Making Clocks

Video HERE

Although I didn't technically 'make' the clocks, I certainly put in quite a lot of work. These images really reflect my old style of art, bold and iconic animal images. Starting with an inexpensive box canvas and a cheap clock movement you too can create a bold image to satisfy your timekeeping needs...

You will need:
A Box Canvas (around 8x8" 20x20cm*)
A Clock Movement
An old book or other paper base
Thin PVA glue
Image of your choice
Tracing Paper
Pencil
Acrylic Paint
Sponge
Brushes
Ballpoint pen**
Varnish
PVC fabric
Double-Sided Tape
Stapler

*Square clocks look better with most images, although you might go for the lovebird look with a slanted frame if you like.
**Ideally a black pen, you can use permanent marker, but I find that you can lose the definition of the line when using a spray varnish, and sometimes wash out the ink with a water-based one. I would suggest that you do a quick test before starting.

Method:

1. Tear your paper into small squares and glue a layer of straight pieces in a grid. Allow to dry a bit, then add a second layer on the diagonal.* Dry completely.
2. Scale your image to fit nicely on the canvas, then trace the image onto tracing paper and transfer to the canvas. Mark where your clock centre will be. Draw over the outline and key details with a pen.
3. Sponge on a light layer of paint, blending and pushing into the paper to help create texture. Try and keep the density of colour consistent across the whole thing - within reason, there needs to be some variation otherwise it looks boring. Dry completely.
4. Paint the base coat colours of your image inside the faint outline you can see through the background. Dry completely.
5. If required, pick out the main lines and details before continuing to paint, building up colour and texture as you go. Once you're satisfied allow to dry completely.**
6. Using your choice of pen pick out the details in your image. You can either use the pen just to delineate shadows and contrast - like the lovebirds - or as the main detail outline - like the owl. If using a ballpoint pen I would suggest leaving this to dry overnight.
7. Apply a layer or two of finish.
8. Carefully cut through the canvas for the clock movement, then glue it into place.
9. Wrap the edges with PVC, folding it back to create a frame.
10. Press the clock hands into place - If you want you can paint them in a better contrasting colour using spray paint or nail varnish.

*Torn pieces blend together better than cut ones when doing paper mache, the torn fibres help the edges glue down flat without a stepped edge. I use the pieces of paper with text mainly on the top layer, with the plain ones underneath. The text doesn't come through the paint particularly well, but helps to create interesting shape and shading for the base layer.
**Acrylic paint is rather flexible when it comes to drying layers, HOWEVER, the layer of PVA on top of the paper creates something of a resist which can make it difficult to build up substantial layers without having them completely dry first.

Emergency Treats - Microwaved Cake and Cookie

Video HERE

I have been on a healthy eating regime for over 3 years now, but there are some occasions when you need to indulge. These recipes take just minutes to make and - as you make them yourself - you know exactly how much you have indulged without having to raid the local corner shop for chocolates and snacks.

Microwave Mug Cake

This recipe is almost infinitely variable depending on what you have in the cupboards...
[Serves 2*]
4tbsp Sugar (Brown, white, or a combination)
5tbsp Plain Flour (Swap up to 2tbsp for Cocoa if you like)
1/8tsp Baking Powder (Not required if you're using Self-Raising Flour)
2tbsp Raisins/Choc Chips/Chopped Chocolate Bar/Nuts... whatever you like
1 Egg (See note below)
2tbsp Oil (or melted butter)
2-3tbsp Dairy (Milk, yogurt, sour cream, or non-dairy alternative)

*That is, if you feel like sharing. I have tried the egg replacement techniques (mayonnaise, banana etc) but none seem to work as well. If you're nuking for 1 then you can just go with half a beaten egg and try to hold on to the rest for something else - you could use just the yolk, but I find that ends up with an excessively eggy cake.

Method:

1. Grease 2 mugs with oil or cooking spray.* 
2. Put the sugar, flour (cocoa) and baking powder into a small bowl and stir to mix.**
3. Add the raisins (or whatever), egg, oil and dairy and mix until combined.
4. Share the mixture between the mugs, filling no more than 1/2 way up.
5. Transfer to a plate*** in the microwave and nuke on HIGH for about 90 seconds.
6. The top should be puffy and look dry, if not nuke for UP-TO 30 seconds more. Too much and you'll end up with a bouncy ball.
7. CAREFULLY lift the mugs out and invert onto a serving plate. The cake should drop out with a gentle shake.
8. Serve topped with icing or yogurt or cream.

*I don't always bother, really - mainly because I like my cakes cooked slightly under and they slip out easily that way. You don't have to turn these out, they can be eaten out of the mug if you like.
**Yes, I know it's a mug-cake, but I'm cooking these in square-sided mugs which make it difficult to properly mix everything and you'll often end up with dry flour in the corners. One bowl isn't gonna break the dishwasher, trust me.
***If you've over-filled the mugs this stuff has a tendency to splurge, so either keep a constant eye on the machine and stop it if looks like it's gonna make a mess, or wash your turntable when it does.

Cookie for One

My friend actually found this recipe on Pinterest, I found it rather too sweet, so we've tweaked the ratios somewhat. This is really more of a cookie for one-and-a-half, even tweaked it is still rather rich... although that may be because we'd just scarfed a mug cake each as well...

1tbsp Butter, melted
2tsp White Sugar
2tsp Brown Sugar
2 drops Vanilla
Few grains Salt
1 Egg Yolk
4tbsp Plain Flour
2tbsp Choc Chips
Up to 2tsp Milk

Method:

1. Grease a small mug or dish.
2. Mix together the butter, sugars and vanilla, then add the yolk and salt and mix well.
3. Add the flour and stir until doughy, adding enough milk to bring it together.
4. Stir through the chocolate chips, then spoon into the dish and press into the bottom.
5. Nuke for 40 seconds-1 minute until slightly risen and firm to the touch.
6. Wait for a few minutes before scoffing topped with yogurt or cream.

Hexagonal Stacking - sort of - Box

Video HERE

Some time ago I bought a small, rather sad-looking cardboard box that opened to reveal some rather small drawers/shelves. I have recently been experimenting with angled cuts on my scroll saw and this seemed the perfect opportunity to combine both ideas.

I have drawn up rough plans, and I will add the measurements that I used to make this 5-shelf hexagonal stacker at a later date (when I can find them in the stack of finished projects!). The construction of this box was rather piece-meal, as I dealt with problems that occurred along the way so I didn't take proper notes. These are instructions for the ideal construction technique.

You Will Need:
Scroll Saw with a sturdy blade*
4mm Plywood
Templates (Cutting list below)
Sandpaper
Strong wood glue +/ Contact Adhesive
Masking Tape +/ Large Elastic Bands
Craft Knife and Scissors
Thick paper**
Ribbon
Hinges and clasps
Lining fabric or felt
PVC or Leather

*If you have access to a CNC then this is rather simple, if not you can manage with a table saw, or even a coping saw, although you'll have to ensure you can maintain the angles, or try and sand back the edges.
**Something thicker than copier paper is ideal for covering a multitude of errors whilst minimizing the added thickness to each drawer.

Cutting List
[TBA, apologies]

Method:

1. Securely fix the templates to your ply, cover with tape if you want.
2. Adjust your scroll saw blade to 30 degrees and make the angled cuts*, you will find it easier to cut the shelf sides in longer strips before breaking them down.
3. Re-adjust your blade to 90 degrees and make the rest of the cuts.
4. Fit the shelves together, glue and clamp with tape or elastic bands.
5. Check the angles of the box sides, adjust with sandpaper as required, then tape together and roll up the sides to check they fit correctly.**
6. Sand the shelves flat, then cover with the paper.***
7. Cover the lid and the inside of the box sides with paper and slit open the shelf slots - no need to cut the paper back completely.
8. Hinge the inside of the box sides with ribbon, then cover the outside with PVC and cover the edges with more ribbon.****
9. Glue the shelves into their slots - making sure they each sit at right angles to the sides - , clamping tightly until set.
10. Line each shelf - if you haven't already.
11. Screw in the lid hinges and side clasps.*****
12. Trim with decorative paper, finished with varnish.

*You cannot use a fence on a scroll saw, so this relies on your own ability to hold the line. If in doubt cut slightly wide and sand to the line as required.
**If you are concerned about the fitting of the shelves I would suggest making the outer wall first, then use the internal measurements to adjust the shelf plans to something around 4-5mm smaller.
***You can line them here as it's easier to get proper access before they're fixed in place.
****Contact adhesive would have been a better choice here, otherwise use your best glue, be generous, clamp well and allow everything to dry completely before moving on.
*****You will probably need to slightly bend the latch tongue on the bottom clasp so that it will form around the sides.

Considering the difficulties that I had with maintaining the angles and fit here, I actually rather like this box. It is definitely on my list of projects to repeat.