THE HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST ~ A HOSTESS GIFT DIY PROJECT

WHIMSICAL, VERSATILE, AND VERY SIMPLE
TO PUT TOGETHER,

THESE CHARMING CANDLES ARE THE PERFECT CRAFT

FOR THOUGHTFUL FRIENDS ON A BUDGET:

To make one candle, assemble the following:

1 Mexican Prayer Candle (can be found at Target and many grocery stores for between $1 -$2)
1 Sheet High Quality Self-Adhesive Inkjet Paper
Hostess With the Mostest Template -- or -- Happy New Year Template -- or -- your own image (approx. 6" tall)
Mod Podge
Fine Glitter (my favorite is Martha Stewart Antique Silver)
A fine-tipped paint brush, dry
A soft, loose-tipped paint brush, dry
Scissors
Scrapbook or vintage music paper
A light weight cardboard, such as cereal box cardboard
Small Single Hole Punch
Ribbon (my favorite is Martha Stewart's 3/16" Piped Nylon Ribbon in "Putty"

 Print your candle label and tag label on high quality self-adhesive inkjet paper.

Trim label, leaving a smal border to help guide you when you add the glue for the glittered border.  Remove sticker backing, and slowly apply the label.  I like to work from left to right, smoothing up and down as I go to avoid trapping air bubbles. 

Using a high output glue pen, or simply your Mod Podge and a fine tipped brush, apply a thin border of glue to the entire label

Liberally coat glue border with glitter.  When glue has dried, brush off excess with a soft, broad bristled paint brush.

For the gift tag, trim, peel, and apply to cardboard.  I like to use the cardboard recycled from cereal boxes.  Flip cardboard over to opposite side.  Completely coat with Mod Podge and adhere a sheet of decorative paper.  I like to use vintage sheet music.  When dry, trim label(s) and punch a small hole in one end for the ribbon. 

To create the glittered border on the tag, dip each side alternately in lines of Mod Podge and Glitter, and allow to dry.

Using a fine-tipped brush, apply tiny bits of glue where you would like to accent the image with colored glitter.  On this design I like to highlight the pink flowers with a translucent pink glitter, and add a few touches of antique silver on her dress to tie it all together.

Tie your length of ribbon around the neck of the candle and secure with a double knot.  Thread gift tag through one end of the ribbon.  Tie the ribbon in a bow.