How to Make the Perfect Valentine's Day Wall Plaque Using Proxxon Tools

Celebrate Valentine's Day with perfect wall decoration. 

Supplies and Equipment:

• Wood blank 7" x 3½" x ¼"
• LOVE template
• White acrylic paint or gesso
• Mod Podge
• Valentine themed paper napkin
• Artist's paint brush
• Twine or thin ribbon
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP
• Proxxon Drill Press TMB 115
• Proxxon Scroll Saw 
• MICROMOT Flexishaft 110/BF
• Proxxon Delta Sander
• Proxxon Pensander PS 13 

Instructions:

1. Mount the pattern on the wood blank. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape.
   
   
   
2. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
3. Cut the outline of the letters on the bandsaw.
   
   
   
4. Use the drill press to drill a pilot hole in the heart shape to accommodate the scroll saw blade.
   
   
   
5. Thread the scroll saw blade through the pilot hole, and cut out the heart shape.
   
   
   
6. Sand edges using the Delta sander. The flexishaft mounted with a sanding drum is perfect for sanding the inner edges of the heart shape.
   
   
   
7. Use the pen sander to sand those tight areas where the letters connect.
   
   
   

How to Napkin Collage the Plaque:

1. Coat the sanded plaque with a coat of white acrylic paint or gesso.
   
   
   
2. Gather the supplies for the napkin collage: Mod Podge, paper napkin, artist' brush, and water.
   
   
   
3. Separate the napkin layers. You will only use the top, printed layer. Some napkins have three layers, so be sure you're using only the top layer.
   
   
   
4. Dilute the Mod Podge with water. I used about four or five parts Mod Podge to one part water. Coat the plaque with with the diluted Mod Podge and cover with the napkin. Smooth the napkin using the artist's brush. Use the brush—not your fingers—to manipulate the napkin.
   
   
   
5. Use a water line drawn with the brush to form tear lines on the napkin. Avoid using scissors which result in harsh cut lines. The tear lines form a feathery edge that is easy to blend into the collage. Note: You can use small motifs from different napkins using the tear line method, overlapping the motifs to create a unique collage.
6. Optional: Coat the plaque with very diluted Mod Podge (equal parts water and Mod Podge), and sprinkle with very fine glitter. Set the plaque aside the dry thoroughly.
   
   
   
7. Measure and mark placement of holes ½" from the edge and ½" from the top of the plaque. Use the drill press to drill holes for the hanging twine. Set the adjustable fence, and use a piece of waste wood to minimize tear out.
   
   
   
8. Add twine or narrow ribbon for hanging.
   
   
   
9. Optionally, you can eliminate steps 7 and 8, and add hanging hardware to the back of the plaque.

Carole

How to Make the Perfect Chopstick Rests

 These chopstick rests are perfect when using chopsticks. Their elegant, minimalist design enhance any table.

Supplies and Equipment:

• 5½" x 2" hardwood blank (I used zebra wood.)
• Chopstick Rest Template
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E or Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• MICROMOT Flexishaft 110/BF
• Proxxon Delta Sander 
• Chopstick Rest Template

Instructions:

1. Mount the pattern on the wood blank. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
2. 
   The Chopstick Rest Template has pattern options for cutting three rests at a time or cutting individual rests. I chose the three-up pattern. Cut the shape using the bandsaw or scroll saw.
   
3. Then, cut apart the individual rests.
   
4. Sand the curved edges using the flexishaft fitted with a sanding drum bit. Sand flat surfaces with the Delta sander.
   
5. The chopstick rests can be finished and maintained with mineral oil, butcher block oil, or high quality olive oil.
   

Carole

How to Make a Rocking Horse Needlework Frame

 This needlework frame was inspired by a piece that my sister stitched for my son over 40 years ago. I replicated the frame to make a similar one for my niece's baby boy.

Supplies and Equipment:

• 8" x 6" hardwood or plywood blank
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E or Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• MICROMOT Flexishaft 110/BF
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Delta Sander
• FolkArt Antique Wax
• Rocking Horse Template

Instructions:

1. Use the table saw to cut an 8" x 6" blank from your chosen wood.
   
   
   
2. If necessary, sand the surfaces of the blank using the Delta sander.
   
3. Mount the pattern on the wood blank. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
4. Cut the rocking horse shape using the bandsaw or scroll saw.
   
5. Sand the curves using the flexishaft fitted with a sanding drum. Do any final surface sanding with the Delta sander.
   
6. Cut a 2½" circle in the center of the frame. This can be done on the scroll saw, but I raided my husband's tool chest and used his 2½" forstner bit. Either way, save the plug for mounting the needlework.
7. Finish the rocking horse with your desired finish. I used FolkArt's Antique Wax.
   
8. Add hanging hardware, then mount the needlework.
   
9. Enjoy!!

   

   
   

Carole

How to Make a Dual Cell Phone Holder with Proxxon MICROMOT Tools

 We have a variety of cell phones in our home, and it seems as though a favorite place for surfing the web is at the breakfast bar in our kitchen. This dual cell phone holder is great because it accommodates two different cell phone profiles, and leaves a small footprint when not it use.

Here are the supplies and tools that you'll need:

• 4" x 3" x 1/4" or 3/8" hardwood blank
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E or Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Pensander PS 13
• MICROMOT Flexishaft 110/BF
• Dual Cell Phone Holder Template
• Felt polishing tip

Step-by-step Instructions:

1. Use calipers to measure the thickness of the cell phones—with cases, if appropriate—you plan to use the dual cell phone holder with. Print the Dual Cell Phone Holder Template as a guide, making measurement adjustments as indicated.
   
   
   
2. Mount the pattern on the wood blank. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue. 
   
   
   
3. Cut the pattern using the bandsaw or scroll saw.
   
   
   
4. Use the pensander to sand the edges of the cell phone holder. The pensander is the perfect tool for sanding narrow spaces.
   
   
   
5. Apply the finish of your choice to the cell phone holder. I used a wax finish and buffed the surface using the flexishaft and felt polishing tips.
   
   
   
6. Enjoy!!
   

Carole

How to Make a Pumpkin Decoration Using an Old Book and Proxxon Tools

 This fun and easy project is perfect for autumn home decorating. 

Supplies and Equipment that you'll need:

• Old book
• Hot glue and glue gun
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E or Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Orange acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Jute twine to make tendrils
• Artificial leaves
• 2" to 3" twig for the stem

Let's make a book pumpkin:

1. Remove the cover from your book.
   
   
   
2. Draw half a pumpkin shape (similar to the one below) as a pattern.
   
   
   
3. Trace your pattern onto the first page of the book.
   
   
   
4. Cut the pumpkin pattern using the bansdaw or scroll saw.
   
   
   
5. Manipulate and fan the pages to soften the spine.
6. Hot glue the edges of the spine together.
   
   
   
7. Next, glue the first and last pages together. You'll have something that looks like this.
   
   
   
8. Now, working with small sections of the book, paint the edges of the pages. I watered down my paint to about 2 parts paint :: 1 part water. As the pages absorb the water, they take on a nice rippled form.
   
   
   
9. Separate each of the pages to achieve a full pumpkin. Set aside to dry.
   
   
   
10. Make tendrils by wrapping the twine around ¼" dowel or large knitting needle. Secure the ends with pinch clothespins, Liberally mist the twine with water. Bake in a 250°F oven for 20 minutes. When the twine is cool, slide it from the rod and cut into lengths for tendrils.
11. Hot glue the twig, leaves, and tendrils in place on top of the pumpkin.
    
    
    
12. Display your book pumpkin with pride!!
    

Carole

How to Make the Perfect Hard Wood Tatting Shuttle with Proxxon Tools

I remember my grandmother sitting on our front porch swing, and tatting. When I was old enough to learn, her eyesight was too poor to teach me. So, as a young adult I taught myself to tat. My tatting has taken a back burner to other fiber arts that I enjoy, but I recently resurrected my tatting supplies. And, I decided to make a tatting shuttle. My Proxxon tools were perfect for the task.

Here are the supplies and equipment that you'll need to make your own tatting shuttle:

• 3" x 1" x ¼" close grain hard wood blank
• Tatting Shuttle Template
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E or Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E

Let's make a tatting shuttle:

1. Print the Tatting Shuttle Template. Mount the pattern pieces on the wood blanks. Cover one side of the blanks with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
2. Drill the holes using the bench drill press fitted with a ¼" bit.
   
   
   
3. Cut the shuttle shape using either the bandsaw or scroll saw.
   
   
   
4. Sand the surfaces using the Delta sander and progressively finer grits of sandpaper. I use the Delta sander mounted in the Precision Vice FMZ so both hands are free to manipulate the piece I'm sanding. You want to sand the shuttle until it is smooth as glass, so the fine threads used in tatting don't snag on any part of the shuttle.
   
   
   
5. Wrap a skewer or thin dowel rod with sandpaper, and sand the interior of the holes. 
   
   
   
6. There you go!! You have a tatting shuttle. If  you don't already tat, I encourage you to learn. There are many good how-to videos online.
   

Carole