TWENTY... COUNT THEM... 20!!

This past weekend was my High School 25 Year Class Reunion (yes, now you know how young I am). Since I've been crafting crazy this past year, and sharing my projects on Facebook, the planning committee for the reunion asked me if I would make the Centerpieces. I happily said yes, and started thinking up a design back in March.

I had been loving all the pennant bunting I had seen all over Blogland, so that was the basis for the project. Even though I knew I had to make 20 of them, I still proceeded with this somewhat elaborate design.

The biggest challenge was finding a reasonably priced container. Finally, after spending WAY to much time on-line researching this dilemma, I found the perfect little tin pail at IKEA for $.79 each.

From participating in our local farmer's market, I have met a fellow Cricut-teer, Becky Vigon (she actually runs the Market). She was kind enough to help me, and using the "Make the Cut" software, was able to cut out all the little Spartan heads from an image I found for her on the internet. I SO need to learn more about that software.

The letters were from the Plantin cartridge, and the pennants from the Calligraphy cartridge. I used crochet thread for the "rope" and wood shish kabob skewers for the "poles".

The neatest thing I discovered while working on these, was Car Pin Striping. I went to Advanced Auto and picked up 40' of silver 1/8" pin striping for about $4. What a GREAT crafting tool! I used it on the white pennants to hide staples, and on the red band, that wrapped around the pail, for just an extra little detailing. Seriously, who knew craft supplies could be had at an auto parts store?

I purchased green floral foam and the shredded paper at the Dollar Tree. All in all, for 20 Custom Centerpieces, I spent less than $40... less than $2 a piece. Not too shabby.

So, like I said above, I started contriving this design back in March, and I think I had all the supplies by the end of June. However, I did not start working on them until about 10 days before I was to leave. On the first day, all I did was cut everything out on the Cricut. It pretty much ran non stop for about 8 hours. I'm totally surprised there wasn't smoke coming out of it by the time I was done. Then, to create all the pennants and bunting, it took about 45 minutes per centerpiece. Why did it take that long you ask? Well, I'll tell you (this is where the "elaborate-ness" comes in)... it's because all the pennants and banners were Double Sided. I wanted to be sure that no matter where you were sitting at the table, everyone was seeing the same thing. Crazy, Huh??

Needless to say, I was working like a fiend up until I left. But it was all worth it. They were a big hit, and I got lots of compliments on them. Thank You '86 classmates!!

I'm linking up to these parties. Be sure to check them out to see all the other great ideas!

Tatertots & Jello

A Glimpse Inside

COTTONBALL CHRISTMAS TREE TRIO

Little sets of "cone" Christmas Trees are ALL OVER the blogging world this holiday season, and I've been wanting to make a set for myself. There have been paper ones, yarn wrapped ones, tissue paper ones, coffee filter ones, felt ones, candy covered ones... needless to say, there is quite a variety out there. I originally was going to do mine using curled paper strips, but today, the idea of cottonballs came to me. Easy, cheap, and NO hot glue needed. Yay for no burnt fingertips.

Introducing my Cottonball Christmas Tree Trio.

Since it was so quick and easy, I thought I would do a tutorial on it. Honestly, it's pretty self explanatory, but I felt like showing a step-by-step for those of you craftily challenged.

So let's get started!!

The supplies you will need are -

(2) sheets of posterboard (I'm too cheap to buy tree forms)

approx. 200 cottonballs

pen

twine, string or yarn

ruler (not shown)

push pin

scissors

stapler

glue

decorative toppers

I'm showing you how I made the tallest tree.

Follow these same steps for the two smaller trees (obviously).

First, cut a piece of twine about 15" long

(note, I'm using Kitchen Shears because I was

too lazy to run upstairs for scissors after I started doing the project)

Tie the twine around your pen.

Starting from the pen, measure the length of the

radius of a semi-circle.

(note again, I'm using a measuring tape, because still too lazy to run upstairs for a ruler)

My largest tree had a radius of about 10-3/4".

Be sure to pull the twine taught (I obviously didn't do that, but trying to do this AND take the picture was nearly impossible)

Once you have the length you need, put a push pin in the twine.

Find the center point of the width of your poster board, and then measure down that same distance from the end. My poster board was 22" wide, so the center point was at 11" - I then measured down 11" from the end.

I put a cork trivet under the poster board and stuck the push pin

into the poster board at the marked point.

Pull your pen tight and start drawing a semi-circle.

If you have something large enough to trace a circle, go for it... it would definitely be easier.

It took me a couple of tries, but honestly, it doesn't have to be perfect.

Draw a straight line across the diameter of your semi-circle.

Cut out the semi-circle.

SIDE NOTE: My use of kitchen shears and a measuring tape were not really because of laziness, but because I was trying to do and photograph this quick tutorial while my two little boys were eating their lunch not inches from this project.

I'm amazed, food was not thrown into the photo shots.

This is my youngest, Grey.

Please ignore his snot crusted upper lip,

but do note,

the piece of grilled cheese sandwich on his right shoulder.

I digress...

OK, back to the tutorial.

After you have your semi-circle cut out, roll it into a cone shape.

Secure with staples.

There you go... said cone.

For the two smaller cones, I went about 2" less (per cone) on the radius.

The medium cone has a radius of about 8-3/4".

The smallest has a radius of 6-3/8".

Starting at the bottom of the cone, run a line of glue all the way around.

Start adding your cottonballs, and work your way up the cone.

If you pay attention and position the cottonballs with the rolled end out, they look like little fluffy rosettes. I didn't do this with the two smaller cones because at that point, I was just whipping them together to see if my idea would work.

Work your way to the top.

Glue on your decorative topper.

I used a little ornament.

(wow, do my cuticles need some serious maintenance)

And there you go.

Cottonball Christmas Tree Trio.

I sat mine on a large square platter and filled in the negative space

with little glass balls and ornaments.

It's going to be my Christmas Table Centerpiece.

Question... Should I sprinkle them with glitter?

I'm linking up here... be sure to go check them out to see all the other awesome projects.

This project was Featured here...

MY MAYFLOWER

Last Friday, over at The Pink Peony of Le Jardin, I saw Robyn's creation of The Mayflower after she was inspired by seeing Pottery Barn's version. After I saw that, I just knew I wanted to try to make one. I loved the fact that she used a bamboo placemat for the ship, but I had to use what I already had, so I dug into my scrapbook paper supply.

Here's my version...

I did however, go out and buy the blue glass rocks. I had this vision of the ship being in the water and beached at Plymouth Rock.

I had a pair of linen pants, that I had attempted to make probably 15 years ago, that I cut up and used for the sails.

After looking at some pictures on the internet, I knew I wanted to have some Port Holes.

Someday, when I just whip something up, I'll try to make the effort to record the step-by-step process so I can do a tutorial.

I love how the glass beads are creating a reflection like water on the side of the boat. Do you think my "Plymouth Rock" is corny?

I also found these two little pilgrims at the Dollar store. I think they totally add to my little historical moment.

I'm linking up here. Go check them all out to see all the other incredible creations.

This project was Featured here...