Make a ‘T H A N K F U L’ Banner

I’ve probably mentioned how much I love autumn. This year has been a bit strange though, with such warm temperatures. I do prefer cooler temps in October, but there’s nothing to be done about that. Warmers temps don’t prevent me from celebrating the season.

This year I made a ‘T H A N K F U L’ banner I’d like to show you. The beauty of this banner is that you can resize it to fit the space you have available, so don’t feel forced to use my measurements. This banner can also be spaced differently, bringing the pieces closer or setting them further apart.

Materials

(general materials and amounts; you may need more or less)

paper (to make the pattern)

2 sheets 8×10 orange cardstock (small polka dots)

2 sheets natural colored/patterned cardstock

1 sheet 8×10 orange cardstock (medium polka dots)

pencil

adhesive

twine (measure to account for banner size and spacing)

scissors

paper-cutter

letter stickers

2 tacks for hanging

1. Make a pattern for the orange banner pieces using plain or lined paper. I made mine 3 1/4″ x 4″. Cut the pattern out using a paper-cutter. Use scissors to cut the bottom to look like the banner pieces in the first two pictures above and the feature photo.
2. Trace the pattern onto the back of the orange paper 8 times. Cut these pieces out.
3. Make a pattern for the natural banner pieces using plain or lined paper. I made mine 2 3/4″ x 3 1/2″. Cut the pattern out using a paper-cutter. Use scissors to cut the bottom to look like the banner pieces in the first two pictures above and the feature photo.
4. Trace the pattern onto the back of the natural paper 8 times. Cut these pieces out.
5. Use scissors to cut 8 circles out of the orange cardstock with the medium circles.
6. Using sticker letters that will spell out T H A N K F U L, center one sticker onto each circle.
7. Adhere the top only of the natural banner pieces toward the top of the orange pieces, centering them. The middles and bottoms of the natural pieces should not be adhered.
8. Adhere a circle onto each natural piece, being sure to center these as well.
9. Lay the finished pieces out as you would like them, equal distances between each.
10. Lay a long piece of twin over these, so there is extra twine at each end, and cut to the length you will need.
11. Tie the ends of the twine to make loops for hanging.
12. Tuck the twine string between the orange and natural banner pieces.
13. Hang the banner.

I know it sounds like there is a lot to this project, but there isn’t. It took little time to complete, and I love the look.

Switch Things Up

• Make the banner using triangle, square, diamond, or circle patterns instead, for a different look.
• Try using different autumn-related colors.
• Yarn could be used instead of twine.
• Use different words or phrases, such as Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Wishes, Autumn Fun, or I Am Thankful.

I hope you like the project! Please share your banners.

Happy autumn,

Shannon

Using Scraps from Your Scrappin’ Hobby

Scrapbooking is a fun activity that generates a great deal of scrap material in the form of stickers, paper, embellishments, and more. Use these leftover items for other projects and you will not only be eliminating waste – you’ll also save money.

Scraps can be used in a number of ways, including the ones mentioned below. The end result of any one of these projects will make a pleasing gift for anyone. They might also be used to decorate your home. If you’re good at what you do, you will be able to generate extra income from the items you make.

Little Albums

Use small scraps of paper, stickers, and other embellishments to make little scrap or tag books. Choose color themes, or themes of cartoon characters for a child, flowers for a gardener, or sports stickers for a fan.

Scrap Frames

Use the cardboard insert of a picture frame, or a piece of cardstock or thin cardboard, to create a scrapped collage. Use a picture and scraps from your hobby to decorate the insert, and frame the finished collage. Use color themes, stickers, or other embellishments to add some flair.

Make Cards

Half-sheets of scrapbook paper or card stock can be used to make greeting cards for a variety of occasions. Fold the partial sheets of paper in half and decorate. Use smaller scraps of paper and embellishments to create unique cards for loved ones. Use quotes as sayings, being sure to credit the person who said the quote.

Create Your Own Gift Tags

If you have tiny scraps left over from your scrapbook hobby, these are great for making tags for any occasion. Cut circles, hearts, rectangles, or other shapes from paper and add a sticker to each, leaving room for the “To” and “From” fields. Use can use tag templates, or do it freehand.

Do Decoupage

Adhere sticker, paper, photograph sections, and ribbon scraps to objects using a decoupage medium. A great many items can be decorated this way, including hat boxes, mirror frames, bulletin board frames, planters, and jewelry boxes. You might also decoupage the top of an old table or dresser.

Let the Kids Get Crafty

Keep scraps in a plastic tote for a rainy day, or any time children want to make gifts.  They can make scrapbooks using paper bags that have been folded in half and tied together with ribbon. They might make ornaments, cards, or even story books.

The possibilities are endless.

~ Shannon