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A Sister recently asked for ideas for November Homemaking and I came across some good ideas.  Here is the first of the ideas -- Making Rolled Candles.  I love the idea of making my own candles for Thanksgiving Dinner.  If our ward's November Homemaking theme would go with this, we would be doing it too!

ROLLED CANDLES

Honey-scented rolled beeswax candles are not only easier to make than molded candles, but they also burn longer. Use sheets of pliable honeycomb-textured wax, available in natural pale colors and in bright dyed hues. Supplies are available at crafts shops.

Supplies

scissors, wicking, beeswax, utility knife, ruler, butter knife

Step 1:  To make the wax easier to work with, heat it on a radiator or with a  hair dryer until it's pliable (a minute or two). Cut a piece of wicking; it should be l inch longer than the length of the candle. Place the wicking along one long edge of the wax; fold the wax over the wicking and press tightly to seal it in.

Step 2: Carefully roll up the wax sheet with the wicking inside. Make sure the top and bottom edges remain even and that the wicking stays securely in place.

Step 3: When the candle is the diameter you want, cut off the excess wax with a sharp utility knife. Use a ruler as a straight edge to make sure that you get a neat, clean edge.

Step 4: Smooth the cut end by pressing a warmed butter knife (hold it under running hot water and dry it, or warm it with a hair dryer) along the seam. Don't press too hard; beeswax is delicate and you can easily crush the candle. To prime the end of the wick, press a tiny bit of wax around it just before lighting it.

Variations

Vary the height of your candles by cutting the beeswax into strips of different heights before rolling. Create candles of different widths by varying the number of layers of beeswax in which you roll each piece of wicking. You can group candles of varying widths and heights for an elegant display.

To make a tapered candle, cut a right triangle from a sheet of beeswax. Roll from one of the equal sides.  Make beehive-shape, candles by rolling a tapered candle, then adding  layers of sheet wax, each layer slightly shorter than the last. For square candles, gently press the candle against a hard, smooth

From Reader's Digest

THANKSGIVING CENTERPIECE

A collection of colorful autumn verdure can be used to create an intimate and inexpensive decor for your dining area. This centerpiece also provides a fun way for family members of all ages to be creative together. (This is a great way to keep "hungry customers" busy while cooks can focus on their work in the kitchen.) This  centerpiece can be moved from the table to make room for serving dishes  because it is mounted on a flat surface.

Step 1: Gather your materials. Locate autumn-colored items, and seek to  include a few contrasting colors, textures, and shapes like Indian corn,  gourds, small pumpkins, acorns, chestnuts, leaves, fir sprigs, berries,  Chinese lanterns, flowers, etc. You'll also need a flat surface such as  a cookie sheet, serving tray, or a rectangular or circular piece of  cardboard. Also gather some solid-colored paper, fabric, or leftover  wallpaper, glue, tape, and scissors.

Step 2: Cover your flat surface with paper. For this example, we cut a  10 x 15-inch flat piece of cardboard and cover with a solid-color piece  of construction paper, taped securely.

Step 3: Assemble the centerpiece by arranging the pieces on the flat surface. Place a larger item in the center and tuck smaller pieces around it. Rotate the centerpiece as you add items so it remains interesting to view from all angles. Negotiate  the positioning of elements if more than one person is involved.

Step 4:  Glue the largest pieces first and then the smaller items.

Variations: Add ribbons or other embellishments around the edges of the surface. Add novelty items like pilgrim or turkey figurines, or a small basket.

Safety Concerns: Dried foliage is flammable, so do not use candles or  flames. Scissors and glue use should be supervised by an adult.

Subj:  Re: RS: Thanksgiving Homaking ideas...

In November we want to do our Homemaking night focused on Thankgiving, like maybe classes or activities for the kids or family, or recipe or cooking  ideas for turkey leftovers, etc.  Does anyone have any ideas along these lines?

Last years November issue of Family Fun had a cute idea for Thanksgiving.

"A Fleet of Favors" (my children made these last year for a Thanksgiving gift for each of their teachers and we filled them with individually wrapped caramel candies.  They are little "ships" with a sail that can be filled to hold little treats.)

Needed:

~Polymer clay (we actually made our own that could be baked hard in the oven)
~Wooden Toothpick
~Paper Plate
~Pushpin
~Brown paint
~Nuts, dried berries, candies, etc.

For each boat, use enough clay/dough to form a rectangular pinch pot about 6 in. long and then shape one end into a pointed bow.  Stick a tiny ball of clay to the center of the boat's floor.  Push one end of the toothpick into the clay ball for a mast.  Bake the molded clay. When the clay has cooled, paint brown.  When dry, cut a foursided sail form the rippled part (edge) of the paper plate.  With a pushpin, pierce holes through the top and bottom of the sail and slip it onto the mast.  Now load up the hull with a treat.