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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Pick up Sticks...a tutorial...of sorts

I have tried to be very clear on this blog about my photography skills...they are....sub par...but I finished this little pick up stick project and thought you might like to make one so here are some very rough directions and photos to help you out!  The sticks are magazine reeds and they are made by tearing colorful pictures from magazines and rolling them around a skinny skewer.  Glue the ends so your reeds don't unwind and remove from the skewer...make a ton of them...they go fast and it is mindless work...watch the olympics while you make them.
When you have a bunch made up, find a box the size you like and line it with pretty paper by gluing to the inside and around the edges of the outside of the box.  This will insure that you cannot see the box through your reeds when you glue them onto the box.  Begin gluing your reeds in whatever pattern you choose onto the box.  I used white glue and ran some across and most up and down...you can fold them in half and make a pattern or just glue them straight up and down.  I glued one side at a time and let that side dry before moving on. 
When you are all glued up and dry, apply 3-5 coats of mod podge inside and out which will not only give your box a little shine, but will help stabilize it too...All done!  I love mine and now just have to figure out what to store in it!  Good luck...

9 comments:

  1. How cool is that! I really like the idea..and I see your backyard still looks like ours. Oh, how I long to see dirt!!

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  2. Great project! I think your photos are fine. I'm working hard at taking better pics as well. Who knew how hard it is? :)

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  3. my gosh....my grandma had one of these as a little waste basket that sat by her side for YEARS. How fun now, I can recreate it!! Thanks.

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  4. What a very cool project. Making a magazine bowl is still on my to do list. But this variation is very nice too.

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  5. such a cute idea! ive been trying to think of something to make for all my wool!

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  6. I've always wondered how to make this - thanks!

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  7. What a great idea!!! I have so many magazines that I need to use up! Thanks.

    www.rockiescrafts.blogspot.com

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  8. Awesome! I have a pencil holder that my Grandma made for me using this technique. I think she made it in the early 70's!

    I think your pics are good too!

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  9. I love this! I made one in grade school as a kid. We coverd an tin can with them to make pencil holders for Dad on Father's Day. Thanks for sharing!

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