Paper Heart Winner + Crate DIY

In the midst of all the excitement, there's finally a moment to announce the Paper Heart Collection Winner from Monday. Lisa's been kind enough to give us a sneak peek or two of the beautiful collection the last couple of days. I'll openly admit, I'm in love. No kidding. I want every single piece of the pattern paper along with the chipboard accents and stickers. How about you? It's something fun to think about and prepare ahead of time for, though before I get too carried away, allow me to announce the super lucky winner! Congratulations to...

One year our church had an "old-fashioned" Valentine's Dinner and I helped with the decorations. My husband's grandmother had all these Valentine postcards and greeting cards from the late 1800's and early 1900's. So I used them to decorate the tables. I also made a collage heart with them that was posted on our "Valentine Wall". Everyone enjoyed looking at them and reading the quaint sayings such as "I am in a lather over you" featuring a duck taking a bath in an old tub. How fun to create new Valentines from your collection using quaint sayings from Valentine's past.

Posted by: Carolyn Williams | October 10, 2011 at 08:26 AM

Congrats Carolyn - Please forward your info to cpblog@cratepaper.com. We'll arrange for a box to greet you in the coming weeks! Early Happy Valentine's Day!

- Christine Middlecamp -
{Behalf of Crate Paper}

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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!

Comments

This is darling, Lexi! I love it!!

Posted by: Amy H | October 13, 2011 at 04:29 AM

Congrats to Carolyn!! I loveeeeeeeeeeee that banner!!! Just gorgeous! :):):):):):):):):):):)

Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | October 13, 2011 at 04:42 AM

Congrats Carolyn!! And that banner is ADORABLE!

Posted by: Lacey Igo | October 13, 2011 at 07:25 AM

Congratulations to the winner! Oh my, that banner is fantastic!!

Posted by: Carol (ScrapMomOf2) | October 13, 2011 at 07:42 AM

lexi, it is bannerific ;). seriously, it is lovely. xoxoxo

Posted by: samantha | October 13, 2011 at 07:50 AM

So cute!!

Posted by: char | October 13, 2011 at 08:22 AM

Absolutely stunning, Lexi!

Posted by: Sarah Martina | October 13, 2011 at 09:20 AM

I agree- wonderful banner- love all the fiddly bits and the natural canvas backing! Congrats to the winner!

Posted by: Michelle | October 13, 2011 at 09:21 AM

Beautiful, I love it!

Posted by: Meredith | October 13, 2011 at 09:24 AM

Amazing banner!

Posted by: Jean Marmo | October 13, 2011 at 01:08 PM

I love the hand cut leaves!

Posted by: Katie L Cavanaugh (Mrs. C) | October 13, 2011 at 01:49 PM

wow!!very clever idea

Posted by: geng | October 13, 2011 at 05:10 PM

Gorgeous banner!!! Love your use of food boxes! So smart(;

Posted by: Suzanne Sergi | October 13, 2011 at 10:45 PM

Lexi-I love a banner too! Yours is fab! I will have to try-where I get lost is in the layering of embellishments. BTW love the blueish lace in the project.

Posted by: Karey | October 13, 2011 at 11:46 PM