Christmas in Feb??!

I know... I know.... A little late, perhaps?

BUT! This works all year round! Simply use different scrapbooking paper! Or even family photos would be super cool!!!

Just start with your average primitive barn star... One that has a horrid finish will make re-doing it even more satisfying! :o) lol!

To measure the paper, simply place over star and crease with your fingernail to know where to cut.

Cut the paper.... It should look like this....

Do one for each star. Another option is to use 10 different papers as opposed to 5. Just use a different paper for each angle on the star instead. More difficult... But way cool!!

Now is where you'll break out the modge podge. My newest best friend!

I. LOVE. THIS. STUFF!!!!

Spread modge podge on each point and smooth paper over it. Be sure do work out all the air bubbles... They will leave bumps all over the thing!

After it has dried, coat the entire thing with some more modge podge. I did 2 coats of the stuff. It'll protect it. You can either use the matte which is a duller finish. Or high gloss which is obviously.... ummm... shiny! :o)

I'm kicking myself that I didn't take a picture of the finished project... but it turned out SUPER cool!!! I added a ribbon and bow to hang it with and TAA-DAA!!!

Way cool star that has a LOT more character! Whoohoo!

L-O-V-E

Wondering what to do with ALL THOSE leftover candy canes??!

How 'bout this?

Here's how.....

Preheat oven to 250 degrees...

Unwrap all your leftover candy canes....

Put them on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper....

Cook for 5-10 minutes.... (Watch'em REALLY close! It doesn't take long for them to get too warm... Don't ask me how I know! lol!!)

Immediately start forming them after you pull them out. They'll be warm, but not too hot to handle! If they start getting too stiff, just throw them in the oven for a sec again and you'll be able to bend and mold them! I made lots of L's, O's, V's & E's for Valentine's day.

For that part of it, I spray painted all sides of a 6 in. 2x4... Modge Podged a piece of scrapbooking paper on the front... Super glued the L-O-V-E on.... Sprayed clear sealer over the entire front... (To seal the candy canes. If you don't the candy will get soft, sticky, and squishie by next year! Icky! Thanks mom for letting me in on that secret!! What would I do without you??!) And finished it off with tying ribbon around it with a big red bow on top! Love them!! And what a nifty way to use up leftover Christmas candy canes! Be creative! Make other words... Names.... You could even "fuse" 2 of them together to make a heart! Let me know what you come up with!!! :o)

*cough cough*

Okay.... I have a confession....

I've kinda sorta abandoned you all....

And gone on to greener pastures....

Now they're not really greener, I guess.... It's missing YOU!!!!

I've started a blog for our storefront, so that's where my few free minutes have been going!!! To make it up to ya'll here's the link!!! http://www.mastershandcandles.blogspot.com/ Does that make up for my non-posting-habits??! Now you have 2 blogs of mine to read.... Which.... Might mean that you'll have to endure twice the abandonment!!! Yikes! :o)

No really.... I'll try to do better on this front! :o)

P.S. I've got a brand new blog layout for y'all..... Does that make you feel better too? I know if does for me!!! :o) lol!