Category Archives: Christmas A to Z

Construction Day 3

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Partially shape tree structure

This afternoon and took the tree out in the back yard and started the shaping phase. I though I’d be able to use a saw to take down some of the ridges but it didn’t work very well. The next ridge was getting in the way. So I ended up doing the scrap method, with a chisel. I got the ridges knock down most of the way but there is a lot more work to do to get the shaping right. Towards the end I was experimenting with how to use the chisel and came up with a twisting sort of stroke that leaves an interesting and uneven surface that I think I like. The tree will have a simple cone shape but I don’t want it to look too sterile and I think this method will help.

Construction Day 2

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With Bill’s help we got the structure of the tree all put together. Yeah! We ran into a few snags but we go through them all. First Bill couldn’t fine his jig saw so we had to cut the plywood base by hand. I had to make three trips to Lowes to get things. First the plug I got for the end of the pvc pipe didn’t fit inside the pipe because it was the same side. So I went to find the right size. I couldn’t see one so I got a coupler and that fixed that problem. Next the 1″ bolt I got was too short. By the time we got all the layers – metal plate, washer, plywood, pvc plug and two more washers there wasn’t any bolt at all to put the nut on. So I went and picked up a 2″ bolt. After we got the support system all assembled we started gluing together all the Styrofoam tree parts. Then we ran out of liquid nail on the last big piece to stick together. So I made one last trip to Lowes.

assembled tree structure

 It feel so good to have this phase of construction done. Bill is happy with how the support system worked out too. Now I should be able to do the rest of the project without any help from Bill. Next week I want to get the tree to its final shape, insert the Christmas lights and paint the structure. If possible I’d also like to rough in the large objects that go under the tree.

Construction Day 1

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This afternoon I went to Lowes and purchased a 2″ x 4′ x 8′ sheet of Styrofoam, two tubes of liquid nails and some hardware to attach the tree to the base. This evening I spent about an hour and a half cutting the Styrofoam with a hand saw into tall triangles to form the structure of the tree. The largest triangles are 48″ tall and 24″ wide at the base. The next size was 40″ tall, then 32″ etc. until the last one was just 10″ tall. There are two triangles of each size plus one that is cut in half to fit around the pvc pipe that goes up the center of the tree for structural support. I glued the two halves of the tree together with liquid nails and bamboo skewers to help hold everything in place while it dries.

two halves of tree structure

Tomorrow I hope to get the base cut and assemble the tree structure the rest of the way. I hope to get Bill’s help on some of this because he is a much better engineer than I am and it is important that the structure is very sturdy. Things get heavier than you think when you get all that candy glued on.
I actually enjoyed the process. It has been 3 years since I made a candy creation on this kind of scale.

Sorting Candy

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Yesterday I met with Kathryn and picked up the candy that she had. She doesn’t know what happened to the turntables but she doesn’t have them. So yesterday I looked on line for turntables and came to the conclusion that I just don’t have the budget for one. I could get one without an outlet but then I couldn’t have light on my tree and I really want that. It is probably better this way because it really simplifies the construction phase.

I spent a bunch of time today sorting through all the candy. I threw out a bunch that is just too hard to work with or all stuck together etc. I’ve got all the same color candy together in boxes. It was kind of fun to be sorting candy again. This year really is a test to see if I seriously want to get back into doing candy windows again or if I’m really done. So far it seems positive. Now the boxes of candy are all neatly stacked under the table in the storage room downstairs. I think I might make that my main workspace. For sure it will be were I put things when I’m not in the middle of working on it.

I’ve decided on the green candy for the tree, the green licorice pastilles that I posted about before. But I think I’ll wait to order them until I get the check from South Jordan. I’m a little anxious to get the supplies to build the structure. Not sure when that will get fit in. And Bill told me this morning that he might need to go to Seattle next week. I think I only have about eight weeks to get this thing put together. Yeaks!

A to Z supplies list

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I got a response from Kathryn and we are going to work out a time when I can meet her at their storage unit and see what they have that I can use. She said we would be able to work out a good price for what I want. So that is good news.

I’m taking a few minutes tonight to think through the supplies that I know I will need for this project:

  • caulk (clear)
  • liquid nails 
  • green paint (check what I have)
  • Styrofoam
  • hot glue sticks
  • white Christmas tree lights
  • turn table (if I can find one cheap)
  • green candy for pine needles – maybe green licorice pastilles like the ones here: Green-Licorice-Pastilles
  • candy for lights – gum drops or other gummy candy
  • miscellaneous candy to create all the fun ornaments
  • round candy – maybe gum balls for ornaments
  • candy for quilted tree skirt – maybe tart n’ tiny
  • candy for garland (optional)
  • candy for covering presents under the tree (one partly unwrapped)

That is all I can think of right now. I’ll add to it as more things come to me. I want to make a final decision on what green candy to use for the tree. But it might be best to see what Kathryn has before I actually order anything. Most of the rest of the candy I can probably get locally because the amount of any one candy won’t be that much.

New Project – Christmas from A to Z

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I got news this morning of a new project and I’ve decided that I’ll use this blog to journal the process. Not just what I get done as I progress but the thoughts and ideas of what I need to do to get there. So what is this new project? A sculpture made out of candy! Several years ago I made candy window displays for a business in downtown Provo every Christmas. It was part of a project sponsored by the Provo Arts Council. It has been four years since I decided not to do another window. The project in Provo had one more season and then it was discontinued. Now South Jordan wants to start up the tradition and this year will be a small start toward that goal. Lori with South Jordan contacted me a couple of weeks ago to discuss the project and I went before the Art Board last night to propose the idea and it was approved. Now I have about I have about 10 weeks to get a project done that I figure will take about 100 hours. Currently I’m both excited and overwhelmed. I have lots of other things on my plate too and I’m not sure how to keep them all handled. Having better focus is certainly one of the ways.

I decided to make a Christmas tree decorated with things about Christmas starting with the letters from A to Z. Here is what I plan to have on the tree:

  • angel
  • bell
  • candy cane
  • drum
  • elf
  • frankincense
  • gingerbread
  • holly
  • ice skates
  • Jesus
  • Kris Kringle
  • lights
  • mistletoe
  • ornament
  • poinsettia
  • quilt
  • reindeer
  • star
  • tree
  • unwrapped
  • virgin (Mary)
  • wisemen
  • xmas
  • yule log
  • zipper

So this morning I’ve check the garage to see what we have kicking around there that might be useful. I found a piece of pvc pipe that should work for the internal structure of the tree and a large round of plywood that might work for the base if it isn’t too big. I sent off an email to Kathryn who was in charge of the candy windows in Provo to see if they have anything left that they would be willing to sell me at a fair price. I am most interested in one of the turn tables that they had. I’d love to have the whole sculpture rotate but I don’t have the budget to buy a new turn table.