A Lighthouse

Hi blogging friends,

I haven't shared any of my cards lately so today I have a birthday card.  The top two layers were cut using the Spellbinders Labels 18 dies.  The lighthouse image is from Cornish Heritage Farms.  I used both inks and Prismacolor Pencils to color the scene.

The Manchester Plaid background paper I found in my stash and thought it went really well with the Lost Lagoon and Basic Gray.

Inside was created with the same color scheme.  Happy Birthday was stamped in Baja Breeze ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  The crane and pebbles were stamped in StazOn Stone Gray. To create the water effect I sponged the paper with Bashful Blue and then applied a coat of Crystal Effects.

Thanks for stopping by.  I appreciate all of you who leave comments or email me. 

Stamps:  Cornish Heritage Farms, SU Perfect Pairing, Stampscapes Gulls, Pebbles, Crane in H20 & Tall Grass Small
Paper:  Lost Lagoon, Manchester Designer Paper, Basic Gray, Shimmery White, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Images - StazOn Stone Gray; Prismacolor Pencils; Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze with Clear EP 
Accessories:  Crystal Effects, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen #4 & #5, Spellbinders Mega Curved Rectangles #5
Technique:  Sponging, Colored Pencils
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

DIY Branch Centerpiece

Hi blogging friends,

As Halloween approaches, I wanted to share with you my Manzanita branch centerpiece.  It's perfect to add height to any tablescape or side table.

I used a Longaberger Halloween basket as the base.  I wanted a neutral color and thought the gray & white basket was perfect.  The Manzanita branch was mounted to a piece of wood and set into the round basket. 

The top was then covered with Spanish moss.  Seed lights were wrapped around the branches to add a mysterious twinkle.  Keeping with my Edgar Allan Poe theme I have a few perched crows.

I also added a "creepy" spiderweb tie-on with a dangling spider.

So simple and cute to make!  You can be creative and use a piece of driftwood or grab a branch from your backyard.  If you like the look of the Manzanita branch, please see my friend Grace and she will create something special for you.  I plan to change mine for the seasons.  Sparkly bulbs for Christmas, little eggs with a nest for spring, butterflies for summer ... you get the idea.

Thank you for stopping by!

Autumn Tart Tin Candles

Hello everyone,

Do you remember the tart tin soaps I recently made?  Well, I had some tart tins left over and decided to make some candles with them.  This project was so much fun!

Since autumn is here I picked up Pumpkin Souffle' candle oil.  Besides pumpkin it has hints of French vanilla cream, ginger, almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon and cloves.

To heat your beeswax pellets I recommend you use a double boiler.  Fill the bottom half with about 2 inches of water and heat until it comes just to a boil.  Place the top half of your double boiler inside the bottom half and then add your smaller metal pot or container.  Lower the heat to a gentle simmer.  Now add your beeswax pellets.  If you are using a block of wax I suggest you cut up the wax into smaller chunks to speed up the process.  For three tart tins you only need 4 oz. of pellets.

You want to melt it slowly and stir it often with a metal spoon.  Never leave the wax unattended as it melts.  Some people use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.  Beeswax should melt about 145 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.  Be sure to check the lower pan periodically to see if it needs more water as it will start to evaporate.

When wax is completely melted remove the container from your double boiler and pour in your fragrance oil.  Stir the ingredients and then pour a little wax into each tin and drop your wick into the wax making sure it is centered.

Now pour the rest of your wax to fill each cup.  Allow to set for a couple of hours.  You can speed the process by putting the tarts in the refrigerator to cool.

To decorate for gift giving, bundle your tarts with seam binding or ribbon and make a cute tag with the name of the scent.

I hope you have enjoyed making candles with me.  I'll have other designs to share with you.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!