Thursday, December 19, 2013

How to make a Candy Cane Basket

This is a sweet table decoration for Christmas.




Materials and tools:

1 container (I used a 4"x4" square gift box)
4 boxes of 12 candy canes (it takes approximately 3 candy canes per inch, measure your container to be certain you have enough) 
Red ribbon
Wire beading
Silk greenery with berries
Florist foam 3.5"x3.5"x2"
Hot glue and gun (about 6 glue sticks)
Wire cutters
Scissors 

Instructions:
1. Glue your foam into the inside of the bottom of the box. 
2. Unwrap all of your candy canes. 
3. Start your glue gun, this will go quickly.
4. Starting on one side of the box in the center, run glue along the back side of the cane and hold in place until set. Continue all around the box.
5. Tie your ribbon around the basket and trim off excess ribbon. Pinch off the centers with wire beading by wrapping around the ribbon tightly. Trim excess from the beading.
6. Cut down your greenery (or flowers of choice) making your arrangement. Then glue them into the foam. 


It takes about 3 candy canes per inch. I used 4 and half  dozen boxes due to breakage (package removal) 

A 4"x4"x4" square box 

Foam, ribbon, wire beading, hot glue



My first attempt with fabric glue did not work. The canes still wobbled with a rubber band holding them and drying was way too long.  Super glue melted the candy.  I lost a few canes learning what worked better.


The best, and I do mean the very best, way to do this is with hot glue.  Just a little patience with holding each cane while the hot glue sets quickly moves this along nicely.



I used 2" ribbon tying it off tight on one side. Then "pinched it" in each center with the wire beading, trimming off to make them look like embellishments.




Trimming down silk greenery and berry bunches design your arrangement; then glue and insert them into the foam.



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Say Gday Feature

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Cutting Board Revival

A clever idea for an old cutting board could never be more simple!

One cutting board and one bowl. How easy is that?  Country Beautiful! 

Just cut the bowl in half, then attach with glue and reinforce with finishing nails through the back.

Credit goes to Bob Laper. Thank you! 

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Repurposed Watches and Clocks

Here are some genius ideas from used watches and clocks.   I have tossed out many dead watches and never considered any other purpose for them. Perhaps they deserve a second life with many possibilities. 



Sculptured Art:
This beautiful work is by local artist, Robert Laper.  I appreciate how he incorporated a clock within the piece, and yet, a pocketwatch as part of the sculpture. 

http://brokenartstudio.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/132/
 Piece is titled ~ "2:17" By Robert Laper


An art collage created from a pocket watch 
by Anne Arden McDonald:

http://www.anneardenmcdonald.com/noflash/watches_dresses/watches.html

 by Anne Arden McDonald



Victorian style wrist watch creations 
 by Jeffrey Thomas: 

 watch watches picture pictures victorian old antique not working
http://countryandvictoriantimes.com/category/craft-projects/victoriana-craft-projects/
by Jeffrey Scott Thomas


Upcycled "NOW" watch/picture frame 
by Emily Grace King: 
DSC_1010.JPG
http://www.instructables.com/id/Upcycled-NOW-Watch-Picture-Frame-on-Your-Wrist/
by Emily Grace King

After reading these blogs, the idea of using wall and mantle clocks crossed my mind. 
Just imagine these types of clocks turned into photo frames.  
For the musician? 
Round is pleasantly different.
For the camp with a photo of the Big Buck Hunt?
Old Photos?