Stamped Christmas Candles

I know I've shared this technique in the past but I'm telling you these make the perfect hostess gift during the holidays! And since it is for the holiday time of year what better to embellish with than Stickles! Yep, add a bit of sparkle and bling to the images for that extra special touch.

Now, one of the reasons I love this project is it's relatively inexpensive. You can buy plain white pillars most anywhere for just a couple of dollars and you're more than likely to have the rest of the supplies on hand. A great bonus during these tough times!

Supplies:

Pillar Candles (any size)

White Tissue Paper

Archival or Staz-On Inks

Holiday Themed Rubber Stamps

Heat Gun

Embellishments - Dresden Trim, Stickles Glitter Glue, Brads, etc.

Instructions:

1. Place your tissue paper on scrap paper (the ink will bleed through to your table otherwise).

2. Ink your stamp using one or more colors of permanent ink*. When I add multiple colors I place the stamp on the table and use only the corner of the ink pad to dab the ink where I want it. I always start at the center of the image and work my way towards the outer edges. This helps prevent mixing the inks as you go.

*You MUST use a permanent type ink so the image doesn't run when you are melting it to the candle.

3. Stamp the image on the tissue paper and let it dry completely.

4. Trim excess tissue paper away from your design.

5. Pre-heat your heat gun so it's really hot for the next step.

6. Wrap the stamped tissue paper around the candle. Begin heating the candle by waving the heat gun over the tissue paper and candle. The wax should begin to immediately start melting, as it does you will notice the tissue paper seems to disappear into the melted wax.

7. Continue heating until the entire image has been adhered to the candle. It should cool immediately.

Now of course you can stop at this point and have a perfectly fine gift but you know me...gotta add a bit of extra pizazz ;)

8. (Optional) Apply Stickles Glitter Glue or Distress Stickles to various areas of your design to make the image pop! Add multiple colors for some real fun :)

9. (Optional) Once the glitter has dried, add some Dresden Trim, Ribbon or trim for an added bit of decoration.

ENJOY!

Here are some close ups of each design shown....

This is my fav. part of this image!!

You can match virtually any color of ink with Stickles....

Distressed Stickles & Regular Stickles at once.

Stamped & Masked Design

Patina & Copper Stickles for highlights!

The best thing about this project (besides being quick and inexpensive) is you don't have to do it all at once. You may only have a few minutes to work on these at a time say for instance you might stamp all of your images ahead of time, apply them to the candles in your next sitting and finally embellish at a later date.

It's a very flexible and inexpensive gift project that packs a wallop!

You'll have until Monday to post your comment to be the next winner in the Christmas in July Give-A-Way!

Good Luck and have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!