Labeling homemade food products can be artistic as well as useful. Instead of using plain handwritten labels for your jars of fruits and vegetables, attach colorful stamped ones that beautify the containers as well as identify the contents. First, dress up the 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 and you have a charming hostess gift.

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 outline of fruit or vegetable onto foam with permanent ink. Image will be reversed when stamped.

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

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

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

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

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