~dollar store flag banner~

This is a project I did last year, but thought I'd share it again as the Fourth of July is right upon us!

It's an easy no sew project that can be done in a matter of minutes.

Start out with as many flags as you want.

I purchased mine at the dollar store.

They were on sticks which I discarded.

You will also need ribbon or bias tape, and fabric glue.

Find a long flat surface to lay your flags on.

I weighted mine down because I was outside and the wind was blowing that day.

Glue the bias tape or ribbon on and then tape down until dry.

When it's dry you are ready to hang!

What are your plans for the Fourth of July?

xoxo

~my home sweet home banner~ {diy}

I have seen these adorable banners popping up all over the place.

I think they are so cute, and I liked the idea of making my own to customize the wording.

So, I rummaged around and found a piece of leather scrap, and luckily was able to cut it using my paper cutter.

Mine is about 15" x 20" 

After I cut the leather I headed to my local craft store and used their die cut machine to cut out letters onto black felt. I also picked up a wooden dowel 

{which I later cut down to 17"}

 and some fabric glue.

If you don't have leather, you can use any fabric.

I liked the idea of leather because I could leave the edges raw, meaning no sewing.

I was so happy to see how easily it was to cut the felt using the die cut machine.

I think I will have to dream up even more projects with these letters now.

I eyeballed where I wanted the letters, then just glued them on with this fabric glue.

While it was drying I darkened up the dowel a bit with dark wax. 

You could use stain, or paint for this too.

Once all that was dry I put a row of liquid nails on the backside and rolled the dowel up, securing it with painters tape overnight.

Finally, {not pictured}

I used twine and a hot glue gun to secure a hanger to the dowel.

Here is another project I made using the same leather scraps.

I think this is one of my new favorite projects.

I hope it inspires you to make one!

I also hope you have a wonderful St. Patricks day.

It's my husbands birthday so I am off to bake up some key lime cake.

xoxo

~DIY ombre watercolor Valentine's banner~

Here is an easy little project for you for the upcoming holiday.

It's a watercolor banner and it can be made in under 30 minutes, start to finish.

 Start with 4 pieces of watercolor paper cut into a triangular shape.

You can make them any size you want.

I used a paper cutter for a more precise cut, but if you don't have one, scissors work just fine.

Next you will need letter stickers from the office supply store. These are vinyl stickers and are different from regular ones. They are reposition able and will not stick to the paper or tear it.

Pick a word. 

I chose love, and set your letters aside.

You will also need watercolor paints and watercolor pens.

{Pens optional}

Place one letter on each piece of paper, centering it.

I varied the fonts with mine.

Using a colored watercolor pencil that matches your paint choice, outline each letter.

Starting at the bottom, work your way up with the paint.

To get the ombre effect, put the paint on heavy at the bottom, 

mixing with more water as you work your way up.

Blot dry with paper towels if you are impatient like me. 

Then peel off your letter.

When they are dry, stack them up and punch holes in each corner.

Run twine or ribbon through and hang.

xoxo

~4th of July DIY~{blog hop!}

I am so excited to be hosting my first ever blog hop!

I have picked 7 bloggers, myself included, to share with you 

some fabulous do it yourself ideas for your 4th of July.

I am first up and am going to show you how to make this inexpensive no sew flag banner!

Here is what you will need:

Fabric glue

bias tape {or ribbon} in your choice of color

flags from the dollar store

blue painters tape

You will need to slip off the flags from the plastic poles.

You can toss these as you will not be needing them.

On a long work surface lay out your flags.

Since I did this outside, I weighed mine down with pots so they wouldn't fly away on me.

Next you want to glue the bias tape {or ribbon} to the top of the flags.

The bias tape I used had a double fold, so I had to glue the fold shut as well.

To secure it while it dries, use pieces of painters tape.

The instructions on the glue says to let dry for approx. 4 hours. 

I waited about 7, as mine was still wet after 4.

Once dry you can remove the tape and hang anywhere you like!

This is a super simple project that will make a big impact for your 4th of July decor!

To see what my friend Karianne is up to, head on over to her blog at

Thistlewood Farm.

xoxo

~thrifty thursday~{fabric scrap garland}

Recently my mom gave me a bag filled with vintage fabrics.

I was in the middle of making a different project with them {which I will share shortly} and decided to make a garland for Valentine's Day.
These are so easy, kids can make them. I feel silly even doing a tutorial. Basically you just tear strips of varying widths and lengths of fabric.
I also used some lace trim and ribbon on mine.

You can use any material for base. Twine, ribbon, cording. I had leather cording on hand, so that is what I used. I
tied it from one kitchen cupboard handle to one a few feet down and started randomly tying pieces on.

You can make it as full or as sparse as you'd like.
I made mine pretty full.

And there you have it!
xoxo