Easy Rustic/Farmhouse Style Moose Picture

This is an easy and inexpensive project using some fabric, pallet wood, and spray paint.

What you'll need:

Wood to make the frame, or if you don't want to make one, then use an old picture frame.  I made the inside of the frame 10 inches square, so with the 45 degree angle cuts, you'll need an 8' board total.  

Piece of fabric.  I used a scrap of painter's canvas.

Wood glue to glue the frame together.

Spray paint.  You can use one color as I did here, but if you want the moose to be a different color, you'll need two colors.

A moose picture, printed from the Internet.  I Googled "moose crossing picture" and copied and pasted the image into Microsoft word.  You can then print it out.  I used my printer, which has a scanner, to re-size the image to what I wanted.  Print on some card stock then cut out the picture.  

Stencil Adhesive.

Staple gun

First, make the frame if you don't buy one already made.  I used pallet wood because it's weathered and gives that re-claimed wood look.

Make sure to get pieces that are the same width so the 45 degree angles at the corners match up.  I used my table saw with a sled that I made especially for 45 degree angles.  You can also use a miter saw or a hand saw and miter box. 

It took me a little practice to make this kind of cut fit right, so if you don't feel comfortable with it, you can make the frame without the 45 degree angle on the edges.  Just cut straight pieces to the desired lengths and piece them together.  

I used a biscuit joiner to put the frame together, but glue alone, if you clamp it together good, would probably work.  A pocket hole jig is a great option as well, and really easy to do.  You can find videos on YouTube that show how to make pocket holes. Pocket holes are great for many woodworking projects.

When the glue was dry, I used some steel wool to apply some Briwax (light brown), which gives the old wood a great look.

Once the frame is ready, you're ready to make the moose part.  First, cut a piece of canvas to fit the opening of the frame, plus some extra to allow you to staple it onto the frame.

Lay the fabric on a flat surface.  You may want to put some paper down first, since you'll be using spray paint.  Spray the back of the moose, or whatever picture you decide to use, with the stencil adhesive.  Stick the moose to the center of the fabric.  Then spray with the desired color of spray paint.

When the paint dries, gently peel the cutout off the fabric.

This is what you get.  If you want the moose to be a different color, spray the fabric that color first, allow it to dry completely, then stick the cutout on and spray over with another color, like above.

Now center the image and staple on the back of the frame.  

It's done.

I'm thinking a rooster may look good instead of the moose, or a Christmas tree for the holidays.  

Thanks for reading.

How To Make Soy Candles

From the time I discovered soy candles, I liked them much better than the old paraffin ones.  Paraffin candles leave their container black as they burn, but soy candles don't.   That alone makes me feel better about burning soy candles over paraffin ones.  But candles can get expensive.  You can make your own for much less.

I've seen soy candles anywhere from $15 to $20 and up.  It'll cost $4 to $5 each for the 8 oz. candles I made here.  

What you'll need:

1.  Some kind of jar.   Ball jars come in many different sizes and can be bought at the supermarket, but you can pour the wax in any container you want, as long as it's not flammable.  I used 8 oz. jelly jars that are less that $10 for a dozen of them.  

  

2.  Soy wax:  I bought a 10 lb. bag on Amazon for around $22.

3.  Wicks:  I found a good deal for a whole spool at http://www.candlesandsupplies.net The CD-18 wick is what I used.  A 100' roll was $12.49   If you buy the roll, you'll have to get the wick tabs and wick stickers, both of which you can get on amazon.  They also have 6" wicks with the metal tab already on one end.  In this case, you just need wick stickers (from Amazon), which are really just double-sided stickers that hold the wick to the bottom of the jar.  The pre-tabbed CD-18 wicks should be good if you're making smaller candles that are less that 6 inches high.

4.  Fragrance and color:  www.Candlescience.com has a lot of fragrances and they give you a rating on how well the scent "throws," or is released into the air from the candle.  Be sure to get only scents intended for candles.  You'll need 1 to 2 ounces of fragrance per 1 lb. of wax used.  I prefer to use 2 ounces, maybe a little more if you want a really strongly scented candle.  There is some trial and error involved here.  You just have to experiment and see what works well.  If you burn the candle and it isn't strong enough, you CAN re-melt it and add some more fragrance.  You don't have to waste it.

I don't use colorants.  I like the color of the soy wax itself and it looks cleaner.

5. A Scale to weigh out your wax and a tablespoon to measure your fragrance.

6.  A large pot to boil water in and a smaller pot that can fit inside that pot.  The smaller pot will hold your wax.  They sell pour pots, which are metal pots that have a spout in which to melt your wax. They cost about $10, but you don't need one, it's just easier to pour.  You can get that on Amazon as well.

7.  A piece or cardboard to hold the wick in center.


I've made a video that I hope will explain the candle making process better.

I Hope you have fun making your own candles.  You can design and print your own labels using your computer for a nice touch.  They make great gifts.

Thanks for visiting Hobby ADD.