Project

Graphic Mobile Party Decoration

Photography: JONNY VALIANT

Source: Blueprint, July/August 2007

Introduction

Graphic mobiles made from construction paper and embroidery hoops can serve as party decor as well as a take-home nursery decorations for any baby shower celebration.

materials

Art-quality colored construction paper or card stock (available at art-supply stores)

Embroidery hoops or basket hoops (we used 18- to 20-inch hoops)

Colored waxed twine

Eyelets

steps

Determine the length of your mobiles. Remember, you want the mobile to have various lengths of circles to make it visually interesting. Cut the various lengths of waxed twine. Double the twine strings (as if you are going to thread a needle). Tie the loose ends in a knot.
Slip finished end through eyelet and pull through. This will create a slip knot. Repeat with all other lengths of twine and attach around diameter of hoop.
You will want to repeat the same slip knot with the waxed twine to hang the hoop from the ceiling or beam (as we did). Once you have doubled the twine and made a slip knot at three points around the hoop, tie the unfinished ends of each in a knot and then tie all three knots together and hang from a cup hook in the ceiling.
For the circles, choose varying sizes and colors and cut freehand; you can also purchase already cut card stock in circular shapes. Use a 1/8-inch hole punch to punch a hole at the top (about 1/2 inch from the rim of the circle). Attach eyelets to circles with eyelet punch (available at scrapbooking sites and art-supply stores).