Showing posts with label faux. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faux. Show all posts

Friday, October 16, 2026

How to make Grubby Candles

 






Hello my friend!

It looks like a mess, but I promise it's not that bad.

I'm going to show you how I made 

some grubby candles using a battery powered base candle.

I had some that were old and wax was cracking....but they still worked fine.

You may have some already on hand.

Everything I used today was from the Dollar Tree.

Yes, they have the candles for $1.25.







First add your batteries, and make sure they are working.





You will need:

a battery powered or LED candle

matte or gloss Mod Podge 

dry instant coffee

cinnamon or pumpkin spice

1'' wide brush

plate or pan to mix dry spices



Mix spices together,

 no measuring needed

about a Tbsp. of each




Use your paint brush to Mod Podge the opening.



Use a spoon to add the spices and roll the candle

side to side.





Mod Podge the brim and sides.

After all sides are covered,

dab Mod Podge over everything to seal the spices.





Allow to dry.

Mod Podge will dry clear.



If you want your candle darker you can add another layer.

I liked it the way it was so I only painted one layer.



I just couldn't wait to turn on the switch!

It has a wonderful glow.



Feels like Fall, but nice for Christmas too-




I put the candle in a wood bowl with some berries

and leaves.



Beautifully bumpy, lumpy and grubby !



These really smell wonderful!
Thank you for visiting.

XO Lisa S



Note: This technique can be used on the outer portion of regular candles

if you use a pillar that burns on the interior only.

Do not burn candles that have been covered by Mod Podge!


Here's another way I used a battery powered
candle to make a personalized gift



Thursday, August 27, 2026

Just Getting Started- A little FALL Decor

Hi friends,

I was at the Dollar tree 

getting something else when

I saw these Maple leaf stems.

I know I could spend more and get better quality

floral at Hobby Lobby or just about anywhere else.


I had an idea and I wanted to see if it would work.  



I love the brown and beige tones.

I bought 2 stems for $1.25 each, so not a big investment .



Found some old book pages in my paper stash.



I used one of the leaves to make a pattern.

Then cut some Maple leaves from the book pages.



You could even stain your pages 

with coffee, tea or watercolor paints.



I folded the leaves down the center.





Then glued the leaves to a center piece that 

did not have a leaf...

but looked like it needed one.





It made the stems nice and full !





I put one stem in an old cider jug...




It works for me-

nothing fancy!





Here's a close up of the leaves.




I put the other stem in a white pitcher.



This year

I plan to decorate with my brown transferware, 

lots of browns and neutrals.




It turned out like I was thinking....I like it-


Okay... tell me what you think. 

Are you thinking about Fall?

Or are you 'enjoying' 105 degree weather like I am ???

Have a great week!

xo Lisa S

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Faux Cinnamon Roll

 Hello!

I found air-dry clay at the Dollar Tree.

It looks like it's a terra cotta color

I wanted to test it out-

I immediately thought about cinnamon rolls....

Who doesn't love cinnamon rolls year-round ?

I cut the moist slab of clay

 in half lengthwise and rolled it out

 with a rolling bin wrapped in parchment paper.



I rolled it into one large cinnamon roll.

It was easy to roll.

The edges were smoothed out 

with a little water and fingertips.

It dried overnight-

The clay is dense and weighty-

No cracking.




I painted the swirls with Matte Mod Podge and real cinnamon.

I decided to paint the clay with acrylic paint.





I used white paint for the icing and let it drip over the sides.

After the paint dried, I went over just the icing with

GLOSSY Mod Podge.




The icing stayed glossy.




It looked real to me-

A delicious paper weight!


I enjoy making faux foods- it really fools the eye!


This clay was a win!

Definitely worth a try.

An 8 oz. package made 1 extra large roll or

 could easily make

4 mini rolls.


Have a great week!

xo Lisa S

Friday, January 16, 2026

Just takes a Minute - Campfire Marshmallow Candle

Hi there!

I purchased this candle at the DOLLAR TREE.

I always love white candles.

This candle has a wonderful Vanilla scent and will work for my plan-




Print a label-

Cut and re-check size and placement.




Here's my label-
size to fit
Here's my Label
                                                    I cut and removed the original vinyl label.




I used Mod Podge to adhere the label.

First I painted the front of the label with mod podge

and then allowed it to dry.




After the front is dry. Paint the back side of the label with Mod Podge

and attach to the jar.

Press down well, to remove any air bubbles.







A nice gift for a 'Vintage Loving' friend!




Thank you!

xo Lisa S

Monday, December 15, 2025

No Bake Faux Gingerbread Cookies

Hello!

Let's make some C O O K I E S ! 

I used Air Dry clay for this project.



Crayola- Model Magic is available at most craft stores,

usually with the crafts for kids.

It comes in many colors.

I purchased the EARTHTONE-

it's paintable but not necessary.

The clay dries in 24 hours.



I worked with half the package at a time.

Kneed with your hands to soften up a little.

I used a rolling pin to flatten out the clay.

Roll between two sheets of parchment paper.

My rolling pin is just for crafts ( not for food )





They look so cute already!




After I rolled out all the clay- there was just a bit left over.

So I pressed the remainder of the clay into the cutter,

This way I had no scraps!

Half of the package made 10 cookies





Yes, there is a Chicken in the mix!

My Mom loves to decorate with chickens 

so I made one just for her!





This clay is sponge-like and lightweight.

When the cookies were completely dry,

I decorated them with white puff paint.

The puff paint was from HOBBY LOBBY about $1.30


Easy to decorate !



See how they look on a plate ?



I put them in the kitchen, tucked inside a sifter.



For fun I added a book.

My children loved the story of The Gingerbread Man.





So glad you were able to stop by!

I tried to make our visit short and SWEET!

XO Lisa S

Preserving Leaves with Mod Podge

Hello! My friend was visiting Maine and sent some breathtaking photos of the changing leaves. We don't see such a beautiful  variety of ...