How To Tuesday

First things first, I have a winner to announce from last week's "Guest Designer" giveaway. Thank you all so much for your comments. And the lucky winner is ...

Congratulations! Please email your full name and mailing information (including your phone number for shipping purposes) as well as your choice of Pebbles collection to pebblesincdt(at)gmail(dot)com and put "Guest Designer Winner" in the subject line.

Today's "How To" post is brought to you by the very talented Melinda Spinks.  Melinda shows us how to create this gorgeous candle decoration.  Here's what Melinda had to say ... "Today I'm going to share a fun way to 'temporarily' liven up a candle so that you can always have the colours of the season or the theme of the occasion on display with a decorative trim. I have a plain glass vase that holds a large table candle we use when guests come over and lately I've been adding little touches to give it a revamp. However, it's nice to be able to remove the decorations and change them for something new, especially if the sames guests are visiting."  And here are Melinda's step by step instructions ...

First gather the supplies you will need -

Pebbles supplies used:
Happy Go Lucky Carefree (751083)
Happy Go Lucky Splendid (751081)
Mr & Mrs Pearl Candy Dot Flourish (747081)

Other supplies used:
Clear Acetate
Burlap (hessian) in two neutral colours
Small flower punch (EK Success)
Circle cutter
Quilling tool
Hot Glue Gun
Adhesive Magnet Strips

Step 1: First you'll need to dig around in your cupboards for an appropriate size glass container to house your candle and then measure the distance around. Cut a strip of acetate to the desired length and add an extra half an inch for overlap.

Step 2: Place adhesive magnet strips on both ends of the acetate.

Step 3: Wrap the acetate around your container to check the magnets are in the right place and holding firm before you go any further.

Step 4: Cut a strip of Burlap to cover the acetate and allow for extra to overhang both top and bottom. Frey the edges slightly and adhere strip to acetate making sure not to cover the magnets.

Making the flowers -

Step 1: Cut different size circles from your patterned paper.

Step 2: Using a sharp pair of scissors cut your cirles into spiral shapes and leave a circle tab in the center which will become the base of your flower.

Step 3: Roll the edges of your spiral slightly - I use a small screwdriver.

Step 4: Using your quilling tool start rolling the spiral from the outside edge in towards the center. Using a hot glue gun adhere your rolled spiral to the base.

Step 5: Cut a handful of flowers from patterned paper using a small flower punch.

Step 6: Hand cut some small leaves from your burlap and frey the edges slightly.

Assembly -

Step 1: Starting from the centre front of your burlap strip, adhere your flowers and leaves using a hot glue gun.

Step 2: Place a pearl gem into the centre of each small punched flower to finish.

Step 3: Allow a few minutes for your glue to dry and cool before wrapping around your glass candle holder. Put the kettle on, grab a biscuit and a book, light your candle and enjoy!