DIY Give Thanks Paper Garland Banner

November 14, 2010

Hello all! Hope you had a great weekend! We are DONE with marching band season (so proud of them!!) and I now have my hubby back…for approximately two weeks. :)

I haven’t done anything crafty in a while and last week I was feeling my mojo creeping back…so I got busy on a quick Thanksgiving project for our foyer.

I’ve been admiring the cute “Thankful” banners I’ve seen over blogland lately, and figured it was high time I made one of my own. I picked up about $3 of paper from Hobby Lobby:

And warmed up my sah-weet Silhouette machine:

My original thought was to do some circles, then put leaves in pretty colors over those, with letters on the leaves to spell my thankful message:

But after I cut out the leaves, I realized they were going to be way too small for the letters. Plan B was to cut out additional circles a bit smaller than the original ones:

I love love LOVE that cardstock – I use it all the time. It’s got a simpler, lined side, and a side (the one I prefer) with a linen-like texture to it. And aren’t those scalloped edges too cute? (I purchased the design on the Silhouette site for a buck.)

When I was done cutting, I ended up with large and small circular cut outs, the leaves that I wanted to try to use, and the letters:

Normally I use spray adhesive for paper projects, but the glue stick was closer. :) It worked great!:

Using my hole puncher, I added two holes in each one, then strung the letters and little leaves on some twine. I absolutely LOVE how it turned out!:

Isn’t that so stinking cute?

I had the buffet in our foyer dressed for fall six weeks ago, but took it all down for the Halloween display. I just put everything back the way I had it, even though it’s only for a few days, week, couple of weeks till Christmas starts peeking out. :)

I plopped one of my (real) blue Cinderella pumpkins on some burlap:

Can you believe I’ve had that pumpkin for about eight weeks now? It’s still perfect! Crazy.

Back in August, I was strolling through Pier 1 and saw some beautiful faux leafy stuff, and it was gorgeous. I especially loved that it was really, really tall and full. I knew I’d need a few of them though, so I held off. (They weren’t really cheap.)

Imagine my glee when I saw something very similar at Hob Lob:

I think they were $3 each, half off? Wicked good. :)

When we were working on my father-in-law’s house a couple of months ago, I saw this beautiful amber glass piece and swooned:

Isn’t it gorgeous? Perfect for my fall display!

I filled it with little beady stuff, pine cones and acorns I’ve used through the years:

All together, with our new Give Thanks garland on the mirror, and it’s a lovely, warm welcome!:

You’ll notice my Cinderella pumpkin tower shrunk by one. I noticed the other day that the middle one had cracked and it was NASTY. Ew!

I can’t even believe the difference a year makes – this little bitty table just didn’t do it for that spot:

Thanks to Craigslist, I have a lovely new spot to decorate each season!:

Yippeeee! For that, I am thankful. ;)

I’ll show you a few more of my fall goodies soon, and then it’s all over folks – get ready for some magic!!!

Are you still working on fall decor? Has Christmas crept up around your house?

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Comments

  1. Christmas HAS creeped up at our house! In fact, it's pretty much taken over! We put up 2 trees last weekend and another 2 this weekend. I still have to get my son's out for his room so he can decorate it. Tonight is the first night the outside of our home has been lit for Christmas this year. I gave some family members my fall decorations today...I figured out that I usually go straight from Halloween to Christmas, so why keep that stuff around taking up space? I love your fall banner and I really do like fall and Thanksgiving decorations; I just like Christmas more. :o)

    Julie
    julie.dunworth@yahoo.com

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  2. I love it! A touch of crafty, a touch of natural, and a whole lotta warm colors! The perfect combination!

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  3. You have the same doorbell cover that we do...have you ever tried painting one? That thing drives me batty and I'd love it to match the wall, but I don't know how well the wall paint will adhere to it. Guess I'll give it a shot and see....

    Julie
    julie.dunworth@yahoo.com

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  4. LOVE your banner! All of our Christmas is in storage at my parents & I thought about grabbing some while I was there today but I am making myself wait until at least Thanksgiving. Over at MIL's, is another story: she had my boys dragging out all of her boxes from the attic today! I expect full Christmas decor when we go for Thanksgiving! :)

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  5. So pretty! I just love what you did with the Silhouette machine - huge envy going on over here!

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  6. If I made a banner it would say Gobble Gobble. Love yours and your machine.

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  7. We have a console table in our entryway too and I'm also thankful for that spot to decorate (especially since we have no mantels)! Your banner came out great and looks easy to do with your machine. I keep wondering if I should invest . . .

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  8. Kiddo keeps asking when we can put up "Christmas". I keep telling him not until after Thanksgiving. Kiddo then points out EVERY single house or store that already has their Christmas stuff out. *sigh* I'm working really hard at not giving in.....

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  9. What a great idea and such a welcoming foyer! I NEED a sillouette! :)

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  10. As always, it looks fabulous! I am not decorating for Christmas until AFTER Thanksgiving. ;) I have birthday decor up right now since we had my granddaughter's birthday party today. But tomorrow I am decorating for Thanksgiving. THEN Christmas!

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  11. that is darling. I love that console table. It's amazing. What a great spot to "do" up for the holidays. Thinking of asking santa for a silhouette. Do you love it??

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  12. It looks fantastic. That cinderella pumpkin is gorgeous, I love the color!

    Your entryway looks amazing....all of it!

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  13. Nothing even vaguely Christmas-y is allowed to peek out of their storage boxes until a few days after Thanksgiving! I hate that the stores keep pushing the holiday stuff earlier and earlier. I love Christmas as much as the next guy, but I don't want Christmas stuff around for more than a month, tops. My family leaves Christmas in place until Three Kings Day (Jan 6). If it goes up earlier than Thanksgiving, we'll look obsessed!! LOL!

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  14. It looks great, Sarah! Your entry way is so cozy and inviting. The Give Thanks banner is adorable! I wish I did something like that (:

    I just love your blog and your writing style. You always put a smile on my face! I know I can count on your post being up before my bedtime so I can go to bed happy (:

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  15. So cute! I love the simple sweetness of those banners. I will defnitely need to get around to making one soon. Love it :)

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  16. I LOVE that lamp, and all of your fall decor! Just gets me ready for a little turkey and stuffing :)

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  17. LOL... I have that very same Little Table in my front foyer. And I've been thinking it was time for it to go (got it at Bombay a hundred years ago). I don't have as much space as you do.... but if I get rid of the table first... It will force me to make a decision! Thanks for the nudge.

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  18. cute foyer! I love how it looks. :)

    And no Christmas has NOT crept at my house! I refuse to let Christmas into my home until after Thanksgiving. :) I'm still doing Thanksgiving crafts with the kids in fact to decorate the house.

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  19. My son and I like your banner. We might try to make one of our own for a homeschool project.

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  20. Everything looks great! I looove the amber glass! The Silhouette is going on my Christmas list this year :)

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  21. Adorable banner. I may have to break down and invest in one of the Silhouette or Cri-cut machines. I have one measly little craft punch, but it seems like I could really widen my horizons with one of those bad boys. Can't wait to see what craftiness you create for Christmas!

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  22. Love, love, love it!! :) Esp the garland! It turned out great!

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  23. Good heavens, I still have duct tape on the wall in the entry where I tried to make our black bats stick. It was a failure. My house was obviously painted with teflon paint before we bought it... :)

    This week, the fall decor gets some love!

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  24. Your garland looks wonderful, I am quite inspired :)

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  25. The banner is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving foyer! Everything is fabulous!!! Love the beautiful rug too :o)
    Kristen

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  26. Love it!! Funny thing, I took down all my Fall yesterday because I didn't really like it and it was bugging me. Looks like if I just do some painting and rearranging, I may like it again. Thanks!

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  27. Love it! I really want to make a "thankful" pennant banner I've been seeing... not sure i'll get it done in time though.

    No Christmas yet. The day after Thanksgiving the magic begins! Doesn't mean I'm not thinking about it and planning!!

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  28. Love your garland!!!! Your whole Fall display is just beautiful, Sarah. :)

    Would you mind if I added this link to my Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up this week? I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the first time ever this year, and asking anyone and everyone to link up old or new posts that are Thanksgiving related. I need ideas! ;)

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  29. Looks Awesome!

    -FringeGirl

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  30. That dresser DOES make a huge difference! It looks great, and I'm loving the amber goblet.

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  31. Thanks Sarah, I need to get my arse in gear, but marching season isn't over till next weekend here! This is our hell week, with our tournament that we host last Sat and championships the 19-21. Plus throw in another tournament on Tues and senior march off on Thurs. Kids off all next week, so my fall will go up then, better later then never right?

    Toodles,

    Laura

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  32. Last year I SWORE that I would be all decorated for Christmas by Thanksgiving. Then my daughter asked me to host a surprise b-day party this weekend for her new hubby, then the following week is Thanksgiving here. SO, I have to wait til the DAY after Thanksgiving:( I am SO ready to decorate! AAUUGGHH!!!! I love your foyer and the banner. It came out so cute! XO, Pinky

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  33. I love your banner! Everything came together so beautifully! And your buffet was a wonderful find...I need to be on Craigslist more!

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  34. Just watched your segment on the Nate show! How exciting for you! I wish he could have really showcased your talents more, I'm completely addicted to your blog! (Have stolen/borrowed many of your ideas) Congrats on the feature!

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  35. EEek! I just saw your segment on the Nate Show!! I am really just SO excited for you~ Makes everything worth it, doesn't it?! So cool~ Your home is truly beautiful!! Hope you have time to watch the clip over and over and over again and let it sink in :)

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  36. Wow, some great decorationg ideas. Thanks for sharing - I'm definitely going to try some of these in my home.

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  37. Congrats Sarah! I just saw your pics on the Nate show :^) I was puttering around the house with the TV on, glanced up just as they showed the before and after of your island. I recognized it right away! How exciting for you!!

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  38. that looks great!!! I may need one of those machines under the tree this year!

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  39. I love it Sarah!

    Many Blessings,
    Melissa

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  40. You're on NATE right now!! Can't believe it! Congrats!

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  41. Just saw your post on the Nate show!!! Congrats, that was awesome!

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  42. Just saw your feature on Nate Berkus show! So cute and awesome to see your stuff on the "big screen!"

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  43. Just saw Nate talking about you! What a great shout out! Janell

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  44. O MY GOSH! You are on Nate RIGHT NOW!

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  45. Love you foyer, and your site. Been a follower for some time now :) Just saw your plug on the Nate show, how exciting for you!!! Congrats :)

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  46. Hey there! I watched Nate today-- totally PUMPED to hear your website on the show! (I have been following you since early Sept). LOVE your blog and I can only imagine the jump you have seen in 'hits' on your site in the last day! CONGRATS! ! ! I think your vocab. is FABULOUS on your blog and I can't get enough of blogging now... It's SO addictive! AH! Anyhoo- have a great day and congrats again!

    Thank you for all your awesome blog posts,
    Jacki (in Wisconsin)

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  47. Very cute banner and gorgeous foyer! Great work as always!

    And I totally saw that Nate Berkus talked about you and this fabulous blog on his show today!! :) Congrats! How exciting! When he said the name I was like- I totally follow her blog! I'm so happy for you!

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  48. AH I was watching Nate Berkus and heard them talk about you! I was so excited and felt so cool that i already follow your blog!

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  49. Hi Sarah
    It was so exciting to see Nate feature you and your blog today - Seeing the photos of your DIY transformtions on my tv screen made me smile. How exciting for you!
    My best- Diane

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  50. Oh my gosh!! Congrats for being featured on Nate Berkus' show today. I was sitting there with my Mom and I started yelling "I helped her pick out her Bedroom Curtains!" My Mom was like... "what?" So I told her you were like a RockStar in the decorating on a budget blog world. She now takes my decorating hobby a little more serious. Like somehow... Now I AM on Nate Berkus' level. Ha! Too funny.

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  51. Love your foyer, but what I really came to say is WOW - just saw your blog featured on Nate!! How awesome is that?! Now that you're so famous, you have to be sure to remember all of us followers who knew you before you were featured on national television!!!

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  52. I just watched my Tivo Nate show and you got great coverage and a huge shout out! You should be so proud of your work and for this huge honor! Congrats!

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  53. Beautiful foyer! I love how you cut out the letters! I have a friend that has a machine that does that, maybe I should give her a call..:)

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  54. A beautiful transition for the holiday. I am on with Christmas since we had TG in Oct here in Canada!

    I was so excited to see you mentioned on the Nate show and a little worried that the address was wrong. Now I see you are on both blogpot, and dot com!!! Well deserved accolades! Congratulations, I'm sure it will take your blog to new heights!!! I've loved reading your blog or quite a while now!

    Hugs Giggles

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  55. Love it! I just created my first blog and just want to say thank you for your truly inspiring ideas! You're the best! :)

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  56. Cograt's on the mention on the Nake Burkus Show! Whoo hoo!!!

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  57. Just so lovely -The leaves and the garland really look nice in your foyer -I have loved your buffet at the front painted black -yes, thank goodness for Craig's List

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  58. Hi Sarah! Just wanted to let you know that I'm going to feature your banner on my blog on Dec 26. I hope I can make one similar. Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

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  59. This is so cute This is going on my to do list for the fall!!!

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