Today's project is sort of a kitchen sink craft. Basically I went through whatever crafty or scrapbooking stuff I had around and used everything but the kitchen sink! I really wanted to use vintage flashcards to make a banner and crepe paper to make ruffles. And I love the sweet products from Pretty Little Studio.
More on that tomorrow... I am posting an interview with Melissa from Pretty Little Studio and she's offering a special deal to YoT readers.
Supplies: Vintage flashcards, buttons, chipboard letters to spell school, crepe paper, paint, glitter, graph paper, scraps from the October Afternoon Report Card line, vintage images from Pretty Little Studio, ribbon, a random flower, large scallop punch, chipboard leaves from American Crafts, tulle for hanging the banner.
I painted the letters red and glittered them.
To make the crepe paper ruffles, I set my sewing machine to the longest stitch possible and ran the paper through about a half inch in. I was a little concerned because the crepe paper itself was vintage (or at least from the '80's) but it was fine. You could also hand stitch this, using a long stitch.
I left long threads on either end of the crepe paper and gently tugged on one of them and smooshed the gathered part down as I went. It makes a cute ruffle. It's easy to make a "circle" out of it too which I did to back one of the vintage images from Pretty Little Studio.
I punched holes in the flashcards using the smallest circle punch I have. Depending on what you're doing to hang the garland up with, a hole punch would work well too.
I used my glue gun to attach the crepe paper to the back of the flashcards.
Here's what the ruffle looks like from the front. Looks like my holes were a little uneven on this one. Lol.
Now for the fun part! I used the scraps from the October Afternoon Report Card line to punch out large scallops, glued on the letters and tinkered with embellishments until I liked how it looked.
Linking up to these fun parties. This is going to be a wonderful week! Tomorrow we're talking to Melissa from Pretty Little Studio, on Wednesday I'll be sharing a chocolate chip cookie recipe, and on Thursday we're going Behind the Blog with Kind Over Matter. Plus, my sweet friend Katie from Katie's Nesting Spot and I have been working on something I'm super excited about. I can't wait to share it with you soon!
BIG Hug! Malia































What fun flashcards!! I LOVE crepe paper :)
Blessings!
Gail
Posted by: Gail@FaithfulnessFarm | 08/23/2010 at 07:59 AM
SIMPLY STINKEN DARLING IN EVERY WAY. love banners so much. WAY TO GO. jen
Posted by: Jennie Larsen | 08/23/2010 at 08:03 AM
Oh my! Soooo precious! I'm adding THIS to my list TOO!
Posted by: Christy | 08/23/2010 at 08:34 AM
oh, those flashcards are so pretty- and perfect for the first day of school here where i live (dallas)
Posted by: kerri | 08/23/2010 at 12:13 PM
oh my goodness malia...this is stunning and what a perfect teachers gift to hang in front of her desk...
Posted by: greta adams | 08/23/2010 at 12:52 PM
Another adorable banner project. You are so talented!!
Posted by: Meredith | 08/23/2010 at 04:39 PM
Your banner is fabulous, love those old flashcards!!
Tracey
Posted by: raggygirlvintage | 08/23/2010 at 07:27 PM
That is way stinking cute!! Love how you sewed the crepe paper, I was just sewing it. Your latest follower! I am having a giveaway over at my place. Join in. :)
http://theautocrathaley.blogspot.com/2010/08/200-follower-giveaway.html
Posted by: Haley Davis | 08/23/2010 at 08:34 PM
I love this! It is so colorful and whimsical! Crepe paper is one of my very favorite vintage components to use in my designs.
Posted by: Lana | 08/24/2010 at 05:29 AM
This is so cute. It would be great to have up to celebrate school starting.
Posted by: JDaniel4's Mom | 08/24/2010 at 11:37 AM
Your banner is beautiful!
Posted by: Katie | 08/24/2010 at 01:55 PM
I just found your blog and I am LOVING this banner! So cute! TFS, Nan
Posted by: Nan | 08/24/2010 at 04:34 PM
Great project. You might want to try double sided sticky tape for the crepe paper, however. I used to sew, until I discovered the double sided tape method and it's about 10 times faster. You simply place your tape, then walk & scrunch the crepe paper onto it!
Posted by: Kate | 08/24/2010 at 04:41 PM
Hi! Just wanted to let you know about my MomsReview4You Wednesday blog hop! Would love it if you would come follow me and link up!
http://momsreview4you.blogspot.com/p/blog-hop.html
Posted by: melissa | 08/24/2010 at 09:27 PM
Hi Milia. I just found you on Transformation Thursday. You're picture was the first one I clicked on. This really is so cute. And I love the easy to follow tutorial you've created. I know that takes a lot of time. I have yet to do one, so thank you for sharing.
Hugs...Tracy :)
P.S. Your blog is so cute and I can't wait to come back and read over past post. I'm signing up via email and look forward to getting to know you.
Posted by: Tracy @ Cotton Pickin Cute | 08/26/2010 at 06:11 PM
This is ab.so.lutely precious! I KNOW I have at least 3 packs of flashcards that aren't being used lying around this house somewhere! I LOVE your idea for ruffling the crepe paper! Missed doing this for back to school this year, but I'm going to def do this for next year's BTS time! Thanks for sharing this project! Excited to be a new follower! Partying with you over at Somewhat Simple!
Posted by: Allison | 08/28/2010 at 08:02 AM
We are so glad you shared your great project with us at Anything Related! They look so pretty!~
Posted by: Rebekah {All Thingz Related} | 08/29/2010 at 01:01 PM
CUTE! I love that a kitchen sink craft. I need to do some of those...but I have to call it a clean out the garage craft.
This looks so fun and whimsical and I LOVE it!
Can't wait to see what you and Katie have going on - it is going to be great for sure!
Posted by: Holly L | 09/02/2010 at 10:39 AM
This banner is just charming! You were so creative with the entire thing, down to the details. I would love to make something like this for our study area.
Posted by: Lisa | 09/03/2010 at 07:07 AM
This is adorable! I love it! What a great way to ring in the new school year!
Posted by: Gabrielle @ i.craft | 09/03/2010 at 11:27 AM
So cute! I always decorate for back to school and I'm going to have to make something like this.
Posted by: Sweet Bee Cottage | 09/06/2010 at 06:42 PM
Malia, I love this as a back to school celebration. I've never celebrated it with decorations but this is worth it. So cute Malia!
Posted by: Ann Hayes-Bell | 09/10/2010 at 09:44 PM