DIY Network

More Red Team Projects Need an idea to deck your holiday yard? Learn how to make a six-foot nutcracker! From "Deck the Yard: Chicago" episode DTYCG-104

The Joneses' Land of Misfit Toys would not be complete without a nutcracker (or, in this case, "Nutty the Cracker") standing tall in their yard display. See below for instructions on how to make one yourself.

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Kara and Beau Jones admire their finished nutcracker with Deck the Yard host Chris Totty.

Nutcracker

Materials:

6" PVC
4" PVC
3/8" plywood
poultry fencing (chicken wire)
metal bucket
metal rod and 4 nuts
2 washers and nuts
red fabric
pink fabric
fabric paint (black, blue, red, white)
2 Nerf balls (for hands)
black ribbon (for belt)
2" black pompons
black satin cord
black duct tape
white duct tape
white fake fur

Instructions:

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

To make legs:

1. Cut two 3-foot lengths of 6-inch PVC pipe (figure A).

2. Cut three 18-inch disks from 3/8" plywood. If you don’t have a protractor, you can tie a piece of rope to a screw and tie a pencil to the other end at 9 inches. Put the screw in the middle of the plywood and draw your circle holding the rope tight (figure B).

3. Cut two 12-inch lengths of 2"x3".

4. Cut one 6-inch length of 2"x3".

5. Attach 6-inch piece, lengthwise (flat), to the center of one disk (bottom disk).

6. Place one 12-inch length on each end of the 6-inch piece, perpendicularly, so they are sticking out of the disk and form a two-legged "table" (figure C).

7. Set "table" over two vertically standing 6-inch PVC pipes; this forms the legs and base for the torso.

Figure D

To make torso:

8. Cut two 24-inch lengths of 2"x3".

9. Cut one 6-inch length of 2"x3".

10. Attach 6-inch piece, lengthwise (flat), to the center of the leg disk (opposite side from the PVC pipes).

11. Place one 24-inch length on each end of the 6-inch piece, perpendicularly, so they are sticking up from the disk (this
forms the side supports for the torso).

12. Attach the second disk on top of the 24-inch lengths to form the base of the head (middle disk).

13. Wrap 24-inch wide poultry fencing around the 24-inch lengths of 2"x3" to form a barrel (figure D). Secure with nails.

14. Staple the bottom of the poultry fencing to the round disk base of the torso.

Figure E

To make arms:

15. Cut two 30-inch lengths of 4-inch PVC.

16. Drill a hole (1/8" in diameter) two inches from the end of each 30-inch length.

17. Cut two 2-inch lengths of 2"x3".

18. Attach one 2-inch length to each side of the middle disk to form shoulders and attachment point for arms.

19. Place a washer on a screw, then place the screw inside the PVC pipe, through the drilled hole. Add a nut on the outside of the screw and attach to the shoulder block to create the arm (figure E); repeat with other PVC pipe on other side of the middle disk.

20. Once arms are attached, secure top of poultry fencing to middle disk with staple gun.

Figure F

To make head/hat:

21. Cut one 6-inch length of 2"x3".

22. Cut two 12-inch lengths of 2"x3".

23. Attach 6-inch piece, lengthwise (flat), to the center of the middle disk (opposite side from the torso).

24. Place one 12-inch length on each end of the 6-inch piece, perpendicularly, so they are sticking up from the disk (this forms the side supports for the head).

25. Attach the third disk (figure F) on top of the 12-inch lengths to form the top of the head.

26. Wrap 12-inch wide poultry fencing around the 12-inch lengths of 2"x3" to form a barrel.

27. Staple the bottom of the poultry fencing to the middle disk.

28. Staple top of poultry fencing to the top disk.

Figure G

Painting/decorating:

29. Using red fabric, cover the torso and secure with staple gun.

30. Using pink fabric, cover the head and secure with staple gun.

31. Remove handle from bucket and paint bucket with black paint.

32. Place bucket, upside down, on top disk to form the hat; secure with a washer and nut to threaded rod.

33. Paint legs with black outdoor paint; add white stripes down each side with white duct tape.

34. Paint arms red; add black tape to cover end of PVC (shoulder).

35. Cover Nerf balls with pink fabric.

36. Place a ribbon of glue on inside of each arm and stuff a fabric-covered Nerf ball into the end of each arm.

37. Use pompons and satin cord to form jacket closures.

38. Using fabric paint, paint eyes, nose and mouth on face of nutcracker.

39. Glue white fake fur around back side of head to create hair.

40. Cut a small triangle of fake fur and glue it below mouth/teeth for beard (figure G).