Don't Forget the Critters!

 Here's a quick-to-work up stocking for the critters in your life. Sized to fit a small toy and some treats.

[Real] Hot Chocolate Gift

I'm a little late in getting the shopping done this year. It's finally all done and now I'm just waiting for everything that I ordered online to arrive. But I can start wrapping a few things while I wait.

I know, I know, another Hot Chocolate gift. But this one doesn't utilize the standard instant hot chocolate gift configuration. I like giving real chocolate.

Here's what I used:

• Taza Chocolate Oaxacan Sampler Gift Set
• Large Mug
• 10-inch Molinillo
• Excelsior
• Printout of recipe card - download below
• 4"x 6" cello bag with twist ties (I got mine at Michaels) 
• Cute ornament
• Ribbon

Not much to say here. I just put a little excelsior in the bottom of the bag and an ample amount inside the mug so the chocolate package can sit on top. I slid the recipe in the back and added a cute little bunny ornament on the side. Closed the bag with the twist tie and tied the molinillo onto the bag with the ribbon. 

I originally wanted to insert the handle of the molinillo into the mug and have the whisk portion stick out beyond the bag, but I thought it looked too tall and out of balance. If the mug had been taller, it would have worked out better. But in the end, it works.

I put 2 of these together in about a 1/2 hour. 2 gifts down! Now Mexican Hot Chocolate doesn't typically have marshmallows floating on top, but there's nothing stopping you from including a miniature bottle of dark rum for a drink that will truly warm your gift recipient up! They can top it off with a little whipped cream if they want to dress it up a bit.

Wood Ring Tealight Holders

Here's another wood ring project for you since I had some left over from the teether project. I wouldn't use regular wax tea lights as this candle holder is wood and has the potential for catching on fire. That wouldn't be good... No, precious. Not good at all. 

• 3 Wood Rings
• 1 Wood Disc, 2" diameter
• Empty Toilet Paper Roll and Tape
• Glue
• Battery-operated Tea Light, 1-3/8" / 3.5cm diameter or smaller

PREPARE THE GUIDE: First I made a guide to slide the rings onto to keep them aligned. Take the empty toilet paper roll and cut it up the side. Overlap the ends, slide 2 rings onto it to hold the size while you tape the roll closed.

GLUE THE RINGS: Slide the rings down the guide, gluing each one as you go. Set aside to dry.

ATTACH THE BOTTOM: Glue the disc to the bottom of the ring stack. Let dry.

Done! Insert your tea light candle.

Teether

We have a local charity that provides baby items to unwed mothers, so I thought I'd spend my time not only in a productive manner, but one that would actually benefit others on a more practical scale. I found some cute teethers on Pinterest that were made with natural wood beads and decided those would be both cute and useful. There's not much for instruction here, so this post will basically cover the specific beads I used and where to buy them.

• 4 1-inch round unfinished wood beads
• 4 Faceted unfinished wood beads
• 1 Unfinished wood ring
• 100% cotton twine
• Non-toxic glue (such as Elmer's)

Simply thread the beads onto the twine, add the ring and tie off with a square knot. Because I never trust knots, I added a dab of glue and hid the knot inside one of the round beads (they have a bigger hole). Because I was making multiples, to make threading the beads easier, I took a wire stem and folded it in half to use as a bodkin. I used pliers to make the 'loop' narrow so it would easily fit through the beads. If you're only making one, you can just tape the end of the twine to make it stiff.

Obviously, you don't need to use the twine noted - I just included it for reference more than to provide a specific recommendation. I had hoped to use leather lacing, but since the chemicals used to tan leather are toxic, that certainly wasn't an option, unfortunately. Any 100% cotton twine, yarn or cord can be used provided it fits through the holes on the beads.

As the faceted beads come in a bag of 50, I was able to make 12 teethers with plenty of round beads and rings left over for another day or another project. The individual cost works out to be $1.72 each. Word of note though, the faceted beads took about 2 weeks to arrive. The round beads and rings arrived within 1 week. 

Mini Biplane

I've pretty much given up drinking soda. Not only because it's not good for you, but because it doesn't quench a thirst - I'm always thirsty afterward. So I've switched to bottled teas and water - not exclusively, but primarily. As a result, I have a lot of tea bottles piling up. I love the shape of the bottles and have been making a ton of vases. I've run out of people to give them to, so I decided that the diner that I frequent for breakfast could use a vase of two on their tables. Instructions for the vase are located here.

Since it's a small airport cafe, I thought it would be cute to add an airplane to the foliage. They have all kinds of airplanes hanging from the ceiling with a lot of them being WWII-era or earlier. I tried searching for Matchbox-sized airplanes, but they were either too modern looking or were cost-prohibitive for making 13 of them.

In searching Pinterest, I found a lot of tutorials for popcicle stick airplanes, but they were all too big and were geared toward party gifts for kids. But they gave me the basics to work with, so off I went!

What I Used:

• Mini clothespins
• Popcicle sticks
• 1/2" wood discs
• Bamboo skewers
• Scissors
• Pliers
• Gorilla clear contact adhesive
• Hot glue
• Sandpaper
• 18 gauge floral wire, approx. 18 inches long (straight wire, not coiled)

I used Gorilla contact adhesive throughout except where noted.

WINGS & TAIL - For the wings, using the popcicle sticks, cut 1 stick in half and round cut edges. Sand smooth. For the tail, cut a popcicle stick approximately 2 inches long (I eyeballed it) and round and sand the cut edge. For the spoiler, cut a small piece from the rounded end at an angle. Trim one side slightly to make a straight edge and sand edges.

Glue wings on top and bottom of clothespin, placing them toward the gripping end covering the metal hinge. Glue the tail piece to top on opposite end. Glue the spoiler to the tail.

PROPELLER (Make 3 blades) - For the blades, cut the pointed end of a bamboo skewer approximately 3/4 inch long. Using the pliers, smash the non-pointed end. Sand edges.

Glue the pointed ends of the propeller blades to the 1/2" wood disc, spacing evenly. Cut a little nub from a skewer and glue to the front of the circle.

Glue propeller to the gripping end of the clothespin using hot glue.

APPLY WIRE - make a narrow loop on one end of the wire. Glue to the bottom of the airplane using hot glue. Bend wire down and trim to fit vase. 

TA-DA!

The Iguana Story

One of my good girlfriends lived in a very long ranch house. People pretty much came and went as desired as if they lived there. That was life at her house - everyone was family. Because the house was so long, she hung a bell onto the kitchen door so she could hear if anyone had arrived.

Now my friend also loved animals. She raised thoroughbred horses for a living and worked at the local vet as an animal health technician. Needless to say, there was always some new strange critter in her house. You learned to never lift the lid on a coffee can as there might be baby snakes inside. At one point, she had a blind three-legged dog, a pregnant cat that someone had dumped off in the dark, 2 Great Danes, chickens, a pig named Polly (that was actually a male - the kids used to play ring-toss with its tusks), I don't know how many cockatiels, love birds and parakeets, and an iguana.

Now I hate reptiles. I mean I have had nightmares involving reptiles. Prehistoric-looking things with little beady black eyes that have no soul. So I always took a wide berth around the iguana. Unfortunately, the kids would take the iguana out of its tank and let it run around the house. It had become accustomed to the sound of the bell on the kitchen door and had developed a bizarre habit of greeting anyone who entered by jumping on their foot and doing lizard push-ups. It was his way of saying 'hi!'. This strange habit enabled me to tolerate the thing enough to where I could actually be in the same room with it without freaking out.

One day as my friend and I were sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes and yapping, a mutual friend arrived. Now she was on the rotund side, and even though she was a large woman, she was very feminine with her gestures and expressions. It made her unique that way. Anyway, she opened the door and the bell rang. And from somewhere deep within the house, the iguana came running and landed on her foot to welcome her. 

At that point she began to scream and hyperventilate. This just made me and my friend laugh. We were kinda sick that way. The more she screamed, the more the lizard did his push-ups and the more we laughed. She got her wits about her enough to run down the hall and into the bathroom - with the lizard running after her.

I'm laughing so hard that I started to choke. We both get up and follow the parade into the bathroom where we find our friend standing in the bathtub - still screaming. Then I noticed two things: she had peed herself and the lizard was outside of the bathtub facing her, still doing his push-ups.

At this point, my friend and I completely lose it. I slide down the wall and can't breathe. My friend had enough functionality left about her that she was able to pick up the iguana and put him in his tank.

We spent the next hour or so with our friend being totally irked with both of us and yelled every choice word she could come up with multiple times. Because she was usually so feminine, it kept the laughter going. She hated us for at least a week after that. I don't think we ever got her to laugh about that adventure.

And that is the Iguana story.

Sweet Garden Fence

 I have a girlfriend that loves to garden. I love miniatures. So I mixed the two for a 'just because' gift.

The construction was pretty straightforward, so instead of providing instructions, I'm just posting a pic of the front and back. All metal parts were adhered with Gorilla glue, everything else was hot-glued. The flower box was made with craft sticks covered with foil and handles made of jute twine.

What I Used:

• Garden tools
• Garden hose with holder and hose bib
• Bucket
• Little red wagon
• Adhesive-backed sheet moss
• Craft sticks
• 2 wood cubes
• White chalk paint
• Bits of wire for hooks
• Gorilla clear contact adhesive
• Hot glue
• Mod-Podge for sign
• Bit of jute twine
• Tiny flowers
• Garden print (download below)

Garden Sign.pdf

McDonald's Got Scary

Last night I just didn't feel like cooking. This happens frequently as I live alone and dragging out pots and pans just doesn't seem worth it most of the time. (I'm looking to change the living alone scenario, but that's another story.) So I decide to run out and grab a quick burger. Since it was late in the evening, my new favorite burger place was not open, so McDonald's it was.

Let me back up and tell you that I hail from California. In California, the governor has decided to lock us down again - indefinitely. We're campaigning to recall him, but again, that's another story.

Because we're locked down, all drive-thrus have long lines. Even though we're allowed to go to restaurants that have outdoor dining, very few restaurants out here have it because it gets so stinkin' hot in the summer. So, it doesn't seem to matter what time of day it is, you're going to sit in a line. It's finally my turn. I place my order and scoot the car up so the person behind me can order. Now this particular McDonald's has a double-drive-thru so after you place your order, you then take turns forming a single line to approach the pay and pick up windows. It was while I was waiting my turn that the excitement began.

I guess someone wasn't following the drive-thru protocol and didn't pull up fast enough or far enough. This got some guy worked up and he was screaming from his car and honking his horn - dropping F-bombs at the top of his lungs with every other word. I look around my car for something to use as a weapon, if needed, and found a can of spray paint I picked up for another craft project. If nothing else, if it gets ugly and I'm somehow dragged in, my foe's face will end up being a lovely shade of agave blue.

The F-Bombing continues and when I looked in my side mirror, I see a guy get out of his car. Great. There's going to be a fight right here over hamburgers. I'm now able to drive up to the pay window where I see the young woman running the window is about 9-1/2 months pregnant. I asked her if she had the police number handy and if there was a guy that could take over the window. I was afraid for her - especially in her condition. She said she had the number handy, but felt ok because she had 3 other young women with her in her little cubby. She could also keep an eye out because they can see everything happening in the drive-thru, plus she can hear everything through her headset. I felt a little better for her and proceeded to the pick-up window. A hefty guy handed me my order and I asked him if he would please keep an eye on the women at the pay window. He assured me he would, so I took my burger and headed for home.

When I got home, my clicker for the gate didn't work. I guess the battery is dead after 5 years. Fortunately, the gate code is tied to my cell phone, so I just entered my code and buzzed myself in. Sheesh.

But I get it. People are frustrated. We're ALL frustrated and tired of being locked up. Tired of not being able to go to church or participate in other lawful activities (executive orders and edicts are not laws), while the rioters and useful idiots are free to run amok. But the frustration is becoming petty and childish. If people don't immediately get their way, or if things don't go the way they want them to, they're lashing out as if the situations are / were dire or life-threatening - or at the very least, they're just behaving like spoiled children. We all need to chill out and shift our focus to where it should be. Being kind to our neighbor, offering forgiveness and returning to civility. It's not your neighbor that's the problem.

Lavender Planter

It's been about a month since I posted last, but I've been crafting! I was just too lazy to get the camera out and take the pics. I recovered from my laziness today and have 6 new projects posted.

I had these 3 mini crates that have been staring at me for a while. I finally knocked the neurons around and came up with this planter.

Now you kinda get a peek at what my messy craft area looks like. 

Here's What You'll Need:

• 3 Mini Crates
• Paint or stain of your choice 
• Hot glue
• 2 Blocks of floral foam
• 1 pkg Reindeer Moss
• 2 bunches Lavender*
• 1 bunch Baby's Breath*
• 18 gauge wire
• Hot glue
• Mini Chalkboard sign
• Skewer
• Black paint
• Small paint brush
• White paint pen

*or flowers of your choice

   

STEP 1 - PREPARE CRATES: Paint or stain the crates. Let dry. Glue two together to form the bottom portion of the planter. Insert floral foam, leaving room on each end to cover handle opening with moss. Center the last crate on top and glue in place. Insert another block of floral foam, again, leaving room to insert moss to cover the handle opening.

STEP 2 - ARRANGE FLOWERS: Remove lavender from main stem. Place as desired in all three crates. Cut pieces of wire approx. 1-1/2" long. Remove baby's breath from main stem. Glue each individual stem to a wire and place amongst the lavender.

STEP 3 - MAKE GARDEN SIGN: Paint skewer black. Glue to the back of the chalkboard sign. With the white paint pen, write 'Lavender' on the sign. Trim skewer so sign is placed at desired height. Insert sign.

I had a mini garden gnome left over from another project and decided this would be his new home too. As ai recall, I got him at Hobby Lobby, but don't remember what I paid for him.

Done!

TOTAL PROJECT COST (minus paint & tools): $15

Mini Crates: $1 each = $3

Floral Foam: $1 each = $2

Reindeer Moss = $1

Lavender: $3 each = $6

Baby's Breath: $3

I had everything else on hand.

BUYING GUIDE

Mini Crates Floral Foam & Reindeer Moss: Dollar Tree

Lavender & Baby's Breath: Walmart

Easy Solar Lights

Got 5 minutes? This one is a real quickie! I made three of them to put on my porch table.

What You'll Need:

• Solar stake light
• Tall vase with opening slightly smaller than the top of the solar light
• Suitable glue

The glass vases come in a variety of colors.

STEP 1: Remove the stake and post from the solar light. All you will need is the rechargeable top and clear plastic section that holds the light bulb.

STEP 2: Apply glue to the rim of the vase. Insert solar light and center. Let set until completely dry.

Done!

PROJECT COST

Solar light = $1 each

Glass vase - $1 each

TOTAL PROJECT COST = $2 each.

BUYING GUIDE:

All items were purchased at the Dollar Tree.

Framed Lattice Wall Hanging

I had a canvas frame left over and it was burning a hole in my proverbial craft pocket. This would be cute with any number of things added to it.

This picture was taken at a bad angle. The bottom of the vase is actually
flush with the bottom of the background board.

What You'll Need:

• One 8"x10" canvas frame
• 12 Bamboo skewers
• Chalk paint in White and Black
• Stain
• Paint brushes
• Rag
• Staple gun with 5/8" staples
• Scissors
• Sandpaper, as needed
• Hot glue
• Embellishment of your choice

I used 12 bamboo skewers. This is just a guide. If you'd like your grid to be closer together, you will obviously need to use more than 12.

STEP 1 - PREPARE FRAME: Remove canvas from frame. With white paint, paint entire frame - inside and out. Set aside to dry. When completely dry, apply stain and let that dry completely.

STEP 2 - PREPARE SHIPLAP MOUNTING BOARD: Apply glue to 2 paint sticks. Placing side-by-side, glue paint sticks on top of the 2 with the glue to form a square. When glue is set, cut rounded edges with scissors all around. Paint and stain as for the frame in Step 1.

STEP 3 - PREPARE GRID PIECES: With scissors, cut the sharp tips off of the skewers so you won't be continuously pricking yourself. Paint each skewer black. Let dry.

STEP 4 - ASSEMBLE GRID: With back of canvas frame facing you, position skewers at a diagonal, spacing evenly apart (I just eyeballed it, but you can use a ruler if you prefer). When satisfied with the placement, mark top and bottom placement of each skewer. Staple skewers in place and trim off excess.

Repeat Step 4, placing skewers in the opposite diagonal direction.

STEP 5 - APPLY MOUNTING AREA: Turn frame over with right side facing you. Position placement of the mounting board centering it over the grid. Mark placement. Apply a few drops of hot glue to skewers and place mounting board. 

Flip frame over so the back is facing you, apply generous amounts of hot glue to several places to securely hold the mounting board in position. Glob it on!

STEP 6 - APPLY EMBELLISHMENT: Using the appropriate glue for the item you're placing, position item on the mounting board and glue. Let glue set completely.

Done!

PROJECT COST

Canvas Art Frame = $1

Bamboo Skewers = $1

Paint Sticks = $1

I had all other items on hand.

TOTAL PROJECT COST = $3

BUYING GUIDE

Art frame and skewers: Dollar Tree

Paint Sticks: Home Depot

Farmhouse Screen Door

I know I've been posting a lot of crafts that use Dollar Tree items, but with this virus, access to craft supplies is limited in my area. For the better craft stores like Michaels, Joann's and Hobby Lobby, they're inventories for basic crafting items are mostly sold out. But I can freely go to a Dollar Tree. And since we have four of them in my area, I find that I've been hitting all of them on a routine basis in search of something to work on.

So here's the latest Dollar Tree project.

What You'll Need:

• 2 pkgs Wood Rulers (totaling 4 rulers)
• 1 Splatter screen (the one with handle, not the center knob)
• 8 Quart-size paint sticks
• Spackle or wood filler
• Sandpaper
• Hot glue
• Paint in desired color
• Paint brush
• Small bit of doweling, small bit of skewer
• Box cutter
• Pliers
• Scissors

      

STEP 1 - PREPARE SCREEN DOOR FRAME: Remove plastic ruler mark strips from all four rulers. Set 2 aside as you will use them as-is. From the remaining rulers, and using the box cutter, score 3 pieces 4-1/4 inches long, then bend to break apart. Cut any wood flash off with your scissors.

Arrange pieces as follows: 

The smooth side of the rulers will be used as the front side. The raised strip on each ruler will be used as guides on the back. 

The two uncut rulers will be used as the outside of the frame. The three short pieces are placed on the inside top, bottom and middle. Glue in place. Take one of the paint sticks and cut into small narrow pieces to be used as reinforcements on the back of the frame. Take 4 pieces and glue one in each corner seam. Take 2 additional pieces and glue one in the middle on each side of middle piece.

Flip frame over to so the front is facing you. Fill holes with spackling. Set aside to dry.

Flip frame over so back is facing you. Cut 5 of the the quart-sized paint sticks to fit in the bottom section of the door frame. Glue in place.

STEP 2 - PREPARE SCREEN: Using pliers, lift one side of the round frame from the screen all around. This will allow you to use the entire screen. If you have a better method for separating the screen from its frame, by all means, use it.

With the back side of the door frame facing you, measure the area for the screen (from guide to guide) and cut a square of the screen to those measurements.

STEP 3 - PAINT THE DOOR FRAME: Sand the speckled areas flush to ruler surface. Wipe off dust with a damp cloth. Paint the door frame making sure to cover the inside edges of the upper and lower sections and outside edges. Mine took two coats. Let dry completely.

STEP 4 - MAKE DOOR HANDLE: Cut a small piece of doweling (approx. 3/4" long), and a small piece of a skewer (approx. 1/2" long). Glue pieces together and paint black or in a color that coordinates with the door. 

STEP 5 - ATTACH SCREEN & DOOR HANDLE: Take the last two paint sticks and cut in half lengthwise to form 2 narrow strips. With back side of door frame facing you, cut each narrow stick to length to fit inside of the guides.

Place screen in upper portion of frame. Apply hot glue to one stick and glue over screen to attach to the frame. Repeat for the other 3 sides.

Flip door over. Glue door handle in place, skewer side to the door.

Done!

If desired, make a small wreath to hang on your door : )

PROJECT COST (not including paint, tools and basic supplies):

Rulers, spackle and splatter screen = $1 each to total $4

I already had all other items.

TOTAL PROJECT COST = $5

BUYING GUIDE

All items purchased at Dollar Tree.

Tiered Plant Stand

Here's a cute pot stand for mini terracotta pots and is perfect for displaying small succulents! (Mine are always fake.) I had bought a package of 3 mini terra-cotta pots and wasn't quite sure how I would display them, so they sat around unused until I came up with this. This is perfect for a little something to place in a corner somewhere to spruce things up a bit.

What You'll Need:

• 4 cubes w/ drawers - you will be using the outside cubes only
• 3 mini terracotta clay pots
• Paint, stain or both
• Paint brush
• Suitable craft glue
• A small amount of jute twine or other embellishment
• Bits of floral foam, as needed
• 3 artificial succulent plants (or plants of your choice)
• Scissors

These boxes come with
a variety of cut-out shapes.

For paint, I used Waverly Chalk paint in Scallion and Metallic Real Gold for the pots. I painted the stand with Waverly white chalk paint and stained it afterward with a dark walnut stain. For one of the succulent plants I used, you could see the floral foam, so I added some aquarium gravel that I had on hand to hide it.

STEP 1: Remove drawers from cubes, set aside for another project. Glue 3 cubes together, open sides down, forming an L-shape. Glue the last cube on top of the corner cube. Let glue set completely.

Note: The cubes will not be the same identical size. Align the cubes so all outside edges are flush. You will be disguising the fit inconsistencies on the inside later.

STEP 2: Paint or stain your cube configuration. Let dry.

STEP 3: To disguise the fit inconsistencies, glue jute twine, (or a strand of small beads or whatever suits your fancy), around the bottom of the top cube and up the center where the two bottom cubes meet in the front. Trim off any excess.

STEP 4: Paint pots as desired or leave as-is. If desired, you can embellish with some jute twine, (or whatever you used on the stand), beneath the rim of each pot to tie the overall design into the stand.

STEP 5: Add your floral foam and plants.

Done!

PROJECT COST (not including paint and tools):

Cubes = $4

1 pkg Mini Terracotta Pots = $1

Succulent plants = $3

Floral foam = $1

Total Project Cost = $9

BUYING GUIDE:

Cubes, Pots, Floral Foam and Succulents were purchased at the Dollar Tree.

All other items I had on hand.

Red Barn Planter

Real farmhouses are not decorated or accessorized in all white on the inside. I've yet to see a farmhouse kitchen with subway tile that is outside of the suburbs. Or signs that say Farm or Farmhouse hung on the walls. That's a Joanna Gaines-take thing. I like Joanna's style too, but let's please get away from all farmhouse-style decor being white.

For a while, I lived up the hill from my girlfriend who raised thoroughbred horses for racing. Her house was the proverbial 'farmhouse'. And her kitchen was not all white. In fact, it was wallpapered with blue paper that had little white flowers all over it. She had an old round oak table that was stained a dark color. Her bathroom door was made out of old barn wood with a crescent cut into it. I loved that door! Bottom line, it was a real farmhouse without all of the glitz of a professional interior decorator.

So I offer you a craft that deviates. It's red. Like barns are red.

What you'll need:

• One 30-count pkg quart paint sticks
• 2 Dollar Tree frames
• 4 Dollar Tree wood cubes
• Red chalk paint (I used Folk Art Imperial)
• Stain or brown paint for distressing
• Wax
• Paint brushes
• Clean rag
• Paper towels
• Scissors (not your good ones, you'll be cutting paint sticks)
• Craft knife
• Craft glue
• Pencil
• Sandpaper
• Floral foam
• Floral bush
• Wire cutters, as needed

This planter is not designed for holding soil. If you'd like to use for real plants, plant them in a pot that will fit inside the planter. If your pot isn't tall enough to display properly, you may need to add something inside the planter to raise it up.

STEP ONE - PREPARE FRAMES

Remove any raised pieces from the backing on one frame. These can be easily pried off using your fingers or a screwdriver. Remove back from one frame. The back can be removed by firmly pushing out from the inside - you may have to go around a time or two (don't use brute force as you may crack the back or frame). The frames will serve as the top and bottom portions of the planter.

STEP TWO - ATTACH SIDING

Using the glue of your choice, attach 5 paint sticks to the inside of the bottom and top frames. Let set. If desired, cut 4 paint sticks to line the top inside of the planter to hide the rounded edges of the paint sticks. Glue in place.

STEP THREE - PREPARE & ATTACH CROSS HATCHES

Using a craft or razor knife, cut 4 paint sticks in half lengthwise to create 8 pieces. Sand edges as needed. Position on side of planter to determine cut length of first cross hatch. Mark with a pencil, cut with scissors and glue in place. Position another stick in the opposite direction. Mark to make center cut and end cuts. Cut and glue in place. Position second half of stick and mark end cut. Cut and glue in place.

Repeat for remaining 3 sides.

STEP FOUR - ATTACH PLANTER FEET

Glue one cube to each corner of bottom.

STEP FIVE - PAINT, DISTRESS & FINISH

Paint the entire planter with red paint, including the bottom. Mine took 2 coats. Let dry completely between coats and after. 

If using stain, apply stain with a clean rag - one side or section at a time - and wipe off with clean paper towels leaving stain in the nooks and crannies. Repeat for entire planter. Let dry completely.

If using paint, dry-brush brown paint on all edges to distress. Let dry.

Finish with applying a coat of wax to the entire planter. Let dry 24 hours.

Glue floral foam to the bottom of the planter, Trim stem of floral bush, if needed, insert into the foam and display.

DONE!

TOTAL PROJECT COST - $4

2 frames @ $1 each - $2

6" paint sticks - $1

Wood cubes - $1

I had everything else.

Oh, Say Can You See!

OK - Let's get back to crafting!

Sorry for the bad pic - it was dark when I took this photo.
I'll try to remember to take another and post later.

I think my new favorite crafting glue is Gorilla Clear Grip Contact Adhesive. It's better than using E6000 as it presets [stronger] in 2 minutes and becomes permanent after 24 hours. While it's in preset mode, if you don't like your placement, you can easily remove it, wipe off the residue with your fingers and start over. But since it does become permanent, you can use your item inside or outside. If you don't plan on using this item outside, you can obviously use hot glue for the entire project.

This project post may be a little late and a dollar short, but if you already have your holiday prep under control, it is fairly quick to put together. It can be used as an accent piece on a serving table, hang it on a wall or place wherever you want to display a little patriotism for the holiday.

What You'll Need:

• Two 8"x10" Dollar Tree art canvases
• Stain or paint (I used Dark Walnut stain)
• 8"x12" Economy Flag (I got mine at Target)
• 1 Dollar Tree Red, White & Blue balloon weight
• Two 1" natural wood beads
• Gorilla clear grip contact adhesive
• Staple Gun
• Wire cutters
• Backing cardboard (I used a cereal box)
• White paint, as needed
• Something to cut the flag pole with (I used heavy duty wire cutters)
• Sandpaper
• Scissors or Exacto knife for trimming fabric

STEP ONE - PREPARE FRAMES
Remove the canvas from both frames. I didn't remove the staples as they were embedded below the wood surface. Glue frames together, staple sides together, then stain or paint. Dollar Tree canvas frames are not known to be exact in size, but don't worry about it. Just align them as best you can. Set aside to dry, about 1 hour.

STEP TWO - ATTACH FLAG
Remove flag from pole. Mine had 2 staples holding it on that were easily removed by pulling slightly. Position flag on back of frame and staple in place, pulling tautly as you go. Trim excess fabric.

STEP THREE - ATTACH CARDBOARD BACKING
Using the frame as a template, trace around onto cardboard. Paint white and let dry. Cut backing, cutting slightly smaller than the frame. Glue onto back of frame, white side toward flag.

STEP FOUR - CREATE 'FIREWORKS'
With wire cutters, cut the 2 segments of the decoration from the weighted base. You will have 2 pieces - the spray and the stars. Remove center wire from each. Insert each into the hole of the bead and glue in place on the frame.

STEP FIVE - ATTACH FLAG POLE
This is an optional step, but I thought it still needed a little something. Plus the dowel ties in with the natural beads used to hold the fireworks. Cut the flag pole to length, sand cut end to smooth and glue in place.

DONE!
Well, maybe. I have some parchment printer paper around here somewhere. I might make a little scroll printed with "Oh, Say Can You See..." and place it on the top of the frame.

TOTAL PROJECT COST - $4.50
2 Art canvas frames - $2
Balloon weight - $1
Flag - $1.50
I already had everything else.

Copycat: Taco Bell Baja Blast Freeze

I have to admit I didn't particularly like these at first, but they grew on me until it was almost an addiction. The Powerade had no effect on me, but it could be because I'm old and tired :P But unless you have a Taco Bell that offers a 'Happy Hour', they can become a costly habit. Here's a decent copycat recipe:

Ingredients

One 12 oz. can Mountain Dew

4 oz. Powerade Mountain Berry Blast

Ice

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If you want to make a larger amount, just use the 3 parts Mountain Dew to 1 part Powerade ratio [3:1]. Alternatively, to keep from watering down the concoction from the get-go, blend the ice separately then pour the drink mixture over the ice.

Enjoy!

Neverlost Bookmark

Similar in concept to the Thong bookmark, this one wraps around the book at the page where you left off.

This bookmark fits an average-sized hardcover book, but can easily be adjusted longer or shorter as needed. Just increase or decrease the 'normal' chain length.

A quickie project that can be added to a book for a personalized gift.

Stripe Dish Cloth

Dish cloths made with cotton yarn are great, but in my opinion, nothing beats thread. For one, they're not as thick so you can get into the nooks and crannies easier. Secondly, they dry out much faster so you don't end up with a 'sour' cloth sitting on your sink if you use your dish cloth longer than a day.

This pattern utilizes the granny stitch, so again, a simple cloth for beginners. The pattern also comes from Coats & Clark's Book No. 116, Gifts for All Occasions.

Personally, I like using a No. 7 hook instead of the No. 4 that is called out. I just prefer a tighter stitch. I still make a chain 17 inches long and work in pattern. Obviously, gauge doesn't matter - it's a dish cloth!

Enjoy!

Lady Fair Apron

A crochet pattern!

No, I haven't completely dropped the hook. I've just been in a crochet funk for a while. It happens. This is one of my favorite vintage patterns that I've made a few times because it just works up so pretty!

Variegated threads are difficult to come by anymore, but you can still find a store here and there that carries Aunt Lydia's in a limited number of variegated colors. If you just can't find what you're looking for, I'd recommend Handy Hands. They carry Lizbeth threads in just about any color and color combination you can think of.

This pattern is simple enough for even beginner / intermediate thread-crocheters.

Enjoy!

Alpaca Trinket Dish

Alpacas or Llamas? You figure it out. Anyway, it's a cute little dish that can be used as a trinket or coin dish, soap dish or a scrubbee holder.

Horrible picture, I know, but it's the only one I have handy. It came out looking so much cuter than this!

I've seen similar dishes on Pinterest where they painted the animals white and distressed them for a French Shabby Chic look, but I thought these Alpacas / Llamas were cute enough just the way they were, so I didn't go there. Sheep would also be cute - pick whatever critter suits your fancy.

What You'll Need:

• Small square snack dish (mine is 8" square)
• 4 large plastic animals with long flat backs that sit / stand evenly
• Hot glue gun and sticks
• E6000 glue
• Marker

You could probably use a dinner or luncheon-sized plate or a flat-bottomed bowl. You would just need to play around to see what works best with the animals you choose. I just thought it looked cute with their butts touching.

STEP 1: POSITION

Turn over plate and mark centers along the raised edge. Arrange the animals facing each direction. Place plate on top to determine the best contact points, aligning the center of the animals with your marks. 

STEP 2: GLUE IN PLACE

For quick set, apply a dab of hot glue to the animals contact points. Set dish on top. When glue is set, turn over and apply E6000 for the permanent set. Let dry completely before using.

DONE!

I'm using mine in the bathroom as a soap dish. I have weird things in my quasi-Steampunk-style bathroom (like a model of the Hindenburg flying over the toilet), so it fits in perfectly. 

TOTAL PROJECT COST - $23

Animals = $20 ($5 each) This is the cost without coupons

Plate = $3

SHOPPING GUIDE

Animals = Michaels

Snack Plate = Pier 1

Book Spine Bookmark

Guaranteed to last longer than any purchased bookmark!

What you'll need:

• Old book
• Purchased or handmade tassel
• Eyelet and eyelet setter
• Leftover piece of scrapbook paper
• Contact cement
• Exacto knife
• Awl or Crop-A-Dile
• Scissors

If you don't have an old hardcover book that you're willing to part with, you can pick one up at the thrift store. Find one with a fun title. I picked General Biology because there are ONLY 2 GENDERS / SEXES, no matter what the Supreme Court says!

A Crop-A-Dile can be found in the scrapbooking section of Michaels, Joann's or Hobby Lobby. If you have one, you can use it as both a hole punch and an eyelet setter. They're on the pricey side, so determine if this is a tool that you will use enough to justify the cost and don't forget to use those coupons!

STEP 1: Cut spine from book. I did this by first cutting the pages away with the exacto knife, then laying the cover flat and cutting along the edge of each cover. This leaves a flap of material on each side of the spine that you can fold over.

STEP 2: Glue the flaps down on the back side of the spine. Cut a strip of scrapbook paper to fit over the back and glue in place. Let set.

STEP 3: Using an awl or Crop-A-Dile, make a hole large enough for the eyelet to fit through. Insert eyelet and set.

STEP 4: Attach tassel.

DONE!

I picked up my used book at the Salvation Army for $1. All other items I already had.

Note Traps

Have a need for something to hold notes? Use a rat or mouse trap!

The one on the left is a rat trap, the one on the right is a mouse trap. Remove all parts from the mouse trap, glue on some leftover pieces of scrapbooking paper, replace the metal trap (use strong glue like a 5-minute epoxy) and embellish as you like. Glue a magnet to the back, stick it on your refrigerator and you're done!

To use, just pull back on the top of the trap and insert your note!

Dry Erase Board

This one is so easy-peasy!

Here's what you'll need:

• Lightweight Dollar Tree 8"x10" picture frame
• 1 sheet of scrapbook paper
• 5 neodymium magnets (if you want to hang it on your refrigerator, 1 magnet if you don't)
• Dry erase marker with magnet on pen case
• E6000 glue
• Scissors or paper cutter
• Any embellishments you want to add

These are much stronger than the regular black button magnets.
If you hang on the refrigerator, you need to use this type to keep the frame from sliding down.

Not even sure if instructions are needed, but here you go:

STEP 1: Remove back from frame. If you're going to hang it on the refrigerator, remove the stand or cut it down so it doesn't extend past the frame.

STEP 2: Cut the scrapbook paper to fit the frame. You can use the frame insert as a template. Insert the paper on top of the glass, followed by the inserts and ending with the reattaching the back.

STEP 3: Glue the magnets to each corner of the frame on the back. Allow the glue to set. Flip the frame over to the right side and glue another magnet to the side or bottom of the frame. This will be for your dry erase pen.

STEP 4: Add any embellishments or leave plain. Up to you! When the glue has completely set - about 24 hours - you can hang on your refrigerator. 

DONE!

TOTAL PROJECT COST: $9

Frame = $1

Scrapbook Paper = $1

Magnets = $4

Dry erase pen = $3 for set of 4

SHOPPING GUIDE

Frame = Dollar Tree

Scrapbook Paper = Hobby Lobby

Magnets = Michaels

Dry erase pen set = Walmart

Got an Old Lamp? Make a Birdbath!

I made these a while back. I picked up a couple of old lamps at the thrift store (cheap!), and the diffusers, 5-minute epoxy and lamp finials at Home Depot. Each birdbath came to about $25 all in. You'll want to use a lamp base that is fairly heavy so it won't tip over easily. I picked the acorn finial as it was taller than the others and completely hollow inside which allowed me to be imprecise about how much of the rod to leave exposed. Plus, it was brass which will last much longer than plastic. Once the epoxy sets, you won't be able to remove it without a lot of elbow grease and chemicals.

Simply take the lamp apart and remove everything but the base and the threaded rod. Depending on how the lamp is assembled, grunting may be required. Place a washer and bolt to secure the rod placement (should be part of the lamp assembly). Finger tight. You want to leave enough of the rod exposed for the diffuser and finial.

Slide the diffuser onto the threaded rod and screw on the finial - finger tight. Mix the epoxy and put all around the finial making sure you leave no open areas. The epoxy will serve as your waterproof barrier.

That's it! Now let sit for 24 hours before putting outside and filling with water.

Never lift the filled birdbath by the diffuser. It will break the glass. My neighbor learned that lesson the hard way. Change the water often or use a wiggler to keep the water moving so it won't become stagnant and draw mosquitos. We have enough going on with C-19, we don't need to add West Nile to the mix!

Escape from New York

If you don't care about what's going on in New York, you don't have to watch the video. Just stare at Snake Plissken. You're welcome.

The Chosen

This series about Jesus is unique in that it is completely crowd-funded. They've made Season 1 available for free (8 episodes) in both the Apple and Google app stores for your phone. I have the DVDs and can tell you that the series, so far, is Biblically accurate minus for very minor deviations that have no bearing on the overall message.

Here is the newest trailer for Season 1:

The Roman soldier's voice sounds like Q from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Whenever he's on the screen, I have to work hard at not seeing Q. Needless to say, I had to research. Sadly, the actor is no relation to John de Lancie, but he could easily take over his character in future movies, if we ever have any more.

Original Trailer

The first 3 episodes are currently available on YouTube in case you want to view on your TV. If you like what you see, you can purchase the DVDs here. I promise, it's a keeper! And if you really like what you see, you can also donate to get Season 2 finished.

Enjoy!

To Infinity and Beyond!

Israeli spacecraft moves to forefront in NASA Neptune mission

 June 23, 2020

A Weizmann institute-designed spacecraft is in the running to be chosen by NASA for a 2026 mission to Neptune.

By Lauren Marcus, World Israel News

A Weizmann Institute-designed spacecraft is in the running to be chosen by NASA for a mission to Neptune. The craft, named Trident, has received over $3 million in funding to enable researchers to search for signs of life and study the atmosphere and oceans of the planet Neptune’s moon, Triton.

After last July’s crash landing of the Israeli aircraft Beresheet on the moon, the Neptune mission may be the Jewish state’s attempt at redemption in space exploration.

Trident was chosen from 22 competitors and is currently one of four projects remaining in the final stage of selection. NASA will choose two crafts for the 2026 launch. The craft are expected to arrive at Neptune in 2038.

One of the critical features above the Israeli craft is a hyper accurate clock, built by Jerusalem based firm Accubeat. The clock, which loses less than one second every million years, will be able to record, measure, and transmit data about Triton’s atmosphere.

Professor Yohai Caspi of the Weizmann Institute’s Earth and Planetary Sciences Department spoke about the project’s goals with ILTV News. One of the main aims of the mission will be investigating Triton’s subsurface ocean.

“The spacecraft will be measuring the thickness and mass of this ocean,” said Kaspi.

“Moreover, in some places, this ocean spills out. We have geysers that are going from the interior to the atmosphere, which is carrying the material around, and that’s something we’ll be measuring with the spacecraft.”

To the delight of those who are curious about life on other planets, Kaspi directly alluded to the possibility of finding life forms within Triton’s deep oceans.

“It might even have life in it. We have life very deep in the oceans on Earth, where there’s no sunlight, so maybe there’s a similar state on this moon,” Kaspi said to ILTV News.

Kaspi also explained that Triton’s atmosphere is another main focus for investigation.

“We’ll be learning about a very unique atmosphere that hasn’t been observed before on any other moon in the solar system.”

But it’s not just the moon’s atmosphere that makes it unique. Triton spins the opposite direction of Neptune, suggesting that it likely did not originate in Neptune’s system. So in studying Triton, Kaspi said, “We’re actually learning about an object from outside our solar system.”

“This is something very new.”

This article appeared first on World Israel News.

Don't Mess with the Big Babu!

CHINESE TROOPS IN 'PANIC MODE' AFTER BORDER CLASH WITH INDIA
Steven Green 
June 22, 2020 1:38pm EST

Chinese troops were reportedly in “panic mode” after a recent border clash with Indian troops high in the two nations’ disputed Himalayan border area.

The Sunday Guardian’s Abhinandan Mishra reported on Sunday that “Chinese soldiers were in a state of shock and fear after the Indian soldiers replied with ‘sheer fighting force’ to the treacherous attack by the Chinese.”

The two countries share a largely undemarcated and sometimes disputed border in the Himalaya mountains, where the peaks can reach 28,000 feet. While the area has been largely quiet in recent years, the two nuclear-armed powers have engaged in sometimes-deadly border clashes since May 10.

The Sunday Guardian report details the most recent fighting, in which China’s PLA land forces may not have acquitted themselves very well:

Inputs accessed by The Sunday Guardian post the debriefing of these 10 men, revealed that the outnumbered and “unarmed” (as the rules required them to be) Indian troops, rather than retreating in view of the huge number of Chinese soldiers, grabbed the improvised clubs and rods that the Chinese were using to batter Indian soldiers, and used the same to kill “at least” 20 Chinese soldiers and officers at patrol point 14.

“This was one reason for the high morale of our troops who came back to us on Thursday. Our men were captured after they chased the Chinese into their area of domination, with the intention to kill them after hearing of the loss of their CO, Colonel Santosh Babu. The Chinese soldiers, seeing the unexpected attack from our men, started fleeing and running back to their area and were followed by our men, who were then captured”, the official stated.

The debriefing of the 10 men has also revealed that the Chinese soldiers were in a state of shock and fear after the Indian soldiers replied with “sheer fighting force” to the treacherous attack by the Chinese. During the next 60 plus hours, the Chinese soldiers were highly anxious about a possible retribution from the Indian side and were in “panic-mode”.

My gut reaction is to take such claims with a grain of salt, but as crazy and difficult as mountain fighting is — even in a “mere” border clash — maybe anything is possible.

China would seem to hold most of the advantages in this spring’s border clash. They literally hold the high ground — the Tibet plateau — on their side of the Himalayas. And China has made great strides to improve the local infrastructure, which is much more modern than India’s.

Also, while India has enjoyed robust economic growth in the last two decades, China’s growth has still left them in the dust.

Also, China’s military budget dwarfs India’s by a factor of almost 4 to 1: $266 billion to $71 billion.

But lacking any major external threats by land, Beijing has concentrated its defense buildup on the People’s Liberation Army air and naval forces. By comparison, the ground forces have been lacking.

So it is possible that faced with unexpectedly fierce resistance from the Indian Army during the weekend’s renewed border clash, Chinese troops simply failed.

Whatever might or might not have happened over the weekend, Beijing seems to be getting what it wants.

There is still some lack of clarity about the exact ground situation in the Galwan Valley region of eastern Ladakh. But there is little doubt that Chinese soldiers have built dozens of new fortifications and bunkers after physically occupying an almost 8-km stretch of what India considers its own territory along the Pangong Tso since early-May.

Chinese troops have also taken control of the heights to dominate ‘Finger-4 to 8’ (mountainous spurs) area on the north bank of Pangong Tso, adroitly utilising the time when bilateral military talks were underway on the troop confrontations at Patrolling Points 14, 15 and 17 in the Galwan Valley and Gogra-Hot Springs areas.

More to come from the 2020 China-India Border Clash, I’m sure — none of it good.

This article appeared first on PJ Media. Tweets that were originally included that contained video are not included in this post. Click on the link at the top of this post to view the original news story.