while I wait for the paint to dry…

I have a few projects to share with my readers but first I have to wait for the paint to dry on them. In the meantime, I wanted to share this idea I had for coloring Christmas lights. I mentioned on a previous post that I’m decorating with pink this year. As much as I want those pretty pink lights I see in the stores, I’m just way too cheap to buy them to use once. And before you tell me that I surely could use them for something else, I’d like to also remind you that I don’t really DO pink. So no, I won’t use them again. But yet I want them.

I’ve used alcohol inks for a variety of projects, none of which were the original intention of the product, I’m sure. One time I used the red alcohol ink to color the glass on a flashlight so I could spy on great horned owls without them seeing me. Of course, the owls were like, “what’s this crazy lady doing with the red flashlight? Does she really think we can’t see her?” Which would explain why I didn’t really see them either. But it did plant the seed for this idea.

I used my redish-pink alcohol ink and a q-tip to cover each light on a set. I tested a few first to control the amount of color. Letting them all dry completely is important, too. I love how they turned out and best of all, next year I can wipe it off and do another color if I want. There is a freedom in being cheap, isn’t there?

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On another note, I’ve decided to part with my little bug, aka Cricut and upgrade to a big one. If you are intested in this gently used machine with original box, cartridge and documentation, and current firmware, I’m asking $100 plus $10 shipping in the US. It’s in perfect shape and I’ll include a mat and blade, both are nearly new and good for plenty more play. Please contact me at cheekymagpie@gmail.com.

ETA: the machine is sold but there are always some on ebay for about the same price!

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