Guest Author - Robin Rounds Whittemore
Cinnamon Pine Cone Fire Starters
Need:
Pot filled 1/3 of the way with water
Empty tin coffee can (big enough to stick the pine cones in)
Cinnamon candle scent
1 pound paraffin
Pine cones
Chopstick or wooden spoon
Tongs
Newspapers
Wax paper
Wire or plastic rack with legs to elevate
Put paraffin into the coffee can. Place the pot filled 1/3 with water on the stove and heat at medium setting. Place the coffee can filled with paraffin into the heating water. Stir with the chopstick infrequently. When it melts, place the cinnamon scent in and let that melt. Stir with the chopstick once in a while.
Spread newspapers on a counter or table surface. Place the rack in the middle of the papers, and place the wax paper on top. This is where you will place the pine cones for drying.
When the paraffin and scent have melted, dip one pine cone at a time into the scented melted wax to coat. Use the tongs to transfer the pine cone to the drying rack and let it set until dry. Repeat until all pine cones have been covered.
They can be used to start campfires or fires in the fireplace. They give off a nice scent as they burn. They also make great gifts.
Cinnamon and Candle Craft
Need:
One pre-made, or homemade pillar candle – you choose the size
Cinnamon sticks – not as tall as the candle, and enough to go around the circumference of the candle
Glue
Florist wire
Thick ribbon – it will cover the florist wire
Take each candle and apply a little glue to the midpoint. Start applying the cinnamon sticks one by one next to each other around the candle.
When all the cinnamon sticks have been applied, cut enough florist wire to tie around the whole candle and the cinnamon sticks. Make a small twist with the florist wire to hold it tight around the candle and cinnamon sticks.
Now, the thick ribbon can be applied to cover the florist wire. You may either knot the ribbon closed, or make a bow. Whichever way you choose to complete that process, make sure the knot or bow covers the twist you made with the florist wire.
If the candle is to be used, make sure that the candle is attended at all times. Most pillar candles burn down the middle and you should get a scent of cinnamon when the candle is burning. If you choose not to burn the candle, it will always make a great decoration for the home.
The candles and ribbon you choose can cover much territory. If you choose white candles and a white ribbon, they can be used at weddings. Set them at the head wedding table for a centerpiece. If you choose to use votives and smaller cinnamon sticks, these can be used for wedding or shower favors.
Try a black or orange candle with a Halloween type ribbon for October. Green, red, gold or silver pillar candles with an appropriate ribbon would make go well with Yule or Christmas themes. Golden yellow, orange, burgundy or brown candles with an autumn type ribbon would make great fall or Thanksgiving décor.
