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Christmas Woodcrafting!

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With just a short time before the joyous holidays, many woodcrafters seek out plans and patterns to make outdoor projects to display during the Christmas season. You're about to join this trend of Christmas woodcrafting.

Our beginners' project won't demand any extensive painting abilities and requires just a few hand-held, powered tools.

Here's what you'll need:

• Pencil & Measuring tape
• Straight Edge
• Jigsaw
• Electric or Portable Drill
• Drill bit
• Sandpaper (Sander optional)
• Stapler Gun
• Outdoor Miniature Christmas Lights
• 1/2" or 5/8" Exterior Grade Plywood 4' x 8' Sheet
• Pattern
• Exterior Paint
• Paint Brush
• Extension Cord

The paint colors required are: Red and Green. Ahhh yes! the colors of Christmas.. who would have guessed?

Of course, you'll need a pattern. Here it is: As you can see, it's a Christmas Wreath. Small isn't it? Well, guess what? You're going to enlarge it. To do this, click on this link Christmas Wreath and print the sketch. Then measure and draw a three foot square on your sheet of plywood. Inside this square make 4" square blocks for a total of 63 blocks. Using the above sketch, transfer each section to your board.

When you have completed the transferring of the pattern, move on to positioning the holes to be drilled to accept the outdoor miniature lights. Of course, if you prefer, you can always use a larger set of outdoor lights but you would have to adjust the distance on measurements. For the miniature sets, space the holes approximately 1 1/2" apart and put a mark for each, starting first around the outline of the bow, its center and then the wreath. The number of positions should be 100. Now determine the size of the bit required for your light sockets to insert. Drill the holes.

With the holes completed drill one more within the center of the wreath. This will allow you to insert the jigsaw blade for cutting it out later. With a jigsaw, follow the outside line of the project and cut. When you have finished cutting, insert your blade in the center hole that you drilled earlier and cut out the inside line of the wreath. Sand the edges. This completes the woodworking part of your project. It's time to paint.

With your wreath nicely painted, you're ready to add the lights. You'll need either one set of 100 miniature lights or two sets of 50 with red and green bulbs only. You may need to pick up some loose packs of each to add for those that don't arrange correctly.

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