Break!

So it's the second to last day of the semester and I still have a project to do, but I just want to curl up and watch Love Actually. It's been raining all day and all I managed to do was go to Petco and Target and make Mexican for dinner. Guess I'll be up tonight getting work done but at least it's only one more day then a month off from work. This time of year is a good reminder of why I like teaching. ;)

Here's the photo I put on the cover of my holiday cards:
They were a big hit - Last year I sent out one with just Betsy, since I got the new babies in February:I've become the crazy guinea pig lady and I didn't even know it! BUT, for inexpensive holiday gifts (I haven't blogged about my crafting in a while) here's an idea!

Wine bottle lamps. Best invention ever. As everyone worries about recycling and going green more and more, I think these are simply the easiest and sweetest presents. I have a friend Randi who is less into wine than Jack Daniels and I made her one of these in an old Jack bottle, so you can be as individual as you'd like. My mom visited Morgantown last May and I sent her home with one for her kitchen made from a bottle from the local winery, as a momento.

Here's the one in my bathroom, but they're also great for kitchens and hall lamps (especially for those who like low nightlight lighting):
This is a Forks of Cheat winery schawarzer bar bottle; it's a delicious white table wine, might I add. I use a 35 strand of christmas lights. White lights work too, but they look best in blue or deep green tinted bottles. In plain white bottles I prefer white strands. I have also seen people use 100 strand lights, but I'd say that's too many for a regular size bottle - you don't want the lamp getting overheated.

I decorate the outside with a picture framing wire (found at Lowes, or any other home store). I have 16 gauge galvinized utility wire right now because it's earier to add decorative touches with, but I've gone up one size in the past. I'd go one size thicker just to twirl, like I did in these images, but I've made a bunch of grapes before and it was tough with thick wire. And be sure to use needle nose pliers to grab and manipulate; it might take a practice piece to get used too. You don't want too many kinks or folds... just a nice coil.

Here's photo with the bunch of grapes:My advice is just to play around with the wire until you're comfortable to do this; it hurt my hands a lot but it was worth the extra effort. Another great thing about this bottle is that I didn't use a strand of christmas lights, but I bought a bottle topper named Bottelabra from a company Northern Lights.
Sweet, huh? Only eight dollars. Sometimes Bed, Bath and Beyond sells them, but I've found them on the internet for cheaper through wineries with shops. Hallmark was also JUST selling a bottle topper with three cast iron tealight holders. I fell in love. I know it probably doesn't look its best in a chianti bottle, but that's all I had just sitting around.
Hope everyone is having a safe and happy holiday!