This
week I thought it would be fun to show you how to make a campfire for
the dolls. Here in the states we still have Labor Day Weekend and I
know a lot of families that traditionally go always try to use that
weekend for one last camp out before fall sets in.
What
would a camp out be without a campfire? This is a lot easier that it
looks, really it is.
First
we need a base to build our fire on, I decided to use one the plastic
plates that I got in the 8 pack from Dollar Tree. They are strong
enough to hold the project and still thin enough to cut the hole that
we need in the bottom.
The
light, or fire, in our campfire is one of those little battery
operated tea lights that we can find at almost any craft store. I
have some times even found them at the dollar store.
The
first step (and this is really important) is to cut a hole in the
center of the plate so we can access the switch and the battery
compartment of the tea light. Be sure that you have the opening just
big enough to access those things but still have the base of the
light sitting on the plate.
And
if any of you can think of a safer way to cut the hole please share
it with the rest of us. I thought about this for a couple of days and
couldn't come up with a different way to do this. So be very careful
when cutting.
Once
you have the access hole at the bottom use some hot glue to secure
the light to the plate. Be sure to check that you can still get to
the switch and battery door (including the little screw that holds
the door in) I made a different project with one of these lights one
time and didn't double check this and managed to glue the light in
with the switch covered up.
After
the hot glue sets up a bit you can add the “ground” to the base.
For this we are using a mixture of white sand and Mod Podge. Make a
fairly thick mixture and spread it around to fill the plate base.
This will preform a couple of functions for us. Number one is to
cover the plate and become the dirt and ashes at the base of the
fire. Just as importantly it will help to hold the tea light onto the
base.
While
this mixture is still wet use some more hot glue and attach rocks to
the edge of your campfire. The glue is needed to hold them on. I put
them on now so that they can settle into the soft surface of the sand
mixture. They will look more realistic that way. If you wait until
the sand is dry they will just sit on top and not not look real.
Let
the sand mixture set up over night. Mine was still squishy at this
point but dry on the surface.
Now
paint paint the sand with a pale brown paint. I used some Cocoa from
Americana. The exact color doesn't matter just a light brown. Paint
the sand and the base of the tea light. Try not to get too much on
the rocks though. (a little bit is okay though)
After
the brown paint has some time to dry add some black and gray paint to
the all parts (except the flame of course) the colors I used were:
Black,
Bridgeport
Grey, Rain Grey, and Storm Grey. (all by Ceramcoat)
Don't
try for an even coat of paint just dab and dry brush the different
colors to make it look like a lot of fires have burnt here in the
past. Think about how a real fire pit or fire place looks after it
has been used for a while. Be sure to get the rocks too.
Now
find some branches to make the fire out of. I used some that had come
off the trees in our yard a while back and we piled to the side of
the yard. They have had several months to dry out so they aren't
pitchy.
Cut
them to size and add them to the fire pit securing with hot glue.
Just build it up like you would a real fire.
When
you are done dab on some more black paint randomly to the wood. I
also dabbed some black paint to the visible hot glue to disguise it.
I
do wish I could have gotten a better photo of the campfire for you.
It was a difficult subject. I did have to buy a new camera this
weekend and once I learn it maybe I will have better luck. (yeah, my
old camera totally died in the middle of taking the photos for this
blog post!)
