It's closing time...

So, now that VBS is over, and I have finally recouped, I have uploaded photos of the fully decorated rooms. Due to work and preparing for VBS, the past couple weeks were really busy, and I know I did not blog as much as I would have liked. So, on that note, if you go through the photos and see anything that you have questions about, please don't hesitate to email me. I'll be glad to explain what I made or where I bought anything. I hope everyone has a successful VBS! I look forward to seeing everyone again next year as we get ready for the Amazing Wonders Aviation!

Click to View Decorated Rooms '11 Photo Album

The Lights of Broadway

I wanted to have at least one light up sign for the Worship Rally at Times Square. Since I was planning on mixing this in with my other Broadway Posters, I decided to showcase the Big Apple logo on this sign. Before I got started, I enlarged the logo and taped it together. 

How-To

• First, I used glossy Modge Podge to glue down the logo and seal it onto a piece of foam board. I painted over everything to make the entire foam board glossy.

• Then I made holes along the sides of the board, so I could push Christmas lights through them.  I used a wood burner to make the holes, but you could use anything sharp. Make sure you measure out the space between your holes so your lights will fit.  

• Finally I pushed the lights through the holes along to board. I put masking tape on the back to secure the the cord and the lights.

Now you have your own marquee on Broadway!

A Bike Rack Built for Two

Adjustable P-Trap Joint

I wanted to try to build a bike rack for the Bible Study at Battery Park. I wanted something lightweight and portable. I decided to make a curvy bike rack similar to the ones I see across campus in Atlanta. I used PVC pipe to keep lightweight and cost-efficient! To build this I used one PVC pipe and 3 adjustable p-trap PVC pipe joints.

How-To

• First I cut my PVC pipe into 4 equal individual pipes. I used a 1.5" pipe and cut into 26" sections, but you could use any length or width you want.

• Next, I assembled it into the shape that I wanted. I pulled the top of the p-trap off, so all I had left was the curved, elbow joint. I used those pieces to create the curved shape and stuck the leftover pieces on the end of the bike rack. I used pipe cement to secure the pipes into the joint.

• Once everything was assembled, I spray painted the bike rack. I chose red, so it would stand out.

You can add as many sections that you want to increase the size of the bike rack. Simply cut more poles and add more P-traps to the figure. 

Have Fun!

Knowing Your ABC's...

Each year I make ABC posters for each classroom that match the theme for that room. Each poster has the letter, what it stands for, and what it means.

Music Backstage

Bible Study at Battery Park

Crafts Warehouse

Bright Lights & Stage Lights

So, for the Music Backstage I decided to tackle stage lights. I teach music in the Sanctuary, so every year I incorporate the music room into my overall Worship Rally design. Our backstage will be built out of pvc pipe, so whatever I hang off of it has to be lightweight. So for the lights I decided to make them out poster board and paper plates.

How-To

• First, I painted small, paper plates with fluorescent paint. You can also use glow-in-the-dark paint on top of the plates to give them a glow when the lights are dimmed. 

• Next, I traced the plate on black poster board and drew a light shutter pattern around it.

• After cutting out the pattern, I hot-glued the paper plate onto the pattern. 

Now you have stage lights for your Music Backstage!

Enjoy!

Street Signs

I figured what is a New York City street without some street signs, so I decided to paint and build some out of pvc pipe and cardboard. 

How To

• First, I spray painted the pvc pipe silver. I used a hammered silver spray paint. The pipe can be however long you need it to be. I didn't feel like buying new pvc pipe, so I just connected some smaller pieces together to get the height I wanted.

• I also spray painted the pvc pipe caps silver to match the poles. Then I attached them to the top of the poles. 

• I cut street signs out of a cardboard box. Then I painted them to look like street signs. I chose to paint Broadway, 42nd Street, and 7th avenue.
• After the signs had dried, I hot-glued the cardboard signs onto the pvc pipe poles.

Now you have a street sign!

Give My Regards to Broadway!

I recently took some well known Broadway shows and photoshopped their posters so they would incorporate the daily mottos. I have uploaded them so they can be printed and used for decorating the Worship Rally at Times Square or the Music Backstage. I chose to sketch them out on poster board and paint them. If you're not comfortable with your free-handing, you can project and trace them onto any surface.

Posters (Days 1 & 4) & Posters (Days 2,3, &5)

Enjoy!