transport entrance idea

[ana]

Hey everyone-- I just put together a REALLY cool transport entrance!! I have to admit that is very time consuming but worth the effort--as soon as I get my camera back from my son I'll post pics--anyway I went to Michaels Arts and Craft store this past weekend with one of those 50% off coupons they put in the paper every week--I bought a pre-lit wedding arch (it comes in a box in the wedding section) it came out to about $11 dollars. I put it together (have someone with you when you do this its easier) my husband cut 2 pieces of 4x4 wood to fit on each side of the arch and drilled holes so the arch could stand on its own without having to be dug in the ground like its meant to. Then I spray painted the arch black--heres the very time consuming part--I put the lights on and cover each one of the white lights with painters tape (there are 200 lights!!) and then I spray painted the wires black-- the lights are chaser lights so you can set them at different speeds to "move" around the transport or keep it solid lit if you have seizure prone children--anyway I thought I would share this idea cause I was excited about it!!
Ana

[TrinityJen]

Wow Ana!!!

I can't wait to see the pictures!

[lavrn]

WOW!! That sounds WAY cooler than using the refrigerator box I was planning!! ha-ha! The closest Michael's to me is about an hour and a half away, but sounds like it may be worth my effort!

[ana]

check around at walmart, joanns, etc sometimes stores with wedding decorations have them. and pretty inexpensive also

[JoleenTX]

Our church has a wedding arch. Do you think this little project would deface it too much? Maybe we could find a used one somewhere too.

[seven of 9]

Could you cover the arch w/ black butcher paper and poke the lights thru?
Would that be a fire hazard?

[JoleenTX]

That black plastic dropcloth type stuff that comes on a roll would work too and wouldn't burn as easily

[lighthousecog]

That sounds neat. I can't wait to see pictures. I was hoping to get my hands on rope light, knowing that wouldn't happen, but our God is so good, I came across some in my nieghbors trash pile and they work. YEAH!!!

[ana]

rope lights would be great they stay cool--I tried to download a pciture but apparently the computer is smarter than I am--when my computer genius son gets home I'll have him try it for me--as for the rope lights ask around to your volunteers and church members you'd be surprised how many people have them someone even brought me some "blacklight" looking rope light they had I guess from Halloween
Ana

[KarenF]

These are relatively inexpensive at Hobby Lobby if you need to purchase them. I am thinking mine were around $7.95.

[houseparent]

They also have them at Lowes and Wal-mart year round, but I bought some chasing ones on E-bay for a decent price.

[J2911]

I'm going the route of used refrigerator boxes instead. IF I can get our local businesses to give them up. It's never been this hard.

[twcooke]

Instead of covering the lights with the painters tape could you not just paint the strand od wires with a brush? Just trying to think of an easier way:o

[ana]

Actually now that I have gone thru all the work I have come up with a better idea--you could purchase an inexpensive arch for around $5 at a discount store(big lots here in Fl) sometimes they are black or you could paint them and use rope lights as mentioned before and just "ziptie" (you can buy these at a hardware store) them on the arch much quicker--also spray painting the lights was CRAZY!!!! LOL
Ana

[twcooke]

Thank you! We have a Big Lots here in NC. I'll definitely be heading there this weekend to see if they have an arch. GREAT IDEA!!

:p

[NormaVK]

I found a neat idea yesterday for the entrance to the Trans Port. We will put the red flashing Christmas lights around the door frame. Then take a clean plastic glass and put over each bulb (hopefully that white gooy stuff will hold them in place) and they will look like flashing beacons. Sounds pretty easy to me and real eye-catching.
Norma

[KarenF]

We have some of those arches at church and I already have rope lights, so it sounds like we are good to go!