SUGAR N' SPICE PART 3 .....................PLUS KITS!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

                             

I  almost "hear those sleigh bells jingling" and so in the "nick" of time,  here is the  

3rd and final segment of Sugar n' Spice which completes the project. 

THE DECORATING CENTER

                                                                 THE SCRUB TABLE

You will need: smooth white matboard + 4 legs, approx. 2-1/2”H. (these may

be something like Houseworks #7202 or #7025 balusters cut to size or an

assembly of 3/16” or ¼” sq stripwood and Tiny Turning bits similar to that

described for cabinet) + 1/16” or 3/32” sheet basswood + posterboard

(.030, approx. 1/32” thick) + paint and stain (Ceramcoat’s antique white

#2001 acrylic and Delta’s Brown Antiquing gel used here) + drawer handle of

your choice (may be the same as those on cabinet)

Instructions: 

-Prepare four, approx. 2 ½ “H legs with at least a ½” long square top section. 

Paint desired color and when dry antique with brown gel.  Wipe gel back off

while wet until desired look is achieved.  A damp cloth may be used to further

remove gel.  Set aside.

-From ½ “high matboard strips cut two side pieces 1 ½” long and a front and a

back piece 2 ⅝” long.  

-From posterboard cut a faux drawer 1⅜”L x ⅜" H.  A design may be tooled

into the drawer front as was described for cabinet, if desired.  Glue drawer to

front piece, 1⅛” from one side and centered top to bottom. 

-Paint and antique the front and side pieces to match the legs.

-From sheet basswood cut a table-top 4” x 2¼”.  Sand smooth and ever so

slightly round off the top edges and corners.  Divide the top into four equal

sections lengthwise with light pencil lines and then use a pointed stylus to scribe

in the faux board.  Hint: an easy way to divide the top into equal sections is to

cut a piece of paper the same size as the top and fold it into 4ths & use it as

a pattern.

- Glue the front, back, and side pieces and the legs to the bottom of the table top

with the front, back and side pieces between the legs, front edges of the pieces

set in 1/32” in from the front edges of the legs and the whole assembly centered

on the bottom. 

-When glue has set add a handle of your choice centered on the faux drawer.

-If desired the top may be treated with linseed or olive oil. 

COOLING RACK

Using old scissors cut a 1 ½” x 1” piece of screen door wire-mesh/

hardware cloth (hardware store purchase).  Seal cut edges with a thin

brushing of Liquid Solder or E-600.  Use 20 gauge wire to form a rectangle

1 ½” x 1”, starting and stopping on the center of a side, and two 2 shapes per

diagrams.  Using either of the afore mentioned adhesives, adhere the rectangle

to the underside of the mesh piece and then the other two pieces diagonally

from corner to corner, forming an X with the “feet” pointing down.

COPY AND PASTE DIAGRAM TO YOUR COMPUTER

SET PRINTER TO 3.13"W X 2.45"H

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GINGERBREAD COOKIES

The unbaked gingerbread boys, waiting to be frosted, are made the same as

explained in PART 1, by tracing around a metal-miniature cookie cutter onto

brown cardstock, cutting them out and slightly embossing them on the backside

for some dimension.  You may also choose to use a paper punch like the one

pictured here.  Looking online I see it is available thru eBay.  Punch out of brown

cardstock and trim fingers from hands. 

Boy paper punch approx. 5/8"H

The decorated gingerbread boys may be created by using the same method as

the undecorated ones and then adding "frosting" by using a pointed toothpick to
apply Scribbles Dimensional Paint. 

Or you may choose to use the decorated gingerbread cookies printies below.

Print these onto cardstock.  For ease in decorating, before cutting  out, use the
pointed end of a toothpick or a needle tool to carefully apply craft glue or
Diamond Glaze over the frosting on the cookies.  This will add dimension and
realism to the frosting.  Let dry thoroughly and then carefully cut out the cookies. 
Use a water colored pencil to color the back sides and edges of each to match
the front color as closely as possible.

Click on image and copy & paste to computer.

Set printer to print image at 4.30"W x 0.81"H

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

FROSTING PIPING BAG

Draw a 1 ¼” circle on plain white paper.  Fold for four equal triangles and cut to separate.  Roll triangles into cones, holding with glue.  When glue has set fill each

cone halfway up with Scribbles dimensional paint and pinch to close.  Put a bit

of the paint on the tip of the cone and place on a place or tray with glue.  You can

also add a small smear of paint on the tray and/or the out side of the top of the cone.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

BOWLS OF FROSTING

I used inexpensive, unfinished wood bowls from Lara Crafts.  These come in a

package of 8 assorted sizes and can be found at craft stores such as Michaels.

These are filled with Scribbles Dimensional paint for frosting and applied to

disguise the out-of-scale thickness of the bowls.  Chrysnbon soup/serving spoons

were inserted in frosting before it dried.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JARS OF SPRINKLES

The jars are the smaller half (approx. 7/16”H) of a #2 size (approx. 15/16”),

2 part pharmaceutical capsule.   These can be purchased at health food stores

and online. Note: These capsules have other interesting uses miniature-wise. 

Insert a dowel or unsharpened pencil into the capsule and press down lightly to

slightly flatten the rounded end.  For the lid punch a 3/16” round from posterboard

and glue to the now flattened end. 

Set the capsule on the lid and fill as desired with colored craft sand (this sand has

other uses in miniatures, esp. baking) Note: Melissa and Doug off kits with asst.

color sands and can be order thru Amazon.  But also look to dollar stores and

the dollar bins at Target, Michaels, and Joann’s for very inexpensive little kits

with a nice variety of colors, and some come with funnels.  You can also use

fine glitter if desired. 

For bottom, run a very thin line of E-600 glue around the capsule edges and then

cover it with a piece of clear packing tape.  When glue has set, trim tape to size.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BOWL OF CANDY CANES

The thinner candy canes in the purchased glass bowl (a quick look on eBay

shows a nice selection) are made follow directions in part 1.  The larger ones

are made using packaged ones from Darcie.  These are out of scale but can be

reworked.  First add a dab of craft glue to each end to prevent fraying.  Using

pliers (two pair work best) twist the canes, one hand going one way and the

other hand the opposite way until a desired pattern is achieved.  Cut with wire

cutters; leave as is for candy sticks or bend one end for canes.  Seal each cut
with a dab of glue.  For a shiny finish use clear nail enamel or acrylic gloss.

--------------------------------------------------

GINGERBREAD TREE COOKIE

Print out two mirror images of the trees and glue back to back; repeat.  Cut one

tree in half lengthwise and glue the cut side of one half to the face of the uncut

tree; repeat for other side.

                                               Click on image and save to computer. 

                                               Set printer to print at 1.62"W x 1.16"H

EXTRA

 For a bit of whimsy add a gingerbread man escaping his fate….

” Run, run as fast as you can!  You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!"

Click on image and save to computer.

Set printer to 0.75W x 0.95H

Print on cardstock.

Cut out and color edges and back with brown water color

pencil.  Slighty. bend arms and legs to a

running position.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE END

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now on to “real life” for me for a bit…decorating the tree, baking some real

cookies, finishing the shopping and getting the house ready for a two week

holiday visit from 2 year old granddaughter Malene and parents.  Do check

back here from time to time to see what new little bits I might have for you and

then a new project for January decorating.

A huge thank-you to all of you who have helped to make my blog so successful,

it is really gratifying. Have a wonderful holiday season and please  take time to

“smell the spices of the season”, that is what it is all about!

Joann