A Non-Traditional Advent Banner

It’s another banner!

Yes, I have been on banner overdrive lately.  But come ON… how can you not love this fun bag/envelope banner?  I used Pink Paislee’s awesome winter release, Snow Day, so I could use this countdown banner for Christmas, winter birthdays, and even Valentine’s Day. 

This year I will be using it as a non-traditional advent calendar leading up to Christmas.  My husband will get the even numbers and the little guy will get the odd numbers.  I plan on filling each little envelope and bag with things like scratch tickets, candy, and knick knacks (for the husband) and stickers, animal crackers, and toy cars (for the boy).  These bags have a pretty good amount of room so I can even get small books, socks (ooooh!), and a few larger things in there!

I made all the bags and envelopes myself out of muslin and burlap.  There are six different styles.  I left most of the raw edges unfinished because I liked the rustic look and because, well, I didn’t want to send myself to the funny farm by trying to make burlap look perfect!

I used my hot glue gun to attach all the paper to the fabric because I wanted it to be durable and burlap is tough, adhesive wise. 

The brad closure envelopes are hung on the ribbon and closed with twine.

There are two mini “paper” bags that I sewed to actually have gussets like lunch sacks!  They are folded over at the top and I used clothespins to fasten them to the ribbon. 

On the right I folded the top of the pouch over and used three brads right through the burlap to fasten it over the ribbon.

The hanging bags are slightly gusseted but wide and left open at the top.  I hung them from wide ribbon “handles”.

The hanging sacks have round bottoms and gathered tops and are tied on with the ribbon in the gathered casing. 

Lastly, the pointed envelopes are simply looped over the top of the ribbon and clothespinned. 

I love this banner. 

You know what else I love??  Paper Issues.  If you want to check out more amazing Snow Day inspiration, link up your own snow themed projects (by the 12th), and even throw your name in to win some fab Snow Day goodness head on over to Paper Issues ASAP!

Till next time!

Harvest Decor

Have I mentioned how much I love autumn yet??  Yes?  Oh.  Well now you have to “hear” it again because today’s post is just screaming fall goodness!  It just doesn’t get much better than a little boy in a pumpkin patch.

I am featuring this altered frame project at Right at Home Scrapbooking.  It features the Harvest Market line from Lily Bee, which is on my favorites list right now!  I adore the rich colors and versatile patterns.

You'll notice that I completely removed the cardboard backing and the glass from this.  I decided it would be more fun and give me more options if I treated the center more like a shadow box. This way I get a lot more dimension and layers on there.

Pretty much everything I make these days has a touch of burlap.  It's super inexpensive at your local fabric store and can be used for backgrounds, craft projects, or even like a "ribbon" like I did here.  I simply cut a strip and used my hot glue gun to form the bow.

I tucked part of a kraft doily on left but adhered it to the top inside of the frame, rather than the bottom.  There's a little foam tape under there to help it pop out and layer on top of the photo.  The wood letters were misted orange. I love the look of wood grain on an autumn project!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Free Class Weekend at Miss Art’s!

Has Halloween left you covered in sweet wrappers, partially duct tapped to your child's abandoned costume with a bank account balance that's more trick than treat? If your feeling more hallow than happy let Miss Art's headmaster treat you to a fantastic, but time sensitive offer. For this weekend only, (November 4 - 6th) enjoy a tuition free class designed to renew your creativity, and go easy on your wallet. You can even snack on the candy "taxes" you've stolen from the kiddos while taking the class. Beginning on Friday, November 4th, you will have 3 days to check out one of our most popular classes for free, no subscription needed. In “Layered Layouts”, you will accompany our inspired resident architect, Julie Winks, as she explains the essential underpinnings of daringly designed layouts. We hope to see you in the class room and if you enjoy our class that you'll be kind enough to leave an apple or a comment for the teacher.

Julie Winks for Miss Art’s Papercrafting School

Check out this great free class at Miss Art’s Papercrafting School, where it will be available starting on Friday morning!