(The numbers are paper mache which I mod podged with fancy papers. The escort cards will correlate to the table number, made of the same fancy paper.)
Even though I talked about my table numbers months ago, I basically hadn't touched them since then. I had a stack of paper mache numbers waiting to be made pretty, but every time I tried to tackle the project, I failed miserably. Mostly, I couldn't seem to figure out how to cover the numbers and make them actually look nice. Here you can see my failed attempt at number 4:
For some reason I tried to wrap it like a present, which clearly did not work out so well. He looks tortured and just plain sad. But that was not my first failed attempt at this project. In fact, that was my third completed number, and of those 3, only 1 has survived my scrutiny. Despite my failures, I simply couldn't give up on my table numbers, and after a few attempts, I seem to finally have a system down that creates a nice finished product without making me want to kill someone. And because people seem to love oversized paper mache letters and numbers here in the wedding world, I figured I'd share my successful venture with you all in the form of a tutorial!
What You Will Need:
1) paper mache number or letter to be covered (you can purchase them at most craft stores)
2) mod podge, which can be purchased from any craft store, or can be homemade (apparently it is a 50:50 mixture of Elmer's glue and water)
3) foam brush
Step 1: measure the width of the item you will be covering. These numbers (from Hobby Lobby) are an inch wide.
Step 2: cut out long strips of paper slightly wider than the width of the object to be covered (I cut out 1.1 inch strips)
Step 3: using a foam brush, apply a moderately generous layer of mod podge to the edge of the object (covering only the part that will be covered by the length of paper you have). Apply the paper, press down firmly, and smooth out any air bubbles
What You Will Need:
1) paper mache number or letter to be covered (you can purchase them at most craft stores)
2) mod podge, which can be purchased from any craft store, or can be homemade (apparently it is a 50:50 mixture of Elmer's glue and water)
3) foam brush
Step 1: measure the width of the item you will be covering. These numbers (from Hobby Lobby) are an inch wide.
Step 2: cut out long strips of paper slightly wider than the width of the object to be covered (I cut out 1.1 inch strips)
Step 3: using a foam brush, apply a moderately generous layer of mod podge to the edge of the object (covering only the part that will be covered by the length of paper you have). Apply the paper, press down firmly, and smooth out any air bubbles
Step 4: if any piece of paper extends beyond the edge of the object, apply more mod podge to the adjacent side and slowly fold down the edge with your finger until it remains down. The more mod podge, the easier this part is. Note- you will get messy!
Step 5: cover the entire paper you just placed with a layer of mod podge. ***Allow time to dry before moving on. If you do not, and you touch the paper while it is still tacky, you can pull off some of the color and be left with a white blotch. Repeat steps 1-5 until all edges have been covered.
Step 6: Trace the number (**both sides) and cut out (cut on the outside of your line, making the paper slightly larger than the object! It is easier to fold the edges over than to try to cover spots you missed!) repeat steps 1-5 to apply the front and back.
Step 7: repeat a bagillion times until all numbers or letters are complete... or so it feels!
And in case you are wondering, here are some of the numbers I have completed to date:
(see that little white spot at the bottom of 6? thats where I touched while it was still tacky and pulled off some of the paper :( )
At first, I cursed this project! I cursed while i was doing this project! I cursed myself for thinking this was a good idea! But now that I see nice looking finished products, I'm actually pretty excited (PS I'm madly in love with number 5- isn't it so cute!?). I'm even contemplating buying large paper mache letters and an ampersand and mod podging them so that we can put our initials above the fireplace in the ballroom of our venue.
At first, I cursed this project! I cursed while i was doing this project! I cursed myself for thinking this was a good idea! But now that I see nice looking finished products, I'm actually pretty excited (PS I'm madly in love with number 5- isn't it so cute!?). I'm even contemplating buying large paper mache letters and an ampersand and mod podging them so that we can put our initials above the fireplace in the ballroom of our venue.
Have you started a project only to realize it was way more difficult than you originally anticipated? Did you continue with it despite the extra time and money required to make it work, or did you drop it like a bad habit?
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