Finishing up a Christmas craft project
I wouldn't be surprised if some of you have made stars out of yardsticks, but I'd never heard of this before--and as soon as I happened upon a picture online I wanted to try it. I'd never used a glue gun before either, but I bought one for this project.
I also bought spray paint, but by the time I was able to start work on the stars the weather had turned too cold to use it. So a very nice young Home Depot clerk made up a small quantity of Behr Marquee exterior enamel paint for me in Forest Green. It went on smoothly and had great coverage, but if I ever make more stars I'll spray-paint them in warmer weather. It was tedious painting those edges! I liked the result though.
I'm making two stars--one to give to my daughter and her family, and one for my son and his. After the paint dried on the first one I wound battery-powered copper-wired fairy lights around it. This was an exercise in stress management, as handling 33 feet of skinny wire that wanted nothing more than to coil around itself was wildly frustrating! I don't know how many times I untangled it, only to have it tangle right up again. I'm not looking forward to doing it again with the second one! Still, when the first star was illuminated it all seemed worth it.
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UPDATE: Victorian Christmas Craft Swap
Comments (102)Deb--I am so terribly sorry--I am having an awful time right now--might lose my job and my home--I asked my son in law to mail your pkg--he got home last night from a business trip and it is still in his back seat!!!! It will go out today-Thanks to all saying a prayer for me--I am taking a big chance being on this computer now--but felt I needed to let you know--my pkg from you did arrive and it is wonderful!!!Please post the pic for all to see--it was the only bright spot in my day-- Jeanette...See MoreWant to share Christmas crafting ideas?
Comments (33)Sure, caanei, I'm just not sure how well I can explain it. Decide on tail length, and if you want more 2 or 4 tails. If you want two, leave a single length before starting the loops. At the end you'll leave another length which will become the 2nd tail. If you want 4, then start with a big loop which will later be cut to make tails, and you'll finish with another big loop which will become tails 3 and 4. There is, of course, option here for many tails and I often will use a 5th. So with the big length hanging down, now make the 1st loop which will become the bow. Pinch and wrap twice with 24 gauge wire, Make another loop, pinch into place and wrap with wire and tighten. This will be the centre of the bow. I hold the tails in my right hand with my baby and ring finger, pinch with my thumb and forefinger, and lay the paddle wire over the back of my pinching hand. The other hand works the loops. Then just keep making the loops, working around the first two loops, pinching into place and wrapping tight with wire. With 2.5" ribbon, 7-9 loops makes a pretty nice sized bow. Narrower ribbon requires more loops. I like smaller looped bows better than long but that's just my preference. At the end, leave a length for the 2nd tail (or a big loop for the 3rd & 4th tail, or a loop and a length for 5 tails). Give it a final 2 wraps of wire and tighten. Fluff starting from the middle and work out. Cut the big loops to make the tails. And that's it - hope I explained it well enough....See MoreChristmas Crafts and Such
Comments (3)Sounds like fun! I have to wait. Son comes home this weekend, and I didn't want to deprive him of participating. Will be watching this thread for cool stuff....See MoreWhat crafts projects are YOU working on this Winter? Hhhhmmmm......
Comments (62)That is Malabrigio Rios, colorway Diana. Malabrigio is a wonderful kettle dyed merino wool and great to work with but it’s expensive. The skeins only have 210 yards and run about 15.50/skein. That kind of yarn is best suited for clothing or accessories. Once you’re on your way with your crochet, it would be a great choice to make something with. What’s funny though is that out of the thousands of yarns available, you chose the only yarn and colorway that I’ve been eyeing for a long time. I just haven’t found the right project for it yet. I like your style Raven!!! For someone starting out, the inexpensive acrylic or cotton yarns are really going to be your best option, especially because it will take some practice for you to get used to the stitches and get your tension right. Also, acrylic yarn is the best choice for Afghans (or lapghans) because the yarn is more boyant, wears well over time and it won’t fuzz up the way wool can. Just for fun, this link will take you to the information page for Malabrigio Rios in Ravelry. If you click where it says “90.6 K projects” you will be able to see what others have done with this yarn. It’s both knit & crochet but you can filter it to just crochet. https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/malabrigo-yarn-rios And here are the links for I love this Cotton & I love this yarn so you can see what it’s used for too. https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/hobby-lobby-i-love-this-cotton https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/hobby-lobby-i-love-this-yarn...See MoreAlisande
6 years agoThe yardsticks were $1 each at Home Depot. The paint was another $5 (it could have covered a multitude of stars), and the fairy lights were $6.99 for 33 ft. at Amazon. Here's the picture I took last night right after I added the lights. It's not very good, and as you can see, the lights needed to be adjusted--which wasn't hard to do since the thin wires weren't wound tightly. You can also see that I ended up with too many lights on one leg of the star, but they could be unwound and spread out. Thanks, everyone!
bengardening
6 years ago
Fun2BHere
6 years ago
share_oh
6 years ago
glenda_al