Pottery Barn Inspired Halloween Garland

I know it's early, don't kill me....I did a Halloween project.

I was inspired by the cute garland at Pottery Barn and just had to try my hand at it. I've got a thing for garlands and really enjoy hanging them across my mantle. Since I had chemo last week, I rate this project low on the difficulty level, it's a good project that doesn't take a lot of energy. :) Really though, it's super simple and turned out great.

Here's what you need: Jute Twine, Canvas or Painter's Drop Cloth, Black craft paint (and brushes), Sharpie, Instant coffee (and a casserole dish to put it in) and a sewing machine.

The canvas is about 9"x6" and I ripped it (vs. cutting) to get the rough edges. Rip enough for what you want to spell....I did a 'Happy Halloween' and a 'Give Thanks'. I think it would be fun to do 'Trick or Treat' too. 

On the sewing machine, create a small pocket to feed the twine through....finished size of each pennant is 8"x6"

I hand lettered 'Happy Halloween' in spooky Gothic text using a Sharpie. I'm pretty sure there are other methods out there of lettering, I just feel more comfy doing it by hand. 

Fill in all your letters with black craft paint. I think it looks a little more spooky with the imperfect edges

Get all your letters done and let them dry well

Next, prepare a coffee bath in a casserole dish. Submerge each letter and blot extra liquid off on a towel. I just laid them out on the counter and when I got them all stained, I laid them outside in the sun to dry. The canvas stains beautifully!!

Once they are all dry, feed the twine through, tie loops on the ends, and it's ready to hang! Here is the 'Give Thanks' garland for Thanksgiving. I made this for my MIL since we usually have dinner at her house and it will look great across her mantel. Hopefully she's not reading this. :)

I painted simple lettering for this style

...but the Halloween one is staying with me!

I already can't wait to do a Halloween mantle, but I have resisted cracking out the pumpkins so far....but it won't be long!!! You'll probably notice the lettering is not perfect, but I like the added quirkiness....and I'm nothing if not quirky. Ask anybody.

Spooky!

Hope you are inspired!