I'm a giver, so I seriously love this time of year! I do like structure and have been know to be a perfectionist, so things have, in the past, gotten a little unruly for me at times. However, I'm calming down with each passing year because I'm older...hum, I mean wiser! I've learned what works and what doesn't, I've learned to accept the things I cannot change and to enjoy the moments. Yes, even those moments that aren't so great. I'm also an entertainer. I very much enjoy cooking for a crowd - including all the prep, decorating, and cleaning. Okay, so maybe I don't love the cleaning, but I do love the way my home feels when things are "just so," and nothing motivates me more than a big crowd coming over.
I thought it might be cool to share some fun-n-festive fall DIYs (do it yourself) with you as we gear up for the busiest and most entertainment filled seasons of the year. I live in Colorado, where it can be 80 degrees one day and snowing the next. You honestly never know what you're going to get. Maybe you're not in a cold climate that allows you to snuggle by a fire, but these cute pinecone firestarters can make an excellent centerpiece regardless of where you're living. If you can't find free pinecones on the ground or you want huge ones, I'm sure your local craft store and Amazon carry them.
Pinecone Firestarter
Items Needed:
- Soy wax or beeswax
- Pinecones
- Cinnamon Bark essential oil
- Clove essential oil
- Wild Orange essential oil
- String for dipping into wax
- Colored crayons (optional)
- Salt (optional)
Instructions:
Cut the string long enough to use for dipping the pinecone into the wax and tie a knot at the top of the pinecone.* In a double boiler or a metal bowl resting in pot of water, melt two to three crayons along with enough wax to coat your pine cone. Add essential oil; the more drops you put in, the stronger the scent will be. Holding the string, dip the pinecones and set them on wax paper to dry. Keep dipping and drying to create a thick layer of wax on the pinecones. Coat with salt immediately after the last wax coat, if desired.
Tips: Depending on the salt, the flames of the starters will burn a certain color (Epsom salts, white flame; table salt, yellow flame; salt substitute, violet flame). *Note: After you are done dipping you pinecone into the wax, leave one inch of wax-covered string to serve as a wick for easier lighting.
Perhaps you're just not into the pinecones and would rather have some fresh flowers as part of your centerpiece. Check this out!
Pumpkin Floral Centerpiece
Items Needed:
- 1 pumpkin
- 1 floral foam block
- Foliage and flowers
- 2 drops Cinnamon Bark oil
- 4 drops Clove oil
Instructions:
Carve a hole around the stem of the pumpkin and trim the foam block to fit inside. Scoop out as much of the pumpkin seeds and fibers as possible. Fill a bowl with water, adding the essential oils. Put foam block into water and allow it to soak through. Arrange foliage and flowers as desired, trimming stems at an angle so that they are sharp before pushing firmly into foam.
Tips: If you intend to keep the arrangement out longer than a day or two consider using an upcycled yogurt or similar plastic container in the pumpkin with the foam placed inside so you can refresh with additional water and a few drops of oil as time goes on.
I love these DIY's because they actually pretty easy and they don't require a TON of time. Plus you get to look like Martha Stewart stopped by to help you with your Thanksgiving decorating prep. Hahahaha! Next up, I have some upcycling ideas for you. These take a little more time and patience, but the results are pretty cute and something you can save for many years to come. And who doesn't need a little help with giving our kiddos something crafty to do instead of PLAYING Mindcraft!? I've got a pretty sweet idea for your 15 or 5mL empties as well as empty supplement bottles. You could use any supplement bottle, but the one I'm showing works perfect with your Lifelong Vitality Supplement bottles.
Thanksgiving Figurines
Native American Items Needed:
- empty essential oil bottle
- felt
- fringe
- burlap
- feathers
- suede cord
Instructions:
Cut out a piece of felt for the base of the Native American’s outfit; wrap around the bottle and glue. Glue fringe on top of the felt, in the middle of the body. Cut a small piece of burlap gluing it at the top of the felt, barely covering the tip of the fringe. Begin gluing small feathers to the top and sides of the lid and over the glue in various colors of suede cord.
Turkey Items Needed:
- empty essential oil bottle
- colored paper
- eyes
Instructions:
Cut all desired pieces. Assemble the face, feathers, and wings. Glue them together and allow them to dry before applying to the bottle. Once they are ready, apply with hot glue to the essential oil bottle.
Pilgrim Items Needed:
- empty essential oil bottles
- felt
- colored paper
- yarn or embroidery floss
- hot glue
Instructions:
First get an idea of what you want your pilgrims to look like. Once you have an idea, start with a base (black is pictured) and hot glue it to the bottle. Cut out other desired pieces such as an apron, collar, shirt, bonnet, hat, etc. Hot glue them to desired areas. For the man’s hat, cut a circle with a hole in the center for the essential oil bottle. This will allow the lid to act as the top of the hat. Once the basics are finished you can add details. Tie a bow for the woman with yarn or embroidery floss, add a belt buckle with yellow felt or paper.
Turkey
Items Needed:
- empty supplement bottle
- feathers
- spray paint
- hot glue gun
Instructions:
Spray paint the lid and bottle of an empty supplement bottle. While the bottle dries, arrange feathers and glue them in place. Once they are stable, hot glue them to the back of your dried bottle. Use your creativity for the face. You can utilize paint, felt, or paper. Cut your desired pieces out and apply them to the lid with hot glue, then glue the face to the bottle. Add whatever details you desire: more feathers in the front for wings, or feet to the bottom of the bottle. Use your imagination.
Pumpkin
Items Needed:
- empty essential oil bottles
- green felt
- string
- hot glue
- spray paint
- painters tape
Instructions:
Wrap the bottles with tape, allowing only the bottom to show, and spray paint. Arrange the bottles in rows (3 on the bottom, then 4, then 5, then 4 and 3 on the top row) and hot glue them together. Take a lid and glue it to the top of the pumpkin for the stem. Tip: You can spray paint the lid to resemble the color of a pumpkin stem. Cut leaf shapes from the green felt and hot glue them on or around the “stem.” Tie a short length of twine around the stem to resemble the vine.
If you decide to do any of them I'd love to see pictures! Please email them to me at Danette@WellnessSpoiled.com - who knows I might just send you a little gift for sharing your creativity and playing along.
Have fun!
xoDanette