
I have said before here that I am a reluctant Brownie Scout leader. This year is slightly better because I have a dedicated helper at the meetings and I've learned a few things from my teaching classes about classroom management and procedures...along with my Girl Scout Law addendum that states "and there is no crying in Brownie Scouts".
Combining the need for something fun for the girls with the need for an item for our school auction, I found a perfect project for a
play tent. It takes only a few items...heavy cotton duck cloth, bamboo garden stakes, plastic rings, and grommets. And some optional paint, ribbon, and beads.
- There is one major flaw in the instructions. The tutorial calls for 3 yards of 60 in. wide fabric...folded in half to make a 60 in. square. This is impossible because 3 yards will only make a 54 in. square. So...buy 3.5 yards and trim it by 6 in. to get a 60 in. square.
- I used 7 stakes instead of 6. You can never have too much structure.
- When marking the spots for the plastic rings, it's much easier to lay the cut canvas on the floor, place the stakes on the fabric, and mark where the rings will go.
I had my art teacher friend help with the painting. The girls took turns painting the grass and then each took a turn painting a flower. The girls also each had a ribbon and beads to make a pretty decoration for the top of the tent. After everything dried, I went back and added some detail to the flowers and butterflies and added some clouds.
The auction is next weekend and I think the tent will look really cute...a bright colorful display to go along with all of the other items. Of course, my daughter wants me to bring this back home but we'll see...I have a feeling we'll be making another one for our house.