ezpz diy: how to remove labels and sticky residue from salvaged jars

Remember back when I was searching for projects using jars... well here's one that I got around to doing. My jar collection was getting ridiculous and I knew it was time to either do something with them or put them out for recycling. With the holidays coming up, I figured homemade gifts can be a good way to get rid of use some jars. I wanted to try out a few different beautifying techniques before tackling the gift jars. So I decided to practice on the jars I was using as incense holders.

The first thing I had to do was remove all of the labels and sticky residue from the jars. For this, I decided to put a popular Pinterest method to the test. There are thousands of pins out there touting the efficiency of baking soda and olive oil as a simple fix for the begrudged sticky residue. Does it work? Here's my experience:

First I submerged the jars in hot soapy water for about five minutes. {If your jar still has a label intact it might take much longer, but I soak and peel my labels as soon as the jar is empty. However, I don't always get them completely clean.}
Next, I rubbed a mixture of equal parts olive oil and baking soda on each jar. {I used a tablespoon of each. And just scooped some out with my finger tips and rubbed it on the jars.}
I let the jars sit for about ten minutes and then simply rubbed them clean in the soapy water using my hand.
Easy peasy.


There was one jar, that still had remnants of the label on it when I began. For that one, I actually treated it twice. The first treatment lifted the label and the second one lifted the glue. I probably could have used more elbow grease with just one treatment to get the glue off, but doing it twice was way easier.

I will definitely be using this method to remove the labels and glue residue from jars here on out. I guess you can call it a pin win.

My next post will feature a completed jar. Here's a sneak peek: 

ezpz diy: coasters {again}

Remember these coasters? I enjoyed making them so much, I decided to make them to give as a gift. This time I used paint chips. I used this as an opportunity to play with my scrap booking materials as well. I tied the coasters together with some ribbon I scored for cheap last year at Target on post-Christmas clearance. I used a Trader Joe's paper grocery bag for wrapping paper, and accented with ink stamps. I love how they turned out. Have a look!

 easy peasy

ezpz diy: coasters

You'll soon discover I have a Pinterest obsession. Pinterest is a godsend to a wannabe DIY-er like myself. Truth be told as far as DIY goes, I'm the kind of crafty that knows my way around a glue gun but I'm not really handy with tools. I've owned and used one multi-pronged tool since freshman year of college!

We recently moved, and are in the process of furnishing our new home from scratch. This gives me the opportunity to try my hand at some of my pins and showcase some easy peasy do it yourself projects here. First up: coasters.

I came across these paint chip coasters and fell in love. I began swiping paint samples from Walmart and Home Depot with no real timeline in sight (we don't even have a table...but that's for another post). Then on a trip to Hobo one day, I ended up in the tile aisle, so I figured "why not now?" I bought 4 4"x4" tiles for 10¢ each. By the time I got home, some random train of thought led me to use the congratulatory cards that we received when we  got married instead of paint chips. It's a really neat way to hang on to those sentimental tidbits without feeling like a pack rat. Here's how they turned out.

 Cheers!