About Marcy Penner...
I'm a pretty simple girl. I married my high school sweetheart and we have three kids (Molly-12, Jack-9, and Max-8). For the last eleven years, we've been living on the family farm and renovating a 120 year old farmhouse in Canada. Yes. Still renovating! I'm a major homebody, so country life is a great fit for me!
Back in the day, I earned my Bachelor of Education Degree, but an artistic life has always been calling my name (I come from a long line of artists). I'm always busy doing something creative...photography, scrapbooking, decorating...you name it! I love that scrapbooking combines so many of my hobbies into one! It's the perfect fit.
You can find me at my blog, Hello Forever, and hanging out on Twitter. I also design for October Afternoon, Elle's Studio and Write.Click.Scrapbook. I'm so very happy and honored to be here at Crate this month and have enjoyed playing with the new collections more than I even imagined!
Ten Random Facts...
I'm a fourth generation Artist.
I usually have a Supernatural DVD playing on my computer when I scrapbook.
I'm the useless fact queen. Seriously, I'd make a fabulous phone-a-friend.
I complain alot about my unfinished farmhouse, but I'd never live anywhere else.
I hate grocery shopping.
I love good TV
I married my high school sweetheart.
I hate cooking, but love eating.
I would love to a own a letterpress.
I still have a baby tooth.
December 16th
This layout was a happy accident! I sewed the banner first and had planned on spreading it across the entire length of my photos and journaling block, but it just didn't look right. So, I doubled it up (overlapping it) and loved it so much more! I stitched it in place and added some embellishments (including the "Aged to Perfection" sticker which I think goes perfectly with the birthday page). I think Peppermint may be my favorite Crate Summer Release!
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I had a lot of fun stacking and layering this layout. I used things like tissue paper, a sheet from a business notepad, a glassine envelope, a piece of ledger paper that I cut a banner from, and more. All tied up with some of the baker's twine. Although I used mostly Random on this page I couldn't resist adding the green and blue pinwheel from Peppermint. It was just too perfect!
Paranoid
This layout is one of those pages that had been in my head a while. When Christine asked me to guest for Crate, I just knew that I wanted to use Random for this one and got to planning it out. (Well, after I stopped jumping up and down and got over the shock of it all). The original inspiration for it came from Pinterest!
I started by trimming random widths of patterned paper and arranged them on a slant. I had them all meet on a horizontal line and just trimmed them off there. I added some machine stitching to secure then curled up some of the edges. I used one of the border stickers on my page too, but using those would make this design even easier to create!
Trees Fields Fresh Air
I started out declaring my love for Peppermint..and I'm ending on my love for Random. I was amazed at just how versatile this line was! Nothing matches, but everything matches. It's quite remarkable.
I accented some photos from our yard with the chipboard butterfly, tucking him underneath one of them, and used little bits of Random to frame them all.
Farmgrown
My kids are at the age where the last thing in the world they want to do is have their picture taken. It takes a lot of "duds" to come back with one nice photo! This page is a little bit Random and a little bit Farmhouse...just like they are!
Little Book of Lists
This little book came about because I seem to have a million little notes and post it's and to-do lists scattered all over the house. I figured if my lists were all in one place, maybe it would help curb the chaos!
I started by cutting about 10 sheets of copy paper in half. I cut down a sheet of kraft paper as well, stack everything up and then used my long-arm stapler to staple the center. From there, I folded it, embellished it, and tied it shut. (And I can't get enough of that black and white zig zag paper!)
"Thank you so much for having me - I absolutely LOVE Crate and had a blast!"
Hi there Crate Paper fans! It's Lexi Bridges here on the blog today with a cheap, very doable, and very Fall-ish DIY. I've recently been recycling everyday throw-away items to use as craft projects for the boys. For instance, cereal, granola, oatmeal (you get the idea) boxes - we seem to go through these quite often! I decided to combine a few of these with my need for a new Fall banner...
To get started, you'll need the following items:
Scissors, Thin Chipboard (cereal boxes), Fabric (cheap linen), Adhesive, Sewing Machine, Ribbon, & Crate Paper's Farmhouse Collection.
To begin the project, draw and trim the desired banner shape. I went with the pendant style! If you missed trimming along the marked area, no worries, it'll be covered up later.
All cut out! We like our oatmeal and pretzel sticks around here.
The material I chose is a cheap linen-type from the local discount fabric store. I opted for "natural" since it blends well with Fall colors. In preparing the fabric for banner placement, I used spray adhesive to apply the fabric to each of my banner pieces. Be warned -- the stuff requires ventilation! Hence, the picture having been taken outside.
When trimming the fabric for the banner pieces, I left some additional room around the edges because I wanted to pull some of the strings for fringing. It's important that you leave extra material along the top - this will make further sense later on.
To further attach the material to the chipboard pieces, sew around the edges of each one. I sewed over the lines several times for a more "messy" look. This is one reason I love the thin chipboard! It's so easy (no pun intended) to sew through!
Now it's all sewn and ready for ribbon!
I decided upon a wider ribbon for holding & displaying the pendant shapes - with the extra material along the top, fold it over and sew into position. Yep, the back is messy!
At this point, the basic background for the overall banner is complete! Of course, it still needs to be embellished! I will show you the details momentarily, but first, another smaller garland is to be made to go with the large banner! It's Super simple, really: Cut a series of leaf shapes out of patterned paper and old dictionary paper. Create yourself a nice pile of them. No measuring or sizing is required!
Then sew your leaves together!
And now the final product (a second introduction)! Our mantel already had a few pumpkins on it. Adding the Fall banner and leaf garland help set it off.
A journaling spot serves as the base here, with some burlap and old ledger paper pieces behind it. One of the wooden CP buttons from Farmhouse makes the perfect center for an old doily. In suppliment of this, CP's cute turquoise lace trim is added to each banner piece. It gives the banner a jolt of color!
This CP chipboard frame is the perfect size for showcasing the letter "A" along with the bingo card beneath it and my FAVORITE wooden button ever! For further embellishing, a feather and lace is also added beneath the frame.
An additional chipboard frame and lettering here, backed by some patterned paper and an old sewing pattern. I find doing projects like this are a great way to add some interesting elements, while using up bits of product I have stashed away! The "Thankful" sticker made it's way onto the banner, as did the pinwheel.
More ledger paper used in conjunction with a journaling spot, orange trim and some yellow tulle. The clock brad reminds me of how fast time goes by this time of year! Must enjoy it!
Thank-you so much for joining me today! I hope I've been able to show you how easy it is to make your own recycled seasonal banner. If you've any questions, simply ask, and if you do make a banner, we'd LOVE to see it! Happy Fall!