillar that it is a little messy; that was the paint brush. 

Next, grab the stem from the apple and dip it into the green paint.

Give the caterpillar some antennae.

 

 Allow to dry completely. 

Display and enjoy this cute Hungry Caterpillar craft!