Teacup Candles

So a while ago I got obsessed with the idea of teacup candles, I must have seen them at a store or something. So I researched them on Etsy and decided I could make them myself. Isn't that always the way you get embroiled in some project, "I could make that, I'm not going to buy it." And then you end up spending tons of money to make like one thing. You should have just bought it for the $20 or whatever.

Well, I bought the supplies from this Etsy supplier, and practiced a little in an espresso cup, and then I poured two of these tea cups. My God mother gave me these small china tea cups and saucers several years ago and I never used them, so I thought they would make a good gift for someone. I'm actually not really into candles, there's a family history of big fires, so candles are a non-issue in my house.

In any case, you melt the wax in a pot measuring the temp with a candy thermometer, add the scent and color, if so desired, and pour into the cup with the wick that you have already coated in wax. The wick is held in place with a stabilizing base which is a small metal disk that you thread the wick through and then hot glue to the bottom of the cup. Then you have to stabilize the top of the wick by wrapping it around something like a kitchen skewer (that was the tricky part for me). The wax is soy wax that comes in flakes so it melts quickly, and cleans up with soap and water so you can actually re-use the cup. The wax burns slower and cleaner, it's the new thing in candles apparently. I am planning to give the candles as a hostess gift or something like that. I think it would be a really nice bridal shower favor too.

Glass Etching - Casserole Dishes

As part of my newest gift idea, I have etched the new names of the brides to be on the side of a glass casserole dish. This is the practice one I made for myself.

It's super easy but looks very customized.

First you print the name or word you want etched on your computer, best to use sans serif fonts, less to cut around.

Tape the printout to the inside of the dish.

Apply clear contact paper on the outside of the dish.

Use craft knife to trace around word or image through the contact paper. Peel positive image off leaving the negative.

Apply Armour glass etching cream, available at craft stores, with a foam brush on top of cut out letters, careful not to get any on you, it's toxic.

Let sit for 5-10 minutes as directed.

Wash off in sink. Remove contact paper and taped paper.

Wash and rinse well and you're done!

Casserole Carriers

My newest thing, or the thing I was into making last, was casserole carriers. If you're like me, someone asks you to bring some food item at least twice a month, and sometimes it can be difficult to hold or carry in the car. I looked around on the internet quite a bit for something very functional and cute, that I could make. I finally found a pattern and bought it.

It makes an oblong carrier like the ones I've made plus a round one for smaller dishes. The oblong carrier works best for smaller rectangular dishes like a 2 quart dish, a 3 quart dish is a squeeze, and you really can't be squeezing a hot dish into the carrier, not convenient. So I think I will modify the pattern to accommodate the larger dish with a lid, comfortably. If I figure out how to create a pdf of the pattern I'll post it, because I have modified a few other aspects, like handle length. I have also used upcycled bedsheets instead of fabric from the store, it makes the materials very reasonable and then the gift is in the labor of quilting and assembling.

Here is another one I did, tied with a buffet spoon, if was a big hit for bridal showers.

Cabled Scarf

My mom is modeling her new cabled scarf that I made her. Lately I have loved using Lion Brand's Wool Ease Thick & Quick yarn, especially in the Fig color. It's relatively cheap at $4 - $6.50 per skein depending on which sale you can catch at Michael's or Hobby Lobby and it does knit up quickly and is warm. It's 80% acrylic and 20% wool so it's not the best mix, but at least there's some wool in it. This pattern was also from the Lion Brand Yarn website. I made it about half as long as it called for, I used two skeins and it called for 2 each of two different colors, one color on each end. I thought that was a bit odd, so I modified it.

Customizing Fire Place Matches

I must have seen this idea somewhere, and my best friend from middle school, Brynne, who incidently designs beautiful rooms at Bedrooms by Brynne, did this project for a TV spot at some point. I looked far and wide for fireplace matches, which would be easy to find this time of year, one would think, but no. Finally I found a square box, even though I was looking for a cylindrical box, at a hardware store in the suburbs.

I folded a piece of pretty scrapbooking paper around the box and made some creases. Next I sprayed the back side of the paper with spray adhesive and carefully placed it around the box of matches. For the folded lid I placed a small square of stickified paper on it and pressed firmly. Another inexpensive holiday gift, this one for one of my best friends from high school.

Another Afgan

Here is the green afgan for my college friend's second baby. Off in the mail.

Stainless Steel Chopsticks

Are a really neat thing, and apparently common in the average Korean household. I thought they'd just be a cool gift for my friend, who happens to be Korean-American, you know like stainless steel appliances are supposedly better than regular ones. Another friend suggested Super H Mart, a huge Korean grocery store and mini-mall that happens to be on my way to and from work in Niles, on Waukegan Road between Howard and Oakton.

The store is so great! The produce section is large and cheap and leafy green plus a bunch of other stuff that I don't even know what it is. And the oil/sauce/vinegar aisle is actually three lengths long. I just went for Wishbone dressing because I didn't know what the rest of the labels said. Anyway, I found these chopsticks for $1 per pair at the housewares store inside the main store. I am going to wrap them in kraft paper and baker's twine, what else?