Monday, November 21, 2011

Ways to Reuse Canning Lids (Canning Jar Lids)

When you have boil sealed your canning jars, and have opened them, recycle or reuse your lids. 

 Ideas for You:

1. Make Ornaments
2. Make a Template
3. Use them to give thank you gifts in jars that don't require a boil seal.
Click here to get Directions


4. More to come....

Sunday, November 20, 2011

How to Make a Canning Jar Lid Christmas Ornament

Use any size canning jar lid to make fun Christmas Ornaments

Materials Needed:

used canning lids
scrap fabric, felt, wallpaper, or other material
templates (see below)
scissors
strong glue (we used E6000 glue)
piece of recycled string (we used feed bag string)
pen or pencil for tracing templates
edging scissors (optional)
embellishments (optional)

1. Wash and dry any size canning lid.

2.  Use a template to cut two larger circles of any fabric, wallpaper or other material.



For this ornament I used two regular canning lids.  For the cut circles I used "template 1" that uses an old CD.  


3. If you prefer to add a fun edge to your circles, now is the time.  Hold both cut circles, wrong sides together, and with one hand hold one canning lid on top of them.  With your scissors, cut evenly around, while hold the material and lid together.

4. To piece together: 
~Place one canning lid with top side down, place a bit of glue on the other side. 


~Place one piece of cut circle over the lid, centering the lid.  Place a tied recycle piece of string and secure it with glue, then place the second piece of cut material, centering it and pressing down gently to secure together.  Be sure to position the tied portion of your string (ribbon or other material for a hanger) in the center.  When it dries completely, your ornament will spin to show both sides.

~  Place the second cut piece of material over with wrong sides together, pressing gently to secure the glue.  Place glue on the bottom of the second canning lid, and press down onto the material, centering it.

Allow this to dry for 48-72 hours until you handle it again.  This will allow your materials to secure together and remain centered.

To Add Center Piece
1. For the regular canning lids, you will need the regular size rim for another template.  Place the lid upside down, on the wrong side of your material, and trace the inside of the rim.


Ideas to embellish your center piece before cutting it out:

1. minimize a computer iron-on transfer and iron to material

2. Embroider a design

3. Secure small tatting pieces to create a design

4. Cross-stitch a design

5. Consider decoupaging items to the center lid


2. Cut both circles (for center of lids) and glue wrong sides of fabric to the center of both canning lids on your ornament. For this one, I simply took leftover scraps of fabric and a button.

Taking it one step further:  Sew a creative border into the larger circle edges with leftover feed bag string, thread, or embroidering threads.  Tat around the edge of your larger circles.

How to Make a Canning Lid Template

1. Wash and dry any size canning lid you wish to reuse or recycle.

 2. Turn your lid so that the top is up.

3. Wash and dry any plastic bottle lid that has a bit of height to it.  For this one, I reused a lid from a syrup bottle.

4. With a strong glue (I used E6000 glue), spread glue on bottom rim of your plastic lid, and gently place onto the top side of your canning lid.  Be sure to do this in an area that has a protected surface, and is where you can leave it to dry (untouched).



5. Allow it to dry according to you glue instructions.

6. Store your fun template with your sewing or crafting supplies (possibly with or near your cutting tools).

Use your template for cutting fabric yo-yo's, fun place cards......the ideas are endless for your new circle templates.  These will last a long time, and you can try so many different items that you typically throw in your garbage.

Try using old wine corks, or other recycled items for your template handle.  These can even be used to blue stamps to the underside, for example using a recycled foam tray, or other stamping materials.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Plastic Peanut Butter Jar Lids

Peanut butter jars often come with either a metal or plastic lid.  Ideally, most people will recycle the plastic or glass jar that it comes in.  However, what do you do with the plastic lids?

Here are a few ideas to reuse those plastic lids that most recycling centers will not take.

1. Use at a soda can top, when enjoying your drink outdoors.  It keeps the bees and other unwanted pests out of your beverage.

2. Make a cup coaster. Line the inside, and the top of the lid, with a layer of felt or recycled material (flannel pajamas).  This helps absorb the condensation and by covering the top of the lid, it keeps the cup coaster from sliding on surfaces.

3. Use them for homemade Christmas ornaments.  Use a versa-tool to melt a hold in the rim to tie on a hanger.  Fill the inside with whatever you feel inspired by, and create a fun ornament.  Wrap recycled ribbon, or scrap ribbon around the outside for more decoration.

4.  Keep one by a sink to hold jewelery when needed.

5. Use them to hold office supplies, such as rubber bands or paper clips.

6. Make one into a picture frame, by cutting a photo to fit the inner circle, glue a magnet to the backside and allow to dry.  

7. Use them to hold beads or other small craft supplies while working on a project.