This December it's less about the Whos in Whoville - Dr. Who is rocking this crib. Given the good doctor is still going strong after almost 50 years of episodes, the Things have been running some serious catch-up marathons. So...this years Christmas ornament gift was one of the easier decisions, at least the theme was. Thing One wanted a TARDIS, and Thing Two of course wanted a Dalek...just to be different. Both had to incorporate LED lighting...okay, that was my idea - a possible sign of excessive instructables surfing.
So, new for this year - two different ornaments. New for next year - no discussion or input, you get what you get, etc. etc.
So...here is the Dalek. TARDIS instructable coming right up.
Here are some supplies I used (this was awesome because 100% of the materials were re-used/hacked from things found in the house:
Toilet roll tube
tape
Craft Paper
cardboard (I used some upholstry tack strips because I had them)
Upholstery tacks (if you don't have any lying around, they're a few cents each at the upholstery supply store)
Epoxy putty and Epoxy glue
Paper/Wood glue
Part of an old hanging light fixture
Rivets, washers, grommets - whatever catches your magpie eye
A couple of LED lights - I used tealight and small white lights from Halloween
Old phone wire
Solder Iron/solder
Acrylic paint (raided the Things art supplies)
On the topic of supplies, I usually like to use what is already lying around the house, and often round up stray leftovers from other projects to re-purpose. I have a treasure trove of bits and pieces...so here's my tip of the day for you: go to an estate sale (look for ads that have the key words: workshop, full garage, tools, etc.) and buy you some supplies. For $20-$30 and a friendly chat with the guy working the garage, you can usually acquire a few of those shop compartment boxes. And chances are that they are loaded with all manner of screws, nuts, connectors, grommets, etc - a lifetime's collection. And a better than average chance that they are very well labelled - you knew dude would have a label maker. I'd like to think that whoever gets mine will appreciate this dead man's taste in a lifetime's accumulated necessary parts and supplies, and will admire the organized and tidy storage. Well the last part is a lie - I'm not tidy, but do know where everything is :)
So, new for this year - two different ornaments. New for next year - no discussion or input, you get what you get, etc. etc.
So...here is the Dalek. TARDIS instructable coming right up.
Here are some supplies I used (this was awesome because 100% of the materials were re-used/hacked from things found in the house:
Toilet roll tube
tape
Craft Paper
cardboard (I used some upholstry tack strips because I had them)
Upholstery tacks (if you don't have any lying around, they're a few cents each at the upholstery supply store)
Epoxy putty and Epoxy glue
Paper/Wood glue
Part of an old hanging light fixture
Rivets, washers, grommets - whatever catches your magpie eye
A couple of LED lights - I used tealight and small white lights from Halloween
Old phone wire
Solder Iron/solder
Acrylic paint (raided the Things art supplies)
On the topic of supplies, I usually like to use what is already lying around the house, and often round up stray leftovers from other projects to re-purpose. I have a treasure trove of bits and pieces...so here's my tip of the day for you: go to an estate sale (look for ads that have the key words: workshop, full garage, tools, etc.) and buy you some supplies. For $20-$30 and a friendly chat with the guy working the garage, you can usually acquire a few of those shop compartment boxes. And chances are that they are loaded with all manner of screws, nuts, connectors, grommets, etc - a lifetime's collection. And a better than average chance that they are very well labelled - you knew dude would have a label maker. I'd like to think that whoever gets mine will appreciate this dead man's taste in a lifetime's accumulated necessary parts and supplies, and will admire the organized and tidy storage. Well the last part is a lie - I'm not tidy, but do know where everything is :)
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: Forming The Body
1. Find a toilet roll tube - I raided Modfrugal's stash that she was saving for making Christmas crackers. Or cut a paper towel tube down to size.
2. Mark and cut out a skinny wedge from the roll. You can always widen the wedge asyou need to.
3. Join the sides. I used the tape and ended up taking it off and gluing the ends together with craft paper - I wanted a good bond when adding the cardboard strips and thought the tape may not hold up to season after season in the attic.
4.Cut off the top end - about a quarter of the length. The cut will be angled slightly - you want the top to be level/horizontal when the base is sitting on the surface. Set it down and then eyeball it from the side to get a level cut.
2. Mark and cut out a skinny wedge from the roll. You can always widen the wedge asyou need to.
3. Join the sides. I used the tape and ended up taking it off and gluing the ends together with craft paper - I wanted a good bond when adding the cardboard strips and thought the tape may not hold up to season after season in the attic.
4.Cut off the top end - about a quarter of the length. The cut will be angled slightly - you want the top to be level/horizontal when the base is sitting on the surface. Set it down and then eyeball it from the side to get a level cut.
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
"These don't Il-lu-min-ate, they just Dec-or-ate." :)
Now, if one could fit one with LEDs, it would...
Illuminate!
Sorry...
This is just adorable. Thanks for such an awesome walkthrough!