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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

Mason Jar Lasagna

Mason Jar Lasagna is a fun way to easily take a favorite dish picnic style for date night or a family dinner at the park!

There is something about mason jars that make me giddy. They are so incredibly useful; they are cute and come in so many shapes and sizes, and they are perfect for taking delicious things just about anywhere!

There is also something about lasagna that makes me swoon. The layers, the cheesy dreamy textures, the sauce. Sigh, now that folks, is what dinner is all about the euphoria the mention of a food, like lasagna, can give you!

I brought these 2 favorite things together to create an awesome dish to take along with us, while we enjoyed this unseasonably nice Ohio winter weather! Mason Jar Lasagna keeps warm during the transport, is so easy to eat, where ever and it adds so many amazing layers to the dish that who could resist it?

My recipe is a little better than anyone else's because of my secret ingredient cream sauce, but I am going to share it with you because anything this yummy should be shared with a smile!

Ingredients:

1 pound of Ground Beef, browned

1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce

8 lasagna noodles broken into chunks to fit into a mason jar

2 cups of mozzarella or Italian Cheese

1/2 cup of sliced mushrooms

1 cup of diced onions and green peppers

Secret Cream Sauce {see below}

Directions

Begin layering all ingredients into jars until they are almost full.

Seal the jars and submerge them in a pot of boiling water for about 10-12 minutes until the noodles are cooked and the layers are thoroughly heated.

Carefully remove them and wrap them in towels to transport, or pop the lids off and enjoy right away. These jars will stay piping hot for about 25 to 30 minutes!

Secret Recipe Cream Sauce for Lasagna

1 block of cream cheese

2 ounces of milk

garlic powder

Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the cream cheese is completely melted

This is such an easy recipe for a yummy dinner that is packed full of veggies and cheese, not to mention meat and sauce!

Do you have a favorite mason jar recipe? I would love to hear about it!

Time Out Jar

I first made these calm down jars in 2014. My kids were so small that we used plastic, just in case they were dropped or thrown during a tantrum back then. While the children have grown so much since then, I have made these with them a few times. I have updated the post and included a few new photos for you.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

If you need an idea that brings a little more zen and fewer tantrums, let me introduce you to the time out jar. You can call these whatever you like; a meditation jar, a calm down jar, or a time in jar. The idea remains the same, this jar can help your kids take a minute to collect themselves after a meltdown, or offer them a quiet minute for themselves anytime they want it. Plus, the results are pretty and relaxing to watch.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

Make these with a plastic container, like a treehut body scrub container, if you have little kids.

If your kids are older, and would be more likely to use this as a meditation tool, feel free to use a mason jar, or even better, recycle a used food jar, like a pasta sauce container.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

This is an easy craft, that all ages can help with. It is cool enough to get tweens interest, and you can use your favorite colors and whatever glitter you like. We have even added chunky confetti to time out jars.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

Supplies:

1 to 2 tablespoons of glitter glue

Chunky Confetti

Glitter

A mason jar and lid

1 ¾ water

A craft stick

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

Pour the warm water in the container with the glitter glue.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

Add a drop or two of food coloring to the glue and water.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

I lined the lid of the container with glue and firmly sealed the jar.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

And here you have a TIME OUT JAR.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman

You can find all of my sensory ideas here.
Egypt Sensory Play
Feeding Sharks Sensory Bag

Blueberry Lime Soda

This blueberry lime soda syrup is so easy to make. It is perfect for a refreshing drink that you will want to sip all summer long!

We have a drink machine in the kitchen, and it is pretty great. I love making caffeine free soda to serve the family. It is fun to mix up a batch of syrup drawing inspiration from seasonal produce. This recipe came together with only 3 ingredients to create something sweet, tart and completely delicious!

After you make this, you might never buy a prepacked syrup for your soda stream machine again. This is so easy to make and tastes totally amazing! With only 3 ingredients and a few moments of time, this might be your new favorite.

Ingredients:
One fresh lime
2 cups of blueberries
2 cups of water
2 cups of sugar

Tools:
A mason jar or something similar for storing
A mesh sieve/strainer
A medium size saucepan

Directions:
Combine water, sugar and blueberries in a saucepan.
Over medium heat, cook for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently.
Allow the mixture to cool for about 20 minutes.
Place the mesh sieve/strainer over the mason jar.
Pour the liquid into the sieve, allowing it to drip into the jar.
As you go, you will crush the fruit to drain the liquid. I use a small mason jar for this.

Allow to cool completely then store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

To use, add one to two ounces of syrup to your drink mate or soda stream with 12 ounces of water, then carbonate.

If you do not have a drink machine, no worries! Add this to sprite or carbonated water for a really delightful summer treat!

Don't miss my other homemade soda steam syrup recipes. Reader favorites include:

Cherry Orange Soda

Strawberry Peach Pop

Peach Soda

10+ Crafts for Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is coming up on January 25th, and these fun crafts are perfect for creating with the kids to celebrate in style!

We love Chinese New Year because it happens in the winter, and it gives us something to celebrate and learn about at a pretty dull time of the year for us. My husband is down because I will naturally make something awesome for dinner like egg rolls or peanut butter chicken over fried rice.

This list has something for everyone; literally! From the cute and easy paper fortune cookie to a stunning mason jar lantern; there is something for every skill level in this collection! I can't wait to hear which is your favorite craft!

Mason Jar Lanterns by Mod Podge Rocks
Chinese New Year Tangrams by My Craftily Ever After
Paper Plate Chinese Lanterns by In the Playroom
Rooster Craft by Crafts n Coffee
Egg Carton Dragons by Happiness is Homemade
Homemade Chinese Gong by Kid World Citizen
Chinese Take Out Box Craft by Create Craft Love
Chinese New Year Shakers by In the Playroom
Chinese Dragon Puppets by Crafts n Coffee
Paper Fortune Cookies by Mad in Crafts

If you have a fun idea for Chinese New Year, I hope you will leave a comment to share it!

15 Teacher Gifts for Under $15

If you are looking for teacher appreciation gifts that won't break the bank, these ideas are under $15! These thoughtful ideas will help you say thanks for a great year, and best of all, you can get them without leaving the house!

This post is a collection of amazon links. If you make a purchase I earn a small advertisers fee, and you will get free shipping if you are a prime member so win/win!

Engraved Pastel Pencils
Teachers can never have enough pencils. Make the thought a personal one by adding the teachers name to these pretty pastel pencils.

Because I had a Teacher
Let a special teacher know how much of an impact they have had with this very sweet book. I am sure they will cherish it for years to come!

Teacher Keychains
This 3 keychain set is adorable, useful and a gift from the heart that won't break your budget. At under $8 for 3 this is perfect for saying thank you on a budget, with multiple teachers.

Glass Water Bottle
This durable glass water bottle is attractive and sweet with a thoughtful message. It is a great way to encourage a favorite teacher to stay hydrated while staying awesome!

Teachers Life Coloring Book
This is a fun and relaxing gift idea. This coloring book gives your favorite teacher a chance to unwind and giggle at the snarky humor of this adult coloring book.

Mason Jar Tumbler for Teachers
Give the teacher the tools to stay hydrated on the go over summer break with this mason jar tumbler. It features a thoughtful phrase to remind your favorite teacher how much they are appreciated.

Thanks for Helping Me Grow Mug
This terracotta style mug is perfect for any teacher. It is cute and functional and affordable!

Inspirational Bangles
Featuring 3 inspirational bangles, this set is a great way to say thanks to several teachers on a budget. The bangles are pretty and will bring a smile to a special teachers face.

Popsocket for Teachers
This popsocket is perfect for any teacher with a sense of humor. It declares "chaos coordinator" and makes their phone easier to handle.

Magnetic Teacher Decal for Harry Potter Fans
If your favorite teacher loves Harry Potter this is the perfect way to share a smile at the end of the year. I love these decals over bumper stickers because they are are magnetic and can be easily removed.

Wooden Stamp Set
This stamp set is cute and so useful! Give it to a special teacher to make grading papers easier next year.

$15 Gift Card
If you aren't sure what to get, a gift card is always a safe bet. If you have multiple teachers to gift, a 3 pack of $15 gift cards for food, movies or amazon is a great way to say thanks!

Teacher's Planner
This unique and fun planner works for lesson plans, or as a journal. It is colorful, practical and affordable. I like this gift for the teacher you don't know much about, but want to thank none the less.

Air Plants
Simple little plants in a pretty little package makes for a gift to grow on. Air plants make unique gifts that are easy to care for and add a lot of life to the classroom!

Dry Erase Markers
Teachers go thru a ton of dry erase markers and they can get expensive. Giving a box for the classroom is a thoughtful way to keep the teacher prepared into the next year.

Play Doh Pie Counting Activity

Play doh pies are the perfect way to make learning a hands on activity. Little learners will love getting a good grasp on counting and number recognition.

Harper is my go to girl for all things to make or bake. She loves to get involved in all of my projects.

We made a chocolate chip cookie pie a few weeks ago and she was hooked on pie making! She asked me everyday for a week if we could make another pie.

Finally, I came up with an idea that thrilled her and satisfied her desires to make a whole bunch of pies.

Play doh pies are great for fine motor play, rolling the dough into little balls is fun!

Adding a few wooden numbers turned the activity into a counting lesson too.

This post contains affiliate links. Making a purchase helps to keep my site running!

Supplies:

A mason jar lid

Play doh

A play doh tool for cutting

Play food rolling pin

Directions:

Roll out a can of yellow play doh

Cut the doh to fit a mason jar lid to form your pie shell.

Use any leftover doh to cut strips. These will form your lattice crust.

Encourage your child to roll a can of play doh into small balls.

Select a number you want to work on counting to.

We decided on number 6.

Have your child count the selected number play doh balls to the pie shell.

Now have your child count the number of leftover crust strips.

Have your child add the selected number of lattice strips to the top of the pie.

Repeat with other numbers.

We loved this activity, it was easy to set up, encouraged learning and hands on play, and kept Harper busy for several afternoons. Play doh is our favorite learning tool these days!

If you are looking for more play doh ideas here are a few reader favorites:

Super Soft Hair Gel Play Dough

Glitter Sunscreen Play Dough

Glowing Night Lights (No Electric!)

These glow in the dark jars are a fun diy to make with the kids. They are perfect for a night light that comes together in one minute or less, with only 2 supplies!

My son Rolf is 9 now. He is so curious and eager to learn. One night last week it was storming and he was worried about losing power, and how he could sleep in the dark. So we took to the kitchen to whip up some super simple glowing jars which were perfect for a night light!

This post contains affiliate or sponsored links.

I used tonic water and glow in the dark powder to create this jar. It couldn't be easier to make!

If you have a black light fixture, you can skip the glow in the dark powder as tonic water naturally glows under a black light.

Tonic water contains quinine which absorbs ultraviolet light, causing it to glow.

Directions:

Fill a mason jar with tonic water

Add 1 teaspoon of glow in the dark powder

Stir

Replace the lid.

Allow to charge under a light for a moment and watch it glow!

Find more cool DIY Ideas here

You might also like this easy glow in the dark necklace.

Easy Labor Day Table Decor

Can you believe that labor day is right around the corner? It seems like the summer really went by faster than ever. Now that school is in session, why not send summer out in style and welcome fall with open arms? These festive and oh so easy table decorations are perfect for a party, and they look nice long after the patriotic holiday season.

This is an easy project, and chances are, you have everything you need to make a few in your pantry!

This easy candle project is perfect to make with the kids. We used leftover dyed rice from a sensory bin and tossed a battery operated candle into the mix, and BOOM! There is a cute as can be way to decorate for the day. For FREE!

If you don't already have dyed rice laying around no worries, it is so easy to do! You can get the complete dyed rice tutorial here.

Start by putting a little red, a little blue and a little un dyed white rice into a mason jar. Shake it. Add more of each color, making sure to shake in between colors, until you fill about 3/4 of the jar.

Add a battery operated candle. Repeat as needed. Decorate tables, patios, walkways and more with these.

Find more wonderful rice ideas here.

Reader favorites include Homemade Rice Pudding.

Sushi Sensory Bin

Really Good Burger Recipes

Summer is the best time to make burgers! If you want to step up your grilling game and make a lasting impression on BBQ guests, then this is the collection of recipes for you! I found 10 really good burger recipes to share with you from some of my favorite bloggers. Make sure to click thru the links to get the full recipe and save them to your burger board on pinterest.

While you are here you might want to check out my other burgers recipes.

Oklahoma Onion Burgers by A Paige of Positivity

Cilantro Bomb Burgers by House of Nash Eats

Aloha Burgers by Cook at Home Mom

Grilled Onion Burgers by Out Grilling

Bacon Mozzarella Burgers by Miss in the Kitchen

Classic Burgers by Cooked by Julie

Monster Cheeseburger by Lifes Currents

Jalapeno Popper Burger by Thrifty Jinxy

Salisbury Steak Burgers by Spend with Pennies

Smash Burgers by Holmes Cooks

Find more tasty recipes here:
Patriotic Berry Parfaits
Chocolate Cherry Floats
Mason Jar Lasagnas

Unique Zucchini Recipes

Summer is here, so you know what that means? Zucchini season isn't far behind! This year instead of sneaking zucchinis on to the doorstep of everyone you know, why not put your abundance of fresh veggies to work with these unique recipes. From a stew that makes great use of zucchini to the tastiest zucchini fries, this list has something for everyone on it.

I am sure you are going to find a few recipes you want to save to your favorite pinterest board.

To be honest, I have never really eaten zucchini. My parents didn't grow it in their small garden when I was a kid. My grandpa was a farmer, and he just didn't like it, so he didn't grow it either. Over the last ten years or so, I have been finding myself in possession of various zucchinis that friends and neighbors have proudly presented to me, hoping I would enjoy them.

Sadly, they usually set on my counter for a few days to a week before I cut them into chunks and set them outside for the squirrels and birds. I have no idea what to do with them! Well, after curating this list of tasty recipes, I know I will put the next ones to work.

You can find some of my favorite recipes here:

Fool Proof Biscuits

Brown Sugar Overnight Oats