Recently, my friends Kate and Dave ran the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon...you may remember, as I blogged about it briefly. But what you wouldn't recall is my long diatribe on the topic of marathon signs. I'm torn when it comes to athletic event signage - the people who are meant to see the signs (and ultimately be cheered on by them) usually don't even notice. As a former athlete, I can attest to the fact that there isn't usually any time during your event to go visually trolling, looking for signs with your name on them.
Especially when you are one of 45,000 runners (and 1+ million spectators) all over the nation's third largest city. I'm just sayin' is all.
Despite the fact that there was VERY little chance either of my friends would see anything I was holding in the air, I made a cheesy sign anyhow. Hell - I couldn't even guarantee they would see ME, and I have blazing orange hair. Something about the project was very soothing, and definitely re-awoke (re-awakened?) my inner cheerleader.
What's that you ask - how can YOU make your VERY OWN CHEESY MARATHON SIGN?! Well, since you asked, I'll show you.
First off, you'll need a sheet of foamcore and two pieces of large posterboard. The foamcore is for stability (nothing is more frustrating than a flimsy sign), and the posterboard is for color. Because trying to color the background of a sign manually is a ridiculous waste of time, and you are smarter than that, aren't you?
You'll also need some glitter glue (for sparkle), an enormous permanent marker (for visibility, permanence, and a raging inhalation high), some duct tape (I like the chrome kind), and a stippling sponge (that you probably won't end up using, but buy one just in case because it will make you feel like Martha Stewart).
First, fold the posterboard around the foamcore, dividing the back and front into two colors. Be sure to fasten the posterboard to the foamcore by using errant, misshapen bits of duct tape.
Next, secure the edges with about half of the remaining amount of duct tape. You'll need to make sure the posterboard is flat to the foamcore, and it also makes a nice, non-skid place to hold the sign. You know, so when the runners you're supporting run by, you can wave it in the air like a complete idiot with GUSTO AND CONFIDENCE. (Also, posterboard bleeds its color when wet - a note to all sweaty-palmed readers)
Then decorate the sign with whatever message you choose. I prefer to freehand because I always *think* I can make it look professional, and then end up with a mediocre version of what I could have traced from a damn stencil. Why learn from your mistakes, when you can be doomed to repeat them?
Fill in the design with color - I like to add sparkle with glitter. However, be forewarned: glitter is a risky beeyotch. She will, much like her namesake Mariah Carey, s**t all over you if you're not careful. I don't recommend loose glitter for craft projects...well, ever. Why leave the site of a project looking like a newbie drag queen when you don't have to? Glitter glue goes on and stays on. Be sure to choose a color that complements the posterboard so that when your favorite athlete sees the sign, they can spend 25 minutes analyzing the monochromatic nature of your color choices - much like you did while standing in the glitter aisle at JoAnn Fabrics.
If you're feeling extra crafty, take a picture of the aforementioned athlete and paste it onto the sign. Because that is just plain funny.
Then allow to dry. Take with you during the athletic event, making sure to carry it at all times so that no one steals your cheesy sign. Even if it's more than half your body size, continue to lug the damn sign all throughout the city, before realizing that even if you held it up at the finish line of the marathon, everyone behind you would be pissed as hell because you just completely blocked their view.
Ta-dum! An easy peasy craft project to satisfy all your inner neuroses. Enjoy!
Especially when you are one of 45,000 runners (and 1+ million spectators) all over the nation's third largest city. I'm just sayin' is all.
Despite the fact that there was VERY little chance either of my friends would see anything I was holding in the air, I made a cheesy sign anyhow. Hell - I couldn't even guarantee they would see ME, and I have blazing orange hair. Something about the project was very soothing, and definitely re-awoke (re-awakened?) my inner cheerleader.
What's that you ask - how can YOU make your VERY OWN CHEESY MARATHON SIGN?! Well, since you asked, I'll show you.
First off, you'll need a sheet of foamcore and two pieces of large posterboard. The foamcore is for stability (nothing is more frustrating than a flimsy sign), and the posterboard is for color. Because trying to color the background of a sign manually is a ridiculous waste of time, and you are smarter than that, aren't you?
You'll also need some glitter glue (for sparkle), an enormous permanent marker (for visibility, permanence, and a raging inhalation high), some duct tape (I like the chrome kind), and a stippling sponge (that you probably won't end up using, but buy one just in case because it will make you feel like Martha Stewart).
First, fold the posterboard around the foamcore, dividing the back and front into two colors. Be sure to fasten the posterboard to the foamcore by using errant, misshapen bits of duct tape.
Next, secure the edges with about half of the remaining amount of duct tape. You'll need to make sure the posterboard is flat to the foamcore, and it also makes a nice, non-skid place to hold the sign. You know, so when the runners you're supporting run by, you can wave it in the air like a complete idiot with GUSTO AND CONFIDENCE. (Also, posterboard bleeds its color when wet - a note to all sweaty-palmed readers)
Then decorate the sign with whatever message you choose. I prefer to freehand because I always *think* I can make it look professional, and then end up with a mediocre version of what I could have traced from a damn stencil. Why learn from your mistakes, when you can be doomed to repeat them?
Fill in the design with color - I like to add sparkle with glitter. However, be forewarned: glitter is a risky beeyotch. She will, much like her namesake Mariah Carey, s**t all over you if you're not careful. I don't recommend loose glitter for craft projects...well, ever. Why leave the site of a project looking like a newbie drag queen when you don't have to? Glitter glue goes on and stays on. Be sure to choose a color that complements the posterboard so that when your favorite athlete sees the sign, they can spend 25 minutes analyzing the monochromatic nature of your color choices - much like you did while standing in the glitter aisle at JoAnn Fabrics.
If you're feeling extra crafty, take a picture of the aforementioned athlete and paste it onto the sign. Because that is just plain funny.
Then allow to dry. Take with you during the athletic event, making sure to carry it at all times so that no one steals your cheesy sign. Even if it's more than half your body size, continue to lug the damn sign all throughout the city, before realizing that even if you held it up at the finish line of the marathon, everyone behind you would be pissed as hell because you just completely blocked their view.
Ta-dum! An easy peasy craft project to satisfy all your inner neuroses. Enjoy!
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