Scrapbook in a Jar

A huge source of mommy guilt for me = the bazillions of photos on my computer that have yet to make it into any sort of photo album, box or frame. I was on vacation last week and on the top of my list was ordering a photo book. Should be quick and easy, right? And yet, it never gets done. So, coming back to work today with a full iPhoto library, I decided yesterday to whip up a guilt-free photo display to tide me over until the real photo albums actually get done.

It is super easy to do, and you can even make yours more elaborate than mine, creating almost a scrapbook in a jar! (I never did get into the scrap booking craze, which is strange because it seems like I’d love it, but the time and investment required has always kept me away! Of course I was using the same stay-away tactic for Pinterest, and finally caved.)

So, all it takes is some recycled glass jars...from your pickles or your spaghetti sauce or even your salsa. Honestly, I can’t even believe I ever tossed these, as I have found so many uses for them lately! I spray painted the lids, and found some of my favorite photos. I simply put the photos in the jars, but you can take it to the next level by adding sand to the bottom of the jar with your photo from last summer at the beach. Or, take your baby’s first birthday photo and add cupcake sprinkles and a single birthday candle. Also, take your ticket stub from the Nutcracker or Worlds of Fun and throw it in the jar with a photo. The possibilities are endless!

When I displayed them I put a few up on candle sticks to add height. You can put them all in row or use all the same sized jars, or even hot glue them to candle sticks to spray paint the same colors as the lids. I have vowed to (for now) ditch them mommy guilt and make some more scrapbooks in a jar!

Written by Lauren Goldman