DIY: Paper Garland Mobile/Backdrop

Today we're excited to have Tracy Fillon of the lovely shop Dear Pony join us to share how she made her beautiful Paper Garland Screen/Mobile that she uses as background in some of her product shots from her Spring/Summer '13 collection. Tracy is joining us this month at Poppytalk Handmade, and when I saw her new spring line and product shots, I couldn't wait to feature them.  So I'll let Tracy take over now to explain how she created the backdrop and meet me at the bottom of this post to see her new collection! ~Jan

Paper Garland Tutorial by Tracy Fillon
I made these garlands a couple weeks ago. It was so easy and affordable I have to share. I started out by painting white poster board (more like paper) with a watered down light grey, the original white was a very unnatural stark chaulky white.

Next I screen printed some geometric images in a very very light grey- looks more like a soft white. You can also just hand paint or make some potato stamps to achieve this as well.

Next I cut the paper into strips, then into little triangles.

I sewed them all together leaving long threads at the top end.

I found a pretty old branch in the yard (actually I think this branch is one I found somewhere on the coast and drove it with a few others all the way back home) Any branch or dowel will do! Tie the top ends and voila! A pretty thing you can use as a screen to hide something or turn into a mobile.

Thanks Tracy! Super-easy huh?  I can't wait to make one myself!  Such a great idea for wall art, a photobooth backdrop at a party or a fun mobile too!  Now let's check out a bit of Tracy's summer collection shall we?
 

Planetarium Dress 

 

Mountains Tote

Be sure to check out Tracy's shop at Poppytalk Handmade this month or visit her website to find out more about Dear Pony!

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DIY Scalloped Photobooth Backdrop

Contributor post by Chelsea of Lovely Indeed

Happy New Year, all you lovely people! I love starting a new year, don't you? We're kicking off 2013 with a beyond-simple project that will be perfect for your next party or photo shoot. This little DIY photo backdrop would be awesome at a wedding, and great for taking some Valentine photos (which is how we used it!). Gather your materials:

• rolls of wrapping paper (I used 3 rolls of 30"x60" and it was enough to make a backdrop that's 4' wide and 3 1/2' tall)
• circle cutter tool
• removable glue dots
• a blank wall on which to put it!

Begin by cutting out your circles. I used Martha Stewart's circle cutter and cut 5 1/2 inch circles. Once you get the hang of it, this will go pretty quickly! Cut out the entirety of each roll of wrapping paper.

Next, grab a circle and put a couple of glue dots around the edge.

Start creating a row of circles on your wall! Be sure that you know where you want the borders of your photos -- make the backdrop high, low, and wide enough to accommodate the people who may be using it. If you want your scallops to look like they're going upward like mine, start at the top. If you'd like them to look like they're going downward, start at the bottom.

Keep adding circles, being sure that your rows stay level. I used a random pattern for color placement, keeping the majority mint and white and using gold as an accent color.

That's it! Set up your camera and snap away! You could do an entire wall of this for a wedding or party -- it's not only gorgeous as a photo backdrop, but so pretty to look at by itself. Have fun! xoxo

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Chelsea Costa is an actor and blogger living in Los Angeles. Her blog, Lovely Indeed, focuses on a DIY lifestyle and all of the happiness that comes along with it. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

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