Vintage Halloween Banner

Hi there crafty peeps!  I am back today to share a banner I made with ribbons from the new September Ribbon Club Assortment and the Vintage Inspired Halloween Creativity Kit from Polly's Paper Studio Etsy shop.  I have to start out by explaining that Halloween is my favorite holiday after Christmas.  I just love the crisp fall weather, the pumpkins, the candy, and the fun spookiness of it all.  I was so excited to be able to create a banner to decorate with!

I cut out the banner shapes with the Stitched Party Banners Die by Lawn Fawn in black cardstock and then layered the patterned papers and cute images from the kit on top.  I inked all of the edges with Black Soot Distress ink.  I added pearls and Rhinestones in black and orange to add a bit of sparkle.  I then threaded the banners onto Black and White Houndstooth Plaid Ribbon.  I created two double layer triple loop bows with my Bow-It-All tool and some Orange Sheer Organza with Satin Edges ribbon.  I finished it off with White Gypsophilia Flowers by each hole and on the orange bows.

I hope you enjoy this banner as much as I enjoyed making it.  Make sure to head over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon store for all of your Halloween themed ribbons.  Have a wonderful day!

St. Patrick's Day Banner

The top o'the morning to ye, my friends! Today I have a super fun St. Patrick's Day banner to share with you made with Really Reasonable Ribbon and the St. Patrick's Day Creativity Kit from Polly's Paper Etsy. I had to take down my beautiful Valentine banner...and my mantle looked so barren, that I decided to dress it up with the wearin' o' the green!

Of course, my master plan was to have my mantle all beautifully decorated...but on the very day that I completed this banner, the drywall crew showed up to begin the repairs on our home from the water damage we incurred from broken pipe. So my living room is hermetically sealed right now, and I have no access to my mantle. So I had to improvise. Sigh..... This is a massive banner, measuring more than 4 feet in length. All the papers and images come from the kit, and I just added a few paper rosettes, buttons and fabulous ribbons and flowers. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

This is the first panel on the banner. I stitched the pre-cut papers onto this gorgeous 1.5" Cream Mesh Ribbon. This is the most gorgeous stuff! It has a slight sheen to it, and is soooo soft and pretty. It was the perfect match for the lively Celery Green Plaid Ribbon I used to tie bows on either end of the banner. I topped the bow with a pretty Off White Chrysanthemum and then added white cosmos and green sweetheart blossoms from the green and white variety pack. Aren't they perfect for St. Pat's Day?

Here are more of those sweet blossoms on the next panel where they adorn the LUCK greeting and the lucky horseshoe.

You can see how great these greens work with these blossoms and the cream mesh ribbon. It's a match made in heaven!

I tucked a whole cluster of them into the lid of this cute green teapot. You know how I love my tea!

And they add so much texture, color and dimension to this panel. I hope Bonnie has lots of these in stock, because they are so perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

Here you can see how I stitched along the cream mesh ribbon...and you can say hello to the Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick's Day parade and his lovely wife!

The banner is finished off with another bodacious bow tied with my Zutter Bow-it-All Tool and topped with another off white chrysanthemum. I wish you could see this banner in person...it's so festive and fun. The perfect pick me up for the end of winter. It will look great on my mantle...once I can hang it there. So, what do you do for St. Patrick's Day? We generally go out for fish and chips...and of course we wear green, so we don't get pinched! And, I always make a loaf of Irish Soda Bread which is almost as yummy as this banner! Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Valentine Banner Tutorial with Really Reasonable Ribbon

How to Make a Valentine Banner

Hello, Friends! I hope that 2015 is off to a good start for each one of you! I have to confess, I'm sort of relieved to be "back to normal" after all the holiday hubbub. I had loads of fun with family, ate (too much!) good food and made lots wonderful memories...but I kinda love my every day life, and I'm glad to be back to it! So many of you contacted me right before the holidays asking me to do a tutorial for the Christmas and winter banners I shared with you, and today, I'm making good on that promise. This is "How to Make a Valentine Banner Day." I have a step by step tutorial and loads of photos to share with you. So go grab a snack and your favorite cuppa and we'll get down to business.

Here's a look at the finished product. You will need the following material to make this banner:

• Really Reasonable Ribbon: 1.5" Antique Gold Gingham
• RRR Pink Center Stitch Burlap Ribbon
• RRR Light Pink Dots Organza Ribbon
• RRR Natural Burlap String
• 2 sheets of 8 1/2" x 11" kraft cardstock
• Vintage Photo Distress Ink
• White burlap
• Cosmos Daisies/Pink and White
• Graphic 45 Sweet Sentiments paper and tags
• Webster's Pages Let's Celebrate (Sweets and Treats Cupcake paper)
• Martha Steward Pink Lotus blooms
• K & Company Valentine embellies
• Pearl Nestabling
• Rhinestone hearts
• "o" binding rings
• sewing machine

Preparing the Valentine Banner Pieces

Stitching the Valentine Banner Pieces Together

If you wish to add a layer of patterned paper to your banner, the dimensions will be 3.75" wide by 5" tall. Layer all your pennants together as you see here, and trim if necessary to make all the borders even. You want to make sure that the "V" portion of your banner lines up on all three layers. Once I was happy with this, I just used a paper clip to hold all those layers in place.

Now it's time to stitch the layers together. I stitched around the inside layer using a straight stitch, and then the outer layer with a zig zag stitch.

Lay all your pennant pieces out on your work surface, and determine how much space you want between each piece. I have about 2.5" between each pennant. Lay your ribbon down on the work surface and then clip your sewn pennants onto the ribbon as pictured above. Leave a 6" overhang of ribbon on both the left and right hand sides. Then trim the right hand edge of the ribbon so you can sew the pennants to the ribbon.

I started sewing on the left hand side of my pennant at the spot where the left hand edge of the pennant met the ribbon. I sewed a zig zag stitch along the top edge of the ribbon, all the way down the length of the ribbon until I had sewed the top of all the pennants to the top of the ribbon. Then I went back to the left hand side of my banner and sewed a second straight line about 1" below the top line. Now you are ready to decorate your Valentine Banner.

Decorating Your Valentine Banner

This really is the fun part! I dug into the Closet of Shame and pulled out all my Valentine goodies. I knew I wanted to add some burlap panels and some natural burlap string to add texture. I inked the edges of my images with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and matted the main images with the second sheet of kraft cardstock. I find this unifies a composition and helps to define the layers.

There's not an exact science to this...I usually start by placing my main image on each pennant and then I just layer on the bits and pieces, moving them around until I 'm happy with the result. Then, and only then, do I start to glue things down. If you use foam spacers between your layers, it adds a lot of depth and dimension. I used my hot glue gun to attach the flowers and the little rosettes.

Now that you have everything glued down, cut three 6-8" sections of the light pink dots organza and tie them onto the antique gold gingham ribbon in between each pennant. Cut two 12" pieces of the Light Pink stitched burlap ribbon and tie into a bow on each end of the pennant, as you see in the photos. Slip your "o" binding rings onto the back side of these bows, between the burlap ribbon and the gingham ribbon. Let the tails hang down as I did, or trim them if you prefer. Now your banner is ready to hang.

I've added some detail photos here for you so you can sort of study the composition of each pennant in the banner. There's no right or wrong way to do this....just arrange everything the way you like. You can create a really clean and simple banner using this technique or dress it up even more than I did. It's all according to your taste!

Well, if you've hung with me this long, you deserve a round of applause! I hope I was able to answer your questions about making these banners, and I hope you'll have loads of fun making these to decorate your own homes. Banners add so much cheer and warmth..especially in the dead of winter!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Cheerio,

kathy

"Cozy" Winter Banner

Hello, Friends! I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas and holiday week! These special times with friends and family go by so quickly....but thankfully, the memories last forever! Some of you may have already started taking your holiday decorations down, packing them away until next year. I'm always a little blue when all those pretty baubles are gone. The house looks naked somehow without them. Well, never fear! I have a winter banner that will have you feeling warm and cozy in no time!

I combined Natural Mesh Ribbon and 1/4" Light Blue Chevron Striped Twill Ribbon to make this banner feel fun and festive. The soft blues and browns in Authentique's "Cozy" paper collection match it like they were made for it, and are perfect for projects like this winter banner.

I used white burlap panels and some frayed Ivory Burlap String to add fun texture to my winter bird on the first panel of my banner. If you dab a little glossy accents on your fingertips and then twist the ends of the burlap string, you can easily create this look.

I just love the way the texture in these ribbons adds to the cozy feeling on this winter banner. And, see that teeny, tiny bow tied onto the hanger? I used the 1/2" bow maker setting on my Zutter Bow-it-All to tie it. I tell you, people, I love that tool!

I used a mitten punch to create my cutie pie mittens, and then strung them together with embroidery thread. Remember mittens that were strung together like this, so you wouldn't lose one?

Making this sweet winter banner had me feeling all "Cozy" inside...and I hope you feel that way , too! I think this would be so cute hanging in the kitchen...or in a baby boy's room...or anywhere that you want to add a bit of winter cheer!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

It's a Banner Day!

Hello, Friends!  Kathy here to announce that it's a banner day here on the RRR blog!  I don't know what it is about banners, but they can make every day feel like a special day.  They are fun to make, pretty to hang, and loads of fun. I made some really cute little Christmas banners featuring luscious ribbons and fun embellies, and I thought you might enjoy seeing one of them here.

This banner was made using MME Vintage Christmas papers.  I stitched my individual pennant pieces onto a 3 foot length of Natural Mesh Ribbon and then used the totally festive red and white Wavy Vertical Stripe ribbon and Emily White Crochet Lace to make it feel extra Christmassy!

The open weave of the natural mesh ribbon is easy to sew through, which is important to think about when you are stitching through multiple layers of paper.  It's also really strong, and hangs well, too.  I was able to make this merry little banner in just a couple of hours, so if you're looking for last minute Christmas decor ideas, this might be one you'd like to consider.  Now, it can be Christmas!

Thanks for stopping by,

Cheerio,

kathy

USA Banner....

How was your Mother's Day?  I hope it was special for you.  I made dinner and dessert for my Mother and Dad.  Nice and quiet eating and talking around the table.
I am starting off the week with a post for RRR!   I am ramping up with the red, white, and blue...which I adore.   I hadn't made a banner in such a long time and had so much fun making this.   I used a 12 x 12 chipboard piece and cut out my own banner shapes.  Covered them in papers including digital paper from Crafty Secrets.  I used my cropadile to cut holes and wound denim blue ribbon through the holes to tie it all together.  I added my homemade paper fringe to the top, buttons, patriotic images, all things that make me happy!  I also made a couple of bows that I added to the ends made from stitched navy burlap.  I added gold accents with stars and vintage military buttons and was done.   I love it!  Some of my favorite colors.   Happy Monday!  Cherry

Faith Banner

Hello everyone, Cheryl here with a Pennant Banner called "Faith" made for Really Reasonable Ribbon using the Beautiful Seam Bindings, Lace, Mini Pom Pom Trim, Leaves, Sweetheart Blossom Flowers and Buttons that can be found at the RRR Store.

These are super fun and easy to make.  I made this one to hang in my Craft Room!

I bought the pennant shaped banner at the warehouse sale, and then glued the pieces to card stock, and cut to give a pink border to these. Then I added Really Reasonable Ribbon's Mini Pom Pom Trim in white to all of them. After that I punched out the scalloped circles and circles for the lettering and added those to each pennant. I used the Seam Binding and ruched it up and created little bows for the flowers and buttons. 

The lace I used I placed on a couple of the pennants, and also used it on the I pennant behind the scalloped circle by looping it. I also used some Pink and Moss Green Leaves on 2 of the pennants to create vines. You can see this in the photo above.

The Letters I used are Thickers, and I used the foam Grey, and a Pink.

Supplies Used:

Really Reasonable Ribbons/Moss Green Leaves, and Pink Leaves

Really Reasonable Ribbon/ Seam Binding in Charcoal, and Vivid Pink

Really Reasonable Ribbon/Gabrielle Off White Lace

Really Reasonable Ribbon/Mini Pom Pom Trim

Really Reasonable Ribbon/Sweetheart Flowers

Really Reasonable Ribbon/Buttons

Thank you all for looking and hope you enjoyed today's Post!

Have a lovely weekend!

hugs to all,

Cheryl