Saturday, July 30, 2016

PETITE PAPER LANTERNS

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“One, if by land, and two, if by sea”…so make three and keep everyone guessing. These cute little paper lanterns aren’t intended just for hanging in your windows. They look great lined up on a table top, placed in front of a mirror or perched on an end table. Endless possibilities! Adorable just about anywhere you set them. Easy to make, and easy to love.


 Follow these simple steps, and you too can bring a little light and love into your life.


This is what you will need-
Paper Lantern Pattern
White Paper Stock
Pencil
X-Acto Knife
Scissors
Straight Edge
Cutting Board
Clear Tape
Clear Drying Acid-Free Glue
Battery-Operated Tea Lights


Download the Mini Paper Lantern here. Solid lines are cutting lines, dotted lines are scoring lines.

Print pattern. Make one copy, reusable for each lantern.


Trim excess paper around pattern.


Tape pattern onto white paper stock. Tape all outside edges to the paper stock.


Carefully cut lantern out on the outside solid line (cutting line). Lift pattern off card stock.



Cut out one window from the paper pattern.



With a light pencil line, trace four lantern windows onto the paper stock using the window opening that you just removed from the pattern as a guide.




Using a straight edge, remove all four of the windows. I first scored the pencil line lightly and then with a second pass of the X-Acto to cut though the paper.




Lightly score all dotted lines, using care not to cut through the card stock. You may enlarge photo to see the score lines.




Gently fold all the scored edges.

Starting from the bottom up, apply glue on the three tabs of the base of the lantern and on the only side tab on the window section of the lantern.


Let the glue “sit” for a minute or two.

Gently attach the one window side tab to form a "box". You may have to hold the tab in place with your fingers for a moment or two. Let sit for a minute.


Lift the base up into the lantern to form the base. Hold the three tabs in place until secure.

Apply glue to the tabs on the roof. Let glue sit.


Attach the tabs of the roof sections, holding one at a time. Move on to the next section once the glue is secured. Repeat for all four roof sections. Let dry.


Apply glue to the tabs on the top. Let sit.


Carefully slide the top through the opening of the roof. Attach the tabs to the roof. Hold in place until set. Let dry. 


Cut a strip of paper stock ½” wide by 3 ½”.


Roll the strip around a pencil.



Uncurl the strip, form gently into a ring and glue together.


When all is dry attach the paper ring to the top with glue.

Repeat all steps for each additional lantern.


Add your battery operated tea lights.


For fun I glued a strip of script paper to decorate the tea light.


Sweet little lanterns. They may be small in size but they are big on ambiance. So make a few, and place them in the window and see who comes to visit. Enjoy your cozy home.











Saturday, July 16, 2016

A SIMPLE BENCH

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Here’s a simple bench that can offer extra seating or double as a coffee table and then can be tucked away. Or just left out to be admired. Either way you choose, this bench is an accessory that everyone needs. Maybe two or three. Simple to make, simple to use and simple to love. Perfect.


This bench can be made whatever length you like. I have several tucked around my house in three foot lengths or so. This bench we are constructing will be about 4 feet in length. Just big enough to sit two or three. Or house your ice bucket when you are entertaining. Make it any length you like, you will find endless uses for this simple bench.


Years ago I made this bench so my son could wait for the kindergarten bus. Painted the color of my shutters, it became part of the house.


Here it is today, different house, different use, but much loved.


One on my porch,


One in my pantry (my sons would walk in and eat standing up, so I put a bench in there and fixed that),


One as a coffee table,


One, just because,


And a collection stacked in my kitchen.

Here is what you will need to make this bench-

Wood:
50 1/2'” x 12” x 1” (1) Top
18” x 12” x 1”         (2) Legs
48” x 3 1/2” x 1”    (2) Apron
9” x 9” x 1”              (2) Cleats

Tools:
Safety Glasses
Jig Saw
Power Drill, Drill Bit, Phillips Head Bit, Countersink Bit
T Square
Straight Edge Ruler
Hamer
Tape Measure
Nail Punch
Pencil
Paint Brush

Supplies:
1 ¾” Wood Screws
1 ½” Finishing Nails
Wood Glue
Wood Filler
Sandpaper, Grit 100,120,100.
Primer
Paint


My portable work table.

Getting started. The wood I chose to work with is Poplar. It is smooth, fine grain, solid and most importantly, few or little knots. Makes for a pretty wood bench if you choose to stain, but just as beautiful painted.


This is my little hand sketch of the wood I need to cut for this project. Good to have a quick reference.


Starting with the top, measure 50 ½” length and mark at both edges.


Use your T-Square to start your line. Flip over the T-Square and connect the two marks. Use a straight edge ruler to draw the cutting line. Measure twice, cut once.

Put on your safety glasses. And pull your hair back into a ponytail.


With the jig saw cut the length of the top. Set aside.


Now measure for the two legs, 18”, make two measurements, and mark as shown.


Cut with jig saw the two legs.


Measure to find the center of the leg. Mark and lightly draw connecting line.


At the bottom of each leg measure 3” from the outside edges.


Measure up from the bottom on the center line 5 ½” and mark.



With your straight edge connect the points to form a triangle.


Cut out the triangle.

Repeat for second leg.

Measure the width and depth of your apron piece. Mine is 3 ½” wide by ¾” deep.




On the top of both legs, measure to make notch cutouts. Measure 3 ½” down and ¾” over (use your measurements here if they differ). This should be the width and depth of your apron piece.

Use your T-square and draw cutting lines.



Cut out notches. Set aside.





Measure and cut two 48” length apron pieces.


From the top of each end, measure down 1 ¼” and mark. 


From the side across the bottom measure 2 ¼” and mark.


Use your straight edge to make cut out edge. Not fancy, just a nice little detail.


Cut all four triangles off the apron. Set aside.


Cut two 9” length cleats from the 1” x 1” board. Set aside.


This is what your cut wood should look like.



Time to sand! Sand all edges, starting with 120 or 100 medium grit and finish to smooth with a fine grit 220.


Place the top, bottom side up on your work bench. Measure 7” from each end. Use your straight edge to connect the line.




With your wood glue, run a small bead of glue on one side of one cleat. Place cleat next to the line, making sure it is straight.



Mark two dots, 2" from the edge of the cleat. Using the countersink drill bit, drill both holes. Make sure you do not drill too deep and go through the top. Change to phillips head bit.


Fasten the cleat to the top, using your 1 3/4” woodscrews.

There should be a little space that the top of the screw will sit inside of the drill hole, tucked away. Repeat for the second cleat.

From the inside of the bench mark two dots, 3" from the edge on the side of the cleat that you will connect the leg to the cleat. Make sure you space your dots so the screws will not met the screws that connect the cleat to the top.

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Drill with the countersink bit the two holes.




Change bits to the phillips head and screw two 1 ¾” wood screws into the cleat to attach the leg piece. Repeat for second leg.


Flip over and stand bench on its legs to check (and admire).


Measure 1 ¼” from the end on all four sides. This is a guide to line up your apron and making sure it is centered and balanced.


Apply wood glue to the inside to the cutout and to the length of the top of the apron.





Slide apron piece into the cutout and line up from bottom edge.


Choose a tiny drill bit that is about or slightly smaller in diameter than your finishing nail.


Measure and mark two dots on the apron where your nails are to attach through to the leg. Double check the alignment, you do not want the nails to miss the leg and be exposed.


Drill your holes.


Tap finishing nails into the holes.



Carefully, tap the nail head slightly into the wood with the nail punch. Just a little divot.



Fill the divots with wood filler. Let dry.



Sand the filler smooth with fine grit sandpaper. Should feel smooth to the touch.



Now you are ready to paint. First coat should be a primer coat. Let dry completely. Or you could stain your bench, if you like.




Use exterior wood paint to finish the project. Use one or two coats, depending on color and coverage. Sand lightly with fine grit between coats.

Let dry and you are done. 

Now have a seat and think of the possibilities.