Hello Daisies
This Amore banner will also be included the Newsletter but I want to make sure you can create this adorable banner before Valentine’s Day. This banner would also be adorable for birthday parties, anniversary, or really any fun festivity that needs a little decor.
So let’s get started.
First we are going to make some Pleated Flowers. I made 4 large ones of various sizes. My step by step instructions are for the largest pleated flower. You can make them smaller or larger.
Cut 2 strips of 2 inch x 12 inch of pattern paper. Score both pieces every 1/2 inch.
Fold paper back & forth to create an accordion strip.
Adhere these two strips together. I like to use a strong liquid adhesive.
This will form a circle like the above picture. Next take a scrap piece of paper or chipboard, cut into a circle, & place inside this circle. Add strong liquid adhesive or use a glue gun on the scrap circle.
Press the center of the pleated flower down onto the adhesive. Hold in place until dried.
Now you have a pleated flower. Let’s kick it up a notch or two.
I added some Artsy Urban Chipboard Flowers plus Prima Pebbles from the Calendar Girl Add-on to the center of my flowers.
Make 4 to 5 of these in various sizes using strips of pattern paper from 2″ x 12″ down to 1″ x 12″.
Now lets make some cool accents to go on the banner flags. I am going to show you how to make two quick flowers using the ribbon from the Rita Hayworth Add-on and the turquoise seam binding in the Memphis Belle main kit.
Cut a small circle from a scrap piece of paper. Using strong adhesive or glue dot, start wrapping around the ribbon the circle.
Keep wrapping around the circle until you get the layered look you want adding more adhesive if needed.
I added a Prima Pebble to the center of the flower to complete the flower.
This same technique can be used with the seam binding flower.
Wrap seam binding around and around until you get the layered look you want. You can add more liquid glue if necessary to hold the seam binding in place.
These cute little rosettes add just the right touch to the my banner.
Let’s start cutting the Flags or Pennants. Cut a piece of double side pattern paper to 5 inch by 12 inch. Take a ruler and create 5 triangle pieces starting from left to right.
I don’t measure, I just roughly draw them. You can use a pencil to sketch it out. I do like the “uneven” look to the pennants.
Cut out the triangles and flip some over to have different colors.
Now you are ready to put the banner together. I decorated my pennants with glitter, little pleated flowers, buttons, and edge distresser to give it some dimension. I loved using the embellishments included in both the Calendar Girl and Rita Hayworth Add-ons. They gave just the right touches to my banner like those JBS Die-cut Block Alpha, the Making Memories findings, and the Waste Not Pink Scalloped Note Cards.
Punch holes in two sides of your pennants, pleated flowers, die-cut letters, and anything you want to add to your banner. I used a 1/16th fiskars hole punch. Thread the baker’s twine through the pieces to complete your banner.
I laid out my banner on the floor to see what order i wanted to arrange my items. I picked AMORE instead of love or adore. It just lent something more to the banner. Besides Italians do know a thing or two about love 
I added in bits of various pattern papers, tiny hearts, 7 Gypsies Display ATC, and seam binding on the baker’s twin.
Have fun stringing your banner for this Valentine’s Day. The cool thing is that all the elements can be reused on different banners, layouts, & more. Be sure to link up your creations so we can see them!
