12 Weeks of Christmas: Week 8 Season of Style Merry Banner

Can you believe this time next month Christmas will be over!  We have less than 4 weeks to go & I have only just started to think about presents.  One of my downline, Leanne made a beautiful banner recently using retired products.  At stamp club last month we all decided it would make a great project for the next month's class.  I have used my old friends Festive Flurry ( I know…..yes AGAIN!) & the Season Of Style DSP for this quick one I whipped up as a sample.  The ladies are hoping to add some stamped images to their own designs on the night. I will take some photos to show you their finished banners next month.

It is very hard to photograph in all its entirity so here is a close up.

I have used Cherry Cobbler & Old Olive with a little of the Champagne Glimmer paper which makes the banner lovely & sparkly. It didn't take very long to make once I had decided on the design & I'm hoping to make a few as gifts for family this Christmas.

Stamp Set:  Festive Flurry  (131778)
Paper:  Whisper White (106549), Cherry Cobbler (121681), Old Olive (106576), Champagne Glimmer Paper (127885).

Ink:  Old Olive (126953), Cherry Cobbler (126966)

Cool Tools: Big Shot,  Oval Accents Bigz Clear Die (127005) Top Note Bigz Die (113463) Festive Flurry Framelits132193), Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die (127553) ,Cherry Cobbler Chevron Ribbon (130012)

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

Stampin' Up! Build A Banner Kit - Coming Soon

Christmas Banner Simply Created kit & Build A Banner Kit.

I just received my preorder from the holiday catalogue & in excitement tore open the Christmas Banner Simply Created Kit & Build A Banner Kits.  Let me explain what these are.  The Build a Banner kit contains 18 blank canvas banners in 3 different styles & some template stencils & spritzers.  The Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory kit contains lots of embellishments to make a Christmas banner.

I had quite a fight on my hands when using the Build A Banner kit.  I tried & tried & could not get the spritzers to get a clean effect.  After trying 3 times I gave up & moved on to the daubers with a much better result.  I have learnt a few tips & tricks when using the stencils so in an attempt to save you some frustration I am happy to share those with you.

1) Use snail or semi permanent tape behind the stencil to secure it to the banner.
2) If using the spritzer you need a good 10-11 drops of ink, alcohol & a tiny bit of water.  The darker the ink the better the effect.  I tried all alcohol & reinker & it bled through (see photo below)

alcohol & reinker only

Then I tried more ink, less alcohol & a dash of water & got a much better effect.  It was still not to my liking so I ended up sponge daubing my banner.
3) When using the spritzer, the moisture tends to curl the banner when drying so you need to dry it flat under something heavy.  I placed mine on some paper towel & then placed a heavy book over the top.
 4) When using a dauber I found it easier to apply the reinker directly to the dauber or into the lid of the matching ink pad

Dauber & reinker

The templates come with a mask stencil.  I used this & also the alphabet stencil at the same time to ensure clean lines.  On the spot one I used Bermuda Bay & Smoky Slate.

Bermuda Bay & Smoky Slate

5) Be careful when spritzing - ensure everything is out of the way....this one got spritzed from afar.  This one was my attempt at highlighting the spritzed image.  Blah - no good, but figured it was ruined anyway so why not have a play right? It is not totally ruined I can always colour over the top with a darker colour & make it  a halloween banner or cover the circle with something :)

The Christmas & Halloween Simply Created Accessory Kits come with lots of great embellishments.  I have used a few on these next photos. The Christmas Kit I used came with Bermuda Bay/Pool Party two toned 1 1/4" ribbon, Silver 1/8" Ribbon, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Large Rhinestone Jewels, 5 x Vintage Faceted buttons & 3 glittered die cut accents & 4 Rosettes with centre circles that need to be assembled.  

Banner Accessories 

Snowflake Embellishment

Well I hope my tips helped you to create your banner.  Now that I have finally figured out how to make these Banners I am planning a class in October where you get to make a banner similar to my one here.  If you would like to express your interest in this class send me an email.  

Here is a video from Stampin' Up! which may help a bit also.  

CHRISTMAS BANNER SUPPLIES

Kits: Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit (#132697), Build A Banner Simply Created Kit (#133507)

Ink:  Bermuda Bay reinker(#131156), Pool Party reinker (#122933)

Cool Tools: Hot Glue Gun, Silver Glimmer Paper (#124005), 1" Circle Punch(#119868), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (#119861), Silver 1/8" Ribbon(#132137)

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA