Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Valentine Votive

Isn't this a cute Valentine candle?
I made it the other day and it was fast and easy!  This isn't my idea, I found it on Pinterest from here but, I'll be happy to show you how I did it.  Here's what you need:

Supplies:  Liquid Starch
               Glass Jar or Glass Container of some sort
               Paint Brush
               Small Dish to hold liquid starch
               Tissue Paper in at least 2 complimentary colors
               Heart Template (made mine out of an index card)

What You Do:
First, decide which tissue you want for your background, then tear lengthwise strips just a little taller than your container.  Trace and cut hearts out of  contrasting tissue.  Set aside. (Looks kind of like bacon doesn't it? Maybe I'm just hungry!)
Shake up that liquid starch and pour it in a container that you can paint out of.  Working in sections (I did about 1/4 of my jar at a time) paint liquid starch on jar and apply strips starting just under the bottom of your container and overlapping each strip just a little. Brush a little over the topside of each strip as well.  Don't worry, the starch will dry clear and the white color comes back when it dries. (It's magic.)

After you have done this all the way around your jar/container, put the tissue hearts on and brush a little starch over them as well.  Now, put it over a bottle (I found a beer leftover from New Year's in my fridge and it worked just fine) and let it dry.  I did mine overnight, but I think it was actually dry after about 4 hours.


Finish by covering the jar rim in whatever you like.  I used some raffia twist, but ribbon or glitter or garden twine would work too.  Just be mindful that you are putting a candle inside.  And there ya go!

My favorite part about this whole project is that because it's liquid starch, the cleanup is easy (hot water) and the bonus is that you can use a container that you love and when you are tired of the votive (in this case, when Valentines Day is over), you can soak it in warm water and rub the tissue paper right off.  Wash it with warm soapy water and it's all clean and ready for another purpose or another votive.

Wayward Weekend

13 comments:

  1. Very cute Valentine decor'. Good luck from Bacon Time. I am following you now with GFC:)
    We have family in Missouri.

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  2. Thanks for that great craft idea! Isaac will love this. Hope to try it soon. Have a wonderful day! Leslie

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  3. Cute idea! Thanks for taking the time to link up to my Valentine Link Party!

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  4. Pretty and perfect for Valentine's! I thought the paper looked a little bacon-y too!

    If you're interested, we're hosting our first ever link up party. Please stop by and link up! http://www.waywardgirlscrafts.com/2012/01/wayward-weekend-week-1.html

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  5. Great idea! I never would have thought to use liquid starch. I hope you stop by my party and link up…
    www.serendipityandspice.blogspot.com
    -Melissa

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  6. What a great idea.. Corn starch is a new crafty thing to me.. Thanks for linking up!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Hani, but I should mention that this is liquid laundry starch...not corn starch.

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  7. Oh man, I need to get some liquid starch! That is awesome. And, you could do this for lots of occasions other than Valentine! Thanks for the tutorial!!

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  8. Oh definitely, the ease of the starch removal makes it a really versatile project. You could really do something different for each holiday season. Thanks for joining the Link It Up Thursday party (you've been busy, lol).

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  9. This is too cute! And I love your drying rack too! Perfect! I may do this for VBS. I would like to do one with Mod Podge and one with the starch and see which one I like best! Thanks!

    #12 buggalcrafts http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/

    Lisa's Craft Blog Linky http://www.lisas-craft-blog.com/2012/01/love-filled-linky-list.html

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  10. This is SO adorable.. LOVE it!! I found ya via Lisa's craft blog and officially a HAPPY inspired follower.. I'm Marilyn from http://www.theartsygirlconnection.com .. Love your blog and look forward to more inspirational reads.. Hope you can stop in sometime.. Stay Artsy.. Wishing you a lovely rest of the week.. ~M

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