Artificial Hay

Picture
We knew from the start that we wanted hay bales for our backdrop.  We researched all the possibilities.  We did have a limited budget and needed at least three bales.  That would have cost us a minimum of $120 and none of us had a need for the hay after the reunion.  None of us had a truck so the logistics of hauling to and from the hotel was a challenge. 

There were also issues of allergies or possible creepy crawlies sneaking out of the hay and causing a disturbance.  What to do?  What to do?

Finally one day I decided to get ten boxes of the same size and shape.  I used cream colored card stock (I used card stock from Hobby Lobby but colored copy paper may be used also).  I searched for free pictures to download from websites and found a great picture of straw.  I re-sized it to fit my paper.  Eliminated all borders and printed in color.  You need to make sure you print enough pages to cover front and side of the end boxes and the top of any box that shows. 

I found some great spray adhesive at Hobby Lobby and I could spray the back of the paper and attach the page to the boxes.  Do this project outside in a ventilated area and also protect surfaces from the glue that drifts. 

When the glue is dry, take one roll of twine and run some twine once lengthwise and twice crosswise on each "bale" to make it look more realistic.  We had four layers of bales (8' long and 4' high).