DIY: Candy Striped Heart Prop!

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We are so excited to feature this fun do-it-yourself tutorial by our DIY expert, Lauren!  It is perfect for wedding receptions and gets your guests to join in on some fun!  Enjoy:

Last time we talked about how the photobooth is such a fun option for wedding guests, providing hours of entertainment for them but at the same time capturing memories for the bride and groom. Your guests know that upon entering the photobooth they are obligated to strike a pose and let loose, the crazier the better. But how do you assist them in their creativity? With props of course!

Speech bubbles, fake mustaches, and huge sunglasses, are all great props for a photobooth. But what if you want something sweeter, something a little more romantic? These DIY candy-striped heart props are the perfect photobooth accessory but cute enough to even become a part of your wedding décor. They are easy to make and inexpensive to put together. There is something about the red and white candy stripe which I love but any color, or a mix of colors, could work to better compliment your wedding scheme.

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Supplies:

• – basswood sheets :: One 1/16” x 2” x 24” made about 6 hearts. 1/16” is the best thickness because it provides stability but is still easy to cut. I found these sheets at Michael’s for about $1.50
• – wood dowels :: I bought a pack of dowels (Loew-Cornell brand) at Michaels that came in a pack of 20 for about $1.99. The dimensions were 3/16” diameter and 12” in length.
• – x-acto knife
• – sand paper (optional)
• – paint brush or sponge
• – white acrylic paint :: I got the cheapest one at Michaels for 59 cents!
• – red acrylic paint
• – 1/16” Chartpak graphic tape :: I had this around from a past project but I think you can get this for under $5.
• – tacky glue

Directions:

1. Use a heart template and trace or sketch a heart shape freehand onto the basswood sheets. Depending on the heart’s size, you should be able to fit 5-6 hearts onto each 24” sheet. Then cut out the shapes using your x-acto knife. You may want to use sand paper to smooth the edges after cutting.

2. Paint the hearts with red acrylic paint, prop up, and let dry for at least a few hours.

3. Paint the wood dowels with white acrylic paint. Since you will be putting tape on top of the white paint, I recommend letting the dowels dry overnight.

4. Once dry, take the Chartpak tape and wrap in a spiral pattern along the dowels.

5. After tapping, paint the exposed white part of the dowels with red acrylic paint. By slowly blotting the dowels with a sponge brush, you will prevent excess paint is from seeping under the tape.

6. With the red on the dowels, I immediately removed the Chartpak tape to avoid any peeling of the white underneath. Let the now red and white dowels dry for at least a few hours.

7. Finally, use a small dab of tacky glue to adhere the wood heart to the candy-stripped dowel and let sit for at least 30 minutes.

8. Take into a photobooth and have fun!

{Did you try this DIY? Send us photos for consideration in a future blog post!  sayhello[@]emmalinebride.com}