Handmade Clock, Stacked Cabinets, Chocolate Coconut Pinwheels, Glitter Bones

CRAFT OF THE DAY
Handmade Clock
Making your own clock requires little more than an inexpensive frame and a simple motor. To personalize your clock, cover the front with decorative paper, a color photocopy of a favorite wallpaper pattern, or fabric.
Tools and Materials
5-by-7-inch frame
Pencil
2 sheets of 6 mm craft foam
Sheet of decorative paper
Utility knife
Clock mechanism with a 3/16-inch shaft (available at crafts or hobby shops)
Grommet punch or handheld drill with drill bit
Clock-face template
Compass cutter
Linen tape
Bulldog clips
Ruler
Pushpins
Double-sided tape
Making Clocks How-To
1. Remove the glass and backing of frame; set frame aside for another use. Using the backing of the frame as a template, trace the outline onto the foam pieces and decorative paper. Cut the foam and paper using a utility knife. (In order for the clock hands to move freely, the thickness of the foam should equal the depth of the shaft.)
2. To fit the clock mechanism to the backing of the frame, lift up the flap on the frame backing, and starting under the flap, measure and draw a line down the center lengthwise, 2 1/2 inches in on each side. Position the clock motor under the flap, lining up the motor's shaft with pencil mark. Mark the spot where the shaft of the motor touches.
3. Using a grommet punch or a handheld drill at a very low speed, make a hole in the frame backing at the pencil mark that is the same diameter as the clock shaft (most shafts are 5/16 inch).
4. Download and print out the clock-face template. Using the frame backing as a template again, mark the center of the shaft hole with a pushpin onto the foam pieces and onto the decorative paper. Using a compass cutter, cut out a circle in the foam and decorative paper, larger than the clock hands and appropriate to the size of the clock face.
5. Align the hole of the clock face with the hole in the frame backing. Adhere the clock face to the frame backing with double-sided tape.
6. Insert the clock motor shaft through the back of the frame, and assemble the clock hardware (including clock hands) provided. Stack foam pieces, with decorative paper facing out, on top of the clock face. Place the glass on top of the entire assembly, and temporarily secure with bulldog clips. Permanently secure all sides with linen tape that's cut to size. Remove the clips, and insert battery into the motor. Set the proper time.
Resources
The Takane mini quartz clock with 3/16-inch shaft can be purchased at Howee's, 417-623-0656. Velvet easel frame backings are available at Presto Framing Supplies, 828-693-1333. Extra-thick Foamies sheets are available at Schrocks International, 800-426-4659. Adhesive linen tape can be purchased at Talas, 212-219-0770.



TIP OF THE DAY
Stacked Cabinets
These two flea market cupboards looked nothing alike, yet it wasn't hard to turn them into a single piece that functions like an armoire. All we did was paint them the same shade of white and blue-green and then add polished-nickel latches and crown molding. We stacked them and placed display items in the glass-front and linens underneath.



COOKIE OF THE DAY
Chocolate Cocunut Pinwheels
Ingredients
Makes about 3 dozen
• 9 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups cake flour, not self-rising
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded desiccated coconut
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
Directions
1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 8 tablespoons butter and the sugar on medium speed until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, and beat until combined.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, and beat on low speed until combined. Add coconut, and beat until combined. Roll out the dough between two 12-by-17-inch pieces of parchment paper into a 10 1/2-by-15 1/2-inch rectangle, a scant 1/4 inch thick. Using a sharp knife, trim to even dough to a 10-by-15-inch rectangle. Transfer dough to a baking sheet, and place in refrigerator to chill at least 1 hour.
3. Place the chocolate and the remaining tablespoon butter in the top of a double boiler or a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Melt completely, about 2 minutes, and remove from heat. Stir in the condensed milk. Let stand until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
4. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Peel off the top piece of parchment. Using an offset spatula, spread the melted chocolate mixture over the dough. Using the bottom piece of parchment for support, roll the dough into a log. Wrap the log in parchment, and chill overnight.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Have ready two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Remove the parchment from the log, and cut log into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Place the rounds on the baking sheets, spaced 1 inches apart. Bake until light golden brown on edges, 8 to 10 minutes, rotating halfway through. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Bake or freeze remaining dough. Store the cookies in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.



HALLOWEEN IDEA OF THE DAY
Glitter Bones
These glitter bones and bugs are an eerie but elegant decoration for Halloween.

Tools and Materials
Skull and bones
Glitter
Craft paper
Craft brush
Glue
Large shallow bowl or tray
Plastic bag

Bones How-To
1. Working over a sheet of craft paper, use a craft brush to apply glue to half of a skull or bone.

2. Hold object over a large shallow bowl or tray. Spoon glitter over glued surface. Place on a tray; let dry for at least an hour. Repeat process.

Bugs How-to
1. Apply glue to bugs. Place bugs in plastic bag filled with glitter. Twist top of bag and shake.

Resources
The skull and bones and glitter can be found at Martha Stewart Crafts.
First Published: October 2007