Bruce the Chef

Accompany a gift from the kitchen with a pretty  cut-paper tag.

what you’ll need
Heavyweight paper or tagboard; ruler
Straight or decorative-edge scissors
Brush pen in desired color
Metallic gold permanent marking pen
1-1/2 x  2-3/4inch white adhesive label
1/8inch paper punch
12 inches of metallic gold elastic cord

1  Cut the heavyweight paper into a 31/2×1 V2-inch strip using straight or decorative-edge scissors. If desired, cut off the comers of the paper strip.
2 Color the paper strip using a brush pen. Carefully outline the edges of the paper strip using a gold marking pen. Outline the adhesive label with gold marking pen. Center the label on the cut strip of paper and press into place.
3 Punch a small hole in each end of the tag. Cut a 12-inch length of cord. Thread the cord through the holes; tie around jar.

Edge a candle with metallic gold stars and chain to shimmer in the light of the flame.

what you’ll need
Tape measure; red 3-wick candle
7 metallic gold upholstery tacks
18 inches of jewelry chain
7 metallic gold star charms

1 Measure the circumference of the candle and divide the measurement by 7. Use a tack to make a tiny guide hole for each star at intervals determined in Step 1, approximately % inch from candle top.
3 Push a tack through the end link of the chain and then through a charm loop. Press the tack into one of the guide holes in the candle. Continue tacking the charms and chain in place, allowing the chain to create scallops between the tacks.

Show your American pride by making and displaying this grand plate.

what you’ll need
Glass plate; newspapers
Krylon Looking Glass mirror spray paint and clear-coat sealer,
such as Metalcast (available at car supply stores) Tube-style fabric paint; scissors Adhesive-back paper Crafts knife
Transparent spray paints, such as Dupli-Color, in red and blue Felt; pen; thick white crafts glue

1  Wash and dry the plate. On newspaper in a well-ventilated work area, spray the back of the plate with three to four light coats of mirror spray paint, letting dry between coats. Spray sealer over the painted area. Let dry.
2 Write lettering on the front of the plate with tube-style fabric paint. Let dry.
3 Cut star and lines from adhesive-back paper. Place on plate front below lettering as shown in photo, above.
4  Spray the front side of the plate with red from one edge, bleeding off into the center. Spray blue beginning at opposite side, bleeding into center, overlapping slightly onto red. Let dry.
5 Carefully remove star and adhesive-back paper and peel away lettering.
6 Trace around plate bottom on felt and trim slightly smaller than drawn line. Cut out the felt. Glue felt to the back of plate.

Stack sanded wood stars to make rustic votive candleholders that are full of spirit.

what you’ll need
Tracing paper; pencil
Star-shape cookie cutters in two sizes, optional
Scissors
Various thicknesses of wood
Scroll saw or jigsaw
Drill and 11/2-inch bit
Acrylic paints in blue, red, and yellow
Paintbrush
Sandpaper
Wood glue
Tea light candle

1  On tracing paper, draw star patterns or trace around cookie cutters; cut out. For a set of three candleholders, trace around each pattern three times on wood. Cut out pieces using a scroll saw or jigsaw.
2 Carefully drill holes 1A inch deep in the centers of the smaller stars. Paint the stars the desired color. Let dry. Sand off the paint around the edges.
3 Glue the smaller star onto the larger star. Let dry. Place a tea light in the hole.
Note: Never leave burning candles unattended.

Embedded gems, and swirls solder, paperweights sparkie with the red, white, and blue.

what you’ll need
Star-shape cookie cutter; waxed paper Permanent marking pen; scissors Disposable bowl; plaster of Paris; plastic knife Lead-free solder in silver, red, blue, and clear;
wire cutters; gems; eyelets; beads Thick white crafts glue; paintbrush Glitter in silver, red, or blue

1  Trace around the cookie cutter on waxed paper with marking pen. Cut out the shape V2 inch beyond marking.
2  Press the waxed paper shape into the cookie cutter, letting it fold up the sides.
3 In a disposable bowl mix plaster of Paris according to the manufacturer’s directions. Carefully pour the plaster into the lined cookie cutter, filling it three-quarters full. Smooth off with a plastic knife.
4 To make a solder coil, cut a short piece and form it into a coil. Place a bend approximately Va inch from one end. Press this end into the plaster.
5  Press the remaining embellishments into the wet plaster where desired. Let the plaster dry.
6 Remove the star shape from the cookie cutter. Remove the waxed paper. Paint a coat of glue on the edges of the star shape. Sprinkle the wet glue with glitter. Let dry.

Rejuvenate  an old bucket by wrapping it in the colors of the American flag.

what you’ll need
Metal pail with handle
Hot-glue gun and glue sticks
4 yards of Winch-diameter red, white, and blue striped rope
Scissors

1 Wash and dry the pail.
2 Starting at the bottom of the pail, hot-glue the end of the rope to
the pail. Working with small sections at a time, tightly wrap the
rope around the pail and glue it in place. When you reach the
top of the pail, wrap the handle with rope.
3 Continue gluing the rope down the side of the pail. Cut off the
excess rope. If desired, glue rope down on the opposite side of
the pail. Secure the ends with glue if needed.

Border your mirror or create a bottle stopper with favorite shells to bring a beach mood to the bath.

what you’ll need
Mirror with frame
Seashells
Hot-glue gun and glue sticks
Clear glass bottle or vessel

1 For the mirror, place the shells on the mirror frame, rearranging the shells until the desired look is achieved. Use the photo, opposite, for inspiration.
2  Hot-glue the shells in place. Let cool.
3 For the bottle, remove the lid or stopper if necessary. Wash and dry the bottle. Place a shell in the top for a stopper.
4 For the vessel, wash and dry the container. Fill the vessel to the top with shells.

Pulling weeds is more fun when wearing colorfully painted garden gloves.

what you’ll need
Opaque marking pens in desired colors
Vinyl or rubberized gloves
Acrylic paints in desired colors
Paintbrushes

1  Use opaque marking pens to write gardening words, such as DIG, PLANT, WEED, FEED, WATER, GROW, and HARVEST, randomly across the front of the gloves.
2 Use acrylic paints to paint bulb shapes on two fingers of the gloves. Paint bulbs with white and shade with light brown. Use green paint to paint the beginning of the stem and white for roots. Paint an orange butterfly and outline in black. Let dry.

Whether following the design in the glass or making your own pattern, painted cups and plates turn any
gathering into a festive gala.

what you’ll need
Glass snack tray and coordinating cup (available at antiques
stores and thrift shops) Glass paints, such as Liquitex Glossies, in desired colors Paintbrushes, including flat and liner Pencil with round-tip eraser

1  Wash the glass snack set. Rinse well and let dry. Avoid touching areas you intend to paint.
2  Using the photo, opposite, for inspiration, decide how you want to paint the glassware. Paint only the bottom of the tray. On the cup, avoid the rim area and paint on the outside only. Avoid painting areas that will come in contact with food.
3 Paint stripes or dots on the tray before painting background color. To make stripes, use a flat brush for wider stripes and a liner brush for narrow stripes. To make dots, dip the handle of a paintbrush or a pencil eraser into paint and carefully dot onto the surface. Avoid using too much paint or it will run or bubble. To outline areas, use a thin liner brush. Let the paint dry before applying the background color or pattern.
4 To enhance designs raised or embossed in the glass, paint in the patterns. Let dry. Paint the background color.
5 If instructed by the paint manufacturer, bake the painted glassware in the oven. Let it cool.

Accompany a gift from your garden’s bounty with a cheery wood tag.

what you’ll need
Scraps of wood veneer; scissors; ruler
Scallop-edge scissors
Paper punch
Paintbrush
Permanent fine-tip marking pens in black, green, and red
12-inch piece of raffia

1  Cut the veneer into a 5×2′/2-inch piece. Trim one end with scallop-edge scissors. Punch a hole in the opposite end.
2 Use black marking pen to write message in center of tag. Draw green vines and leaves. Use red for berry-like circles.
3 Thread raffia through the punched hole. Tie to the gift.