Teacup Candle

This is a simple fast craft that works well as a last minute gift idea. You will need candle wax, a wick, a teacup or pretty mug, candle fragrance is optional. I used microwaveable wax and pre-waxed candle wicks. I also used some vanilla candle fragrance. I've been holding on to this teacup for a while. The inside of the cup is crazed and heavily stained, but I could not bear to throw it out.. Turning it into a candle gives it new life.
Once you have your supplies together slowly warm the teacup on a hot water bottle. If the cup is to cold the wax will not stick to the cup properly. While the cup is warming melt the wax for the candle. I chose soy because it burns slower and cleaner than paraffin wax; it is also cheaper. I added half a teaspoon of vanilla candle fragrance. Soy can be difficult taking the sent properly so you might have to experiment a little. The wax melted in about 45 seconds in the microwave.
Use some of your melted wax, or wax from another candle to secure the wick in place. Next slowly pour the melted wax into the teacup till it is filled. I like to leave a little bit of room at the top. Put the teacup somewhere it will not be disturbed. It will take an hour to an hour and a half to set. Once it's set the wax will be a frosty white. Trim the wick to one fourth of an inch and your candle is done. Have fun!

Favorites Party

I wanted to join in on the fun. Chrissie Grace is throwing a Favorites Party. I spent most of the day re-potting my seedlings into larger pots so I almost missed out on the fun (at the moment, NOT a favorite thing). You don't have to miss out on the fun either, head on over to her blog and join in and take a look around while you are there she is an amazing artist.I'll start with my favorite chair. I don't like pink, but this chair is so comfortable. Bear did not like it and I put it upstairs in plain view as a joke. It worked perfectly in the room and is never leaving. It is positioned in such a way that I can see out of six different windows. Right now there is a spectacular view of my ornamental crab-apples in full blossom. I love to sit in the morning and watch the sun come up with a cup of tea. Which brings us to my second favorite thing..... Chocolate Pecan Swirl Tea from the Mad Hatter Tea Room is my favorite tea. I love coffee but am deathly allergic to it. I had to give it up after going into shock the last time I had a small cup. *Sigh. This tea has a flavor and smoothness to it that is reminiscent of coffee. Bear and I enjoy having a cup and watching the sun come up on weekends together. I also like to have a cup while I am reading a book....Can you guess what the third things will be? My favorite author is Mary Roach. If you are a redhead "Roots of Desire" is an absolute must read. It also happens to be one of my favorite books. It is about the history and mythology of redheads. Recently we shut the TV off and every night Bear and I read a little together. I love Mary Roach's ability to make you laugh, educate you, disgust you completely, and make you laugh till your blue in the face....... BLUE! These are my favorite shoes. They are made by Haflinger with felt tops and cork soles. They are the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever owned. I am horribly guilty of running outside barefoot and then stepping on bees (another thing I am deathly allergic to). Bear is constantly telling me to put something on my feet. I love being able to slip these on while on the move. Oh, it helps that they are super cute and comfortable too. My last favorite, has to be my first and foremost favorite. My super cute and comfortable Husband. I would run out of room If I listed all my favorite things about him. He is my love and my joy. And my very foremost Favorite. What's yours?

faux stained glass

This is a very simple yet fun craft. I used to use canning jars and paint them this way to use as candle holders/decorative lanterns. Recently a young woman I know blessed me with several beautiful vases and two of these lovely glass olive oil bottles. I mentioned that they would make lovely vases and some how or other the faux stained glass came up. She said she would love it if I would do a blog to show her how it was done. Nikki, this one is for you :) Start with a jar, any kind will do. Use black fabric paint to make the outline of your picture. Go slow, it will want to blob up. Once it is dry use transparent glass paint to fill in the picture. Let them dry in between colors or you can end up with some blending. That's all there is to it. This jar (not including drying time) took about half an hour to paint. Have fun!

Washcloth Bunny

On Easter my Mum presented me with a little washcloth bunny she used as an Easter/Spring decoration when I was little. My sister and I would take turns holding him and making him hop along the dinner table. From now on he will hop along on my nature table every spring. It's a very simple craft and I hope that your family enjoys the one you make as much as we loved ours.

First you need a washcloth the color that you want your bunny to be. Snip off the tag and any stray threads. Fold the washcloth in half so it's a triangle; then tightly roll the triangle up from the point.
Fold the rolled up washcloth in half. Then fold the two halves over the top of the roll. Put a rubber band around the middle of the washcloth. Place it about where my index finger and thumb are in the second picture. This separates the head from the body and gives it it's bunny shape. For a nose I cut a piece of light pink felt and needle felted it in place. The one Mum gave me had a circle glued on. I'm sure a bead would look cute as well. For a tail I needle felted a tiny piece of cotton to the back. The one Mum gave me has a small pom pom. Tie a ribbon around the neck to hide the rubber band and you are done.

Here is my new bunny playing with the little bunny from my child hood. They look like they are having fun; now it's your turn. There are endless ways to decorate your bunnies. I hope you enjoy making your own and Have fun!