Using Scrapbook Supplies to Decorate Candles

We all know that scrapbooking is a bug - and when you're bitten, it's hard to stop! Now, I find myself looking for additional ways to use my supplies around my home, and my eyes recently turned to my candle collection.

For years, I've collected candles because I enjoy their scents, but often, they're pretty plain-looking. I began wondering if there was a way to "jazz up" a candle with some of my craft items.

After a little trial and error, I discovered there are many ways you can use your scrapbooking items. Here are a few of the things that worked well for me:

• Use a thumbtack to poke a hole in your candle, and then push a brad through the hole you created, as I did with this candle. Brads are gorgeous and sometimes, I feel terrible using them on a page that won't be seen frequently. Added benefit: it won't interfere at all with using your candle.

• Grab a pillar candle and wrap paper around the outside. A paper with an intricate design - such as lace paper or even a transparency will work perfectly. If you decide to use your candle, it generally burns downward and the edges don't melt, so it works great. Be careful, though, and trim your paper down for repeated uses.

• Stickles works great on candles. So do adhesive crystals, flowers, stickers and other items you might have in your stash. Freehand a design, trace something onto the candle or use a stencil.
• Run your Scotch ATG along the candle's surface, and then sprinkle with glitter for instant elegance.
• If you're using a candle in a glass container, you can have tons of fun! Attach a stencil, and then spray the glass surface with Glimmer Mist. Remove the stencil and you've got a lovely design.

• Use a paint-like substance, such as Shimmerz, to doodle along the container or the surface of the candle, or trace designs around stencils.
• Use your dies to cut designs with paper and attach them to your candles.  They look lovely on a shelf!