Pine Cone Deco

Are you bored? Do you have pine cones just lying around?  Well I have a solution to at least one of your problems. Make an easy decoration for the Christmas season in just a few easy steps. This is a craft that anybody can do and enjoy, it is a great way to entertain the children and you will not have to worry about paint colours getting mixed.

What you will need:

• Pine Cones ( More is always better)
• Cotton ( A little cotton goes a long way)
• White Paint
• Paint Brush ( A thick or big brush works the best)

To get started:

1. Pull the cotton into a lot of fluff, don't hesitate , make a mess of it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
2. Now place as many of the cotton as you like into the pine cone.                                                                                                                                                                                       
3. Take a thick brush and paint all the tips of the pine cone. Be sure to really get all over, it will help to secure the cotton into place, just in case your cat decides to play with it. If the wet paint sticks to the cotton and the pine cone loose pieces won't just roll out of the pine cone.                                                         

Now since mine is a decoration outside I only paint one half of the pine cone. The side the people will be seeing from the street, since it was starting to get dark outside. This saves time and money, but for entertainment or a table craft you will want to completly cover the pine cones with paint and cotton.

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Tell me about your Christmas wishes and what you are planning for Christmas. Fell free to ask any questions , you have as I always love to help.

And for more ideas your can have a look at

my achive on you right hand side.

YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tCkk5yF4FQ

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Life Size Santa

Each year I build a cheap Christmas father (Santa Clause) for my decorations outside. I only bought the glue and some cotton balls, since I received an old costume which was on its way to the dustbin.

What you will need:

• Gloves
• Christmas suite
• Big Shoes
• Glass
• Paint
• Lots of newspaper
• Scarf (optional)
• Chair (optional)
• Glue (optional)
• Cotton balls (optional)

Where to start.

Place all the things you will need where you want to place the Christmas father, as moving it will be a hastle, and then usually you probably will kill christmas father and it does not fit well with small children.

The foundation that I use is newspaper, so wet seasons might be a hastle for him. But if you use the shiny newspapers, then he is more durable. My setup will never be up for more then two weeks and a got old sail to cover them up when it rains. But you can use plastic bags or a water proof suite.

Firstly crumble up the newspapers and stuff the shirt, until he has a nice and big belly. To make is water proof you can place the newspaper inside plastics bags because you stuff him. I use an old t-shirt instead of just the suites vest, because mine can't button up. Roll up 3 pieces of newspaper which will not crumble easy, witch you place at the bottom of the shirt, this will act as hips and keep him from falling over easily.

Next stuff the pants with newspaper and again role up a piece of newspaper at the bottom to act as anckles. Now the tricky parts is the assemble the torso. I place the stuffed pants on the chair and then place the shirt on top of it and just tuck in the shirt.

Now in my case since I used a t-shirt I still have to stuff the arm. Where I fold pieces of newspaper, so it looks more or less correct and then stuff the arms, by placing the crumbled up newspaper between the folded newspapers, more or less the same as is shown in the picture of the gloves.

As in the arms I use the same principal, but never start with the thumb, or the newspaper will just get in the way. Now stuff the hand so it will look realistic.
Do not attach feet or hands yet.

The face is probably the trickiest if you cant find a proper mask. Last year I build a face with paper messhy, but I tried you speed things up by placing it in the microwave, and ended up with a burnted chrstmas father and he had to wear sunglasses to cover up a shot I could quite fix.

This year a bought a cheap white paper machy mask for Halloween and just glued a piece of paper on the inside of to mask and ensuring the eyes where rounded. After that I painted eyes and just the hat of christmas father, which is also stuffed to keep the face on my old face. I then made some red cheeks and lips.

The beard is messy, if you do not have one. I use a piece of sturdy newspaper and simply stick cotton to it. And then stick it onto christmas fathers face. Now christmas father will be able the get an head, I used and old big bottle as a base of the face so I can just cram in a lot of rolled up newspaper and force it in between the newspaper in the shirt.

Now just add the hands and boots and place him into a position you like.

Now all he needs is some milk and cookies. I got an old glass and just lined it with white paint and some kids brought him cookies.

Share your thoughts about christmas and what you are planning to do. Feel free to ask ant quaestions you have.

YouTube Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tCkk5yF4FQ

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Funny Angels

We all probably made them as kids. They are fun, easy to make , and is guaranteed to put a smile on any ones face. This came to us while preparing diner.It is a fun way to pass time while waiting for everything to boil.

But further a due we will start crafting.

What you need.

• One paper plate
• Some tape
• Scissors
• Tin Foil
• Colour paper or I used a napkin (optional)
• A magazine
• Glue(optional)

As always get all the things you will need for it, but since you don't need paint for this craft, it is safe to do it at your diner table if you wanted to.

Step by step instructions

Step one: Cut the paper plate in two.

Step two: Cover that half with tin foil

Step three: Fold the half onto a cone and stick it with some sellotape

Step four: Now use the other half of the paper plate to cut out wings as indicated in the      

picture.

Step five: To add colour just glue on some colour paper on the wings. If you want to you can paint and glitter if you wanted to, but since I was in the kitchen I just used a napkin.

Step six: Take some tape and fold it into a tube. make sure the sticky part is on the outside of the tube. Now use this tube to stick the wings onto the angel.

Now the fun starts. Grab the magazine and look for an interesting face.

Found one? Great. Cut out the fave but leave a square part at the bottom of the face. Now just cut out a piece of the tip from the cone, just big enough for the square part of the face to fit. Just insert the head and wwwhala.

One funny angel is now complete.

I want to see all your inventions and would love to know what you did and if you enjoyed making them. Feel free to ask any questions you have in the comment bar below.

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Tiny Christmas Tree

I discovered yet another craft while visiting someone who has a pine tree. A gathered a bunch a pine cones for something else which I still want to make, but since I don't have my hot glue gun yet I took one pine cone to make this easy craft.

A tiny Christmas tree.

What you will need:

• 1 pine cone
• Cotton balls
• Paint
• Glitter
• Ribbon , straws , or anything which would look like streamers
• Cut off wrapping paper
• Paper
• Pipe cleaners
• Scissors
• Paintbrush
• Glue(optional)

 Starting:

As always find everything you think you will need and put them together on a surface which is aloud to get a bit messy.

Firstly a paint the tips of the pine cone white to ensure the glitter will really be displayed nicely, as you proceed you can add glitter onto the wet paint or you can wait for the paint to dry and just glue the glitter on afterwards.

Secondly I used some ribbon and straws to decorate the tree. I took some of the ribbon and tide it around the straws, I used about three of them. Just cut some gaps inti the straw to make it a bit more flexible.

Since I was going to move my pine cone a got a paper plate to use as a platform, as you can see in the image below. Now I just placed the pine cone in the middle and added cotton. 

Now since a Christmas tree looks a bit bland without presents, I decided to make some props. Simply cut it out of a piece of paper as indicated in the image:

The green block indicates the top of the box. The blue bocks indicate folds that need to be made. I drew it on paint since I mine was a bit croocked. Now just wrap them up or you can simply glue it.

To finish it off, I took a pipe cleaner, folded it into a star and tide it around the top.

Now just pull the cotton so the plate isn't visible and place it on a table as a decoration.

Please tell me what you think about the Tiny Christmas Tree and how you would improve on it. Please send photos of your creations to my email adress: ruanput1234@gmail.com

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Paper – Craft

Paper – Craft

As in the previous post I used things laying around the house. This is a fun, easy , fast ,but kind of a messy activity for the kids. I made two of them since I only did it because of the fact that I was bored and waited for the rain to stop.

What you will need is:

• ·         Paper
• ·         Glue (optional)
• ·         Scissors
• ·         And if you don’t have colored paper, then paint to add some color
• ·         Pencil
• ·         Ruler
• ·         String
• ·         Stapler(optional)
• 
  

Getting to work:

Simply draw christmacy shapes, cut them out, glue if needed. Staple the string on the shapes.

Now all that is left is to hang the decorations where you want to. I will be making a Christmas tree which can be placed in the children’s rooms or be used as center pieces on your Christmas tables.

Please tell me what you think about the Paper-Craft and how you would improve on it. Please send photos of your creations to my email adress: ruanput1234@gmail.com

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TINY CHRISTMAS FATHER

What I wanted to do this week was to try to make as many christmas decorations with things that i found  around the house, since the rain was not working with me.

My first invention was a small christmas father.

What I used for it:

• Toilet roll
• Cotton balls
• Red paint
• White Paint
• Paper
• Masking Tape
• Scissors
• Black marker or black paint

Steps to follow:

Fisrtly take the toilet roll and cut one side of it, like indicated in the picture.

Secondly you will want to stick it was tape, to ensure it can close. It is not necassary, but it is a nice idea for children. You can add sweets or something that makes noise.

Thirdly, is the top part of the toilet roll. The best is to cut it into 3 and foll it, like indicated in the picture below. Just stick it with some tape.

Then you paint the entire roll white, to ensure that the red is visable and brighter.

 Now its time to get creative and just paint and glue a string to it. I stapeled it and used to cotton ball to cover up the staple.

Now you just need to hang it and wait for christmas to come.

Please tell me what you think about the Tiny Christmas Father and how you would improve on it. Please send photos of your creations to my email adress: ruanput1234@gmail.com

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Road Trip

Instructions to follow and a list of things you will need to ensure you reach your destination safely.

First and foremost you will need to plan the trip.

Before you just get into the car and drive. If it will take hours to drive, it would be a good idea to plan a route where you will be able to stop, stretch your legs and maybe enjoy a view. If you plan far enough ahead, you could get reservations at parks, motels or hotels at a discount price that isn’t out of the way.

Determine where you want the fuel up and where you will stop to eat. The safest would be to eat where you fuel up, as it is usually a busy location. That would be if you are like me and really just want to get to your location.

Okay so far you know, where you will make pit stops and determined a route which allows you to rest up. Many people die every year because they fall asleep at the wheel. Rather get there late, than not at all. I was a witness to a driving accident where one person fell asleep at the wheel and drove into another lane crashing into another car, who tried to swerve. Driver number two’s car split in half and he was shot out the car and instantaneously died. They person who fell asleep lost both his legs and survived the accident. I believe that it is a far worse to live with the fact of falling asleep behind the wheel and killing someone, than just stopping for an hour or so and just rest up.

On the topic of falling asleep at the wheel. Things to do to stay awake while driving especially when it dark. Your music is very important, if you know a certain type of music makes you feel weary, then avoid it by at cost. Coffee, get boiling hot coffee, so you won’t be able to drink it straight away, this will give you some kind of short term goal. I turn it into a game to see how far I drive before my coffee cup is empty. Lame, yes, but it works for me. Snacks keep your metabolism working and keeps you awake. Don’t stuff yourself, tummy full, eyes shut. Play games, create games, and drive slower in some areas, where you see interesting things.

Okay use your imagination, but enough of the boring stay safe speech. So far you planned your trip and will probably think about my story a few time while driving. GOOD.

Okay now you need to tend to your car. A clean car is easier to pack. After cleaning. Pack your bags in such a way that you when you drive back that you have about one and half of the allocated space, for when you come back. I have no idea why it always seems that you come back with more even though you might not.

HANDY TRICKS

-          Shoes: You can place all your socks in your shoes

-          Some people believe if they roll they’re cloths nearly, not fold, yes roll, they safe space

-          I don’t like the roll idea, but I fold my cloths neatly and pack an extra smaller empty bag on top

-          Leave the small clothing items far last, you will find a place for it

Back to the car. Check your oil and water, never add too much of any of the two. It is always a good idea to have a bottle of water oil and fuel, just in case.

PLACE YOUR CELLPHONE CAR CHARGER IN THE CAR AND TEST IT.

Check your tyre pressure, and remember your emergency kit, as well as the spare wheel.

Enjoy your trip.

What are your trips like? Where did you go? What did you enjoy? Or where are you planning on going. Please tell me what you think about the road trip blog and how you would improve on it.Please send photos of your adventures to my email adress: ruanput1234@gmail.com

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Holloween Ideas

Paper Bags:

       What is needed:

• Paper Bags
• Candles (tea candles are perfect)
• Paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pen / Pencil or a printer
• Some sand

     Getting to work:

Place all your tools and ingredients for spooky creations on your working station.

Now simply print or draw figures on your paper, like a ghost, witch, cat, or even a pumpkin mask.

Cut out the figures and stick them thoroughly on the inside of the of the paper bags.

Now simply pour in a bit of sand in the paper bag, to ensure your spooky creations doesn't float away with a breeze. Insert the candle and test near a tap.

Always remember that fire will be present and the creations should never be left unattended and keep something close to kill the fire if something happens. It would be best to keep it outside, but never unattended. 

Spooky Ghost:

    What is needed:

• Old cloth (White)
• String
• Old newspapers
• Cold wood glue
• Water 
• Bucket
• Or a ball

   Getting to work:

Shred the newspaper in to small pieces, and water and wood glue , so that it will become a sticky pulp. Now form a head shape and if you want you can make a body as well. Let the pulp head dry in the sun. Instead of making the pulp you can use a ball.

Now pierce a small hole in the cloth for the string. Tie a knot in the string and pull it through the hole in the cloth ensuring that it will not pull out once it is hanged. You can now place your dry pulp head / head and body or ball in the cloth and use another piece of string to tie up the cloth just below your head ensuring the head is secure in the cloth. I prefer the pulp since I can use it every year and needles will not really effect is and I can stab it with a knife and make it look all bloody.

Now just hang your spooky ghost where insepected victims will least expect it.

Bats:

What is needed:

• Scissors
• Black Paper
• Googly eyes (optional)
• Glue or prestic
• Pencil

 Getting to work:

Just trace your bat shape on a piece of paper, cut it out and stick it everywhere using glue or prestic. You can stick googly eyes on them to for fun.

Please tell me what you did or are planning to do on holloween, also what think about the Holloween Ideas and how you would improve on it. Please send photos of your creations to my email adress: ruanput1234@gmail.com

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OutDoor Wood Treatment

Introduction

Do you have old dried up, light wood furniture or fences. We will give a quick guide which is inexpensive easy and fast.

There are different kind of wood treatment on the market, ranging from light to dark, inexpensive to very expensive.

Different kinds of treatment

Firstly we have your cured oils, that is mostly used on furniture and it is light of colour. The wood absorbs the oil and protects it against UV and water and insects like termites. 

Secondly we have wax, which range from light to dark of colour. It is not ideal for furniture since it does not absorb as well as oil, but it is ideal for picked fence and your lapa's poles. It also protects against UV, water and insects.

Lastly we have varnish, but should not be used for outdoor use and will not be discussed in this post. Water and UV stains varnish, like the water marks on the coffee table.

 Oils

Teak oils are used on most outdoor furniture, since most of the outdoor furniture is made of teak wood. Teak oils are mostly inexpensive, like linseed oil, walnut, tung and burmese.

The more expensive oils are oils like flax seed oil and hemp seed oil. Oils can be purchased at your local DIY store and most wood sale yards.. 

How it works: Dry wood absorbs the oils and protects and restores the wood.

Wax

Wax is as mentioned ideal for wood which is not touched often (outdoors) . For indoor use you get waxes too which makes the surface shine. Waxes comes in liquid and paste form. The liquid form is the one that is used for outdoor mostly. This can be purchased at your local DIY store or any wood sale yards.

Supplies needed

• P60 or P80 sand paper
• Paint Brush
• Bowl
• Your preferred treatment
• Putty knife (optional)
• Screw Driver (optional)

Getting to work

If the furniture can be disassembled easily. you should disassemble it first.

Clean the surface of the wood with the putty knife and a dry paint brush.

Now sand the entire surface of the wood to ensure that the treatment can be absorbed easily, and the entire surface has a even colour.

Pour the treatment in the bowl and then apply it with the paint brush, ensure the drops does not form as it will leave marks as it dries.

For wood that is still in a good condition is is not necessary to sand the wood before treatment.

Optional

If you do not like the shade then you can purchase a stain to ensure the wood is the colour that you want, it will be the best to consult a employee in the hardware shop before you buy a stain.

The stain needs to be applied before the treatment, or what I like to do is to mis it up with the treatment and then you get different shades which seem natural.

Before

After : Stained seat

*I forgot to take a before picture before I stared.

Please tell me what you think about wood treatment and how you would improve on it. Feel free to ask any questions you have.Please send photos of your creations to my email adress: ruanput1234@gmail.com

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Wiring a Plug

Wiring your own plug

INTRODUCTION

Today we will be looking at the basic concept of wiring a plug for household use. Ever get to that stage when you need another extension cord in the house, but don't have the money to go out and buy expensive ready made cords? Sure, its convenient and all, but it's a bit cheaper doing it yourself.

First things first: A Plug and a Socket are two complete different things.

PLUG:

Here we have the standard 3 pin plug.

Here we have the standard 2 pin plug.

SOCKET:

This is the wall socket for the 3 pin plug.

Combination sockets are also available in many combinations.

As you can see there are multiple types of sockets and plugs in different combinations.

GETTING STARTED

*SAFETY FIRST: IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO THIS YOURSELF AND NOT GET AN ELECTRICIAN, REMEMBER TO UNPLUG AND TO WORK SAFELY.*

We will be working with the South African wiring of plugs.

• Firstly you will need your three wire cable (Desired length)
• Next you will need your male plug or female plug (Descripion to follow afterwards)
• Wire cutters (Side cutter) and wire stripper
• Edison screwdriver (Star or Flat depending on what is needed)

After gathering the needed supplies, we can start.

Male Plug

1.     Strip the wires about 1cm at the end.

2.     Open the plug by removing the screws. (Some plugs have an added piece that you have to release using a Flat Screwdriver by inserting it and slightly turning)

3.     Loosen the screws on the 3 pins.

4.     The wires are coloured as follow : Green & Yellow, Blue, Brown

5.     The Earth Wire will be the Green & Yellow one and is always connected to the top pin. (Labeled "E")

6.     The Live Wire is the Brown wire and is connected to the Right pin (Plug viewed with pins facing away from consumer) (Labeled "L")

7.     The Neutral Wire is Blue in colour and is connected to the left pin (Plug viewed with pins facing away from consumer) (Labeled "N")

8.     Secure the screws so that no copper wire is exposed for safety reasons (Prevents short circuiting)

9.     Secure wire in the grippers so the cable of the lead does not pull out.

10. Close up the plug using the screws previously removed.

Below is a visual representation:

Female Plug

1.     Strip the wires about 1cm at the end.

2.     Open the plug by removing the screws.

3.     Loosen the screws on the 3 pin receivers.

4.     The wires are coloured as follow : Green & Yellow, Blue, Brown

5.     The Earth Wire will be the Green & Yellow one and is always connected to the top pin receiver. (Marked "E")

6.     The Live Wire is the Brown wire and is connected to the Right pin receiver (Plug viewed with pin receivers facing the consumer) (Marked "L")

7.     The Neutral Wire is Blue in colour and is connected to the left pin receiver (Plug viewed with pin receivers facing the consumer) (Marked "N")

8.     Secure the screws so no copper wire is exposed for safety reasons (Prevents short circuiting)

9.     Secure wire in the grippers so the cable of the lead does not pull out.

10. Close up the plug using the screws previously removed.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please tell me what you think about wiring of plugs and how you would improve on it. Feel free to ask any questions you have.My email adress: ruanput1234@gmail.com

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