"One Nation Under God" hanging banner...

Independence Day is just around the corner, so I made a patriotic banner for my (conveniently) red front door.  I used my favorite part of the Pledge of Allegiance as inspiration...

It's part of the Red White Blue series at Sugar Bee Crafts!

{Be sure to check out the other patriotic goodness.}

Back to the banner...

This project requires a little straight line sewing and an easy freezer paper stencil.  Here are the supplies you'll need:

2 pieces of canvas cut to 11.25"x 14.5"
12 inch craft dowel
fabric paint
freezer paper
free template
xacto knife
twine
printer & sewing machine

Start by cutting your two pieces of canvas to 11.25 x 14.5 inches.

Then cut a notch in the bottom by making a mark in the center of your fabric 1.5" from the bottom...

...then cut from that center mark down to each corner.

Now sew the pieces together using a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving the top open for turning.

Clip the corners, turn right side out, then press well using a hot iron.

Next, fold the top down 3/4" and sew straight across to create a pocket for your dowel.

(Yes, I left that edge raw.  It's not really going to get much wear-and-tear and I'm lazy.  But feel free to serge it or fold it down 1/4", then 3/4" to encase the raw edge.  This will add bulk, though.)

Now for the stencil...
(If you've never worked with freezer paper stencil before, check out this tutorial for tips.  It should answer most questions you might have.)

Download the template HERE.

Cut a piece of freezer paper 8.5" x 11" and tape it to a regular sheet of copy paper (shiny side down) and load it into your printer so the design will print on the freezer paper.

If it smears, don't worry.  It won't matter.

Cut out the design with an xacto knife.
(Make sure you reserve the center pieces of the O's, A, D and R.)

Then iron the stencil to your canvas banner.

Now paint in each shape with your fabric paint.  It may take two coats.  (You may also get blue paint all over your thumbnail trying to peel the little foam seal-thingy off the top of the paint bottle...)

Since my door is red, I did black lettering with blue stars.  But you could easily do red and blue instead.

Peel off your stencil and let the paint dry.
Then tie on some twine or string for hanging.

Now display your hanging banner on a door or wall...wherever you please.

In Utah, we have two July holidays--Independence Day on July 4th as well as Pioneer Day on July 24th (to celebrate the founding of our state).  It kind of turns into a month-long patriotic celebration, so this baby will be on my front door until August!

more lace...

Had a customer ask for some more stretch lace headbands in the shop...

...request granted!

It was really fun to make some super girly items again.

Been busy with boy stuff, ya know? :)

DIY photo keychain...

Sometimes it's hard to come up with gifts for people who have everything they could want or need, so this Mother's Day I gave the grandmas a little version of their grandson...a cute photo keychain.  (Don't worry - I made one for myself, too!)  This would be a fun, simple gift that you can easily customize for anyone.

You'll need:

a small wooden shape

a drill

craft paint

scrapbook paper

xacto knife

a photo (small enough to fit on your shape)

mod podge & mod podge dimensional magic

jump ring, chain, and split ring

Start by drilling a small hole at the top of your shape and painting the edges the color of your choice.  (My shape is 1 1/4" x 1" rectangle, but you could use any shape--circle, star, heart--whatever.)

Next, cut a little piece of scrapbook paper slightly larger than your shape.  This will serve as the back of your keychain.  (You could also put names, dates, etc. on the back if you want.)  Spread a thin layer of mod podge on the wood surface and on the back of the paper.  Smooth paper in place and let dry.

Turn wood shape over and trim off excess paper...

then spread another thin coat of mod podge on top and allow to dry.  Use a pin or toothpick to poke out the hole you drilled.

Now finish off the back with a coat of dimensional magic and let it set up according to package directions.  (If you've never worked with it before see this past tutorial of mine for some tips!)  This will create a shiny finished look.

Once the back is dry, you can just repeat the process for the photo on the front.  I just printed mine on photo paper on my home printer so I could get it exactly the size I wanted.

Mod podge it on and trim it up...

Add another coat of podge, poke your hole... 

...and do a layer of dimensional magic.

When it's dry, add your jump ring, chain, and a split ring (all found in the craft store jewelry making section) and that's a wrap!

You could use any kind of image--a favorite vacation pic, your kiddos or grandkids or significant other, pets, a little collage.  Endless possibilites.