Decorations

[kerusso_jc]

We used large sheets of card board, chalk and hairspray. We porjected images on the cardboard then traced it out and colored it in with colored chalk then sprayed with hairspray to avoid any rubbing off. The colors are very bright and if you mess up just wipe it off and start over.

The largest piece was the farm scence back drop form the main stage. The rest was cut outs using a roto zip (like a jigsaw). We made the watermelon patch, large sunflowers, all of the fruit of the spirit signs, Cows, Chicken Coop, banrns, etc. All was cut out off cardboard. It last longer than bulletin board paper (butcherpaper). When we where done with VBS we passed it on to two other churches.

Sorry I do not have any pictures now. I will check again and try to post them.

This was possible the best VBS we have every done. So many possiblities. Live animals, great food, and you get to dress up like a farmer!

Let the brain stroming begin! Don't forget to ask for God's blessing.

[CGates]

Where did you get all your patterns to trace?

[Josh1]

CGates,
There's alot of helpful things on the SonHarvest County Fair Clipart & Publicity CD. I highly recommend it.:D It'll be in your SonHarvest County Fair Super Starter Kit.
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[J_2911]

kerusso, I'm intrigued by the chalk/hairspray/cardboard technique. Last year we used cardboard and poster paint. How do you think the chalk would compare? It sounds cool.

[J_2911]

Don't forget to ask for God's blessing.

You bet! Thank you for the reminder. This all too often gets easily overlooked.

[churchlady2]

I see someone has suggested cardboard/chalk/hairspray for backdrops. I have found that if I use muslin fabric rather than cardboard I can keep the backdrops from year to year & it is easier to store than cardboard. I have a 9 ft length of PVC pipe with about 5 years of VBS backdrops rolled up on it. And praise God! This year I am able to reuse my SonHarvest backdrops from 5 years ago.

[kimbak]

Do you paint them?

[Carol Lee]

We have a very talented artist who has helped us with the sets but we found using back drops did not work as well for us as well developed sets with many props. Many years ago someone made us a Bible that opened of wood. We used a tension rod with gold fabric to symbolize the gold leaf on the Bible edges. At times we have had people make their entrances from there.

[lavrn]

Hey everybody-- thought I'd share some info-- I found large sheets of corrugated cardboard online at Staples.com, 48inches x 72 inches 5 to a pack for$ 23.05, and some smaller ones 36"x 48" 5 to a pack for $11.55-- I plan to use the overhead projector and transparencies of clip art to make the cow, pigs, and who knows what else to stand up in the corner somewhere-- I'll do the chalk and hairspray thing-- never done it before but it sounds neat.
The item numbers are as follows if you are interested in ordering:

48x72" item # 681496 5/bundle $23.05
36x48" item # 681497 5/bundle $11.55
heavy duty box cutter item # 271973 $5.78

Today I went to Dollar Tree and they had these cute little pots of strawberries on a vine, grapes and little pots of cherry tomatoes on a vine too-- I loaded up! Thought they would look cute on the burlap garden thing, and for the carrots I'm going to make little mounds out of Crayola Model magic and paint them orange, then stick a green chenille pipe cleaner for the stem, then glue them to the burlap. I used the Crayola Model Magic last week for my son's school project ( had to make a desert scene with a cactus) and it was sooooo simple, no mess, painted great, etc.:D Oh, I forgot!!! In Walmart's Easter junk, I found the cutest little stuffed sheep for $8.00 each-- one had a black face!!!! Cute, Cute!!!!
Don't ya just love the decorating???? It's my favorite part!!!!
Lisa

[MaryC]

oh wow, I wish I had read this sooner! I was looking all over northern virginia for large peices of cardboard! I went to Lowes and bought large panels of insulation sheets (what they use on the outside of homes underneath vinyl siding). 4x8 foot sheets 3/4 in thick. They have grooves on the side that fit together and I plan to velcro the backs to keep them together. I am using them for the chicken coop and barn scene. It is a pretty expensive way to go. $12 a panel, but it looks great.

[kimbak]

I found these cardboard sheets at U-Line they are $2.73 each for 48" x 72". They have many sizes too. This looks like a good option also. Here's the link http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_1851.asp?desc=Corrugated+Pads+%2D+L arge

[MaryC]

thanks for responding, Kim!
I looked into ULine, that would be a great option if you live close by the manufacturer in Illinois, but to have it shipped (only available by freight truck) costs $60. There are other cardboard pad manufacturers in other states online also for those who are interested. Just Google "cardboard pads" and look in the "contact us" tab of the business to see where they are located.

[kimbak]

I didn't even check shipping. WOW!!! $60!!!

Thanks for the info.

[TrinityJen]

I have heard, but havn't actually called, that the big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes will hold their cardboard if you call ahead and ask. Otherwise it is shredded. Included is is cardboard that they use to line the bottom of the truck.

I am going to call a local appliance store to see what they have.

[lavrn]

Hey Mary-- your idea sounds neat too, and probably more durable. The cardboard for me is working out great, I was a little annoyed with Staples over shipping issues-- apparently everything you order from them does not come straight from Staples- my cardboard came from an outside vendor, and when it arrived, was a little worn in places, as it does not come wrapped--I am going ahead and using it, because I don't want to waste any more time,but I am going to let Staples know I wasn't too pleased with shipping. The first time, they couldn't find my house ( I live right in town- UPS finds me all the time), so they reordered, and I had it sent to the store, and that was a hassle as well. But in the end, it will work out fine, I think. I like the chalk as an alternative to painting, seems to move a little faster. I hope you will post pics when you are done!
Good luck! Lisa

[elizabethjonetta]

We are located in Wakefield, NE...when we need cardboard, we usually call Michael Foods (local egg distributor) and ask them for cardboard sheets. They have donated a lot of cardboard sheets for our community VBS. Might be worth calling an appliance store or your local large business to see if they would have some that they would donate for VBS. :)

[lavrn]

The cardboard sheets I ordered from Staples were actually meant to be used in shipping to separate pallets of merchandise--so, probably any place that does shipping or receiving (grocery stores, furniture stores, etc) would probably be glad to donate some too.