Spring and Easter Banner

Well I am participating in a 2 different swaps for Spring and Easter so I decided to make a reversible banner as part of my tuck-ins for the swaps. I received a Silhouette Machine for Christmas so I wanted to try it out on this craft. I ran cardstock through the Silhouette machine to cut out all the letters I would need for the reversible Easter and the Spring banners.

I cut enough of the same size rectangular shapes out of coordinating patterned paper to use as the outside of my banner. I cut up and used my empty cereal boxes to sandwich between the patterned paper to give my banner some weight and structure.

I also used the Silhouette machine to cut out a white design to use as the backdrop for my letters. I thought the patterned paper kind of made the letter blend into the background and the white made the letters pop out.

I made one side of the banner to say Spring and then I can flip the banner over and it says Easter. I used a special paper punch that made little slits on each side of the individual flags that hold the letters for the banner. That way I could string white ribbon through the entire banner so that I could hang it up to display it. I had so much fun making this that I ended up using a different color way and made another 3 banners out of that patterned paper. So it took me about a total of 1 1/2 hours to do all of the cutting and gluing and stringing but I made a total of 5 banners. The one I decided to keep for myself is of the lighter patterned paper. I thought it looked cute hanging above my kitchen window.

So 2 of the banners are going out to my swap partners and the other 2 I made as gifts for my daughter and daughter-in-law. I think they will look cute in their houses also!

I'm linking up with Cindy at My Romantic Home.
www.romantichome.blogspot.com
and Wendy at The Shabby Nest
www.shabbynest.blogspot.com
and Jennifer at Tatertots and Jello
www.tatertotsandjelloblogspot.com

Spring Apron Swap and Easter Basket Swap

I love swaps! I love aprons and I love Easter baskets so I signed up for a swap for each. Sue over at Country Pleasures is hosting the Spring Apron Swap and friends Alli and Paula are hosting the Easter Basket Swap at Perhaps Today or On A Rainy Night.

For the Spring Apron Swap you are suppose to hand craft an apron, full or half depending on your swap partner's preference, and include at least 2 tuck ins. Tuckins are simply goodies to tag along with your apron and they should match the theme. Some suggestions were coffee, tea's, mugs, tea towels, etc. Although the deadline to join is already past the aprons need to be mailed out by the 15th of March. So I have a few days to get my stuff together and get it all packed and on its way to my swap partner Mary Ann. This isn't a blind swap so Mary Ann and I have sent a few emails back and forth getting to know each other. It's great that she is also a fellow quilter as that makes me feel a little bit more confident as to what to send to her.

For the Easter Basket Swap I have to send a basket to my partner and include at least one Easter decoration - what kind of decoration is up to me and my partners likes. I also need to include an Easter card. I am also to include some type of chocolate or other yummy candy. I also need to send something that signifies Easter to my partner and I can include and other goodies that I think my partner will enjoy. The idea is to pamper your partner. At least one of my items that I send has to be homemade. I have to have this in the mail before April 4th.

So I need to get my thinking cap on real soon and get busy sewing and crafting up some great goodies for these nice two ladies. I don't know who has my name for the Easter Basket Swap so that part is still a surprise.