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!