Happy Halloween Garland (?) Banner (?)...Hanging Thingamabob

I'm not sure what "they" call it, but on the crafty type blogs I read, I've seen this idea several times. And at the last minute, I decided I wanted to make one. for Halloween. I know. I'm a glutton for doing stuff last minute. But if you like the idea, maybe you can run with it for Thanksgiving, Christmas or whatever event you are celebrating.  And learn from my boo-boos, so it won't take you as long as it took me. LOL

I'm probably gonna talk too much again, so if you don't want to read it, feel free to just look at the pictures.

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Here's the final project:

From a slightly different angle

 So you can see what I did!

Isn't it fun? I wanted to add more stuff to it, like stickers or bling, but deciding to do this project just a couple of days before Halloween is so not a good idea. Mainly because most of the Halloween stuff is sold out. 

I looked. 

I spent way too much time yesterday hitting stores looking for some Halloween themed paper, like I saw this blogger use. Um, can't find it. anywhere.

Then I was mulling over if I should buy a stack of 12 x 12 paper just for one project. In the end, I decided not to and settled for using stash I had at home. Do you know, I don't own any Halloween themed paper. I don't know why. So, I thought, I'll pull out my CTMH gingham paper and use black cardstock. I DID have the glittery paper, that I used for the letters, whoo hooo.

I then fought with my Cricut for an inordinately long time cutting said letters out and deciding what type of mat I wanted to use. That glittery paper leaves a lot of "dust" on the mat, making other paper less likely to stick well, causing said paper to slip in the middle of the cut, causing just a twinge of frustration. Yeah. Sigh.

I had to quit to go pick up the girls from school. End of creative time yesterday.

This morning, after I spent time at the girls' school for their Harvest Breakfast (the politically correct change for the Halloween party we all grew up with), I decided to stop at  Hobby Lobby, the one store I didn't try yesterday. Their paper is 50% off right now AND they had single sheets of Halloween themed paper. 

Whooo hoooo! Should have thought to go their first, duh.

On a whim I also picked up some purple textured cardstock.

Which meant, my original plan from yesterday was going to be altered.

But, I wasn't going to cut out any different letters. I just cut the Orange gingham instead of using the Autumn Terracotta I was going to use. 

I, all along wanted to try to make the accordion folded rosette, medallion, thingamabob, but didn't have 12 x 12 paper. That is, until this morning.

Here's a video on how to make them that I found this morning. It's a bit long, but I forwarded it to the part I wanted. It's where I got the idea to use the border punch, though. I really liked that touch.

So, I cut more paper, and folded and hot glued (faster than regular glue) and adhered to the ribbon in the center. Um, don't do that. Adhere the ribbon near the top. Otherwise your hard work will flop over from the weight. Ask me how I know. Told you, I'm trying to save you some time here!

In the end, you can't really see the fun paper I used. Oh well, I know it's Halloween paper. LOL

To hang it up, I picked up some of those command hooks and stuck them on the inside edge of the mantle (turned on their side, so that pull thing wouldn't show, you know that piece you pull to remove the hook). 

I tied a loose knot at the ends of the ribbons and hoped I was accurate enough with my guessimating to have it somewhat centered. I didn't measure. My creative time was about done and I wanted to be done at this point. I think I guessed okay, but those perfectionists out there might be cringing.

I used the Storybook (letters) and Mini Monograms (scallop mats, circles) cartridges.

Letters for Happy are slightly smaller, cut at 1 1/4 inches

Halloween letters are 2 inches

Gingham circles are 2 and 2 1/2

Black mats are 2 1/2 and 3 inches

Purple mats are 3 1/2 and 4 inches

Crud, I think the strips for the happy medallions are 1 1/2 and 1 3/4. You need to allow extra for the punching, otherwise figure half of the diameter you want the final piece to be.

I think that's it.

If you've read this far, thank you.

If you have questions, feel free to ask away.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope you have a great start to your weekend. 

The school is hosting Trunk or Treat this evening. Yay for the girls. The weather is gorgeous today.

Tomorrow, Jess has a Girl Scout function and Amy has a birthday party to go to as well as her basketball game. Which means...lots o' driving for mom. hee, hee.

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