Harvest Lanterns

Happy Halloween!  We had only 77 trick-or-treaters this year (when we first moved here 9 years ago we would get more than 200).  Fortunately I did not buy too much candy - all the full size bars are gone and about half of the bag of fun size but I will be able to put the leftovers in the freezer and save them for occasional treats for the adults!

Earlier this fall, I was in the drug store and all of the back to school supplies were half price. I saw this self adhesive book cover material.  It is a sort of translucent contact paper in bright colors.  I thought I could probably do something crafty with it so I bought a roll in each color for $1 each.  The rolls were 18 x 48 inches so there is a total of six square feet - not bad for $1!

Today I was tidying up in my craft room and I found the rolls so I decided to give them a try.  I cut off a 12 inch section, trimmed the extra six inches from one side and smoothed the 12 x 12 piece on the mat.  The material had a tendency to form air bubbles so I lifted the vinyl from the backing and used my wide putty knife to make sure it would stay flat. 

 

I used two leaf designs and the pumpkin from Gypsy Wanderings - I like these shapes.   I am finding it handy to grab the Gypsy and quickly set up a mat to cut.  I can take it downstairs and make my cuts without moving my laptop downstairs too.

When I lifted my adhesive pumpkins from the backing paper, I found it easiest to stick them to my hand to remove the thin detail cuts.  This book cover material is transparent and very sticky.

I applied the designs to a rectangular glass vase and a candle holder that I had around the house.  They were easy to apply.  I am not sure how easily they will come off if I leave them on for a while - even if they are ruined when I remove them it will be an inexpensive project.

Do you recognize the tealights?  I told you they would start appearing in my projects...  A few people have asked just where they were located at Costco.  I imagine each store is set up a bit differently but they were in the center section with the other holiday items at my local store.  I know that some stores get things at different times - when I wrote about the ribbon I used to make some quick Christmas cards (here is a LINK to that post) my sister in New Jersey could not find any ribbon at her store but it did show up in another week or two.

Remember to turn your clocks back tonight - I am looking forward to that extra hour of sleep!