How to Make a Halloween Cat from Lumber Scraps

It will soon be time for witches, pumpkins, and black cats. Halloween is right around the corner, and I've got an easy decorative project that you can make from scraps. Isn't this Halloween cat fun??!!

I used ½" birch plywood for my cat body and ¼" birch plywood for the tail.

Instructions for the Halloween Cat

1. Start by measuring and marking the width and height of the cat and the depth of the ears. This can vary depending upon the size of your scrap lumber and you desired finished size of the cat. My cat measures 7" high and 2¼" wide. For the ears I marked a point in the center of the width and 2½" from the top. Then, I marked diagonal lines from the top corners to the marked point.
   
2. Cut the shapes on the Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E.
   
3. Save the triangle from the ears. It will make a great Christmas tree!!
   
4. Sand any rough edges on the Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E.
   
5. Paint the pieces with black FolkArt Chalkboard Multi-Surface paint.
   
6. When the paint is dry, distress the edges with 150 grit sandpaper.
   
7. Glue the tail to the back of the cat. Glue googly eyes in place, and finish with a raffia ribbon bow.
   

A note about my cat's tail: It was a scrap the was already cut that I retrieved from a trash bind at a local makers' space. But it could easily be cut on a scroll saw, so I've included a pattern for the tail.

Carole

A Maple Leaf Bowl for Fall Decor

I've been trying to get ready for Fall Shows and Festivals that I'm going to and so this Fall gourd came to mind while I was trying to come up with some inspiration.

The Supplies Needed for this project are:

Proxxon Jig Saw
Proxxon Rotary Tool
Proxxon Delta Sander
Seagrass
Artificial Sinew
Wood Burner
Alcohol Inks
Acrylic Paint- Ivory
Paint brushes
Sand Paper

To start with you must cut your gourd open, and I used the Proxxon Jig Saw . In my opinion it's the best gourd saw on the market. It can cut through thick gourds and thin ones. I then cleaned out the inside of the gourd and sanded it by hand to make it smooth.

Next up, I drew Maple leaves all around the gourd using a pattern that I had and then I wood burned the leaves onto the gourd. Using different colors of alcohol inks that I had, I colored each one of the leaves and also colored the top and bottom of the gourd.

This is the really hard part, it's called stippling and I used my Proxxon Rotary Tool with a round bur in it to take away the outside layer of gourd from around the  leaves. It's a rather time consuming and difficult thing to do but the results are really nice. I didn't draw a set line around the leaves to stipple in but rather did the edges randomly. It takes patience to get into the tight spots and not make a mistake and take away the leaf too!

Once the stippling was complete I used my Proxxon Rotary Tool with a drill bit in it to make holes around the top of the gourd. Can you see where I was also painting over the gourd that had been stippled? That's what the paint was for. Sometimes the gourd looks pretty bad after you take the top layer off but looks really pretty after the paint.

  

I used my Proxxon Delta Sander to smooth out the top edge of the gourd before using the artificial sinew to coil the seagrass around the top of the gourd.

Here's the finished product, what do you think? I nice piece of decor for Fall I think. What do you think? Please leave me a comment below and let me know. 

Barbara

How to Make a TTD Messanger Board

Since I am a most forgetful person I need to make list to stay on track, Things To Do, TTD! 

The art room has no room for more papers or books.
So, my solution was to make this board and hang on the back of a door.
 It is a chalkboard and a note board in one.
This would work nicely for a child's room, hubby's shop, or any room someplace
to post chores for the family.
tinytooltime.blogspot.com

Tools used in making this board.

Proxxon Table Saw

Proxxon OZI/e  Sander

Proxxon Rotary Tool

This is my very favorite tool. This sander is a dream to hold to use and does a bang up job and speedy too.
This board was sanded to prepare it for a smooth chalkboard.

Kapro Measure Mate 313
Kapro pro laser nail gripper 810


Stay on target, this makes hanging anything, or putting in key holes

 a breeze. Level and Laser.

Supplies Used to make Board

Old frame thrift shop .55cents.
Can of Chalk paint
Pk of corkboard
Paint (optional)
Glue
Screws and Hangers
Chalk



The first thing I did was to cut the wood piece to the size of the frame.  I used a 1/8" piece of scrap plywood and cut it to 14 x 18"   This will fit perfect into the frame.  

The next thing I did was to lay my piece of cork on the wood where I will eventually glue it and draw a border around it.   I am going to paint my chalkboard paint in the areas that will not be covered by the cork.    I give it two good coats and let it dry well

Next I spray the back of my cork with spray adhesive fix it tothe wood in the area I had marked off.  I think it already looks good but I am going to add some extras. 

To make a chalk tray, I cut a piece of wood to the size I wanted.   I don't want the chalk rolling off so I am going to make a groove into this wood, leaving a lip.  To do this I first removed the blade cover and splitter on my proxxon mini table saw.   I set the height about 1/4" high and I set the fence approx. 1/4" from the blade.  Using the push stick I ran the wood over the blade.  I scooched the fence just a little bit further out  and ran the wood over the blade again, and repeated moving the blade and sawing a few more times until I had cut myself a little trough.   I am going to paint this black so it matches my chalkboard. I glued this on then added some screws from the back for strength.

I cut some 1/4" plywood strips and them painted to match my frame to surround my cork so the edges don't crumble with use.  I simply glued them on.

I used my KAPRO Measure mate 313 to find the center of my picture frame so I would know where to add the 2 saw tooth picture hangers to the back. 

 I used my proxxon rotary tool to predrill some starter holes.  This frame is oak and very hard.

I used the KAPRO nail gripper 810 to mark a level line on the door where I wanted to hang my message board so it would be level. 

That sure makes it easy!

There it is, hanging perfectly straight on the door. 

                           I hope you can use this project it was not at all expensive or hard to make.
                                           Already have found it most handy.

                                            I would like to thank our sponsors


    Proxxon Tools. Has been a strong supporter of this blog and makes great tools for crafting.
    KAPRO Makes neat tools for leveling, measuring and staying on line, keeping things straight.


  Terri Sproul our liaison for these sponsors and works out any concerns we have.
                   Thank you Terri for your mentoring and keeping us on track.


  Then you  are those who faithfully follow these blogs and keep us yapping lol.
                   We do   appreciate  all of you and your comments.
  We would love to hear suggestions as to what you would like to see us make.

How to Make Miniature Ornaments from Scrap Wood

It's never too early to begin crafting for Christmas. These miniature ornaments are made from scrap wood, and are an easy beginner project. They're great for tiny trees and for doll house ornaments.

Supplies and Equipment for the Miniature Ornaments

• Scrap wood
• Screw eye
• Patterned paper
• Ribbon
• Tiny jingle bells
• Mod Podge
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115

Instructions for Making the Miniature Ornaments

1. Measure the thickness of the scrap. I used a piece of stair tread, so my blocks are 1" cubes. This will be the size of the cube. Mark cut lines on the scrap wood.
   
2. Use a band saw to cut the blocks.
   
3. Sand the edges on the disc sander.
   
4. With the drill press, drill a pilot hole for the screw eye in the center of one side.
   
5. Cut six squares from the patterned paper slightly smaller than the side of the block. Use Mod Podge to adhere these to the block.
   
6. Add the screw eyes.
7. Decorate the blocks with ribbon and jingle bells.
   

Carole

How to make a cat address sign

Hi everybody.   Today we have an easy project.  We are going to make a simple address sign that can be placed outside near your driveway or mailbox to help people find you, and your home.

Previously when I worked as a home health nurse in rural Arkansas I traveled many  back roads.  I often felt lucky to find the right road let alone the right house.  Many homes are down long driveways or private roads, or they might be hidden in the trees.  There are so many homes without addresses.  Often it was a guessing game and occasionally I got it wrong.  This was funny?....yep most of the time,  but scary on a few occasions too.  I  believe every house should have a clear address sign, for emergency vehicles (and visiting nurses),  if nothing else.  Anyway, I chose the cat shape because, cats NEVER get lost!   Case in point.  When we had kittens we found them  new homes,  But Mama cat brought them back from about 6 crazy twisty miles away.  Not once but twice.  So once again we have cats.  💗  

Any how, enough of my rambling story.    Now on with the project!

Supplies:

Wood.  I used a scrap piece of 1/2" plywood.

Paint.  I used plaid paints,  black, sap green, white, turquois, pink,and lime green.

Sealer. I used krylon crystal clear triple thick.

Old wire clothes hanger

Equipment:

Proxxon mini bandsaw

Proxxon OZI/E delta sander

drill, with 1/8" drill bitM

glue.  I used liquid nails clear seal  (silicone glue)

wire cutter

The first thing to do is to draw your pattern onto your wood.  I saw this pattern in a coloring book, then just drew it a little bit bigger.  Size is up to you and your piece of wood.  My cat is about 16" tall and is easy to see from the road.

Next I cut it out using the proxxon mini bandsaw  This is a great tool!  Cuts like butter!

Then I sanded it with the Proxxon OZI/E delta sander  This makes quick work of smoothing out the rough edges!  It's easy to hold tool.  Small but very powerful!

Then it was time to paint.   I painted most of the cat black, then added my eyes, ears, whiskers, and the street number using Plaid paints.  It goes on easy and colors are vivid!  When it was all dry, I sprayed it all over with a sealing coat of Krylon Crystal Clear triple thick so it can withstand the weather outside.

I drilled 2 holes in the bottom about 1 1/4" deep using my 1/8" drill bit.  I cut 2 pieces of the coat hanger about 7" long.  I dipped the ends of the coat hanger pieces in the silicone glue and inserted them into the holes.  These are my stakes so the cat stays where I put him.

There he is at the entrance to our driveway.  Easy for anyone on the road to see!

This was so easy, and fun.  Hopefully, also helpful for anyone coming to our house!  I don't know a single person who enjoys being lost!

Thanks for visiting!

Thanks again, Terri, Proxxon tools, Plaid Paints.

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.