Faux Birch Candles

Tuesday, December 24th (yikes!)

I was going to call this post "Buy it when you see it!" but decided to call it Faux Birch Candles instead.

Here's what happened....

I saw some birch posts at Thrifty's weeks ago - I think they were like $10 maybe less for a bunch - and I didn't buy them because I didn't want to put them in my front planters like this...

Pinterest

 Pinterest

But I should have bought them and made them into votive holders to give as gifts like this...

Pinterest

I saw some awesome birch pillars at Home Sense for $12.99 each a week ago but didn't buy them because I had no where to put them.

They looked something like this...

Now fast forward a week and try to follow along....

I moved my living room furniture around to accommodate the Christmas tree and ended up with a narrow sofa table with nowhere to go.

So I moved that in to my family room.

To accommodate the seasonal garland on the fireplace mantle in the family room, I moved a pair of hurricane lamps on to the newly located narrow sofa table - from living room.

But the old green candles in the hurricane lamps had seen better days and my DH complained about how shabby they looked.

Look

On the high fireplace mantle they were ok but now they are lower and more visible.

So off I went last night - yes on December 23rd I'm still shopping - to try and find something suitable.

I cruised the aisles of all the stores that are now open until 11 pm to see if I could find something nice to put in these hurricane lamps.  But found nothing except for one or two pretty holiday candles - all on sale of course - but no MATCHING pairs.

I was thinking that the old green candles would have to make do until I could find something in the new year.

Kicking myself.....Boy those birch pillars I saw - now gone of course - would have been PERFECT!!!

Then I had a light bulb moment - I could make my own birch pillars!

I already had some matching light coloured pillar candles and I have a ton of digital scrap paper.

I actually found some nice birch paper that is perfect!  So I printed off 2 pages and measured and cut and measured again and cut again and finally came up with this....

What do you think?

Here's how they look in the hurricane lamps...

They look ok don't they?  I think they are great!

BUT you know next year I'm going to buy the birch posts when I see them and also any birch pillars I can find!!

I just hope I remember.....

Happy holidays to everyone and thanks for still reading my blog!

Upcoming Holiday Sales Events

November 14, 2013

I've been busy crocheting up a storm for some upcoming craft sales events.

As well as restocking my hats and cowls, I've been making up batches of boot cuffs, head warmers and fingerless gloves.

These fingerless gloves are perfect for keeping your hands warm but your fingers free for driving and texting (not at the same time of course) and they're also great for keeping your hands warm for those late nights on the computer.

I'll be selling my hats, head warmers, gloves and boot cuffs at Elaine's Creative Dimensions Open House at 5634 Eagle Harbour Road,  West Vancouver   (click address for map) Tel 604 921 7881 on Thursday November 28th (date change)  7 -10 pm and also Thursday December 5th  7-10pm.

And don't forget about this awesome family event at the Gleneagles Holiday Artisan Festival on Saturday November 30 11-4pm.  Click HERE for link to Google Map.

Making Cheesey Goodness

November 13, 2013

I made these muffins today using 

a pkg of Philsbury Flaky Rolls and shredded cheddar cheese and bacon bits.  

So good!!

Upcoming Craft Fairs and Classes

Hello everyone in Blogland!!

If anyone is still reading this blog I'd like to let you know that I will be at 2 upcoming craft fairs and teaching All Occasion One-Sheet-Wonder Classes this fall.

Sunday Oct 6 - I'll be at the West Vancouver Community Centre Pumpkinfest event.  Click the link and check out all the great activities planned!

Saturday Oct 19 - I'm teaching an All Occasion One-Sheet-Wonder class at ScrapArts.  Please call the store at 604-980-8811 to sign up (space is limited).

Friday Nov 22 - I'm teaching the All Occasion One-Sheet-Wonder class again at ScrapArts for those that missed it the first time or wanting to do it again!  Please call the store to register at 604-980-8811 (space is limited).


Sunday Nov 30 - I'll be at the Gleneagles Community Centre Christmas Festival.  There will be lots of fun for everyone including an Artisan Market in the main gym area.

Crochet Blog Link

September 6th, 2013

I've set up a separate blog for my crochet craft sales.

If you want to know where to find me click HERE

Thanks and I hope to see you at one of the craft fairs this fall and winter!

Craft Fair Preparations Underway

September 6, 2013

I have been super busy getting the kids settled into their university lives and getting myself organized for the upcoming fall and Winter Craft Fairs.

I'll be at the West Vancouver Pumpkin Fest Market on Saturday Oct 6th selling my crochet goodies.


 

Stuff....

July 12, 2013

I'm going to change the name of my blog to Marie Likes to Keep Busy...

I haven't stamped in months or done any papercrafting for a while!

My son graduated from High School in June, my daughter is transferring universities and possibly moving and I had some health issues to deal with so the time has just rolled by.

I've been busy crocheting scarves and hats for the upcoming craft market season and in between I've been visiting my local thrift shops and keeping an eye out for "FREE" stuff by the side of the road.

Here's a few things I've picked up recently.

I love these leopard peep toe shoes - got them for $11.99 at a local thrift store!

I picked up this headboard in an alley near my daughter's rental in the city.  Of course I spray painted it!
It was originally that pink coloured pickled pine look with the cane panels.

I also spray painted this pineapple lamp that we inherited from our friend Jim - it was originally gold toned.

It's times like this I wish I had taken some "befores".