ShareThis"Words are only painted fire; a look is the fire itself" -- Mark Twain
Thus far, old man winter is doing a beautiful job of gracing us with all the faculties of the season. Snow, freezing rain, and icy temperatures that have fallen and can't seem to get back up. The past several weeks have been spent bundled up in lots of layers. The accessories of winter that warm the head, the arms, and the legs have all found their way to the top of the basket, and are getting the daily attention they so deserve right now. The hot drinks are always brewing, and a fire is continuously burning. It's only fitting that I share a couple of creative efforts that are sure to take the chill out of the air, and warm your imaginative hearts.
Newspaper Logs:
Turn the daily news that keeps piling up in the bin into a neatly arranged set of newspaper logs.
Start with a piece of half-inch copper pipe (or a wooden dowel or conduit) cut to six inches longer than the width of a page from your newspaper. Most papers have a page width of twelve inches, so you would cut your pipe to about eighteen inches. Take a butter knife and slide it up the length of your papers to remove any of the folds. This will enable you to roll a tight, compact log.
Use a couple of small pieces of double stick tape to get your first sheet of paper started on the pipe. Keep feeding your roll by evenly sliding a few additional sheets into the roll. You can add several sheets (6-8) at a time. When your roll is about two and a half to three inches in diameter, tie off both ends with natural twine. Twist your log slightly to break the bond of the double stick tape from the pipe and slide off. You can also embellish your logs with other natural elements such as cinnamon sticks, pinecones or dried lavender. Newspaper logs are too dense to use as fire starters, but they do a beautiful job of increasing the length of a fire when mixed in with natural firewood.
Fire Starter Kit: Fill up a basket or crate with these convenient, easy to make fire starters.
Clean up the smaller deadfall from trees and bushes by cutting down thinner branches into eight to ten inch lengths. Create small bundles and tie off with natural twine.
Cut up newspaper or other thin paper material from your junk mail or cereal and cracker box packaging into four-inch by four-inch squares. Create thin stacks that are about eighth of an inch high and tie off. This display also makes for a magnificent decorative element by the hearth.
You have just made good use of natural, every day recyclables. Brew a steaming hot cup of your favorite beverage, grab your journal or book, and sit back and enjoy the flaming good warmth of your efforts!
(Michele Beschen is creator of the B. Original series for the DIY Network. Contact her by e-mail: Michele(at)couragetocreate.com, or visit www.diynetwork.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service www.scrippsnews.com.)
Must credit Scripps Howard News Service
