Materials

• Measuring tape or yardstick 

• Scissors 

• 20" x 20" throw pillow 

• 90 yards large gauge super bulky

yarn (1.75 sts/in.) 

• Pins 

• Sewing needle 

• Thread

Directions

1. First, learn how to knit and purl directly onto your arms without needles. 

2. Measure and cut three 30-yard yarn strands. Hold strands together as one to create the yarn thickness you need. 

3. Cast on 9 stitches to your right arm.

4. Knit 1 stitch. *Bring the yarn behind your left hand and let it rest over your left arm (A), creating an extra open stitch known as a yarn over. Knit the next 2 stitches together, creating a decrease (B). Repeat from * to the end of the row. At the end of the row, you should still have 9 stitches on your arm. Double-check to make sure you haven't accidentally dropped or added a stitch. 

 

5. Purl 1 row. 

6. Knit 2 stitches. *Bring the yarn behind your left hand and over your left arm (a yarn over). Knit 2 stitches together. Repeat from * to the last stitch; knit 1 stitch. TIP: Note that the pattern of stitches in this step is shifted 1 stitch from that in Step 4. 

7. Purl 1 row. 

8. Repeat Steps 4 through 7 twice more, but on the very last purl row, bind off those stitches as you purl. Weave in ends. 

9. Block your knit piece to 20" x 20". 

10. Pin the knit piece to the top of the pillow, matching the corners. 

11. With needle and thread, stitch the corners of the knit piece to the face of the pillow, then tack down the sides of the cover along the seams (C).

Make Easy Soy Wax Candles | diy personalized candle holders #michaelsmakers

Candles are one of my most favorite decorating accessories.  They are such an easy way to personalize your space – from the stylish containers to the amazing scents. And lets not forget the dramatic impact of being surrounded by the warm, cozy ambiance.

I keep a candle in almost every room of my home.

Making your own candles is such a rewarding process – especially when you get to create your own scent and container combinations. It has been a couple of years since I have pulled out my own candle making supplies. To be honest, I really did not even have to, using the simple four-step tutorial below.

There are just a few supplies needed to Make Easy Soy Wax Candles.

They are much easier than you would even think.

Soy Wax Flakes are used for this tutorial – which can be melted right in your kitchen microwave. A candle thermometer (or even a candy thermometer)  is fanciest ‘equipment’ you will need.

There are many benefits to using soy wax. It burns much longer than paraffin and cleaner,

with very little soot

For the containers I dressed up a couple of plain 3 inch square glass holders with acrylic letters from Michaels. I love the simplistic look of the acrylic against the glass.

The acrylic letters remind me of some of the lucite decor items trending in home decor right now –

like these Lucite Letters.

The acrylic letters are part of the new Make Market Alphabet Soup line at Michaels.

I used the smaller 4 inch letters for the candle holders, which are sold in-store.

They also carry larger 7-inch acrylic letters.

The 3 inch square glass containers were found in-store as well, in the vase section.

Elmer’s ProBond Advanced was used to adhere the letter to the glass. This particular glue works well on smooth surfaces and dries clear.

How to Make Easy Soy Wax Candles
Materials Needed:
Candle Containers
Candle Wicks & Clips
Soy Wax Candle Flakes
Candle Thermometer
Fragrance Oil, formulated for candle making (optional)
Wooden Craft Sticks

Additional Supplies Needed: Glue Gun, Microwavable Container, Stirrer (we used a wooden craft stick), Microwave, Washi Tape (for securing wicks)

Step One: Prepare the candle cups and set the wicks.

If using glass clean and comepletly dry the containers.

Choose the appropriate wick type and size for your containers. Candle wicks are determined by the type of wax you are using and the diameter of your container – measured at the widest width. If using pre-packaged wicks with clips, this information should be noted on the packaging.

Use a dab of hot glue on the bottom of the wick clip and set the wick in the center of the container.

Step Two: Measure out the soy wax flakes. The flakes melt in half, so you will need double the container size for the correct amount of wax.

Our soy wax flakes were purchased in-store at Michaels. These are made by ArtMinds and run $8.99 for a one pound box. If you are looking to make a larger quantity of candles, or are not located near a store, this 10 pound bag online is a good value.

Note: If you are unsure of the container size, fill the container with water and pour it into a measuring cup to calculate the wax needed. A one cup candle container will need two cups of wax.

Place the wax flakes into a microwaveable container and microwave for approximately 4 minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on the container as it heats and remove it from the microwave as soon as all of the wax flakes are melted.

The melting time may vary and depends on the microwave you are using. To prevent overheating, it is important to keep an eye on the wax as it melts and remove the container from the microwave as soon as all of the wax flakes have liquified.

Step Three: Add Fragrance (optional).

Fragrance should be added to the melted wax when the wax reaches 185°F. As a general guideline use 1 ounce of fragrance for 1 pound of wax.

After adding the fragrance stir the wax for 2 full minutes. We simply used a jumbo wooden craft stick for  stirring.

Step Four: Pour wax and set wick.

Once the wax cools to a temperature of 120°F it is ready to pour into the containers.

To help keep the wick straight and centered we used two wooden craft sticks and some washi tape – as shown above.

Let the candles cool at room temperature overnight. Trim the wick to a 1/4 inch.

For maximum scent throw, let the candles completely cure for 1-2 week prior to burning.

These already smell so good just sitting around.

What scent would you use for your own custom candles?

You will need:

 • 37 pieces of 25mm x 25mm x 300mm pine – we used pine kindling (available from most supermarkets)

 • 40mm panel pins

 • Damp cloth 

 • Hammer 

 • Heavy books

 • Paintbrush

 • Paint stirrer

 • Piece of flat board

 • PVA glue

 • Resene Aquaclear gloss

 • Sandpaper

Step one 

Sand any rough edges from the pieces of pine and wipe off any sanding dust with a damp cloth.

Step two 

Form a square base with fifteen of the pine pieces, as shown, fixing with PVA glue and 40mm panel pins. Allow glue to dry and turn base the right way up.

Step three 

Place two pieces of pine across opposite ends of the base, as shown, fixing with PVA glue and panel pins nailed from underneath.

Step four 

‘Stack’ alternating pieces of pine along each edge, as shown, fixing at each corner with PVA glue.

Step five 

Continue to build up the sides of the waste paper bin, as shown, fixing at each corner with PVA glue.

Step six 
Place the board and books on top of the waste paper bin and leave overnight for glue to dry thoroughly.

Step seven 
Carefully stir the Resene Aquaclear.

Step eight 
Apply three coats of Resene Aquaclear gloss to the waste paper bin allowing two hours for each coat to dry.

Paper tear effect

Zigzags and stripes step aside, there's a cool new paint technique in town... And it's so easy.

We call it the 'paper tear effect', which we've applied to this lightshade but it can be similarly applied to walls (use torn wallpaper for a sturdier stencil).

To replicate this look, you'll need: A plain fabric lightshade (available from hardware stores). Resene testpots in Resene Black White and Resene Sakura, two pieces of A4 copy paper, paint brushes and masking tape.

Paint the lightshade in two coats of Resene Black White. Shine a light underneath to see any spots that you may have missed. Leave overnight to dry. Take the pieces of paper and tear in half – your choice as to how jagged you'd like it. Place the pieces around the lightshade, and tape the sides. Ensure they’re tight against the shade. Paint the visible fabric with Resene Sakura, using downward strokes from the paper down to the shade. Give it two coats, and remove the paper once paint is completely dry. Taking a smaller paintbrush, neatly paint the rims inside and paint any spots you may have missed. Leave to dry completely (about 12 hours) before using as a lightshade. Remember to use acrylic, not oil-based, paints for this project – Resene testpots are ideal.

Update your old bakeware

Upcycle your old bakeware. You will need:

An old deep round cake baking tin and flan dish – do not buy non-stick bakeware, as sanding the coating can be toxic, 240 grit sandpaper, Resene GP Metal Primer, Resene testpots (we used yellow Resene Turbo and pink Resene Sakura).

Using a drill or punch, make drainage holes in the bottom of the tin. Lightly sand the tin and dish with the sandpaper. Prime both, and leave to dry. Finish with two to three layers of the testpot paint, leaving about ten minutes between each layer. We planted cacti in the tin, as it only needs a light spray of water. If you’re planting something that needs more water, consider buying a terracotta base to fit from your local plant shop, and paint it to match.

Box it up

Turn scrap wood into box frames to store small treasures and indoor plants.

Cut the wood pieces to the same length, give them a light sand and clean, and screw four pieces together to make a box shape. Paint the boxes in a neutral base colour (we used Resene Black White). Leave to dry. We really love a bold pop colour, so decided upon Resene Gypsy Queen (described as ‘full of frivolity, fantasy and wild spirits’) to finish it off. Use the masking tape trick to create solid lines and give it a few coats. Leave it to dry, and then fill with pretty ornaments. If you don't have the wood or time to make the boxes, pick up a wooden deep box frame from your local homewares store and give it a paint in your favourite Resene colours.

Study bookends

These colourful bookends will look beautiful propping up your beloved tomes. Paint two bricks in Resene Unicorn, from the Resene KidzColour range. Once dry to the touch, place the bricks side by side (horizontally) and use masking tape to section off the slanting stripe, and down the sides if you wish. Paint the bottom half in Resene Dali, and remove tape once dry.

Magnetic colour

Another way to hang your paintings and photographs is by painting a strip of Resene Magnetic Magic on your wall. Using masking tape, block out a strip on your wall and paint with the magnetic paint. Once completely dry, paint over with a colour of your choice (we’ve used Resene Shirley Temple).

Bargain-shopping expert and do-it-yourself decorator Maria Calleia shares methods for using inexpensive items to create a warm and inviting home.

Couches covered with cut-rate curtain panels, pillows jazzed up with 50-cent cloth napkins, and shower curtains hung at the window are a few of the easy and ingenious ideas offered by shopping expert Maria Calleia.

Instant Window Treatment

Inexpensive tab-top shower curtains and cheap metal plant hangers come together to brighten a big window. Splashed with gold paint and hung upside down to support curtain rods, the hangers pair prettily with blue-and-white-striped curtains.

Romantic Cottage Theme

For a romantic all-over-the-house cottage theme, mix all kinds of floral fabrics and patterns -- the cheaper the better. Extend the mood by searching out bargain-basement antique accessories to which you can add your own flowery touch, as Maria did with hand-painted roses on a bargain urn.

Curtain Cushion Covers and Napkin-Covered Pillows

Cover worn couch cushions with cut-rate curtain panels purchased from an outlet store, and top them with napkin-covered pillows without ever sewing a stitch. Tuck the curtain panels around the cushions, and seam the marked-down pillow covers with hot glue.

Stamped Lamp

Crown a thrift store lamp with an inexpensive rubber-stamped lampshade. Maria stamped a fleur-de-lis pattern on a shade, filled in the pattern with permanent marker, and outlined the design with a gold pen.

Looking for the perfect rug to match your couch or curtains? Learn how to turn home decor fabric into a fabulous area rug.

TOOLS

• iron
• sewing machine
• scissors/rotary blade

MATERIALS

• ironing board
• heavy-duty needle (18/110)
• coordinating thread
• no-slip rug pad
• pins
• cotton batting (it comes in quilt sizes - baby, twin, queen or king)
• heavy-weight home fabric for the main rug and for the border/binding

STEP 1

Position Layers of Fabric

Lay the no-slip rug pad on the floor. Press it flat to remove all creases. Lay the cotton batting on top of the rug pad, also pressing out any creases or folds. Then lay the fabric right-side up on top of those two layers, making sure it is nice and flat as well (Image 1). Cut off any excess around all four sides so that all three layers are the exact same size (Image 2).

STEP 2

Pin Layers Together

Pin the three layers in place in various spots around the rug (Image 1). Make sure the three layers stick together and do not shift. You should now have a nice large three-layer rectangle or square, pinned all around the edges and center.

STEP 3

Cut Border Fabric

From the outer edge fabric, cut four 4" strips of fabric from selvage to selvage (width of fabric). You may need to cut more strips if your rug is larger than the width of your fabric and sew the strips together.

STEP 4

Fold Borders

Iron the strips as if you were making your own homemade bias tape. Fold each strip in half wrong-sides together, straight down the middle and iron to create a crease. Open up the fold and then fold in the outer edges 1/4" towards the wrong side and press flat. Repeat for all four strips. Fold the strip in half again, enclosing the 1/4" edge folds in the center, and press. Repeat for all four strips. Now you're ready to bind your rug.

STEP 5

Pin Border to Rug

Unfold one strip and place it right-side down (with the folds facing up) along the edge of one side of your rug. Keep the edge of your binding about 1-1/2" away from the edge of your rug, and pin along the 1/4" folded line. Do this for only ONE side of the rug.

STEP 6

Stitch Border to Rug

Sew the binding in place using a heavy-duty needle. Sew directly on the 1/4" fold line so you won't see the stitches when the binding is folded back over. Remove the pins as you sew. Fold the binding over the raw edge of the rug, enclosing the side of the fabric. The center fold of the binding should be the outer edge of the rug. Pin in place. Sew directly on top of the binding to secure in place. You can also hand sew the bottom binding in place with a whipstitch if you do not want to see a stitched line along the top.

STEP 7

Sew Adjacent Border

To work on the adjacent edge, place the binding along the edge as you did the first time, but allow a few inches to hang off of each end. Fold the excess fabric over the corner towards the back of the rug and pin in place. It should look something like this. Sew the binding onto the rug as you did for the previous sides.

STEP 8

Finishing Steps

If your rug has some wrinkles in it, use an iron on a low-setting to carefully get them out. Just make sure to press gently, and not let the iron linger because you do not want to melt the no-slip rug pad underneath.

For most women, having huge breasts is definitely a plus factor in their confidence, The same cannot be said with females of smaller bosom, who are constantly looking for ways to make their busts appear bigger and more firmer.

This plays a huge role in a woman's self-esteem, in which sometimes plummets down to the abyss when their breasts sizes are considered too small and tiny. In some parts of the world, women are considered to be more beautiful and attractive when they have big breasts.

Some factors that affect the size of a woman's bust are nutrition and genetics while also during puberty, in which the estrogen facilitates the growth of the breast.

Fortunately, there are some simple, safe and effective home remedies you can try for you to have naturally bigger and more larger breasts without the cost and expense of having surgery. Check it out!

How to enlarge the breast:

The first step:

• Fenugreek helps increase breast size while also making them more firm and larger.
• To use fenugreek to its full advantage. take 1/4 bowl of fenugreek powder.
• Mix with a few cups of water.
• Combine to make a paste.
• Apply this mixture on the breasts and gently massage in a circular motion.
• Let it set for a few minutes then rinse with cold water.

The second step:

• Fennel seeds also promote the growth of the breast tissue, which are rich in flavonoids.
• Heat oil in a pan
• Add 2 tsp of fennel seeds.
• Let fennel seeds turn red
• Strain the fennel seed mixture
• Apply the seed mixture on the breasts and gently massage
• Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes then wash off with water.
• Repeat once a day for best results.

These simple and natural home remedies will help make your breasts much bigger, firmer and larger, saving you the cost and expense while also boosting your confidence and self-esteem! Don't forget to watch the video right down below and follow the natural steps to having bigger breasts!

Feel free to leave us feedback by sharing and leaving your ideas and opinions right down below!