October Creative Challenge {Banners}

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 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. 

I made a Blessed Banner for myself. I love making things to give to others, but it also rewarding to create something special for your own home. My life is certainly blessed!

As always, my Creative Challenge posts are chuck full of photos. I hope you'll stay with me as I show you some of the details I added to my custom, handmade banner.  I am hanging it across my fire place until stockings go up. I used colors to match my family room, so I'll be able to replace it after holiday time. 
Let's take a look at some of the details up close. While a project like this can seem overwhelming, once you get your idea or inspiration you just have to dive in. Head first!!! I cut ALL my pieces first. Lay them all out how I want them to appear in my final project. THEN I get to distressing and sewing and attaching layers. That's my method. 

I started with the ROUND BANNER STAX and some whip cream and kraft MFT cs. Everything I cut today was sponged with Antique Linen or Vintage Photo distress ink. I love the extra dimension and depth the distress inks give to any project. 

 All my letters were cut with my new FAVE HIGH RISE ALPHABET UPPER CASE Die-namics. The tall letters fit my circles perfectly. I layered up two circles cut from the CIRCLE STAX 1 & 2 DIE-NAMICS.  Then you'll see I alternated between the DESIGNER LABELS 3 STAX and DESIGNER  LABELS 1 STAX. Both work great with the circle Die-namics. I used my corrugated cardboard for some texture for each banner piece. 

Along the top I couldn't help myself, I cut more of the beautiful leaves from FALL LEAVES Die-namics. Some I cut from cardboard, others from designer paper (the dp I used is new Crate Paper-Acorn Avenue).  

I also made a few different flowers to tuck in here and there.  I layered up some LAYERED ROSES, and rolled up some  MINI ROYAL ROLLED ROSES and MINI ROLLED ROSES

I added in bits and pieces of buttons. I  played up the blues in the paper (and so it would coordinate with my family room) and used the new NIGHT SHIFT BLUE. I used lots of the awesome HEMP TWINE you can find in the MFT boutique. 

 With all the roundedness from the circles, and the Jumbo Rounded Banner pieces, I thought it would be a great accent to tuck in a few FISHTAIL FLAGS LAYERS and original FISHTAIL FLAGS Die-namics. You can see that in the photo above. I used some WHIP CREAM FELT for one of the fishtails. Love the softness it adds. 

 Here are the end pieces of my banner. I cut some strips of the wired burlap ribbon I have and wrapped some twine and tucked in a distressed leaf to each end. You'll also note that I used the same pattern paper for each of my end circles. This helped with the balance of my design. 

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While I still had out all my supplies. I decided to make a card, too. Banners are always a fun accent to add to any card. I think they work best with a larger card, so I made mine 5x5 inches. 

Check out my corner banner made with one of the smaller pieces from the JUMBO FISHTAIL BANNER Die-namics. I added three pretty NIGHT SHIFT BLUE BUTTONS and more twine. 

The sentiment I added comes from CS ABOUT FAMILY.  I've said it before, but I LOVE that the word "family" is a separate stamp in this set, so I can ink it up easily with a different color. I layered up more CIRCLE STAX 1 & 2 Die-namics and placed them over a DESIGNER LABELS 3 STAX. I brushed it with a bit of Antique Linen Crackle Paint for a more distressed look. 

I cut more of those gorgeous FALL LEAVES and added the vein stamp with the coordinating stamp set, THANKFUL LEAVES.  

I also finished the inside. Why not??? I stamped one of the THANKFUL LEAVES and layered on the vein and the pretty script block in a lighter ink. I still have lots of room to add a sweet message to my mom when I send her this card. 

Thanks so much for joining me today. I know there are LOTS more fabulous banners that my fellow DT members created. Hop on over to Kim's Blog to see today's line up. 

Here's my InLinkz list....have fun shopping! 

Rounded Banner Stax Die-namics	Jumbo Fishtail Banner Stax Die-namics	Clearly Sentimental about Family	Highrise Alphabet-upper case Die-namics	Thankful Leaves
Fall Leaves Die-namics	Mini Royal Rolled Roses Die-namics	mini rolled rose Die-namics	Layered Roses Die-namics	Fishtail Flags Layers Stax Die-namics
Fishtail Flags Stax Die-namics	Circle Stax 1 Die-namics	Circle Stax 2 Die-namics	Designer Labels Stax 3 Die-namics	Designer Labels Stax 1
Night Shift Blue buttons	Hot Fudge	Whip Cream	Kraft	Night Shift Blue cs
Hemp Twine

InLinkz.com

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