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