Candle Holder w/Detachable Collar

Hopefully I'm done doing crafts for the year, but I wanted to share this last candle holder I had to do for a friend.

I took this large jar...

and after some playing around came up with this...

The "collar" is made from a palm leaf and it's detachable...

Of course, this is my preference

This is it lit...

When it was time to wrap it I didn't want to use paper because I was afraid of messing up the collar part, so I decided to use all palms and used some fabric to give it color and a Christmas-y affect.

I truly hope everyone had a MERRY CHRISTMAS, and while you LET YOUR CREATIVITY FLOW, please be safe for the coming NEW YEAR!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

WISHING YOU A BEAUTIFUL HOLIDAY SEASON...

Peace in your home and in your heart...

God's love & guidance throughout...

FROM MY HOME TO YOURS...

 
HAVE A SAFE & MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Kitchen Counter (kinda ready for holidays)

In my previous blog I mentioned I was working on small projects trying to get my kitchen counter together, nothing major, just little stuff that I kept procrastinating about.   I'm embarrassed to say I had the brown frame (far right) displayed on my counter for a while and never put a photo in it...

Gosh, talk about colorless and dull!

Thankfully I finished everything (well almost)... I'm now trying to get everything ready for Christmas. Here are the before and after pics

The leaves are from dry coconut bark

The Jamaican Coffee was given to me by a friend who recently visited Jamaica.

With Christmas around the corner I decided to add some color to bring in some holiday cheer - remember earlier I mentioned my Christmas decorations went MIA - other than what I hung on the tree, this is all I had left.

Yeah, I know it isn't much, but it helps to set the mood. :-)

Wait, don't go yet, I also want to share a few candle nuggets that needed to be wrapped...

Hopefully, we'll chat again before Christmas, but if not have a BEAUTIFUL & SAFE CHRISTMAS and don't forget to LET YOUR CREATIVITY FLOW!

My Family Christmas Tree

I finally finished my Christmas Tree. Generally decorating a tree is an easy task for me, but this year I couldn't find half of my decorations nor any of my small trees that I usually have scattered throughout the house.  My first thought was to go out and buy more ornaments (mine were old) but after looking in my wallet I decided it would be best if I just improvised (smile).

Thanks to Debbiedoos' blog I was inspired to try something different.  So, with a very small budget ($30) I scurried to the store and purchased some miscellaneous items which included ribbon, lace, lights.  I then pulled out my tree and was lucky enough to find one of my "tiny" trees.

This was my inspiration which you can find here

I was so excited when I saw this picture because I have a tin tub which I never use for anything.   So the next day I made it a point to get up at 4:00am to get my tree up so when I got home from work that evening all I had to do was decorate it.  Unfortunately, after 1-1/2 hours of struggling trying to get my stupid stand to fit into my crappy tin tub I had to admit defeat.  I bathed and went to work, my tree was left un-assembled and the tree stand kicked to the side.

While at work another idea popped in my head so I couldn't wait to get home to give it a shot.  This isn't my dream tree but I think you'll agree it's close.

I decided to use my "tiny" Christmas tree.  I then stuffed the tub with the candles I had painted.  Remember, it's all about creativity (smile). 

I had initially placed the tree on the floor by the tin tub. 

But I liked it better at the top

Since I couldn't find all of my Christmas decorations I decided to go with family pictures... after all, isn't that what Christmas is all about?  Being with your family and those you love?

Going through my photo album, searching for pictures, brought back lots of memories; my son growing up, friends, siblings, family...

You know, I'm happy I couldn't find all of my decorations, I call this my Family Christmas Tree; I've already decided each year I'll make it a point to add new pictures.  The pleasure is knowing I can admire my tree and glance at my family & friends at the same time.  There are a lot of memories on this tree.

This holiday season just LET YOUR CREATIVITY FLOW!