Mr. & Mrs. Claus click here for printable version This craft is of AVERAGE difficulty. It is for those with some experience in woodworking. MATERIALS: Each figure requires one 1/2" x 4' x 4' piece (one-half sheet) of A-C Ext. APA trademarked plywood; Four 2 1/2" x 4 1/4" "T" hinges with 3/8" Phillips head screws; One 3/8"-dia. x 36" and one 1/4"-dia. x 3" hardwood dowels; flat clear and flat black polyurethane paint; 18"-wide self-adhesive coverings in solid colors, except where indicated, as follows. FOR SANTA18" x 88" black 18" x 32" red 18" x 18" brass 18" x 30" white 18" x 12" blue 6" x 7" candy stripe 6' x 6' yellow 6' x 8' strawberry-green 6' x 10" chrome. FOR MRS. CLAUS 18' x 80" black 18' x 30" white 18" x 27" red 18" x 12" blue 18" x 12" gridworks-red 6' x 10" yellow 18" x 12" brass 10" x 12" chrome TOOLS REQUIRED: Saber saw Phillips head screwdriver drill with 1/4" and 3/8" bits scissors tracing and carbon paper rolling pin CUTTING DIRECTIONS "A" 1pc. 1/2" x 31" x 42" (Santa) "B" 2pcs. 1/2" x 7" x 23" (base leaves) "C" 1pc. 1/2" x 15" x 21 1/2" (base) "D" 1pc. 1/2" x 24 1/2" x 39" (Mrs. Claus) "E" 2 pcs. 1/2" x 7" x 23" (base leaves) "F" 1 pc. 1/2" x 15" x 21 1/2" (base) "G" 4 pcs. 3/8"-dia x 18" (braces-2 per figure) "H" 4 pcs. 1/4"-dia. x 1" (pegs-2 per figure) DIRECTIONS 1. Enlarge the patterns Mr. Claus and Mrs. Claus following these directions. 2. After enlarging the patterns to full from the 1/2" plywood with the saber saw; cut slots in the bottom edge. Sand the edges. 3. Drill 1/4"-dia. x 1"-deep holes for pegs ("H") in the bottom edge of the figure, 3" on the center from the inside edges of the slots and 9" apart on center (see patterns). Apply 2 coats of the flat clear polyurethane to both sides and edges. 4. Apply the black vinyl carefully to the entire front of the figure; press down and roll flat with the rolling pin. 5. Return to the enlarged pattern. With a heavy pencil, define the edges of the color sections to create a 1/4" space between all parts (this space will become a black border separating the colored parts when they are applied to the figure). 6. Trace off and transfer the various parts to the appropriate color vinyl (see photo). 7. Start at the top of the figure to apply parts. Check each piece, trim if necessary, them remove the backing and apply that piece to the figure, leaving 1/4" between for the black vinyl to create a "border". Roll flat. 8. THE STAND: Drill the 3/8"-dia. holes in the leaves ("B/E"), starting 1/2" on center from each side of the center line, 3/4" on center from the leaf edge and 1" on center spaces between the holes. Drill 3/8"-dia. holes in the base ("C/F"), centered front to back, 3" on center from the side edges, 9" on center apart (see patterns). 9. Paint the base leaves ("B/E") and the base ("C/F") black on all sides. When dry, attach the straight leaf of the hinges to the leaves ("B/E"), 4" from each end. Place the base ("C/F"), bottom-up, on the edge of a workbench or table. With the leaf ("B/E") hanging down, lightly butt the leaf straight-edge to the edge of the base. Attach the tapered end of the hinges to the underside of the base ("C/F"). 10. Cut the 3/8" dowels ("G") in half (18"). Two per figure are required. 11. To erect the figures, raise the leaves ("B") upright. Slide the slots in the figure down on the leaves, placing the pegs ("H") in the holes in the base. Push a dowel ("G") through the holes in the leaves, one in the front of the figure and one in the back. The holes/dowels are placed so the base can be tilted to conform to a sloped ground while the figure remains erect.