Paper Pursuits: Thankful Banner - MFT Creative Challenge

The MFT Design Team Creative Challenge is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative side using a specific theme, product, or technique. This month, we were challenged to create a custom banner using our assortment of banner themed Die-namics. Be sure to check out the MFT Blog for a list of all participating designers who have a project to share with you today.

Hi, everyone, I have a Thanksgiving banner to share with you today. I’ve had this in the back of my mind for a while—I wanted one to co-ordinate with my Thanksgiving table settings that I made for the October New Product Tour and this challenge was just the push I needed to get it done.

I used a bunch of Die-namics dies on this banner—I love using them, they make banner making a breeze! The photo at the top was taken on my front porch with my banner attached to a piece of white paneling—my light box is big, but not big enough to stretch it out. So, here’s another view, in my light box--hopefully it comes through a little larger for you.

Before I show you some details, here’s what it looks like hanging on the china cabinet that will be it’s home starting on November 1st.

OK, here’s the first pennant—I added a cluster of Die-namics Fall Leaves, stamped, using the rock and roll technique, with images from the recently released Thankful Leaves set. Before I tied the stems together with some hemp cord and hot glued them onto the pennant, I shaped them with my fingers to give them some dimension.

Here’s one of the individual pennants. I used three sizes of my Die-namics Jumbo Fishtail Banner STAX for the base. Then I added a medallion using my Die-namics 1/4” Rosette die, a layered center using my Die-namics Circle STAX, and finally, the letters using the new Die-namics High-Rise Alphabet Uppercase.

Here’s a close up showing the green layer of the center disc—I stamped the text image from Thankful Leaves on each one.

For the pennant header, I cut a border using my Die-namics Triple Scallop Borders set, punched holes in each upper corner (reinforced on the back to keep the ribbon from tearing through) and threaded my hanging ribbon through the holes to connect all the pennants. I finished up by tying on a Hot Fudge button with hemp cord between each pennant.

And here’s the last pennant—I stamped one single maple leaf, again with the rock and roll technique, and attached it to this pennant, again shaping it a bit before adhering. I didn’t want it as “heavy” on the embellishments as the first one--I think one leaf is just enough.

Here are all the Die-namics dies I used on this banner:

Thanks SO much for stopping by! I hope we’ll encourage you to make a banner of your own—although it’s only fair to warn you that they’re addictive once you get started :) Also hope to see you back tomorrow for MFTWSC!