Cinnamon Red Hot Firestarters

      We just added these to our booth at the Cottage Shops in Monticello, Indiana this weekend.  So hubby says, "Where did you see this idea?"  I didn't see it anywhere.  I mean, surely everyone has seen the cinnamon scented pine cones to scent the home and use in the fireplace and then there's those cases of nasty waxy sawdust things that admittedly work well.  Why not combine the two?  This is my experiment that we found works quite well!

      The first batch I cheated and absconded with two red crayons from my kids.  I didn't particularly care for the lack of intensity in the red color, as they resemble pine cones in raw hamburger, but I did use some fantastic cinnamon scent!

     As you can see, I used one of my less than best cupcake pan.  It may have been one obtained at an auction, but it's now been officially designated craft only!  We started with dipping the pine cones in the wax.  Then after mixing in the fresh sawdust out of the shop, we packed the sawdust wax mix around each pine cone.

     After they were cooled, we had to try out my theory.  All I can say is, "WOW"!  I took one out in the back yard and set it in a non-windy area on a stepping stone.  I used ONE wooden match to light the base of the pine cone.  At first I thought the pine cone would burn and I would be left with a wax lump.  The pine cone worked almost like a chimney with the flame about 4-5 inches tall and then the wax bottom was on fire.  We, my son and hubby, actually got tired of watching it burn and walked away.  It was still smoldering about 15 minutes later.  It might burn shorter if it was more windy.  At one point I did stand close and they heat it was putting off was significant.  We've decided that extinguishing it after starting it, might not be an option.  The sign below is what we put on them in the booth.  Definitely a fire starter, not a candle!!!

Mercury Glass

     Mercury Glass seems to be having a resurgence.  Several blogs online give all sorts of tutorials, so no point in doing a repeat.  These are my version.  The interior finish was interesting, but I decided a little fun embellishments were needed.  A little metal banding, slightly antiqued, was exactly what was needed. The middle jar, a Kroger maple syrup bottle was dressed up with a little burlap ribbon and a cotton muslin flower.

     These disappeared out of the booth and so I am getting ready to do another set.  The biggest problem I had last time was getting the paint down inside the bottles.  I bought a spray lubricant that comes with a special nozzle and a little tube.  I'm going to try and swap the nozzle out and use the little tube to shoot the paint.  My biggest concern is it may clog the little tube after the first application.

     One other tip... a heat gun... the type for embossing... works wonders in shortening the time between paint layers.

The mad hatter... under the weather...

Winter, winter, winter!  Wow, it's been nothing but winter.  Luckily that family has remained fairly healthy until this past week when my son and I got the sniffles.  Sniffles make you tired and hence, I haven't been very productive in the craft room!

A short while back I got a vintage simplicity pattern off of eBay.  Although the outfit was vintagely "cute", I was more interested in the hat pattern that came with.  It's kind of a pillbox style and I hate to say it, but makes me think of a stewardess.

It went together rather quick and easy as there are two main pieces with just the accent.  I used a grey felt for the side and top and then I lined it with a stiff black lining material.  I also used interfacing of course.

The first view is a front/side view courtesy of my hand.  I should have actually made it a little bigger as the inner circumference is only 21 3/4.  I'm glad I didn't use anything too expensive as I will probably not keep this version.  When I tried it on, it was a little too snug but it looked great on my son!  As it is simple, I may make another and modify the pattern slightly.  However, I'm not for sure a pillbox style looks too good on me!

The pattern also called for a fashion buckle rather than the button I used.  I didn't want to sacrifice one of my vintage buckles if I didn't keep the hat, so I used a vintage looking new button that was hanging out in the stash begging to be used.

Below you can see the lining.  Overall, I'm pleased with that hat and how neat and crisp all the seams are.  Hubby kept telling me to add a brim... so maybe the next will have to have a brim.

Hattery flattery

     Watch an old movie and you will see hats.  Hats that aren't just crumpled in a pile and shoved on the head for warmth, but styling hats.  It's a ladies accessory we have forgotten about.  We still spend money on shoes and jewelry, but what happened to the hat?  By the way, although I've worn my fair share of baseball caps, let's not consider them as a styling hat!

     A styling hat is just that.  It's a thought out accessory that compliments your style.  It shouldn't be an afterthought.  It is as planned as the rest of your outfit.  Granted, if you're heading to the ballpark, shove the baseball cap on your head.  Truthfully though, if you're going outside, why not style in a hat that also protects you from excessive sun exposure that can damage skin?

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/1/prweb10333549.htm

     Personally, I have become more and more intrigued with the cloche style hats.  Late last summer I crocheted a cloche to wear casually out raking leaves or whenever I wanted a little head covering for a little warmth.  Recently, I pulled out a McCalls hat pattern and whipped up a simple cloche hat from felt.  I made the one pictured top right below, in an afternoon.  For the center of the flowers I dug out some vintage buttons and that added a nice detail.  Overall, I was very pleased and have received quite a few compliments.  However, as the brim hits the collar of my winter coat, it will have to be modified next time.

   

My hat - black felt with swirl pattern - vintage buttons.

    I've also just purchased an old Simplicity pattern on eBay that has a hat included with a dress.  I'm anxious to try it out as it is kind of a simple pillbox style.  I doubt that will interfere with my coat collar.

     I've also made a fleece hat off of Simplicity pattern 1959.  I'm not highly recommended this without modifications.  The main picture on the envelope shows a cute slouch like fleece hat.  Against my better judgement, I followed the pattern instructions and I did NOT use any interfacing in the brim.  Consequently my brim looks wavy and sloppy.  I might consider making another as this hat was quick and simple even with the added lining in the crown.  (Now why would I add lining if I didn't add interfacing?  Why? WHY? WHY?!!!)