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Monday, June 25, 2012

Interactive Fire Nesting Puzzle

Where there's smoke there's fire...Okay, not really. {That would be dangerous and this is a kids' toy, after all.}


Interested in the tutorial.  Here it is...

Find yourself a scrap piece of wood, approximately 6 inches wide by 8 inches tall and 3/4 inch thickness.  Footprints on said piece of wood not required :) 


In pencil, draw out a flame design. 


Using a band saw, cut along your lines.  To preserve your fingers, make your first cut on line 1.  This will leave you more wood surface to hold onto while guiding the blade.  Work your way out, leaving the 5th cut as your last cut.


After you finish your 5 cuts, sand down each section.

*I only sanded the outside layer.  With each layer of paint I added, the thickness increased, making it more difficult to fit back into place.  Sanding each layer, even a little bit, should easily correct this.


Paint each layer.  I used both latex and acrylic paint.  Starting from the center, I used black, transitioning to red, transitioning to orange and finally to yellow.

This wooden fire nesting puzzle will certainly heat up imaginative play for your little one.

Roast some marshmallows, tell some ghost stories, sing campfire songs...


 use it as a puzzle or put it on a shelf and admire.



But you might want to make it a high shelf, I'm pretty sure the kids will be attracted to this puzzle like a moth to a flame.

{Pun intended.}

*Thanks Elena at 'A Casarella for helping me heat this post up with your word weaving skills :)

31 comments:

  1. How clever is that....!!!! I tell you that's genius!
    So, so smart... what a fun way to work with your small ones on hand eye co-ordination and play..and those darling sticks even with marshmallows..you didn't miss a thing... SO AWESOME!!!!!
    You are amazing as always!!!

    Carri

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  2. That's just plain fun! I'm sure my grandson would love it if I made him one....but I've never used a band saw! Great project and as always, you are funny!

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  3. I just love this! How cool!

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  4. The fact that you know how to use a band saw (and that you still have all your digits despite that fact) makes me love you even more. (I mean, I'd love you even if you *had* lost a few digits. But I'm glad you didn't. ;)

    Anyway, you know how much I love this craft. And I must tell the world that I only wrote about one-and-a-half lines in there.

    (And I never went near the band saw.)

    ;)

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  5. I wish I was handy with wood cutting tools. Should I be adding that to the list of things to learn? I think I shall! ;) I loved this project the first time I saw it and still loving it..so of course I'll be sharing it... FB and Twitter time! hehe

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  6. I totally voted for this in the contest and was SO sad to see it not picked! Great idea and I pinned it to make for my son.

    Janiene

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  7. I'm so there for the fire and marshmallows, I just need to borrow the ban saw:)

    Jessica
    stayathomeista.com

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  8. I love this! Also the logs you made to go with it. Thank you for the tutorial. I'm pinning it. :-)

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    1. Thanks so much for your sweet comment and your pin. Looks like I might have to share a tutorial for the logs now too :)

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  9. Amy this is so neat! I like how you can display on a shelf; however, I think it would be a great little puzzle for toddlers! Defintely versatile.

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  10. My 'hat's off' to you using the bandsaw..have one, have tried, oh well...my talent's in another part of the woodworking shop MAYBE..so much work; betcha were proud of the finished project..i APPRECIATE your coming along for the PARTTYY..stop by Like Gramma's House again when you can "stay awhile" ..read some and do the open house tour by way of my photos..my house, my stuff, some of my projects.:^)
    Jonell

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  11. How cute & fun! Pretty sure my kids would love that!

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  12. This is just so cool! If my kiddos were still little enough I'd be making this. Hmmmm.... who can I give it to as a gift?!

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  13. Gorgeous dear Amy! Your skills shouldn't amaze me every time again (have after all seen lots of great things you made) but they still do anyway! These flames are so cool (ok,ok, hot :-) ), also love the logs!
    hugs
    jutta

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  14. That's so cool. My daughter loves puzzles. Newest follower from hop. Love for you to follow back when you get a chance.

    www.thenaptimereview.com

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  15. I love this! You have such great ideas! Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party.

    Holly

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  16. This is just too pretty! I love the idea of having something fun for young kids that can grow up to be a pretty art piece! Plus, wooden puzzles are just so much more durable! Hey, if you have a second I'd love for you to link up to Sweet Sharing Monday! http://saynotsweetanne.com/2012/sweet-sharing-monday-11/

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  17. I just wanted to say that this is so creative and simple. I love it. I love the little log pillows too.

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    1. Thank you so much Niki, for your sweet comment and for your pin...and for giving my project a more appropriate name: Campfire puzzle.

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  18. What a fun puzzle! Thanks so much for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays!
    Rachel
    adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com

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  19. That is so doggone cute! Love the little logs and marshmallows, too.

    <3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
    Wildly Original Round Up party is open

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  20. This is such a work of art! I don't think I would even let my kid touch it, I'd want to preserve it for decor! But really, this is awesome, I found your awesome blog via Shine on Fridays, now following along :)

    http://jessica-healthymommyhealthybaby.blogspot.com/

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    1. Jessica, thank you so much for your very sweet comment. You just made my day!

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  21. This is really cute and the tip about cutting out the little one first will be very useful. I don't have a bandsaw any more, but they're wonderful things. You feel like you can build anything!

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  22. Thank you so much, this is a perfect idea for our cub scout day camp.
    Danielle

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    1. Thank you so much Danielle for taking the time to leave me a comment. I hope your cub scouts have fun making this!

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  23. my boys are going to make this for our blue & gold cub scout banquet! this is awesome!

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I am head over heels you took the time to leave me a comment.