{money + candy lei diy}

Happy Thursday friends.   Yesterday I shared a little sneak peek of my newest DIY project  on ista stories and my DM’s blew up.  So, I powered through last night to get Bay’s 6th grade promotion money + candy lei done just in time to share with you all today!

Not going to lie, I was originally planning on surprising Bay with the lei tomorrow.  Instead I recruited her to help…lol.

The lei is easy to make.   Promise.  But, if you, like me, are feeling maxed out this week.  Skip it!  “Pin” it and save it for later.  Easy, yes!  Time consuming, also YES!

But the end results, #priceless!

Let’s break it down……

First off – you need crisp brand new $1 bills.  Go to Yolo Federal Credit Union.  Call first.  I hit up 4 banks in Davis and got denied by them all.  Never knew getting your hands on some new bills was such a big deal.  BIG thanks to my Mom for suggesting Yolo Federal and grabbing them for me!  Always saving my ass + the day!

 

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 30-40 $1 bills (crisp + new)
• 10 feet curing ribbon
• Scotch tape
• Candy (Party City has the best selection of single pieces for cheap) 
• Scissors

 

 

Here’s what you’ll do:

Gather all your $1 bills.  I did $40 and wrapped them all around the entire ribbon.  I wish I would have done $30 and left the back section that wraps around the neck, candy + money free.  It looks a little uncomfortable.

Here’s the time-consuming part.

Have 2 small strips of tape ready.

Begin accordion folding each bill.  Make your first fold the bottom of the F in Federal (see image 2.) Folding it this way made them come out pretty even.

Fold the accordion in half (see image 4.)

Pull the two corners with the 1 on them together and tape to hold.  Then do the other side with the 1 on the corners.  Sounds confusing.  Just try it.  (see image 5.)  Wrap the tape over the top off the bill, not the side.

Power through all the bills till you have them completed.  They do not need to be perfect.  Once they are all gathered together you wont even notice if a couple are not just right.

 

Cut 8 feet of curling ribbon.  Fold in half and tie a knot at one end.

Thread the two loose ends of the curing ribbon though the two opening where you taped the bills together.

Pull bill to the knot.  Continue with each bill.

 

Once all your bills are on the curling ribbon, you can now attach the candy.  Or leave if off.  Chances are you’re like f this.  I’m done…HA!

Using the remaining curling ribbon, tie two pieces of the same candy together.  I grabbed candy that is rolled in a wrapper to I had an end to tie the ribbon to.

Every third bill I tied the candy to the main curling ribbon (double knot) then curled the loose pieces.

Tie the two ends together to enclose the lei.

Optional: I tied extra pieces of curled curling ribbon to fill in any extra spaces.

I’d say from start to finish, this took about 2 1/2  hours to complete.  Like I said, super time-consuming.  But, come on…look how fun it is.

Let me know if you try it out.  Or if you have any questions at all.  I got yo back Mama!

Lastly, I wish a very happy graduation + promotion weekend to all the grads!  What a fun time!

I may have a tear or two as we leave Plainfield Elementary Friday.  It will be “our” official last day as mustangs.  What a great school.  Great 7 years.  Amazing teachers.  We will miss Plainfield Elementary BIG time ♥

 

xoxo stacyb