Hello everyone, welcome back and welcome also to many new readers visiting Whitewood and Linen for the first time. If you are new and you’d like to know a little more about us this page is a must and I hope that as you become a little more acquainted with my stories, you’ll stay a while and join in with the journey. I have enjoyed a wonderful and restful staycation with my family and learned a heck of a lot about SEO and other ‘back end’ stuff. Who knew when I began writing these stories a little over a year ago, I would have quite so much to do, to accommodate the giant that is Google? Let’s hope the bots are happy for now whilst I crack on with this weeks post, which I have quite literally been too excited to bring you. I recently dragged Mr M around my favourite junk shop trail with the promise of coffee and cake along the way. I managed to engineer a stop at almost every charity, junk and vintage shop announcing “I won’t be long” as each time I disappeared into a sea of treasures and delight. When I stumbled upon this beauty I simply stopped in my tracks knowing instantly the type of craft pleasures it would bring. Endless days creating jam jar crafts, beautiful book covers, hand-made cards and more importantly for this weeks post, diy flower arrangements in mini glass jars. Are you ready? First though, allow me to present, my typewriter…
I had thought when it happened, my typewriter purchase would be a grand and beautiful vintage affair. This one is old yet not as old as I had imagined it might be and not so elegant as to adorn my Instagram feed any time soon. Nonetheless in perfect condition and ideal for the job.
It needed a new ribbon, so I waited patiently for that to arrive… three days (not that I was counting) and then I was off. Tapping away, day and night writing all manner of proverbs and poems and all the time my mind going crazy with craft ideas. Coincidentally around the same time, I discovered a new hashtag on Instagram, #petalsandbottles which also welcomed glass jars to the party. And all the time, my mind kept whirring with ideas for jam jar crafts and this new hashtag. And so one evening when sleep just did not come to me, out came the scrap material box, fabric scissors and mini glass jars and we were off. And in the interests of honesty and transparency, this is what my craft table looked like that night…
Once the creative juices began flowing, the jar crafts developed. In particular I fancied a selection of pretty diy flower arrangements in mini glass jars with the odd tall glass piece thrown in for long, strong lavender blooms. So I gathered together my mix of recycled and new jars and bottles, oddments of beautiful delicate paper and scraps of floral cottons and linens, all waiting for their starring role.
A long ago purchase of cotton tape for some project or other still sat in my arts and crafts cupboard. I tried typing my message and the new ink bled so I decided this was probably not the best medium and tested various papers and cottons all which worked beautifully, tapping lightly and sometimes a little more firmly, to get that aged feel. Once I had played around and found my preferred style, with mini glass jars at the ready, I began creating various vessels for diy floral arrangements for my home and gifts for friends.
I raided the tidy ribbon basket (doesn’t everyone have one of those?) and simply tied ribbon or string around the neck of the jars and bottles. Then I attached the typewritten message to fabrics and paper and layered until I had designs I was happy with and finally attached each message to the mini glass jars with craft glue.
Then I simply filled each mini glass jar and bottle with tiny garden blooms from the fledgling Wildflower Garden and I couldn’t be happier with these unique diy flower arrangements, each one using different colours and materials from the last. I teamed each one with other inexpensive finds around the home to add interest and pops of summer colours to corners of the home.
Everyone of us has a mini glass jar or two hanging around the home just waiting for its moment. And like many other crafts, these diy flower arrangements are easy to achieve and create a simple and pleasing treat for yourself or your friends. Go on… give it a try and if you do, share with us all here in the comments below. Better still if you are on Instagram, let us see.
For me the beauty of these jar crafts is in each ones simplicity. I’m off to see what new joys the garden brings me this sunny morning and to top up the mini glass jars in our home and of course over at Belle’s … until next week x
Oh Molly, you do make me giggle! I am a little freaked at the suggestion of decoration for Belle’s door since that is pretty much what is on it at the moment! I love these simple jars and you are quite right perfect for a summer party, have a lovely week dear friend x
….Well that’s it I am upping sticks and coming to hibernate in that delightful ribbon basket, what a treasure trove.
Helen I am loving these bottles so simply, I am seeing one hung within a willow wreath on Belle’s doir!
Beauty in simplicity …and love the type on the herringbone taste.
Such a fabulous idea for a summer party
As always my go to inspiration Xxx
Ps …Thank you…I nearly used you as an excuse to open the bar early🙈😜…alas I restrained😉Xx
You’re too kind Claire x I was rather chuffed with this typewriter; a very happy find! I look at it often wishing each of my days consisted of many more hours in which to play. Although I wrote this post last year, I’m still enjoying the few jam jars I did keep; a lovely way to display weeds! Happy weekend to you lovely x
Great post Helen! I love your writing and the jam jars and mini glass treasures look beautiful in their new outfits. To have a proper typewriter … what a dream!
Thank you lovely friend… have a few more creative ideas up my sleeve for the typewriter, watch this space!x
Oh wow … beautifully creative as ever! I Love the typewriter ! 😘 xx
Thank you Jennie for your kind words. I have a few more ideas to try out with my latest addition… keep reading!x
Ahh lovely Molly thank you for reading and for your lovely comments. I hope to bring a few more posts to the blog using the wonderful typewriter…stay tuned!x
Thank you Christine! Would I mind?! I have two hopes in writing this blog. 1) I hope people enjoy what they read and 2) I hope to inspire others to try for themselves. So go for it you and share in the comments what you achieve! Thank you for reading x
These are really pretty and a great use of bits and pieces. Love the typewriter too. You’ll have hours of fun with that!
Helen,
Just beautiful as always. It’s made me want to be a jar to be beautifully adorned by your creative talents. Your type writer looks amazing I know you are going to have so much fun together x Enjoy your weekend xx
Your blogs are always so beautifully articulated Helen, I thoroughly enjoy reading them. Great ideas as always and I do have a few jars that would look lovely decorated with garden flowers in them. Thanks for your ideas but would you mind if I borrow them?!! Xxx
Thank you Sara… you may be gone a while in that pretty garden of yours!x
Another lovely read helen!…I’m off to pick some flowers now and see what I can arrange!xxx
Ahh Little Miss glad you like them…I wonder if there’s a variation here for the salon?x
Hello lovely, yes I did. I stuck the material on paper first with sellotape, rolled it into the machine and tapped away…love the welcoming idea…perfect for those lovely parties and suppers of yours!x
Hello
From Aus
So you used the typewriter to type directly onto ribbon or material ?
I brought back Dads old typewriter from Barbs loft now sitting in hall with a welcoming typed sheet in place . Now going to get the old machine to be a lot more productive
Thankyou S
They look amazing!! I must admit I noticed them over the weekend but knew there must be a post coming so FORCED myself not to peek and it was soooo worth it for the read!!
I’m glad you’re back with your weekly stories – they provide a lovely escape xxxxx