INCREDIBLY Quick and Easy Wire Candleholders

Hi guys!

Today, I'm sharing this INCREDIBLY quick and easy wire candleholders.  I mean, seriously, these assemble in seconds and only cost a couple of bucks!

Rustic Candle Chandelier

I saw a version of this rustic chandelier on Pinterest and wanted to make a candle version to hang outside for an upcoming party.  So off to my hoard of scrap wood to see what I could come up with.

Make Your Own Rubberstamps with 3 Things You (probably) Already Have

I've been making my own rubberstamps for years now.  I didn't realize how easy it was until, one day while homeschooling, we came across a hobby called letterboxing.  (Think geocaching without the techy-ness!)

I'm going to show you how you can make your own rubberstamps with 3 common items you probably already have around the house...pink (or white) eraser, a pencil, and a craft knife.

Ready?  Let's go!

Here are few of the erasers I happen to have right now.  The big blue one and the owl are from the Dollar Tree and you can make several stamps from each.  The pink and white erasers are your common school erasers.  I pick these up at the back-to-school sales for very little money.

For this project, I'm going to use what's left of the big blue eraser.

So begin by deciding on your stamp design.  I'm making a feather design today.  Draw out (or trace) your design onto a piece of paper so that you can get the right size to fit your eraser.

Next, copy your design by tracing it onto your eraser.  Then, so that you don't make some of the mistakes I have in the past, write "cut" on the areas that will be cut away.

Now, before you begin cutting away the outside, take the craft knife and cut around the outside of your design.  This will help give you a cleaner edge to your finished stamp.

Begin cutting away the outside area.  Since mine is so large, I've cut it into smaller areas.  This will help keep you from removing more than you intend to.  It's easiest to insert the craft knife into the side and slice out little pieces at a time.  

Messy, isn't it?  It's okay.  That part doesn't matter.  Just make sure that the area you cut away is lower than your design area or it will pick up the ink and it will show once you stamp it.

Grab the 3rd item on our list...the pencil.  Pull out the eraser (the eraser of newer pencils are easier to remove).  This is going to be our carving tool.

Pinch one side to a point to use for carving.

Use your pencil tool to gently carve out the lines of your design's details.  It takes very little to make an impression so hold the pencil almost parallel to the stamp...don't try to dig deep into it.

Got all the details carved!  Gently wipe away any crumbs and we're ready to test this baby.

Not bad!  But...

I decided it needed a few more detail lines to look more feather-like.  Now!  I like it ;)

Here are some of the other rubberstamps I've made from erasers over the years.  

Wanna see some ways to use your stamps?

I used the Ball mason jar stamp to embellish my business card holders for a convention.  The little envelope contained a small treat.

Label for camping snacks! (My family camps every fall...maiden name is Rule, so named it 

Camp Rule!)  One tip, if you do text on your stamp...it must be mirror image.  I've learned that by making way too many mistakes. 

Stamp your design onto webbing and wrap a candle for a cute look!

Or, use your stamp to embellish a coffee cup!  Use an alcohol based ink like those by Tim Holtz or others that are made for stamping on metal, glass, or glazed surfaces.  These will, of course, be handwash only...but they sure are cute!

I hope I've inspired you to make your own rubberstamps.  I'd love to see what you create!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

A Fall Mantel

Hey all!  This is week 3 of our blog tour and it continues with fall mantel and shelf decorations.  Jennifer of The Striped House began our week with her burlap, birch branches, and mercury glass...beautiful!  Yesterday, Lisa of Concord Cottage shared her easy, no sew banner that she added to her charming mantel along with candles, pumpkins, and beautiful empty frames...love that look.

Today, I'm sharing a faux mantel.  My real mantel is also home to a huge TV...not so lovely to decorate.  Here's a shot from my Fall 2012 post.  You can see that I have a tiny spot on each side of the TV to decorate.

The mantel I decorated for today is one I created from an old door.  I made it to be used in my work room.  My room is in the basement garage with no heat so when I purchased this adorable heater for my room, I knew I'd need a mantel for it someday.  That day is now thanks to hubby's help this past week.  :)

I added the shelf and crown on top and it fits perfectly in my tiny 10x10 room.  

The decor theme is pretty neutral, using a lot of natural pieces.

Inexpensive plastic pumpkins from the Dollar Tree that I painted, dried okra pods, preserved leaves, and an old gold frame from the thrift store

An old Colorado state map and a 1921 silver trophy, both found at a local thrift store.

Isn't this old trophy adorable?  From July 4, 1921, awarded for the 220 yard dash...love it!

An old brass lantern (originally wired for a lamp post) found at a church rummage sale for $5

By the way, church rummage sales are the BEST sales around...lots of great stuff at great prices!

The large candle is wrapped with a strip of burlap webbing and I wrote the word autumn with a black Sharpie.  The webbing is great to use on candles and if you use a tape on the back to secure it, you 'll be able to use both sides of the webbing!  The other side could say happy thanksgiving, boo, or whatever floats your boat ;)

More dried okra pods, preserved leaves, and dried hydrangea 

Curly branches cascade over the top

That's it!  I hope you're enjoying our Fall Mantels week on the blog tour.  Be sure to stop by 2 Bees in a Pod tomorrow!  I know Jennifer and Vicki will have something amazing for us.

Here's a pinnable pic for you (see Pin button at the top of sidebar).  I appreciate it!

By the way, this guy's outside my work room door awaiting his debut in next week's Outdoor Fall Decoration theme ;)

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED

Easy Holiday Candleholders

Hickory Gold-dipped Candleholders (They are really straight--I think the picture angle is wonky!)

You remember the wood slice tags I made recently?  If not, you can see them here.  I had a few pieces of the fallen hickory branch and hated to waste it.  That's when I picked up a piece and realized it could easily be turned into a great candle holder.  Dipped in gold--of course!

I treated these the same as the wood slices by placing them in the oven to dry and kill any little creatures living in the bark.

To make the gold-dipped look, I taped off about two-thirds of the top and spray painted the bottom with Krylon's Bright Gold.

The holes were made using a spade bit on the drill.  You could also use an auger bit or key hole saw bit.

Personally, I would use ANY drill bit...masonry, glass/tile...as long as it was big enough for the candle to fit AND my hubby doesn't find out.

Kinda like using his razor in the shower.

Then he always wonders why his become dull so quickly.  Hmmm.  Yeah.

Anyway, the candles I think look best with the natural branches are called rustic tip.  Traditional tapers would look great as well but I like how these mimic the top of the candleholders.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!!
Angie

I'm linking here:

COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

 

http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/themed-linkups

Mason Jar and Wood Slice Tag

We have an amazing ministry in our town called Greenhouse Ministries.  They offer food, gas vouchers, housing assistance, GED tutoring, and a host of other classes to help those in need in our community.

source

Their current facility is bursting at the seams and in desperate need of more room.  A group of supporters is hosting a Denim and Diamonds Raffle and Auction to help raise funds for Greenhouse's expansion.  I've helped with events at Greenhouse in the past and I was excited to be asked to help with the decorations and displays for this event.

Photos via www.readyvillemill.com

The Denim and Diamonds Raffle and Auction will be held at a historic mill in the Readyville community.  To go along with the theme and the historic, old building, I needed to come up with a container to hold the tickets for each raffle item.  This is similar to a silent auction except that guests will purchase raffle tickets and place them in the container beside the item they hope to win.  The more tickets you place in the container, the better your chance to win!

So, what did I come up with??  Here it is:

A simple wide-mouth mason jar with a wood slice tag to mark the item number, a small envelope that will contain the item description, and jute and denim ribbons.  (The ticking fabric is just for the photo!)

Using my husband's chop saw, I cut the wood slices from a fallen hickory branch.  It went very quickly but you do have to be careful when you're cutting thin slices.  The spinning blade will try to throw the slice backwards once it's cut.  Always wear your safety glasses and keep your hand that is holding the branch at a safe distance from the blade.  Once the branch becomes too short to handle safely, stop.  A natural branch is not level or square and could become difficult to hold securely.

Once I had the slices cut, I placed them on a foil lined cookie sheet in a 200 degree oven...just to make sure there were not any bugs living in the bark.  The limb was still green so placing it in the oven helps dry it out.  After the slices were dried in the oven for about an hour, I painted the centers with black chalkboard paint and drilled a hole in the top to string the jute through.

It's a very simple project but looks great!  These could be used for weddings as table markers, for cookouts to hold utensils, or even as candle holders using tealights.

As you can see from the photo, the branch has lots of lichen and I left it attached.  I like the natural look of it.

Once the evening is over, I will have a nice supply of the wood slice tags to use again.

I had more of the branch left over after the tags.  I made something else but I'll post more on that this week.  Let's just say it involves more gold paint!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie


I'll be sharing this project here: