Simple Chenille Stem (Pipe Cleaner) Bunny

I admit it...I am a bit of a banner or garland or bunting - whatever you want to call it! - addict. I really find it is one of the easiest ways to decorate and redecorate. And I L-O-V-E to layer these banners. Before I made my Watercolor and Pastel Bunny Banner, I made these cute (at least I think so) pipe cleaner bunnies. Well, I'll fess up, I made them a long time ago and I have always loved them...but never posted them because I could not get a photo to do them justice. I adore them for the fuzzy simplicity! And...don't they look cute paired with the other bunny banner? I think their fuzzy, fluffiness and single color compliments the colorful bunny banner - it makes the colors pop!

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Printable Watercolor Pastel Bunny Banner

A couple years ago I created a sweet little bunny banner. It was super easy to make and apparently people like that - it is one of my most popular holiday projects! Well, here's a modern update of the popular bunny banner. This time it's a printable and in gorgeous watercolor patterns. Just print, cut and string it up!

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Homemade GIVE THANKS Banner

While my mind has already jumped ahead to Christmas....I took a moment to come back to November and create a quick and simple GIVE THANKS Banner for Thanksgiving...or if I would have planned better it could have been for the entire Fall season.

The banner is pretty darn easy. You need to be able to paint, cut and glue. You can do that, right?

Now since Thanksgiving is right around the corner...let's get crafting!

Supplies

• 2 1/2 yards Jute Webbing, cut into 7" lengths. It comes in black and red. I used black for this project.
• I chose to use black. This is available online and at fabric stores, usually in the upholstery section. I purchased this at Hobby Lobby.

• Paint.
• I used American Multi-Surface Satin in Paprika (DecoArt)

• Pouncer.
• This works better than a brush for stenciling. If you don't have a pouncer, a foam brush would be my next choice.

• Lettering.
• I used American Simple Script Stencil. I use this stencil ALL THE TIME!

• 3 yards basic twine.

• Scissors
• Hot Glue and Hot Glue Gun 

Make It!

• Cover your work surface...On occasion the paint will bleed through the burlap.

• Cut the Jute Webbing into 7" lengths. 
• You need 11 pieces.
• I like to notch my banners. At the center mark up about 1". Then cut from each side up to the 1" mark. OR mark up 1", fold the rectangle in half and cut while doubled.

• Stencil. 
• Place some paint on a paper plate and then pouncer the pouncer into the paint. Use part of the plate to tap off excess paint.
• About 1/2" up from the notch on the bottom of the banner piece, place the bottom of your stencil (centered horizontally).
• If you are not experienced with stencils, take the time to tape the stencil down to keep it from moving.
• I just hold mine with one hand.
• Carefully pounce the pouncer loaded with paint all over the stencil.
• Carefully remove the stencil.
• Wipe the stencil clean to ensure the paint does not smear onto your other banner pieces.

• Cut a length of twine 3 yards long.
• Lay it across the table.
• Turn on the hot glue gun to heat up.

• Lay the letters out in order. Place a blank banner piece between GIVE and THANKS
• Fold over the top edge of each banner piece about 1/2" to 3/4" 
• Place a line of hot glue in the fold and up the sides and across the edge.
• Place the twine in the glue in the fold and then fold over the top to sandwich the twine between the layers.
• YOU NEED TO MOVE QUICKLY SO THE GLUE DOES NOT DRY.
• Repeat until you are finished.
• I work with my letters upside down.

Now, just decide where you want to hang it, make a loop on each end of the twine and decorate!

Do You decorate for Thanksgiving?

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

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Rainbow Peek-a-Boo Star Bunting (Die Cut)

Almost every week, my daughter asks me too make something for her teacher or classroom. Once I dared question her about this, to which she replied "You are the crafty one, think of something?" (Yes, there was attitude, but it was also pretty darn funny). This week she wants something for St. Patrick's Day. So, I got out my Lifestyle Crafts Evolution Die Cutter and got started on a cute Rainbow Bunting.

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How to Pretty Up a Package

These days I find myself celebrating a lot of milestone birthdays for friends and family.

For these special birthdays, I like to present a pretty package.

Now, one of my "very serious" faults is that I cannot wrap a package for the life of me.

I try...but my corners are never right, there is tape everywhere - you get the picture, right?

So I have taken to embellishing and creating fun ways to pretty up and personalize packages (to divert attention from my other wrapping faults)! 

Using  my Lifestyle Crafts Dies and Evolution Die Cutter, plus some fun chevron washi tape and miniature pom poms...and anything else I can think of, it is easy to create pretty packages for those special people in your life.

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Reversible Holiday WISH and New Years Banner

Oh yeah...I know it is almost 'THE BIG DAY" but after a trip to Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store, I am squeezing in one more craft - I just had to! This season, I have been a little slow in the holiday decorating department...in fact I planned on having a gingerbread man theme this year (and I usually don't do a theme)...but guess what...no gingerbread men.  So this WISH/NEW YEARS banner is perfectly festive for our minimal decor...

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Painted Fall Burlap Banner

This Painted Fall Burlap banner was created as a sponsored post for DecoArt

I was holding out to post anything Fall or pumpkin-y until September...I made it!

I do not do a whole lot of seasonal decorating...

but banners, those are easy to swap out and store!

I decided to start off Fall with my latest banner.

Seriously I am turning into the banner lady -

but people keep asking for them and I keep making them..so there ya have it.

Now on to the banner! This banner begins like my "We Love School" Banner but has so much more to it. To me Fall is about texture, rich colors and a feeling or warmth. I think through the use of layers of paint and pattern and the texture of the burlap I have accomplished this feeling in this banner.

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"We LOVE School" Banner Tutorial

I am a little banner obsessed.

If I can make a banner for an occasion...I do.

Last week I had a small Back to School party 

and made this super cute "We {heart} School" banner for decoration.

It is pretty simple and has a rustic, vintage feel.

And I kind of love it!

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Lucky & Blessed Burlap Banner Tutorial

I am banner obsessed!

I have been making and selling banners locally

and love always making them different. Take note this is the first ever St. Patrick's Day craft I EVER posted.

(I am kind of proud of myself)

 We do make leprechaun house out ot tissue boxes every year...

but that doesn't count!

These banners - "Lucky" and "Blessed" were actually a custom order.

This lady has the sweetest cottage

and she hangs my banners in her windows!

(I may sneak over and snap a photo later)

(I will ask first!) 

Read on to see the tutorial!

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Valentine Love Banner: 14 Days of Crafting Love

For some unknown crazy reason,
I have the urge to go all out for Valentine's Day this year.
If you have been hanging out with me for any period of time,
you may remember that I have a disdain for holidays...
and I barely got anything up this Christmas....
but apparently the Love Bug has bitten me...
or my little girlie loves hearts and flowers.

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Bunny Banner Tutorial (Super Cute and Super Simple)

In spite of the fact that I over complicate everything
(E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!),
once in awhile I actually do come up with a
super simple project and here is one of them...

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How to Make a Patriotic Star Banner

I am not a big door decor lady, or a big holiday decorator either.
I do love wreaths, but that is about it
(and heck I only have my screen wreath out anyway)...
but after making my birdie welcome banner...
I am sold. I love looking at that sweet banner.
So, for the 4th I decided to make a U.S.A. banner!

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