Birthday Banners

.........Birthday Banners.........

A fun way to brighten up birthdays

I've been writing guest blogs for DCWV (http://dcwvinc.blogspot.com/) and thought you all might be interested in those posts too. Here are some of the projects I've been featuring there, with a little more instruction so you can make the crafts too. Enjoy!

For my friends at work I make birthday cards for everyone in the office to sign but I can't stop there. Everyone needs something to make them feel extra special on their birthday, so I've been making mini-banners to drape across their computer screen or the back of their chair. It is a fun little touch that makes the day feel like a celebration. The mini-banners are really cute on cakes too. (To put the banner on a cake, I tie the ends of the banner to two decorative drinking straws or two dowels and stick them into the cake top.)

You can also tie the mini-banners to a card to mail to a far away friend. I bet getting a handmade card with cute little banners would make anyone's day.

The banners are easy to make even if you don't have a template handy. Here is how you make your own:

1) Cut basic shapes from folded scratch paper to create templates of any shape and size.

2) Punch a hole in the top corner of the folded paper to make evenly spaced holes.

3) Use the templates to cut the individual flags from scrap paper. (I used the Chalk Art Paper Stack here. This paper is available at Hobby Lobby Craft Stores.)

4.) String the flags together on twine, floss, or ribbon and embellish with flowers cut from the paper or with buttons.

P.S. The chalk paper easily erases with a damp cloth. It is very forgiving and reusable too. I used chalk markers to decorate this larger banner with the intent that the name, age, and occasion could quickly be changed for the next celebration. It is very handy to have a reusable custom banner ready at a moment’s notice. (This banner is made from The Chalkboard Paper Stack by DCWV. It is available at Michael's Craft Store and JoAnn's Craft Store.)

I've made a printable version of the mini-banner's instructions for your craft library. I don't know about you, but I like to keep an inspiration library on hand for when I'm drawing a blank in the creativity department. 

Do something happy today!