I recently threw a joint birthday party for my kids, and I did something a little different for the table backdrop this year. I like to have a fun backdrop for the "focal" table if it works with the space, but only if it's possible to do it fairly cheap. I've used curtains, I've done pieces of scrapbook paper, and I've also used rolls of streamers. None of these ideas cost more than $15, and they make such a fun visual impact for the party. This year I wanted to do something a little different, and after a few 2 am brainstorming sessions with my best friend (blame it on nursing babies for us both), we came up with a new concept.
I bought a large white laminate sheet from Lowe's for around $11. I think it measured about 4'x8', and is meant to be used as a countertop piece. This wasn't what I had in mind when I went into Lowe's, but after a series of discussions with Patrick, we stumbled upon this and decided it was perfect. Only issue was it was a tad too big to fit in the back of our car. "No problem," I say, "we'll just go back in and have the worker cut it down." Well turns out they won't cut this particular material. Patrick says that's fine because he can cut this himself at home - we'll just have to wait until he can come back with a friend that has a truck to get it. I, however, want to take this home today so I turn to Patrick and say, "Why don't we just buy a handsaw and you can cut it in the parking lot?" The way he looked at me after I said that...you would've thought I just suggested he saw off his arm. And possibly eat it too. In hindsight, I can recognize maybe my suggestion was a bit much. I blame it on the party planning crazed adrenaline rush - let's-check-things-off-the-list NOW emotions I was experiencing. So I agreed to patiently wait until he could come back and get it. And I survived the wait after all. :)
Once I finally had the board home :), I used a dry erase marker to draw the word HOORAY on it. I don't exactly make the best bubble letters, so the dry erase marker was nice to be able to write the letters without worrying about messing it up. (Remember, the board is laminate - so I just just draw and erase as needed.) I obsessed minimally about the shape of the letters before finally deciding to just move forward with it.
Then I poured some Mod Podge on a plate, and used a foam brush to spread the Mod Podge inside the letter. I covered about half a letter at a time, then sprinkled the confetti on the board.
