Sunday, December 17, 2017

DIY Wooden Lantern

The past few weeks have been super busy but I know a number of people have asked me about the decorative wooden lanterns I built recently so I wanted to share a quick post about them.   There are a number of different tutorials for variations of these lanterns which is what I shamelessly copied (like this one, this one, or this one) so it's certainly not my original idea, but I thought I'd just share how I built mine. :)

I decided to build two different sizes.  The larger one uses basic off-the-shelf lumber so is really easy to construct as they're all simple straight cuts on a miter saw.   I actually went through my scrap pile and used a lot of the smaller pieces I had so didn't have to buy anything for this project!  For the smaller size, I had to use my table saw and Microjig Gripper to rip the lumber down to much smaller widths before making the final cuts with my miter saw. 

I made sure to construct the lanterns so they are open at the top.  This allows me to use a real candle which I love the look of.



Measuring 7-1/2" wide x 17-3/4" tall, I'll show you how I created my large lantern.  The height of this particular lantern can be adjusted just by changing the length of the vertical 2x2's.  



(Mini lantern is 5" wide x 10" tall)



The following instructions are for the large lantern, but I have included the cut list for the mini lantern as well. 

Lumber List:




Tools:
Miter saw
Kreg Jig (optional)
Drill & screwdriver or brad nailer
Wood Glue
Stain or paint



I've include all the measurements I used for the mini lantern in brackets.


Step 1:
To create the base, glue the 7-1/2" 1x3's together.   (5" - 1x3's)




Step 2:
Construct the two sides of the lantern with the 4-1/2" & 14" 2x2's.   (3-1/2" & 7-1/2" - 3/4"x 3/4")






Step 3:
Glue one lantern side to the base. I used my Kreg Jig and had drilled a single pocket hole in the end of each vertical 2x2, but using a nailer or a screw through the bottom of the base and up into the vertical 2x2 also works well.



Step 4:

Glue and nail the remaining 4-1/2" 2x2's (3-1/2" - 3/4"x 3/4") to form the front and back.


 Step 5:

Glue and nail the 2nd previously constructed side.




Step 6:

Glue the 3/4" 2x2 feet (3/4" - 3/4"x 3/4") to the bottom corners.  You could add a nail but I found the glue alone was adequate enough to hold them.



Step 7:

Glue and nail on the top of the lantern frame using the 4-1/2" & 7-1/2" 1x2's (3" & 5"  1"x 5/8")


Step 8:

Add the top of the lantern by gluing the remaining 4-1/2" & 6" 1x2's ( 3" & 4"  1" x 5/8") on their edge along the top flush to the inside edge. 




A couple tips:

Cutting as you go:  Because your 1x3's may not be EXACTLY 2-1/2" in width, you can adjust the lengths of the short horizontal 2x2's to match the base width before gluing it all in place.




I chose to sand and stain all my pieces before assembling it.  I found it so much easier to achieve a consistent stain colour without having to attempt to stain the tighter corners. :)

For my mini lantern, I constructed it the same way but only used glue and a few small pin nails.

I ended up building two of the mini lanterns and will be adding a glass holder and pillar candle in each to give them to my daughters teachers as Christmas gifts.  I think it would be simple to dress these up as centerpieces on a dining or console table.

There are so many ways to dress these lanterns up and customize them for your own home.  Definitely let me know if you have any questions and I would love to see your lanterns if you decide to build one!

Happy Building!

Cristina










Thursday, December 7, 2017

12 Days of a DIY Christmas Rustic Moose



Hello!  Welcome to Day 7 of the 12 Days of a DIY Christmas series.   I am so excited to be participating again and to team up with such an amazing group of talented women!

When I was first asked to participate, a few project ideas come to mind but I finally decided on this one.  I’d come across this adorable little rustic moose on Pinterest and loved him immediately but the link didn’t lead anywhere so I decided to just recreate my own. 

I decided to take it a step further and add some mini cup hooks to his antlers to make it a sweet little advent calendar....because honesty, anytime I can add chocolate to the mix, I will! ;)  I chose to sew the little treat bags but if sewing isn’t your thing, you could pop into a local dollar or hobby store and they usually carry little bags that would also work.  Of course, he’s just as cute on his own as well. ;)
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Let’s get building!  This project is actually fairly simple and should go together quickly.
I started by sketching out a very basic outline for the pieces needed.  I’ve drawn them out on 8-1/2” x 11” paper so you can easily print them full size at home.  The antler pattern will just need to be taped together to make one continuous piece.   You can grab them as a pdf HERE or I've included the jpegs below which you should be able to click and then "save as" to your computer and then print full size.



 
I anticipated I may be making a few of these little guys, so I actually traced and cut out a template from some scrap 1/8” plywood I had in my lumber stash to make my patterns a little more stable for repeated use.  

I purchased a 6’ - 1x10 pine board, but if you’re only making one moose, you can actually squeeze it out of 3’ if you snug up the pattern pieces.  Be sure to lay the flat portion of the antlers along the edge of the board so you can use the leftover piece above it for the base (I didn’t draw a pattern for that piece). 




I cut out my main pieces with my band saw, but a jig saw or even a scroll saw would also work.  After cutting out the pattern pieces, you should be left with an approximate 4" x 18” piece that can be cut down for the base.  I chose to cut it to 14” long with my miter saw and then rip it down to 3-5/8” wide on my table saw.  

Once the pieces were cut out, I sanded them down to soften and smooth the edges.  If you have a router, you could certainly get fancy and use a round over bit along all the edges, but I’m sticking to the rustic look so just sanded it down enough to knock down any sharp edges.


I stained my pieces with Minwax English Chestnut except for the antlers which I stained with Minwax Jacobean.  I made the mistake of not using a pre-stain this time and regretted it – pine tends to absorb stain unevenly and sure enough it ended up a bit blotchy.  Oops.  


I chose to assemble it before finishing it with a clear coat.  I centered and attached the bottom edge of the body on the base piece with a little glue and then added a couple countersunk screws through the bottom. 






 I then attached the head and antlers in the same way through the back.   


For the hooks, I purchased these little ½” brass cup hooks from our local Home Depot. 



To add the hooks, I drilled a shallow pilot hole in the antlers so it was easier to start each hook before topping it all with Minwax satin Wipe-on poly.    


Once dry, I screwed in the cup hooks and painted on the eyes with some black and white craft paint and added a nose with a small red pompom.  With the addition of a bow at his neck and the little treat bags (simple tutorial below!), this project is complete!  I’m absolutely thrilled with how it turned out.










Another option is to skip the body and base and just use the head and antlers.  With a couple simple saw tooth hangers on the back, it could easily be hung on a wall to keep it within easy reach but out of the way!


If you’re interested in sewing your own little treat bags, this is what I did.   I had some leftover neutral fabric in my craft room and just wanted to use what I had, but this would be adorable using a Christmas light weight cotton fabric as well! 

Each finished bag is approx. 2-1/4” x 4”.  

For each bag, start with a piece of fabric 3” x 10”.  Fold over the short sides by 1” and sew 3/4” (ish) from the top edge. (I took this pic before actually stitching the fabric so added a digital "stitch" as a reference.




Fold the fabric in half right sides together to form the bag and sew a 3/8” seam top to bottom along ONE side. 


You’ll want to do the same on the other side as well, but before sewing it up, fold a piece of 14” ribbon in half and with the ribbon “tails” inside the bag, sandwich the folded ribbon between the two pieces of fabric with approximately a 3/4” loop outside the bag.  This loop will be used to hang the bag on the hook. 






Sew up the side seam making sure the ribbon tails are pulled out of the way.  When you turn the bag right side out, the loop should be on the inside and the ribbon tails should be on the outside. 




 I chose to also add a number to each bag using a rubber stamp set and some black ink but that’s optional.  



Fill with your treat of choice, pull the loop up through the top of the bag and close the bag by wrapping the ribbon tails around the bag and tying a bow.  Hang the bag on the hook with the loop and you're done!   



We're just over half way through the 12 Days of a DIY Christmas series.  Definitely take a peek at the gorgeous projects that have been posted so far!  Mindi from My Love 2 Create is up next!!  Looking forward to seeing her project!

Here's the list again of the talented women participating again this year.  Click the links for the free tutorial and plans from each builder!

December 1:  Her Tool Belt

December 2:  Woodshop Diaries

December 3:  Build It Craft It Love It

December 4:  The Kim Six Fix

December 5:  Anika’s DIY Life

December 6:  The Handyman’s Daughter

December 7:  The Painted Key

December 8:  My Love to Create

December 9:  Hazel & Gold Designs

December 10: The Created Home

December 11: Uncookie Cutter

December 12: Handmade with Ashley















Friday, December 1, 2017

12 Days of a DIY Christmas







Can you believe it's December 1st?! I'm so excited to share that I have joined up with a group of AMAZING women for another 12 Days of a DIY Christmas!! Prepare to see an amazing display of talent and inspiration with new projects and FREE plans being posted for the next 12 days!



Here’s where those gifts of Christmas will come from over the next 12 days:

December 1: Her Tool Belt
December 2: Woodshop Diaries
December 3: Build It Craft It Love It
December 4: The Kim Six Fix
December 5: Anika’s DIY Life
December 6: The Handyman’s Daughter
December 7: The Painted Key
December 8: My Love to Create
December 9: Hazel & Gold Designs
December 10: The Created Home
December 11: Uncookie Cutter
December 12: Handmade with Ashley

Definitely click on the link of the day to see the tutorial and free plans!


 

 










Tuesday, May 9, 2017

SPAX Fan Favourite Contest Update!

Huge thanks to everyone who took the time to pop over to the Spax U.S. website to vote during their SPAX Fan Favourite Contest

You guys - I won!!!  So super excited to know others love my swing as much as I do and feeling very honoured for the recognition.  Thank you!!!



Friday, April 28, 2017

Spax Fan Favourite Contest

Hello!

With the third Instagram Building Challenge finished (I've got a blogpost coming up about that, promise!) I was thrilled to find out that Spax (one of the judges and sponsors of the challenge) had decided to extend the fun with a contest!








Guys - I made their Top 5!! 






If you loved my swing as much as I do, I would love if you would take a moment and vote for me!  There's no need to sign up for anything, so it's super easy and only takes a moment.  I would so very much appreciate it! All you have to do is pop over to Spax US webpage and click my name on the list.


Quick, easy and only takes a moment!! (If the choices aren't showing up, just scroll to the bottom of their page and click "view web version" and the page with the choices will pop up.

Oh, and did I mention that along with the winner, they are picking a random voter to receive a SPAX swag package too???  So awesome!

Thanks everyone!  I really appreciate it!

Cristina