Lawn animals made from logs, sticks and twigs are very popular and can be quite expensive when purchased in garden shops and specialty stores. Katie Hamilton, owner of HouseNet Inc., shows how easy and economical it can be to make your own. Materials:
Round log approximately 4" in diameter and 18" long
Tree branches
Bandanna
Sharpie (or other permanent marker)
Drill with 1/2" bit
Utility knife
Safety goggles
Gum-tree pods or pine cone for the tail
Glue gun and hot glue
Buttons for eyes
Reflective tape or blinking jogger's light for the nose
- Cut a round log approximately 4" in diameter into two pieces -- one 12" in length and another 6" long. One piece will be the body, and the other will be the head (figure A).
- Mark four Xs on the 12" piece to indicate where to drill holes where the legs will be inserted. The holes should be about 2" from each end and 2" apart along the underside of the log. The measurements don't have to be precise: no two yard animals will be exactly alike (figure B).
- Turn the log over, and mark a spot to drill holes where the neck will be inserted (figure C).
- Using a 1/2" bit, drill holes for the legs and the neck. The holes should be about 1" deep to make sure the branches for the legs and neck are secure (figure D).
- Number the leg holes 1 through 4. Use a utility knife to taper the ends of the leg branches to fit into the holes, and number the corresponding branches to the leg holes (figure E).
- Insert the appropriate leg branches into the leg holes. Adjust the legs so that the animal stands straight. If desired, hot-glue the legs in place. Katie prefers not to use glue so she can take yard animals apart (figure F).
- Hot-glue a pine cone to the top of the log at the back for a tail.
- Cut a short branch for the neck. Whittle the end if necessary to fit into the drilled hole. Insert the branch into the hole (figure G).
- Drill a hole in the center of the side of the 6" log for the head. Drill two small holes at the top of the log on the opposite side for antlers. Insert the other end of the neck branch into the hole of the head. You may wish to drill the hole at a slight angle so the head will tilt (figure H).
- Hot-glue buttons onto the head for eyes. Insert two small twigs for antlers into predrilled holes. If desired, place a piece of reflective tape between the eyes for a reflective nose. Or use a blinking jogger's light for the nose.
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