Those Little Red Trucks

They were so popular last year and apparently just as popular this year too. If you can find them at your fav DT then you'll probably want to get a few to make this adorable truck. I couldn't find any in my area so I just cut out the shape on heavy card and made my own.

I cut out two on cereal box weight card and painted them red. I used aluminum tape to cut out the hub caps for the wheels and put some red glitter on the fenders. I got out my popsicle sticks and cut them about 5 inches long and glued them between the two trucks with a hot glue gun all around.

It's just that easy. A little paint and a little sign hand drawn on the sides makes it pop. I also added a little tree and wreath for the front of the truck.

So yes you can make your own even if you can't find what you want locally. Add some mini lights and you have a light up decoration. I added wood rails to my truck bed so use your imagination and have fun with this one.

How To Make a Glam Deer - part 2

PART 2

I cut out the cardboard first and make sure the ridges are going in the right direction to bend the head, body and neck into round shapes. I cut the fabric pieces a little larger so I can wrap the edges over the cardboard. I don't measure the fabric, I use the cardboard as a guide and cut the fabric about a half inch longer than the edges. Then I tape the edges of the cardboard pieces together before I add fabric to the cardboard. I only glue the edges of the fabric overlapping underneath the belly, the underside of the head and the front of the neck. Then I apply glue to the inside of the tube edges and fold the fabric over.

Here are the dimensions of the cardboard pieces:

body - 5" x 8"
head - 2" x 6"
neck - 4-1/2" - 1-1/4" lengthwise from the center top, angle a downward cut on each side to almost half of the side so the head will angle up or down when it's attached as shown
body end pieces - cut two circles 2-1/2" across
head end piece - cut one circle 2" across

DANCER

The round end pieces are cut out and covered with fabric that has been cut slightly larger to fold over the edges and glue. After all is covered with fabric, I poke holes into the bottom near the edges on each end and push the dowels through about an inch, making sure the deer sits even on all fours. I hot glue them from inside the tube and let them set before I hot glue the end pieces on.

DASHER

I also tape up the nose end of the head and only finish the edge of the antlers/ears end. Then I cut slits in the top of the nead near the back and hot glue the antlers from the inside to hold them in place. I cover the end with the fabric covered circle and carefully hot glue it in place. The nose end has fabric hanging over it and needs to be stuffed with cotton or batting before gathering the edge up. I sew it but you could just glue it. It's easier and looks better to sew it. I then put a little cardboard circle covered with fabric over the stitching. (You will have to hot glue the fabric seam together under the chin.)

DONNER

I shape the neck piece into an oval and now that all the pieces are finished, they can be glued together. You can give your glam deer some attitude by positioning the head and legs.

PRANCER

I decorate with ribbons, faux leather belts and bells. I used florist's wire to make a little ring for the collar so I could attach my bell.

Don't forget to add that little pinecone tail! And don't forget the ears either. To make the ears you just fold up a 1" x 2" scrap into thirds lengthwise and bring the ends together. Hold with a dab of glue and then glue the edges to the head as shown.

Tip: It's faster and easier to gather and assemble several deers at one time than it is to do one deer at a time because you only have to get out your materials and put them away once. I usually do it assembly line fashion to make 6 at a time.


RUDOLPH

You can put a little button cell light in the nose of a reindeer and paint it red with alcohol inks for Rudolph's nose.

RUDOLPH

Instead of filling out the nose with cotton or fabric scraps, you make a similar shape by cutting a 2" styrofoam ball in half and hollow out the center for the bulb to fit inside, making sure it has enough room to turn without touching the sides. You can get these lights on Amazon. They look like little bullets and go in chinese lanterns, wedding decorations and balloon lanterns. The ends twist to make a battery connection and that's how they light up.

I covered my styrofoam with paper clay and painted it gold when it was dry. Then I just glued the fabric over it. I hot glued the light to a cardboard circle inside the head, careful not to glue the moving parts.

Now Rudolph can lead the team and his nose lights up - LIKE A LIGHT BULB!

How To Make a Glam Deer - part 1

PART 1

There are so many little parts that go with making my glam deers but I tried to use a lot of my stash. I"ve been saving bits and pieces for years to make things like this. You could make these as simple or complicated as you want. Here's the supply list:

cardboard box cut into pieces
fabric scraps
glue gun and hot melt glue
dowels 1/4" x 6"
glitter
tacky glue or mod podge
ribbons
small pinecones
florist wire
small bells

CUPID

   

BLITZEN

Just about all the supplies can be bought at the Dollar Tree except for fabric scraps and glue gun. Or just use what you have on hand. You can substitute dowels with sticks you find outdoors, etc.

VIXEN

The first step is to cut out the cardboard and fabric but you might want to pre-make the antlers and paint the dowels and set them aside to dry. The antlers are glued over a pattern you draw on parchment or silicone. You just squeeze out hot glue in the shape of an antler and let it cool. Peel it off, turn it over and do the other side if you want a rounded thicker antler. Repeat to make 2 antlers for each deer. When they cool off you can add glitter to them.

COMET

I paint my deer legs with metallic acrylic paints, stick them into a piece of foam and let them dry. Then I add leather strips to the foot end and glue with a little piece of fuzzy material at the top to look like fur lining.