Scarecrow and Pumpkin Garland for 60 Cents! Woo-Hoo!

I had one busy Saturday.  I was so tired I laid down on the bed sideways and was out like a light last night.  Unfortunately I woke up at 3am and this is what I made.

It all started with these scarecrows on a stick that I bought after the season last year for 90% off making them a DIME each. There was no way I needed this many on a stick so I got busy snipping those little sticks right off.  Ouch!

At 4am I got a wild hair and decided I was going to do my first wood cutting project.  So I went online and found a pumpkin to trace and cut.  Pulled out the jigsaw and that's were my primitive little pumpkins came from.  The wood was scrap house siding.  I sanded the edges and then attempted my first tole style painting job.  Believe me I'm no artist.

A little glitter makes everything better.  I braided some jute, used an old flannel shirt for the orange ties.  That shirt has been cut up for so many projects and I'm still using it for more.  And I added some more ties made with burlap.

I glued some buttons onto the scarecrows, to dress them up a bit and  I was done.  No money spent today last night.  And only 60 cents spent for the scarecrows last year.  Who says you can't make something for nothing or close to it anyway.

And the lesson for today, is to buy it after the season ends, for next to nothing and you'll think of something to use it for next year.

I'll be linking up to the parties below this week, adding them as I go:

The Southern Institute

 C.R.A.F.T. Making Monday Marvelous
SL Under The Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase
The DIY Showoff
Making The World Cuter Monday

Thanks for taking a minute of your day to see what I'm up to.  Having ya'll stop by and reading your comments really do make a girl feel bless.  

Have fun enjoying fall, ya'll!

Hugs....Tracy :)

The Elemental Journal Review - Artful Expressions

 Knowing that most of my readers are like me and love to either create or enjoy the beauty of what others can accomplish when they create, I couldn't wait to review this book.


Tammy Kushnir is the author of The Elemental Journal: Composing artful expressions from items cast aside.  And what a book it is.  It's filled with beautiful full color photos  that you'll eeewww and aaahhh over.  There are 128 and I believe there is a gorgeous photo on all but 2 of them. 

Tammy shares with us step-by-step written instructions along with photos on how to create journals, scrapbooks, and other keepsakes from unusual materials and reclaimed or discarded objects.   She gives you tips on seeking out these materials and has inspiring gallery projects from 9 contributing artists.  She will definitely inspire you to think outside the box.

Her art is very nature inspired.  It's has a very earthy basic feel.  She has learned to find potential in everything, from wooden scraps and tree bark to old doorknobs, plastic containers and newsprint paper.  Her materials vary from store-bought items to objects we often come in contact with but are quick to overlook.

In the book she gives you the materials list, a photo and the how-to guide, but offers this as only an inspiration and encourages you to create from within yourself.

I am enjoying "The Elemental Journal" very much.  I've gotten tons of ideas from it and hope that I can find time soon to sit down and do my own thing and a few of hers.  I think people on any level will find the book useful.  The best part of this book is the lesson that anything can be used to make something beautiful, it's just a matter of looking beyond what you hold in your hand and dreaming of what it might become.  

Disclosure:  I'd like to thank Thomas Nelson for providing me a copy of this book to read and review.  I'm a proud member of Thomas Nelson's BookSneeze program.