How to make an easy vine for VBS

How to Make a Vine

This is a simple vine I made for a jungle VBS.




I started out with some Backer Rod.  This stuff is used for filling large gaps before caulking.  It makes  it so you don't have to waste a large amount of caulk on a big hole.  It feels like a very long and thin pool noodle.

I got some green fun foam and cut it into the shape of leaves.

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A whole bunch of leaves.

Next I used a pencil to make a hole in the backer rod.  I pushed it in at an angle so the leaf would go that direction.

Next I put a drop of glue in the hole.



I rolled the leaf's bottom end and pushed it into the hole.

I also found that I could use the pencil to push it deeper into the hole.

Lather, rinse, repeat.


You could have leaves pointing in all different directions if you want.
 I am OCD (I like to call it CDO that way they are all in alphabetical order) so all of mine are going the same direction.

Ta Da!

Sculpting Styrofoam: Making Horns

Ok so I was put in charge of making a sign to match this logo.

So I got some 2 inch styrofoam (polystyrene pink insulation) and cut out the shape of the horn.  Mine is slightly different from the logo but I think mine looks better. 

I sanded the edges with about 150 grit sandpaper until all of the rough edges were gone.

Then I sanded it again with 300 grit sandpaper and it came out really smooth.

I cut out a slightly curved piece to go between the horns.  I wanted this to look like it was leather so I gave it some texture with some elmer's glue and paper towels.   

Once that was done I painted it a light tan color. When that was dry I rubbed brown shoe polish over the entire thing.  This made the texture really stand out.

I gorilla glued the horns to the middle section.

I cut and made the background also out of the 2 inch foam.  I used a wire brush to make it look like wood.  Like in this tutorial.

I painted the horns white and then, dry brushed some grey onto the tips.  I painted the middle section's outside edges a darker brown and pushed some metal brads into the foam.

 (like the ones used for holding paper together)

Here it is installed on top of two carpet tubes* painted to look like wood.

More Wild West stuff to come.  Stay tuned.

*Carpet tubes can be found at places that sell carpet. 

 Most of the time they are happy to give them away.