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Today was one of those days when creativity just isn't easy. It didn't matter what I touched as this day began - nothing seemed to work the way I wanted, or needed, it to. And, since today is only the second day into my promised 'idea-a-day-until-Christmas' I was a little panicky. Actually, I was alot panicky. But then, someone mentioned candle decorating, and we sat down with some blank candles, Stockmar wax sheets and beads, brads and scissors to see what we could do.

Everything turned around from that moment on.

Candle decorating turned out to be a lot more fun than I was expecting. It also turned out to be a really fun thing to do with friends  - a good idea for a pre-Christmas get together! (In fact, as I was working alongside my studio-mates, I was thinking that this would make a very fun workshop - let me know if you are interested.)

The idea here is very simple:  for Christmas gift idea #2, personalize candles for gifts to share with coworkers or neighbours - or gather your children and have them decorate candles for teachers! We used Stockmar wax sheets - and this made decorating the candles super easy. Stockmar wax sheets are thin wax sheets that come in alot of colours. Easy to cut in whatever shape you want with scissors or cookie cutters, you warm the wax in your hands and stick it to the candles as you wish - and voila! Presto decorated candles!!!

There are other ideas for candle decorating though if you don't want to use the wax sheets. Acrylic paint works beautifully on wax candles - use a fine brush to paint on the candle of your choice. Or you could use an engraving knife to carve a relief carving on your candle. Or if you think that the candle will be used more for display than for burning,  you could use push pins, brads and beads to add a little bling.

Wrap your finished candle in some clear cellophane with a ribbon, and you have a very beautiful, and very personal gift!

This is an easy idea for all skill levels, all ages, and can be tailored to your time needs. Is candle decorating something you would try?

Is this art? Photography? A comment on the importance of fruit and veggie consumption?

To answer: No (well, maybe). No (well, yes, it is a photograph, but no... it wasn't taken for that purpose). No. 

Confused yet?

Really - this photograph is what they call a stroke of genius when genius is needed. Let me explain.

Okay, so there are lots of things happening in the studio. We just announced the 'Handbag Challenge' (for more information on this, you can check out yesterday's blog... but more will be said about that later this week), we are busy developing our latest line of creativity kits for kids (Colouring Craze and Create-A-Pal are coming to the webstore soon), we are refining the handbag pattern, meeting new artists, and thinking ahead to our next projects, when all of a sudden, we looked up and - Thanksgiving is upon us! I know that we mentioned Thanksgiving a few weeks back when we were working with that miracle glue and Thanksgiving thoughts on our glass dinnerware, but then we kind of got busy with the daily routine and forgot all about it.

Until today.

And today is Tuesday - less than one week to Turkey day.

This is where inspiration comes in. I found my inspiration from a little picture floating beside the title "Fruit and Candlesticks" found at About.com. While the picture shown at About.com had single pears perched on gorgeous silver candlesticks, I reached for whatever was available... 2 black chunky candlesticks, 2 apples (one was pretty dented and bruised from trying to get them to stay sitting like that - if I was to try this again, I would use a toothpick or some glue to prop them up) and 1 squash. Actually, I am pretty surprised at how picturesque the whole thing is. Of course, it does mean that I can't have the squash for Thanksgiving dinner, or that Iam going to have to go back to raid the refrigerator for another fall vegetable to use in my centerpiece instead, but regardless, I think that this idea is a keeper.

I also came across another neat, albeit more involved idea, as posted on Lemon Annie's Blog. Who knew that candles can be stuffed into artichokes or wrapped with green beans and asparagus? (I am fascinated that someone would even think to do that.)

And... if you have kids, I have a really neat last minute Thanksgiving table idea to help keep your kids involved and excited about Thanksgiving - and out of your hair while you are stuffing the bird. That idea will be posted here tomorrow.

What are you using for your centerpiece this Thanksgiving?