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The old world’s first security system – if the seal on your letter was broken when you received it, you knew you had a spy! The perfect finishing touch to handwritten letters or gift wrapping. Stamps begin at just $6.95 and make a wonderful gift as well!
Tree Interchangeable Wax Seal Insert
Romane Wax Seal – Letter L
Today’s sealing wax is easy to use and just as romantic. No more matches and globby messes on your envelope – these keen wax sticks are used in a glue gun – how simple. You’ll want to put seals on everything!
I call these little cuties “Bottled Thoughts” because they are created with a personal message, inspiration, encouragement, and anything else you can think of. They are a wonderful craft to have available at a party and they make unique gifts and table favors. They even look amazing on gift packages. There is no limit to the fun things you can create when using your imagination.
Here are some tips and ideas to get you started:
Supplies:
- Miniature glass bottle with cork lid
- Eye screw or eye pin
- Chain (metal, leather, ribbon, velvet, hemp)
- Printed inspiration or thought
- Jewels, glitter, ribbons, chains, found items, etc.
- Glue
- Wire cutter
Instructions:
- Decide on a theme (see below for ideas)
- Print or write the inspiration (if just a few words make it small enough to fit but large enough to read)
- Fill the bottle with the inspiration, jewels, glitter, strings, found items to fit your theme
- Glue on cork lid
- Add eye screw if you are not adding a jewel. If you are adding a jewel use an eye pin. Slip the jewel on the eye pin, snip the bottom of the eye pin so that it does not hang too low into your bottle. Add a few drops of glue to the bottom of the jewel and slip through the cork.
- Once dry, add outside adornments or just hang on a necklace of your choice.
Ideas:
- Insert a favorite quote, verse, or poem
- Write a love note
- Use a storybook theme
- Create a bridal theme: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
- Use a vintage theme
- Dreams come true
- Time in a bottle theme
- Jane Austen
- Scripture
Door: “Why it’s simply impassible.”
Alice: Why, don’t you mean impossible?
Door: No, I do mean impassible (chuckles) Nothing’s impossible!
Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Spools of inspiration are a unique gift idea and a perfect touch for any bridal or baby shower. This is also a fun project for kids and adults alike. All you need to do is consider the message you want to share, gather your supplies and begin!
What you need:
- Fabric or Ink Jet Fabric
- Fabric Pen or Ink Jet Printer
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Empty wood spool (the one shown is a vintage wood spool)
- Paint, crackle paint (optional) or miniature rubber stamps and ink
- Sealant
- Headpin or eyepin, wire cutters
- Beads (2 or 3)
- Glue
- Straight pin
Directions:
- Decide if you want a plain wood spool or if you want to paint. Rubber stamps look wonderful on wood spools. If you decide to paint then just choose your color. The one shown is crackled (follow manufacturers direction). You can also use chalkboard paint! Let dry.
- Seal the spool (unless you are using chalkboard paint). Let dry.
- Print your message on ink jet fabric or simply write your message on fabric using a fabric pen.You can stitch pieces together like the one shown or simply have a free-flowing piece of fabric. I prefer to stitch them together for a unique look. Make sure the width will fit nicely around the spool. Leave extra fabric at the end to wrap around the spool.
- Once you have your message completed, take the end of the message and glue to the spool. I like using Liquid Fusion because it’s maximum strength, nontoxic, waterproof and fast drying.
- Add a straight pin or decorative safety pin to hold together.
- Take a headpin or eyepin (I used a headpin) and add your beads. Trim the headpin so that it will not be too long. Add glue to the bottom of your beads and slide the head pin through the top hole. Let dry.
- You’re done!
Not everyone will know a reputable beekeeper. But if you find one, take advantage of the opportunity. If you do not have a reliable source then check with your local fresh market as they would most likely offer delicious choices.
Presentation is a big part of gift giving. Try this simple idea to make the recipient feel extra special:
- Place honey in a small basket with a tea towel, fruit, and recipe cards that include honey as an ingredient.
- Print tidbits of information about honey and its uses (see below).
- Bake bread or muffins using honey and place in the basket. Don’t forget to include the recipe!
- Make a homemade lip balm and add a handmade tag (recipe below).
- Add a book with recipes using honey.
- For less than fifteen dollars you can present a lovely and thoughtful gift. Perfect as a hostess gift.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
- Most beekeepers do so as a hobby to produce honey for their families and for a small source of extra income.
- Worker bees leave the hive and collect flower nectar which will become honey in the hive. Unfortunately pesticides used in gardening can kill an entire hive.
- Honey, if properly sealed, is the only food that never spoils.
- When honey crystallizes it can return to its liquid state when heated.
- When measuring honey, 1 cup will weigh 12 oz.
- Honey is a wonderful humectant. Try this: add water to your fingertips and face, then add a dab of honey and gently apply to your face. Lightly pat dry. Add a moisturizer.
- Honey lip balm: 3 tbs. almond oil, 1 tbs. coconut oil, 1 tbs. beeswax (grated), 1 tsp. honey. Warm oil and beeswax over low heat until wax melts. Remove from heat, add honey and stir well. Pour in small glass jar. Allow to cool while stirring occasionally. Store in cool place.
Cottage bracelets are fiber art bracelets pieced together using threads, strings, yarn, scraps of ribbon, fabrics, buttons, beads and jewels to create a lovely cuff bracelet. The white bracelet I made (on left) was created from scraps of a vintage doily, feathers, fabric, felt, ribbons and pearls. A button is used for fastening. The pink cuff bracelet (below) is more intricate and took more time to create.
Supplies
- Sewing Machine and/or Needle and Thread
- Scraps of fabric, ribbon, yarn, strings, feathers
- Buttons, beads, pearls, jewels
- Felt
- Elastic or a covered elastic hair band
Directions
- Take a piece of felt and cut to the width you prefer. I use between a 1″ width and a 2″ width.
- Then measure your wrist for fitting. Add an extra inch.
- Decide on a color scheme and go on a treasure hunt around your house or in craft bins for the perfect colors to compliment your choice.
- The sewing process begins by finding a heavier piece of fabric or cotton fabric doubled. I cut this fabric using my felt piece as a template.
- Place pieces of cut up fabric, ribbons, and threads onto this fabric in a way that is visually appealing. Sew together. Your goal is to create an interesting new piece of fabric out of a variety of scraps.
- Cut a piece of elastic or an elastic hair band in half, fold and sew this piece on one end, between your newly created piece of fabric and the felt piece. (approx. 1.5″)
- Finish sewing the felt piece onto the finished fabric piece.
- Add extra ribbons, fabric flowers, pearls, jewels, etc.
- Measure the bracelet around your wrist and add a button in the appropriate place. The button is used to fasten the elastic and secure on your wrist. Make sure not to make it too tight.
- Enjoy!
real simple subscription
For tea, herbs and other great healthful treats check out The Bulk Herb Store!
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