How to Make a Christmas Mitten with Proxxon Tools

Hi everyone.  Summer is winding down and you know what that means, right?  Christmas is on the horizon and it's never, ever, too early to start creating holiday projects.  Steph Ackerman here today to show you how to make a decorative mitten with Proxxon Tools.

Supplies:
Proxxon Scroll Saw
Proxxon Delta Sander
Proxxon Bench Drill Press
Plaint Texture Coastal Paint
Delta Ceramcoat
Plaid Stencil
Rinea Foils
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist
Chipboard
Ribbon

Draw a pattern on a piece of plywood.

Cut around the pattern using the Scroll Saw.

Punch a hole in the top with the Drill Press.

Use the Delta Sander to sand down the mitten.

Paint the mitten with Plaid's Coastal Texture Paint in Seal Grey.  

I first painted it black then realized I wanted it grey.

The Coastal Texture Paint easily covered the black paint.

Use painters tape to mask off sections of the mitten.

Add stenciled effects with molding paste.

Remove the masking tape and add strips of Rinea Foiled Papers across the mitten.

Paint chipboard elements and add them as shown.

Wrap ribbon around the mitten.

Die cut a pointsettia from Rinea Ruby/Gold Glossy Foil.

Place the pointsettia atop the ribbon.

Now I've got a new Christmas decoration to hang this year.

Thanks for stopping by.

How to Make a Key Holder to Organize Your Keys

Get organized and put an end to key clutter with this handy key holder.

Supplies to Make the Key Holder

• Piece of wood or MDF 4" x 4" x ¾" (your size can vary depending on how may keys you want to accommodate)
• Acrylic blank for engraving
• Two small brass screws
• FolkArt Home Decor Clear Wax

Equipment to Make the Key Holder

• Engraving Device GE 20
• Proxxon Profession Rotary Tool and Drill Stand MB 200
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Micro Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Kapro Measure Mate

Instructions for Making the Key Holder

Engraving the Blank

1. Select the letter plates for engraving, and place them in the guide strip of the engraving device.
   
2. Position the engraving blank, and securely clamp in place.
   
3. Position the guide marker into the first letter blank, and begin engraving.
   
4. Mark the position of the holes for attaching the engraved blank to the key holder. Drill the mounting holes using the professional rotary tool and drill stand.
   

Note: Many acrylic blanks come with a protective layer. This should be left in place during the engraving process, and removed when the engraving in complete. 

Making the Key Holder

1. Select your piece of wood. Your dimensions can be different than mine. Add width to accommodate more keys. Add height depending upon the number of slots that you desire. However, the wood needs to be at least ¾" thick to accommodate the slots.
2. Adjust the angle of the table saw blade to 20°.
3. Cut as many slots as necessary to accommodate your keys. The slots on this project are 1¼" apart.
4. Use the Kapro Measure Mate to measure and mark the height of your key holder. Mine is 4" high.
   
5. Use the band saw to cut the wood to length.
   
6. Measure, mark, and drill holes for mounting the engraved blank.
   
7. Sand any rough edges on the disc sander.
   
8. Apply a coat of FolkArt Home Decor Wax to the key holder. Dry overnight, then buff with a soft cloth.
   
9. Add your choice of hanging hardware on the back side of the key holder.
10. Remove any protective film from the engraved blank and mount the blank onto the key holder.
    
11. Eliminate your key clutter with your new key holder.
    

Carole

How to Make a Statement Piece of Jewelry

This piece of jewelry really does make a statement—as it should. Any statement piece is easy to identity because it is chunky, unique, and attention-grabbing. This statement necklace is meant to be the defining piece of your outfit. It will set you apart from the crowd.

Supplies for Making the Statement Necklace

• 2" x 10" x ¼" piece of MDF
• Four gold tone focal beads
• Eight 6mm glass beads in a color to coordinate with you choice of napkin
• Twelve 3mm to 4 mm glass beads in a color to coordinate with you choice of napkin
• 12" to 15" 24 gauge brass jewelry wire
• 14" to 20" gold tone jewelry chain (depending upon the length of your finished piece)
• One jewelry clasp with jump rings
• Gesso
• Mod Podge
• Napkin with design of your choice 
• Classic Gold Liquid Leaf by Plaid Enterprises
• Pattern for kite-shaped pieces

Equipment for Making the Statement Necklace

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E, Proxxon Table Saw FET, or Proxxon Scroll Saw DSH/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E, Drill Stand MB 200 and Machine Vice MS 4

Instructions for Making the Statement Necklace

1. Prepare and mount the pattern on the 2" x 10" piece of MDF. To apply the pattern to the MDF, cover the MDF with painter's tape, spray the reverse side of the pattern with adhesive spray, and adhere the pattern on top of the painter's tape. The painter's tape allows for easy removal of the pattern. 
   
2. Cut the necklace pieces using either the band saw, table saw, or scroll saw.
   
3. Sand the edges of the pieces on the disc sander.
   
4. Measure and mark ¼" from the tip of the piece and half the width of the piece for drilling the hole to attach the piece to the necklace.
   
5. Mount the marked piece in the machine vise and attach to the drill stand.
   
6. Drill a hole for attaching the piece to the necklace.
   
7. Repeat Steps 4 through 6 for each piece.
8. Coat all pieces with gesso.
   
9. Using Mod Podge and a napkin with a design of your choice, napkin collage the front of each piece.
10. When the Mod Podge is dry, paint the edges and reverse side of each piece with Classic Gold Liquid Leaf.
11. String MDF necklace pieces, focal beads, and glass beads on jewelry wire, and form a closed loop at each end of the wire.
12. Attach 7" to 10" of jewelry chain to each end of the wire.
13. Attach jewelry clasp to the ends of the chain.
14. Wear your statement necklace, and enjoy all the compliments that you'll receive.
    

How to Make a Windowsill Village Using Scrap Wood

I love involving my grand daughters in my projects, and this windowsill village was a great hit with them. Not only did they get to paint the buildings, but they had a toy village when the project is complete. Added bonus for me: it was made from scraps of wood left over from previous projects.

Supplies and Equipment:

• Scrap wood pieces about 6" x 1" x 1"
• FolkArt ColorShift acrylic paints
• Mod Podge by Plaid Enterprises
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E

Instructions:

1. Gather your wood scraps and leftovers. 
   
2. Decide on the size of your village buildings. There is no exact size for the village buildings. Here are the measurement for mine:
• Pink: 4¼" x ¾" x ½"
• Melon: 2" x ¾" x ¾"
• Lavender: 4¾" x 5/8" x ¾"
• Chartreuse: 3¼" x 1" x ¾"
• Purple: 1½" x ¾" x ¾"
• Blue: 3¾" x ¾" x 5/8" 
3. Use the bandsaw to cut the building shapes.
   
4. Sand each of the shapes on the disc sander. Use the angle gauge to accurately sand roof lines.
   
5. Use FolkArt ColorShift acrylic paints to paint each building.
6. Add windows and doors. I cut vinyl on my Zing electronic cutter, but you could add windows and doors with acrylic paints or permanent markers. You could also omit the windows and doors, and sand edges for a rustic look.
7. Seal everything with a coat of Mod Podge.
   
8. Enjoy your windowsill village. 
   

How to Make a Whimsical Chick with Proxxon Tools

Whimsical and primitive home decor items are great items for a beginner to make using their Proxxon tools. The lines don't have to be perfectly cut. Finish designs allow for wide interpretation. In fact, a bit of irregularity adds to the charms of fanciful decoration. Here's a whimsical chick to get you started.

Supplies and Equipment to Make the Whimsical Chick

• 10" x 4" length ¾" MDF
• 7" x 3½" length ¼" MDF
• 6" length 1/8" dowel rod, cut into twelve ½" pieces
• Gesso
• FolkArt acrylic paints and ColorShift acrylic paints
• Wood glue
• Beads and baubles for decoration
• 6" rat tail cording
• Whimsical Chick pattern
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DSH/E
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool and Drill Stand
• Proxxon Delta Sander

Instruction for Making the Whimsical Chick

1. Cut lengths of MDF on the table saw. The ¾" thick piece is for the chick's body, tail, beak, and comb. The ¼" thick piece is for the wing and feet.
   
2. Print the pattern and adhere to the appropriate pieces of MDF. Cover the surface of the MDF with painter's tape. Next, spray the back of the pattern with spray adhesive, and adhere pattern to top of the painter's tape. The spray adhesive holds the pattern in place, and the painter's tape makes for easy removal.
   
3. Use the band saw and scroll saw to cut out the shapes. I like to cut the straight lines on the band saw, and the curves on the scroll saw.

   

   Cutting curves on scroll saw

   

   Cutting straight lines on the band saw

4. Arrange the body, tail, beak, and comb pieces for adding positioning marks for support pegs.
   
5. With the pieces in position, scribe two matching lines on the body and accessory piece. Additionally, mark two holes on the bottom of the body piece and the center top of each foot for the "leg" cords that attach the feet.
   
6. Transfer the markings to the sides of each piece.
   
7. Mark the center of the width.
   
8. The intersections of the positioning marks and center line mark the holes for support pegs.
   
9. Using the professional rotary tool and drill stand, drill 1/8" holes for support pegs and cording to attach the feet.
   
10. Coat all the pieces with gesso.
    
11. When the gesso is dry, paint the pieces in your choice of colors.
    
12. Glue the support pegs into tail, beak, and comb pieces, and attach to body. Glue cording for the legs in place at the bottom of the body and top of the feet.
    
13. After the glue is dry, have fun decorating your whimsical chick. I used a combination of vinyl, paints, and beads on my chick.
    

Carole