Handprint Snowmen Candles

We've decorated plain candles using the tissue paper technique a few times now and the results have always been cute.  First we made some Artwork Candles ~ we drew our own pictures with markers on tissue paper, then put them on a plain white candle.  Then, for Mother's Day, we used paint to make some cute thumbprint designs which we also put on candles for the grandmothers.  For both of those projects, we used white tissue paper which "disappeared" into the candle as it was fused on.  This time, we used darker blue tissue paper to make some cute, winter snowman candles.

Check them out...

Cute, aren't they?  I like how we were able to make the handprint snowmen I'd seen done on ornaments, but we did them on candles which can be displayed long after the Christmas trees are taken down.  The dark blue tissue paper also fused into the candle, but the brighter blue color really stands out and shows off the kids' white handprints.

Here's what you'll need: 
(sorry, I somehow deleted my "before" picture of the supplies)

• white pillar candles (mine are about 5" high and came in a 2-pack at Target)
• blue tissue paper (like you would use to package a gift)
• paints (white for the handprints, and a few colors to add the details)
• waxed paper
• heat gun or hair dryer (Hair dryers work, but the heat guns have more concentrated heat and work a lot faster.  My heat embossing gun is similar to this one  ~ you can find them at most craft stores in the paper crafting or rubber stamping sections)  

 Here's what to do:

1.  Cut a piece of the blue tissue paper that is as tall as your candle and wide enough to wrap all the way around it.

2.  Using the white paint, have your child dip their palm and fingers in the paint, then press it onto the tissue paper.  (Since the tissue paper is so delicate, practice a few times so you'll get the hang of how much paint to use and how to press down and lift the hand back up without tearing the paper too much.  A little rip is fine, but big ones might be noticeable )  Once you have the handprints down, use the other colors of paint and a fine-tipped brush to add the details to your snowmen ~ little scarves, eyes, noses, buttons, etc.

NOTE:  My kids all have the normal 4 fingers and a thumb, but we opted to not use their pinkies and thumbs on our candles so I could fit all three kids on one candle. 

3.  Once your design is complete and the paint has dried, wrap the tissue paper around the candle.  Then wrap a piece of waxed paper on top of the tissue paper to hold it in place.  Using the excess waxed paper as a handle, direct the heat from the heat gun or hair dryer towards the candle.  As the candle wax warms up with the heat, you'll see the tissue paper "melt" into the candle.

See how the candle on the right has both darker blue and a lighter blue?  The darker blue section is where the heat has melted the wax.

4.  Continue directing the heat all the way around the candle until all the tissue paper has been fused onto the candle.  Then peel off the waxed paper and you're done.

Note:  We mainly use these candles for decorative purposes.  We've burned other candles using this technique and haven't had any problems.  However, it's impossible to guarantee that the tissue paper might not flare up in spots if you burn it all the way down.  Use caution if you do decide to light your candles and let them burn to the edges.

Make sure you check out our other versions of these candles too ~ here are the Artwork Candles and the Mother's Day Fingerprint Candles. 

Melted Snowman Bottled Water Labels (with free printable)

Need a quick and easy idea for drinks for your kids' classroom party?  Maybe you're having a party at your house this winter and want something cute and simple?  Do you wait till the last minute, but still want something fun?  

Check out how I added a little extra cheer to some regular bottled water...

So cute and super quick and easy.  I made up little labels that I could cut out and stick on the water bottles using regular clear packing tape.  I opted for this method over printing directly on regular sticky labels for a couple reasons.  One, I can never figure out how to get my images the right size to align properly on the labels.  They're always too big, too small or running off one side.  The other, more practical reason, is by using packing tape over the label, I avoid the chance of the ink running and the image being ruined by a drip of water.  I wouldn't put these bottles in a cooler full of ice, but the image should be fine if just a little water spills on it.

All you have to do is pick up a case of water, print out three sheets of the labels on regular printer paper (there's 8 on each sheet), cut them out, and stick them on!  Quick, cheap, easy and you probably have everything you need at home.

Here's a printable of the labels.  (I think I have it set up correctly so if you just click on the image below, you'll have the printable PDF, but let me know if you run into any problems.)

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The Frugal Girls 
Tatertots & Jello

Holiday Chore Naughty List

I think there are two types of vacuumers.  On the one hand, you have those who have a vacuuming routine and vacuum on a daily or weekly basis as part of their housekeeping schedule.  On the other hand, you have those who pull out the vacuum only on an as-needed basis.  I am definitely in the latter category.  I'll bring out my vacuum when I can actually see the crumbs, fuzz and little bits of this and that accumulating on my carpets or when I'm expecting company and everything gets cleaned up for guests.  Most of the year, my system suits me just fine.

 Come December, though, just like Santa I'm hard at work on my own naughty list.  On  that list goes all those things that might bring joy to our faces but dirt to my floors!

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the smell and look of our real Christmas tree, making and eating yummy treats, and working on holiday crafts with the kids.   However, all those things on the naughty list means I'm pulling out the vacuum cleaner more now than any other time of year.

Even with some fun Christmas music playing in the background, it still gets frustrating if you have to constantly lug out an old, heavy vacuum cleaner and then go back and forth over the same section of carpet just to pick up those little needles, scraps and crumbs.  Luckily this year, I've been using a new Panasonic Jetforce Vacuum ( I have model MC-UL427) and it's making the chore a whole lot easier.

A few features that I love...

•  The suction is awesome.  Every time I use it, I keep saying to myself "Wow, it's sucky! It's very sucky!"  (Can you tell we've watched the movie "Elf" a ton of times already this year?)
• It's really lightweight ~ less than 15 pounds and easy to move from room to room or up and down stairs.
• It's bagless and the filter has an hourglass shape so all the dirt and dust don't clog the filter and make it lose suction.
• It has a turbine brush attachment that makes it really easy to tackle pet hair or crumbs from carpets and furniture.
• It has a stretch hose, wand, dusting brush and crevice tool so I can reach those pesky pine needles wherever they get tracked.
• It has an easy to reach switch to turn off the agitator brush when you're on bare floors or using the tools.
• And my favorite feature, the 24-foot cord retracts in an instant with a push of a button. 

         
My only problem with the Panasonic Jetforce Vacuum is this...

Nope, it's not the dust bin itself.  I actually find it really easy to empty and clean out.  The whole contraption lifts right off the vacuum so you can carry it over to the trashcan.  Then you just release a little clip on the bottom of it and the dirt falls right out.  Nope, my problem is that it picks up so much more than my old vacuum did.  It's a little gross seeing just how much I was missing before.  The good thing about it is that I know my carpets and floors are cleaner than they've ever been before!

How about you?  Are you a regular vacuumer or an as-needed one like me?  Would you add anything to my "naughty list" of holiday culprits?

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Panasonic. I received a product to facilitate my review.  However, all the opinions stated are 100% mine and I truly did love this vacuum.