Breeze of Memories

What is not to love about summer? It's the time when folks around here begin to emerge from hibernation. Celebrations - such as reunions, weddings, and barbecues - are in full swing. The sun is shining and spirits are high. So whether you're hosting a formal dinner party, impromptu picnic, or casual grill-out, we wanted to give you a creative idea to beat the heat!
Paddle fans are a fun and easy way to cool down any special event. My cousin used this idea to create the the programs for her wedding ceremony, and her foresight was greatly admired and appreciated on that hot June day!
There are endless ways to make these fans unique and personal. Here's a basic outline of how you can make them yourself as a fun project with the kids or for an event - plus a few photos of my own creations:
- First, choose what you want printed on the fan. For example, you can use a photo, an inspirational quote, or poem. If the gathering is for the kids, such as a birthday or pool party, you can even incorporate your child’s art projects as the theme. Simply bring some of their recent handiwork or your photos to FedEx Office and have it scanned.
- Once you have decided on the fan's design, open a program such as Microsoft Word or PowerPoint to bring it to life with the selected text and images. For help on the size, remember that you can use the entire sheet of paper for large fans or cut them in half to make smaller fans.
- Next, print out a copy of your completed design on heavy cardstock. A lot of home printers can't print this heavy paper, so consider submitting your file to a FedEx Office location or using FedEx Office Print Online.
- After it's been printed, cut the corners of the paper to avoid sharp edges; shaped scissors or scrapbooking corner-punches are a great way to add a fun twist here.
- Then glue the cardstock to a paint stirring stick, which you can find (often times for free!) at your local hardware store. If you really want to get crafty,you can also decorate the stick with accessories such as paint, stickers, or glitter for the desired effect.
- And for constructing a double sided fan, simply print two copies of your image and adhere them back-to-back on the stick.
No matter which type of fan you choose to create, your guests will be delighted by memories with each and every breeze!
Related FedEx Office Solutions: FedEx Office Print Online, Scanning
Comments
Is it summer yet?
Loved the idea of having my kids help make these adorable, yet functional, paddle fans. It reminded me of my youth--when I would make such clever crafts. I had to laugh while reading the first paragraph, tho--it is pouring down rain here in the great northwest. All but one of my son's baseball games have been cancelled because of the weather. This would be a fun project for my kids; however, I can't imagine we'll need to be fanning ourselves because of the heat anytime soon.
A W E S O M E
What a great idea for my kiddo's pile of art work! This is definitely getting added to our summer project list for this week.
FAN-tastic!
I just love this idea! I never thought about it! I have a 2 year old who has already brought home TONS of handmade goodies...and the new mom that I am can't bear the heart to get rid of them! I'm a big FAN of your fun FANtastic idea. =)
Joey Fortman
http://www.PhillyMediaMom.com
I feel the same way about my
what a great idea!
i have received so many of these over the years as free handouts at festivals and places, but never have i thought to make them myself, or as a project with my kids. and i LOVE the idea of making them for a wedding as a program! how cute! i will have to pass that idea on to my summer wedding friends! :) thanks for a great project idea!
I am glad you love the idea
We made fans as kids, and my
We made fans as kids, and my son likes making with me.
Of course
What a great idea to use fans as programs for a wedding. My cousin is getting married on a summer afternoon outdoors...might be hot. Also fun to create themed paddles and put on a little puppet show with the kids. My kids have a lot of homemade puppets with popsicle sticks but heftier paddles would be fabulous.
I like the puppet show idea.
Paddle Fan Memories
We use post cards of places that we've been to make paddle fans. It's a fun way to "revisit" where we've been instead of locking those memories away into a book you only look at a few times a year.
We also use the tongue depressors instead of the paint stirrers, but you can go as simple or as complicated as you wish! LOTS of fun for the whole family (and you get to reminisce while creating)!
I love the idea of using
With the heat we've been
With the heat we've been having this is a wonderful idea - and we have all the materials we need. Thanks for the tip!
Hot, hot, hot!!!
I love this idea; how fun! The old postcard is a great idea. I can't wait for us to get started on this.
Thanks for sharing!
This was the perfect kind of
This was the perfect kind of craft when my daughter was young, but it would definitely end up as a weapon for my 5 year old son (everything is a weapon to him!). thanks for posting!
I also love the idea in the comment before about the two post cards and a popsicle stick.
always a "fan" of functional crafts
And, apparently, of puns...
I like that this is something kids can help make and then use. Cute idea!
Love it!
I love the idea...I used to make these as a kid...I love that I can do them now with my kids. Wouldn't have thought of it. Thanks for the fun post!
Love this!
Fans are such a great way to stay cool anywhere in the summer and a fun project for kids to make. I love having kids find pictures in magazines and decorating their fans with their own unique style. Great summer project!
I think it is a great idea to
I think it is a great idea to let kids express their styles with this project and recycle old magazines in the process!
It would be SO neat to have
It would be SO neat to have some of these with our Vacation Bible School theme on them this year! Thanks for the awesome idea!
sblilly14(@)yahoo(.)com
At first, that flamingo fan
At first, that flamingo fan almost looked like you used an "old" postcard. That'd be a neat idea! :)
Oh my gosh...I use to make
Oh my gosh...I use to make these as a kid. I'll have to try these with my son. Thanks
Temperature is Rising
It hit 90 degrees for the first time this year here in Denver today so these look like a very useful & fun project.
For a smaller project I think you could use two post cards and a popsickle stick.
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