a new use for something old and pretty

while i was perusing a new blog find recently, i came across a little craft inspiration. i had a desktop calendar i had received for my birthday a little over a year ago {thanks rach!} and was trying to figure out what to do with it since the year was up. it was too pretty to just toss in the trash so imagine my surprise when this new blog showed me just what to do {here}.

i had a bunch of pretty leftover calendar sheets...

and just cut them up however i could. i made big pieces to perhaps use as little cards (or perhaps stick in a frame like she featured?). i also cut some small pieces to use as gift tags.

pretty right? there was one that i couldn't bare to cut up. september. since A and i got married in september of 2011, i thought of a different use for this one.

i added a little heart on our wedding date and am going to frame it and put it in a wall of frames. wanted to keep this one as a reminder of that wonderful day (and showcase that pretty design that was featured that month).

it's stored away safely until i start building a wall of frames someday.

any fun craft projects y'all have been working on?

a christmas craft

well...i can finally share one of my christmas crafts with you. girls christmas was this past weekend {it was beyond fabulous} and the girls all received their gifts. so now it is time to share them with you.

i made teacup candles.


i followed martha stewart's craftiness found {here}. it was super simple.
supplies you need:
*a mixture of fun little vintage teacups
*wicks and sustainers (i found a set of wicks already attached to the sustainers at michaels for about $3-$4.)
*candles (i picked a favorite scent and bought a bunch of votive candles to melt.)
*wooden skewers (i'm cheap so i used pens)
*2 pots
*candle thermometer

1. place one big pot of simmering water on stove. attach smaller pot on top. this will melt the candles but not burn them. remove candle wicks and add candles to small pot. attach candle thermometer to top pot. MS says to keep melting wax at about 175 degrees.



2. melt candles.

3. while candles are melting...place wicks and sustainers into teacups. i attached them to pens to hold wicks upright while i poured the wax into the teacups. (hope that makes sense)


4. pour melted wax into teacups, leaving about 1/2" of space at the top of the candle.

5. let wax sit to harden (about an hour). poke small holes (i used a toothpick) around wick, going in about 1/4". that way, you remove any air bubbles/pockets.

6. pour wax into teacups to fill air bubbles/pockets, leaving about 1/4" of space at the top of the candle.

7. let wax harden (i let them sit out overnight) and they will be all ready and so adorable. here are my finished products...


i hope these directions make sense. between me and martha you should be able to understand. email me any questions you might have on this tutorial.

happy candle-making!