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Homemade Fruit and Vegetable Labels

Create colorful homemade stamped labels to beautify your fruit and vegetable jars and containers. 

The stamps are cut from a rubbery, firm foam made for decorative stamping, which is sold in various colors at art and craft supply stores. The smooth finish makes full contact with the stamping surface and does not soak up the paint you apply.

The foam stamps are attached to thin, wooden squares that you can buy precut in craft stores or have cut to size at a lumberyard or a home supply center. If appearance is secondary, recycle wood that you have on hand. If you stamp onto white self-adhesive labels, you can press the finished label right onto the container. Make fancy edges on your labels with edging scissors.

1. Draw an outline of fruit or vegetable onto the foam with permanent ink. (Keep in mind that the image will be reversed when stamped.)

2. Using scissors, carefully cut out the shape; it must fit onto wooden squares with a little space all around.

3. With craft glue (for a flat fit), glue the shaped foam to the center of the wooden square and press firmly to adhere.

4. Turn the stamp over and hot-glue a wooden bead to the center of the wooden square to create a handle.

5. On the foam side of the stamp, paint a motif with a lightly loaded paintbrush, leaving the interior design lines and highlights bare.

6. Press the stamp firmly onto cut paper or labels. Add details with brush as necessary; let dry. Attach label to jar.

Thoughtful Gift
For a charming hostess gift, first, dress up a filled glass jar by placing a circle of fabric over the lid and tying it in place with a yarn or twine bow. Complete the package with a label stamped with an identifying fruit or vegetable.

Gift Cards 
Make stamped gift cards using the same stamps and paints as described above. Cut heavy paper or card stock to size with decorative edgers and fold card in half. Stamp the front with an image that identifies the bottle’s contents. Inside, write a message or a recipe for your culinary gift. Tape the card to the bottle or punch a hole in a corner and tie it on with ribbon, raffia, or cord.