Banner Tutorial!!!

I know that it is probably shocking to you that I finally got this posted. I actually made a completely new tutorial since the last photos I had taken were for my Sparkle Banner back in January! I thought that something springy would be better. The photo that is my current blog title is actually from last year. That particular banner has gone missing, so I made a new one. As you can see, the shape is different, but I will explain how to make both shapes. I was pleased that I had saved those photos so that I could recreate the same Springy scene on my bench again this year.
ETA: I had someone ask me how I store my banners when they are not in use. I have an accordion peg type rack that I hang them on. I got it on clearance at Target years and years ago, but you really could just pound two nails into a piece of wood and hang them like that.
Step 1: Gather the paper and embellishments you would like to use for your banner. Depending on the length of the word I like to use 4-6 different papers. Double sided pattern papers are great for these since you get two patterns for the price of one.

Step 2: Depending on the type of chipboard letters you will be using, you may need to paint them to match your project. For this particular banner, I wanted some green letters and since I didn't have any that were already done, I went ahead and used some Making Memories Scrapbook paint and painted them. These particular chipboard letters are from Stampin' Up!. I also like to use the pre-glittered ones from Making Memories. I like to paint them at the beginning so that they have time to dry while I am doing the rest of the steps. If you notice the banner in my blog title photo, you will notice that all of the letters are lowercase and for this banner they are all capitals.

Step 3: You will need to cut each panel for your banner to 4 inches by 6 inches. The strips for the accordion medallions need to be 12 inches by 1 1/2. Before you cut into your paper to make the panels, remember that you will need the full length of the paper for the strips. If there is a definite *up and down* pattern on your paper, keep that in mind before cutting as well.

Once the cutting is all done. I like to pre-arrange where each panel will go and then the coordinating strip for the medallion. Once I have it all laid out like I like, I write it all down onto a piece of paper so I don't forget. That way I don't have to keep it all out like that while I am trying to do the other steps. I simply name each piece of paper (not what the company named it, but something simple to remember it by i.e. purple polka dots, paisley, large floral, etc.) I first write down the panel name and then next to it I write the accordion medallion name.

Step 4: Once you have all of your pieces cut, you will need to turn each panel upside down and do your measuring. The first step is to make sure you have it up and down the right way so that when you turn it over the top will be at the top! I use Stampin' Up's grip paper for my measuring as well as a ruler. The first step is to measure at two inches and make a mark. Then I turn the paper and measure as far up as I want the notch to be. This particular banner was measured at 4 1/2. Other banners that I have done in the past are measured at 4. The 4 inch measurement will give you a deeper notch. Does that make sense?

Step 5: Once you have those two measurements, you will need to use your ruler and a pen to mark from the edge of your panels up to the intersecting line. You will need to do this on both sides. Once that is done, simply cut on the line. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each panel until you are finished.

If you don't want this particular shape for your banner, but would like the pennant shape instead, all you need to do is measure directly on the bottom at 2 inches and make a pencil mark. From that mark, take your ruler and pencil and make a line up to the top right and again to the top left. You will then cut those lines to create the triangle shape.

Step 6: The next step is to prepare all of your accordion medallions. If you are unsure about how to make these, you can view my tutorial here. You will need to punch out 1 inch circles for the back of each medallion, or you could simply use a piece of scrap cardstock.

I use hot glue on the back of each medallion. Apply the glue in the center of each medallion and immediately press the circle over the glue and hold in place for 10 seconds or so. This will create a permanent bond and your medallions should keep together nicely. I have never had one come undone since I have used this method.

This is what the front and back of your finished medallions should look like.

Step 7: The next step is to glitter you letters and medallions if you want to. I didn't show the letters being glittered before they were hot-glued to the medallions, but you will want to do that first. I used a paper towel and rubbed some Martha Stewart liquid glue over the top and then sprinkled the Tinsel glitter over the top. Shake of the excess. Once that is done, you can go ahead and hot glue the letters to the accordion medallions. Refer to your pattern that you created at the beginning for proper placement.

For the medallions, run a line of glue over the entire edge, sprinkle glitter and shake off excess.
Attach them with a glue dot in the center of the punched circle to the panels. Refer to your pattern that you created at the beginning for proper placement.

Step 8: The next step is to hook the panels together. I use staples. If you center the staples nicely, it will allow each panel to hang like it should once the entire banner is put together and it is hung. You will want to turn each panel upside down as shown and staple them one at a time, making sure you are spelling your word correctly as you go. Refer to the pattern you created at the beginning for proper placement. Can you tell that I have made mistakes in the past? LOL!

As you can see on this banner, I added some 1 inch strips of the same pattern paper to the top as well as some *springy* words that I simply printed from my computer. I used one of my favorite fonts and then changed the color of the text to match my project. I printed it out onto cardstock and cut it into strips and adhered them to each panel.

Step 9: The next thing to do is to hide the staples and attach the ribbon. For this particular banner I used buttons, but you can use ribbon, flowers, anything that goes with your theme. I always use glue dots or hot glue depending on the type of embellishment. Glue dots work well for buttons. If I would have had more time, I would have added thread to each button before I attached it to the button, but I was in a super big hurry.

The type of ribbon that I used for this banner was a heavy satin, so I needed to add the large eyelets so that it wouldn't tear the thin paper. If the ribbon isn't so heavy and thick, I usually just punch a hole and thread it through. I usually use 1 yard of ribbon for each side. The length of ribbon that you use will depend largely on where it will be hanging.

This is what your completed banner will look like. Because of the staples, it allows the banner to move into the swag shape. Some of the extras that I like to add, but didn't make it onto this banner include:

*Crepe paper ruffles at the top of each panel

*sponging with ink on all paper and chipboard letters

*Jingle Bells and Bows where the buttons are

*Sewing

*Vintage Images at the beginning and end of the word or...vintage images to separate two words

*micro-beads used rather than glitter on the accordion medallions

the list goes on and on......

I have a banner section on my sidebar if you would like to view some of my other banners to see some of these extra details. Like I mentioned before, I was in a big hurry to get this particular banner done, so I didn't add the extras. I hope that this tutorial is informative and easy to understand. Thanks for fluttering by!