then i get to tell you this story:

matt and i decided to make candles while we were home for the holidays. and they turned out pretty well, actually. he was really great. helping me melt candle wax, plant wicks, and decide scents and colors. then he does this:

but, like he said, i'm doing it for the crafts. and i'm pretty excited about our candles.

so let's make some candles.

what you'll need:
heat-resistant containers (we used tea cups and wine glasses)
wax (we used soy)
wicks, trimmed with bottoms (the larger the container, the thicker the wick)
wick stick-ums
wick stabilizer sticks with rubber bands 
a double boiler (we used a pyrex measuring cup in a pot, set on a steamer and not the bottom of the pot. it worked.)

what you'll do:
1: wick your jars — take your wick and place a wick stickum on the bottom of the tab. push it down in the center of the bottom of your container, securing it in place.

2: melt the wax — put 1lb of wax in your pot and melt it until you have a golf ball size piece of unmelted wax left and turn off the heat. stir it until the ball of wax melts and add 1oz of scent and color (add small amounts until desired color) to the wax and stir it very well.

3: pour the wax — when the wax looks kinda like a slushie, pour it into your container to within a ¼ inch of the top of the container. 

4: adjust your wick — center it, then take your wick stabilizer and slide it over the wick and lay it across the top of your container. 

5: finish your candle — let it cure over night and trim the wick to 1/8 inch.

there's actually more funny story to that night:

after we made the candles, we made dinner. but i left the wax-covered candle-spoon in the spoon rest on the stove. and my dad "helped" by stirring the mashed potatoes with the wax-covered candle-spoon. then we had waxed mashed potatoes for dinner. and i quote, "these potatoes taste like deodorant."

but my dad ate all of his. and all of the rest of ours. right off our plates. like a child who's been told not to do something and does it deliberately to make a point. 

he ate the waxed mashed potatoes. with a smile.

that's the cover. here are a few sample pages:

a keepsake, a guest book, and a conversation piece. all for less than $100. coolbeans.

xoxo,
the bride

she's great. she'll do anything you want. she has a catalog of about 500 white and dyeable shoes. so, if you're looking for some schmancey caramel heels ... i'm just saying.

what you do:
- clean the glass

- put the ribbon on with the hot glue gun, or just tie it. tying works.

and ... there you have it. "free" BACKGROUND vases that you can just throw away when you're done with them. i'm pretty brilliant.

xoxo,
the bride

hello, mismatched teacups. i can float a single bud in them. i can make them into candles. i can pot herbs in them. and i can sell them all packaged with my china when we're done. because it's china. wow.

but that's just the reception decor figured out. what about the many standing cocktail tables we'll need for the champagne ceremony? i want them to feel like the whole event belongs together. enter, anchor hocking and hazel atlas. yes, depression glass. and 70's glass. sue me:

let's get some bulk gardenias, maybe some succulents. let's get some fancy white sand. let's make some candles. this wedding is decorated. and it feels like it has a theme. i love that.

oh, and crazy, you can get personalized teabags as a favor. thinking about it. also, excited to make candles.

xoxo,
a very excited d.i.y. bride

those are just the tame ones that i culled it down to. imagine dancing to one of these with your dad on your wedding day. i dare you to try not to cry, ladies:

yeah, you see that puddle of tears you're in right now just reading those song titles and imagining dancing with your dad? i just did that to you. i wouldn't hit play if you haven't already. it's just so bawler. too bawler.

and you know what's worse? my dad's a bigger crier than i am. i could play "baby got back" and my dad would cry. in fact, let's laugh at that right now:

you're welcome. love you.

xoxo,
the bride

each maid gets a tote bag. "totes a maid," get it? i also made a "bride," a "m.o.h.," a "m.o.b." and a "m.o.g" — perfect to tote things on the big day.

she also gets my handy dandy wedding color cheat sheet with attached peacock feather, a personalized card and a "meet the maids" bio with contact info.