What I did with my winnings

A few weeks back Richella, from Imparting Grace, had a giveaway offering these wonderful vintage style reproduction Ball jars in green. 
  
 


 I threw my hat into the ring and these lovely jars arrived on my doorstep! 
 
 
 
 
From the moment I entered the giveaway I began dreaming up uses for these jars.  Here is what I came up with for my set of 6:
 
 
First off, I ordered a solar lid to screw on the first jar.  I put it inside the greenhouse and it casts a subtle glow when it gets dark outside.  It would sure be cute on a kitchen countertop or as a nightlight in a childs room.
 




Next up I decided to use number two as a container for organic fertilizer.  I have a large box in a shed but it is not near the greenhouse and due to moisture concerns I didn't want to store it there.  The jar has worked out perfectly.  I can keep a smaller amount nearby and just refill as needed.
 
 

 
 
For the third jar I had to enlist the help of my husband (who is usually a pretty good sport for all my ideas/projects).  I wanted to make a soap dispenser to go beside the new garden sink area (another recent idea come to life).  He looked at the jar and told me to just order a pump/lid combination online.  Always wanting to save some money (and a bit of stubborn "I know we can do it ourselves" ) caused me to look online for some tips and I convinced him we could do it.  And we did!  We actually just used the pump from a bottle of handsoap I had purchased, drilled a hole (with a special hole bit) in the top lid and screwed the band back on.   It works great and the soap (lavender scented) is perfect in the garden area.
 
 
 
 

This is the perfect spot to wash up after working outside.  It also keeps more dirt out rather than in and that is always a good thing.
 
 


 
Here is a look (okay, a rather wonky look due to my poor photography skills...) at the completed sink area.  It will be perfect for cleaning veggies before bringing them indoors.  The water connection in the back of the sink area also has a hose (in the bucket below on the left) that is really convenient and close to the garden.  I can hang a dishcloth on the hook on the upper right.  There are pots of lettuce and spinach to the right of the sink area that we have been eating on for weeks now.  The leaves to the left are potatoes that are also in larger bins. 
 
 
 
 
The use for jars four and five was an easy choice.  After a hard day of gardening what tastes better than an icy glass (or in this case jar) of water?
 
 
 
 
 
I am showing the jars inside but I have a feeling they will be making their way into the garden area pretty often.  So, that leaves me with one remaining jar.  Any ideas? 
 
 


Thank you again Richella for your generous giveaway.  I have had such fun putting these jars to good use around here.  If you have not previously checked out Richella's blog be sure to do so.  She hosts a weekly Grace at Home blog party where you can link up the ways you show grace in your home and I will be linking up there today! 
  


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21 comments

  1. I love what you have done. The soap dispenser is my favorite and I love your sink for washing veggies. Have a great weekend.

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    1. Yes, I am loving the new outdoor sink area. Thankful for my handy husband : )

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  2. Clever girl! Love that outdoor sink...how useful I'm sure it is. Also, love your idea of planting lettuce and spinach in a bucket. I usually do rows in the garden and most of it gets wasted. A bucketful would be perfect!

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    1. Hi Susan, With just two of us at home now the buckets work perfect and I start them early in the greenhouse so we have greens very early in the season and I plan to replant in late summer so and I can put the pots back in the greenhouse for fall harvest.

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  3. Look at you! Everything you did with those jars turned out wonderful. I especially like the soap dispenser, and what a great idea you have there with your sink and work space, love it!
    I enjoyed my visit here with you today. :)
    Joy to you! Debbie

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    1. Thank you Debbie! The soap dispenser holds a generous amount of soap and I think it looks pretty cute too : )

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  4. I had no idea there were green glass jars like this. I didn't even know I totally need some until just now! ;-).

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    1. Sandi - I had seen the blue reproduction ones but not the green until this giveaway. They are a really pretty color in person - hope you get some!

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  5. Hi Mindy! I LOVE the solar jar idea. I'd never heard of that before. And the soap dispenser is so cute too. (Let's hope I don't drop it!)
    Happy Father's Day Weekend,
    Ceil

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    1. Hi Ceil - the solar jar is really fun. I think it might show up even brighter with a clear jar but the green is really pretty.

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  6. I rarely sign up for giveaways but I do remember that green jar giveaway! So glad you won them because now I have a new project: making that soap dispenser!!! Love that you just used a pump from another dispenser! That sink area is amazing! And I just loved that cutting board too. You're pictures were top notch quality! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks Karmen. The dispenser didn't take much effort and I think it is cute. Glad you noticed the cutting board - my woodworking husband made it. I will tell him he is famous now : )

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  7. Hi Mindy, the jars are so adorable. Very clever ideas you came up with. Love them all.

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    1. Thanks Cheri! Now I just have to come up with one more idea for the last one...but I guess that is part of the fun : )

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  8. Very clever, Mindy! There is just something inspiring about an empty jar--I always want to find something nifty to do with it--fill it with old buttons, put small pebbles in the bottom and use it to hold pencils near the telephone, fill it with marbles, make a bank out of it, punch holes in the lid and capture a butterfly or a lightning bug. . . I could go on and on! What fun!

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  9. I love your imagination, Mindy. The jars are such a beautiful green and seeing them in so many different areas of your home is very cool. Your outside work space is fabulous. You can do all your garden work and clean up without bringing the mess indoors - love it! I'm going to incorporate your night light idea. I'm quite used to walking around in the dark but when I have guests they are always asking why I don't have them, lol.
    Really loved this post and your pictures, Mindy! Hope you're having a wonderful weekend :)

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  10. Wow! I love these ideas! Your garden bench is too cool- I've never thought of potting lettuce instead of putting it in the ground. I'm going to try that for sure!

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  11. Mandy, you should win another case of those jars just because you've done the best job of using these!! I'd say you should use the 6th jar as a vase for some flowers for your garden. :)

    LOVE your outdoor sink. How awesome!

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  12. Me again--just to say thank you for your sweet words! I was so glad when you won the giveaway. It feels especially nice to host a giveaway and have the winnings go to a lovely person. :)

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  13. Mindy!

    It's great to be catching up on your blog again-I've missed reading it and being inspired by your photographs and your grateful heart!

    I love this post! So fun to see all the ways you used your jars! Those jars are so cute and I love the look of your home and garden!

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  14. Hello dear Mindy. How fun to have won these beautiful jars - I love them! I have never seen them in green before and find them to be quite pretty :) And the way you used them is very clever - thanks for sharing, sweet friend.

    Enjoy the rest of your week. Sending hugs your way!

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