Using glass jars in the kitchen
July 10, 2010
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This project is super quick, super cheap, super easy. And of course, super cauuuute!
A few months ago, I fell. in. love. with a glass jar display in a kitchen magazine – it was simple, adorable, fun. You may remember my love of all things glass and container-like that I can put stuff in.
So I grabbed a few of these anchor hocking jars with lids (affiliate) and skipped along with my new glass jars to put stuff in. The magazine picture that was my inspiration had flour, sugar and other various baking supplies in theirs, but I already have these cute glass jars in our pantry for just that purpose.
So I was trying to think of what would be just as cute, that we use fairly often, and then it came to me:
I mean, you’ve seen what happens when I bake. I don’t do it often so the flour doesn’t need to be out and easily accessible. Cereal -- now that I do often.
Then I was thinkin’, and a brilliant idea hit to cutesy them up even more. I’m sure I’m not the first to think of it, but just humor me here. I thought I was pretty smart. If you’ve already done this, you’re even smarter. :)
I took some black vinyl (I had to use very, very little) and my fun craft scissors:
And cut out “chalkboard” labels for the jars. The great thing about the vinyl is it has the lines along the back, so it’s easy to keep straight:
Then I took my chalk ink pen:
I love these pens! So much easier to use than chalk!
And labeled my glass jars to put cereal in because I have an obsession with labeling:
Shut. up. Is that not adorable? Cereal never looked so good!
I was on the hunt for equally adorable “scoops,” and found a set of $4 measuring cups that work perfectly:
I just love it!:
It only took five tries each before I was happy with my handwriting – and Cheerios still looks like it’s spelled Chrerios. Ah well.
The best part -- the chalk wipes right off!
I have noticed that if you leave the chalk ink on there for a while, it may leave a little bit of a shadow – but a quick swipe with a Magic Eraser took it right off. (LOVE those things!)
All I gotta say is…poor, poor hubby:
:) Ah yes, yummy fiber cereal. The breakfast of champions.
I love the jars!!! I have ZERO counter space though =( They look so cute in your kitchen!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had the counter space for those.
ReplyDeleteI have flour and sugar in similar jars but now I want to empty them out and do cereals!
ReplyDeleteTell hubs it's just like the three bears, except in reverse...his is the smallest. Maybe someone will come eat that yucky stuff for him because they'll think it's "just right"--LOL!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the jars!
I love those jars!!!
ReplyDeleteThe black vinyl...is it the contact paper kind that you can get with the other contact paper at Wal-Mart? I love labeling...I'm a teacher and that would be great in the classroom! So much cheaper than me buying a label maker.
Thank You!
Nicole
simplycreatedbycole(at)gmail(dot)com
ACK!!! (but a good ACK :))
ReplyDeleteYou could also use that idea to label jars for sewing odds-and-ends!!
Love it!
Nicole
simplycreatedbycole(at)gmail(dot)com
I think I would definitely do the cereal thing too. Way more used around this house!!
ReplyDeleteSo CUTE - I have seen this a lot with wedding decorations (i.e. for candy buffets) and for some reason I never thought to do it at home. I have a sick obsession with glass containers as well! What I love about reusable containers is that you can save money by buying generic products or stuff in bulk (like handsoap or whatever), but it looks fancy in a pretty container! It's all about the presentation :)
ReplyDeleteCute! Fiber cereal +rat poo cereal. That's what my hubby calls it!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteAdorable!
ReplyDeleteI eat 3 kinds of cereal. Froot Loops, Frosted Mini Wheats, and Frosted Flakes. And a couple months ago I made the mistake of buying the "less sugar flakes". Yeah. Not so much. You know, I make every effort to not eat like a slob constantly, but sugar cereal is my very dear friend. And I'm talkin' full sugar. Those less sugar buddies have been sitting there for awhile now. It's definitely over between us.
ReplyDeleteThese are as cute as a button, and could definitely become an obsession. And a chalk pen? Seriously? Who are the ad wizards who came up with that one? Genius.
Using the black vinyl is SUCH a groovy idea! love it! I've been eyeing that jar at wally world, it would be perfecto for some captain crunch, forget the healthy stuff ha!
ReplyDeletep.s. thanks for responding to my comment :D
What a great idea! My husband will love this because he loves to label everything, too! How clever!
ReplyDeleteI love those jars too. Mine have flour, sugar etc in them. I never eat cereal. If I put the husband and kid's cereal in a jar, I would have the get the extra big jar and fill it with Reese's cereal. That's their favorite.
ReplyDeleteI Love love love these Jars, although I purchased mine at Ikea, and they have that airtight rubber seal on top.
ReplyDeleteI have wheat pasta in my large, coffee beans in my medium, and pistashios ( how ever you spell that) in my small... I also have another in the pantry with Oatmeal... love all your ideas!!
Cool... MUCH easier than messing with chalkboard paint! I love this idea!
ReplyDeleteDonna
What a cute idea! Thanks for sharing! ;)
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! It is so cute...and don't worry about the hub's small container. You don't have to eat as much of that (yucky) stuff to fill you up (or that is what you can tell him!).
ReplyDeleteIt really is a great idea. I have real chalkboards on my glass jars, but that vinyl is a great idea for the future. And I'd never even heard of a chalkboard pen. :)
ReplyDeleteI love these jars! Everytime I see one in the thrift I buy it, I have 6 so far. I'm off to buy that paper stuff! What a great Idea and I will be putting my cherios in one(why didn't I think of that-you are smarter).
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
KarenSue
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I am a cerealaholic. And two things - I don't think they sell these jars at Wal-Marts in Canada (grrr) and I have never seen Chalk pens!! What? Can I get one at Michael's? Love it!!
ReplyDeleteLove your jars!! I have a large one on my counter filled with breakfast bars, and a small one filled with the little dishwasher soap thingies, love em! Oh and two more on my kitchen table filled with my fake but they look really real pears! Thanks for sharing, Sue
ReplyDeleteI love these! They look so cute!
ReplyDeleteI love the canisters..I've been looking for a set myself. They look great with the labels, it really makes them stand out.
ReplyDeleteI'd choose the flakes. ;) Love those canisters, but sadly my counter space is already a bit full.
ReplyDeleteCute. Pier 1 and some other stores around here sell the jars with the chalkboard area already on them (pretty cheap too). Great for those who are non-crafty, or don't have time but love the look!
ReplyDeletewhat a great idea with the vinyl labels. i have these on my countertop and i cant tell you how many times ive added pancake mix instead of flour to a recipe! where can i find the black vinyl?
ReplyDeletevery cute and I love having things accessible and pretty. I just wish I had the room for these on my counter. I love them.
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't love cute labels? And yes...poor Hubs! Ew.
ReplyDeleteI love the clear containers! What a great addition! and I agree, poor hubs!
ReplyDeleteThose are adorable! I think I need those for my cereal!
ReplyDeleteI have scouring for a good deal on jars...and I love this labeling idea. Thanks!! Off to hunt!
ReplyDeleteFabulous!! Love love all of your great ideas. No counter space whatsoever, but working on a laundry room re-do and can't wait to run find some large jars to label...oxyclean...soap...and a secret stash of anything, because it's the one and only room in the house that my husband will never step foot in :)
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! I wish I had more counter space :(
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!! I love this!!
ReplyDeleteI have one of those jars and it usually comes out when I make ranch pretzels or homemade chex mix.
ReplyDeleteI want the other sizes too, but I'm tired of shopping at Walmart (hate it/love it too!)
Those measuring cups are adooorable though...love 'em!!
i LOVE it! i actually have those exact 3 jars sitting on my counter right now. they have flour, and sugars in them. and like you, i don't really use them that often. i'm totally gonna be switching it up to cereal! thanks for the cute idea! :)
ReplyDeleteI think I may do this one... minus the labels. :))
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it! I've also seen those big jars used for lemonade, punch, and tea at summer parties. Just use a ladle instead of a scoop. You can even freeze a ring of fruit to drop inside and look pretty. It will float.
ReplyDelete-FringeGirl
How cool! They look great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up. Aren't those chalk-inks the bomb? Yes I use the Magic Erasers to get it off. I think it might say on the pen...but maybe not...to get it off with windex. I think the alcohol helps it come off easier. I need stock in Cheerios with as much as Kayla eats. Adorable idea. I love glass jars. Now that they are in broad daylight does E beg for them though? ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnyone know a good source for chalk markers that isn't too pricey?
ReplyDeleteAnd is that just black contact paper? Or is it vinyl? Or is it chalkboard vinyl?
super cute...we eat TONS of cereal too!
http://helpemilylose.blogspot.com
emily
Good idea!! You can never have too many cute containers. They also make actual chalkboard contact paper that you can order a big roll of online for about $10!! A lot of teacher supply stores carry it as well. :)
ReplyDeleteThose jars are cute!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the fact that you have New Kids on your playlist! haha
That is exactly what I wanted to do on the bare wall in my kitchen. I hadn't even seen it in magazines yet! :) I'm making my hubby make me two shelves for all my baking goods and I wanted clear glass containers (with screw on lids though - we have ants!) and then I'd see all my fun stuff. Plus, baskets for the little containers and stuff.
ReplyDeletelooks so cute! and way convenient for getting one's breakfast. i hate stuff out on my counters, so this wouldn't work for me, but you can't beat decorative and functional!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I'm going to try it . . . maybe even for the detergent in my laundry room! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Michelle
I love the glass jars on the kitchen counters. I don't have the room for them or I would have baking items in some:) I love the chalk paper.
ReplyDeleteLove these. Now I've gotta find some chalkboard pens... clever!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Never heard of chalk ink before? Wow, very cool. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteOff to wal mart tomorrow I love it!! But I am seeing some fruit loops for the fun colors!! haha =)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this. I put EVERYTHINGGGGGGGG in Jars. Sugar, flour, tea, all of my pastas.......BUT for the cereal....are those jars sealed? Wouldnt the cereal go stale? Someone might have already asked but I didn't feel like looking through 53 comments hehe :0)
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking you have a freakishly well-behaved child because that would last 5 seconds on my bar with my chair climbing 3-yr-old I gotta lock it up or she gets it out...
ReplyDeleteReally adorable though!
Props to your hubs and the whole fiber thing!
Love, love, love your jars cuz for the last 4 years that's what I have been usin' 'em for too! Great minds...
ReplyDeleteI had an extra that I filled with coffee beans and placed atop the cabinets. Perfect space filler (not fun to dust). What really made me squeeze myself though, were the little metal candy scoops I found on sale for .99 cents a piece. They look totally cute and very nostalgic peeking through the glass.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI recently put my flour and sugar and powdered sugar and cornmeal in big clear jars...like INA...on Barefoot Contessa!
ReplyDeleteI love the jars!
And then I bought the cutest silver scoops to put in them. FOund the scoops at a restraunt supply place!
I just misspelled resteraunt...and don't have a CLUE how it's spelled! ;o)
ANyhow..I love your jars and the labels make them!
I must make labels now! xo
Great Idea..Im on my way to Walmart now. :)
ReplyDeleteI AM GOING TO WALMART FOR THESE JARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOOOOVE this idea!
ReplyDeleteA chalk marker!? Awesome! Gotta get me one of those!! :) Those turned out so cute.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only grown woman who eats frosted flakes for breakfast. Seriously... I love them. I've tried healthy cereal and I can not do it.
Very cute! My toddler can never get enough Chrerios around here. :)
ReplyDeleteSo simple yet very appealing. Well, not so much the fiber but the other two for sure!
ReplyDeleteLisa
www.popcornserveddaily.com
What a great way to keep cereal organized and not get stale. I've never seen a chalk ink pen, that is great!
ReplyDeleteThose jars are too cute! I love them. You just can never have too many labels. :)
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen looks great!
Hope you are doing well.
Blessings,
Traci
I just posted about a jar I found at a thrift store yesterday. I almost didn't get it until my GF told me about your post. SO glad I did buy it. Now I just need to figure out where to get one of those Chalk inks!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletePerfect! I have the exact same canisters sitting empty, but not for long! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI love the cereal idea! I've got flour, sugar and oatmeal in 3 big jars - would love to do cereal but my small kitchen can't really handle any more big jars. Loving the chalkboard labels!! : )
ReplyDeleteA-DOR-ABLE! And the chalkboard labels makes them even more so. I too have a love affair of all things contained and labeled. I wish I had the counter space you do. I can only fit a coffee maker, toaster and a load of dirty dishes on my counter.
ReplyDeleteKat
BlackKatsDesign.blogspot.com
What a cute idea! My four year old mows through cheerios at an alarming rate so I might need to try it!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this blog. I wish I could fly you hear to Utah and pay you to make my whole house as wonderful as yours!!!
ReplyDeleteLove this and you are cracking me up!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! Pretty and practical. I just wish I had the counter space.
ReplyDeleteAlthough in the past I had pretty containers on the tops of my cabinets with rice or pasta or beans that I don't use as often just to create more room in the pantry...and it looked good.
VERY cute! One question, though- Does the cereal stay fresh?
ReplyDeleteI have flour and sugar in my large glass jars. IKEA is the best value for glass jars!
ReplyDeleteI have flour and sugar in my large glass jars. IKEA is the best value for glass jars!
ReplyDeleteThat is too stinkin' cute. if I didn't hate Wal&**rt, I'd run out and copy you. But, I just can't stand it there (our nearest is dirty, old, jumbled, with mean employees).
ReplyDeleteI ♥ this! And really loving your blog...so glad I found it. :)
ReplyDeleteMichele Chastain
LOVE that idea!! I mean how easy is it to scoop up the cereal in those cute jars!? Too bad we didn't have enough counter space or I'd so do this! :-)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to get my machine, thanks to you, and the glass jars and the chalk pens and the.....Hurry get here!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo do you have any great ideas for Christmas with the Silhouette? It's coming way too fast!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog. You make me laugh out loud!!
ReplyDeleteWhere do you find those pens??? I do not have a Hobby Lobby so please do not say that! I would love to do this on a small scale on a shelf in my kitchen!!
ReplyDeleteI also have two jars on my counter with sugar and flour in them (we bake A LOT) but now I must get more for our fav cereals as well.
ReplyDeleteInstead of the chalkboard laminated paper, I used the paint and it took a few coats. I also noticed that I could scratch the paint off with a blade if I ever want to remove it!
Thanks for the cereal ideas!
I label my labelmaker, so I am so in love with this idea. Matter of fact, I was at Target and just bought the large size for $9 as opposed to CB which has them for $15.
ReplyDeleteOkay so I'm behind on my blog reading, late comment...Super cute idea. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI need to know where to get these two things...where do I get black vinyl & chalk ink? Went to WalMart and nada!!!!! PLEASE?!
ReplyDeleteum, pure. genius.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this most excellent idea... I have done it! Come check it out when you get a moment.
ReplyDeletehttp://tryingtogetstuffdone.blogspot.com/2010/08/chalk-it-up.html
I just love this idea! I posted your project on my blog today as part of my post on Decorating with Glass. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWish that I had the counter space. You can find so many fun things. I found the chalk contact paper at a teacher supply store online. k12schoolsupplies
ReplyDeleteI've been looking all over for the Chalk Ink... where did you get yours and how much was it?
ReplyDeleteI like the jars. I've been looking for clear cannisters as i've been buying a lot of my baking ingredients in bulk lately. I saw Pier One had chalkboard on the front of thier jars and was going to try chalkboard paint on a jar. This looks easier!
ReplyDeleteSo adorable! I linked this great idea to my blog. I made some DIY labels for our black canisters (using the same edging scissors even!). You can check them out here: http://heartmainehome.blogspot.com/2011/01/diy-canister-labels.html
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this idea! We eat so much cereal I think I could make a "cereal station" in our house! In love! I'd probably need about 6 jars though... ugh! Great idea, thanks!
ReplyDeletethis is the first thing I "pinned"! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks a bajillion for this post. I am redoing my pantry & have also bought the glass jars from walmart. Wanted to dress them up, but unsure of how, & now I know! Thanks so much!! Question though, where did u buy the chalk paint pen?
ReplyDelete