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“Happy Fall” Banner Tutorial

Disclosure

We had a bonfire last night, which means at long last, fall has come to Orlando, Florida!  Now, it’s still a sauna during the daylight hours, but it’s finally cooling down enough at night to merit use of the fire-pit.  Which means…I’m a happy camper!

And what better way to express my happiness than through a “Happy Fall” banner?!

"Happy Fall" Banner Tutorial & Free Cut File via thinkingcloset.com

You caught a sneak peek of this banner last week, when I declared Lime Green as the New Orange.  I was touched by everyone’s resounding support for following my color instincts and embracing an unconventional color for the fall season.  Y’all know how to make a girl feel empowered!

A Box of Inspiration

Well, those who follow me on Instagram may have spied a photo of a box of goodies I received from Scotch Expressions Tape…and to say I was excited about this haul is an understatement:

Box of goodies from Scotch!
Instagram: 9.18.13

Opening that box was like Christmas in September!  And to think, this is just a fraction of the 100 colors and patterns of Scotch Expressions Tape in production right now; they’ve got everything from Magic Tape to masking tape to washi tape and shipping tape.  Of course, my mind was reeling with project ideas, but I zeroed in on the roll of lime green Magic Tape, which served as the inspiration behind my new “Happy Fall” banner.

Scotch Expressions Tape! Great for crafts of all kinds. #ExpressionsTape #ad

So, here’s the full tutorial (with free cut file) for those who would like to create their own rendition of this banner to beckon in the fall.

“Happy Fall” Banner Tutorial

Step 1.  Cut out your letters!  I couldn’t resist the opportunity to use my Silhouette machine to cut out my banner letters on some white cardstock, but the same could be done with a bit more elbow grease using an x-acto knife.

"Happy Fall" text cut on cardstock via thinkingcloset.com

To create the design, I downloaded the free font, Mermaid, and created a rectangle shape around each letter with enough room at the top for an added embellishment.

Free Cut File

I’d love to save you some time, and so I’m offering a free cut file of the banner letters to all subscribers of my newsletter. You can sign up for your freebie using the nifty form below or by clicking HERE. {Fine print: this design is for personal use only and is not to be used for commercial purposes. Thanks!}

"Happy Fall" Banner: Free Cut File for Silhouette Studio via thinkingcloset.com

2.  Embellish!  So, one of the many things I loved about using the lime green Magic Tape is that it fit perfectly in my handy dandy tape dispenser.  Check it out:

Scotch Expressions Magic Tape fits perfectly in tape dispensers! #ExpressionsTape #ad

How’s that for convenience?

I added a simple strip of the tape across the top of each letter, just to give it that splash of color!

Adding an embellishment of Scotch Expressions Tape to the top of each banner letter. #ExpressionsTape #ad

Step 3.  Adhere the letters to the burlap.  It’s no secret that despite its messiness, I’m rather fond of burlap.  I’ve made a no-sew burlap Christmas tree skirt, a burlap love banner, some burlap & book page pumpkins….  And now, burlap has worked its way once again into my home decor.  I just can’t resist its rustic charm!

So, I cut some rough rectangles using some scrap burlap I had on hand and applied the cardstock letters to the material using some Scotch Super 77 Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive.  It was dry in a matter of seconds, at which point I could trim up the edges to create a more polished look.

Applying the cardstock letters to the burlap. Step 4.  Glue twine to the burlap pieces.  Twine being the perfect compliment to burlap, I hot glued the twine to the back of the burlap pieces, making sure I had the text in the proper order and spaced out evenly.  I also placed the dabs of glue low enough that they were behind the cardstock layer for added support.

Hot glue gun does it again!

Step 5.  Add pennant flag embellishments to the twine.  And because I felt my “Happy Fall” banner needed a bit more fanfare, I created small pennant flags across the twine connecting the letters and then across a second piece of twine that would hang above the text.  Double the banner fun!

Pennant flags to incorporate into a "Happy Fall" banner via thinkingcloset.com

I spaced the flags out evenly, but intentionally had the flags sticking out at different heights for added whimsy.  And here’s a GIF to help show how easy it was to create these little flags:

How to create pennant flags on a banner using Scotch #ExpressionsTape! #ad

And with that final step, I was ready to finally take down the love banner, which, yes, has been hanging up in our living room since February {she hangs her head in shame}…

Burlap Love Banner & Free Cut File by The Thinking Closet

…and replace it with a “Happy Fall” banner that brings new vim and vigor into the space!

Lime Green is the New Orange! Unconventional fall decor...because...why not? thinkingcloset.com

"Happy Fall" Banner Tutorial via thinkingcloset.com

Happy Fall Banner! Full tutorial at thinkingcloset.com

Whimsical fall banner! Tutorial and free cut file via thinkingcloset.com

May your fall be happy and bright!

"Happy Fall" Banner Tutorial & Free Cut File via thinkingcloset.com

Your Turn:

Dear reader, what are the small ways that you celebrate the new season?  Is it through home decor projects?  Family traditions?  Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes?  Do share in the comments section below!

If you’re curious…

If you’re curious to try out some Scotch Expressions Tape for yourself (and why wouldn’t you be when they’re so bright, colorful, and affordable at $2.50 for a single pack and $5.99 for a triple pack), head to ScotchBrand.com/EXP.  There, you’ll just enter your zip code to find a store close to home.  It’s super easy!

Also, a fun fact: Office Depot is also currently selling five limited edition One Direction tapes in partnership with an anti-bullying campaign.  I love it when my favorite brands support causes that are close to my heart.

And be sure to follow Scotch Brand on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for more inspirational project ideas!

{Linking up here.}

Full Disclosure: I received Scotch Expressions Tape to facilitate this review and was compensated for my time.  As always, all opinions are 100% my own.  For more policy information, click here.

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101 Comments

  1. I’ll have to buy me some of the fancy Scotch Expressions Tape…adds such a fun and easy creative touch to projects, gifts, envelopes, notes, etc.

    1. Fun and easy is right! Keep an eye out for them during your next Target run; that’s where I saw them first, and then I got a closer look at the new line at Haven. I love sneak peeks!

  2. Thumbs up for this banner! Your home is so inviting and positive!!

    I’ve welcomed fall with lots of little gourds on tables, pumpkins on the front porch (including a light green one)….and I just bought some pumpkin spice rooibos tea I got at Trader Joes…then of course there’s spiced apple cider and fresh donuts from the road-side market!

    You are so right-on that a happy, thankful heart are key! (I think you wrote that in a comment to me, perhaps on another post) but a great way to celebrate fall–and every season!

    1. I love all the natural fall elements you’ve incorporated into your decor this year. A light green (or lime!) pumpkin sounds super cute. We went to a petting farm / pumpkin patch this Saturday with the nieces and nephews, and we took home four pumpkins just in time for our costume party. Our front porch was sadly lacking some REAL pumpkins up until that point. We have plenty of faux ones inside to last us through many-a-season.

      Pumpkin Spice Rooibos Tea sounds aromatic and soothing! Do you shop at Trader Joe’s regularly now? They have so many unique items! Be sure to try their frozen chocolate croissants. You let them sit out the night before you bake them, so they rise and get all puffy and yummy.

      Hoping we can find a place in Florida that sells fresh donuts like they have in NY; it’s hard to compete with those apple orchards, though!

      1. Yes, I am shopping at Trader Joe’s more often and will look for frozen chocolate croissants. Sounds yummy!! Also will look for the scotch expressions tape at Target! So great we can be together this HAPPY Fall!! xxoo

    1. Our living room is my favorite space in the house, so I feel like we’ve put the most effort into making it as welcoming to guests and comfy for ourselves as possible…so your comment is a major affirmation of those efforts! Thank you, Allison!

  3. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOOOOOOOOVE IT!!!!!! LOL Did I say it enough???? Just in case, I LOVE IT!!! LOL. The cut out plus the burlap looks amazing! =D

    XOXO
    Cami

    1. Fun is what I’m shooting for! And I’m so glad this suited your fancy. Thanks for the pin, as well, Heather! You rock.

  4. That’s a great way to use the Scotch tape! I love that and it adds a simple touch to a burlap banner. I have been working on mine this week, I hope to have it ready for Monday!! I love their patterns!

    1. Thanks, Wanda! Yeah, while I cannot wait to try some of the more wild patterned tapes, I really felt like the solid lime green worked well for this purpose. It’s fun, but not so busy that you don’t know where to look. Cannot WAIT to see what you create!

    1. I just got back from checking out the feature on your blog; thank you ever so much, Allison! I’m touched! Also, I hope you have a fantabulous 30th birthday. Exciting times!

  5. Don’t you just love that tape!! It’s become one of my favorite products and the Scotch brand is awesome! Your banner is too cute, I’m pinning it onto my Fall board now 🙂
    Thanks for sharing this week at the Lovely Ladies link party!
    -Molly from Just a Little Creativity

    1. I’m totally in love with the tape; in fact, I want to marry it! Lol. And yes, I’ve always found Scotch products to be top-notch, and now, they’re hitting the ball out of the park with their creativity. I seriously feel so inspired every time I look at my box full of fun and colorful tapes. The only dilemma is which one to play with next?! Hmmmm….

      Thanks for the pin-love, Molly! And for stopping by to check out my banner in the first place. Cheers! -Lauren

    1. Thanks, Tara! Yes, I’m a bit bunting obsessed these days, too. Burlap, mason jars, chalkboard, gold anything, bunting…these are things I just can’t overdose on. Ha ha, and I’m glad you enjoyed the teensy Scotch Tape flags. Despite what the tutorial says, I actually created them first…then built the rest of the banner around them. They were my whole inspiration! So, thanks for appreciating those little buggers.

    1. Isn’t it incredible, Danielle?! All of the varieties of tape are like something out of a crafter’s dream. And the fact it fits in a tape dispenser is like something out of a teacher’s dream. Being both a crafter and a teacher, of course, I was in heaven! 😉

    1. Thanks for the affirmations, Abby! Although I know it’s not always a good thing, I sort of delight in things being matchy-matchy. My eye just delights in a through-line of color. #typeAmuch?

  6. I love a good banner, and this is a GREAT banner! I especially love the second swag of twine with the pennant flags made of the tape. That little detail just completes it for me! Also – love your punched metal candle holder!

    1. Wow! I’m honored by your good to GREAT compliment! And I am now going to refer to my second string of twine as “swag” because it sounds so hip and fabulous, especially when in front of a hashtag. #swag. Thanks for taking the time to notice and appreciate the details, Emily! Yet another reason why I love you so.

      (And I’m glad you liked the punched metals candle holder. It was a purchase from Crate and Barrel last season!)

    1. Thanks, Laura! You have such an eye for color (your beautiful home is evidence of that), so your words mean a lot. {Smile.}

    1. Why thank you, Karianne! I hoped you and your burlap-lovin’-self would enjoy this banner! Happy fall back atcha, girlfriend.

    1. Yay! So glad you’re lovin’ it, Jenna-girl. I might even need to embrace lime green pumpkins this year…I’m seriously toying with that wild idea!

  7. Wow, Lauren, you keep amazing me with these creations! like the photo of banner reflection off the table with the candle.

    1. I hoped you’d like that pic! You are seriously a master of “reflection shots,” so I was totally imitating your style when attempting it; I’m glad it turned out well enough to catch your eye.

  8. I’d have been over the moon with that goodie box too- love Scotch Expressions! Your banner and entire room are beautiful- love the bright green with hints of orange- awesome work!

    1. Yeah, it totally brought some sparkle to my day to open that box! And I can’t wait to use some of the other tapes on future craft projects. So many rolls of tape, not enough time! Lol. (And thanks for the sweet comment about our fall decor!)

    1. Thanks, chickadee! Speaking of cute, that American Girl Doll candy dress is so precious! (Makes me want to have my Mom send me my Kirsten doll all the way from NY to FL.) #nostalgia

  9. I love this! That box would have made me super giddy too! What amazing colors and patterns! So fun. It is awesome how dramatically changing the banner changed your space. Love that!

    1. Yeah, “This isn’t your grandma’s tape,” as they say. It’s so hip and colorful and has my mind reeling with ideas…. And it’s true – – after adding some lime green pillows, a cream throw, and our new fall banner to our living room, it infused our space with some much-needed color and LIFE! Finally.

      I hope your fall is a vibrant one, Kimber!

    1. Oooo! I’m sure that looks stunning! Especially after seeing those “scary” crochet spiders on your blog. (Brava.) Glad to know my lime green fever is catching! Lol.

    1. So fun for a kid’s room, right?! What am I saying, as an adult, I’d be head-over-heels for a headboard like that, too! Glad you got to explore the site some, Debi. It’s chock full of inspiration.

  10. Again, you brought bake some memories that were shoved to the back of my mind. Your box of inspiration were very similar to the boxes we received at Christmas from 3M. My dad used to do a tremendous business with 3M and they would always send us the newest of ideas before they were to be released to the public. Gosh the things we made with all that stuff. I remember the first reflective tape – of course it went on our bikes; the double sided Scotch tape – used to create special Christmas cards that no one else could make and many more things.

    You hit the nail on the head with the description of your box!

    Hugs, Karen

    1. Love it when I get to hear your stories, Karen! They make me want to hunker down with a blanket and something warm in a mug while I soak up every word. How cool that you Dad got to try out Scotch products before they hit the market! And that you were using Scotch tapes to craft as a kid! I’d love to see what you’d do with a box of Scotch Expressions Tape now…. I’m sure it would be nothing short of inspired. Thanks for sharing, Karen!

  11. I love the style of your banners – also the “love” banner. I need to buy some burlap and white cardboard and create a banner! And then need to find a space for it obviously…

    Have an awesome week!
    Love, Midsommarflicka

    1. I used up the last of my burlap on this project, so I need to be sure to pick up some more during my next Jo-Ann’s run. Having burlap and cardstock on hand is key for me…and I’m glad you appreciate the look, as well! Hope you can find some wall space (or door space) and whip up a creative banner of your own. With you and your graphic designer eye, I know it would be fabulous!

    1. I didn’t realize the wide variety of their new line of ExpressionsTape myself until I opened up that magical box of inspiration! And to think, this is just the tip of the iceberg…. 🙂

    1. Thanks, Ms. Kadie! Honored to have garnered not one, but TWO “cutes” from you, girl! And it’s true, the tape is fantasmagorical…. I’m scheming up my next creation as we speak!

  12. love your fall banner Lauren and that you continued with the lime green 🙂 perfect with your new pillows! as of for your February Love banner, hope you kept it and remember to put it up next year! (very pretty) 🙂

    1. Oh yes! The “Love” banner is getting stored in my “seasonal decor” Tupperware downstairs, and I’ll be sure to revive it come February when “love” is in the air! 😉

    1. Your enthusiasm means the world to me, Robin! I just have so much respect for you and your decorating eye! Oh yes, indeed, I’d love to see the wonders you’d create with some ExpressionsTape at your fingertips. Watch out, world!

    1. I’m slapping my hand to my head that I’ve been calling it lime green this whole time…when really, it totally IS Granny-Smith-Green-Apple…what was I thinking?! 😉 Anyway, thanks for the affirmations, Kim! I know your love of Scotch tape runs deep.

    1. Yay! So glad you found inspiration in this post, Suzanne! Burlap is such a great base for banners in my humble opinion. It’s stiff enough that it can handle layers of cardstock and tape without even batting an eye! Be sure to let me know if you decide to tackle it, k? K.

    1. Stacy, you’re a dear! I couldn’t have been more excited to see the lime green of my new throw pillows in one of the rolls of tape in my box o’ inspiration. Talk about serendipity!

    1. That’s really uplifting feedback, Lindsey! I’m all about POP! Thanks for stopping by to share your two cents. They’re worth a whole lot more than two cents to me!

  13. Lauren your banner is so fun! I would have been screaming if I received a box like this in the mail! I can’t wait to see what else you create with all those goodies!

    1. Oh, I was definitely screaming on the inside, Marilyn! Would have been screaming on the outside if Mark wasn’t working night shifts and in the next room sleeping when I opened it. Tee hee. And I’m excited to dive into my next project! In fact, you may already have a guess as to what I’ll create because it has to do with an event in our Silhouette group…. #teasertrailer

  14. Wow, what a big statement from such a fun simple project. Thanks for showing us how simply it can be to use our silhouette machines. I LOVE it!!!

    1. Thanks for saying so, Tanya! And yes, that’s what I love about the Silhouette: it really doesn’t have to be a highly intricate design to pack-a-punch! Especially when you add two of my favorite craft supplies (burlap and purdy tape) into the mix!

  15. I love it! Just pinned that cut file to my silhouette project board to make one for myself. And I love the lime green, we’ve always had it in one room or another.

    1. Yay! Honored that it made it over to your Pinterest board, Britni. You’ll have to let me know if and when you give it a go! (And if it involves lime green, as well.) 🙂

    1. Wow! Thanks, Katherine. This has been a red letter week with inspirational photos, then. Your flower bursting through the sidewalk photo is forever etched in my mind!

  16. Oh my, Lauren! That last picture gave me goosebumps!! The reflection in the table is just stunning!! I love me some colorful tape and I love that you were able to put the Scotch Expression Tape right on your tape dispenser!! No more fighting with the little rolls of other colorful tapes… off to find some of my own!! Thanks lady for the Fall-tastic inspiration!!

    1. Goosebumps?! Really?! Whoo hoo! I’ve always struggled with reflection shots…and the hubster is a MASTER of them, so I’ve been studying his ways. That’s why your comment means so much to me. Thanks, girlfriend.

      And I’m glad to know you appreciated the fact that the tape fits so perfectly in your average tape dispenser. That really impressed me, too! Gotta love the practicality of it all. And yes, I can attest you won’t be disappointed when you give Expressions Tapes a try!

  17. Simple concept, and very cute results! I love it! So, have you heard the burlap trick to pull out one single thread of burlap where you want the edge to be, and then use that to cut along to get a perfectly straight edge with no fraying? I tried it with a project last week and it rocked my (craft) world! Makes it very easy to deal with burlap. Thanks for sharing your banner, so fun!

    1. I have heard that trick before, but it seems I always forget about it when it comes time to tackle a burlap project! Dope! I’m sure it would have saved me a lot of time and headache when I was cutting out my strips of burlap for my No-Sew Burlap Christmas Tree Skirt last year. Me and my rotary cutter were at war practically the entire time! Grrrr….

      Anyway, thanks for the comment love, Meredith! So glad you enjoyed this project!

    1. Aw, shucks, Amy. I’m delighted to get the One-Artsy-Mama stamp of approval on this one! (And yes, I’m picturing your custom stamp on my forehead right now…lol.)

    1. Yay! You and me both, Shannah! I’ve been singing the praises of Scotch double-sided tape for years and years. (After getting burned by rubber cement, which would stain paper and photos over time, I switched to Scotch double-sided tape in high school…and it hasn’t let me down since!) Okay, anyway, didn’t mean to ramble. Just excited to find someone who shares in my Scotch enthusiasm!

    1. Kristy, I think you just articulated better than I ever could, why I’m diggin’ this banner so much. Basically, I should hire you to write my blog posts. 😉 Thanks for the feedback, friend!

    1. I know, I kind of had to psych myself up for it! The Florida heat is somethin’ fierce…and usually through October. But we’re getting cooler nights, and that is what I’m holding onto right now! And memories of cool, crisp falls in New York. Happy Fall, Kerry Ann!

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