RedThreadDIY

Oh, but Christmas decorating is ON! I absolutely LOVE Lowe’s Creative Ideas – so I thought I’d share them here!

Here is Lowe’s main Holiday page for outdoor decor and a bunch of other fun: Lowe’s Creative Ideas

YAY Christmas!

They will probably delete their awesome ideas after the season is over. And, that’s not fun. I mean.. I need to keep a constant list! So.. I’m gonna basically copy and paste their stuff into this blog, so we can all have access to the awesomeness FOREVER! I’m only gonna put in the stuff that I think it worth mentioning, which is most of it. Ready?! Go!

I also did this for their Halloween Decoration Tutorials. Check it out if you’re into DIY-ing!

Because this post is so long, here is a table of contents! If you want to jump to a certain subject in this post, hold down your CTRL key while pushing the F key, and type in the subject below that you are interested in!

Contents:

• Nuts and Bolts Christmas Tree
• Light and Bright Artwork (Snowflake)
• Chunky Chic Candle Pillars
• Twinkling Towers
• Clay Pot Nutcrackers
• Copper Christmas Tree
• Holiday Card Wreath
• Mantel and Railing Card Display
• Interior Doorway Garland Card Display

Nuts and Bolts Christmas Tree:

This idea brings simple elements like pine craft boards, nuts, washers, and a bolt together to create a contemporary, Scandinavian-style Christmas tree. The look of the piece is fully customizable with its movable branches and millions of decoration possibilities.

Skill level: Beginner

Rough cost estimate: $69

Tools You’ll Use:

• Tablesaw
• Dado blade set
• Hacksaw
• Drill
• 3/8″ drill bit
• 7/16″ drill bit
• 1-1/8″ spade bit
• Glue
• Clamp

Lowe’s List:

• 24″ x 3/8″-16 threaded rod/bolt
• 12 3/8″ x 2″ x 24” select pine craft boards
• 1 1″ x 2″ x 6′ pine board for the base
• 2 3/8-16 T-nut for the base
• 23 3/8″-16 hex nuts
• 43 3/8″ x 1 1/2″ washers
• MinWax Green Tea water based stain
• LED Tea Lights
• Assorted mini ornaments

Build the Base.

To make it extra sturdy, we used two “X”-shaped bases and secured with T-nuts.

Step 1: Cut the 1″ x 2″ x 6′ board into four 16-inch-long pieces.

Step 2: For all four pieces of wood cut half-lap joints: Using a table saw with a dado blade, cut a 3/8-inch-deep by 1-1/2-inch-wide (or the actual width of the board) groove for a flush fit. Center the groove 7-1/4 inches from either end. Glue and clamp the half-lap joints together.

Step 3: Drill 3/8-inch hole in center of each base.

Step 4: Using a hacksaw, cut the 24 inch threaded rod to 19-1/2 inches.

Step 5: Using a 1-1/8 inch spade bit, drill a circular groove 1/8 inch deep in the center of each base piece to accommodate the T-nut.

Step 6: Stain wood if desired.

Step 7: Thread base pieces onto rod securing each base piece with a T-nut.

Cut the Branches.

Step 9: Cut the 12 pieces of select pine craft boards into the following branch lengths (there should be two of each length):

• 18 inches
• 16-1/2 inches
• 15 inches
• 13-1/2 inches
• 12 inches
• 10-1/2 inches
• 9 inches
• 7-1/2 inches
• 6 inches
• 4-1/2 inches
• 3 inches

Step 10: Drill a 3/8 inch hole in the center of each branch.

Step 11: Drill holes to cradle ornaments. Drill 7/16 inch holes 1/2 inch from the end of 10 to 12 branches to cradle ornaments.

Step 12: If desired, stain the branches.

Step 13: Build the tree by screwing parts in this order: washer, nut, washer, pine branch, repeat. Start with the 18-inch-long branches and finish with the 3-inch-long branches. Top with nut only. Decorate with LED tea lights and small ornaments.

Light and Bright Artwork:

Skill level: Beginner

Rough cost estimate: $78

Tools You’ll Use:

• Table saw
• Paintbrush
• Screws
• Awl
• Stapler Gun

Lowe’s List:

• 2 1″ x 2″ x 8′ boards
• Canvas Drop Cloth; 4′ x 5′
• 3 strings of 50 LED lights
• 2 D-Rings
• Valspar primer
• White interior paint
• Gold spray paint

Step 1: Build the frame. Cut the 1″ x 2″ x 8′ boards into four 39-1/4 inch boards. Make a square frame using butt joints. Use screws to attach boards together.

Step 2: Create the canvas. Cut drop cloth to 46 inches square. Staple the canvas to the frame.

Step 3: Prime the drop cloth with interior primer.

Step 4: Paint the drop cloth with white interior paint.

Step 5: Tape the snowflake pattern (PDF) to canvas using painter’s tape. If this link stops working, feel free to contact me, as I’ve saved the PDF file and can send it to you.

Step 6: Spray paint the exposed canvas around the snowflake with gold spray paint.

Step 7: From the back of the canvas, use an awl to carefully poke holes for the string light bulbs. We used 150 LED lights.

Step 8: Insert LED light bulbs through the holes.

Step 9: Attach 2 D-Rings to the back of artwork. Hang in desired spot.

Chunky Chic Candle Pillars:

Lowe’s List:

• 4″ x 4″ x 8′ fence post
• Minwax Polycrylic
• LED pillar candles (2.87 inch; 5-inch)

Step 1: Cut a 4″ x 4″ x 8′ fence post into four sets of the following lengths: 4 inches; 8 inches; and 12 inches.

Step 2: Sand all surfaces of the wood smooth.

Step 3: Seal pillars with Minwax Polycrylic to bring out the natural grain of the wood.

Step 4: Top with LED pillar candles (2.87 inch; 5-inch).

Twinkling Towers:

I WILL be doing this one – but a little differently! I’ll be posting a tutorial of my own soon.

Reuse your summer tomato cages to create sparkling decorations.

Step 1: Stack three cages, and bind them together using 14-gauge wire.

Step 2: Apply white spray paint to a 6-gallon metal can and to the tomato cages.

Step 3: Decorate the cages with wire and Christmas ornaments.

Step 4: Attach C9 Christmas lights around the top of the cans using hot glue.

Step 5: Drill holes in the back of the cans, and run extension cords from the lights to an outlet.

Step 6: Place the cages in the cans, and fill in with white pebbles.

Step 7: Use wire to form a star and attach to the top.

Clay Pot Nutcrackers

Make your own toy soldiers from tiny clay planters.

Step 1: For each nutcracker, select five 4-inch planters, and wipe them clean.

Step 2: Spray-paint one planter black and one planter beige. Use red, navy blue, and green for the remaining planters. Allow to dry.

Step 3: Stack the planters as shown here. Secure them with a small amount of hot glue. Using utility scissors, cut a 7/16-inch round wooden dowel to 20 inches long. Thread the dowel through the planters’ drainage holes.

Step 4: With a pencil, sketch the nutcracker’s face, buttons, and belt. Paint the features with hobby brushes.

Step 5: Tie several pieces of jute twine around the top of the dowel to create a tassel for the nutcracker’s hat.

To find a stencil for the nutcracker’s features, click here. If this link stops working, feel free to contact me, as I’ve saved the PDF file and can send it to you.

Copper Christmas Tree:

Skill Level: Beginner

Rough Cost Estimate: $13 per tree

Rough Time Estimate: 20 minutes

Materials:

• copper tubing (1/4-inch x 10-foot)
• assorted holiday ornaments
• ornament hooks

The holidays are all about being with friends and family, and sharing the traditions of the season. December’s Unwind & Design project is a great way to decorate for the holidays while spending time with others. Create a mini tree from copper tubing, and then add your favorite ornaments to make it your own.

Step 1: Take one end of the copper tubing, and shape it into a large circle that will serve as the base of the tree. Continue shaping the tubing into smaller rings. Leave approximately 18 inches at the top of the tree for the star topper.

Step 2: Stretch out the coiled rings to form the tree.

Step 3: Shape the remaining 18 inches of tubing into a star pattern.

Step 4: Decorate with small ornaments if desired.

Good to Know: When the holidays are over, the copper tree will collapse back into a coil for easy storage until next year.

Holiday Card Wreath:

Skillset: Beginner

Rough Cost Estimate: $40

Rough Time Estimate: 1/2 day (includes drying time)

Materials:

• 1 (50-foot-long) roll of ½-inch riser flex pipe
• Utility Knife
• Plastic Clothespins
• Primer
• Silver Spray Paint
• Purple Spray Paint
• Construction Adhesive for small projects
• Silver Ribbon

Step 1: Using a utility knife, cut a 6-foot-long piece, a 3 1/2-foot-long piece, and a 3 1/2-inch-long piece of riser flex pipe (found in the plumbing department).

Step 2: Make a large circle with the 6-foot piece of pipe and a smaller circle with the 3½-foot piece, using flex tees to hold each circle together.

Step 3: Connect the circles at the flex tees using the 3 1/2-inch-long piece of pipe.

Step 4: Prime, and let dry. Spray-paint plastic clothespins and the pipe wreath. (We used purple paint for the wreath and silver paint for the clothespins.) Allow to dry.

Step 5: Using construction adhesive for small projects, attach the clothespins to the wreath, as shown.

Step 6: Suspend the wreath using ribbon, and use the clothespins to hold your cards in place.

Mantel and Railing Card Display:

Skill Level: Beginner

Rough Cost Estimate: $40

Rough Time Estimate: 2 hours

Materials:

• Lighted Pine Garland
• Red Beaded Garland
• Ribbon
• Ornament Hooks
• Shatterproof Ornaments
• Hole Puncher

Step 1: Swag lighted garland and red beaded garland along the railing of your staircase using ribbon tied into bows.

Step 2: Make a larger bow to place at the bottom of the staircase.

Step 3: Use a hole puncher to make a hole in the corner of each holiday card.

Step 4: Attach the cards and ornaments to the garland using ornament hooks.

Interior Doorway Garland Card Display:

Skill Level: Beginner

Rough Cost Estimate: $50

Rough Time Estimate: 1 hour

Materials:

• Garland
• Suction Hooks
• Paper Clips
• 2 Bows
• Shatterproof Ornaments
• Poinsettia Lights

Step 1: Hang garland at the top of the door frame using suction hooks.

Step 2: Tie bows to both ends of the garland.

Step 3: Use paper clips to attach your cards to the bows and garland.

Hope you enjoyed the post! Let me know if you try anything – I’d love to know.

Photo and Idea Credits: Lowe’s Creative Ideas

I am a BIG FAN of decorating the outside of the house for any holiday. Christmas decorations are competitive though, so you’ve gotta be willing to put in a lot of time and effort. This is especially true if you don’t want to buy all of your decorations. I LOVE making things, and I LOVE showing them off! I made a ton of stuff for Halloween (my diy tombstones and my diy lighted ghosts) – and I can genuinely say it was worth it! Items that you make are of better quality, UNIQUE, and you can really be proud of them.

I do plan on making some lawn decorations for Christmas, and will absolutely share how I made them with all of you! For now, check out these tutorials that I found online. They look really fun! Click on the photo to get the tutorial.

Looking for more Christmas tutorials? Simply check out my blog archive for Christmas!

Contents:

• Yard Accent Tutorials
• Lighted Yard Accent Tutorials
• Stuff to Do With Snow

Yard Accent Tutorials:

Lighted Tutorials:

Stuff To Do With Snow:

If you know of ANY other examples or tutorials, please comment below so I can add them to this list. Thanks!

I was originally going to follow the Lowe’s tombstone tutorial to create my very own scary tombstones, but after starting I found that there were much easier ways to make an awesome tombstone setup without a ton of foamboard and extra time. So – here is the Halloween Tombstone Tutorial – RedThread style!

I made these AWESOME light-up ghost figures in a previous tutorial. They are SUPER easy and fun to make!

Check out my collection of links for other fun outdoor Halloween decoration ideas!

Materials Needed:

• Foamboard (I used a 1″ pink insulation foamboard sheet from Home Depot, which only cost me around $12. I made all 7 of my tombstones from that one sheet, with leftovers!)
• Serrated Knife (for cutting out the tombstone shapes.)
• X-Acto Knife (for carving the tombstone names and/or designs in the foamboard.)
• Spray Paint Primer (I used Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Ultra Cover 2X Coverage Primer – Gray, which cost around $3. We bought 2 and used 2. Don’t go too cheap on your primer! Cheap primers take a ton more time, and a lot of coats to cover the pink foamboard. It would actually cost you more using the cheap stuff, since you’d have to go through so many more cans to get the coverage you want)
• Hot Glue Gun
• Hand Saw
• Something to cut cheap wood with
• Hammer
• Wooden Paint Stirring Sticks (Home Depot offers these for free). Grab 2 for each tombstone to be safe.
• Spray Paint (Any color you want your tombstones to be! If you’re happy with how the primer looks, just leave it as is. I did this on a couple of the tombstones! You can get an array of cheap spray paint colors for $1 each at Home Depot or Wal-Mart)

Most of these materials I already had, so I only needed to buy the foamboard and the primer. Pretty awesome result for $20 and my time, right? Onto the instructions!

Step 1: With a pen or pencil, lightly draw your tombstone shapes onto the foamboard. I made straight lines with a T-Square (You can use a ruler and eye it!), and made rounded top shapes with a dinner plate.

You can also print out Lowe’s cutting diagrams for examples here. I printed these out really small and used them as a guide only. I avoided the bases and most 3-D effects. If this link stops working, feel free to contact me, as I’ve saved the PDF file and can send it to you.

There are also tombstone templates available here, which gives you wider variety.

Step 2: Once you’re satisfied with the shapes made, take a serrated knife, and start cutting! It’s easiest if you cut in a back and forth motion, rather than just trying to slice the foamboard. I tried a box cutter, but it made things very difficult. I don’t recommend a box cutter!

If you do have a jigsaw, it would probably be the easiest to use that. Since I don’t have one, the knife worked out just fine.

Below are the outcomes of cutting with a serrated knife:

Step 3: I experimented with a 3-D tombstone. To make a 3-D looking tombstone, cut out a normal tombstone (straight edges would be easiest) and then cut out 3 inch wide, long strips of foamboard. Match them up the best you can, and hot glue them to the tombstone once you feel that they are cut properly to fit the tombstone shape. I then waterproof caulked the seams for an even sturdier result.

Step 4: For a professional look, use a computer to print the desired name you want. I used different sizes of Palatino font, depending on the size of my tombstones. My sizes varied from 150 pt. to 300 pt font. I printed out several copies until I could decide which size font was best for each tombstone. There are so many different humorous tombstone names. I’ll include as many as I can find and list them at the bottom of this tutorial!

Step 5: Using tape, attach paper with desired name to the foamboard.

Step 6: Using a ballpoint pen, trace over the letters with enough pressure to cause an impression in the foam.

Step 7: Remove the paper. Using an X-acto knife, cut the foamboard inside the letters at 45 degree angles. Then, carve out the excess foam.

Step 8: If wanting to make cracks in your tombstones, score the foam with your X-acto knife. If wanting to cut out a shape in your tombstones, simply trace the shape that you want in pencil and cut directly through the foamboard. Examples of the finished look of these are below:

Step 9: Spray paint your tombstones with the primer! Be sure to have scrap cardboard or newspaper underneath your tombstones when using primer and spray painting in order to save your grass or cement! Use a back and forth, steady motion when priming and spray painting. Be sure to check out the video below if you don’t have a lot of experience. Let it dry, and then flip it over to prime the other side. Amazingly, this went pretty fast and the primer dried within 5 minutes. After the primer is on, you can choose to use spray paint for different effects, but the gray primer will also look fine by itself.

• Use the primer FIRST! Don’t only use spray paint. It will take a ton of cans to cover the foamboard color. Also, the spray paint without primer burns through the foamboard, creating an icky effect.
• Make sure that you are spraying at least 10 inches away from the tombstone. If you spray too close or for too long in the same place with the primer or spray paint, it will also burn through the foamboard.

Optional: Add different effects with different colors of spray paint  to your primed tombstones by lightly spraying on the color.

Step 10: Make stakes for your tombstones. These will be hot glued into your tombstones to make them stick into the ground! Take one paint stick and cut it in half with a saw. Then take a pair of wire cutters to cut off some of the wood to turn them into stakes. You can really use anything to cut them, as long as you can cut them at an angle. Make at least two stakes for each tombstone. If you have a huge tombstone, I recommend making three stakes for it. The picture below should explain it all:

Step 11: In this step – you need to make slots in your tombstones to be able to hold the stakes that you have made. I tried cutting out the holes, but found it very difficult. So, I used a butter knife that didn’t match any of our other silverware and sacrificed it. Over an open fire, I heated up the knife and stuck it right through the foamboard, as deep as I needed the stakes to go into. The picture and the video do a better job of explaining this below:

Step 12: Using a hot glue gun, secure the stakes into the holes you just made.

Step 13: When the glue dries, usually within 10 minutes, arrange your tombstones in your front yard. I live in Michigan, so the ground was pretty hard. When I tried to push them into the ground, I made the stakes go further into the tombstones. You do NOT want this! To fix the problem, I laid out the tombstones where I wanted them, and took an unused stake to hammer into the ground, and then lifted it out. When doing this, I could push the tombstones into my pre-made holes in the ground easily without cracking them.  To further make sure that the tombstones don’t fly away, you may want to surround them with a few heavy rocks, skulls, or in my case, a worthless chair hidden behind the largest tombstone sandwiched with the skeleton that we secured to the ground!

Step 14: Finished! Enjoy your awesome new tombstones. They RULE!

Click here to view my entire picture set on flickr.

Questions? Comments? More fun tombstone names? Other ideas? Make a set of your own? Let me know!

Some Tombstone Name Options:

Anita Amanda Cook	Helen Bach	Ophelia Pain
Anita Newhart	Helen Wheels	Otta B. Alive
Barry A. Live	I. B. Ded	Pat T. Cake
Bea A. Wolfe	I. L. Beback	R. U. Kidding
Ben Better	I. M. Mortal	R. U. Next
Berry D. Hatchet	Ima Buzzkill	Ray N. Carnation
Bill M. Lader	Ima Goner	Rein N. Weep
C. U. Again	Ima Rotten	Rick A. Mortis
C. U. Later	Izzy Stillalive	Russ T. Car
Cal Q. Later	Jack O. Lantern	Seymour Coffin
Dawn Under	Jack Olan Tern	Seymour Dirtz
Dr. Acula	Jen. U. Wine	Ted E. Baer
Dr. Izzy Gone	Justin Pieces	U. R. Gone
E. Z. Doesit	Justin Tyme	Will B. Back
Eileen Dover-Cliff	Kerry M. Off	Will Knott Rest
Emma Ghost	M. Alive	Will U. Joinme
Fester N. Rott	M. T. Nest	Yetta Nother
Frank N. Beans	M. T. Tomb	Yul B. Next
Frank N. Stein	Myra Mains
Hally Ween	O. Solow