Christmas Nativity Scene Yard Art

 

Christmas Nativity Scene Yard Art

 

For today's blog post, I asked my daughter if she would share how she made the Christmas Nativity Scene that she made for me.

My mom wanted a nativity scene for her yard and had mentioned it to me a couple of times. Her birthday was coming up and I approached my brothers and step-dad about getting the materials to make this for her as a gift from all of us. They all were happy to be a part of the project and purchased the items needed so I could do the work. The project was fairly easy to make since I only needed the outline of the figures and it is painted all white. My mom said it is probably the best gift we have given her. 

This project was done with one sheet of ¾ inch exterior grade plywood, a jigsaw with scrolling blades, sandpaper to sand off any splinters, Elmer's wood filler for any holes in the edges, white exterior house paint, ½ inch metal conduit with brackets, yard stick, pencil, carbon paper, large sheets of paper for drawing the pattern, nails and 100 count white lights.

I found a simple clip art picture of a nativity scene and drew the outline of the figures on large sheets of paper. I used a yard stick and pencil to draw the stable with the star directly onto the plywood and then cut it out with the jigsaw and painted both sides and the edges with three coats of white paint. I then painted one side of the remaining pieces of plywood with white paint and then used carbon paper and a pencil to transfer the outlined figures of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the donkey onto the painted plywood. I then cut those pieces out and painted the back and edges.

After the paint dried I attached metal brackets to the back, 2 each spaced evenly and cut the metal conduit to the height I needed allowing an extra 6 inches to hammer into the ground. I then attached a strand of 100 white Christmas lights with white cord by placing nails in the points of the star and wrapping the lights. 

Recycle a Tomato Cage into a Mesh Christmas Tree

 

Since Christmas is a month away, here is how I recycled a tomato cage from the garden into a mesh Christmas tree. This is what I used to make a tomato cage Christmas tree.

1- Tomato Cage ( I used the taller cage.)

1- Green and Black Spray Paint for the cage and planter

1-100 Clear Christmas LED Cool Lights with green cord

 

1- Green Craft Wire cut into small twist tie lengths with Wire Cutters

1- 21"x10yd roll Metallic Emerald Green Deco Mesh

1- Large Plant Container

1- E6000 glue  

 

First, I cleaned and straightened a tomato cage, then I spray painted it green. Turning the cage upside down, I bent the tines at the top in and down to create a pointed tree top making the sharp edges blunt leaving a hole in the top. You’ll need this later to attach the mesh to the top.

 

Next, I used 100 LED cool clear lights for lighting up the tree under the mesh. Beginning at the bottom I attached the string of lights with wire, leaving enough of the cord free to plug into an extension cord.  I attached the string of lights with wire as I circled the stand to the top. The end or the plug can be used to attach a star that should fit in the top after the mesh is attached.

 

Next, I unrolled the mesh and curled in the sides of mesh bringing them toward each other to create a bubble or puff.  With the wire, I attached the gathered end of the mesh to the top of the stand tucking it in at the top and began circling and filling in around the stand the same way that I attached the lights puffing out the sections between attaching the wire.  After attaching mesh, I worked around the tree puffing and pulling the mesh to conceal any wire and lights.
 

Finally, I spray painted a large plant container black and put enough weight in it to keep it from tipping with the weight of the tree.  I used a few bricks.  I attached the bottom of the tree to the top of the planter. I used E6000 glue to attach the wire to the planter.

The mesh Christmas tree is ready to decorate or just leave it like it is! I left mine without decorations and only the lights for my front porch. 

For my next tree, I want to make a white mesh tree with multi-colored lights on white cord.

Below is a great link for more directions and where I bought the mesh.

http://blog.mardigrasoutlet.com/2011/11/deco-mesh-christmas-tree-made-with.html 

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

How to Make a Burlap Cross from a Burlap Bag

 

This was a project I did with my granddaughter.

 

 

To make our Burlap Bag Crosses we used the following materials.

 

1. Burlap Bags

2.  Scissors

3. Paint

4. E6000 Glue or Hot Glue

5.  Cardboard

6. Plastic grocery bags

7.  Wire to hang

8. Ribbons to decorate

9. Iron to smooth burlap to paint

 

 

 

I found burlap bags at Tractor Supply for $1.97 each.

I cut each bag to make a cross. I left the seam in the top middle and on both sides of the cross and basically cut two squares at the top corners and two rectangles at the bottom corners where the bag opens.

 

 

 I ironed the cross to make it easier to paint and inserted a piece of cardboard to keep the paint from seeping through to the back side. We painted words like Faith, Hope, Love, Grace, or an initial in the center and painted dots or circles. My granddaughter also used cookie cutters to trace around to make Christmas shapes. We used exterior paint since the crosses may have to hang outside on the front door.  

 

 

 

 

After the paint dried we removed the cardboard and used E600 glue  or hot glue to glue the sides of the cross leaving the bottom open to stuff.

 

 

We used plastic grocery bags to stuff our crosses. Once they were stuffed, we glued the bottoms closed. 

 

 

We added a wire hook to hang it and glued ribbons to the top front corner. And it is a burlap cross door hanger!

 

 



Five Ballerinas Yard Art Display

Five Ballerinas Yard Art Display

  

This is a guest post by Tina Lang.  

This was such a fun project.

It was done for Mississippi Dance Company in Crystal Springs, MS http://www.mississippidancecompany.com/index.html to be placed among the many scenes in the Crystal Springs, MS Chautaugua Christmas Display http://crystalspringsmiss.com/.

I used the following materials.

2 sheets of ½ inch exterior grade plywood with one good side

Kiltz2 primer

Brown exterior paint

Elmer's wood filler

Sandpaper

Jigsaw with wood blades

Large sheets of paper for drawing the pattern

Apple Barrel craft paints

Various paint brushes

Carbon paper to transfer the pattern to the wood

Pencil

Fine point permanent black sharpie

Krylon Crystal Clear interior/exterior spray paint

½ inch metal electrical conduit cut at 4ft with brackets and screws.

I was given a clipart picture of five precious little ballerinas and asked if I could make them into yard art figures. The needed materials were purchased and I began by painting the good side of the plywood with Kiltz2 primer and then the back side with a brown exterior paint.

 

While the paint was drying I laid out my large sheets of white paper and drew each figure at 4ft tall. I then took the patterns along with a sheet of carbon paper and pencil and transferred the pattern to the primed side of the plywood.

 

The next step was to cut out the designs with a jigsaw. After cutting, I sanded the edges to remove any splinters, filled any holes with wood filler then used a black sharpie to trace over the remaining pencil lines.

Painting with the craft paints was the best part. I used specific colors but lightened or darkened them by mixing together so each ballerina would be a little different. After the paint dried I traced back over the lines previous drawn with the sharpie to outline the drawing.

The final step was to spray the Krylon Crystal Clear paint over the craft paints as a sealer so they can be displayed outside. Then I installed two brackets on the back about 2ft apart for the pipe to slide through which will be hammered 6-8 inches into the ground to display the figures.

Thank you! Leave a comment and subscribe. Hope you enjoyed this project!

 

Recycle a Tomato Cage into a Mesh Christmas Tree

Recycle a Tomato Cage into a Mesh Christmas Tree

 

Since Christmas is a month away, here is how I recycled a tomato cage from the garden into a mesh Christmas tree. This is what I used to make a tomato cage Christmas tree.

1- Tomato Cage ( I used the taller cage.)

1- Green and Black Spray Paint for the cage and planter

1-100 Clear Christmas LED Cool Lights with green cord

 

1- Green Craft Wire cut into small twist tie lengths with Wire Cutters

1- 21"x10yd roll Metallic Emerald Green Deco Mesh

1- Large Plant Container

1- E6000 glue  

 

First, I cleaned and straightened a tomato cage, then I spray painted it green. Turning the cage upside down, I bent the tines at the top in and down to create a pointed tree top making the sharp edges blunt leaving a hole in the top. You’ll need this later to attach the mesh to the top.

 

Next, I used 100 LED cool clear lights for lighting up the tree under the mesh. Beginning at the bottom I attached the string of lights with wire, leaving enough of the cord free to plug into an extension cord.  I attached the string of lights with wire as I circled the stand to the top. The end or the plug can be used to attach a star that should fit in the top after the mesh is attached.

 

Next, I unrolled the mesh and curled in the sides of mesh bringing them toward each other to create a bubble or puff.  With the wire, I attached the gathered end of the mesh to the top of the stand tucking it in at the top and began circling and filling in around the stand the same way that I attached the lights puffing out the sections between attaching the wire.  After attaching mesh, I worked around the tree puffing and pulling the mesh to conceal any wire and lights.
 

Finally, I spray painted a large plant container black and put enough weight in it to keep it from tipping with the weight of the tree.  I used a few bricks.  I attached the bottom of the tree to the top of the planter. I used E6000 glue to attach the wire to the planter.

The mesh Christmas tree is ready to decorate or just leave it like it is! I left mine without decorations and only the lights for my front porch. 

For my next tree, I want to make a white mesh tree with multi-colored lights on white cord.

Below is a great link for more directions and where I bought the mesh.

http://blog.mardigrasoutlet.com/2011/11/deco-mesh-christmas-tree-made-with.html 

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

Drop Cloth Curtains for the Pergola

Drop Cloth Curtains for the Pergola

 

 

 

I made drop cloth curtains for our pergola mostly to keep out leaves and rain. This is what it took to accomplish this project. 

 

First, for the curtain rods, I bought Allied Tube & Conduit 1/2 in. x 10 ft. Electric Metallic Tube Conduit Model # 101543 Store SKU # 203106  from Home Depot for $2.24 a 10 ft. section.

 

The steel conduit comes in 10 foot lengths and my pergola measures 11 foot for hanging drapes. I decided to have Home Depot cut the pipe 5 1/2 foot lengths which Home depot did for free. So I have some extra pipe for another project coming soon.

 

Since the conduit was so cheap I didn't mind buying 16 ten foot lengths cut into 5 1/2 foot sections.

 

To hang the conduit, I used Lehigh 10 lb. x 4-3/8 in. Zinc-Plated Steel Screw Hooks (2-Pack) Model # 7220S-12 Store SKU # 140171 for $1.92 a 2 pack.

 

For the drop cloth drapes, I ordered online only from

Home Depot the 6 ft. x 9 ft. 8-oz. Canvas Drop Cloth (2-Pack)  Model # 692pk Internet # 203747165  for $10.98 a bag. 

 

I thought this was a great deal but if I ever do this again I will look for mildew resistant drop cloths for an outdoor project.  The drop cloths already have seams so it was just a matter of folding over the top and sewing two seams. And there you have it!

 Drop cloth curtains! 

 

 

But just incase you have an episode with finding mildew the third week, it's not a total loss. I just soaked two panels at a time in a washing machine with a full load of water and 1 cup of bleach. I used concentrated bleach. I just soaked all day or night, then wash, rinse, check that all mildew is gone, then dry as usual.

 

 

Next pre-treat when you hang them with a mildew resistant product. I found Concrobium Mold Control®, 1 Gal. Jug for $19.99 at Tractor Supply. Just follow instructions. I just hanged the drapes and sprayed them on both sides and let them hang to dry.

Here is more about this product:

Concrobium Mold Control® is a professional grade solution that offers the latest in antimicrobial technology. An E.P.A registered solution that provides fungistat/mildewstat effectiveness that eliminates and prevents mold on any surface. Contains no bleach, ammonia, acids or VOCs. No odor and requires zero isolation time. Does not require special handling or protective equipment. no dilution required. Simply spray directly onto moldy surface and allow to dry. Once dry, the mold will be eliminated and can be cleaned from the surface. Once the surface has been cleaned we recommend a second application to the surface and allowed to dry. This will provide a preventative barrier to prevent against future mold growth.

• 1 Gal. Jug
• Unscented
• Clear
• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Limited warranty

Hope this is helpful! Thank you for stopping by!

 

 

 

 

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Lady Bug Tire Swing

Lady Bug Tire Swing

 

This is how I made a Lady Bug Tire Swing.

 After cleaning an old tire with bleach and Dawn dishwashing  liquid,
I spray painted it with
Rust-Oleum Plastic Primer gloss red spray paint from Walmart and painted  the face and spots with black exterior paint.

After the paint was dry I drilled drain holes in the bottom side where it looked like the water would accumulate the longest or in the lowest spots.

I bought 3 5/16 in. x 1-3/8 in. x 2-1/2 in. Coarse Zinc-Plated #320 U-Bolts  Model # 09506 Internet # 202183390 Store SKU # 118042 from Home Depot for $1.30 each. 

 


and  three 5 foot sections of Everbilt #3 x 200 ft. Painted White Double Loop Chain Model # 12030 Internet # 202079568 Store SKU # 912840,

 a Lehigh 800 lb. 3/16 in. x 2 in. Stainless-Steel Quick Link Model # 7440S-12 from Home Depot,   

and a Lehigh 3-1/2 in. x 5/8 in. 110 lb. Nickel-Plated Steel Round Swivel Eye Bolt Snap Hook...Model # 7000S-12 from Home Depot.

.

I also had a strong rope that I tied to a tree limb.

I drilled holes in the tire for the U-Bolts and spaced them evenly around the top side of the tire swing. I attached each U-Bolt to each chain before inserting the bolts into the tire and bolted them down.

At the top of the chains I used the Quick Link to attach the chains together and the Swivel Eye Bolt Snap Hook. Then I attached the Swivel Eye Bolt Snap Hook (hook end) to the loop I made in the rope that was hanging from the limb.

Here is a link to a swing using similar hardware that you might want to check out!
http://janiszettel.blogspot.com/2010/06/were-swingin-group.html

Here is another link using a little different hardware you might want to check out! Great Diagram!
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/backyard-tire-swing-project

Hey! let me know you stopped by. I am anxious to hear your comments on any of my projects! How about a shout out for my adorable model!

 

Restoring a Metal Lawn Chair

Restoring a Metal Chair

 

I found a rusty old metal chair and wanted to restore it. This is my story.

 

First I cleaned it with some bleach water. I used a wire brush and dry cloth to wipe it down. I replaced a few bolts and nuts that needed to be replaced but was careful to retain what was left of the integrity of the chair.

Next I used Rust-Oleum Rust Reformer that I found at Walmart for $4.97. I coated the entire chair with two coats. It's a flat black color.

 

I let that dry a few days and then spray painted it with two more coats of Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Spray, American Red.

 

Once the paint had cured or really after several weeks, I applied Turtle Wax Paste Wax. I found a small can with applicator at Walmart. Now we will just have to give the old chair the test of time. 

 

Here is the before picture.

 

 

What do you think?

 

 

Restoring Metal Frame Outdoor Dining Chairs

Restoring Metal Frame Outdoor Dining Chairs

I was so motivated after restoring the wood strip bench and glass table that I found the old worn fabric chairs and restored them also. The frames were good strong metal just like new. This is how I restored them.

I bought the WeatherShield 1 x 2 x 8 Pressure-Treated Pine Strips with the rounded edges for $1.97 each at Home Depot to replace the fabric on the 4 metal-framed chairs. I bought 12 of the 8 foot strips and they were cut into 18 inch sections. 

I weatherproofed them with two coats of BEHR PREMIUM WOOD COATINGS TRANSPARENT WEATHER PROOFING ALL IN ONE WOOD FINISH left over from weatherproofing our new deck. I spray painted the metal frames with gloss black paint.

 

I bought over 100 steel bolts and nuts and used an electric drill to drill through the wood strip and into the chair frame at the same time. Then I just inserted the bolts and tightened the nuts. It was easier for me to take it one strip at a time.

 

I am so pleased with the results. The chairs are so sturdy and unlike the cloth chairs, they don’t sag or sink down. After years of plastic chairs and cloth chairs, I am impressed with strength and stability of the new wood chairs. Now I have  all new furniture to compliment my deck.

This is the before picture you are not going to believe!

Restoring a Glass Top Outdoor Table

Restoring a Glass Table

Our outdoor glass table was blown over by the wind and shattered. This is how I restored it.

I used 1/4 in x 4ft x 8ft Moisture Resistant Plywood Underlayment from Home Depot to replace the glass table top. We had the plywood left over from another project.  All you have to do is turn the table upside down on the plywood and trace and cut. You'll have to take the table apart to insert the plywood. It fit perfect inside the frame where the glass had been. A center hole was cut with a jig saw for the umbrella.

I weatherproofed it with 4 coats of BEHR PREMIUM WOOD COATINGS TRANSPARENT WEATHER PROOFING ALL IN ONE WOOD FINISH left over from weather proofing our new deck. I really love this weather proofing product.

 I spray painted the metal frame gloss black.

This was an easy and fast project that gave me my table back for enjoying meals on the deck. I bought a new umbrella that I found reduced for $15 which was the only expense.

No before picture this time. I couldn't bare to take one of the shattered glass.

Restoring a Cast Iron Bench

  Cast Iron Bench Restored

This is how I restored a cast iron bench.

I bought six WeatherShield 1 x 2 x 8 Pressure-Treated Pine Strips with the rounded edges for $1.97 each at Home Depot and had them bundle cut at Home Depot for free into 12 four-foot strips.

I used BEHR PREMIUM WOOD COATINGS TRANSPARENT WEATHER PROOFING ALL IN ONE WOOD FINISH left over from weatherproofing our new deck and applied two coats to the strips. I like the natural wood color.

I used gloss black spray paint for the cast iron sides that was $.97 a can and used new steel bolts and nuts also some 1 inch screws for the small metal braces that fit under the strips. I drilled holes in the strips, inserted bolts and tighten nuts then reinforce with screws in the braces.
                                                          

I loved this project. It was so easy and fast and the results were better than I expected. The bench was falling apart, now it’s sturdy, weather-proofed, and ready to add to my new deck.
 

This is the before picture you've been waiting for.