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I'm excited this heart doubled as a gift and decoration for Valentine's Day!
FREE heart template available! Send me your email and I'll share the PDF file!
You can print any size!!!
The metallic balloons were so pretty. I originally wanted to add silver or white but ended up liking just one color.
Metallic rose balloons are from Amazon. I like purchasing the garland kit since it comes with different size balloons that match. I used the 12" & 5" balloons from the kit.
I don't fill up any of the balloons all the way. 12" balloons filled with 10 pumps of air with a hand pump and 5" balloons filled with either 1 or 2 pumps of air with a hand pump.
I printed at 501% because 500% wasn't large enough to turn the pages horizontal. It would've been fine but printed a bunch of blank pages. IF that happens, just put the blank pages back in the printer. They are fine to resuse.
The dimensions are of all the pages. Once cut out the heart was smaller.
Final - 3'-2" width & 2'-8" height
The print preview will also show you how the pages are arranged. I rotated the stack counter clockwise and started from left to right on the top row. 2 pages horizontal across the top and then started the next row below.
Taped
Cut out
Traced on foam board. The back was two 20x30 foam boards from Dollar Tree. Taped together and a tiny piece for the point at the bottom.
The sides were created with two 20x30 foam boards cut into 6" strips (3 per board.)
I scored the foam board to create the rounded edges.
I used styrofoam squares from Dollar tree to give the bear and candy some height. This way it would be even with the balloons and not covered up.
Candy was hot glued and I used packing tape the was folded in half around the bears neck. I left the ends of the tape unfolded to stick to the back of the heart.
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Oh my goodness!! I'm overwhelmed by all the love, comments, feedbacks and sweet emails. I've now shared the templates with over 3,000 6,000 people!!!
Happy to share 0, 1, 2, 3, 6 & 8.
I love inspiring others and seeing all the wonderful creativity!!
Here is a list of my frequently asked questions:
Will this work on a regular printer?
Yes, it works on any printer.
Will this work on my computer?
Yes, it works on a Mac or PC. I have heard people have trouble with printing from an iPad or phone.
What size do they print?
You can print 3ft, 4ft, 5ft or larger. Adjust the percentage to get the size you want. The dimensions are shown above the preview on the print screen. Note that dimensions are of all the pages and not cut out. For example, I print 5ft but after cut out the numbers will stand about 4 1/2ft tall. I wouldn't recommend printing smaller than 3ft so you can fit the balloons. This video has the best printing instructions.
Is there a way skip printing the blank sheets with the template?
If you don't click on cut marks or labels the pages will be blank. They help to follow the layout of the template. You can reuse those blank pages and put them back in your printer for future use.
Unfortunately, no. I don't pay for a service to host PDF files, only photos. Since the number templates are PDF files I need to email them to share.
What numbers and letters do you have?
I have 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, & 8 and USA. My computer crashed before I made them all.
UPDATE: now available - 7 & K
Do I need Adobe?
Yes, but you only need the free version called Acrobat Reader. It's just a PDF viewer and can be downloaded for free from the Adobe website. Use the website instead of from the app store.
Where did you get your balloons?
I usually order my balloons from Amazon and have used several different companies. I really like Qualatex balloons (not an affiliate.) The quality is amazing. Here are links to my Amazon buys:
Green balloons were purchased from Amazon but I wasn't happy with them.
What do I do if the balloon frame leans forward or won't stand?
The sides are 6" wide and stand pretty well indoors. You can fill the bottom tight with balloons to provide extra support. If you are using them outdoors I would recommend a stand.
I actually could've used more 5" balloons to fill in the smaller gaps.
I do not fill any of the balloons all the way up.
How far in advance can I assemble?
I would not assemble more than a day in advance since balloons start to shrink. It's normally not noticeable but you can definitely tell in a balloon number mosaic. Gaps start to form and balloons start to pull from the sides and other balloons. IF using glue dots, I would assemble the day of the event. They do not last long. Balloons will also become dull looking. Especially if using them outdoors and in the sun.
I highly recommend using HI-SHINE to keep them looking shiny. Worth the money. You just spent hours building and filling with balloons. This will make it stay looking amazing!
Hands down I highly recommend a low temperature glue gun. I purchased this one on Amazon. Balloons do not stay as long with glue dots.
What thickness is the foam board and where do you buy it?
5mm or 3/16th thickness. I found the cheapest foam boards are from Dollar Tree and they sell them online in a bulk box of 25 boards. Search foam boards. They come in black and white.
Even with shipping they are cheaper than Amazon, Michael's, or Office Max. They also come in both white and black.
What do I do if my printer doesn't print in draft or grayscale?
Unfortunately I'm unable to edit the PDF templates to make them a lighter gray or outline. If your printer doesn't have a mode to save ink, you can send the file to Office Max or Office Depot and they can print it for you. I've heard it's not expensive. Just tell them you need a poster print and the size you want.
How do I arrange the pages?
Look at the print preview window on the print screen to double check the layout. Usually the pages will be horizontal and 4 pages across the top. Some printers have pages vertical with 5 pages across the top.
Now for some inspiration!
Thank you to everyone that shared their amazing creations.
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.
Open PDF file in Adobe and print as a poster. Change to 500% under tile scale.
Print in grayscale and in draft mode to save ink.
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 the top 4 pages and then start the next row below it. See photo of pages taped.
I have templates available for 0, 1, 2, 6, 8. Just email me.
It takes 3 foam boards for the back or base of the number.
For rounded edges, lightly score lines 1" - 1 1/2" apart on a side piece.
I used a hand pump to inflated a bunch of balloons the night before and stored in a trash bag.
I start by filling the number with balloons for a general idea of how many more balloons I need.
I used 16 - 12" balloons filled with 10 pumps of air with a hand pump and 6 gold 12" balloons filled with small amounts of air. I filled the rest with 5" balloons with one, two, or three pumps of air.
Then I use glue dots to secure balloons in place. I ordered some on Amazon - 3000 (30 rolls of 100).
