OCA Tutorial # 6 Gift Jar Decorations by Suzanne of Silver Tree Art

Many give and receive yummy goodess filled in glass jars. We can reuse these jars, and they are a great way of showing off your culinary abilities. So far this year we received a jar of chocolate chip cookie mix and orange spice tea is on the way. I wanted a nice way of topping my homemade strawberry lime preserves and came up with this oilcloth solution in lieu of using fabric. Thus, the tutorial on cupcake toppers was topped with jar toppers! Cupcake Toppers to come early 2009.

Materials:

1 fat square oilcloth (or more, depending on the number of toppers you wish to make)

scissors

pencil or pen

round object for tracing

rik rak, yarn, or ribbon

Step 1: Gather your materials. Remove the lid or outer ring of your jar in preparation of step 2.

Step 2: Using the lid of the jar as a base, make your topper up to a few inches wider all the way around. For the green kiwi dot oilcloth, I used a CD to trace. For the white dot on red oilcloth, I cut my own circle 2 inches wider all the way around. Trace CD or other round object.

Step 3: Cut your circles out of the oilcloth. Using one hand, secure the circle on top of your jar, careful not to spill it's contents. The lid is underneath the oilcloth to keep the food sealed. For a canning jar lid, use the outer ring to secure the oilcloth on top. This takes a little care, as the oilcloth is a little thick. If you go slowly and maintain patience, you'll secure the ring onto the jar. You can also place the oilcloth directly on top of the jar lid & ring and tie off with your ribbon to secure. (I tried using tulle underneath the oilcloth but changed my mind. You see it's not there in the picture below.)

Step 4: Place ribbon around the ring to add a little sparkle. You can add an ornament or candy cane to the ribbon for that extra pizzaz. The project takes little time and adds a lot of color.

In the spirit of sharing and making handmade, here are the cookie jar instructions as given to me. Enjoy, crafters!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix (for a 1 quart glass jar)

Jar Contains:

1 2/3 c. all purpose flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 c. white sugar

2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1. To make a jar and share: layer the following: flour, soda, sugar, brown sugar, chocolate chips. Seal. Attach directions and enjoy!

2. Directions for Cookie Making: Empty contents of jar into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine 3/4 c. butter, 1 1/2 eggs, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Beat until creamy. Add to dry mixture. Drop by teaspoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet or silpat lined cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated oven of 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 8-10 minutes. Serve warm with milk and enjoy!