Candy Corn Pennant

Good Morning to All!

A few weeks ago I saw the cutest pennant that had fabric painted to look like candy corn. I thought well surely I can do something similar. I had some canvas fabric leftover from another project but I didn't have any of the right paint colors. I ended up at Hobby Lobby buying the three colors needed. I also had some leftover fall-ish, pumpkin fabric that I cut into strips to fill in the spots between the candy corn. I also found some burlap and 1/4 inch orange ribbon in the fabric basket to use as what I like to call "fluff."

Well you can't make a candy corn shape without a pattern so I just sketched one out on a old manila envelop. Then I traced the pattern onto the canvas. I should have used pencil instead of pen- a big mistake but the paint pretty much covers the trace marks up. After I painted each area of the candy corn I cut them out and hot glued them onto the orange/white twine. Then I added the strips of burlap, ribbon and fall-ish fabric in between the corn.

Total cost for the candy corn pennant $6.00. Given that the one I saw was $16.00, I think that is pretty thrifty. The main idea I hope you see from this project is to just give it your best try. I surely am no artist but if I give myself permission to fail it tends to take a lot of the pressure off. I'm sure you have scraps of fabric, ribbon and maybe even some leftover paint you could use to get crafty.

It's craft sale time all over our area so when you see something you like just take a minute or two and check out how it's made. You may really be surprised when you see how simple some things are made. So get your thrifty self out there and make something cute.

I hope all of you have a wonderful week and stay "Thrifty."

Gathering Ideas

Using the Good Stuff

Marvelous Monday to Everyone!

How many of us have the good stuff stashed away to save for later? You know. The good tablecloths and napkins as well as those special monogrammed towels. What about those smelly candles someone gave you for your birthday? Sometimes we hold onto things thinking there will be a better time to use them than now.

Speaking of better time, what in the world is wrong with today? If we have special beautiful things we need to get them out and enjoy them. If we are saving them because we don't know what to do with them or we don't like them or even want them it's time to bless someone else with them. It maybe hard to just let them go but it is more blessed to give than to receive. Now I'm not trying to talk you into giving things away just to be doing it but if they are just lying in a drawer or on a shelf in the closet, maybe it's time to pull them out.

I understand having a lot of things handed down and wanting to preserve the memory of the person to whom they belonged. When I use a tablecloth that belonged to my grandmother I remember eating dinner on a table with that very cloth. Oh yeah, it has stains on it from where I have used it but the memories are much more important than those silly stains. I had a whole lot rather use it than save it. Besides there is no one left in my family who even knew her so I have decided I will use it and recall how special she was to me. There were some stains on it when I got it ... so the more the merrier.

Think about how much money people pay for antiques which have scratches and dents on them from being used. Those stains, dents and scratches mean life happened. The people in our life were there and those things are the proof of it. Just look at it like you are making precious memories with your good stuff. By the way, if you have been waiting on permission to use your good stuff I'm officially giving it to you today. Who knows you may really enjoy it.

This is some of the good stuff I used to save for later. Notice the stains on the white napkins. I felt my stomach knot up when I saw it happening but it was a special meal with some really special people. That's what is important. I know I need to get those pieces of silver polished for the holidays coming up too.

Well, I hope I have encouraged you to do the scary thing ... use your good stuff. Who knows with all the upcoming holidays and your extended family as well as visitors, you just might be surprised by all the new memories you will make with all the good stuff you have been saving for later.

Here's hoping your week will be over the top.