Orange Crochet Openwork Handwarmers

My husband thinks I'm obsessed because I've made a lot of handwarmers/fingerless gloves this winter. I have made a few for friends and family, and a few for myself. They are just so "handy" and I love wearing them while at the computer. My hands DO stay warmer than his while we are in the home office, so much so that he even reduced himself to trying on one of my pairs. ha! Now he gets it. So, when my sister recently taught me how to crochet in rounds (some things like this are just better learned in person), I decided to try a pattern for a pair of handwarmers worked in rounds. They worked up quickly and easily. I love the way they turned out, and wearing them right now I can attest to their power to keep my hands warm. yay! I might have to make a few more of this pattern....ok maybe I'm a wee bit obsessed. If you are looking for a great handwarmer pattern, here is the one I used this time: http://creativeyarn.blogspot.com/2008/02/crochet-openwork-handwarmers.html

Snow Covered Pine Cones Tutorial

Using white candle wax, break up into smaller chunks. Melt the wax in a double boiler or use an empty clean coffee or large veggie can in a pot of boiling water on the stove. Use extreme caution as the wax is flammable. Make sure you have enough wax that the pine cones can be fully immersed. After the wax is melted, you can use candle coloring to make colored pine cones if you'd like (red or green perhaps) or leave it white for the snow covered look. This is also when you can add essential oils or candle safe fragrances. Maybe a holiday inspired scent...peppermint, cinnamon, orange spice, or maybe a bakery scent like pumpkin pie. I think peppermint would be nice with the white, but there are lots of options out there for your favorite scent. Lower the heat. Using tongs, dip the pine cone into the wax. Hold over the pot and let the wax harden slightly. Re-dip until you get the amount of "snow" you'd like. On wax paper, sprinkle some white or iridescent glitter (to keep up the snow theme) and roll the pine cone in the glitter, or sprinkle the glitter over the top while the wax is still warm. You could get creative with the glitter, maybe use silver or gold, or any color you like! Leave the pine cones on wax paper until completely cool and hardened. These look nice in a bowl, basket or a pretty vase and would make a nice holiday gift.