Christmas Found: Crafty

Showing posts with label Crafty. Show all posts

1/5/12

Wood Chip Tree Tutorial

Materials:

2 Styrofoam Cones, two different sizes
Hot Glue
Wood Chips (Grilling section at True Value)
PVC pipe fittings, 2 different sizes
Krylon Fusion for Plastic spray paint (sparkly brown)
Paint, stain or dye
Small Star (holiday pick from craft store)

Tutorial:

1. Spray PVC pipe fittings. Let dry.

2. Attach pipe fittings to bottom of styrofoam cones with hot glue.

3. Using hot glue and starting at the bottom, glue wood chips around the Styrofoam cone.

4. Continue working upwards in layers. Find the right pieces is like putting together a puzzle. I liked using pieces with bark for texture.

Note: The Weber wood chips were cut on an angle. Gluing the angle and attaching to the cone, made the chip stand out a little.

Note: Thin wood chips can be snapped which is helpful for placing on curved surface.

5. Paint or stain the wood chips and let dry.

6. Add star to top by poking wire into Styrofoam or secure with hot glue. Embellish if desired.

My inspiration was the West Elm seagrass tree but due to a shortage of sea grass in western PA, mine turned out different but not in a bad way…

Simple. Pretty. Natural.

Found Here:
DIY Holiday Highlights Linky Party and Styrofoam Wood Chip Tree Tutorial | DIY Show Off

12/29/11

How to make 5-pointed paper snowflakes

Though no longer in elementary school, I still get a kick out of paper snowflakes. I made this snowflake garland the other night from origami paper, dental floss, and tape.

The simplest paper snowflakes are based on 4- or 8-pointed stars (fold a square in half diagonally and keep halving it until it's nearly too thick to cut, then snip out small shapes ). The second and third flakes in this garland are based on a 5-pointed star. Download the 5-point folding directions right here. I think they're easier to cut since there are fewer paper layers.

Here's an 8-pointer. Unfolding is my favorite part; it's practically as thrilling as bungee jumping. To get them nice and flat, iron your snowflakes with the steam setting turned off.