Tip of the Week

For great canning recipes and tips, check out our partners at Canning Across America – a nationwide, ad hoc collective of cooks, gardeners and food lovers committed to the revival of the lost art of “putting by” food. Developed in Washington state, their goal is to promote safe food preservation and the joys of community building through food.

Labels & Crafts

If you feel like you've exhausted your gift basket repertoire, give it a fresh update with jars of summer fruit! Homemade preserves make sweet year-round gifts for any occasion. Check out our specially designed labels and craft ideas for a personalized final touch as beautiful as the fruit.

Label download instructions

Each label below was created by a talented Etsy.com designer, just for the enthusiastic friends of SweetPreservation.com.
Click the “download link” under the desired design for a PDF version formatted to work with Avery labels 8163 (2” x 4” rectangular labels) or Avery labels 5294 (2.5” diameter round labels).
Once you’ve downloaded into the PDF, some software may allow you to customize the labels using text boxes. Or, simply print and write on the labels as you see fit.

Elegant Ambiance Homemade jams or chutneys make heartfelt wedding favors that can be dressed to match any color or theme. Simply add a swatch of fabric and pretty ribbon at the top. Bonus: label the jars with guests’ names and have them double as place cards. Label by www.greenka.etsy.com. Elegant_Label.pdf	Retro Spin This retro-patterned label is complete with cursive “homemade,” reinforcing the love and effort that went into the treats. Simply drop in the name of your recipe, and you’ve got a cool gift for recipients from any era. Label by www.bohtieque.etsy.com. Retro_Label.pdf
All-Occasion Card This sweet and simple label design is perfect for your own pantry, or to easily grab off the shelf and give as a gift anytime. The provided lines leave room to handwrite the recipe name and date for customization. Label by www.RiverDogPrints.etsy.com. Every_Day_Label.pdf	Fall Perfection Nothing conjures up the bounty of the earth like the feeling of a fall harvest. These colorful leaf-inspired labels are the perfect topper or gift tag for your canned fruits, and pair great with yarn and felt accents in matching hues. Label by www.notepourri.etsy.com. Fall_Label.pdf
Holiday Hits Dress up traditional jars for the holidays with these bold, modern labels for a fancy touch. Use contrasting ribbons to accent the jars, and disperse individually or in colorful sets. The center is left blank to include a handwritten or typed seasons greeting of your own. Label by www.notepourri.etsy.com. Holiday_Label.pdf	Modern Preservation Art Give Grandma’s recipes a facelift by substituting sleek glass jars, and accenting with this modern label. Add sparkly embellishments from the local craft store to further jazz up the package. Label by www.greenka.etsy.com. Modern_Label.pdf
Mark the Calendar Don’t forget a job well done – use this calendar label to commemorate your canning date, and keep the pantry organized. Alternatively, give it in recognition of a special occasion – such as births, weddings, anniversaries and more – and the calendars add a fun way to mark the date. Calendar_Label.pdf	Favors with Flavor Offer a party favor with staying power! Perfect for birthdays, babies and wedding showers, send guests away with your homemade preserves. To thematically match the party, lay a swatch of muslin fabric over the top, then wrap with strips of felt cut with shearing scissors.
Colorful Preservation Pack Welcome neighbors and congratulate friends with something sweet. Grab a basket, spray paint it your favorite color, then pack with savory homemade spreads and jams in a variety of colors. A fresh, inspired gift the recipient is sure to love.