Projects Review

01.21.dp.Projects Review.CraftyTime

Crafty Time

By Dave Pierik, Shelton-Mason County Journal

Projects Review

In 2020, Crafty Time tutorials made Happy Tree Village, one thing at a time. Along the way, we’ve built fine scale modeling skills. It’s fun, safe and very affordable! All you basically need is cardboard, scissors, glue, tape, paint… and your imagination!

Idea  1 – Buildings

April 9, 2020 we made our first basic buildings from cardboard. Roads and trees followed, April 23^rd and 30^th.

Idea  4 – Bridge

This bridge used wooden clothespins, cardboard and Styrofoam. It ran in the Journal May 7. The pond and stream followed in the May 14^th edition.

Idea 6 – Castle

The stained glass is made from window envelopes. This ran May 28, 2020.

Idea 7 and 8 – Cosmic Drive-In

Craft sticks, a bamboo skewer, a drink lid and candy packaging were incorporated in this over the June 4 and June 11 editions.

Idea 9 – Fishing

Corrugated cardboard made a tin roof for Happy Tree’s bait shop June 18^th.

Idea 10 – Park

Getting outside is important. This multi-part project included trails, play equipment and streetlights June 25^th.

Idea 11 – Picnic

An entire Crafty Time tutorial was committed to making picnic tables for outdoor dining, using craft sticks. It ran July 2, right before Independence Day.

Idea 14 – Lighthouse

After making 2 kinds of fences July 9^th, and a swing set July 16^th, a Pringles® container and Styrofoam formed the core elements of this lighthouse.

Idea 15 – Footbridge

This “Welcome Walkway” gets the imagination going about Happy Tree’s community life. It ran August 6^th.

Idea 16 and 17 – Businesses

Using time-saving templates, two city blocks went up in a jiffy August 13^th and 20^th. Vehicles are store-bought, Hot Wheels® scale.

Idea 18 – Full Service Gas Station

Gas-O-Saurus, including the sign art and mechanic’s creepers was scratch-built and included beads and straws. It ran September 3^rd.

Idea 19 – Farm House

This beloved house from September 10^th is a fan favorite. The crops were made from shreds of newspaper, beads and sand.

Idea 20 and 21 – Police and Fire

New toy vehicles inspired these. The fire station with fireman’s pole ran September 24^th, and the justice center ran October 1^st.

Idea 22 – Airport

This newspaper was the main component of the paper airplanes. Adding landing gear and a tower finished the look October 15^th.

Idea 23 – Military Museum

For exhibits, the cheapest possible plastic soldier kit, plus paint was starting place for this. It ran November 5^th.

Idea 24 – University

Happy Tree University (HTU) appeared November 19^th, featuring concentric shapes.

Idea 25 – Church

Happy Tree Worship Center features a lot of stained glass, made from window envelopes. It ran December 3^rd.

Idea 28 – Tunnel

Snow and lights were added December 10th, and hills December 23^rd. This tunnel ran December 31^st

Review – Happy Tree

The display at the Shelton-Mason County Journal is always changing. Here’s how it stands today. It’s on rotation now because it won’t all fit on the table! Look for more tutorials regularly in the Activities pages of this paper!

What would you like to see next in Crafty Time? Visit www.craftytimewithdave.com for more photos and project ideas.  Please email your feedback to dave@masoncounty.com or call 360-426-4412. Visit our office to see the display!