WEEK-END CRAFT, RUSTIC CROSS

I was amazed at the number of
cross designs on Pinterest. They 
ranged from complicated metal
designs to simple rustic ones. I 
was inspired by the rustic crosses. 
They made me think of the song, 
"The Old Rugged Cross." 

 

I went into my backyard and searched

for sturdy nice looking sticks and twigs. 

I gathered  a few up and started to work

on my cross project! I decided to embellish my crosses with ribbon,  small flowers, and  wooden buttons.

 

A small 7 inch twig cross can be used as 

an ornament. A large 12 inch twig cross 

can be hung on the wall or front door.

 

MY RUSTIC CROSS:

NEED:

7-8 inch twig or stick

11-12 inch twig or stick

Emery board or sand paper

Glue sticks & glue gun

Mauve pink ribbon for bow & hanging loop

Small pink flowers  and berry stems

Twine or Raffia

Remove dirt and debris from twigs. 

Peel off bark and smooth rough areas

with emery board. Place the short twig 

on top of long twig to form a cross( refer

to image). Use strips of twine to wrap and secure middle of the cross.  Glue flowers and berry stems to center of the cross. 
Use strips of ribbon to cover ends of flowers & berry stems. Glue ribbon end 
at back of cross. Smooth each end of cross with emery board to remove jagged edges.  Wrap ribbon around each end of the cross 
( see image). Secure ends of ribbon at the back with glue. Use 6 inches ribbon to make a 3 inch loop. The loop is for hanging the cross. Glue it to back of top section of the cross.  


  MY PAINTED CROSSES:

 

Tips:

Use unfinished wooden cross from craft store if you don’t have twigs or sticks available.

Use whatever color ribbon and flowers you have on hand.

Can stain twigs with coffee, tea, or brown  acrylic paint.

Can add wood buttons or gems to center
of cross.

Burlap strips can be wrapped around ends of cross to hide rough uneven twig ends.

Cross can be painted with metallic gold, silver or bronze acrylic paint for more elegant finish.

WEEK-END CRAFTS, CHARMS

I feel the need to make clay
dough sometime.  I keep 
trying to fine the best dough 
recipe. I also want to make
something that looks more 
professional.I mean, I want 
my clay dough art to look 
like an adult made it.  It takes
skill to make DIY clay dough 
look elegant! 

I'm making charms this time.
I want to use them on my 
choker necklaces. My goal is
to  make enough charms to
wear with most  of my  
casual outfits.


Here is the clay dough 
recipe I used. I found it 
online and it's the best one
that I have ever used.  I am
also including images of my
charms:


CLAY  DOUGH RECIPE

YIELD: 15-20 CHARMS

1 C BAKING SODA

1/2 C CORNSTARCH

3/4 C WARM WATER

MIX INGREDIENTS IN POT.  COOK OVER MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL DOUGH BUBBLES & PULLS AWAY FROM SIDES OF POT.  REMOVE FROM HEAT & COOL DOUGH.  

CHOKER CHARMS

MY CHARM INSPIRATIONS

NEED:

9X13 SHEET PAN
SILICONE MAT

PREPARED  DOUGH

ROLLING PIN

3 INCH ROUND COOKIE CUTTER **

3 INCH OBLONG COOKIE CUTTER**

STAMPS AND/ OR ACRYLIC NAIL POLISH

 

KNEAD THE DOUGH & FLATTEN

IT 1 INCH THICK. CUT OUT SHAPES.

LINE 9 X13 SHEET PAN WITH SILICONE

MAT.  PLACE CHARMS ON PAN.BAKE THEM ON  LOWEST SETTING IN YOUR OVEN.  MY CHARMS WERE FIRM AFTER 3 1/2 HOURS.


 

LET CHARMS COOL COMPLETELY. PAINT & STAMP DESIGNS ON  THE CHARMS. LET

THEM DRY. ADD THEM YOUR FAVE CHOKER CHAINS.

 
** TIP #1

LINE SHEET PAN WITH FOIL IF DON'T HAVE MAT.

** TIP #2

DIDN'T HAVE COOKIE CUTTERS. I MADE  TEMPLATE FROM  ROUND CHARMS SHOWN IN THE  IMAGES.I CUT OUT SHAPES WITH A PARING KNIFE.

 MY CLAY DOUGH CHARM