Author: Craftytimewithdave

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!

Crafty Time

By Dave Pierik, Shelton-Mason County Journal

Tunnel

Happy Tree village is car, boat and plane-friendly. So, now for trains!

Tools: compass, ruler, scissors and (optional) an old steak knife, paint brushes

Materials: cardboard, newspaper, Styrofoam, school glue, masking tape, sand, acrylic paint

Time: two to four hours.

1. Mark

Mark and cut a clean piece of corrugated cardboard with two semi-circles 3” tall x 4” wide, allowing a 3 ¼” central area with ½” gaps and about 5” extra on each side to allow for the road or tracks on top. Allow 1” of width on each side of the tunnel, cut and fold.

2. Peel

Peel the top layer off of a piece of cardboard. These corrugated, wavy shapes are cool to work with and fun to paint. Bend and test fit this for the tunnel. Stuff the interior gap areas with wadded up newspaper. Glue in place.

3. Assemble

Carve and test-fit Styrofoam hills for each side. Glue each in place. Fill gaps with glue, sand and masking tape. Tip: if you have snacks, eat them now before you get paint on your fingers!

4. Paint

Work dark to light in natural and earth tones. The base coat is black and brown, middle coats are grey and dark green. Pick out the edges with the lightest colors, tan, light green and light grey. Use pure white last and sparingly for a few highlights.

5. Happy Tree Tunnel

Choo choo! Chugachugachugachuga…

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!

Crafty Time

By Dave Pierik, Shelton-Mason County Journal

Hills

Happy Tree village is kind of flat. That’s fine, but let’s make some hills.

Tools: scissors and (optional) an old steak knife, paint brushes.

Materials: cardboard, Styrofoam, school glue, masking tape, sand, acrylic paint.

Cost: mostly free but maybe $1 worth of glue, paint and masking tape.

Time: one to three hours.

1. Cut and glue

Mark and cut corrugated cardboard to each hill’s base size and shape. Cut or break Styrofoam to that size or smaller and glue it down. For taller hills, add extra layers of Styrofoam. Wrap the entire structure tightly with masking tape and set aside to dry.

2. Shape

With your fingers and/or an old steak knife, break and/or cut and carve the Styrofoam into the hill shapes you want. It makes a huge mess which honestly is part of the fun.

3. Sand

With an old brush, paint glue on areas desired, especially any seam lines or areas that don’t look natural yet. While the glue is wet, grab handfuls of sand and drop it on there. Gently shake off the excess. Let dry. You can also add a bit of sand to your black and brown paint/glue mix for the base coat.

4. Paint

Work dark to light in natural and earth tones. The base coat is black and brown, middle coats are grey and dark green. Pick out the edges with the lightest colors, tan, light green and light grey. Use pure white last and sparingly for a few highlights.

5. Happy hills

Now I’ve got more fun terrain for that 4×4 Santa brought me!

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!

50.20.dp.Snow and Lights.Crafty Time

Crafty Time

By Dave Pierik, Shelton-Mason County Journal

December in Happy Tree

We’ve imagined ourselves in another time and place, and created it one building at a time. For fun, let’s play and celebrate with snow and lights!

Tools: none.

Materials: Fiber fill (pillow stuffing), LED lights string(s) with batteries if needed. Optional: Some tape. Cost: about $10-20 total

Time: about an hour total.

1. Let it snow

Fiberfill or a similar pillow/stuffed animal fill can be pulled and shaped as you wish. Cotton balls or similar materials also work for this. Pinch small pieces between finger and thumb, and pull it gently apart until it creates gentle drifts. Place strategically throughout your setup, imagining where the snow would fall.

2. Plow the roads

Imagine Happy Tree as a community, and how people would respond to the snow. After thinking about this, I chose to remove the snow from the roads, which would have been plowed and also driven on. I also cleared most of the sidewalks and doorway entries for most of the buildings, as people would do.

3. Add lighting

Small LED lights come in strings on twin, thin wires. The lights shown are battery-powered but LEDs use very little power. The wires twist nicely around the streetlights from Idea 10: A Park (June 25, 2020 Shelton-Mason County Journal). Add tape to the bottom of the lamp bases to help keep them from tipping, and twist and bend light wires around the entire setup. Add extra strings of lights if needed.

4. Test and adjust

Look close, but also stand back to adjust lights and snow placement. Interior lights for the church and castle can be done separately with battery-powered tea lights. Note that LED lights do not produce heat, and that’s a very good thing. These buildings are made of cardboard, so even though they are protected somewhat by a layer of paint, be careful not to use hot lights or candles.

5. Snow all aglow

Happy Tree village looks great in the dark now. Each building plays a part, and the snow and lights really tie it all together. 

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!

49.20.dp.WorshipCenter.Crafty Time

Crafty Time

By Dave Pierik, Shelton-Mason County Journal

Happy Tree Worship Center

Happy Tree’s citizens need a gathering place for prayer and life events. Here is a classic old country church with backlit stained glass effects. This is fun to make. Enjoy!

Tools: ruler & compass, scissors, paintbrushes, colorful permanent markers.

Materials: Old junk mail window envelopes, cardboard, school glue, masking tape, sand, baking soda, acrylic paints, four small round beads, battery-powered tea lights. Total cost: about $2

Time: about 8 to 12 hours total.

1. Stained glass prep

Using the clear plastic from some old junk mail window envelopes, fill all the space with colors and designs of your choice, saving the black for later. Once the ink is dry, carefully glue another clear piece over the top. Set aside.

2. Cut pieces

Mark and cut from cardboard: Steeple peak – mark four 2” x 3” rectangles, with 1” marks on the 2” side, cut 4 triangles. Steeple base sides: four 2” x 2 ½” pieces and one 2 1/8” x 2 1/8” base roof.  Three roof pieces 8” x 4”. Two front / back panels 7 ½”W x 6”H, mark 4” side heights and 2” in from L. to R., cut angles. Two side panels 7” x 4”. One base, 8” x 8”. Test fit & cut approx. 1” x 1½” windows & doors.

3. Pre-assemble & prime

Glue the steeple peak triangles to the steeple peak base roof. Use masking tape to hold it together until dry and set it aside. Glue the steeple base sides to the front of the building’s center roof. The building front back and sides go on the base. Reinforce glue lines with sand, and shake off the excess. Prime with white paint mixed with glue, adding a small amount of baking soda to help fill small gaps. Set aside to dry.

4. Glue & detail

Glue the inner frames of the windows, and carefully align and place each piece. Add masking tape until dry. Paint black outlines along color changes on the outside. Cut a hole in the bottom to allow access to tea lights. Glue the roof pieces and steeple together, then paint additional details. A wash of water with brown and black will bring out shadows. A drybrush with white brings out highlights.

5. Worship Center

Happy Tree Worship Center has cheery, inviting warmth to it. Depending on layout space and preferences, this building can be made smaller or larger by scaling the measurements in step 2. You could also create a sign that reads: “Bingo night Thursday, win a casserole.”

47.20.dp.2pg.Happy Tree U Crafty Time

Crafty Time by Dave Pierik, Shelton-Mason County Journal

Happy Tree University

Mix round and rectangular concentric shapes for that institutional building look.

You will need:

Tools: ruler and marker, scissors, paintbrushes

Materials: cardboard including two sizes of cylinders with lids, masking tape, sand, school glue, ­­acrylic paints, toothpicks, straws.

Cost: about 75 cents worth of glue and paint. Time: about six hours total.

1. Measure and mark

Measure 2” of height on each of two different sizes of cardboard cylinder. Oatmeal containers work well. Mark in several places and carefully run masking tape all the way around so that you will get an even cut. Place ruler across container to make halfway marks, and mark those also with straight perpendicular lines.

2.  Cut cylinders

Carefully cut along the lines you made and the edge of the tape to get several 2” tall half-circles of cardboard of different sizes. Trace the shape they made on flat cardboard.

3. Cut cardboard

The base should be 8” to 9” along the back. For floors and roofs, add 1” to the sides and back of each semi-circle.  Measure and cut, then trace and cut 2 more of the larger shapes. Match wall section measurements to the floors. You will need lots of 1” x 2” rectangles for the sides and 1” squares for windows.

4. Assemble and glue

Stack, test fit and adjust parts. Glue along edges and add masking tape as you go, starting from the half-circle and adding edges. Once you’re happy with where it is, you can reinforce the glue with a bit of sand to add strength and texture and to help fill any gaps. Set aside to dry.

5. Repeat smaller

Repeat the above steps twice for the smaller shapes. Let dry.

6. Trace and place

The roof of the 2^nd floor is the floor of the 3^rd floor. Trace the smaller template so that it will be centered. 

7. Ground floor

Here is another view. Note that the ground floor is glued to the base. Once you have your shape, you can easily mark and cut wall sizes starting from that.

8. Stack up

Test fit and check angles, looking from different sides and down from the top to line up. Glue levels together and tape in place. Let dry.

9. Railing

Cut the lid of the oatmeal container to make a nice railing. It’s worth trying ideas like this and it worked out well in this example. For railing on the sides and back, cut and glue black straws along the edge.

10. Windows and doors

Windows are 1” square. Single doors are ¾” wide x 1.5” tall and double doors are 1.5” x 1.5” with rounded tops and a score down the middle. For windows and doors along the curved parts, bend the cardboard, paint glue on and place. Add masking tape and let dry.

11. Paint and details

Start painting, you will need more than one coat and some touching up. Cut toothpicks for door handles and glue in place. The back end of a brush can help adjust placement. Let dry before painting in metallic color of your choice.

12. Final touches

The HTU sign is from 2 layers of corrugated cardboard.

13. Happy Tree University

Happy Tree village now has a center for higher education. Who knows, maybe students at HTU are making Happy Tree villages of their own in those tiny classrooms!

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!

45.20.dp.VetsMilitaryMuseum.CraftyTime

Crafty Time

By Dave Pierik, Shelton-Mason County Journal

Military History Museum

Each Veteran’s Day we honor the memory of those who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. So does our imaginary town of Happy Tree. Thank you for your service, Veterans.

Tools: ruler & marker, scissors, paintbrushes.

Materials: Inexpensive figures (soldier, plane and tank in this example), cardboard, school glue, masking tape, sand, large straws, acrylic paints, an egg carton, assorted lids, a small dipping cup, a poker chip (optional), and a plastic milk-pull.

1. Making history

For each figure, make a base to match by fitting lids for size. Glue each down and let dry. Radioman soldier base is a pill bottle lid, topped with a poker chip to add detail. Tank base is a pickle jar lid, topped with the small cup to add height. Plane base is a medium lid, topped with an egg carton cone. Prime each in white paint mixed with a bit of white glue. Let dry.

2. Museum setup

Cut two each of: floor and roof, 3 ½” x 5 ½”; front and back, 3” x 5”; sides 3” x 3”. Glue walls to the base, leaving extra space on the sides and front only. Measure and cut two doors, no larger than 1 ½” square – round the tops if desired. Cut entrance ramp to same width as door. Cut a straw to 3” lengths for the pillars. Cut 4 windows, each 1” square. Use masking tape to hold in place while glue dries. Roof is last.

3. Bronze and patina

Coat each figure with bronze or copper paint. Let dry. Add weathering using watered down green, brown and black paint, dabbing excess with a paper towel. Let dry.

4. Exhibit ready

Coat each base with grey, let dry and add depth using watered-down black, brown and green. Once everything is dry, test fit bases and figures again and glue together. Set aside and let dry. While they dry, add detail to the building such as gutters if desired, base coat it in grey and add the same weathering to the shadows. The door handles are from the ring of a milk pull.

5. Veteran’s Hall

Add glue to the building base and sprinkle with a bit of sand to add extra detail. The Happy Tree Military History Museum and Veteran’s Hall is brand new, but the weathering effects give it the illusion of having been there for decades. At least that’s the idea. Again, thank you Veterans!

For questions, tips and information please email dave@masoncounty.com with your feedback. Visit the Shelton-Mason County Journal office to see the display!

42.20.dp.Airport.CraftyTime

By Dave Pierik, Shelton-Mason County Journal

Happy Tree Airport

Paper airplanes are a joy to make, so let’s create an airport for them!

Tools: scissors, marker, paintbrushes.

Materials: Newspaper, cardboard (cylinder, corrugated and thin), school glue, masking tape, sand, round toothpicks, acrylic paints, small round beads, and a plastic milk-pull.

1. Paper planes

Practice: open newspaper flat on a table, and fold different angles down the middle for several styles of large planes. For this project: cut 4” squares of newspaper and fold two at a time into several plane designs. Run a bit of glue down the middle and put masking tape over the top to hold in place. Let dry.

2. Landing gear

Cut round toothpicks to different lengths and carefully poke into the bottom of each plane. Glue in place. Let dry. Trim any excess lengths with scissors. Paint small beads black, let dry then glue in place for wheels. Let dry.

3. Control tower

Trace the outlines of smaller and larger cardboard cylinders onto corrugated cardboard, and cut 2 circles of each. Test-fit, glue together, and let dry. Cut seven ¾” cardboard window squares and one 1-¼” x ¾” door rectangle. Bend them to fit, glue and tape until dry. For the radar dish, cut a round toothpick and a milk pull, glue and mask until dry. Flock edges with sand.

4. Details and paint

Mix white paint with glue to base-coat the tower and any planes you want to. Let dry. Mask off the windows, door and any areas you want to leave white. Mix glue and sand with grey and paint the sides, then repeat with black for tower tops. Let dry. Remove tape. Paint the radar dish silver, the windows and door handle metallic, and the door blue.

5. Happy Tree Airport

This windowsill makes a great runway, or you could paint a strip of cardboard black. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your pilot speaking. Fasten your seatbelts; Flight 24 from Happy Tree to Shelton will be departing shortly!”

For questions, tips and information please email dave@masoncounty.com with your feedback. Visit the Journal office to see the display!

40.20.dp.PoliceDept.CraftyTime

Crafty Time

By Dave Pierik, Shelton-Mason County Journal

Happy Tree Justice

Happy Tree City is about to have a gothic-style multipurpose justice center including a police department with a court entrance and a corrections annex.

Tools: ruler & marker, scissors, compass, paintbrushes.

Materials: Corrugated and thin cardboard, school glue, masking tape, sand, a flat toothpick, acrylic paints, tin foil.

1. Start in 2-D

If working from a picture or drawing, don’t worry about being exact. Inspiration came from badges and mirrored patrol glasses this time. Mark, measure and cut corrugated cardboard. Base: 8” wide x 4” deep, front and back 4” wide x 5” tall, left and right 3” wide x 5” tall. Side buildings, add 3 sides each of 1 ½” wide x 4” tall.

2. Walls

Cut a 2” square entrance in the front wall, set the removed square aside. Align, adjust and glue the walls to the base. Add masking tape to hold in place until dry. Cut 3 strips of thin cardboard, 2” long x ½” deep and glue the 2” square back for the recessed entrance. Let dry.

3. Roof structure

Use thin cardboard and start with a base, 5” wide x 4” deep. For the horizontal roofline, cut a piece 5” wide x 5” deep and fold down the middle, so the sides are 5” wide x 2 ½” each, and tape to the base. For dormers, cut 2 pieces, 4” deep x 3” wide, folding in half. Hold against the other piece, mark the angle and cut, adjust to fit. Glue together.

4. Details and paint

Mark, measure, and cut thin cardboard for doors, windows and entry details. Glue on, let dry. Mix a bit of sand and glue with paint. Paint building sky blue with gold trim, black roof, grey base. Touch up, let dry. Cut flat toothpicks for door handles, paint in brass, let dry, and glue on. Cut and glue tin foil for windows.

5. Happy Tree Justice Center

Use a computer printer or fine tipped permanent black marker to add the POLICE DEPT. sign lettering above the central door, COURT to the left door, CORRECTIONS to the right door. Thank you first responders!

For questions, tips and information please email dave@masoncounty.com with your feedback. Visit the Journal office to see the display!

39.20.dp.FireDept.CraftyTime

Crafty Time

By Dave Pierik, Shelton-Mason County Journal

A Fire Department

Cities need Fire Departments. Let’s make one for Happy Tree, it will be fun!

Tools: ruler & marker, scissors, paintbrushes (craft knife optional)

Materials: Corrugated and thin cardboard, school glue, masking tape, sand, a flat toothpick, a bamboo skewer, acrylic paints.

1. Plan and structure

If you have an idea, draw it out first. The floor, roof and walls are corrugated cardboard. Base and roof are 6”wide x 5” deep. Front and back walls are 5” wide x 4” tall, side walls are 4” x 4”. Think, plan measure, mark and cut. Have extra cardboard handy. Test fit with masking tape and adjust as needed.

2. Assemble

Mark and cut out windows. Glue wall and floor edges together, reinforce with masking tape and set aside to dry. Cut the removed window pieces in half for window ledges and awnings, glue to windows and flock with sand. Tilt off excess sand. Let dry. Add thin cardboard to the roof edges and prime underside white and top black.

3. Fireman’s Pole

Mark and cut a second floor, with thin card, trimming to fit from a 5” x 4” rectangle. Prime it in white, let dry and cut a 1” gap, then fold an accordion for the stairs. Mark and cut a 1” circle for the fireman’s pole. Adjust the floor piece and glue. Reinforce with sand and let dry. Cut the bamboo skewer to 4” and paint silver.

4. Mask and paint

Neatly align a stripe of masking tape all the way around the building and press it on firmly to edges. Mask off the doors. Paint the outside of the building red, the floor, curbs, window ledges and frames grey, the window awnings black. Cut toothpicks and paint brass for handles and hinges. Paint the base of the fireman’s pole red and glue in place. Pull off masking tape and touch up paint.

5. Happy Tree Fire Dept.

Use a fine tipped permanent black marker to add the FIRE DEPT. lettering above the door. Note the fireman’s pole visible through the top left window and the bay door. Thank you first responders!

For questions, tips and information please email dave@masoncounty.com with your feedback. Visit the Journal office to see the display!