"Wood'n it be Nice?!" Wednesday

Today's project is something I thought you would all enjoy! This is in honor of our official "unofficial" start of Summer time.....MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND! Hope you all enjoy!

Firecrackers

Supplies:

*1 inch dowel rod

*11/64" Drill Bit

*Jute Twine

*Sandpaper

*Craft paints: Black, Barn Red, Vintage White, Navy Blu

*Mimwax Dark Walnut Stain

*Hot Glue Gun

Directions:

PLEASE READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE BEGINNING PROJECT!

First, you will need to cut your dial rod. I used a my Chop Saw...but, you can use a jigsaw or miter box. A manual miter box can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot for less than $15...and you can use it for straight or mitered cuts! Worth the investment outside of the jigsaw!

I cut my dial rod into different lengths....3 1/2", 4", and 4 1/2" so I would have different sized firecrackers.

First, let's take your drill bit and drill a shallow hole down the top center, this is where your "fuse" will go. NOTE: THIS WILL BE THE TOP OF YOUR FIRECRACKER!

Next, completely paint your piece with your black paint. Sorry, no pix...but, I am sure you can handle this without a pix...LOL

Now, take your Vintage white paint and paint about 3/4 of the bottom part of the rod with it, this includes the end too.

Next, take your Barn Red Paint and paint Red Stripes over your white paint. To get even stripes, I take and put my first stripe on...then straight across from that stripe I do another...then do one inbetween those stripes. You will also need to paint the bottom where you did your white, now with Barn Red too. Let dry completely. DO NOT worry about perfect stripes!

Now, we are going to take your Navy Blue Paint and paint about 1/4 of the top of your rod; making sure to also paint the top end where your hole is drilled. DO NOT worry about this not being perfect! Let dry completely!

Time for the fun part....DISTRESSING!!! This is always my favorite part because it really brings age & character to a piece! Take your sandpaper and sand around the top and bottom edges and around the rest of the piece. I like to use my electric sander for this!

Now, take your Dark Walnut Stain and cover your piece with it...then wipe it right back off. This ages the piece very nicely!

Time to add the "fuse"!!! Take your hot glue gun and add just a small drop of hot glue into your drilled hole.

Take about a 3" piece of your Jute Twine and place inside the hole; being careful of the hot glue! That's it...you are done! Well, How's it look?! LIKE A FIRECRACKER-DOESN'T IT?!

PLACE A FEW INSIDE A BOWL AND ENJOY!

THIS IS A VERY EASY PROJECT! SINCE THESE ARE MADE OF WOOD, THESE COULD BE DISPLAYED INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME!

HAPPY SUMMER TIME!!!