#Middlebury
Why is it that you can’t ever find a pen when you need one? It’s as though they have wings of invisible ink that take them far away from where they belong.
Businesses and services know about this disappearing act, and take on the challenge of safeguarding their pens. Our local gas station attaches white plastic spoons to the ends with big wads of masking tape. Colorful toothbrushes adorn the pens at the dentist’s office, while surgical tape binds tongue depressors to the pens at the medical clinic, making them look like splints.
Creating a pen bouquet like this one can be an easy and quick family project. (Submitted photo)
Our dry cleaners attaches bundles of wispy down feathers that flutter on the end to keep me smiling even as I sign my name to the bill. But my favorite idea by far is at the charming Twigg’s Home & Garden store around the corner from my house. Cleverly arranged in a rustic European terra cotta flower pot filled with natural soy beans “grow” translucent white pens with faux-green succulents glued to the top, while a little red bird sits on the rim keeping an eye on the till.
No matter where I go, it’s as if these pens with personality are saying, “Don’t even think of taking me away from here!” Which got me thinking.
Why not jazz up a new set of inexpensive pens and put them in an attractive vase or flowerpot for a practical pen bouquet right at home? It’s an easy and quick project the whole family will enjoy.
Here’s what you’ll need:
First, gather silk flowers, botanicals, small toys and charms or any other gizmos to decorate the tops of pens. Think of holiday items on a party stick too, such as shamrocks, Easter eggs and flags. Then, purchase several pens, such as Bic Round Stic pens that are flat on top.
How to attach toppers with green floral tape:
Place a stem of a silk flower or party stick going upward about 2 1/2 inches from the end of the pen with the flower or charm on the top end of the pen. Hold in place and wrap the entire length of the pen with the floral tape. Wrap with a light angle to prevent bunching.
How to attach toppers with a glue gun:
An adult should carefully remove the button at the end of the pen with an X-acto-style knife. Insert a tiny stem or narrow part of an object in the hole and secure in place with the glue gun.
Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the NEW Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”
© 2019 Donna Erickson
Distributed by King Features Synd.
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