On-The-Go Play Case

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Case
• Ruler
• Poster Board
• X-Acto® Knife & Cutting Board
• Pencil

BASE & BACKGROUND:

• Paper, Matching Color & Textures of Materials on Inside Front (lip edge of front)
• Paper, Sky (for sides and back)
• Felt, Olive
• Felt, Green
• Felt, Cashmere Tan
• Felt, Sandstone
• 10"x 18" Mossy Mat
• Sequin Fabric, Blue
• Craft Foam Sheet, Blue (for water)
• Loctite Spray Adhesive, High Performance (for paper)
• Tacky Glue (for felt & craft foam)

TENT & SLEEPING BAG:

• Fabric Clips
• Sewing Machine & Notions
• X-Acto® Knife
• Rotary Cutter & Cutting Board
• 18" Wire, 32 Gauge or Thicker (2)
• Wire Cutters
• Tape
• 1/6yd Parachute Nylon Ripstop Fabric (for tent)
• Scrap Netting, White
• Scrap Fleece
• 12"x 18" Craft Foam Sheet, Blue
• 3"x 5" Cardboard
• Quick Grip
• Mod Podge & Brush
• 5 1/2"x 6" Parachute Nylon Ripstop Fabric (for sleeping bag)
• 6"x 10" Fleece
• Sewing Machine
• Fiberfill

BONFIRE:

• Small Sticks
• 2 1/2" Cardboard Circle
• Crayola® Air Dry Clay, Terra Cotta
• Acrylic Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Paint Palette
• 1 1/2" Wired Ribbon, Red (semi-transparent & metallic)
• 1' Lights
• Bloom Room® Warm White Mini LED lights (12)
• Quick Grip
• Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks

ROCKS:

• Crayola® Air Dry Clay, Terra Cotta
• Acrylic Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Paint Palette
• Quick Grip

FLOWERS:

• Fleece
• Trim
• Scissors
• Chenille Stems
• Quick Grip
• Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks

FLAT FELT TREES:

• Freezer Paper
• Iron & Ironing Board
• X-Acto® Knife & Cutting Board
• Tacky Glue

DIMENSIONAL TREES:

• Wired Jute Twine,
• Wire Cutters
• Pliers
• Small Greenery Stems
• Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
• Quick Grip

LOG SEATS:

• Cardboard
• X-Acto® Knife
• Cutting Board
• Acrylic Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Paint Palette
• Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
• Quick Grip

LOG PILE:

• Small Sticks
• Popsicle Sticks
• Utility Knife or Saw
• Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
• Quick Grip

LAKE SIGN:

• Stick
• Popsicle Sticks
• Utility knife or Saw
• Cardboard or Wood Circle
• Mossy Mat
• Rocks
• Acrylic Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Paint Palette
• Pencil
• Permanent Marker, Fine-Tip
• Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
• Quick Grip

ANIMAL FIGURINES & WILDERNESS NATURE TUBE:

• Optional: Multi-Surface Paint
• Quick Grip

DIRECTIONS:

To find the downloadable patterns click on the "GET PATTERNS" tab above.

1. Measure inside dimensions of case. On posterboard layout measurements of inside front, bottom and back and cut as one piece. Mark bends between sections. Cut one piece of posterboard to the dimensions of the inside sides. Use these patterns to layout the areas of different base colors and textures. Use the measurements to determine the size of tent and other dimensional parts. All parts should be able to fit within the closed case.
2. Determine the locations for dimensional parts of the desired scene. This may be done by cutting circles, squares and rectangles from paper, to represent the part and placing them on the area of posterboard for the front and bottom of the case. Keep dimensional parts at least 1/4" away from the bends between the back, bottom and front. Once the scale and location are determined use the depth of the case to determine the maximum height of parts. Make sure that any parts that will be attached to the inside front of the case will not bump into parts attached to the inside bottom, back or sides when the case is closed.
3. Cut the interior of case posterboard pattern into individual patterns for materials of base and background.
4. The following are directions for outdoor camping scenes.

BASE AND BACKGROUND:

1. Apply background paper to the full area of back and sides before any other material is added. Next layer back and sides with shapes of felt. The shapes may be bent to continue from the front edge of one side to the front edge of the opposite side. Add base materials to bottom and front starting at the bend between the back and bottom. If adding lighting to a dimensional part, consider the placement of the switch box. The box may be tucked behind the side felt. Make sure that the switch on the box sets back from the closed front. Set box in place. Mark around box and the top edge of felt covering. Apply Tacky Glue within the markings. Set box back in place and press the felt above and behind the switch box. Let dry. Lift the felt covering the switch box. Add a small amount of Quick Grip to edges of box and press felt to secure. See "Bonfire" for further directions for hiding wire under felt.
2. Water: If using sequin fabric for water cut craft foam to desired shape of water. Brush sequins on fabric one direction. Lay fabric right side down. Brush Tacky Glue on right side of foam shape. Press foam to wrong wide of sequin fabric. Let dry. Cut sequin fabric to craft foam edge.
3. Mossy Mat as rough grassy areas: If the mat will run next to felt areas cut the mat to overlap the felt by 1/8" - 1/4". This will help to secure the edges of felt and keep a crisp transition between materials.

TENT

1. Finished size 5" H x 5" W x 3" D. Cut out fabric parts as per templates. Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge on foam front panel. Press foam to wrong side of nylon front panel matching top edges and centering side to side. Bottom corners of foam should land on diagonal corners of nylon. Let dry slightly, to avoid shifting, then add weight to hold until completely dry. Repeat for back and sides. From the foam side of side and back panels use an x-Acto knife to cut out nylon covering window openings. Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge to foam side of back panel. Press net centered over window opening. Repeat for sides. Add only Mod Podge to foam side of front panel. Let dry. Apply a small bead of Quick Grip to one side of window trim. Press onto nylon side of corresponding side or back panel. Repeat for front door trim. Let dry. Apply Tacky Glue to one side of 3" x 5" cardboard. Press 3" x 5" fleece right side up on cardboard, matching edges. Let dry.
2. Place wrong side of door flaps on right side of front panel matching sides and top edges. Hold together with fabric clips. Baste 1/8" from sides and top edges. Mark locations for tie backs and corner loops on front and back. Fold corner loop in half to 3/4" x 3/4". On front panel match cut ends of loop with edge of nylon at mark, loop toward center of panel. Repeat. Fold tiebacks to 1/4" x 5". Place loop end at edge of nylon at mark. Repeat. Baste over original baste stitching on front. Repeat for back.
3. Right rides together side to front. Match corners of foam. Sew through nylon next to foam edge. Repeat for other side and back. Turn right sides out. Place 3" x 5" cardboard base, fleece side up, inside bottom of tent. Fold over bottom edges of nylon to dry fit under cardboard. Foam bottom edge should line up with bottom edge of cardboard. Mark location of nylon on cardboard. Apply Quick Grip to cardboard and press nylon in place. Let dry.
4. Sew cap fleece. With right sides together, match 1 3/4" edge of front to 1 3/4" edge of side. Sew 1/8" seam allowance. Repeat. Match top edge of front and back. Sew 1/8" seam allowance. Clip corners at top. Turn right sides out. Set aside.
5. Thread wire through one bottom corner loop, up through top loop, over the top at a diagonal and back down through the loops to the base. Bend wire to follow the curves of the tent. Bend at least 1" at end of wire to lay flush with the underside of the base. Repeat for other end of wire. Use tape to temporarily hold ends in place. Repeat for other corners. Dry fit cap over top loops of wires.
6. Place nylon cover over base cardboard to finish and hold wire ends in place. Remove tape from one end of wire at a time. Place Quick Grip over entire cardboard base. Press nylon to cardboard matching edges. Let dry.
7. Apply a small bead of Quick Grip on wrong sides of seams of cap. Press seams over top wires to secure. This should cover top opening of tent.
8. Sleeping Bag: Finished size 2 1/2" W x approximately 5 1/4" L. Cut out fabric as per template. Fold 10" tie in half lengthwise. On right side of fleece place fold of tie in line with edge of fabric, tails of tie facing toward center of bag. Right sides together sew liner to outer, 1/8" seam allowance, leaving side open as indicated on template. Do not catch ties in stitching. Clip corners. Turn right sides out. Push out corners with chopstick or blunt pencil. Fold under opening to match seam. Sew at "topstitch" line. For padded look add additional topstitching from side to side of bag. Use Painters tape to mark intervals between stitching. Use Fiber Fil to stuff pillow area. Hand stitch opening closed. Fold fleece sides of bag together matching side edges, ties hanging out. Hand stitch the bottom edges and 1" - 1 1/2" up the side of the bag.
9. Bonfire: Cut one 2 1/2" circle of cardboard. Roll approximately 1/2" balls of clay as rocks to surround the circle. Lay cardboard on a flat surface. Press one side of each clay rock halfway over edge of cardboard circle. The other half of rock flat to tabletop surface. This will hide the edge of cardboard and ensure surface area to glue all parts together. If adding lights to bonfire leave a space between two of the rocks to lay the lights wire. Let clay dry overnight. Paint dark brown leaving the bottom unpainted. Let dry. Dry brush additional organic colors of paint over dark brown. Leave the lower edges dark. Let dry. Use Quick Grip to glue rocks onto cardboard circle. Cut or break small sticks and arrange into a teepee shape between the rocks. If adding lights: bundle strand of lights to fit in center of cardboard circle. Fit the sticks over the light bundle to find the appropriate height of teepee, approximately 2". Remove the lights. Hot glue the sticks together at the top. Paint the cardboard inside the rock perimeter dark brown. Let dry. Bundle the lights in one 6" length of ribbon. Cut through the center of the ribbon on both ends. Twist tie the sides of ribbon to hold the lights in a tight bundle. Add a second layer of ribbon running the opposite direction. Set the lights on the cardboard circle feeding the plain wire between the rocks. Set the stick teepee over top of the lights feeding the tail ends of ribbon out between the sticks to represent flames. Hot glue the bottoms of the sticks in place inside the ring of rocks. Trim the exposed ribbon at angles.
10. When adding the bonfire to the case mark the location of the base 2 1/2" circle on the base material. Cut out the back, side facing the inside of the case, 1/2 of circle. Add Tacky Glue to back of base material. Feed the light switch box and plain wire through 1/2" circle hole. Set switch at final location in case. Settle remaining plain wire under base material. Let dry. Tip bonfire from the front edge. Apply Quick Grip to the underside of all rocks and cardboard. Press in place.

ROCKS:

1. Roll Air Dry Clay to form. Irregularities in surface texture will create more realistic rocks. Press bottoms of rocks onto a flat surface. Let dry overnight. Paint sides and top dark brown. Let dry. Dry brush with organic colors of paint. Glue to base of case with Quick Grip.
2. Flowers: See template shape. Cut two for each flower from fleece. Cut a small hole in the center. Insert a chenille stick through the center holes of two flower circles. Fold the end of chenille stick to form the center of the flower. Place a bead of hot glue between the layers of flower. Pinch the flower head and hold until glue is set. Trim chenille stick to desired length. Use Quick Grip to attach flower stems in between rocks or directly onto the base materials of the case.

DIMENSIONAL TREES:

1. Flat felt trees: An additional template has been added as a reference for simple background felt pine trees. Print on paper side of freezer paper. Iron glossy side of paper to felt. Rough cut around image with scissors. Use a sharp x-Acto knife to cut out image. Gently peel away paper from felt. Dry fit onto case. Place pins into case or small swatches of tape as registration marks. This will ensure that placement is correct when placing the glued felt in place. Place Tacky Glue on the WS of felt. Use a small brush to spread the glue with a stippling motion. Ensure that all areas are covered with glue. Press in place.
2. Bend Wired Jute Twine. Roots of trees need to have surface area to glue to the base of case. Use pliers to spiral wires together to form each part of tree. Fold over the end of wire to form one root. Bend the wire to the direction of the trunk of the tree. Bend at the junction of one branch. Fold the wire back over the branch and either over to make another branch or down the trunk to make another root. Repeat. Check for fit in landscape of case. Flatten areas of the tree for optimum surface area to glue to case. Cut small pieces of greenery. Use hot glue to attach greenery to branches of tree. Attach tree to base of case with Quick Grip.
3. Log seats: Determine height and circumference of seats. Cut cardboard with corrugations running vertically, H - 1/4" x C + 1/4". Roll cardboard overlapping sides. Secure into a tube with hot glue. Trace around the open ends of tube onto cardboard. Cut circles. Hot glue circles onto both open ends of tube. With hot glue draw concentric circles on top of seat and vertical lines on sides of seat. Paint with acrylic paints. Let dry. Attach onto base of case with Quick Grip.

LOG PILE:

1. Cut sticks to build a pile. Cut popsicle sticks to create a base for log pile. Run the popsicle sticks perpendicular to the wood of the pile. Hot glue together.

LAKE SIGN:

1. Determine the height and width of signpost.
2. Cut a circle as a base.
3. The base creates more surface area for the sign to be glued securely to the case.
4. Cut a stick at overall height minus the cardboard or wood base thickness.
5. Use Quick Grip to glue the stick centered on the circle base.
6. Cut two popsicle sticks to be the face of the sign.
7. Place another popsicle stick behind the two.
8. Hot glue together.
9. Cut one end of sign to a rounded point for a directional sign.
10. Quick Grip sign to post. Paint sign.
11. Use a pencil then a fine permanent marker to write desired word or image on sign.
12. Add a scrap of mossy mat or felt to cover circle base.
13. Use Quick Grip to add rocks around base.

ANIMALS:

1. May be painted to better suit the case environment using Multi Surface paint.
2. For stationary creatures attach to case using Quick Grip.

JOANN HACKS:

• Adhesives recommended in directions are for cardboard cases.
• The Mossy Mat has a strong adhesive back. When applying to case remove the paper backing a section at a time to prevent backing from touching anything other than the desired final location. Keep the mat away from other materials when cutting.
• Use acrylic paint in assorted organic colors.