Western General Store

When I first wake up in the morning ideas pop into my head. That was the case with this idea. I thought of attaching frames to a piece of lariat rope but found that there are several different ways to do this. I started with the loop end at the top and attached inexpensive frames with a brad nail gun. I was going to cut the rope at the bottom and tassel it. Instead I just hung the remainder of the rope on the top frame. Not bad, but I wanted to try something else. Beginning at the tassel end I doubled enough rope for the frames and tassel at the end. To hold it together I wrapped leather lace at the top, leaving enough for a loop for hanging. I wrapped leather lace at the bottom leaving enough for unraveling into a large double tassel. I attached the frames and hung it on the wall. The rope tended to curve so I nailed in Mini Star Nails to keep it straight and against the wall. I attached the remainder of the rope at the top with leather lace. You could decorate this for the...

This project is quick and easy and fun for kids. Take photos of family, pets, or people you admire such as celebrities or sports figures and turn them into ornaments for your tree. We already had these 1/4" plywood pieces, but something like this could be bought at a craft store. These pieces are 2 1/2" x 3 3/4" tall. I printed photos wallet size on plain paper on an ink jet printer. Sand the wood and remove the sawdust with a tack rag. You can paint the wood and let dry or leave it bare. Then brush a thin coat of modpodge which is found at the craft store. Place your photo and use an old credit card to smooth it out. Brush another thin coat of modpodge. Smooth it on and leave it alone. If you brush repeatedly the colors will smear. Let dry and drill a 1/8" hole for ribbon or string.