DIY Paint Chip Bunting - Karen's 30 Minute Craft Challenge - HGTV Handmade

Creating a Rainbow Bunting: A Timed Challenge Experience

I'm excited to share with you my experience creating a rainbow bunting as part of a timed challenge. As I sat down to begin this project, I knew that I had all of my pieces cut out, and it was time to start gluing them together. To make the process more efficient, I decided to work in an assembly line format, using my first piece as a template to measure the distance of the colors. This would ensure that each triangle shape was identical, creating a cohesive look.

As someone who loves bunting, I've created many decorations using this technique. Recently, I made a video showcasing how to make bunting out of paper straws and maps. I'm particularly fond of maps as they add an exciting texture to the project. With my first piece laid out, I began cutting out the shapes, knowing that this would be the foundation for my rainbow bunting.

Cutting out these shapes was not a time-consuming process, and I quickly realized that I had plenty of time to complete the project. As I worked, I measured the distance between each triangle, ensuring that they were evenly spaced. This attention to detail paid off, as the final product looked really nice. With 13 and 1/2 minutes left on my timer, I finished cutting out six triangles, which I would attach to some string to complete the bunting.

To add a touch of neutrality to the project, I decided to use brown twine instead of one of the more vibrant colors. This choice was calculated to avoid any potential mistakes and ensure that my craft turned out well within the time frame. Before attaching the triangles to the string, I measured out a foot-long piece, just in case I needed it. With 8 and 1/2 minutes left on my timer, I began attaching the first triangle using Scotch tape. Thankfully, I was doing relatively well on time, and there was no need for panic.

With all of the triangles attached, I carefully trimmed off any excess tape that was peeking out over the edges. Next, I tied a loop in the ends of the string to allow for easy hanging. At this point, I had only 4 minutes left, but I still felt confident about completing the project on time.

As I reviewed my work, I thought about what I liked about the finished bunting and what I might do differently if I had more time. One thing I appreciated was how the stripes came together as a single, continuous design. The triangles also added a nice touch of uniqueness to each piece. In hindsight, if I had 30 minutes or more, I would have punched holes in the corners of each triangle instead of just taping them.

With two whole minutes left on my timer, I decided to reflect on what else I might change if given unlimited time. If only I could make a backing for the bunting, it would provide more options for hanging. Additionally, if I had access to paint chips in multiple colors, I might have colored in the edges of each triangle with the same color as the chip.

With 10 seconds left on my timer, I felt a sense of trepidation about completing the project. However, as the clock struck zero, I realized that I was finished. My hands were up in triumph as I declared myself done with the rainbow bunting. Surprisingly, it took me around 25 minutes to complete, and I'm thrilled with how it turned out.