Surfs Up! How to DIY Party Surf Boards

 

I love the look of the surfboard standees on Shindigz, I do not like the $50 price tag.  I had some left over boxes in the garage which gave me an idea.  I have made cardboard props before so I knew I could make my own.  

I had used this box at our Giant Party as one of two really big bugs. It used to have large paper eyes and plastic wings. It has been sitting in the corner of the garage for awhile because it was kind of big to put in the weekly trash.   I knew it would be the perfect size if I opened it up and flattened it out.

I cut both boxes into general surfboard shapes.  They are not perfect because they were done with an x-acto knife was a storm on the horizon.  I did trim down the shorter board because it was too wide. 

The taller board had an area that bent so I reinforced it with another piece of cardboard.   At this point the storm was very near, so I knew I would have to finish the boards inside. 

At first I thought I would spray paint the boards, but I did not have any paint and did not feel like going out to buy some.  I had many bottles of acrylic paint on hand, so I decided to hand paint them.  It really did not take that long, or that much paint.  I had several bottles of orange, but they were all partway full and different colors.  I mixed them, but not completely which gave the orange board an interesting look.  The multi colors make it look like flames.  Kara said she loved it, so we kept it that way. 

I thought I took a picture of me painting my long board but realized when downloading that I did not.   I found this Gone Surfin rub on, on clearance at JoAnns for $3.97. It was normally $14.99.

There was a small hole in the short board that I wanted to cover up.  The butterfly decals we found at the dollar store a couple of months ago were perfect for this purpose.  I allowed Kara to decide on the placement.   Right now they are leaning against the mantel.  I want to use them as props in our party pictures, so I still might add cardboard in the back to make them stand on their own.  

It only cost me $4.97 total  to make my boards.  A $45 savings from the cost on the party site.   While the look of the party site boards are really cool, I would much rather have simple boards and the $45.