This month, I'm featuring Kerri Yarus' altered battery operated candles. Kerri told me that these candles would be perfect gifts for bridal showers, weddings, anniversaries and I think she's right! These candles are the cutest and are sure to deliver the wow factor to anyone receiving them .

From Pennsylvania, Kerri is a wife to Cory, and a stay at home mom to three beautiful children. She said that she started scrapbooking about two years ago, after a magical trip to Disney with her family and four grandparents. She was shopping in downtown Disney when she came across scrapbook albums and decided to scrap her Disney trip as Christmas presents. She knew she could put together albums using the fun memories that they shared, and the 743 pictures taken that week! Kerri thought scrapping would be a one time thing, but after she started getting into scrapping the albums, she found that this hobby was addicting, and her supplies kept accumulating. She has already finished 10 family albums, and creates her own holiday cards. Kerri took over her husband's office and now calls it "her" scrappy office. As a true scrapper, she enjoys preserving not only the good and happy moments, but the sad and bad memories as well.

Kerri said to make these candles, she cut the paper to the height of the candle allowing ½ inch on both top and bottom of the candle. This will allow room for trimming. Next cut 18, 2 inch ovals for petals and one 2 ¼ inch circle for the center of the flower. Then stamp and emboss the ovals (petals) and the circle (center) before putting it together. To create 3 layers of 6 petals, alternate the second layer so the petals are not directly behind the top layer and alternate the 3rd layer to be behind the first layer.

Kerri shared a few tips and tricks she used to alter her candle. She said to use candles that are less than 4 inches in diameter to be able to use any 12 inch paper to fit around. Also to use the thinnest paint brush to create the rolling up of the petals, the thinner the paint brush the tighter and better the curl. She said to roll the top 2 layers of the petals up and roll the bottom layer under to keep the flower sitting on top of the candle. Embossing, beads, trims and stickles are great to dress the candles. Kerri also shared that when adding trim or beads use a good, strong glue.

Altered Candle by Kerri Yarus

Supplies: Papers: Me and My Big Ideas, Cardstock: The Paper Company, Die Cuts With a View, Glitter: Ranger, Stamps: Studio G, Ink: Studio G, StazOn, Tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Embossing Folders, Other: battery operated candles, metallic white pearls, lace, ribbon.

Kerri designs for The Cuttlebug Spot and Practical Scrappers. You can also stop by her blog, Kerri's Kr8tions, to see all her new creations and grab a little more inspiration.