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

DIY: Easy Pencil Holder

We’ve been discussing how to organize your space in attractive ways, without breaking the bank. You’ve already been introduced to my ideas for creating labels, and now I want to explain an easy way to organize pencils and other things in your hobby room or home office.

These holders will organize pencils, pens, highlighter, markers, and more, allowing for display in a pleasing manner. Because they are so easy and affordable to make, you can have a separate holder for each group of items. A pencil holder will add charm to your workspace, especially when created to match the décor of the room.

Alternatively, a pencil holder can be made as a way to decorate your work space for a holiday or season.

Materials

Aluminum can, cleaned and dried, with a smooth edge
Tape measure
Paper cutter
Decorative edged scissors (optional)
Scrapbook paper, 2 colors
Adhesive
Stickers or other embellishments

1. Choose paper colors to match the decor in the area where the holder will be used, or the occasion you’ll be celebrating. One sheet should be light, the other a medium to dark color.
2. Measure the can height, and then measure around it. Add ¼ inch to the second number.
3. Use the paper-cutter to measure and cut the light-colored sheet of paper to size.
4. Glue this sheet of paper around the can by first gluing one end to the can, then overlapping the other end and gluing it in place.
5. Allow to dry completely.
6. Using the second number again, cut 2 pieces of dark-colored paper to a ½ inch height using the paper-cutter or decorative edged scissors.
7. Adhere these to the top and bottom edges of the light-colored paper that was glued to the can, using the same method as above.
8. Allow to dry thoroughly.
9. Choose stickers and/or other embellishments to match your décor, an upcoming holiday, or the season.
10. Look at the can and decide where you want to place each item.
11. Adhere them in a flattering manner to the areas of your choice.
12. Place the pencils or other items into the pencil holder, and place it on the desk.

Example: A spring-themed pencil holder may include stickers depicting grass, flowers, and the sun, or butterflies and dragonflies above a pond. An ocean theme would include sand, waves, and seashells.

Alternatively: Use patterned paper rather than embellishments, or paint decorations onto the paper.

 

DIY: Simple Drawer Labels

Are you working to get your hobby room, home office, or another area of your home  organized? For me, it’s the kitchen. An organized space is a tidy space, and provides easy access to whatever is needed.

If you are a scrapbooker or are into other paper crafts, you likely have paper scraps that you can use to make the labels with. Attach labels to boxes, binders, and more. I’m going to make mine for labeling the herbs I dry and put into jars.

You can make labels to put on a number of organizers, including baskets, photo boxes, file cabinets, hat boxes, plastic storage totes, and pencil boxes, that will allow you to organize each space in your home.

NOTE: You do not have to laminate these if you don’t want. Simply delete that item from the materials list, and leave out that step in the directions.

Materials

Measuring tape
Card stock
Paper cutter
Adhesive
Stickers and/or other embellishments
Markers in your choice of colors
Laminate

1. Measure the front of the container you’ll be making the label for, to determine the size you want to make.
2. Decide on a card stock size big enough to adhere a sticker or other embellishment to the front of, and that will allow you to write in letters big enough to be read easily.
3. Choose a light-colored card stock to match the room the organizers will be placed in.
4. Use a paper-cutter to measure and cut out however many labels you’ll need, in the size you want. Make sure the blade of the cutter is sharp enough so that the cuts are clean.
5. Use a dark-colored card stock that will also go with the area as a background. Use the paper-cutter again, this time to measure and cut the card stock ¼ to 1/3 inches bigger around than the labels you just cut out.
6. Glue the light-colored labels to the dark-colored backgrounds, making sure the labels are centered onto each of the darker-colored pieces of card stock.
7. Allow these to dry thoroughly.
8. Adhere a sticker or other embellishment to each card. Mix these up so you have some labels with an embellishment on either the left or the right, or keep them uniform by placing one on the same side of each label. Or place a small embellishment to each edge. Whatever you prefer.
9. Choose a dark-colored marker, such as green, black, or blue, to finish the labels. Write the name of the item for each container on its’ corresponding label. Use clear print or script, so the labels are easy to read.
10. Cut two pieces of laminate for each label. Cover the front of each with one piece, and adhere the second piece to the back, so the edges stick together. Trim around the edges of the laminate to be sure everything is even.
11. Adhere a label to each drawer with tape or another adhesive.