Four ways with fairy lights

Make these stunning projects using fairy lights imaginatively.

To infinity and beyond
You will need: Canvas; Resene Metallic paints, I used Resene Solid Gold, Resene So Cool, Resene Go Go Go, Resene Yeehaa, Resene Glitterbug and Resene Zoop De Loop; Paint brushes; skewer; battery or plug-in fairy lights (a great selection is available at www.thefairylightshop.co.nz).

• Use a pencil to draw a rocket onto a plain canvas.
• Paint the image using Resene Metallic paints using two coats.
• Push skewer through stars to create a hole.
• From behind push individual fairy light bulbs through each hole, secure with tape if necessary.

Twinkle twinkle Christmas flower
You will need: Vase or pot; green florist oasis blocks (I bought this from the dollar store); toothpicks; sharp knife; jug of water (approx 1 litre); flowers, battery fairy lights.

• Connect the oasis blocks using toothpicks and place inside vase/pot.
• Use a sharp knife to carve the oasis into a cone shape.
• Pour water over the oasis, it will absorb and keep the flowers fresh.
• Wrap the fairy lights around the cone from the bottom to top.
• Trim the flowers and leaves and insert stems into the oasis starting at the bottom working to the top.
• As you push the flowers into the oasis pull the fairy light bulbs towards the surface for maximum effect.

Glowing wreath
You will need: Wire ring, plain white ribbon (about 1.5cm wide); about six small paper doilies; fairy lights on a wire; glue stick; hotglue gun.

• Cut out a circle shape in the centre of the doilies; leave approximately O.5cm from lace edge.
• Fan-fold the centres to create a smaller, bulb-size hole.
• Glue-stick folds as you go. Place under a glass or weight to dry Wrap and hotglue white ribbon around the metal
  ring.
• Leave approximately 50cm length at the start and finish, knot and then tie a bow to hang.
• Wrap the wired fairy lights around the wreath (if using battery powered lights you could hot glue the battery pack to the back of the ring).
• Hot glue the folded doilies over the fairy light bulbs, spacing evenly. The wired lights are quite malleable so you can position these easily

Sugar plum fairy
You will need: 2 metres of organza or other sheer fabric; small matching draw string organza bag; elastic (the length of your child's waist); matching thread; needle and pins; sewing machine (optional); battery-powered fairy lights.

• Cut fabric into four strips across the width; 20cm, 50cm, 60cm and 70cm.
• Sew the short ends of the 50cm, 60cm and 70cm strips together. Fold these in half, longest ends together and pin. Layer the lengths from longest to shortest to create main piece of the skirt. 70cm on the inside, 60cm in the middle and 50cm on the outside, pin the open ends together to create layered effect as shown in photograph. Place the lights evenly into the top layer and leave the battery pack and wire hanging out at the back seam.
• Tack the open sides of these pieces together and pull the thread ends to gather to approx 60cm in diameter,tie to hold. Fold the 20cm strip remaining into half lengthways and then half again making a thin waistband. Cut this piece approx 65cm long. Sew short ends together leaving a small gap to thread elastic through later. Pin the top of the layered, main piece of the skirt in between the open ends of the waistband, two layers either side. Sew this into place ensuring wire from fairy lights is at the back of the skirt. Stitch the organza bag to the back of the skirt at the bottom of the waistband, place battery pack inside and pull ribbons to close. Thread elastic through the waist band and stitch to secure.

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