Banner Tutorial... finally already!

Okay my friends, I took like a bazillion pictures for this tutorial so it will be super-dooper easy to follow... I hope.

First off, decide what you want your banner to say and pick coordinating paper.

For the letters you have a few options.

If you have a circut then you are LUCKY and you can just cut out your letters with that (about 5 inches tall).

If you are like me then you need some other options:

You can always go to a scrapbooking store that has die cuts and cut your letters or...

You can find your favorite font and print the letters you need (again about 5 inches tall) on cardstock and cut them out and use them as a pattern (don't throw them away so you'll have them again for another banner another day).

That is the method I used for my Halloween banner and although it was more time consuming the banner turned out great.

These are my recent find and are perfect for making banners! I got like 10 packs on clearance at a scrapbooking store here in Louisville. You can buy them online or check out your local scrapbook store to see if they carry them or anything like them.

You also need a pattern for your scalloped circles (again, if you have a cricut then you are LUCKY). I'm including this one so you can use it to make your pattern. Just size it to 6inches and print on cardstock and cut out.

Okay, once you have all the items the rest is easy. Layout your letters... I like to alternate circles and squares.

Decide what papers you want behind each letter and cut the paper into circles or squares.
I just used a lid to trace my circles.

I like to have a solid color behind the paper to pull it all together. For this banner I chose a dark brown. Cut it big enough to create a border around the paper. I also like to round the corners on the squares.

Now pull out your distressing ink or stamp pads or chalk or even paint and use it on the edges to give your paper a finished look.

Almost done... doesn't it look pretty?!

Now pull out your eyelets... I only have 2million of those little guys... and put two in the top corners of the paper to hang the letters on the string. If you don't have eyelets just use a hole punch.

Now glue...tape... adhere all of your letters and papers so that they are secure.
Pull your string through the letters and then I like to hang it up to add the ribbons so I can space the letters and stand back and look at the colors I need.

I like to pick lot's of bright colors of ribbons and just tie them with a square knot.

Someone asked how I hang the banner. I don't do anything fancy, I just use a little clear packing tape and then I tape the ends of the string under some heavy vases I have on the mantel so they hold it in place.

If you have another idea of how to hang the banner please share in the comments.

And there you go! Too cute!

Okay Spring... I've got my banner up to welcome you... I'm ready... Spring?