As a contributor over at Birds On The Blog, I am running a mini series, encouraging us to make handmade Christmas decorations and gifts this year.

Last week we looked at some suggestions to make Christmas tree decorations.

For my second part of my series, we will be looking at general Christmas decorations for the home, including a Rachel de Thame Christmas wreath, using material gathered from around your garden, and a cute Christmas garland (will be published 10.00am 10th December).

As well as making personalised greeting cards from my botanical photography I also enjoy a range of crafts such as paper crafts.

Earlier this year, I picked up some blank candles which were on special offer and wondered how I could add a decoration to them.

Through various designs such as using dried flowers, and adding transfers that I made with my flower images, I also came up with an easy project to share, using stamps and ink.

To make this decoration you will need:

• Plain candle – You can pick one up for a couple of pounds at a variety of shops
• Stamp ( if you have a local Hobbycraft, or independent craft shop near by)
• Pigment Ink (as in below image)

As you can see I used a pretty dragonfly stamp, but you can use any stamp.

My recommendation would be to either use very small ones dotted all over the candle or long stamps.

Here is how I decorated the blank candle:

Directions:

• Put stamp on table with the stamp facing up
• Dot the ink pad over the stamp image until the raised section is covered evenly with ink
• Place candle carefully from the right hand side and roll gently and firmly over the image carefully so as not to smudge the image
• If you do accidently smudge the image, take some tissue and wipe it off gently and try again
• Leave to dry.

Finished candle:

For a gift suggestion you could wrap in tissue paper and finish with some festive ribbon (once it has dried)

I hope you will enjoy making some decorations this Christmas

What have you been making?

Related articles

• Make Your Own Handmade Christmas Decorations And Gifts 2011 – Part One (birdsontheblog.co.uk)