better
F A M I L Y
project no. two
m e m o b o a r d
STEP
1
SEARCH FOR SUPPLIES Find a
used cookie sheet to which magnets
w ill stick (Teflon or nonstick trays
won’t work). Sand, prime, and spray-
paint the tray. Let dry thoroughly.
Cut decorative paper
such as wallpaper scraps or recycled
card promotional magnets by covering
gift wrap to fit the tray. Use one or layer
or gift wrap. Cut the magnet to the
shape of the design (e.g. a bird or butterfly)
spray glue, affix paper to tray. Decorate
w ith ribbon and rickrack scraps.
and use w ith the memo board. Hang using a
piece of ribbon glued to the back of the tray.
T IM E 2 hours
PERFECT FOR all ages
W H A T Y O U ’ LL NEED
► COOKIE SHEET
► SPRAYABLE GLUE
► OLD MAGNETS
► SPRAY PAINT
► DECORATIVE
► RIBBON OR
AND PRIMER
PAPER
RICKRACK
STEP
2
GET CREATIVE
STEP
3
ADD IN EXTRAS Recycle busines
project no. three
T IM E 30 m inutes
PERFECT FOR younger kids
te r r a r iu m
W H A T Y O U ’ LL NEED
► GLASS CONTAINER
► SMALL PEBBLES
OR CLEAR PLASTIC ► ACTIVATED
BOTTLE
CHARCOAL
► POTTING SOIL
► SEEDS OR
PLANT CLIPPINGS
STEP
1
FIND A CONTAINER
Almost any glass or
plastic container such as
a Mason jar, fish bowl,
or soda bottle can be
used. Clean it well. If
you’re using a soda
bottle, cut off just the
lower third to use as the
container, and keep the
upper section as a lid.
STEP
2
ADD THE COMPONENTS
Cover the bottom of the
container w ith a 1-inch
layer of pebbles for
drainage. Add a thin layer
(about t/4 inch) of activated
charcoal (available where
aquarium supplies are sold)
to filter water, and then
place a
2
-
3
-inch layer of
d irt in the container.
STEP
3
START PLANTING Grow plants from seed, or use
clippings from a houseplant (Ferns, begonias, cacti,
succulents, and moss grow well in terrariums.) Dig a
small hole for each plant, place it, and cover
soil. Water your terrarium, and place the lid
the container. The closed container w ill create
a growth atmosphere: Water in the soil w ill
eventually form droplets on the inside of
the container. They w ill get heavy, fell
like rain, and continue the process.
Don’t see it happening? Add water.
project no. four
T IM E 6 -8 hours
PERFECT FOR tweens and teens
d é c o u p a g e
c n a ir
r
°
W H A T Y O U ’ LL NEED
► SALVAGED CHAIR ► MAGAZINE
► SANDPAPER
CLIPPINGS
► SCISSORS
► MOD PODGE
► SPONGE BRUSH
► PAINT
► DROP CLOTH
STEP
1
PREP THE CHAIR
Sand the chair to make a
smooth surface. Wipe clean to
remove dust, and paint If you
don’t want to cover the entire
piece of furniture, just paint the
most exposed areas.
STEP
2
START CUTTING Clip images
from magazines (flowers,
animals, fashion icons, etc.)
to decorate the chair. Items
such as ticket stubs, sheet
music, and candy wrappers
work well, too. Avoid very
thin paper, which w rinkles.
STEP
3
COVER UP Protect the floor
of your work area w ith
newspaper or a drop cloth.
Then, pour Mod Podge in a
clean disposable dish.
STEP
4
PLACE THE IMAGES W ith a
sponge brush, lightly cover the
back of the images to be used
w ith Mod Podge Set in place on
the furniture Then lightly coat
the front side of the image,
smoothing any wrinkles with your
fingers. Arrange the pieces to
your liking, and then apply
2-3
more coats, allowing it to dry
thoroughly between each. In)
254
APRIL 2010 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
