TWIG HEART

You could pay a small fortune for one of those twig hearts you see everywhere. Or you could just make your own...

So here's something to do with all those twigs from the garden - make one of the ever popular twig hearts.

It's actually quite easy, but you need patience. Use thick twigs as they are easier to stick down, plus it takes less time. These are a mix from the garden and some from my walks out. As well as a whole load of twigs, you'll also need:

No More Nails wood glue

Old cardboard box for your template

Pen

String/twine

Paint

Bamboo canes

Now you have everything, time to create your heart:

1. First thing you need to do is draw your template. Only draw one half of the heart and use this to create both side of the frame. This is to make sure both sides of the heart are the same. I've gone for a heart that measures approx. 80cm wide by 70cm tall.

2. Once you are happy with your shape, it's time to create the frame. Overlap the canes as in the image and tie with string at each join. Line the canes up to your template as you go and cut the canes to shape.

3. Now the frame is created, get the glue and put some on every point that the canes cross. This is to strengthen the frame. Now you'll need to leave it to dry. I left mine 24 hours just to make sure.

4. You need something to hang the heart. I've just put a loop of twine at the inner point of the heart where the canes cross. This can then be hooked onto a screw/hook in the wall when it goes up.

5. Now it's time to stick on the twigs. You need patience here. Line a few up, cut them down and when you are happy stick them down. I've put mine on an angle but it's completely up to you how you but them on. I did a bit and then left those ones to set and then did some more.

6. Once it's all dry, add some smaller twigs in the back just to hide that frame a bit better.

7. After all the twigs are on, give it a check over for any loose twigs and get them stuck back down.

8. Now the glue is all dry and the twigs are all where you want them, it's time to paint. Some people use spray paint, but I used normal paint with a brush. You just have to but a bit more paint on so it gets into all those gaps.

Now the paint is dry you're done!