I have a very simple and creative project for you today.

Kathy Zengolewicz

Here is what you will need to get started:

• 24 small (2×2 inch) pinecones
• 2 ounces or ¼ cup of Frankencense powder
• 4 ounces or ½ cup of Myrrh powder
• 1 ¼ cups of gold glitter
• White craft glue
• Cellophane bags
• A shallow container such as a shoe box

Rinse the pine cones in water and place on a cookie sheet. Place the cones in a 300 degree oven for one hour to speed up the drying. Then place them aside on some newspaper to finish drying.

Blend the frankincense, myrrh and glitter together in shoe box. Dab some glue on the tips of the pine cone petals and on the bottom of the cone. Roll the pine cones in the blended mixture and set aside to dry.

After drying you can place the pine cones in open glass containers or package in the cellophane bags to give as gifts. The scent of the cones is powerfully release when they are burned. Toss a few of the cones into your fireplace when lit for a pleasant smell. If you decide not to burn them, you can still enjoy the aromatic scent just being in the same room.

You can also make scented pinecones by using fragrance oils. Take the same steps to wash and dry the pinecones.

Place water and several drops of fragrance oil in a spray bottle and spray the cones. Seal the pinecones in a bag and let the sit for about a week. Some great fragrance oils to use are apple, cinnamon, orange, peppermint, nutmeg and pine.

Always store your pinecones in a plastic bag to make the scent last longer.

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Scented Pinecones

Kathy Zengolewicz

Here is what you will need:

• Two sheets of styrofoam  measuring 12 x 12 x 1 inches
• Scrapbook paper (12 x 12 sheets)
• Decorative ribbon (1x 1 ½ inches per square)
• A serrated knife
• A candle stub or paraffin was
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Scissors<
• Putty knife
• A carpenter’s level
• A low temp glue gun and glue sticks
• Liquid paper glue

Start out by applying an even coat of liquid glue onto the front of the first foam square. Center one sheet of the scrapbook paper on the foam and smooth the paper with your fingers. Repeat this process on all of the foam squares.

Beginning and ending at one lower corner, use the glue gun to secure ribbon around the edges of each foam square” trim any excess, but allow a little bit of overlap.

Allow the squares to dry completely. When the glue is wet the paper may appear slightly crinkled. As the glue dries, the paper will smooth out and look fine. Using a heavy paper stock will also give the appearance of a smoother finish.

Display the finished panels in pairs on small shelves. You can also use poster adhesive to secure the squares to the wall, or glue sawtooth hanger to the center back of each foam square and hang them with small nails.

Whichever way you choose to display your squares will add beauty to your home.

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Styrofoam Wall Art

Kathy Zengolewicz

Here is what you will need to get started:

• A white pillar candle (again, you can use any color – I used white)
• A thanksgiving paper napkin with images
• Modge Podge or white glue thinned out with water
• Sharp, fine pointed scissors
• A paint brush
• Rubbing alcohol

Clean the surface of the candle with rubbing alcohol. This will take off any debris or grease and help the decoupage to better adhere to the candle.

Leave the paper napkin folded and cut out the images that you would like to use on your candle. Leaving the napkin folder will make it easier to cut. Once you cut around the image, then you can carefully separate the layers. Keep only what you will need and discard the rest.

Using a paint brush, coat the area of your candle to be decoupaged with Modge Podge. Carefully position the cut out image on the candle and smooth gently into place with your fingers. Take your time doing this, once the thin napkin is in place it will not be easy to move again. You can add additional images if you choose using the same steps.

When all of the images are in place, use the paint brush to coat them with another layer of Modge Podge and let it dry completely.

As always, use caution with candles. Never leave a lit candle unattended and never leave a child or pet alone with a lit candle.

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Holiday Decoupage Candle

Ms. Magsamen just launched a “Messages from the Heart BABY” in January with JC Penney stores and she’s just released her 29th (29th!) book in April, Living Artfully
A Heart-full Guide of Ideas and Inspirations That Celebrate Life, Love, and Moments That Matter with Simon & Schuster’s Free Press. I had a chance to talk with Ms. Magsamen recently about her work, her philosophy, and her life. An obviously busy woman, she was poised, relaxed, and gracious. Here’s what she had to say:

What is living artfully?

Living Artfully is expressing who you are through the objects and the moments that you create – recognizing and embracing the gifts of imagination, curiosity and playfulness.

What prompted you to start your gift business in 1991?

My work as an art therapist made me realize the importance of communication. When I worked with nursing home patients, they could express themselves in clay or with art when they couldn’t communicate otherwise. My hope was to convey some of those thoughts.

Do you have any advice for women in their 40s or 50s or older that may be thinking of starting their own business?

Just to “be yourself” and to be passionate about what you are doing…to create your company from the heart.

What have you found to be the biggest challenge to growing your company?

Every stage has its own challenges, but overall, I’d say it is to find the right people to work with, but as strategic partners and as employees.

You’re obviously a very busy woman, when many projects in the works. What’s your time management secret?

To work a lot. I also compartmentalize a lot.

You’ve just launched “Messages from the Heat BABY” with JC Penney. Tell us a little about that project.

It’s a full line of products. There are “Messages from the Heart” clay plaques that have messages to share with your daughters. The line also includes bedding, apparel, and children’s book—all with positive messages.

Sandra Magsamen’s gifts and plaques are available on her Web site and at a number of gift retailers around the United States .

^{(photo © Maureen Keating/courtesy of Simon & Schuster)}

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Living Artfully with Sandra Magsamen

Sure, poinsettias are beautiful, festive flowers, but why are they associated with Christmas? Here’s the scoop:

Mexican legend says that there once was a boy who had not gift to put by the likeness of Baby Jesus at his church on Christmas Eve. On the way there, an angel told him to pick some dried weeds for his gift. Once he laid the weeds by the figure, they turned into beautiful flowers.

The first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Poinsett, brought the plant into the United States, where it was later graced with the name “poinsettia”.

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Legend of the Poinsettia

What seems like a very odd choice for a Christmas tree ornament is actually a deep-rooted tradition that originated in Germany. The Christmas Pickle is said to bring good luck, and was always the last ornament put on the tree.

On Christmas morning, the first child to find the pickle scored a little extra something left behind by The Jolly Old Elf, himself. This tradition was encouraged so that the children may appreciate all the ornaments on the tree, instead of rushing to see what St. Nick had left for them.

Quite an endearing little tradition, isn’t it? Does your family do this? Are there other tree/ornament favorites for your family? Please share. We’d love to hear.

Ornament and Tradition Source: Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland

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The Christmas Pickle: An Ornament of Tradition

Snowflakes are dainty, winter scenes are heartwarming and Santa’s certainly earned his place at the table, but there’s something about a wacky reindeer motif that lightens up the party and makes for a great conversation starter. Here are just a few I’ve been ogling (and chuckling over). See a set you like? Act fast and you can have these little guys on your table by Christmas.

~~~~~

Reindeer Plates from Crate & Barrel
Reindeer Plates from Shop.com
Reindeer Plates from Wrapables.com
Reindeer Plates from Pottery Barn

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Fun & Festive Reindeer Plates

Think a candy cane is just a yummy garnish in your hot cocoa (well, it does serve that purpose well, doesn’t it?) Here’s a little trivia that might get you thinking otherwise:

• The candy cane begins with a stick of white candy, which symbolizes the purity of the Christmas season.
• The red stripes are for the blood shed by Christ on the cross for the benefit of our eternal life.
• The hook shape of the candy cane is actually a “J” to represent the name of Jesus, or may symbolize the staff of the Good Shepherd.
• The candy’s hard texture represents the Solid Rock, which is the foundation of the church and the firmness of God’s promises.

I am so privileged to live just twenty minutes away from the “World’s Largest Christmas Store”, Bronner’s, of Frankenmuth, Michigan. I will blog more on that later with photos and everything, but I wanted to note that this little do-dad came from their catalog. There are several traditions and legends explained in there, so keep watching for more of these fun factoids.

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Tradition of the Candy Cane

You’ve made the choice to have a live tree this year – great! There’s just something about a live Christmas tree that rounds the entire holiday season out. But choosing one can be a bit difficult. Here’s a handy-dandy list to help you find your way through a tree farm like a pro.

• Balsam Fir - Short, long-lasting needles are rounded at the tip. Dark green in color with a silver cast. Very fragrant.
• Douglas Fir - Slightly longer needles that have a wonderful aroma when crushed. Color is bluish to dark green. Good fragrance.
• Fraser Fir - Shorter, flattened needles which are dark green in color and hold very well. Nice pyramid-shape with strong branches that turn upward. Nice fragrance.
• Noble Fir - Inch-long, bluish-green needles with a silver cast that hold well. Short, stiff branches. Often used to make wreaths, swags, and garland.
• Scotch Pine - Most common Christmas tree in the US. Stiff branches with stiff, dark green medium-length needles. Generally holds needles for about four weeks, but needles will stay on even if dried out. Branches are more open, leaving plenty of space for ornaments. Holds scent throughout the season.
• Virginia Pine - Long, dark green needles that grow in twisted pairs. Strong branches, strong scent. Very popular in the south.
• White Pine - Long, soft, blue-green needles that stay on throughout the season. Very full with hardly any fragrance (which might be good for allergic folks). Slender branches may not support larger ornaments.

What kind of tree will you be looking for this year? Or do you already have yours? We’d love to see Before (Naked!) and After (Dressed!) photos of your gorgeous tree, so please send them to my email address (in the right column) and I’d be happy to feature it. (Just make sure there are no squirrels inside though, wouldja?)

Source: Christmas Trees and More

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Pick a Tree, Any Tree: Top 7 Live Choices