a 2-step, 2 minute wine gift bag

Since I finally managed to put some order to the sewing room, I did feel like I should actually use it at least once to prove its necessity. I have a stack of clothes to be mended or altered into something else stacking up beside the sewing machine and decided that this would be a quick project that I could do in minutes and feel like I accomplished something. And all told, photographs and everything, this was just minutes from beginning to end.

I used to make my own gift bags, but out of laziness lately I have slacked off. This Christmas we were given some gifts from a neighbour who always makes her own bags and the gifts seem more personal knowing that she made at least part of it herself. This is my shortcut to doing something similar.

The small kid is very hard on blue jeans, so there are always a few pair with no knees laying around to be mended or cut up for patches. One pair of kid’s jean would make two wine bottle gift bags (or other small gift bag, if you want). The process is quick:

Step one:

Cut the leg below the knee (the finished bottom of the pants will be the finished top seam of the bag – saving some sewing) and sew a straight seam across.

Step two:

Flatten out the seam until you have two triangular corners at the ends. Sew a straight line across both corners, trim excess material and thread.

And that is it, unless you count turning it right side out and tying a bow on the top as another step.

Linked to Simple Lives Thursday, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Frugally Sustainable

homemade lavender beeswax candle

I finally got around to making a beeswax candle. I had a big block of beeswax just sitting around, waiting for me to do something with it. I have gifting plans for this one, but the rest of the gift awaits me getting off of my lazy behind and finishing it. Baby steps.

Beeswax candles smell great, burn with less soot and smoke and have no chemicals. Turns out they are easy to make too, but next time I will enlist the dad and his giant Paul Bunyan paws to grate the huge 5 lb block of beeswax. I got a cramp in my hand.

DIY Beeswax Candle

Materials:

• beeswax (enough to fill your container)
• box grater
• glass measuring bowl
• essential oil of your choice
• braided cotton wick and wick clip
• container of choice to hold the candle

Directions:

Grate the beeswax and melt in 1 or 2 minute increments in the microwave, stopping and stirring occasionally.

While that is happening, pull a length of wick through the wick clip, crimp the clip to hold the wick in place, dip it in a little melted wax and secure it to the bottom of your container to hold it in place. I wrapped the other end of the wick around a pen and centred the pen on top of my tea cup to keep the wick straight as I poured the hot wax.

Once the wax has melted, add in an essential oil of your choice (supposedly 10-12 drops per every 5.5 ounces of wax). I used lavender oil for mine. Then carefully pour it into your container and let it cool. Clip the wick, leaving yourself about 1/2″ to work with.

You can also just add the grated beeswax to your container and melt it in the oven. See the tutorial for that method here.

Linked to Frugally Sustainable, A Pinch of Joy, Sorta Crunchy, Knick of Time Interiors, Homestead Simple, GNOWFGLINS