Chili, Crafting and...Christmas!

Here is a sneak peek of what a Friday night might look like in my house...
That hubby of mine is fixated on his latest video game purchase while I have the Christmas music on and the table covered in fabric, ribbon and paint. We sit together and enjoy a bowl of Chili, corn bread and a new winter beer while watching an episode of 24 and then we go back to "work." Drew's mission-kill bad guys, my mission-make a cute Christmas banner to hang.

Crock pot Trail Chili from my "Fix it and Forget it" cookbook

I saw a few adorable burlap banners on Pinterest and set out to make my own. I started by cutting out a 5 inch x 6 inch triangle from cardboard to use as a tracer. I traced enough triangles out of burlap for the letters I needed. I decided to make the words "Be Merry" so I cut out 7 triangles.

After I had all my triangles cut out I picked a font I wanted to use on my computer. (I didn't trust myself free hand) I printed each letter large enough to fill up space on the triangles and printed them out. I cut apart each letter and taped it under the burlap. In a blog tutorial I had seen it suggested you tape the burlap to the window and use the light to trace the letter onto the burlap and then fill it in with a fabric marker or paint. Problem...it was 10pm and completely dark. I got mad thinking I couldn't finish my project and then a light bulb went off. Since my burlap was so light I could actually somewhat see my letters underneath...so I went for it. I grabbed my handy Martha Stewart paint brushes and Holly paint and went to work slowly and carefully.

I was very happy with how the letters turned out...my idea was a success. After the paint dried I added Mod Podge to each triangle to make them a little sturdier.

 Then I laid out my letters just like I wanted them and got out my ribbon. (Michael's purchase)

I hot glued each letter onto the burlap. If I had a sewing machine I probably would have sewed it on, but hot glue works too. Here is the final product...what do you think??

 I can't wait to find the perfect place to hang it. And you just might see this banner again in our Christmas card picture! Happy Weekend!