Thursday, March 11, 2010

Easter Banner

I got this "Happy Easter" banner last year at Home Goods.


I liked it last year, but it was a bit too colorful and bright for me and my current decor this year. I pulled out my paints and went to work. The letters were made of cardboard and covered in batting and fabric. I wasn't sure if it would work, let alone achieve the look I was going for, but I decided to give it a go.Using foam craft brushes, I covered the letters that were covered in patterned fabric with brown paint first. I left the solid green and blue alone.

Then I covered them all with white. I think I did 2 coats.

Then I used the a small brush and brown paint to "dry brush" the edges to give the letters an aged look. (dry brush technique = dip brush in paint, then wipe most of it off on paper so that the brush is almost dry before painting with it) 

Lastly, I went over each letter with a very, very dry brush of brown paint.
(I have tried and tried to rotate this photo, but it just won't cooperate! Sorry.)

I hung the banner on our hutch in the kitchen's eat-in area. I love it so much more this way!
 
 

I also added my tiny Easter salt and pepper shakers that my Mom gave me a few years ago. Aren't they adorable?

And did you see my fresh bouquet of flowers? I simply love having fresh flowers around. Thank goodness for my local Produce Junction where I can get cheap, cheap flowers and put my own arrangements together. In another lifetime, I'd like to be a florist.

Our home is looking more and more like spring! I have been putting away all of our winter things (like pine cones) and am enjoying the lighter, airier look around here. It makes me feel much more energized!


What are you doing in your home to prepare for spring?

This post is part of "Feature Yourself Friday" at Fingerprints on the Fridge.




9 comments:

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That banner turned out great. I love fresh flowers, too but they seem to be on the expensive side around here. When we went to Seattle one year I could not believe how many flowers were at the market and how cheap they were. I wish we had a place like that here.

Leslie said...

I really, really, really like the banner the new way!

Rachelle said...

That looks great! I need to break out the Easter stuff.. :)

Thanks for linking up!
Rachelle

Jennifer Juniper said...

I love that salt and pepper shaker and the banner is springy and fun!

Patricia said...

hey jessi!
i am loving your banner so much and your hutch is amazing!!!
happy spring!!
patricia

Allison @ House of Hepworths said...

Saw you over at Fingerprints on the fridge (http://bit.ly/b2E3wy). I also saw this earlier in my RSS feed! What a cute idea! Great job.

Joy said...

I'm impressed you even have Easter decor! Wow. I'm good for just Christmas....you make me want to expand my holidays : )! Great job!

Candy said...

this looks great! i like ur version of the banner better than the Home Goods one. :)

Sabrina said...

I never would have thought about painting a fabric banner! Great redo! Thanks for visiting my blog and following! nice to meet you..your blog is so cute!