Tool Time Tuesday...Mini Christmas Wreath

Happy Tuesday! I know...Christmas? It's not even Halloween yet. However, this is a quick and easy project and you're recycling too!

Today's project is this mini wreath.

Remember this candle recycling project? Click here to read all about it. That post is about using the glass tops from jar candles. Lots of great ideas!

To use the glass tops, you have to remove the plastic ring. Easy, but you are left with...

All these rings. What to do with them...make a Christmas wreath, of course!

If you don't have plastic rings, you can also use old canning jar rings.

If you've been reading Sew Many Ways for a while, you know I save a lot of crap (hence the plastic rings). Here's where I keep it all. Boxes and boxes of stuff I save...just in case.

Here's one of those boxes. I cut up an old, artificial evergreen garland that had seen better days.

Lots of little branches waiting for a project. Each branch is about 8 inches long.

Loop it through the ring...

and twist to secure. That's it!

Keep adding until the ring is full.

Add as many branches as you'd like.

You might have to trim the inside evergreen to show the shape a little more.

Add a pretty bow!

Perfect to hang any where.

Or add a glass votive and candle to the center.

This would be so pretty with several down the center of the table.

or because they are so small...add one to each place setting.

Cute, cute!

You can also use fabric strips or ribbon and tie that onto the rings.

Have a great Tuesday and remember...always look twice at something before you through it out!
~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Recycling Candle Jar Tops

It's Tuesday and that means Tool Time, but today's post is also a recycling project. Jar candles are pretty pricey, so why not use every part of the candle and the jar. See the end of the post for links to other posts I've done on recycling candle jars.

Here is a large jar with the top on and some extra tops I've started to save.

This post is about using the tops for so many different things.

First, we need to take off that plastic ring that keeps the lid on the jar...here's where the "tool" comes into play. Had to find a tool time in this!

Carefully place the tip of a flat head screw driver under the rim of the plastic ring.

Slowly work the screw driver down until the ring pops off. Be careful not to chip the glass. That's it...nice and easy.

Now here you have it...the cutest little glass bowl, perfect for just about any thing.

Here are a few ideas!

How about a little bowl for sewing pins.

Great by your machine or by your side when doing some hand sewing.

Perfect as a collection on your desk.

Each jar top holds all your office supplies.

Painting project? Use a candle jar top as a re-usable dipping dish.

You can take this next idea with a grain of salt...had to do that pun. These will be great salt cellars and pepper too. I am assuming glass is glass and these are safe for food after you have washed them carefully...not sure, but just wanted to share the idea.

You could also use it to hold sugar packets.

How about the obvious...a tea light candle holder!

These would be pretty at each place setting at the dinner table, along the walk way, on your deck or porch etc

Now what to do with all the plastic rings I'm collecting...I'm thinking a ring toss game for the kids! Ahh, a future Tool Time in the making!

If you have any more ideas for these jar tops, share it in the comment section. I'd love to hear more.

Click here for the post I did on recycling the wax from the end of a candle.

Click here for the post on recycling the whole candle jar.

Happy Tuesday,
~Karen~

Colleen's Corner...Candle Recycling

I received an email from my sister Colleen and in the subject line it said...Tool Time idea??? Attached were these first 2 pictures. Colleen is my one and only sister (I have 3 brothers, but they would never send me a Tool Time idea). She's extra special to me in so many ways...oh wait sew many ways!! We're 9 years apart, but those years faded away when we both took care of our mom the years before she passed away. Now we are sounding boards for each other taking care of our dad.

She wanted this to be a Tool Time post, but she is so talented I wanted to give her a special place here on my blog. I'll be sharing more of her ideas and creations in the future too.

So welcome to Colleen's Corner...

Cute jar for storing craft sticks right?

Well, here's the before. We all have candles in jars and they don't have to be Yankee Candles either.

Remember the post I did a long time ago about recycling the wax at the bottom of the jar that the wick doesn't burn? Click here to see that post. Well, once you freeze and take out that extra wax, chip away what ever is left and then use hot water to melt the rest of the wax away. The label of the Yankee Candle is a clear sticker that peels off. You can also use Goo Off for any gumminess that's left on the outside.

and here you have it...the best, cutest, FREE storage jar for your craft room.

I also have a post coming up about how my sister made a kitchen island in my dad's kitchen in about 5 minutes...not including hauling all the furniture up from my basement. Poor thing was trapped with my dad at our house for a week during the blizzard while we were away in Disney World! She doesn't drink, but I'm pretty sure she had her fair share of wine that week. LOL

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See you soon,

~Karen~

Candle Sticks and Lamps...

Here are a couple quick ideas with candle sticks and candle stick lamps...

Take an ordinary candle stick with a candle in it and add...




a mini chandelier lamp shade.




Just place the wire that was for the light bulb over the candle.

Quick and easy dress up for a plain old candle.

Here is a real candle stick lamp...the kind that uses a light bulb.

I don't use this for a lamp any more.

What I do use it for is a wreath. Just wire the wreath to the top of the lamp and...

Tah Dah! A very inexpensive wreath holder. The stands you buy in the store are way too expensive for me!!

Hope you liked these 2 quick ideas for decorating.

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Have a great day,

~Karen~