DIY wood candle holder

I had an old piece of wood sitting around that I thought would be perfect as a tea light candle holder.  This project is easy and quick. I made mine in 10 minutes on Thanksgiving morning (including time to gather the tools).

Here's what you need:

old chunk of wood (any size; non pressure treated)
ruler
drill
1 1/2" drill bit
marker or pencil

Measure, divide and mark your wood where you want to place your candles.  I drilled 7 holes evenly spaced in the wood.  I steadied the wood between my feet but it would be easier if you used a vice or helper.  Drill straight down and just far enough for your tea lights to fit.

Viola!  That's it.  Now you can decorate this with almost anything for each season.  I used pine cones and branches.  For Spring, you could use shells or berry branches.  For Fall you could use mini pumpkins and gourds. 

Additional ideas:

• Use metal "C" clamps (they come in various metals at the hardware store - just ask) and attach narrow beaker glass vases (or test tubes) onto the sides for flowers. I saw the vases at Target for less than $2 each.

• Drill the holes deep enough to insert vases directly into the wood.  You could make this with all vases or a combo of vases and tea lights.

• Paint (water base), decoupage, or embellish the wood.

• Put them in your fireplace for easy ambiance.

Your options are endless.  Let your creativity flow. 

If you make one, please send me a photo or link.  I'd love to see where your creativity takes you.





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Weekly Round Up: the bird is the word

Since moving, I've formed a wonderful "me time" habit that I look forward to each week.  I crawl into bed or curl up on a couch and read the hundreds of blogs I love.  I have an iPad and using an app called FlipBoard, my reading is much like sitting down with magazines (an old habit I loved).  I typically do this on the weekend when the family is fluttering nearby busy with their own tasks.

I read everything from design and architecture blogs to technical trade magazines.  I'll even share a secret pleasure that I read occasionally - The Superficial, a celebrity gossip magazine.  Don't judge me! I need to get my Hollywood/snark fix more often than just reading People Magazine at my hair salon once a month.

As you can see on the right side bar, I am everywhere online.  Besides this blog, I share some of my finds on Tumblr and Pinterest.  Yet, I still feel the need to post a weekly round up of other things here. I hope you will find something new and interesting, too.  Also, feel free to drop by my other social media sites.  And, don't be shy.  Leave me a comment somewhere.  I'll see it and appreciate it and try my best to comment back.

Without further delay, here is this week's ROUNDUP:

Lace vase - designed by Milk Design Shop (via NotCot.org) - turn any jar into a vase with this innovative top.

Trail Mix Smooshbars - recipe via Today's Nest - trail mix and Rice Crispy Treats smooshed into a chewy treat.

22 Cool and Creative Drinking Glasses via Bored Panda

A very funny fight (relating to Put a Bird on It) between a blogger and the creators of Portlandia - you've gotta read the comments after you read the  post.

image by The Bloggess

I've started a new pin board on Pinterest this week called recipes to try  (a supplement to my recipes page).  You know me, these will be easy so check them out.