Usually we see miniature versions of all of our favorite things, used on cakes or as toppers. Cute and adorable and tiny. Let’s rebel a little. Heard the phrase, “Go big or go home?” That’s exactly what I wanted to do for my brother’s birthday. He always lives life with gusto and adventure. His favorite color is blue but traditional festooning seemed so tiny. So I took few folds of crepe paper and we had a big and bold party decoration that is as awesome as he is.
You will need (for one 7.5 foot garland): 4 folds of crepe paper, stapler, scissors
Take your crepe paper out of the packages and cut in half. You will now have 8 pieces.
Unroll each layer and center it on top of each other on a large flat surface. Straighten and line up edges. Don’t worry about the ends you will trim them later. Fold all the layers in half lengthwise. Crease firmly with your finger.
Staple along the entire folded edge. Trim ends even. Cut fringe, about 1 inch in width, down the length of the garland on the bottom edge. Use your thumbs to stretch each section of fringe with your hands. Separate and fluff.
Stand up and twist the garland in one direction. This is a lot of twisting. Use your fingers to twist along the folded edge in between the fringe layers. There is a lot of twisting, fluffing, and pulling apart of the fringe. You can crinkle it lightly too. The toughest part of this DIY is the fluffing of the fringe. It is super simple, but it takes a while if you want it extra fluffy, not a long while, but about 20-30 minutes for the garland. Luckily, once you fluff it, it is ready to go for any more parties in the future.
Hang or drape as desired. You can add twine or string to the ends and staple on. This garland is roughly 10 inches wide, that’s incredibly bigger than your usual tissue fringe. These would be equally great as a backdrop for a photobooth or dessert table. I’ll be pairing mine with giant balloons for the “go BIG” theme of my bro’s birthday. This garland makes me smile also because he is my little brother, but at 6 foot 2, I always laugh when I introduce him when he is standing next to me and my not so tall 5 foot 5.
Ashley
June 19, 2012
I love it, you could match it to any type of party! Wouldn’t this be so cute in gold, light pink, and white?
shalini
June 19, 2012
Looks really lovely, so much grander than the smaller versions.
kristin
June 19, 2012
yes, please make GIANT the new mini! giant things are super fun. absolultely love this DIY.
Victoria
June 19, 2012
Love this! I’m gonna use this for my wedding reception (in white and gold!) Thanks for this DIY, ladies! xo
Lexy
June 19, 2012
OH my gosh! This is HUGELY awesome. That’s what this is. I want to have one hanging in my house year-round.
Lea
June 19, 2012
Really nice idea, I love it !
Erin | House of Earnest
June 19, 2012
I LOVE it! so fun! I want to use it for a party I’m throwing next month and eveything needs to be quite large
this is lemonade
June 19, 2012
What a simple but exuberant idea! I am going to keep this in mind for Christmas – I don’t like tinsel too much. I have some green wired Christmas lights that this would be a great disguise for. But wouldn’t this be great for a garden party too? Thanks for sharing!
Frances
June 19, 2012
Hi Jordan, I really enjoy your blog, thank you so much for sharing about your family and adventures. I have a very small creative/family blog and I recently did a post to share about your time in Paris. I made sure to link back to your Paris page;) Take a look if you get a chance. Thanks again.
http://mylaughinglion.blogspot.com/2012/06/french-connection.html
HEIDI
June 19, 2012
Lovely ,I can imagine a few of them in pastel colours:)
Katie
June 19, 2012
Love it! I can’t wait to try it myself.
Erica
June 19, 2012
Now THAT is a party decoration for a par-tay!!!!
Stacy
June 19, 2012
Love it! Alternate layers of color and have a multicolored garland too. Two colors for school theme? Absolutely!
Sarah
June 19, 2012
gorgeous – LOVE it in that blue! i would hang this even without a party happening…
Evani G
June 19, 2012
This is incredible!!! Definitely remaking these for our next shindig! God, I love Oh Happy Day, you are all geniuses!
Evani
http://www.simplyevani.com
dg
June 19, 2012
I’ve been thinking about doing something like this for my daughters birthday and may try this out.
Britney
June 19, 2012
This is unbelievably clever!!
Amazing!
Car Accident Lawyer
June 19, 2012
I love this! It would be great for the 4th!
Sara
June 19, 2012
Love it! Where do you find the sheets of crepe paper like this, though?
Jessica at 11 Gray
June 19, 2012
I love it! What a great decoration!
Leighann
June 20, 2012
I love the idea! Where do you find the long tissue paper? This idea would look great with huge hanging tissue balls that were at my wedding. Thanks for the fun idea!
http://www.craftyourown.com
whitney - see shop eat do
June 20, 2012
so cute and festive!
laura parke
June 20, 2012
jenny, what a great idea!! this chunky garland would look so perfect for a patio party. can’t wait to make some myself!
Sweet Harvest Moon
June 21, 2012
Looks great! It may also be perfect for the 4th July if you add a white and red one!
Elena Rosa Brown
June 21, 2012
There is nothing that would not be made more festive with this garland. Trying to work out how to incorporate it into my life…
http://www/randomlyhappytoday.blogspot.co.uk
Natasha
June 21, 2012
this is really creative. i’m pinning it to my mind and using it when the school throws a party (for once). Pretty!
Lucy Mitchell
June 22, 2012
I just made this in rainbow colours for my sons birthday party. Will it calm a crowd of seven year olds at an indoor party? Probably not, but it is very, very pretty!
Kelly
June 28, 2012
This is so amazing! can’t wait to make some for my sons upcoming birthday party!