Birthday Banner

I am not very good at crafts but I refuse to pay a bunch of money on Etsy for someone to make something that I can totally make myself. I've figured out a simple way to make a cute birthday banner and I use this same technique for all the banners I make (great for parties, showers, etc!). It's SO easy and they always get lots and lots of compliments! Here's how I do it!

Supplies: I'm a big fan of over-buying. I buy WAY more than I need for a project so that way I don't stress if I mess up and then I just return all the left over stuff I don't use.

• 12x12 sized patterned paper (I buy one piece per letter that I plan to do)
• 8 1/2 x 11 sized plain paper (Again, I buy one piece per letter)
• Photo stickers
• Chipboard letters (I get ALL my supplies at Hobby Lobby, these are kinda pricey but often go on sale and you can get 40% off coupons all the time online. The packages come with two of each vowel but one of every other letter so, for me, I have to buy THREE packages in order to spell out "Happy Birthday Kye" because all those dang y's!)
• Paper cutter. I have one from my scrapbooking days. Make sure it has a good ruler on it too, makes life easier!
• Hole punch
• String or ribbons or twine
• Hole protectors (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut the patterned 12x12 paper into 6x6 squares (so yes, you can get two squares out of each sheet)
2. Cut the solid 8 1/2 x 11 paper into 4x4 squares (so you should be able to get four squares out of each sheet)
3. Cut the pieces of photo stickers to fit on the chipboard letters and place in center of each solid square
4. Place photo stickers on back of solid square and stick on center of patterned square.
5. Punch holes in the top corners or along the center edges (but not too close to the edge or they will rip) of each patterned square. When I made this one I had an after thought that it'd be SUPER smart to use hole protectors on the backs (those little stickers with holes in them) of the patterned squares to protect the holes from ripping. I'll probably do that next time!
6. Thread the string or ribbon through the holes, leaving extra space to be able to separate the letters. I have also made these where I tie a ribbon from one to the next instead of having them all on one long string. It just depends on the look you're trying to achieve. For this one I wanted a western type look so I used some string I had a roughed it up a little bit. I also put it through the top of the patterned squares so you could see it and it added to the look.

Finished product (you can click to make pictures larger)