DIY Network

Taco Party Invitation Kick off a Scrap party with fake taco invitations. From "Scrap" episode DSCD-105

Host Scott Petti and his girlfriend, Laura, make a salsa party like you've never seen before—complete with fake taco invitation and all the trimmings. The couple throw in a to-go box so your guests can keep this invite as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

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	Host Scott Petti and his girlfriend create this unique taco invitation for your next scrap party!
	PDF Download the taco shell bridge template.

Taco Party Invitation

Project designed by Scott Petti.

Materials:

styrene plastic
heat gun
dowel
gel medium
sea foam sponges
paint brushes
paint: off white, yellow, brown, orange
matte medium
old toothbrush
superglue
accelerator
bead foam
faux shredded lettuce and tomato slices
Sculpey Easer Clay, orange
cheese grater
invitation information
take-out wrapping paper
paper take-out bag
template for shell and bridge

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

1. To make the shell, cut a piece of styrene into a 7" circle (roughly the side of a corn tortilla—figure A).

2. Carefully and slowly warm the center with a constantly moving heat gun. If you stay in one place too long it will bubble.

3. When it starts to bend, roll the styrene with a wooded dowel to shape the taco shell and prevent a crease.

4. To create the texture on the shell, coat with gel medium and sponge with a sea foam sponge and let it dry.

5. Start painting with an off white and slowly add darker colors with another sea sponge. The darker colors are mixed with matte medium to create a translucent look and to thin out the paint.

6. To finish add brown flecks (figure B) with an old toothbrush.

7. Create a bridge to hold the "taco ingredients" by cutting a semi-circle of styrene that will fit inside your shell and gluing a strip of matte board an inch thick to the top.

   Tip: Since this project uses a variety of materials, glue the pieces together using superglue and a fast drying accelerant.

8. Paint the top of the bridge with green paint as a base for the toppings.

9. To make the taco meat: take bead foam (hard packaging foam) and break it up into crumbly bits, tearing off all the flat edges.

10. Paint the pieces with an orange base coat, following with a brown glaze created by blending the brown paint with matte medium. Add darker layers until it resembles ground beef (figure C)—if you get it too dark try misting with water to thin it out.

11. Glue the meat at the base of the bridge.

12. Plastic shredded lettuce and tomatoes can be found online. When adding the lettuce and tomatoes remember to make it look natural.

13. To make the cheese, grate a block of orange bakeable clay (use a brand for making easers so it will stay flexible).

    Tip: Place the grater in the freezer to harden the clay for easy clean up.

14. Glue the cheese on the bridge but also along side the tomato for added strength.

15. Glue the invitation information to the sides of the bridge, finishing the edge with a strip of lettuce. Measurements for invited provided on template.

16. Place the bridge/invite inside the shell and wrap the taco in restaurant paper. For added realism include extra toppings that have "fallen" out of the taco (figure D).

17. Place taco in small paper bag fold and staple shut.

18. Staple a to-go check on the side of the bag and fill in the address and drop in the mail or hand deliver.

RESOURCES :

General Scrapbook Supplies and Tools
EK Success
Website: www.eksuccess.com

General Craft Supplies
Michaels
Website: www.michaels.com

Specialty Paper
Mimio The Artistry of Paper
Website: www.mimiopapers.com