Treasure Hunt Ideas

On my boyfriend's birthday, I organised a treasure hunt with his birthday present being the treasure. Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos at that time or kept the riddles I used in this so I am going to have to share these ideas by memory.

It took a lot of time to prepare this. All the clues and riddle cards had to be prepared well in advance.

Stolen House Key
On the morning of his birthday, I asked him to run out and buy some milk. While he was in the shower, I replaced the house key with the mailbox key.

When he came back from his milk run, he obviously didn't have the house key to enter. Inside the mailbox, I had placed a scroll. This scroll was tea stained and the edges burnt. This made it appear more rustic. Untying the red ribbon around the scroll, the letter introduced the game. He had to find the treasure, with the help of his sidekick, a Bunny (me). In the scroll, was a chocolate coin, which may be used to feed the bunny if he needed help (hints). Throughout the game, he may find some more coins. The letter was written in a very piratey language with the "Ahoy Matey" etc. All the clues were clearly identified with a black pawprint on a bright yellow card (like Blue's Clues).

Costumes
To add the extra surprise in this role play, I had costumes. On the doorstep, was a red scarf and an overly large pirate hat I made from cardboard and black paint. The birthday boy was going to be a Pirate! It was rather comical seeing him trying to walk through the doorways with that hat on. As his sidekick bunny, I had the bunny ears and tail.

I had two housemates at that time. I got them to participate by being a parrot and an Indian. They also had exuberant head pieces for them and makeshift costumes. They played a role in this game which I will explain a bit later.

Raise the Flag
So as my boyfriend stumbled up the stairs in his ridiculous hat, I hopped behind him following him to his first clue. As described in the letter, his first mission was to "raise the flag". He had to open the shades/curtains on the top floor of our townhouse. Our curtains are vertical shade types. I had attached a flag to the bottom of the curtains. When the curtains were opened (they go up), the flag was exposed. Likewise, the balcony was also exposed, with the next clue attached to the balcony door.

Indian Thief
My boyfriend picked up the next clue on the balcony door, which was a set of three darts with the card saying "Beware of the Indian". As soon as he read that aloud, my half naked housemate acting as the Indian stole his darts and ran off. My boyfriend had to run after him and duel him in a card game to win it back. To add humour to the situation, the Indian was acting as if he could not speak English and so, my boyfriend had to use body language to communicate with him. Once he won the darts back, he went back to the balcony for the next clue.

Darts
On the balcony, was a bright yellow balloon with the signature pawprint on it. The next clue was attached to that balloon. However, the balloon was positioned really high up on the ceiling. Hence, using the darts...POP! The clue card contains a riddle that hints him to seek the sock drawer in our bedroom.

Polly wants a cracker!
In the sock drawer, was a packet of crackers and the clue card telling him to feed the parrot. With my big looming parrot housemate, that clue was pretty obvious. Feeding her the cracker, she tells him the book and page number to find the next clue.

Missing Button
Searching my housemate's abundance of books on her bookshelf, he is awarded with the next clue. The clue card has a button sticky taped to it.

What is that sound?
He searches our wardrobes to find that matching coat with the button (Note: I used the spare button that came with this coat. I didn't want to sew back the button on the coat after this game). In the pockets of that coat, is a recorder. He plays the tape, and hears a printer sound...

Magic Eye
In the printer, is a Magic Eye picture. I made the Magic Eye using this site. I drew a picture of the TV in our living room. I made sure that he was able to see Magic Eye pictures a few nights before this day. Of course, you'll need to be casual about it and pretend that you were just browsing the web and found out about Magic Eye pictures. Then ask him if he has the "eye" for it. If not, you may want to pass this activity in your treasure hunt.

A zoomed in picture of what?
Behind the TV, laid the next clue. It was a very zoomed in picture of my tea cup set.

A toast to...
My tea cup set had four small tea cups. All filled with a mysterious clear liquid. The card tells him that he has to drink each cup until he finds his next clue. Little did he know that three of these cups were concentrated vodka, and the one containing the clue, was a minty clear liquid (a clue to the bathroom, think toothpaste). Unfortunately, my boyfriend couldn't take more than one cup (apparantly, I put too much vodka in the cups), so I had to tell him (at the cost of a chocolate coin of course) that the next clue was the bathroom.

Die Hard Water Jug Problem
Remember in one of those Die Hard movies with the evil "Simon says"? There was one part in the movie where Bruce Willis had to get the exact amount of water in the jug using two jugs of a different amount? I used that same problem here. Unfortunately, my boyfriend wasn't very bright (he blames the vodka I forced him on earlier), so I ended up telling him the exact steps to get the right amount of water. Anyway, the next clue was a bitten apple in a lunch box.

Macbook
Using the bitten apple as the clue, he went to my Macbook. When he opened it up from the sleep mode, there was a game on screen. It was a short game. When he completed it, a message shows up. That was his next clue. "Nearly there! Go to the place I hate to go by myself".

Light the way
The garage is the place I hated to go by myself. Creeps me out. However, on the door to the garage, was a clue card. "Only light in the darkness will show the way". I had carefully positioned a torchlight and a mirror, so that when the torchlight was switched on, the beam from the torchlight aimed at the mirror and the reflected light pointed at the final treasure box. You'll need to sticky tape this torch though, to prevent the Birthday Boy/Girl from picking up the torch.

Finally, the treasure!
The treasure box I made was from very large pieces of cardboard. So it was humungous, like the headpieces we all wore on that day. And inside that huge treasure chest, was his tiny birthday present, a wallet I bought him. I suggest filling this with bean bag fillings or shredded paper so he has to dig his way through the treasure box to find his treasure. I didn't have quite enough time to prepare that bit.


 

Mushroom Chef Hat

My friend works at a restaurant as a Kitchen-hand/Chef Assistant. I made this for him as a thank you gift for the food he often cooked and brought for me. Like me, he was very fond of the mushrooms from Mario.

This was completely hand sewed with three different coloured fabric. It was a little too big for my head, but I'm sure it'll fit his perfectly.

Bob Omb Tissue Dispenser

One thing that completely destroys the style of my bedroom...is a tacky toilet roll lying around.

So in my quest to cover it up, I created a cute Bob Omb plush so that it can comfortably sit on my bed and provide tissue when needed. 

Tutorial

To create this, first make a big black ball. Sew the ball so that the top is left open. This opening will be used to put the toilet roll in and will be closed with a "metal cap" which will be made later.

Now you need to create the inner lining to fit the toilet roll in. I used stiff black felt so that my desired shape would retain when I filled the plush. Fill the plush, and then sew the inner lining to the black ball. 

The eyes are simple white vinyl pieces sewed on. The yellow feet were sewed separately and then sewed onto the body. 

The metal cap was sewed in a shape of a hollow tube for the toilet tissue to go through. Velcro was added to the sides so that the cap did not pull off when the toilet tissue was pulled from the plush. 

Remember to remove the toilet roll tube from the centre of the toilet roll, and dispense the tissue from the centre when using this.

Cherry Blossom Lantern

With Christmas over, I had no use for my tree lights. I was also in need of a bedroom night light.

Tutorial
Gather four panels of cardboard and wrap in a thick white fabric. I used duct tape to stick the fabric on the cardboard, but you may choose to use other methods. As long as the fabric stays on the cardboard. 


Cut out the branches on black felt and glue it on the four panels. 


Connect the four panels so that the lantern is now box shaped and sitting upright. I stapled across the bottoms of each panel to connect them. 


To create the cherry blossoms, cut out the patterns below in pink and white felt. Sew them together to shape into a cherry blossom. 


Now position the cherry blossoms across the branches so that there is sufficient space from light bulb to bulb. The christmas lights will travel up one panel, down the next, up the next panel and down the last panel. Ensure to position the cherry blossoms so that the christmas tree lights can light each blossom.


Once the cherry blossoms are sewed on the panels, the christmas tree lights can then be placed from within the lantern. Holes will need to be pierced in each of the panels so that the bulb of the lights can go through. Secure each bulb on the panel using tape. 


The top of the lantern is covered by a black "hat" sewed using black stiff felt. The bottom trim was made using a thin strip of black felt sewed across.

Toadstool

After several attempts of trying to teach my boyfriend that the coffee table is not a footstool, I finally decided to make a toadstool. With just hijacking a few IKEA items, and sewing a "toad shower cap", my glass coffee table is now foot print free.

Tutorial
You will need the following items from IKEA. A childrens stool (we are just using the top, so you may get rid of the legs) and a plastic vase.

Children Stool
Plastic vase

Connect the vase to the top circle. I used a glue gun. You should now have this.

Sew a circular pillow for cushioning. It will not be seen so you can use any scrap fabric you have.

Sew a big red shower cap. Embellish it with big white circles.

Fit the pillow on top of the stool, and cover it up with the red "shower cap". Sit down on your couch, and pop your footsies on it.


Note: This toadstool is designed for use as a footstool. If using it as a childrens stool, I will not be liable for any injuries.

Leaf pillow

From so many late all nighters from a uni life, my couch had become my second bed. I'ld wake up in the morning with a sore neck. Then, I would regret not using a pillow.

Having a dark brown couch, I thought this leaf pillow would set it off nicely.

Tutorial
Cut out a leaf shape on some green corduroy. Ensure the ribs are aligned diagonally to imitate the natural veins in a leaf. You will need two sets of these patterns.

Sew along the middle of the leaf, connecting the two patterns. Do this for the other set as well.

Now you just need to sew the two sets together, fill it with plush fillling and close up the stitches.

Laptop Case

Having a white macbook, I find that some form of case would be needed to shield my lovely baby from the harsh contents of my everyday bag when travelling. 

Like with all newly attained gadgets, I became obsessive with accessorising and protecting it. I opted for a simple look to not only match the style of the macbook but so that I wouldn't be embarrassed bringing it to work in future.

 

The materials used were dark grey merino wool and creamy white vinyl for inner lining and the flower. Anyone who can cut and sew will be able to make one.

Chilli Addiction: Pleasure in Pain

Most of us are familiar with the symptoms of scorching tastebuds, a runny nose and rapid panting as we dip our spoon in to gather more of that devilish dish. But with all these adverse side effects, why do we crave more?  

In darkness, there is light.

In love, there is hate.

So in the natural balance of the world, is there pleasure in pain? 

In response to pain, the human body releases endorphins that act as a natural painkiller. This can be recognised through the euphoric sensation when eating spicy foods.

However, if you do find pleasure in pain in other scenarios, I suggest undergoing a psychological evaluation with your general practitioner.

Bunny Slippers

These were made for my boyfriend's christmas present. His current home slippers have hard plastic soles which slap noisily on the wooden floor boards everywhere he goes. These soft plush slippers are a lot more quieter. Unfortunately, his feet were too big. 

So I'm going to give this to his mother instead. They were made of black stiff felt with white vinyl sewed on the bottom. The black paw print was sewed on the bottom of the base with black vinyl and was filled with cotton filling for comfortable cushioning of the feet when worn. 

Slightly feminine for a male which was probably why my boyfriend was glad that his feet were too big.