DIY: Pumpkin Pie Potpourri

Thanks to Martha Stewart - who knows the most amazing ways to jazz up any home decor - we are featuring this wonderfully simple DIY on pumpkin pie potpourri.  It's so easy it's almost ridiculous - almost!

Plus now is the perfect time to cut into those pumpkins and they won't spoil!

Use a pumpkin incense burner to suggest the cozy scent of pie just out of the oven. Cut off the pumpkin's top and scrape out the innards; carve round vents with an apple corer. Rub cinnamon or pumpkin-pie spices onto the lid, or push cloves into it. With a lighted tealight candle inside, the pumpkin will give off a lovely fragrance for about six hours.

DIY: Halloween Tin Can Luminaries

Jolly Mom's blog has a very easy to follow DIY that features tin can luminaries.  There is still plenty of time to whip up these guys to line your steps or driveway.  Ideal for a party!

Head on over to her blog for even more DIY!

What You'll Need:

* Sharpie or marker in the same color as your paint
* Clean empty tin cans {I like to use the big coffee cans, any size will work}
* Hammer and large nail or awl
* Paint
* Paint brush
* Candles


Instructions

Fill the tin can with water and place it in the freezer. When the water in the can is frozen, remove the can from the freezer.

Using the marker, draw whatever image or word onto the tin can. You can freehand or print a design from the internet and then trace it onto the tin can. Keep the design simple though. Design Ideas: outline of a cat, a bat, a witch's hat, words like Boo or Happy Halloween.

Place the tin can on a folded towel. This will help brace the tin can and reduce the impact of punching the holes with the hammer.

Then, use the hammer and awl {or nail} nail to puncture the design in the can.

When you're done punching the holes, place the can under hot, running water to melt the ice.

Also, since water expands as it freezes, the bottom of your can will probably not be level. If not, then turn the can over, cover with a towel, and hammer down the edges until the bottom of the can is level.

Paint the tin can using either spray paint or acrylic paint. Once the the paint is dry, you'll probably have to go back with a toothpick and poke some of the holes through on the can since the paint can clog them up.

Place a candle inside the can and enjoy!

NOTE: You can also puncture one hole on either side of the tin can, attach a piece of wire, and then hang the luminaries as well!

DIY: Crayon Candles in Bottlecaps

We are forever questing to find bottlecap crafts that are easy and look good!  We love to knokw that we can upcycle these bad boys and make it look like we spent hours, when we only spent minutes.  

Craftaholics Anonymous has come to our aid with their DIY for turning old crayons and bottlecaps into mini candles!

these tiny candles are a really fun to make and come together quickly. AND you can up-cycle several materials in the process.

To make these colorful tiny candles, I used several materials that usually end up in a land fill: bottle caps, broken crayons, and empty soup cans. the only thing i bought to make them was the pre-waxed wicks which cost me $1.50 for a set of 12.

How to Make Bottle Cap Candles
supplies: bottle caps, crayons {or wax}, pre-waxed wicks, soup cans, wax paper {optional}, small cooking pan, scissors, and water

remove paper from crayons. you can also use candle wax if you wanted.

put crayons in clean, empty soup cans.

take your pre-waxed wicks and…

bottle caps

put wicks inside the bottle caps. i placed my bottle caps on wax paper in case i spilled some wax.

then using a small cooking pan filled with a couple inches of boiling water, place the can in the pan and melt the crayons. {you could also use a candle warmer to do this}the crayons melt pretty quickly. *note: it only takes a few crayons to fill a bottle cap!

pour the melted crayons or wax into the bottle caps.

let cool for 1-2 hours. then trim the wicks and you have some fun tea light candles to enjoy!

**added later: crayon wax does not smell that great when burned. if you plan to burn these candles, you may consider adding a scent to them**

DIY: Pinecone Candle Holder

Crissy's Crafts blog has a great fall DIY that would jazz up any home, or make a wonderful Thanksgiving table center piece?  We think so!  Check out their blog for more.

 Material:

pine cones, spray paint, the bottom of a soda can, glue gun and scissors

 Spray paint the pine cones

After it dries, cut the top of the pine cone and spray paint again. 

Cut the button of a soda can and trim around it.

 Glue the aluminum circle to the pine cone.

You are done!