Melting down Candles

After unpacking, okay more like while unpacking because we all know I am still not finished, I found that all of the candles that we had brought with us were melted. Many of them so misshapen they were unusable. I couldn't just get rid of them. So, I figured I would melt them. It couldn't be that bad, right? Well, it wasn't as easy as I had anticipated but it was still enjoyable!

And I did learn, after I had done it...if you are going to melt wax you need to use a double boiler. Do not do what I did and heat it directly on the burner, because wax will flash into flames at 350 degrees. I am glad that didn't happen to me. So here is the process I took:

1. I first thought I would put them in cups out in the sun. It worked, but not as well as I planned. It gets hot enough to melt them, But not hot enough to completely melt them down.

2. Melted the candle on the stove.

3. Grabbed the wick out of the melted wax.

4. Cut the top off of a soda can.

5. Pour a little wax in the can. Note: Don't pour it in all at once or fast, the can will start bubbling and it will cause itself to tip over and make a mess all over your counter. I mean all over. I did learn this from experience, take my word for it, don't try it.

6. Fill until it is to your liking.

6. Put the wick around a skewer.

7. Place skewer on top of can and let the wick dangle into the wax.8. Poke holes in the top of the melted wax that has hardened. This helps to keep the middle from caving in while hardening.
9. Let sit for a while until hardened and not warm. About 4 hours.10. Take your heat gun and heat the top of the candle until it melts and fills in the cave in the middle. This will make the top even.

11. Let candle wax harden completely.

12. Tear off the metal can. Please don't cut yourself. That would hurt.13. And there you have it. A new candle.

Hey it's not professional, but I had allot of fun. And I learned that I won't ever try to make a candle again, it's just not my thing! So hats off to those of you who do it! My respect for you just grew a hundred fold!!! I am off to the store to buy new candles for my sconces!

And for those of you who are going to try it...to make a multi color candle: Pour the first wax in the container and wait until it forms a skin like this on the top. Then pour the second color over the top.

And you'll have something like this.

Disclaimer: I can not be held responsible for any injuries or damage created by following this tutorial. Please do so at your own risk, and use your personal judgment, wax will become flame instantly when heated to 350 degrees.

Lion House Rolls

Yes, they are as yummy as they look, and really, they are easy to make!

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons yeast

2 cups water

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons salt

2/3 cup dry milk

5-6 cups flour

1 egg

Place water, sugar and yeast in mixer. Mix on low for 1 minute. Let sit for 5 minutes while you gather the other ingerdients. Mix in remainder ingredients. (I use just barely over 5 cups of flour) Start mixing and add the flour until it pulls the dough off the sides. Grease a bowl and transfer dough into it. Cover with saran wrap and then a towel. Leave for 2 hours (or if you live where it's HOT like me about 30 minutes) until it's double in size. Flour your counter and place dough on it.

Roll into a 15 inch circle. Cut with a pizza cutter into fourths. And then each fourth into fourths.

Roll each triangle up like this:

Place on a greased cookie sheet and drizzle with melted butter:

You can raise again if you like unti lthe rolls are double in size, I like my rolls small so I just cook them. Cook for ten minutes at 375 degrees.

Go make them...your mouth will be thanking me!

Grab your kid's and let's craft!!!

Coffee Filter Butterflies

We made this craft at a playgroup this week and it was so much fun I just had to share!

(thanks Emily for the creative idea)

Supplies:

coffee filter

black pipe cleaner

clothes pin

washable markers

black sharpie

spray bottle with water

magnets

paper towel

Instructions:

1. Have your child color the coffee filter with the washable markers! It doesn't have to be perfect, hold back, and let them be creative. The entire thing does not need to be colored.

2. While your child is coloring you can grab the sharpie and color the clothes pin. Heck, if you have google eyes, glue them on the top as well to make a cute face!

3. Place the coffee filter on a paper towel and spray with the water. Watch the colors bleed. Spray until you have your desired affect. Let dry completely.

4. Take the pipe cleaner and place the middle in between the not clamp part of the clothespin and twist around the outside and back up, creating antennea's. Then curl the ends around your fingers to curl them.

5. Take the coffe filter and gather, or pleat, in the center creating two fans on each side, grab the clothes pin and squeeze, slide the coffee filter as far down as you can, and clamp shut. Spread out wings carefully, so you don't rip them!

6. Turn over and place magnets on the back side of the body!

And there you have it. A creative colorful work of art for your fridge, courtesy of your children, and you just made their day by spending time with them! I hope you enjoy!!!