Monday, January 31, 2011

Blue and Gold Prep

Here is the rough draft for my Cub Scout Blue and Gold centerpieces.  I decided to make the fire a little smaller to save money on the wood.  If I have the time, I will add a third flame that is yellow.  Someone else is making the marshmallows and roasting sticks for me.  She is going to use wooden dowels, thick like the rod in your closet, and drill holes so the marshmallows fit onto the roasting sticks.  I am sad I don't have more time or I would have made wooden s'mores to go with the whole set.  We are making enough that each family can take one home.  

I did buy the felt pattern I showed you earlier, but figured the felt would be too expensive for as many centerpieces I needed.  I went with wood and made them go together like a puzzle.  My original plan was to make them puzzle-like so they can be taken apart and put away a little nicer.  Scott, however, says we should just glue them together and be done.  We shall see. 


Here are the pieces.  One flame from the top, one smaller one from the bottom, and an x made from landscaping poles.  I took one pole and sliced it down the center the long way.  Once the pole was halved, I cut it into the long piece and the two shorter pieces for the sides.

I had to cut two orange pieces for every one red piece.  We are making 15 centerpieces so that made 30 red pieces, 60 orange, and will be 120 yellow if I find the time to make them.  

Not bad!  They measure about 12" high and 10" wide.  I figure they cost me about $3.50 each to make (with donated labor and equipment :0)  That is because I had scrap wood I used for the smaller flames.  All together, I thought $3 was really good for the impact they will give us.  I will show you when I get all 15 together.  Wish me luck!
Next up are our Photo Cubes.  We made some last year and thought it would be fun for the boys to have one from every year.  I just finished the photos today so I thought I would show you.  If anyone out there needs a last minute idea for the Blue and Gold, this is really fabulous.  For one, you can just copy mine if it fits your theme.  For two, they are relatively easy to crank out many at a low cost.  One 4x4 board is about $8.  You can get around 24 cubes out of one board making them about $.33 each.  You add the cost of paint and the photos and it is a little more expensive.  This year I used photos for each side, 5 of them at $.13 each, making the photo cost $.65 each.  All together less than $.80 each.  Add the cost of paint and you are still in at less than $1 each.
The photo above is what I am using for the top, the photos below are for the sides.  I have to put the photos on a sheet like this so they can be printed, then cut to the right size.  I will order the prints from Costco, then trim right to the colored part.  The measurement is about 3 1/4" square.  I want the photo just smaller than the block.
This is my Eli's picture so I figured it would be ok to show on the blog.  I used the blank below for each boy's photo for one side, and the same blank for the den photo on the other side of the cube.
As always, I will have photos shortly.  Please do email if you have any questions!!!
If you think of doing the photo cubes, do not cut the cube to 4".  It will not be square.  You need to cut the cubes to 3 1/2" because the 4x4 is actually closer to 3 1/2"x3 1/2".  Also, you can usually get the guys at Home Depot or Lowes to cut those cubes for you if you don't have a saw.  I will tell you, may no harm come to me for voicing my opinion, I don't like the wood at Lowes, our Lowes at least.  The last three projects I have purchased my wood there because it seemed smoother.  The big problem was that their wood was still wet, or green.  It shrunk after I made my photo projects making the photos wrinkle!!!
Not worth the smoothness!!!
Check your store.  If the wood is wet feeling, extra heavy, or every board on the rack is bent and twisted, turn around and head to a different store.  It is SO not worth a whole project in the trash :0)

Anyway, see you soon.  So many projects, so little time!

You can download this and other B&G cube styles HERE with Dropbox!

10 comments:

  1. Love both of your Blue and gold projects. Where did you find the pictures for the cubes?

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  2. I made the photos for the cubes with some scrapbook elements. I don't remember where I got them, but I can sure email you the files!!! Just email me at vanessa.cam5@gmail.com

    Vanessa
    The Sew*er, The Caker, The CopyCat Maker

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  3. Hi Vanessa. I have started this project for our Blue and Gold Banquet this year...and completely overlooked the fact that the year says 2011 on one of the cube sides. LOL Can you tell me how I can make it say 2012 or where I can find this year's version of these elements? I've been googling and can't find them. ;( Already got ALL the materials donated for it..wood, paint, photos...so really want to make it work! THanks! I have emailed you regarding the files, but I was able to save them from here. Just need to figure out how make them work for this year. ;) scott8lori@yahoo.com

    Lori

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No Problem Lori. I will get that emailed right away. I already have one made up.

      Delete
  4. Yes I am needing the same thing for 2012. Please email pdf files if yoiu can to loveyourskin@cableone.net I did purchase the template for the centerpieces and I am excited to get working on those too. I have just three weeks left. Luckily our ward does the B&G in March-not sure why, but it has helped me out :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No problem Staci! I emailed the files to you. Let me know if you have any questions!!!
      Vanessa

      Delete
  5. I'm actually looking toward next year's B&G. Would it be possible to get a 2013 version?

    Thanks,
    Naomi

    sunnyelf778@gmail.com

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  6. What are the width and height of your campfire flame?

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    Replies
    1. I always forget, but I cut the big flame from a 1x10, so 9,5" high, and then the smaller one is cut from a 1x8, so 7.5" high. I think they are both around 10" wide???

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  7. Hello,
    I am looking into doing the cubes for my Blue and Gold this year (2018). Could you kindly email me the template for the cube photos. Also, what did you use to adhere the photos to the cube- Just want to see what worked best. Thank you. Lisa

    lisamedic911@aol.com

    ReplyDelete

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