Foam Candles

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Basswood Country Round, approximately 10"
• 2oz multi-Surface paint, black & yellow (optional for tealight flames)
• Mineral Spirits & rag, to clean nozzles of spray paint cans
• Glue gun/glue gun sticks
• Quick Grip adhesive
• Moss
• Spray adhesive (coating for moss)
• Serrated knife or bandsaw
• X-Acto® knife, #11 blades
• Cutting board
• Permanent marker
• Broomstick handle or other dowel that fits securely into pool noodle center

• 3 green pool noodles, 2 1/4" D x 4' L
• 5 black LED tealights
• Water-based spray paint: green, black
• Black craft foam sheet, 9"x 12"
• 1 1/2" styrofoam balls, 2-3 (to hold bases of branches)
• 9"x 12" felt
• Black branch stems, 3-4
• Pins
• Scissors

• 2 red pool noodles, 2 1/4" D x 4' L
• 3 black LED tealights
• Water-based spray paint: red (optional for webs), black, white
• 1/2yd black lace
• 24"x 40" EVA foam sheet, 24"x 40"
• Heat gun
• Mod Podge
• 1" chip brush, 1"
• Palette
• 1" black pom poms, 7-10
• Black chenille stems, b7-10 (same as pom poms)
• Pins
• Scissors
• Embroidery floss in contrast color and needle (for spiders) (optional)

• Scroll saw
• 3 blue pool noodles, 2 1/4" D x 4' L
• 5 black LED tealights
• Water-based spray paint: light purple, black
• 2oz metallic acrylic paint: antique copper
• Mod Podge
• 1" chip brush
• Artist's brushes
• Palette
• White adhesive back craft foam, 9" x 12" sheet
• 10mm EVA foam sheet, 24" x 40"
• Heat gun
• EVA dowel, 15mm x 2', for centers of posts (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Paint the top and sides of a Basswood round with one thin coat of Multi-Surface black paint. Let dry.
2. Cut 5 lengths of pool noodle with a serrated knife or bandsaw. Cut one end at an angle for the top of the candle. One each: 18", 20", 22", 24" and 26". Use a permanent marker to trace around a tealight centered on the top of the noodle. Use an X-Acto knife to cut circle, cutting parallel to the sides of the noodle to the depth of the blade. Slice from the original center circle to the cut circle at quarters. With one finger gently press each quarter cut down into the original center circle of the noodle. This will create a solid base for the tealight. Test fit tealight.
3. Use the pool noodle clusters template to arrange noodles. Face the lower edge of the top toward the front. Mark on the top edges of each noodle where the noodles touch one another. Lay a bead of Quick Grip down the length of one noodle and press together. Repeat. Make sure with each addition of noodle that the cluster stands vertically.
4. Place a broomstick handle or dowel in the bottom circle of one of the noodles. Hold and spin the noodles to paint. Spray a thin coat of green paint over the sides and top of the noodles. Let dry. Spray black paint between and a few inches up from the bottom of the noodles. Let dry.
5. Place a layer of hot glue around the top edge of the noodles being careful not to let any glue drip down inside the cut circle. Run hot glue from the top edge down the sides of the noodles to approximate candle drips. Let dry. Spray green paint over the hot glue. Let dry.
6. Set the noodle cluster onto the wood base. Cut the Styrofoam balls in half. Cut the branch stems to random lengths to surround the noodles. Insert the bases of the stems into the round half of Styrofoam balls. Arrange the stems around the noodles. Draw around the base of the noodles and around the foam balls onto the wood base. Secure the noodles onto the base with Quick Grip adhesive. Let dry.
7. Cut 1/2" strips of felt. Taper the ends of the strips to points. Use hot glue to attach the felt to the lower few inches of the branches. Spiral the felt around the branch stem, overlapping the edges, and down around the curve of the Styrofoam ball. Leave a 6"-8" tail of felt. Quick Grip glue the flat bottom of the Styrofoam balls in place on the wood base. Continue to spiral and glue the felt strip tail onto the wood base.
8. Print bat template. Lay template on top of black craft foam. Hold paper securely and use an X-Acto knife to cut out individual bats. Additional bats may be made at various sizes. Pin bats to the sides of the noodles to arrange a group flight pattern. Use Quick Grip to adhere bats. For added dimension do not glue all wings flat to the noodles.
9. Use hot glue to apply moss in a random pattern around the branch stems and noodles. Blow away any small bits of moss. Spray the moss with a thin coat of spray adhesive to prevent moss from falling.
10. Set the tealights inside the top circles of the noodles.

1. Paint the top and sides of a Basswood round with one thin coat of Multi-Surface black paint. Let dry.
2. Cut 3 lengths of pool noodle with a serrated knife or bandsaw. Cut one end at an angle for the top of the candle. One each: 18", 20" and 22". Use a permanent marker to trace around a tealight centered on the top of the noodle. Use an X-Acto knife to cut circle, cutting parallel to the sides of the noodle to the depth of the blade. Slice from the original center circle to the cut circle at quarters. With one finger gently press each quarter cut down into the original center circle of the noodle. This will create a solid base for the tealight. Test fit tealight.
3. Use the pool noodle clusters template to arrange noodles. Face the lower edge of the top toward the front. Mark on the top edges of each noodle where the noodles touch one another. This will be the location for the seam of the lace.
4. Cut three panels of lace 7" W, one for each length of pool noodle. Cut the angled end long. Lace may be trimmed with scissors after the Mod Podge has set. Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to a noodle. Lay the lace beginning at the mark. Tap a second thin layer of Mod Podge over the lace to settle the lace flush with the surface of the pool noodle. Let dry. Trim away excess lace at top and bottom.
5. Set the noodles in the desired cluster. Lay a bead of Quick Grip down the length of one shorter noodle and press to the adjacent taller noodle. Repeat. Make sure with each addition of noodle that the cluster stands vertically. Let dry.
6. Place a broomstick handle or dowel in the bottom circle of one of the noodles. Hold and spin the noodles to paint. Spray black paint between, a few inches up from the bottom and at the top of the noodles. Let dry.
7. Place a layer of hot glue around the top edge of the noodles being careful not to let any glue drip down inside the cut circle. Run hot glue from the top edge down the sides of the noodles to approximate candle drips. Let dry. Spray black paint over the hot glue. Let dry.
8. Set the noodle cluster onto the wood base. Draw around the base of the noodles onto the wood base. Secure the noodles onto the base with Quick Grip adhesive. Let dry.
9. Print spiderweb templates. Tape A to B of large spiderweb. The large spiderweb tabs are not complete on the template. Leave the length long when cutting. This will provide options when attaching the web to the noodles. Tape the outer edges of the webs to foam. Cut out using an X-Acto knife. Slightly heat the webs using a heat gun. This will close the pores of the foam. Paint the fronts of the webs with a thin layer of Mod Podge. Let dry. Spray thin layers of paint over the webs, white to the centers, red and black toward the outer tabs. Let dry.
10. Make spiders. Fold one chenille stem into eighths. Twist the centers then cut at the folds to create eight legs. Fold the ends of legs 1/8" for feet. Optional: Wrap embroidery floss around one pom pom to create a body and head of a spider. Use Quick Grip glue to attach the body to the legs. Let dry. Bend the legs so the body of the spider is raised from the feet.
11. Set the candle cluster on the wood base with more space in front than behind. Pin the marked tabs of the small spiderweb onto the base and the other tabs on the sides of the right candles without twisting the web. Pin in place. Pin the large web overlapping the smaller web toward the center of the base. Pin the marked tabs of the web to the base. Some tabs may need to be trimmed to set in desired locations on sides of candles. Pin the spiders onto the candles and webs. Take off one spider at a time marking their location with pins and/or take a photo for reference. Remove one pin at a time from the tabs of the small web. Secure the tabs in place with Quick Grip. Repeat for large web. Place small beads of Quick Grip glue to the bottoms of the feet to attach the spiders. Pin in place until glue has begun to set.
12. Use hot glue to apply moss in a random pattern around the branch stems and noodles. Blow away any small bits of moss. Spray the moss with a thin coat of spray adhesive to prevent moss from falling.
13. Set the tealights inside the top circles of the noodles.

1. Paint the top and sides of a Basswood round with one thin coat of Multi-Surface black paint. Let dry.
2. Cut 5 lengths of pool noodle with a serrated knife or bandsaw. Cut one end at an angle for the top of the candle. One each: 18", 20", 22", 24" and 26". Use a permanent marker to trace around a tealight centered on the top of the noodle. Use an X-Acto knife to cut circle, cutting parallel to the sides of the noodle to the depth of the blade. Slice from the original center circle to the cut circle at quarters. With one finger gently press each quarter cut down into the original center circle of the noodle. This will create a solid base for the tealight. Test fit tealight.
3. Use the pool noodle clusters template to arrange noodles. Face the lower edge of the top toward the front. Mark on the top edges of each noodle where the noodles touch one another. Lay a bead of Quick Grip down the length of one noodle and press together. Repeat. Make sure with each addition of noodle that the cluster stands vertically.
4. Place a broomstick handle or dowel in the bottom circle of one of the noodles. Hold and spin the noodles to paint all sides. Spray thin coats of purple paint over the sides and top of the noodles. Let dry. Spray black paint between and a few inches up from the bottom of the noodles. Let dry.
5. Place a layer of hot glue around the top edge of the noodles being careful not to let any glue drip down inside the cut circle. Run hot glue from the top edge down the sides of the noodles to approximate candle drips. Let dry. Spray purple paint over the hot glue. Let dry.
6. Make fence. Print post, picket & skull and placement templates. Use a scroll saw to cut 3 posts from 10 mm foam. Adjust height for each. Rough cut area around skull to rectangle on template. Cut two pickets, one 7 1/2" H, one 6 1/2" H from 10 mm foam. Gently heat the surface of the foam with a heat gun to close the pores. Use an X-Acto knife to rough cut 3 skulls from adhesive back white craft foam. Mark locations for sides of post on the top and bottom of the skulls. Cut out eyes, nose and mouth on each. Remove paper backing and apply skulls to posts, lining up marks on skulls with sides of posts. Cut around the perimeter of the skulls.
7. Optional: add a layer of half dowel above and below the skulls. Cut dowel in half lengthwise. Cut one end to point shape at top of post. Place the point end of dowel 1/2" down from the top point of the post. Cut dowel at top of skull. Run additional dowel from lower edge of skull to bottom edge of post. Repeat. Gently heat the surface of the foam with a heat gun to close pores. Secure dowel to post with Quick Grip adhesive.
8. Cut three 12" x 1/2" strips of craft foam for rails. Cut rails as per placement templates. Pin rails to backs of posts and pickets in approximate locations on placement template. Place pins at a severe angle to lay close to flat with the back of the posts and pickets. Stand fence and dry fit around the candle noodle cluster on top of the base wood. Set the center post close to center of the shortest candle. Determine the best location for the candle cluster on the wood base. Draw around the base of the noodles onto the wood base. Secure the noodles onto the base with Quick Grip adhesive. Let dry.
9. Use Quick Grip glue to attach the rails to the backs of the posts and pickets. Let dry.
10. Add permanent marker lines between the teeth of the skulls. Paint the sides and front of the fence with a thin layer of Mod Podge. Let dry. Paint same with a thin layer of black paint. Dry brush over the edges of the skulls with black paint to age. Let dry. Dry brush over all the raised surfaces of black posts, pickets and rails with Antique Copper paint. Let dry.
11. Locate the position for the fence around the candle cluster. Keep the fence posts snug to the candles. Mark the location on the base wood. Apply Quick Grip to the rails behind the posts and to the bottom of the posts and press in place. Use pins to hold the fence in place until glue has begun to set.
12. Use hot glue to apply moss in a random pattern around the fence and noodles. Blow away any small bits of moss. Spray the moss with a thin coat of spray adhesive to prevent moss from falling.
13. Set the tealights inside the top circles of the noodles.

JOANN HACKS:

• Bright white tealight flames may be brushed with a thin, irregular coat of yellow paint to tone down the brightness.
• Black craft foam may be substituted for the EVA foam spiderwebs.
• Black, thick craft foam may be substituted for the EVA foam fence. Splice the height of the fence posts behind the adhesive-back white foam skulls.