Pepper Paints

Dried Bean Pictures

I see 15 bean soup made with the left over art supplies in our future!

Bees Waxed Leaves

Last week we dipped some leaves in melted bees wax. I took the ghosts off of our Halloween boo branch and replaced them with the waxed leaves.

Forgive the bad photos! I just could not get a good shot of this.

I love these, such a great way to preserve leaves. They smell good and look so pretty.

We added a few happy acorns to the branch too!

Stringing Dried Corn In To Bracelets

First we removed the dried kernels from the cob

A very satisfying exercise (at least for me it is!)

Then we soaked the kernals in a bowl of water over night

This makes pushing the needle through the white part of the kernel much easier

We used dental floss instead of thread

Modge Podge Leaf Candle Holders With Melt and Pour Candles

Let me start by saying, I LOVE Modge Podge!  I can totally see this in my future!!!

And….. that we  should have done this project a few weeks ago when the leaves were less crispy around here. They would have laid a bit flatter on the glasses.

I ordered some wax from Swan Creek Candles. These are lead free and really easy–melt and pour wax refill kits.

We went to the thrift store and bought several glass jars and containers suitable for holding candle wax. Collected some leaves and got out the modge podge and some brushes.

We “painted” the glasses with modge podge and laid our leaves down and then painted over the tops of the leaves also.

You can see how our dry leaves didn’t exactly cooperate and lay flat. But they still look great after they dry.

Next we glued our wicks into the bottoms of the jars with a hot glue gun.

We melted the wax in the microwave

We poured the hot wax into our prepared jars. Let the wax harden a bit and pull wicks to the center. When dry trim wicks down.

Then light them and ooh and ahh at the pretty candles and leaf candle holders you made!

Pine Cone Swag

I saw this idea in Family Fun this month. They used acrylic paint to paint their pine cones–we used tempra.

The rest went into a basket.

Hiking in Hocking Hills, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio is centrally located to so many quick side trips. Hocking Hills being one of them.

Last week we took advantage of some of the last of the warm temperatures and fall colors and headed for a hike at Old Man’s Cave. Old Man’s
Cave is especially nice for younger hikers with it’s steps and bridges (and not too many scary drop offs and cliffs!).

If you are local, the weather forecast for this week is calling for a few days of Indian Summer. A perfect opportunity to head to Southern Ohio and check out some of the great hiking trails in Hocking Hills!

Apple Pie Playdough

Did you know that your sense of smell is supposed to be your strongest memory? Brut reminds me of my Dad, the smell of a fire outside reminds me of camping. I love the scents of different seasons. As soon as I smell a  coconut or Tropical combo I am immediately taken to summer and scents of sun tan lotion and the smell of pine reminds me of Christmas. The smells of Fall are strong…. apple, cinnamon, pumpkin. These smells are comforting to me and give me a warm, homey feeling.

We made a couple batches of seasonal playdough. Spiked with the scents of Autumn…Apple Cinnamon and Vanilla

Autumn Scented Playdough

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon powdered alum
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons vanilla
food coloring

Mix all dry ingredients. Add oil and water and food coloring. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until reaching the consistency of mashed potatoes. Remove from heat add the vanilla.  Knead the playdough.

For the apple cinnamon batch of playdough we added red food coloring and cinnamon and cloves.

For the vanilla batch we added a few drops of yellow food coloring.

Keep this in a covered container in the fridge.