Friday, February 28, 2014

Snow Cloud Hot Cocoa Bar

















I don't know about you, but I am desperately longing for some signs of Spring!  You know what they say..."when life throws you snow, have a hot cocoa party!" (or something like that).

Well, several months ago, I was working on a little project, and let's just say it was starting to look like Uncle Knit Knot's office...totally lacking color!  I needed a quick solution that wouldn't involve a paintbrush.  I was loving the geometric trend, so I was thinking hexagons, but needed to figure out how to accomplish the look.  Aha!  SCRAPBOOK PAPER!!!  There are so many interesting colors and designs available these days, and my sweet friends at Shop Sweet Lulu are offering a beautiful selection in their shop!   

I am obsessed with clouds at the moment.  Rain clouds and sunshine just didn't seem appropriate with the amount of snow we are expecting this weekend, so we're going with "snow clouds"!  This would be perfect for a little hot cocoa gathering to finish out your winter activities!
 
To make your clouds, you will need...
 
scrapbook paper
pencil
scissors
printer
painter's tape
 
1.  Google "hexagon template", and choose a hexagon to print.  You may even want to copy and paste one into Word, and shrink or enlarge to get your ideal size.
 
2.  Trace the hexagon onto the BACK of each piece of scrapbook paper.  With the size of my hexagon, I was able to fit three to a sheet.  Cut 'em out!
 
3.  If you want to come up with your own design, I would recommend arranging your hexagons on the floor before applying them to the wall.  Once you are happy with your arrangement, take a photo to refer to when taping them up.
 
4.  To make the clouds, I would still recommend working on the floor first, arranging 5 hexagons in the bottom row, 6 in the second row, 5 in the 3rd row, and 2 on top as seen in the photo.  START AT THE BOTTOM and work up. 
(5,6,5,2)
 
5.  To make the smaller cloud, arrange 3 on the bottom row, 4 in the middle, and 3 on top.  (3,4,3) 
 
6.  Roll up a small piece of painter's tape for the back of each hexagon, and measure (or eyeball) how high you would like to start your cloud from your table surface. 
 
7.  Begin taping your hexagons to the wall, starting with the bottom row, and from the right to the left (assuming you are creating my same design).  If you are feeling like a perfectionist, then you may measure each piece from the table top...but I just eyeballed the distance, and adjusted when necessary.  Once you have your first row up, the rest of it will fall into place!
 
8.  Basically, copy the placement of the hexagons in the photo, and guesstimate the location of your second (smaller) cloud.  It is easy to re-arrange your pieces. 
 
9.  Once your clouds are hanging, you may add extra tape to any pieces that are not cooperating to lay flat!
 
10.  Add some 3D snowflakes, tissue decorations, or raindrops (in the spring!) by hanging them from the ceiling with a thumbtack and fishing line.  I created my table for a small gathering of sledders, with hot cocoa and snowball stir sticks, "snowball" donut holes, peppermint sticks, and some small boxes of handwarmers.
 
Happy (end of) Winter!
 
Sources:
 
Scrapbook paper:  Shop Sweet Lulu
Gold paper straws:  Target -- other colors available at Shop Sweet Lulu
Snowflakes: retail display
Tissue confetti:  Party City

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