A couple of weeks ago, on a rainy Monday afternoon, The Girl and The Boy and I got to work on a Valentine’s art project. I love a good craft project, but, for some reason, we don’t do this often enough. As part of my search for JOY this year, I want to create more and to spend time creating with my kids.

This time, we made Valentine’s themed tea light candle holders from reused glass jars.

Supplies:

Variety of clean jars, labels removed (these used to hold jelly, artichokes, capers, and clotted cream)

Sharpie Oil Based Paint Markers

Mod Podge (I put plastic over the top to keep the lid from sticking)

Other supplies not pictured: tissue paper (I just used the cheap kind you wrap presents in), foam brush (for applying Mod Podge)

What To Do:

There are no real instructions – just have fun and create whatever designs you want! It was cold and rainy, so in addition to Valentine’s hearts, we were feeling like snowflakes and swirls.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Snowflakes. Silver Sharpie paint marker. This was technically The Girl’s candle, although she didn’t want to do any of the actual drawing – she just wanted to direct me in my drawing. “Two lines of snowflakes with two snowflakes each. Then a heart on the bottom. Then repeat on the other sides.” Her nickname of “The Scout Master” continues – running the show, directing the troops, making things happen.

2. Hand Lettered. Black Sharpie paint marker. Simple and pretty.

3. Tissue Paper Hearts. Cut hearts out of light and dark pink tissue paper, attach to jar with Mod Podge, then cover with another coat of Mod Podge. The Mod Podge gives it a cloudy finish, which looks beautiful with a glowing tea light inside.

4. Tissue Paper Cutout. Using a strip of tissue paper smaller than the height of the jar, fold the tissue paper in half and cut out a heart shape. Spread Mod Podge on the back of the tissue paper and wrap around jar to attach. Apply a coat of Mod Podge over the top to seal.

5. Free Draw. The Boy was excited to make his own jar, so he went to work with a red Sharpie marker, free-hand drawing designs on the sides of the jar. The red Sharpie made the coolest shadows when the tea light was lit:

And here they are, tea lights glowing:

A simple, pretty project that we all enjoyed working on. Maybe we’ll make some for every holiday!

(St. Patrick’s Day candles are a thing, right?)