Tart Making

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted on this site. I have had several email about making tarts, this is how I do it.

First I take about 20 oz. of soy wax, use your scale to weigh the wax. I use a candy thermometer from Walmart. I like to use the para/soy wax from www.kentuckywax.com for my tarts. I used to use only soy wax, but they are so soft and crumble after a while. This para/soy wax has a mixture of parafin and soy. They still burn really clean.

I add my color in while it is melting. Some wait until after it is melted. I buy the dye blocks for my tarts. I don't like the liquid, too messy. Just shave off however much you need for the color.

Heat your wax until it reaches 175. Take off the heat, and let cool, until reaches about 145. Add 2 0zs. of fragrance in the mixture and stir well. Make you stir for a minute or two.

If you want to add spices and such to your tarts, have your cups ready to go. I like to add cinnamon chips, whole cloves and crushed rosehips to some of my tarts. I like to use the 2 0z. portion cups for my tarts, then you can just pop the lid on and make a label with the scent. Those priority boxes come in handy for setting on the counter. I always seem to spill wax when pouring. so these really keep the mess down.

Pour hot wax into cups and let sit, until it starts to skin over, then you may want to add some spices on top of the hot wax. If you wait till it skins over, they won't sink to the bottom. It best to let the tarts cure for at least week, before burning. I hope this helps, it really is all about testing which scents are strongest for you. Alot of trial and error, but very addicting to make.

Alot of request for this pattern in e-pattern form

I finally got this one in e-pattern form, going to spend weekend trying to get more transferred over to e-patterns. I don't know where the time goes.  Hoping to get some bunnies made for my daughters show. I am making them for my daughters show in Moultrie Georgia at the Calico arts and crafts show March 18-19. If I sell them, they will donated to her wedding fund.  Well check back in a few days for an update on e-patterns.

Finally more e-patterns done

Sorry it has been so long on this blog. Being sick, sure limits what I can do. I did manage to get some of my lighted boxes done this past week. I have 3 big shows coming up and not enough inventory. the first set of boxes are from my #272 Winter Welcome light. I have had these boxes in my shed for several years.

Next I got 3 of my Christmas Blessings #284 also finished. These boxes always sell great at the shows.

I have the following patterns now in epattern form.

#272 Winter Welcome light box

#284 Christmas Blessings

#287 Sammy Snowman

#280 Best Friends Welcome light

#281 Prairie doll welcome light

I have a e-pattern special on this blog only on these patterns only $4.00 each. Remember tomorrow I will be getting chemo, so if you order tomorrow, it maybe tomorrow night before you get your patterns emailed to you.

Our next show is in Oveido, Orlando. Just a few miles from my friend Becky's house. She says it is a big show. Over 350 booths at a school. The best thing it is only one day. I would much rather do the one day shows.

Finger tutorial and 2 new Patterns

Well I finally got 2 more patterns done, I am trying to get most of the new items finished, because show season starts in less than 2 months. So I need to have everything done.  Here is the first one I finished up. I call this one Winter Magic.  He is a quick and easy project to do.  So simple to make.

Next, I have a lot of request for Prairie dolls, and here is my latest version of one. I call this one Hannah's Christmas tree. She is about 24" long and is holding a prim trim. This one really makes up fast.

I have alot of ladies emailing asking how to stuff those fingers. Love the look, but I hate to stuff fingers. Here is how I do it.

I sew my hand and I use a chopstick and push up the finger back into the hand part.  See picture below

Push each finger back into hand.

When you have all pushed up into hand as shown,

Push your chopstick up into one of the fingers in the middle and gently push the hand up into the arm. You Keep pushing until you reach the opening.  then pull out all the fingers from opening.

then I just use small bits of stuffing and push up into the fingers until you have them all stuffed.

Hope this helps, everyone has their own way of turning and stuffing, but this is best way that works for me.