Hand-Made Christmas: Printed Candles

Hello my lovelies!

I'm so sorry my posting has been so sporadic as of late, life is marching on and I'm running behind it, out of breath yelling "waaaiiitttt!!"  After you finish giggling uncontrollably at that mental image, read on to learn how to create your very own stamped candles!

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I based my candles off of the tutorial above(Hint: clicking the picture will bring you to the tute) But, as with everything, i just HAD to make mine a bit differently (lol).

So here's the DIY Printed Candles: The Coupon Way:

What you will need:

• Candles (any size or color will work, just be sure to pick ink color and stamp size accordingly)
• Pigment Ink pad (the original tute will tell you to use the washable,non-pigment ink for health reasons, but i chose to use the pigment ink. It is your choice)
• Rubber or Acrylic Stamps

1. Pick out your candle color and size, your stamps and your inks

2. Lay stamp with rubber side up, and pat your ink pad onto the stamp until the whole stamp is covered in ink(you don't need a ton of ink, just enough to lightly cover the stamp)

3. With firm even pressure, carefully roll the candle across the inked stamp. Try to roll the candle in a even, straight line so that the image lines up on all sides.

4. Set your candles aside to cure for 24hrs.

5. Admire your handy work and give them to others to enjoy!

Price Break down:

Set of  6 votives : 2.49

Ink pad: 1.00

Stamps 2 @ .75 and one on hand : 1.50

 Total: 4.99 ( that's .83 a candle)

*These could be made for cheaper or for free if you have all of these supplies on hand

Did you decide to give these a try? How did they come out? Share your handy work! Comment below or email me at Sararwenzel@aim.com!

Hand-made Christmas: Tile Coasters

Have you ever gone to the store to buy something, and then not end up buying it because the cost was just outrageous? That is the  feeling i used to have about coasters; but not anymore! I stumbled upon a tutorial for ceramic-tile coasters here via Pinterest(LOVE this website!) I followed the basic instructions but changed a few things, so here is my version of the tile coasters:

You will need:

6 white 4" ceramic tiles(.16 at Home Depot)
2-3 sheets of 12x12 Scrapbook paper of your choice
Home made modge podge*
Scrapbook stickers(these are optional and add a little bit to the final cost, but i decided to use them to make my coasters even more special to the person they are for)
Felt/silicone furniture pads(the silicone ones are called "bumpers" for some reason) 1/2" diameter
Acrylic sealant spray
Paper cutter
paintbrush

Cut your scrapbook paper down to size. If you have a Cricut, i suggest using that since it makes this step much quicker, but a good 'ole trusty paper cutter will do the trick if you don't have a cricut.

After the paper is cut down to size, line up your tiles.

Spread a thin layer of your "modge podge" on the tile first, carefully lay your scrapbook paper onto the tile and carefully smooth out any air bubbles.  Spread another thin layer on top of the scrapbook paper, set aside to dry.

Repeat until all of your tiles are covered with the paper.

If you are using stickers, place the sicker where you want it on the tile, cover in a thing layer of "modge podge" and set aside.

Put 2 or 3 three more coats of "modge podge" on each tile, letting them dry fully before applying the next coat.

Turn over and adhere your "bumpers" to the  bottom of each coaster.

Spray with the sealant, step back, and admire your awesomness!

Price break down:

Tile: 6 tiles, at .16ea. Total price  : .96

Paper- 1.48(for 3 sheets)

Stickers- 2.24

Bumpers/furniture pads-3.74

Total- $8.42*

*These were more expensive because i decided to go with the silicone bumpers and stickers, i made another set without stickers and with felt bumpers, the price break down is below:

Without Stickers/silicone bumpers:

Tiles: .96

Paper: 1.00(4/$1 sale, so .25ea)

Felt pads 1.84

Total- $3.80



*How to make your own modge podge:

Pour 4oz of elmers glue into a container at least 9oz deep

Fill elmers bottle with hot water up to the top, but not over flowing

Pour into the container you poured the glue into

Stir

VOILA! Modge podge!



If you decide to make these, let me know!! Comment here or shoot me an email at Sarawenzel59@gmail.com !

I'm BAaAaAaAAAAAaaaaack!

Hello my loyal readers (I'm going to pretend that people actually missed me posting lol)

As you may have notice,i haven't posted in quite awhile. That is due to the fact that i got a job! Yep,that's right folks. . a real-life, out-of-the-house job! Its only a part-time retail position,but between that,Mr. Coupon and Baby coupon,i hardly have time to breath anymore, never mind blog.

But,i have missed blogging,and i have missed sharing my thrifty finds and simple crafts and meals with you; so i am going to try a bit harder to keep up with my posting. Can you believe its AUGUST already?? School's about to start up soon and Halloween,Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. With Christmas just a couple months away, and our wallet a whole lot tighter than usual, I have made the decision to do a "Home-made Christmas" this year. "What is a Home-made Christmas?" It is just what it sounds like (heheh) , i have decided to hand-make every one's gifts this year, in order to spend as little as possible on gifts while still showing my loved ones how much they mean to me. In order to give myself enough time to get everything together, I am starting on the projects now. As i complete the projects,i will make a post for each craft with either a tutorial or a link to the tutorial i used,plus a break down of prices. My budget goal is $250 or less  for everyone on my Christmas list. Are you planning on a "hand-made Christmas"? Comment and let me know!