How to make a cute little welcome spring sign

Hooray !! Spring at last.  Let's put aside the winter blues and celebrate life's new beginnings!!

Today lets work on a cheery little sign, reminding us (in case we forget), that spring has sprung!

This is an easy project, and every time I look at it I smile, because it reminds me that, the grass is getting greener, the birds have returned and warm sunshine is bringing life back into my bones.

Let's get started:

Supplies and equipment:

Proxxon scroll saw

Proxxon OZI/E detail sander

1/4" thick wood of your choice

wire

wire cutter

plaid paints

rotary tool with small drill bit.

krylon easy tack

glue

tiny eye screws (6)

First thing I did was to draw a pattern.  I made it the full size I wanted so that I could transfer it directly to the wood I am going to cut.  I used krylon easy tack to affix it to the wood.  I used plywood for the sign part and poplar for the little birds, as the beak being long and skinny, might be a bit fragile. I oriented the woodgrain to be parallel with the bird's beak so that even though it is very thin it won't break easily.

Next I cut out the pieces and sanded them smooth.   I like to round over the edges a little bit so they don't appear so flat.  This is easy with the proxxon OZI/E detail sander

Sanding the pieces using the proxxon OZI/E detail sander

Cutting out the pattern with the proxxon scroll saw

Then I painted the pieces white so my colors will be bold.  I used Plaid's color shift paints for the hummingbirds. Light will reflect off them like butterfly wings.  I used some dimensional paints on the "welcome" and "spring" parts.  Painting is up to you.  Whatever you like.

I drilled small holes in the top and bottom of the birds and the top of the "sign" in two places where I will insert small eye screws.
Next I cut some short lengths of wire and bent the ends into hooks.  I hooked it around the eye hooks and squeezed the loop shut so it won't fall off.  I twisted some wire for a decorative loop and fastened it end to end onto the top of the birds.  This will serve as the hanger.  

All done and ready to hang.

I think it is cute and it was fun to make.

Hope you all have a nice spring.  

Thanks to Proxxon  and Plaid, for the supplies used in making this project.  Thank you also for visiting.  Have fun, and make something that makes you happy!   See ya next time,  Carol

A Hello Spring Decor piece made with Proxxon Tools and Plaid Paints!

Yes, in case you've noticed, I've become a mason jar decor lover. My last post involved scones and this one involves the jars in a box. Either one or actually both of them will certainly make your home ready for Spring!

The Supplies Needed For this Project Are:

Proxxon Band Saw

Proxxon Delta Sander

Wood (I re-purposed some)

Plaid Chalk Paints

Plaid Glitterific Paint

Paint Brushes

3 Mason Jars

3 Egg Gourds

3 Skewers

Assorted Small flowers

Raffia

Nails

Hammer

Pastel tissue paper

Kapro 

I used my Proxxon Band Saw

and started by cutting five pieces of wood out. Dimensions: Front and Back Panels 12" X 4", Two end pieces 4 3/4" X 4", and one Bottom piece 3 1/4" wide X 10 1/2" long. All of the wood was 3/4" thick.

I nailed the pieces together.

And formed a box. 

Once that was completed, I used my Delta Sander to sand off any rough edges and painted the box with Plaid Chalk Paint .

While the paint was drying on the box, I painted the jars on the inside with Martha Stewart Chalk Paint which is made by Plaid .I also painted the gourd eggs with the same Plaid paint. I then painted the gourd eggs with the NEW Plaid Glitterific Paint . I'm telling you this stuff is fantastic! Easy to put on, when the layer is dry just add another layer if you want your glitter to be thicker. You don't have to worry about a glitter mess because the glitter is encased in a clear acrylic. Just wonderful stuff.

I also used my Cricut and cut out the wording that I put on the front of the box, tied raffia around the neck of each bottle, placed pastel tissue paper inside each jar and arranged the eggs and flowers inside the jars. Once all was arranged, this is what my Spring box looked like.

You should be able to display this arrangement for quite awhile. At least until the first day of Summer? The way old man Winter keeps showing up in places around the country this could be true.

Please leave me a comment and let me know how you liked this project. Thank you

Barbara

Happy Easter with Hot Wire Cutter

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today with an Easter Egg.  Easter will be here shortly, but you still have time to create some Easter décor.  If you haven't tried to Hot Wire Cutter, you will love it.

I created a stencil using my Cricut then taped it to a panel of Smoothfoam.  Using the Hot Wire Cutter, I cut around the stencil.  Smoothfoam cuts like butter with the Hot Wire Cutter and I cut this egg in only a few minutes.

After removing the stencil, this is my Easter Egg.

The Easter Egg was painted with Gold Plaid Metallic Paint.

I placed the stencil back on the Easter Egg and added more color with additional Plaid Metallic Paints.

 Finally, I added some dew drops around the Easter Egg.  There are so many different egg possibilities when you create with the Hot Wire Cutter.

Happy Easter.

Thanks for stopping by.

How to Make an Easter Napkin Holder

This clever Easter napkin holder is sure to be a hit with youngsters and oldsters alike. It adds the finishing touch on your dining table.

Supplies and Equipment to Make the Easter Napkin Holder

• ¼" piece of wood or MDF
• Pattern
• Napkin for collaging
• Mod Podge from Plaid Enterprises
• Proxxon Micro Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Profession Rotary Tool and Drill Stand MB 200

Instructions for Making the Easter Napkin Holder

1. Select a pattern for your napkin holder. There are four different Easter-themed patterns included. I've selected the rabbit for this project.
   
2. Using the band saw, cut your wood or MDF to size according to the pattern you select. 
3. Adhere your pattern to the substrate using painter's tape and adhesive spray. Cover the substrate with painter's tape. Lightly spray the reverse side of the pattern with adhesive, and mount onto the covered substrate. The adhesive spray holds the pattern in place, and the painter's tape makes removal easy.
   
4. Using the professional rotary tool and drill stand, drill a pilot hole for interior cuts. Make sure that the pilot hole is large enough to accommodate the scroll saw blade.
   
5. Cut out the piece using the scroll saw.
   
6. Sand any rough edges with the Delta sander.
   
7. Gently insert a strong floral pin into the napkin holder to facilitate painting and drying.
   
8. Coat the napkin holder with a layer of white gesso. 
   
9. Hang to dry.
   
10. When the gesso is thoroughly dry, decorate your napkin holder. I chose to napkin collage mine using matte Mod Podge. Alternatively, you could paint the napkin holder adding embellishments of your choice—be creative!!
    
11. Enjoy your Easter napkin holder.
    

Carole

Let's Celebrate!!

Time to Celebrate !

It's always time for celebrating something.  With holidays and birthdays, I thought it might be smart to make some décor that can be used many times during the year.  Kids are going to love this...because it involves CANDY!  And you are going to love it because it is all set and ready to go at a moment's notice.   And it is special, because you made it special!   It's also really fun to make!

Let's get started

Equipment:                                                             Supplies
Proxxon band saw                                                 1" thick pine board  (I used some scrap cut-offs)
Proxxon OZI/E detail sander                                 3/8" wood dowel
proxxon scroll saw                                                 wood glue
kapro 313 measure mate                                    plaid paints  (your choice of colors)                
drill and drill bits                                                    adhesive spray
                                                                               spray gloss/sealer

I'm all for easy, so the first thing I did was put my computer to work.  I used a program called "word" to create a font and size that I liked for my project then printed it out.


I used adhesive spray to affix it to the board.   Spray the board and wait a minute until it gets sticky then put your pattern down.   I found that it comes off pretty easy after you are done cutting, but just in case you can always hit it with a little heat from a hair dryer to loosen the hold.




Now comes the fun part!   I really enjoyed cutting the letters out using the proxxon band saw.  It cuts so smooth and is very quiet.  It puts me in Zen mode.  But, always be careful, watch where your fingers are at all times.

To make the interior cuts I brought out another Proxxon tool,

This is one of my favorite tools,  the proxxon scroll saw.  Actually the whole project can be done with this tool alone if you don't have a band saw, but I really liked the smooth quiet way the band saw was cutting.  To do an interior cut, first a pilot hole must be made.  I used a drill to make a hole then threaded my scroll saw blade through it and made the cut.  It's so simple, just follow the line.

WOW, look at all my letters!!   I really was in Zen mode.  LOL   I made letters to spell out "Happy"  "Birthday" and "Easter", because Easter is just around the corner.  When I get in the mood again I think I will cut out, "New Year", "Valentine's day" "Thanksgiving"  etc....   You only need a single "Happy".   In just a minute I will show you why.

  I sanded them all using the proxxon OZI/E detail sander
to get in all the nooks and crannies.



           




               Painting:   This is entirely up to you.   I went wild with my Plaid Paints.  I first applied a coat of white paint.  I found this makes the colors look brighter, then painted my letters keeping things bright and festive.  Then I sprayed them with krylon   triple   thick krystal clear to add a shine.

I cut 2 pieces of my pine board to fit the height and length of the words I made (Easter and Birthday)

(Happy does not require a board)   I painted these black as they will be background. then glued the letters to this board

Using the proxxon bandsaw again I cut 5 pieces of 3/8" dowel to approx. 1" long.  I set up a fence to help make them all the same.  These are the pegs I am going to attach to Happy. 

On  the bottom of each letter of Happy I drilled a 3/8" hole approx. 1/2" deep.  I glued my pegs into these holes and left them to dry.

Next I used my kapro measure mate 313 to find the center (of Birthday and Easter) so I could put my Happy in the middle.   Happy is going to sit on top of Birthday or Easter.

Then I drilled my 3/8"holes that the pegs will fit into.  I also drilled a 1/8" hole in the top of every letter where I can place lollipops.   Note.  A proxxon mini drill press would work great here to get the holes straight and the perfect depth.  I have a  proxxon drill press on my wish list.  

Also Note:   the kapro measure mate 313 has a neat little tool that comes with it that measures diameter for you.  I used this to get the right size drill bit for my dowel.

Okay now, choose your celebration.  Pop "Happy" into its place.  Get some lollipops or candles if you wish and make some little, or big kids happy.

  

  

PS.  Make it even easier on yourself, let the kids paint the letters..  :)

Catch ya next time   Carol

Thanks to all of our sponsors that make this blog possible, proxxon tools, kapro measuring tools, Plaid paints and craft supplies, and Terry Sproul, our mentor.  Creating is so much fun !!!