Average But Inspired

Inspiring creativity with crafts, DIY, and home decor projects.

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DIY Halloween Banner {A Dollar Bin Hack}

Friends!  What can I say other than I have had a CRAZY past couple of weeks.  Like, legitimately Britney Spears circa 2007 cray-cray.

Not only was I on antibiotics sick (it happens like once every two years), but I was also deep into preparing for a huge, annual membership event with a local charitable organization, and then my dad got seriously ill and was hospitalized for a week.  I won’t go into details about his medical situation because it’s private to him, but I will say that I was terrified we were going to lose him.  Needless to say, I traveled to and from Wisconsin a lot last week to see him, and was physically and emotionally exhausted as a result.  But, I’m happy to say that while things still aren’t great with my dad’s medical situation, he’s getting wonderful care and I am grateful for that!

Needless to say, many of my blog projects and plans got pushed to the side, so I’m a little behind on sharing everything I’ve got up my sleeve!  However, I did finish this insanely easy and inexpensive DIY Halloween Banner that I made with coasters, paper napkins, and muffin tin liners, of all things!  DIY Happy Halloween Bunting {made with coasters & paper napkins}

Yeah, seriously – I found these coasters, paper napkins and bakers twine in the Target Dollar Spot, and the cute mini baking cups at Dollar Tree.  On their own they’re cute, but together, they’re fabulous!

Banner Supplies

To make my bunting, I gathered these supplies:

  • Bakers Twine
  • Chalkboard Coasters
  • Halloween Paper Napkins
  • Halloween Mini Muffin Liners
  • Paint Pen or Sharpie
  • Large Rhinestones
  • Glue
  • Sturdy Tape

First, I cut my paper napkins into triangles, leaving the crease at the top in order to run the bakers twine through it.  Banner - Cut Napkins
Banner - Napkin TrianglesNext, I threaded the twine through the napkins, and glued them at the bottom to keep them from flapping open.  Banner - Glue bottom of napkinAfter that, I used packing tape to fasten my coasters to the bakers twine, alternating the coasters and the triangular napkins.  I then used a paint pen to write “B-O-O” on the three middle coasters.  Banner - write letters Next, I turned one of the muffin cups inside out and glued it to the inside of another muffin cup.  (This way you don’t see the white part when you glue it onto the banner.)Banner - Muffin CupsFinally, I glued two sets of the muffin cups to the coasters on each end of the banner, and I added a rhinestone to each for some bling!  Banner - closeup 1 Of course my daughter loved it. She ADORES any holiday, and especially decorating for holidays, so she was really happy to see this go up in the kitchen! Boo Banner Made from Coasters and NapkinsBecause of the materials used, it probably won’t make it past October 31, but at least it only cost about $4 to make! Banner - in kitchen full

Even though life has been difficult recently, decorating for Halloween made me feel like things are sort of normal.  I’m a big believer that celebrating the little things in life can make a big difference in your outlook and overall happiness, so making and hanging this simple banner was a dose of good medicine!

-Bre

Comments

    • Bre says

      Hi, Bre – thanks so much! He needs all the prayers he can get. 🙂 And yes, Dollar Spot is totally the bomb, except that I spend way to much $$ there! 🙂

  2. Amy | Canary Street Crafts says

    Bre- I’m so sorry to hear about your dad! Praying that he continues to improve. On a lighter note, your banner is adorable! I remember you shared a photo (maybe on Instagram?) of all your supplies! I just love what you did with it…seriously cute!!

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Hi, Amy – thank you so much! Your prayers are greatly appreciated! 🙂 Hope you’re having a wonderful day!

    • Bre says

      Hi, Amber – thank you! It was the worst week! 🙂 Thanks for your note about the banner, too. You totally called it last week on FB – great minds think alike! Thanks for pinning and I hope you’ve been having a great day.

    • Bre says

      Hi, Katie – thank you! I know, the dollar section is for sure a black hole of money! Thank you for your kind note. I so appreciate your kindness and prayers!

    • Bre says

      Hey, Katie! YAY! Thanks so much!! I really appreciate it, and of course I’ll be back tomorrow morning! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

  5. Jamie @ anderson + grant says

    I can always find something I “need” in those bins at Target 🙂 You made such a great banner using some really creative materials. So sorry to hear about all the trouble you’ve been having. I pray things start to turn around for you. Blogging is no fun when there is so many other things going on. Thanks for taking the time to share your project with us today!

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Hi, Jamie. Thank you so much for your note! I am excited for you ladies and wish you much success with your new link party. 🙂

  6. Kristi says

    I’m so, so sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope things start to improve for him soon Bre.

    LOVE this cute little sign and love even more that it was such a bargain to put together!!!

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Hi, Kristi! Thanks for your note! My dad’s in a good facility now so we are hopeful he will continue to improve! Have a great weekend.

    • Bre says

      Hi, Amanda! Thank you! Ugh, Dollar Spot is my weakness (well, one of them)! Thanks for your well wishes for my dad, too. I appreciate it! Have a great weekend!

    • Bre says

      Hi, Tara! Thank you all around! I hope you’re feeling better, too. I know you’ve been sick as well! Also, I can’t wait to check out your fall soup roundup. I LOVE to make soup and need some new recipes. Have a great weekend!

  9. Prudy | butter, basil, and breadcrumbs says

    Hi Bre…I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. He is in my prayers, along with you and your family. I know all too well, that range of emotions, from petrified to sadness..and maybe a little anger mixed in. I hope that he is resting comfortably, and that the doctors can get him back to normal soon. I hope you are feeling better too…take care of yourself.

    Now, as for this banner. First of all, I totally love Target’s Dollar section. I used to walk right past it up until about a year ago, and I discovered a whole new world of the dollar!! I mean..now it’s like… I need that twine. I need five rolls of it. What are you going to do with five rolls of twine? I don’t know!! But it was only a dollar!! I LOVE this banner. I’ve been wanting to do something for work, and this is so darn cute, it would be perfect! Awesome idea!!

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Hi, Prudy! Aw, you are SO sweet! And you hit the nail on the head with all of those FEELINGS! Oh my gosh, it is crazy! And as for the banner/Dollar Spot, I know. I buy WAY too much there. Have you discovered Dollar Tree yet? It is like Target’s Dollar Spot on crack. I mean, you cannot walk out of there without finding something you have to have. Especially around the holidays. OK well thanks for stopping by today. I hope you have a blessed Sunday!

    • Bre says

      Thanks, girl! There are some CUTE napkins out there! Gotta put them to a good use other than wiping nasty food away! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

    • Bre says

      Hi, Lindsay! Thanks for your note and for hosting that great new party! Doesn’t Target have the best Dollar Spot right now?! Such cute stuff! Have a great day!

    • Bre says

      Hi, Carissa! Ugh, I know, being sick is the WORST! Thanks for your sweet note and I’m glad you are going to use coasters the same way! Yay. 🙂

    • Bre says

      Hi, Alexis – thank you so much! He is getting stronger each day, so we are very thankful for that! Also, thank you for your sweet note about the banner. I really appreciate it. Hope you have a great rest of your weekend!

  15. Emily says

    Sorry to hear about your dad. Sending well wishes. Love this banner. The napkins are such a creative idea. Thanks for sharing with us at Your Designs This Time.

    Emily & Erin

    Reply

    • Bre says

      Hi, ladies. Thank you so much! He seems to be improving, so we are very thankful for that. Thank you for your note and for including my banner in your features this week! That was such a fun surprise! 🙂

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