Crafter's Campfire Today

MARSHMALLOWS UP!  I will be UPDATING on this post all day.  I have two crafts and two 'fireside' foods to share with you thru-out the day.  So you will want to come back to catch the update as well as blogger's who will be linking up with us thru the day ** bottom of this page.

BANDANA CRAFT # ONE

Supplies:  Bandanas, pony beads, marbles, scissors (I am camping inside today - so rotary and mat)

**I was able to get my supplies from the Dollar Store

Step #1 - fold your bandana in half - point to point - so you have a triangle.  ** not all bandanas are perfectly square so concentrate on getting your fold on the long edge , corner to corner.

Now  fold your bandana in half again - point to point.  Cut on the fold side - 1.5" - this gives you a 3" wide strip approximately 32" long.  **again, not all bandanas are the same

Step #2 - fold your 3" strip in half the long edge.  Fold in half again bringing the previous fold edge to the two raw edges.  Easy Peasy!

Step #3 - slide two pony beads to the center of your strip - seperate enough to be able to open your folds.  Insert a marble into the strip and re-double fold, slide beads up tight.  Add a bead to each side, slip your marble in and tighten.  Test the look for number of marbles needed - 10 to 12 marbles works well. 

Step #4 - Leave enough non-bead/marble ends so the necklace can be tied around the neck. Add one or two simple overhand knots to keep the strip from raveling.  You can even make a matching bracelet with the same method.

You can cut the remainder of the triangle pieces - now you will simply cut the 3" strip with no folding.  Depending on the size of your bandana, you can get 2-3 strips for necklaces and 1-2 strips for bracelets.  **You could use one of those UGLY fabrics in your stash and cut 3" strips - A WOF cut will give you one necklace and one bracelet**  With everything cut and packaged up - great kids' craft for when they're 'bored' or a rainy day at camp.

MARSHMALLOW THOUGHTS

                                                         BANDANA CRAFT # 2

Step #1 - Fold your bandana in thirds being sure the points are into the folds.

Step #2 - Stitch a square around the center just along the inside of the bandana edges - you can feel that under edge because they have a roll seam edge.  This is to give some stability to the bottom as well as form pockets - yes, we are making a bag.

Step #3- Fold you bandana in half - you can opt to have the pockets on the outside (shown in photo) or fold it the other way so the pockets are on the inside.  Pin sides and start stitching 2" down from top to the bottom - back stitch start and end so seam won't seperate.

Step #4 - fold your flaps down and mark/pin 1 inch from edge - stitch all the way around to form casing for cording.

Step # 5 - Cut two lengths of cording (option of just using one cord) and run one cord thru one direction and the second cord going the opposite direction - run both cord ends thru a bead and knot around bead. (or just knot end)

This could be done at a camp - hand stitched - or as a pre-camp project to make 'ditty bags'  for camp.  Initial could be embroidered on those flap ends or a decal - anything to personalize - have fun with it.


                                                  IT'S DINNER TIME

Many years of camping with Cub and Boy Scouts, you learn to keep it simple and make it fast!  Now at camp we would have the boys  mix up Bisquick batter for dough, but we are camping inside and my furries are useless at helping - eating - yes.  So I am using crescent rolls for my 'dogs in a blanket'.

At camp we would put those dogs on a stick to cook over low coals, but today we are using the oven - so on a baking sheet (I use my pizza pan for everything) cover with foil and some oil to coat.  Wrap those dogs in a cresent roll and place on pan.  Follow roll baking directions for temp. and time.

In 12-15 minutes you got your 'dogs in a blanket'.  Now if my boys were here, that wouldn't be fast enough!  A kid friendly make,bake,eat meal. 

Be sure to come back for desert!

MARSHMALLOW THOUGHT

DESERT

Long ago we would have made our own bisquits for this, but simple is better - and you don't want me to bake!  Little sponge cakes, frozen fruit (our berries went bad with the heat/drought) of choice and whip cream.

And so I didn't miss out on the Marshmallows, I made a mallow flower with candy center to add to my little yummy cake.

I hope you have enjoyed the campfire - thank you Sallie for providing that - and I will update tomorrow with the  winner of the Layer Cake.  Thank you ladies for playing along.

**the marshmallow thoughts - our hay bales in their plastic wraps to protect them from the weather - and one of our 'buffalo tanks' for collecting rain water - thank heavens for them as they have been our source of outside watering** 


Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Thank you to everyone who participated and for those that stopped in to visit and/or comment on the various blogs. I used Mr Random to pull our winner and for the life of me cannot get that on the blog - SO..... our winner of the Berenstain Bears Layer Cake is Quilter Kathy who offered up some camping photos along with her Beach Bean Dip recipe. I will send her an e-mail for mailing information. Again, thank you ladies and wee gent for playing with us today.