The back to school season is here and everyone is prepping for those fun First Day of School photos. Follow this tutorial and see how to turn 2 sheets of foam board and a bolt of OlyFun from Fairfield World to create an apple photo prop to pair with those first day smiles!
DISCLOSURE: I was compensated with a product sample by Fairfield World, but the opinions are all mine and not that of the company! In addition, some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, which come at no cost to you. Know that I only promote products I personally use and stand behind. To learn more about my affiliates, please review my disclosure policy.
I LOVE an affordable craft that has a big impact on your design! You’ve seen me make these large scale foam board decor pieces in many forms lately and fill them with many materials, including paper napkins and coffee filters.
I’ve learned things along the way from each of these creations and, today, I’m happy to share yet another approach, which makes a more durable piece of DIY decor using OlyFun from Fairfield World!
OlyFun is a durable fabric material which cuts like butter, without fraying! I was able to cut both strips and circular shapes of this large bolt of material in a beautiful cherry red to both wrap the outer edges of my apple photo prop and to fill in the inside. This wrapped edge look make it look less homemade and the beautiful piece to pair with those first day of school smiles. This is how I made it including some tips!
Apple Photo Prop Supplies:
- 2 sheets of foam board (I get mine from Dollar Tree and they are about 20″ x 30″)
- Cherry Pop Red OlyFun
- T-Square
- Craft knife with a fresh blade
- Large cutting mat
- Chalk
- Fabric Scissors
- Felt sheet – orange, yellow, green, blue, purple
- Cardboard tube (for the stem)
- Ribbon
- Glue gun and LOTS of glue sticks
Use chalk to draw your apple shape on a sheet of foam board and cut out. Tip: Make sure the bottom has some flat elements so it can easily be a self standing piece of decor.
Cut the second sheet into 4″ wide strips that will be used for the edges. To create curved shapes, make 1″ marks on these strips and use your craft knife to lightly cut (only half way) through the board. After making the cuts, lift and fold lightly to score to create these curves. Tip: make sure to also keep the flat pieces flat for the bottom edge to make a stable base to stand.
Hot glue the sides onto the apple base. It’s ok to be messy and see any of the hot glue dripping inside as it will all be covered in the next step.
Cut strips of OlyFun material and wrap from the back to the inside to cover the sides. Tip: only apply glue on the ends of your strips so the glue marks are hidden on the back and on the base of the apple shape. Any glue marks on the inside will be covered in the next step!
Cut large loose circular/oval shapes of OlyFun. This doesn’t need to be exact as they will be folded up. I just love how easily this material cuts, without fraying!
You will now start to fill the apple base to give it some dimension. Hold the circle in your palm and push down the center to form a wavy floral shape, like the above. Apply glue inside the folds at the ends and hot glue on the bottom. Stick this floral shape onto the apple base.
To complete your apple prop, cut a green leaf and adhere it, and a cardboard tube stem onto the top of the apple photo prop.
If desired, using sheets of foam and a pennant banner to add a little detail across the front of the apple. You could also add letters to say “First day” or “last day” or make it more personalized for your school or new grade.
Because this is a free standing, upright photo prop that’s 30 inches high, its a great way to capture a child’s height as they grow from the beginning of the year to the end on the first and last day of school.
See this project put together in live action on my instagram reel! Tag me if you end up making one of these apple photo props for this school year!
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