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| Santa sleigh |
| If you want the biggest and best christmas display in your neighbourhood, you'll love this festive project. |
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Christmas decorations don't have to be restricted to an indoor tree and a little tinsel. Lots of families decorate the exterior of their homes, bringing Christmas cheer to the entire street. And there's nothing wrong with some friendly competition between neighbours, so if you want the biggest and best display this year, Shirl has the perfect project.
The front lawn is the perfect place for a life size Santa, sleigh and reindeer. Shirl's design will light up the street at night and bring joy to all the kids in the street. Best of all, our sleigh is three dimensional, so the kids can climb inside for a fun photo with Santa.
Step By Step
1 Start with the sleigh by drawing the side sleigh shape onto a sheet of 12mm ply. Cut out with a jigsaw.
2 Use the first cut out side as a template for the other side, then cut with a jigsaw.
3 On the inside of each side, attach a support rail 665mm long to support the floor. When fixing screws, go just below the surface of the timber to allow for putty filling.
4 To fix the back rest, put the sleigh on its side and screw in from the sides, pre-drilling holes. Next, screw the seat in place through the sides and back.
5 Angle the front board between the front ends, then screw in place from the sides.
6 Fill all holes with putty, allow to dry and sand.
7 Now for your Santa and reindeer flat cutouts. Using the sketches provided as a guide, sketch your Santa and three reindeer onto 12mm ply and cut out with a jigsaw. We cut Santa's body and base separately and joined them. Undercoat in white and allow to dry.
8 When it comes to painting your Santa and reindeer, you can find inspiration from old Christmas cards and wrapping paper. The face is the tricky bit so take care. Our reindeer were painted in three shades of brown, with details added later.
9 Paint your pine stakes and screw to the back of the reindeer. This will be their support to stick in the lawn or garden. Santa can be attached to the far side of the sleigh with a few screws. The leaping reindeer can be attached to the front of the sleigh, while the others stand side by side.
10 Attach the lights with small cup hooks along the edge of your cutouts and sleigh. They can be used as reins and wrapped around Santa's waist. By using small hooks to drape the lights, it will be much easier to pack up.
Finished sleigh measurements:
Floor 900mm x 500mm
Sides 1100mm x 800mm
Front and rear panels 700mm x 600mm
Diagrams
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Materials
4 x Sheets Plywood 2400mm x 1200mm x 12mm
3 x Pine stakes 40mm x 40mm
Pine or plywood support rail 665mm x 12mm
Screws
Small cup hooks
White undercoat
Jo Sonja's Artist Colours (Christmas Red, Brown Earth, Carbon Black, Warm White, Pacific Blue, Gold Enamel)
Outdoor Christmas lights — 10m string of 80 white lights
Outdoor Christmas lights — 10m string of 132 coloured lights
Tools
Jigsaw
Circular Saw
Drill
Orbital Sander
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More Info
Timber and hardware available from your local Home Timber & Hardware store.
Outdoor Christmas lights available from Dick Smith Electronics. Contact them for more information or mail order.
Ph: 1300 366 644
www.dse.com.au
Paints from Jo Sonja's paints are available from leading craft stores.
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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