{guest post} hanging mason jar save-the-date

 Hi Postcards & Pretties readers! 

My name is Lauren, from Lauren Elise Crafted, and I am honored to be here today, guest posting on one of my favorite wedding inspiration blogs.  Awhile back Chris asked me if I wanted to contribute to her beautiful blog and my answer was an oh-so-definite YES!  I love Postcards & Pretties for many reasons (one being Chris’s sweetness!), but I must say the inspiration boards are a favorite of mine.  If there was an Olympic event for picture board making, Chris would win gold…every year…she’d be unstoppable!  I’m not quite sure how she repeatedly wows us with these beautiful boards but every time she puts up a new one I’m blown away.  I cannot thank Chris enough for being such a great resource for not only brides but designers as well. 

 So for our DIY today, I have a crafty save the date that is perfect for all the brides that got engaged over the holidays.  The inspiration: mason jars!  Mason jars are the perfect detail for a rustic wedding and you see them all over the place.  Personally, I love this trend! These vinitage-esque jars are not only adorable but totally functional and can be used after the wedding as well.  So I recommend buying them up and scattering them all over your event!  And if the jars alone aren’t enough than this DIY is for you.  The jar design and the embroidery details together are the perfect handmade touch and your guests will not only love receiving them but also displaying them as a reminder.

Materials::

muslin fabric

mason jar template

pencil

black embroidery floss

needle

scissors

white felt

red twine & red thread

washi tape

printed save-the-date sheets

tacky glue

hot glue

red ribbon

Instructions::

 Get a mason jar template to use for tracing {image A}.  My template was a mason jar stamp by Inkadinkado Stamps.  Cut out a small piece of muslin and trace the jar onto the fabric with a pencil {image B}.  Embroider the outline with black embroidery floss using a simple backstitch {image C}.  Embroider over everything in pencil {image D}.

Cut out a piece of felt the same size as the muslin {image E}.  Set the felt aside for now.  Cut a 6” piece of red twine and stitch the center of the twine to the center of the jar with red thread {image F}.

Print out your save-the-date sheets with all of your information on them {image G}.  Mine were about 2.5” x 5” in size.  Roll up each sheet and hold together with some red-patterned washi tape {image H}. 

Glue the backside of the muslin with tacky glue {image I} and seal together with the felt {image J}.  Allow plenty of time for the fabric to glue together and dry.  I glued mine, placed it under some heavy books, and left it for about an hour.  Once dry, cut off the excess muslin and felt fabric, leaving a thin border around the black embroidery floss {image K & L}. 

Cut a small piece of red ribbon, make a loop, and glue both sides to the back of the mason jar (on the felt side) with hot glue {image M}.  Finally, place the rolled up save-the-date message in the mason jar and tie a bow with the twine to secure it {image N}.  

Send these handmade mason jars to your guests and they will hang it as a reminder for your wedding!   

Thank you so much for having me here today Chris!  I hope you all enjoy the DIY and that it inspires you to get crafty!     

lauren elise crafted
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