Getting twiggy with it

I know I should feel silly for referencing a Will Smith song but I just couldn't resist. ;)

Take your everyday candles and dress them up for fall! I believe it is those little details that really bring seasonal decor together. Plus, this one won't cost you anything and it cleans up the yard, how great is that?

Here's what we're making:



What you'll need: tacky glue, ribbon, candle of your choice and scissors (they were camera shy).

And twigs! Mine are birch and as you can see I have an abundance of them every time the wind blows.

I measured on my candle (which was a gift, so free) where I'd like the twigs to be in regards to height, then I used my scissors and cut a pile of them in somewhat varying heights and using somewhat varying widths.

Also using the candle as a measurement I unspooled enough ribbon to go around the candle (with the added bulk of twigs) and be able to tie a little knot.

I squeezed a line of glue along the center of my ribbon - make sure to leave ends for tying! - and lined up my twigs making sure the bottoms of them were aligned.

Then you have to play the waiting game. But the reason I chose tacky glue rather than hot glue was so that I'd have some 'play time' in getting the twigs where I wanted without my glue drying on me. It only took a few hours for my project to dry as it was.


When it is dry just tie around your candle and it is now dressed for fall! Also, when you feel the desire to burn it, you can untie the ribbon and remove the flammable hazard and use it on another candle. A small twigged ribbon like this would also look great tied around the middle of a tall pillar candle.

Looks good on my garage sale candle holder and alongside my "poetry and a paper bag" project and my bowl of acorns - my oak tree really went "nuts" this year. Bwahaha. ;)

I put together a second fall candle feature for my dining room table - and this one didn't cost me a thing either. A friend gave me the golden hued hurricane. I gathered a sackful of acorns from the yard, lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet and baked them at the lowest temperature setting. I would tell you how long but I can't remember! But the baking will ensure I don't end up with a bunch of worms in my centerpiece. Bleechhhh.

I used a length of jute string and tied three oak leaves (also from the yard) to the front.

This free and easy project was inspired by Kara's Ballard Designs knockoff. So it is a knockoff of a knockoff...mmm yep I am a thrifting queen.

Linking to:

Kara's fall projects linky party

Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage