DIY Sugar/ Chocolate Sprinkler

I'm a jar hoarder. I said it. I plead totally guilty to this crime. I just can't put pretty jars or tins in the recycling box when we could prolong their life in their current form. After all, re-using is even better than recycling! (or so Mr Hubby told me...)

So in this opportunity I'm going to show you two possible uses for jam jars. Let's start with the first one: an icing sugar sprinkler!

I mean you could sprinkle anything you want with it: sugar on your Victoria sponge, flour for your cakes, seeds in your sushi rolls, cocoa in your cappuccino...

It doesn't take more than ten minutes to make! I start by putting the jars and lids in the dishwasher to give them a good clean but also to soften up the labels. At the end of the cycle they would normally peel off quite easily but if there are any sticky residue left on the glass I suggest using surgical spirit. This product is brilliant for removing stickiness not only from glass but from any smooth, shin-ish surface. I also use it for removing the expired by dates stamps from the lids, pen marks, etc.

In order to make the holes on the lid, you'll need a hammer and a little nail (I would recommend a bigger one if you are going to use your jar for sprinkling seeds).

As you can see in the pictures below, I've started by making four holes to use as a guide. Then another four in between the previous ones.

You can make as many holes as you like of course. Just bear in mind how much sugar you want coming out from it all at once.

To store the sugar in between baking days I cover the opening of the jar with cling film so the contents don't get damp.

The other use I give to my lovely jars is as touch-up paint samples containers. I keep a little bit of each paint colour we use in our house together with some craft brushes we've got in Poundland. Every time I get a mark on the walls that wouldn't come off by wiping it down with a cloth, I grab these two items and touch it up. We use mainly water-based paint so the brushes can be cleaned quite easily.

I hope you find these ideas useful. If you have any other ways of re-using everyday items,  please let me know by commenting on this post.  I would love to hear from you! :o)

Have a great weekend!