I loved those darkened rustic looking candles! I had to figure out a way to meet fire safety codes in an old building. Check out my dollar store pillar candles. I counter sunk them to fit over the hardware on this chandelier. I did the same for candelabras picked up from Goodwill. All were counter sunk ( hollowed) to take the battery operated tea light. Rolande Here is a link that might be useful: Converted candles

You also could put pillar candles on a silver or glass plate and arrange the fruit around the base of the candle, like a candle ring. You could make napkin rings for holiday dinners by gluing the fruit to them. I have some similar grape napkin rings and when I'm not using them on napkins, I use them arranged around candles on the table - mostly hiding the rings.

And then there are the cinnamon dough ornaments. We made these at a Sernior Center a couple of times. Easy to do and nice results. Just make sure you have a variety of cookie cutters and ribbon and some paints Preferably white for a frosting look Ingredients: 3/4 - 1 cup (cheap) applesauce One 4.12oz bottle ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon of white glue (the school kind) Tools needed: Rolling pin or a glass Cookie cutters Straw or toothpick Wire rack Method: Combine the applesauce, cinnamon and glue to form a stiff dough. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with a cookie cutter. Make a hole for a ribbon with a straw. Place on a wire rack and let dry for several days, turning occasionally. A Waxed paper lined box can be used to tote home and they keep (dried out) for years and smell good every year.

What? No replies? Yes, I did, but I didn't have nearly that many projects lined up. I had a big project to do, though - making a weighted blanket for my grandson. Those types of blankets are great for calming down a young child who can get agitated quickly, but they are super expensive. A crib-sized runs $120-150. I made one for about $20. My grandson's has a top made from Thomas the Train Engine cotton (50% off at Joann's at one point), muslin for the bottom (30% off at Joann's), and batting (for which I used a 50% off coupon), and then a 20% off my purchase coupon. I had to buy the weighting beads online, however, as they were WAY too expensive at Michael's. Had to buy a lot, but I figure I can use them for a lot of other things. Anyway, making that blanket took me a long time, as I did the type where the beads are inside the blanket, between the top and the batting. I found the directions online. Since this project, though, I am back in the sewing room after a long hiatus. I'm working on a birthday present for my almost-4-year-old granddaughter: a Minnie Mouse "dress up play" dress. Donna