Make Your Old Candles New

While un-Christmas-ing our house last weekend I realized we have a bunch of candles that we can’t use anymore but I didn’t want to throw them out because there was still plenty of wick, wax and perfectly good jars for some left over. I have many a glass container sitting in our basement waiting for some good use and it struck me, I can make new candles out of these. I always struggle with our tea lights as well that can’t burn anymore but there is still wax left over. I did some online research and making old candles new really isn’t that difficult.

1. Separate your colored, scented and plain candle wax from each other. In the articles I have read mixing colors generally turns the wax brown so trying to mix may not always be that good of an idea. The same goes for scented wax. The idea of mixing scents sounds fun but they may not mix as pleasantly as you might think.

2. If you have wax in glass containers you can remove the wax by boiling water in a pot. Once the water is boiling put the glass containers in the water and let sit until wax is melted enough to pour out of the container.

3. While you are waiting for the water to boil/wax to melt get your new containers or molds ready.  Make sure to clean the containers first and that they are dry before pouring wax in.  Also make sure the glass is at room temperature before pouring the wax in.  You don’t want them to crack.

4. If you want to add color or scents to plain candles while the wax is melted add some food coloring, or your favorite scented oils. You can also add dried fruit or herbs if you want to get fancy. Make sure to stir thoroughly.

5. Once the was is ready you can pour into the container, mold or cookie sheet. If you are pouring directly into a container make sure to put a straw in the center of the candle while the wax is still hot so you can put the wick in it. Once you have the wick where you want it slowly remove the straw from the middle. I wouldn’t pull the straw completely out so you can make sure the wick doesn’t fall into the hot wax and melt back into the candle. If you are using a cookie sheet/mold and intend to cut out shapes let the wax harden a little before cutting the shapes follow the same instructions for adding the wick as in the container except you may have to hold the straw up if the mold isn’t tall enough to keep the straw from falling over while the wax is still hot.

6. Once the wax has dried a little and is ready to cut, do so carefully with a cookie cutter or knife. Remove the mold or cookie cutter quickly so the wax doesn’t stick to it but also make sure the shape holds. If it doesn’t the wax is too soft.

7. Once the wax is set and hard you have brand new candles without spending any money! You can give them away as gifts or keep them for yourself.

8. If you want to layer colors or scents you can use a oj or milk carton as a mold.  Pour the first layer in the mold and wait for it to set, then the next and so on until you have the layers you want.  You can follow the same directions with the straw as above for adding the wick.

DIY Owl Decorations

I know I just did a DIY project yesterday but I love love love this craft! I have a thing for owls lately and this craft is soo simple and cute that I just counldn’t resist. I think you will love it too! Plus with all of this cold weather why not stock up on awesomely easy crafts! However those of you that use that tubeless tissue brand may be out of luck!

Supplies:
Toilet paper tubes or paper towel tubes
Eco-Friendly Paint
Black Marker
Glue or Double Sided Tape
As usual any odds and ends around the house that you want to use to make your owls more fabulous and personal.

Directions:

1. If you choose to paint your owl, paint the tubes first and let them dry before trying to fold the top down.

2. Take your tube and fold down one end to make the ears. You can choose to glue or tape it to make sure the top says down or if you are planning on hanging the Owls anywhere. Depending on the type of paint you use the fold may remove some paint from the owl you can repaint some spots or paint after you fold.

3. Use the black marker and any other stuff you have to make your owls your own. You can cut holes in the fold to put string through for ornaments. You can make the owls your Advent Calendar instead of trees. If you use papertowel tubes you can cut them in different sizes and have a flock of owls sitting on display!

Do-It-Yourself Advent Calendar

 I am not religious but every year my mother would get me a candy Advent Calendar and give me a tiny gift every day until X-Mas Eve. To this day both traditions are extremely special to me. Not necessarily because I got gifts or candy everyday before the big day but because my mother was sooo excited everytime to give them to me. One day when I have little pups of my own I fully intend on sharing the tradition with my puppies!
I have noticed in the passing years the advent calendars I see are not up to snuff! As per usual I feel you can do it yourself and have a much better time with it. You can change up the calenders every year or keep the ones you make. This is an excellent activity to do since it is getting quite chilly outside! I found this excellent little ditty on FamilyFun.com which is an amazing resource all I did was add a little green!

Materials
Templates
Recycled Green paper in different shades (you can totes use any shapes or colors you want)
Double Sided Tape
Glue
Old Gift Bows or Ribbon
Small gifts or candy
Recycled Tissue paper
Marker
Any odd’s and ends you have around the house that can spruce up your little trees!

Directions:

1. Download the templates and trace the shapes on green paper. Use double sided tape the cones together. Make the other 23 trees of different colors and sizes.

2.Cut or punch out 24 paper circles and write the numbers 1 through 24 on them. Glue the circles to the trees. Add a star or bows to the tops of the trees or save them for the 24th tree.

3. Decorate the trees anyway you like using whatever craft stuff or odds and ends you have around the house to make them unique or leave them plain.

4.Wrap small gifts in tissue paper and place them underneath the cones. You can also use homemade coupons for special things like staying up later, a special dinner or dessert.

Natural Garland

This is a simple and truly elegant way to decorate your home for the fall or just for fun! You can change up the decorations every year and the best part is the materials are free. You can use these materials in garlands, to glue on to old home decor to make it look fresh and new!

Materials:
Pine-cones
Leaves
Acorns
Rocks
Twine or rope (what ever is lying around the house)
Hot glue gun

Directions:

1. Figure out your designs first. If you are using all of the same material for each garland separately this will be quick but if you want to change it up and alternate it is best to place it out first so you don’t get mixed up later.

2. Wrap and knot the twine around each pine-cone (you can use a dab of hot glue to make sure it stays). You should hot glue items like rocks, leaves, twigs or acorn’s.

3. Wait for the hot glue to dry. You can add glitter or pain to your fabulous new garlands. Dab them with essential oils so they can double as room fresheners as well (except for the pine cone which might smell on their own). Find my famous old broken hairclips, pins or buttons that you were needed an excuse to use and glue away!

4. Start hanging!! Place your garlands around your house to add some fall cheer to your rooms.

Jug-O-Lanterns

Halloween!!!! I cannot wait it is almost here and I am still decorating for it! I love this idea. You can use any empty jugs really even if they are colored I think it would add to it! So here is how you do it:

SUPPLIES:

Clean plastic gallon jugs

Black permanent marker (you can get creative and use whatever color you want too)

Knife or Scissor

String of 50 low-wattage holiday lights (you can use white lights but what fun is that, if you have holiday lights at home already use them. Icicle lights would be perfect for this project for example:Led/Energy Saving Holiday Lights)

DIRECTIONS:

1.Draw eyes and mouths on the jugs. Be creative it is Halloween so go scary, silly or just plain realistic.

2.Use the craft knife to cut a half-dollar-size hole in the back of each jug.

3.Arrange the jug-o-lanterns near each other and string the lights between them, stuffing several bulbs into each of the jugs.

4. Optional: Glue things to your jugs like bat wings, or stems and leaves. Decorate them anyway you want. Use colors or make them ghosts. These crafts can be saved and reused so make them original.

This is a super fun craft for a Halloween party. Kids can take these home to show their parents and make more of their own.

Pumpkins Gone Batty

 Materials:
Eco Green Acrylic Paint Black
Mini pumpkins (you could also try gourds for fun to make vampires, witches, spiders) from a local farm if you haven’t grown your own.
Black and white craft foam
Wings,ears & eyes template (just google it)
Hole punch
Glitter
Hot Glue

Directions:
1. Paint the pumpkins.
2. Sprinkle your bat with glitter (if you want)
3. Allow the pumpkin to dry completely. You can paint them any color you want. No one says bats can’t be green or pink right?
4. For each bat, choose a type of wings and eyes from your templates you like best.
5. Trace and cut out eyes from the white craft foam. Use the hole punch to make pupils.
6. Use the glue gun to stick the eyes to the pumpkin.
7. Cut the ears and wings from the black craft foam.
8. Attach the ears using a thin strip of hot glue.
9. Attach the wings using another thin strip of hot glue.
10. Let all attached pieces set. If the wings and ears look floppy you can use toothpicks (colored black) to stick to the backs to make sure the wings and ears hold their shape.

You can also wait until the end to sprinkle glitter on your entire finished pumpkin and spray it with adhesive. It is up to you. You can add pipe cleaners and make your creation zany! Use your imagination that is the most important part.

New Face of Eggs

Ingredients:

* Organic Free Range Hard-boiled eggs
* Organic Round crackers (any shape will do but round tends to be the easiest shape)
* Organic Vegetable and herb garnishes
* Organic Cold cuts, organic pepperoni or organic bacon (vegetarian options also)
* Organic or non-dairy cheese (sliced or grated anything that will add some fun)
* Condiments (mustard, mayo, ketchup, Sriracha anything to add the fun)

Directions:

1. Slice hard boiled eggs evenly and thinly.
2. Place the egg slices on crackers
3. Place out the herbs, garnishes, veggies, cheeses, meats or anything else you want to use for decorating.
4. Have fun, be creative and go healthy!

How are these for a super fun snack? Let your kids be creative and healthy while doing it!  Not all children may like eggs so lunch meats can be a great alternative! Allergies are always an issue too but these days there are excellent substitutes. Keeping your children interested in being healthy is a constant challenge so do what you can to keep them having fun with their food.

Super Cool Sandwich

Back to school season is here for everyone and even some are already in school! Crazy! The summer just started I feel like. Either way here is a super cool sandwich idea to cheer up your child and maybe brighten up the boring old lunch routine.

Ingredients:

* Cups (that you can put food coloring in)
* Organic Milk
* Natural or Organic Food Coloring
* New Paint Brushes
* Organic Wheat bread (white bread may yield better results but it isn’t very healthy)
* Toaster

Instructions:

1. Fill each cup with two tbsp. of milk.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring to each cup.
3. Paint any pictures or designs on the bread using the colored milk and brushes.
4. Toast your food art lightly but make sure the bread doesn’t burn.
5. Once the bread has cooled off a little make put the sandwich together.
6. Add a little note to let your children know how much you love them!

You can use this project as an after school snack also! Experiment with other breads or even wraps and pitas! You could even use pizza dough and make super cool pizzas! You will be the coolest parent ever with this simple yet creative lunch idea!

Super Summer Beach Craft

Supplies:
Shells
Rocks
Sea Glass
Seaweed
Plaster of Paris
1 1/2 cups plaster of Paris in a quart-size resealable bag
Water (salt water or fresh water)
Chopstick
Any other odds and ends you have around at home that you might want to use to decorate.

Directions:

1. Comb the beach for super cute treasures for this craft or if you have some beach fun at home that you have been looking for a reason to use bring it with you.

2. Put your hand into damp, hard packed sand. Make sure to leave about a 2 inch clear impression.

3. Put all of the fun beach stuff you found or brought with you inside your print and decorate anyway you like.

4. Add a cup of water to the plaster of Paris in the plastic bag. Knead the mixture until the plaster and water have fully combined.

5. Slowly pour the plaster into your print. Use a chopstick to lead the plaster into the hands and thumbs if the plaster doesn’t flow into them.

6. Once the print is filled and smoothed out, place the chopstick at the bottom of the palm print and let sit to dry. Make sure the chopstick is in the plaster deep enough to be able to hold the plaster once it has dried.

7. The plaster must sit for about 30 mins at least. To remove your print dig out carefully around the hand, than use the chopstick to lift the print carefully out.

8. Wrap up in something soft when transporting back home. You can make multiple prints and put them in vases or to use as summer decorations laid on a table top. You can display them anyway you want.

If you really want to make this craft green teach these little print makers the importance of the beaches and oceans and keeping them clean. Talk to them about erosion and make this an all around project that has meaning and a lesson. Look up the items collected on the Internet to find out what they are and where they came from.

Supplies:
Craft knife
Thick rubber band
Paper clips
Sticker stars
Bendy straw
Glitter
Stickers/Glow in the Dark Stickers
Paint
Markers
Odds and ends from around the house

Directions:
1. Use a craft knife to cut a small X in the center of a plastic coffee lid.
2. Push one end of a rubber band up through the opening and stretch it around the center of a paper clip to keep it from pulling back through. Decorate the lid as patriotically as you want.
3. Cut the straw one 4-inch straight length and one 4 1/2-inch length with the bendable portion near the center. Shape a second paper clip into a small hook. Then slide it into the straight straw part & use it to pull the other end of the rubber band through.
4. Insert one end of the bendy straw through the protruding loop of the rubber band for a handle.
5. Then start to play!