Aligator Clip Banner Chain

Throughout the year I enjoy hanging different seasonal banners or garlands in my front window.  However, it is always such a pain to climb the ladder to put them up and take down not to mention not the safest thing to be climbing ladders.

Well, awhile back I saw an idea on one of those sites where they offer one home decor item each day at a reduced price.  That is were I got the idea to make a banner holder with clips on a metal chain.  The sites I checked out charge anywhere from $13.00 to $18.00 for this type of chain and clips. 

I ordered 30 clips online for $5.00 and used a piece of chain from my jewelry supply stash.  Ended up only use 10 clips for this project and an 8 foot piece of chain to perfectly fit my window.  You could make yours any length just by adding more or less chain and clips.

 You just un-clip the pendants and change them out without taking the whole piece down.

I found a few examples on Pinterest.  As you can see this can be used for manny different seasons.

I began by measuring out the the chain and marking equal distances along the chain to add the clips.

To attach the clips I slipped them through the links of the chain and used a pair of pliers to close the loop at the top of the clip permanently attaching them to the chain.

I clipped my pendants in place just to see how it would look.  Think I will take them down and add a few pieces of ephemera to these.

I also think I will make another chain and clip for my mantle, too.

Happy Crafting!

French Inspired Banner

I decided to change out the fireplace decor a little by hanging a banner from the bottom edge.

I went on Pinterest and found these 4 pendants and 4 smaller pictures to print out and decorate.  I punched a hole in each corner and made the ties from tea stained seam binding.

I cut each one out with decorative edged scissors, distressed with ink and decorated.

This one I made a dusty pink crepe paper camellia flower and highlighted some areas with Stickles Glitter Glue in blue.

Here I added a aged white daisy type flower.

Another dusty pink camellia here and more Stickles on the crown.

I added a butterfly to this one with another daisy type flower.

And for the little postcard sized pictures in between the larger banners I also cut out with decorated edged scissors and distressed, added more Stickles.

Added the little kitty to this card.

More Stickles for bling.

And here it is hanging from my mantel along with the the paper cone made from textured wallpaper.

Nice summery change.

Happy Crafting!

Rescued Bunny

I came across this sad little wooden bunny and just had to give him a new life.  Did you ever see such a poor little creature?

First thing I did was clean him up and give him a fresh coat of white paint.

Gave him a face including a pink nose and pink paws.

Then I added a smile and whiskers.

Next I went to my paper stash and found 5 small pennants I cut out, glued to black chipboard, Punched holes and threaded onto baker's twine.  This I hung between the bunnies paw's. using thumbtacks to secure in place.

 And here he is displaying his fine new banner with his fine new look.

Happy Crafting!

Trick or Treat Banner

Here is the new Halloween banner I just completed.  I purchased a fabric panel online at Fabric.com.  It looked really cool when it arrived.  So I got busy.  First I ironed the panel, then bonded it to a plain piece black cotton fabric for the backing.  Next I cut each flag out. 

 I thought it look too plain so I took them all to the sewing machine and stitched a fancy border around each one. The two end pieces with the sculls I decided to use a stitch that reminded me of Skull and Crossbones.  On the remaining flags I stitched a feather type stitch.  Still too plain. 

 So off to my craft table and with a little Tim Holtz Distress ink I added some dirt and age with black.  Gives it a sooty look. Next I used my hot glue gun to add a few skulls, bats, and orange rhinestones.  Well, now it needed color.  Right? So off to my stash for some orange and black fibers, orange ribbon and a little orange netting trim. Finally I used my punch to make a hole in each corner and strung each flag on  brown twine. I ended up putting just a dab of hot glue in the center back of each flag on the banner to keep it from sliding along the twine. 

I love the way it turned out.  It's almost October so time to get the Halloween decorations out of the garage and figure out which one I want to use this year.