WineontheKeyboard

I bet you thought that this was going to be a post with photos of the gorgeous autumn foliage, didn’t you? Surprise! I’m still talking about The Love Nest.

I’m finally getting some splashes of color added to the apartment:

Looking at this photo, I can see I have too much plain and need to add some pattern to this area. I’m sure photos on the wall will help that some. Still not feeling the love for the big, bulky TV in the corner though…

But look! Lamps, the final frontier! I finally have some lamps!! I love a light room!

I added a brick red mat by the front door so we won’t be tracking icky stuff all over our beige carpet. This city uses this horrible cinder/chemical black stuff to melt the ice and snow. Oh, and they only plow if it’s over 4 inches of snow. Even if it’s an icy 4 inches. I don’t much like winters here. Didn’t when I was in college here, don’t like them now.

But, as usual, I digressed. Back to the apartment decorating…

This is all I’ve done to the extra bedroom. Isn’t it lovely?? Well, I do love that bentwood rocker. I’ve rocked many a baby to sleep in the rocker. Why do we have two bedrooms you ask? Good question! Because that’s the apartment that became available. I’ll make this bedroom into an office/study/den thingie. (technical decorating term, I’m sure.)

Then there is the bedroom. Yes, that’s still just the blow up mattress…and it’s so not very comfortable. We’re still waiting on the Sleep Number Bed to get delivered. Yes, those are packing boxes for bedtables. That’s it for this room so far

But, for the record, I’m having a blast decorating this place. I can’t wait to go through my bazillions of photos and pick out some to blow up for the walls. Oh, and I got a bathroom wastebasket. Must get a photo of that I guess.

I’m thinking the falls colors are influencing my decorating decisions though, since I’ve never gone with sages, loden green, or brick red colors before. What colors do you tend to use when you decorate?

Other Creative Things by Kacey
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Looking for an easy, elegant holiday present or hostess gift? How about a homemade antique teacup candle? We made a whole batch of these last year. Very easy. Inexpensive.

First we haunted the antique malls looking for old teacups.

SuperGuy and I had a deal. None of them could be over $5.00 for this project. That just added to the fun!

I’m partial to the teacups that have pearly insides and cut outs on the saucer like this one.

Buy some container wax at your local craft store such as Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. If you’re really lucky, I’ll send my kitty over to help you make your candles too! No, I’m thoughtful that way. I can’t tell you how helpful my kitty was on this project…

Then you’ll need wicks. The ones I got are pre-waxed wire wicks, 3 1/2 inches long. They came in a pack of 12. If you want to add fragrance you can melt some fragrance in with the wax. Like this yummy coffee bean fragrance.

I got this pouring pot to use because I didn’t want to melt wax in any of my pots. Call me crazy not wanting to use my nice cooking pots.

Place wick in bottom of teacup. Press down to hold into place.

Line your pretty teacups up besides the stove with the wicks all in place.

Place pouring pitcher in a pot of water on the stove top. My wax had me melt it until it reached 180 degrees F. (check on the packaging on your wax to see if your wax melting instructions are the same as mine, if not, well…follow the instructions on your wax to melt it!). Let cool to about 175 degrees F. Add scent.

Stir well and pour into teacups. (hopefully not while trying to take a picture of the process at the same time…!!!) Save some wax. After the candles have set up for about 30 minutes, poke hole in wax near the wick to let air escape. Reheat the saved wax to about 170 F. Cap off the candles with the remaining wax. (this keeps them from having a sunken center around the wick) After the candle cools, trim wick.

I hot glued the teacup to the saucer…just in case someone (or some kitty) might knock over the teacup. It’s more secure when attached to the saucer.

They look so creamy and cute.

There you have it, a darling holiday gift. Perfect for a teacher gift, or hostess gift…or to keep one or two for yourself. I’m posting this a bit early, because if you’re anything like me, you put off doing any holiday shopping and gift making until it stresses you out. So go hit your craft stores and indulge in a fun trip to an antique store or flea market and get a jump on your holiday gifts!

Honestly, don’t you think these are just adorable? Makes me want to go set one beside the tub, grab a glass of wine and relax in a long, hot bubble bath.

Other Creative Things by Kacey
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I’m going to let you in on a little secret. A new find.

Artful Blogging Magazine.

Oh. My.

It’s like an eye candy festival of blogs. Blogs of people who do art and crafts. All photographed so cleverly as to make you drool. Honest. Or photography blogs where the bloggers use photography to tell a story. Or blogs just like ours. Real live bloggers who share themselves and their art. Whatever their art might be.

Page after page of lust worthy photos and brilliantly written words. Their tag line on their magazine? Visually Inspiring Online Journals.

There are just so many creative people out there with very creative blogs!

I browse the magazine, then go browse the actual website.

I linger over the articles…and find some wonderful new sites.

The magazine is big and has wonderful thick pages. It’s glossy and colorful. The words the bloggers write are inspiring.

The art ranges from photography to papercrafts to drawings to cards to quilts to embellished clothes and back to photography. And everything in between. Really. Go pick up this magazine and see if you can walk away without buying it. They include partial posts from the bloggers, many of them writing about what blogging has meant to them and changed their lives. In the back they have a column where they show blog banners they love. Some really creative banners/headers are shown there.

The magazine is published quarterly by Somerset Studios. It’s $14.99 and worth every darn penny. I’ve found mine at Borders or Barnes and Noble. Or you can order it online here. No, I didn’t get paid to write this review. I just wanted to share my wonderful find with you, my blogging buddies. Pick one up. Sit back immerse yourself in a gloriously inspiring journey spotlighting some talented bloggers. And I thought decorating magazines were addictive… Have any of you seen this magazine?

Blogging, Other Creative Things by Kacey
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