Gavin's Big Top Party DIY: Letter Standees

Eeeeeeppppp! It's already July and I am so far from being done with Gavin's party decors and props..

You see, I really wanted to hire someone to style the party.. (It'll sure make my life a lot easier). So I made tons of inquiries re: event styling.. But after learning about how much it'd cost.. I'd always bail and convince myself that I can just do everything myself.. LOL! 

Well, it is feasible.. And quite reasonable for someone who doesn't want to spend too much on just a 4-hr event our baby may not even remember or appreciate yet. 

So, after a lot of canvassing.. I have decided.. We (errr.. I ) can do this! 

I started on a theme.. Then gathered pegs/ideas/inspirations on the net.. The ideas were quite overwhelming that I had a problem deciding what to do.. I wanted to have 'em all at the party! Hahaha.. *typical* 

But of course, I can't have 'em all.. I don't think they'd ALL fit in the venue in the first place.. 

I had to trim my MUST HAVE list and here are the things that made the cut (these are all DIY projects):

3D letter standees

Candy Buffet

Photobooth area

Stage Backdrop and design

Ceiling Decor

Centerpieces

Game booths

Lootbags, Prizes

Foodcarts (hotdogs, cotton candy, popcorn, dumplings)

Play area (optional)

As you can see, it's quite a lot.. I realized I have to start prepping really early to be able to finish everything on time. 

To date, I am almost done with the letter standee.. Still thinking on how to design it.. Meanwhile, here's a photo tutorial of how I did it.. 

Paper Mache Letter Standee

Materials:

-thick board (I chose the material used in making those white gift boxes)

-letter pattern (My friend made me a pattern with a circus font)

-masking tape

-cutter, scissors

-8oz. Paper cups

-hot glue gun

-newspaper, scratch paper, brown kraft paper

-paste (I made my own paste using cornstarch dissolved in water, added a little vinegar and cooked it until it became translucent. You have to constantly stir though to avoid getting lumps)

Procedure:

-trace the pattern on the board

-cut 2 pieces of each letter (front and back part)

-cut long strips of board to cover the sides (width of strips would be the same as the height of 8oz. cups) 

-glue 8oz. cups on one of the board (this will be the back of your letter.. cups will reinforce your letter and will help hold its shape so the more cups, the better)

-cover sides of the letter using the long strips of board with tape. Bend strips according to the shape of the letter

-cover the letter with the other piece of board (this will be the front part)

-secure the sides with tape

-papier mache away! (I made 3-4 layers of mache. Allow the 1st layer to dry first before adding the next layer. Use kraft paper for the final layer)

-design your letters! 

Here's a photo of what I did and the finished product of my letter standees: 

So there you go! One off my to-do list! Hehehe.. A lot more to go so I better get goin'.. Ta ta! 

Love,

Mommy Che