  Pretty Useful ProjectsMAKE YOUR OWN TABLE-TOP TOPIARY*First you'll need:
- floral glue Now you may begin:
Note: If you couldn’t find pre-shaped foam then use your Pretty Useful Craft Knife to shape the foam to the desired form. In this version, ball and/or egg shapes are used, but you can get creative and design your own shapes to create your own unique table-top topiary. 1. Cut the tip from top of each egg or ball using your Pretty Useful Craft Knife, creating a flat surface at either end. Skewer the eggs onto your dowel, starting with largest at bottom, adding floral glue between each to secure in place. Careful not to glue yourself to your creation now, you don't want to get too attached to your work! 2. Using the Pretty Useful Secateurs, clip the leaves and flowers from their stems, trying to maintain similar lengths. 3. Lay out some foil on a flat surface and pour some of the floral glue on it. Dipping the bottoms of the newly cut flowers and leaves, begin to press them into the ball, making sure to cover all available surfaces and arrange to your liking! 4. Repeat this with each of the foam balls. A nice touch is to glue leaves around the base of the largest egg. 5. Make yourself a cup of tea in your Pretty Useful Teapot (just kidding), pick up a book and relax while your new creation dries! 6. Next, using your Pretty Useful Craft Knife, cut some of the floral foam to shape, to fit snugly into your ceramic pot. Remember, it’s easier to cut slowly and start too big, slowly shaping your foam. If you cut off too much, you'll have to start over! 7. When you have an adequate fit, apply some glue and stick in place. Apply some glue to the bottom section of the dowel, estimating a little shorter than the depth of the foam, then insert the dowel into the foam. 8. Finally, glue moss on to your foam and dowel covering the exposed surfaces and giving your creation a great feel and adding more natural colour. |
  Pretty Useful ProjectsLOCAL IS LEKKER: YOUR OWN CUSTOMISED TIN LANTERNS*Tin can lanterns that use candles are great for outdoor celebrations and braais plus they make use of all your spare tins! Using colourful tins with well known local branding (such as Lucky Star or Koo) can be kitsch - and we all know kitsch is cool.First you'll need:
- assorted tin cans that have been washed inside (remove the labels if you want, or keep them on for a more edgy effect) Now you may begin:
1. Fill your tin cans with water and place them in the freezer until the water has frozen. 2. Draw designs on your tin cans using your black marker. Simple designs are the easiest to punch out. Alternatively, if you're keeping the labels on, use the outlines on the existing design as your guide 3. Roll out a large towel. Place your can in the middle of the towel, and roll either side of the towel towards the can. This will form a protective barrier, which will prevent the tin from moving around too much. 4. Put on your safety goggles and begin to punch out your design, using your Pretty Useful 5-in-1 hammer and 6-in-1 screwdriver to make different holes of different shapes and sizes. 5. Let the ice thaw, until the can is empty 6. When thawed, dry the tin cans and place 1" to 2" of sand in the bottom. 7. Anchor a tealight candle in the sand and light it using a long match. |
 DISPOSABLE DECOR: ZEN OUT WITH EASY ORIGAMI FLOWERS*Originating in Japan during the early 17th century - origami is the art of cutting and folding paper into intricate and beautiful shapes. This simple art can produce amazing results and is very relaxing to perform. It's also a great way to pass time during those boring boardroom meetings - as long as you're the boss of course. There are literally thousands of origami projects available online or from your local bookstore. To get you started, here is one of our favourites - a simple, stylised flower with an slick, Japanese look. Scatter these around your home next time you host a party or punch holes in the base and use them as shades for your christmas lights (just be careful not to leave them unattended) First you'll need:
- 5 A5 sheets of paper (pick a colour, any colour) per flower Now you may begin: First cut the small sheets of paper or big sheets of card into equal sized a squares, then: 1. Fold the bottom corner up to make a triangle. 2. Fold the bottom two corners of the triangle up to form a square. 
3. Fold the top two layers of the square backwards as shown. It is important that you ensure the folded back edges line up with the edges of the square beneath. 4. Open the newly formed triangles. 
5. Fold the top triangles over so they are level with the edge of the paper. These flaps should be seperated from the others layers. 6. Fold the triangles along the existing crease. 
7. Add a small amount of glue to one side and attach to the other triangle. 8. Your glued petal should look like this. 
9. Now follow steps 1-7 to fold four more. 10. Gluing the petals together is quite simple. Make sure you let the glue dry before adding the next petal.  *By all means, try your hand at these Pretty Useful Projects - that's what they're here for. Just be aware that, because we aren't there to help you, we take no responsibility for any injuries, loss (or even death) that may befall you while trying these out, even if you're sure you followed these instructions exactly. If you're too young to drive without adult supervision, please don't try these alone either. |
