Scripture Banner Tutorial

I went back and forth whether or not we should pull the Christmas decorations out before Thanksgiving–and I decided to slowly but surely get a few things out…and while we were at it…why not go ahead and make the banner tutorial some of you have requested:). SO…I decided to make a banner that we can use each year at Christmas! These would make sweet little gifts or use them like we did for special occasions (the boys’ dedications and later hang them as keepsakes in their rooms). What a wonderful thing to do before decorating–I sat down and read through Luke 2 to choose a verse for our mantel. This is the one I chose to hang on our fire place this holiday season…
While the letters are a bit crooked and I bought a stamp set that didn’t have punctuation–you can get creative and make due–and I think the less perfect it is…the more fun and rustic it looks (that’s what I like to think anyway!) SO…for those of you who made the request and others who might like to get crafty over Thanksgiving as you think about decorating for Christmas—here you go…

Scripture Banner Tutorial

For this project, you will need: white fabric, burlap/jute fabric, twine/roping, black ink pad, rubber/wooden alphabet stamps, iron

1.

You can use any type of white or light fabric. I used a slightly off white fabric I already had–cheap curtain liner to be exact (the cheaper probably the better as the softer fabrics may not absorb the ink quite as well). I used the full width and to make sure it was even, I folded over the top and ironed a crease for me to cut a straight line.

2.

I printed the verse off I would use so it was in front of me to refer to. Then I just started stamping away. I bought my alphabet stamps at Hobby Lobby and they are at least 1 inch by 1 inch. You could use any color ink, but I just chose to use black to keep it simply. The first time I made a banner, I tried to keep the letters really straight by using a straight edge. It actually looked worse b/c it was more noticable if I made a small mistake after having several letters aligned perfectly–so I tossed the straight edge after that one and the rest of the banners I have made I simply eyeball it and put the letters as close as I can without overlapping. I even purposely turn them at a slight angle some times just to add a little more character.

3.

My alphabet set didn’t come with commas and periods–SO instead of buying more things I just made due. I used a glue stick to stamp the punctuation and a marker to make the line in the comma. I folded the bottom up where I wanted to cut the banner and ironed it to give me a straight edge to cut on. Then I cut the white banner.

4.

Now it is ready to attach to the burlap. I pinned the banner on top of the burlap. After it was pinned, I cut the burlap approx. 2 inches (just eyeballed the edge I wanted). Some of the burlap may fray on the edges–just adding a little more character:).

5.

To make it more secure–you could add heat/iron adhesive before sewing–but I skipped that and just sewed it on. I sewed a simple wide stitch about 1/2 inch inside the white fabric all the way around. (There is a trick, however, to keep it from bunching at the very end. You need to sew the 2 lengths in the same direction as the fabric will be pulled a bit while you sew.)

6.

Time to cut your twine. Cut 2 pieces of twine–2 yards each (you can trim it later–but it’s better to have too much than too little)

7.

Fold the twine in half and lay the rope at the corner top edge of the white banner. Sew back and forth several times to secure the twine to the banner. Do this on both ends. Then, just for appearance and a completed look–go back and tie knots in each end. And your done!!! It’s ready to hang!!!

I think we’ll actually move the nativity to another table–but I thought it was fun under the verse until I make the wreath that will go under it–between the toparies. Also–I tried a decorative stamp I already had on each ends just for a different look. I like it both ways…here is what a banner looks like without them and just hanging above a doorway (the way we hung them for the babies’ dedications)…

I have ONE more burlap craft…okay maybe TWO…so there if you buy some burlap I will help you use it!!!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST…I have an AWESOME give away to tell you about that ends TOMORROW!!!! You HAVE to check it out. ONE…because it’s an AWESOME give away!!!

SECOND…because Lara is precious and her family is trying to raise money to bring home their baby from Ethiopia!!! You can read more about the give away by clicking HERE …the give away included 20 shirts/sweatshirts…12 handmade AMAZING gifts (can you say Christmas shopping ALL done!) and 3 cool hats (more Christmas all done). You can enter this give away AS MANY times as you want!!!!

Here’s the run down on how to enter and how you can ultimately help them bring their baby home…Donate $10 toward to help Lara and her family bring their baby home–and your name is entered 1 time!

Buy one of their t-shirts (proceeds for this ALSO go toward their adoption!!!!)—and your name is entered 3 times for every t-shirt you buy!

If you buy one of her t-shirts or donate toward their adoption…tell Lara I sent you!!! I’m off to buy one of her t-shirts now!!! Seriously…the long-sleeved ones would be so great for just a kickin’ it day running errands–and I LOOOVE what it says “Each of us matters to God” shaped like Africa. Such a beautiful reminder how each of us DOES matter!!! I remember my first trip to Africa I was overwhelmed—why do I get to live here…why them there…BUT to know that EACH matters to Him and He is caring for them in unseen ways–and He may even choose to use me to help care.

OH…I want to win this give away!!! Oh…did I hear someone say they don’t like t-shirts??? WELLLLL…if you win…you can send them to ME;-) because I’d LOOOOVE to win this give away!!!!!

Hope you all have a great week ahead!!!!

XOXO,

Andrea