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

Christmas Gift Giving

These past few weeks has kept me quite busy. I have been busy trying to figure out how to buy so many presents for so many people with not so much money. I have had to take a new approach to buying Christmas gifts this year. The economy has really hit our area and our family just like it has hit many others. This past year has certainly been a little harder for us. My son has been unemployed most of this year and my husband's job has been very slow and a little bit uncertain. We, like many people in California and across the States have had to cut way back.

We have had to make changes in our lifestyle, but we still have many blessings to be thankful for. God always has a plan for us, and though we might not always be happy about our current circumstances I will give Him thanks always. He has always provided for us and I know he will continue to.

What is my new approach to gift buying you are wondering? We'll I am just not buying as many gifts this year. We usually buy for all of our extended family. That includes both sides of our families. Our sisters, brothers, their husbands and wives, their children, and now their children, etc.. We have had to cut down and are now only buying presents for all of the nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, our kids and spouses, our grandson and our parents.

I'm sure our family knows that we love them and it's not about giving and receiving a gift. We all have so much anyways that we really don't need more stuff. It really is the thought that counts and in some way I'm sure I will still manage to let them all know that they are much loved.

I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!