Use a box cutter or exacto knife to cut from the foam board.
I'm using these from Amazon since you can just pop the end off and have a brand new blade.
I like to make the base of rounded numbers flat so they stand. This is easier with just one number. If you have two numbers you need to measure so both are the same height.
Measure 6"-6 1/2" template and trace for each side piece. I used 6 1/2
Cut each board into 3 pieces for the sides.
For rounded edges lightly score lines 1" - 1 1/2" apart on a side piece.
I attach sides with hot glue but you can also use tape.
I used a hand pump to fill the balloons and used almost all 5" balloons. I filled with 1, 2, or 3 pumps of air. The 12" gold balloons are filled ramdomly.
200 - 5" balloons and 40 -12" balloons.
I just stacked toilet paper as a joke and found the 16 and Quarantined cake topper on Etsy.
I added the same color balloons on balloon stands and placed on either side.
Instead of a cake he wanted a fluffy oreo cheesecake. Yum!!!
I have a few other video tutorials. Each one shows a little different detail - printing, making them, filling, etc. Additional info based on questions I received from people.
UPDATE: To use less paper - don't click CUT MARKS or LABELS when printing.
Some people lose track of how to lay the pages out but if you start horizontal across 4 pages and then start the next row below it. See photo of pages taped.
Supplies:
PDF number file printed (poster format)
2- 30x40 inch foam board
5 - 20x30 inch foam board
UPDATE: After making several numbers now (8, 6, 2, 0) I use approx 6 - 20x30 boards
3 boards for the back of the number and 7-8 side pieces.
Ruler, pencil and exacto knife
Hot glue gun & glue sticks or white tape
I made the template in a PDF file by printing it as a poster.
Adjusted tile scale to 500% and draft setting to save ink.
**Video shows step by step instructions on how to print**
I have the PDF for #1, 2, 6, 8, and 0. Just email me and I'll send the PDF file. I'll work on making all of them and post an update.
All the pages had a small white border. I didn't worry about all the pages matching up, only the edges of the numbers.
Taped together and cut the number out.
I found 30 x 40 foam boards at Office Max for under $8.
I used the larger boards for the back of the numbers. Since the numbers are much larger I also used an additional 20x30 smaller board to fit the entire number.
Trimmed and attached the two boards with packing tape.
#3,5,6,8,9, and 0 are rounded at the bottom and a little taller than the other numbers. I used the #1 to measure how much to cut off the bottom of the #8. This worked out perfect to make the bottom flat to allow it to stand up.
I used the 20x30 boards to make the sides of the numbers. Measured 6" strips and cut. Each board made 3 strips and I think I used 5 boards to finish out the 1 and 8.
Dollar store sells foam boards!!! Same boards at Walgreens were $5.29 each.
I used hot glue to attach the 6" strips around the edge of the #1. The straight edges were the easiest.
To make the angles you have to lightly score the foam board about 1" apart.
Don't press too hard. If you do cut complete through, just use tape to re-attach. I didn't have that issue but could easily see it happen.
To make the point in the #8, I scored the foam board on the opposite side from the rounded edges.
NOTE: Next time I'll purchase a bigger variety of sizes. More 7" and some 5" balloons.
I used a hand pump to inflated a bunch of balloons 2 nights before and stored in a trash bag. The rest were done during assembly.
I would not assemble more than a day in advance. The balloons start to loose air and gaps start to form. For best result assemble the day of or day before.
I used glue dots to hold the balloons touching the board and other balloons. These dots are super sticky. I would only unroll to show one dot at a time to prevent multiple being attached. They don't come off.
I used 200 for the 1 & 8 but ran out and had to use double sided tape. It did not work well. I highly recommend the glue dots.
I'm now planning for a baby shower, 16th birthday, and graduation!
UPDATE:
I have three other video tutorials on how to make the mosaic numbers and one for USA letters. Each one shows something a little different based on questions I received from people. The 18 was my very first one to make.
on Amazon.
