Monday, October 31, 2011

Champagne Chicken Scraps



   Just using up some scraps that were left over from our recent building project.  It was a 10 part series on building Dormers for our (100 plus years) home.  If you would like to see it
 CLICK HERE. 
  I called this blog champagne chicken scraps because I feel it is a touch
 fancier than my last project that you can
 VIEW HERE.
  I am not sure  how to make an enlarged pattern for you, but I am pretty sure you could enlarge this picture or freehand it.    My dimensions are at the widest points, 8 1/2 x 9  for the front and back... The sides are 7 x 5 1/2 and the base is 7 x 4 3/4.  The chicken head is approximately 8 1/2 x 4 3/4  and the tail is about 7 x 3 3/4.





Unfortunately, I can't show you the champagne cause, well, umm....It's gone.  The chickens drank it.....  They ran out of wine and just clucked there way in and drank the champagne.  But I CAN show you step by step on how I made it.  I cut all the parts using a bandsaw.
Next step is to sand all the parts.
  
Drill  holes in the sides for the handles.


If you have a Dremel like tool, you can carve out eggs and straw.  This is optional but it's kinda cute.


Attach the tail and head to the front and back. I  use screws and glue.
Place all pieces together to form the basket.   Glue and staples were used to attach the parts.

  
Cut a piece of heavy wire about 3 feet long.  Fold wire in half.  Put one end in a drill and clamp the other end tightly.  Turn your drill on and twist the wire.

  Bend the wire to form the handle. 
 I cut 2 pieces of copper tubing, about 2 1/2 inches long.  I use that to cover the sharp ends as shown below.


I left my OSB unfinished.  You may want to stain or paint your basket first.  Using acrylic craft paints, paint the chicken comb and wattle.  Paint on an eye and whatever else you feel like.  I painted a heart on the back.    








 Fill with your choice of gifts, but be forewarned, those chickens will drink the wine and champagne.
CHEERS!