"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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Inspired Bulletin Board

I have always loved to surround myself with picture and trinkets that inspire me,
make me smile or giggle, or that I just simply like.
I have always had a bulletin board in my room or home.
I consider it to by my ever-evolving mood board.

So, my other 3 bulletin board are full or kid stuff,
household stuff, funny stuff, but I wanted a board just for me!
One full of my favorite things to inspire me and only me!

You can stylize the board any way you want...here is what I did.

Supplies

• Bulletin Board, any size you desire ( got mine for about $6 at Walmart)
• Pretty paper to decorate the frame...from Aaron Brothers. They have an amazing selection of single sheet (oversized) decorative papers...LOVE!
• Paint in your choice of colors. I used DecoArt: Spice Pink, Grey Sky
• Stencils: I used DecoArt alphabet script and polka dot accent
• Decoupage medium such as Mod Podge

Equipment

• Stencil Brush
• Paint Brush (for decoupage)
• Gorilla Glue
• Masking tape or blue painters tape (I used masking tape, but next time I will use the painters tape. The masking tape may stick too much and pull some of the cork off...the painters tape is much more gentle.
• Ruler
• Craft Knife

Accents (optional)

• Lace/small fabric trim
• Large pearls
• Tim Holtz Metal Corners (purchased at Aaron Brothers)

DIY IT!
(You can stencil the bulletin board first or you can do the frame first...there is not advantage or disadvantage to either way...you just need to wait for things to be dry) 

Stencil:

• STEP 1: Start in one corner (makes it easy to keep level and line up) with the polka dots and begin stenciling with the Grey Sky and a stencil brush. I made a frame (of sorts) on each side of the bulletin board, just as wide as the stencil.

• Step 2: Find the center of the board, horizontally and vertically and then determine the placement for your letters/words based on the center and how many letters are in your words. Use Painters tape (or eyeball it) to mark when the words are so they will be level.
• Step 3: Line up your stencil and start painting using a stencil brush. I used Spice Pink and Grey Sky for the words I chose.

FRAME

• Step 4: Cut your over sized paper into 2" strips (you may need them to be wider depending on the size of your frame) 
• Step 5: Apply decoupage on one portion of the frame at a time and line up strips of paper with inner edge of the frame. Press down and if necessary, use the edge of a craft knife or knife  to tuck in the edge between the frame and cork. Wrap the paper around the back side of the frame and trim with craft knife.
• Step 6: Continue to apply the strips of paper until the frame is covered. Depending on the size of the frame, you may need to overlap paper edges. At the corners, fold matching edges into 45 degree angled to miter the corners and match them up.  
• Step 7: Once all the paper is place, use the decoupage and coat the entire top of the frame with 2 coats, letting dry between coats.

EMBELLISH

• Step 8: Add embellishments as you desire. I used some small. 1/4" crochet trim I had, large pearls and the metal corners from Tim Holtz to dress up my board. Just a little Gorilla Glue and we are good to go!

Now add your favorite things and be inspired!

How do you stay inspired?

 

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

disclosure: at various times some of these items were provided to me by the companies. I have fulfilled those posting obligations and now as using them because they are awesome.

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DIY! Museum Style Fossil Art

HEY ALL! THIS IS A RE-POST...BECAUSE I HAVE A BOOK TO FINISH ASAP!
But it is one of my favorite projects ever!

I originally came up with this idea last year for my sons room.
I find it very hard to find sophisticated decor for boys,
especially growing boys, and it was time to update his room.

But quite honestly this art can go anywhere!
I even had one friend fooled...
she thought I bought this at a museum store!

 

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