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

Faux Birch Tree Candle

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

Trash to Treasure- Monocraft Wood Cabinet

 Hi there!

The other day my Mom asked if I wanted this very old cabinet-

It's stackable-The top drawer is a separate piece.

YES!

I'll take it !

The drawers have dovetail corners.

It needed some work-

and a little wood glue.

One of the drawers still had

some dividers.

Some drawers had the dividers removed.

We used a sharp, flat scrapper to remove the

glue and wood pieces left-

It soon became a Mr. FreshVintage project!

 

We wiped it down and cleaned out the drawers.

I had this 'Old English'

Scratch Cover on hand.

It does an amazing job when you don't want to

refinish the piece of furniture

The color blends so well and the scratches disappear.

The cabinet was made with inexpensive wood.

It needed to have a bit more

 stain coverage in some areas.

I had some old stain-

I just used a soft cloth on the edges

 and in the dovetail sides.

It's nice and clean now.

I left the old labels just because I like it that way....

I can't help it.

The cabinet is a dark Mahogany color.

I immediately moved in-

The small sections are just the 

right size for all sorts of things.

Thank you for visiting!

I really appreciate you so much.

xo Lisa S

Storybook Suitcase

Hi my Friend,

I've had this old suitcase a while...I used it for display

at the holiday boutique.

It worked ok for Christmas...but not my favorite color.

I wanted to make something special for my granddaughter.

The suitcase is small about 12'' x 16''

Perfect for a little overnight trip.

I decided to paint the suitcase grey, using chalk paint I had on hand.

The will be a good base for decoupage!

The inside was in great condition and it even had the mirror!

I had a copy of this book,

' The Country Bunny and the little gold shoes'.

It was tattered and I thought it would be a good start !

I cut out some of the pictures-

along with a mismatch collection of other book scraps-

Nursery rhymes, poems and flowers.

 I used Matte Mod Podge to adhere the pictures.

I worked in random way-

I started on the sides at first- I tied to match acrylic

paint to fill in open space in the background.

Painted the sky then

I added that bird to the cottage roof

Continued the path with paint.

The top of the case was painted also and then filled in the clouds.

I went all along the top-

Then came down the other side with a castle!

The sides are my favorite part.

At this point I just kept going and had fun layering

with no rhyme or reason-

Filling in here and there with paint.

I even added some small scraps on the bottom.

Here it it is completed-

I tied some ribbon on the handle

 and a couple cotton spun mushrooms.

Both sides are completely different and I like that-

it tells a little story.

I tried to show all sides.

I worked on the case off and on-

until I thought it was finished.

I think my granddaughter will enjoy the suitcase.

For now it's filled with stuffed animals.

Thanks for visiting today!!!!!

xo Lisa S