So I have a new tulip banner to welcome spring! Are you surprised? Of course not. If you're a longtime reader you already know that I'm slightly obsessed with banners and garlands. If you are new here, welcome! I'm Kim and I'm slightly obsessed with banners and garlands!
Why you ask?
Well, I'll tell you.
Banners or garlands, I find that people use these words interchangeably, are super easy to make, can be constructed out of virtually anything you have laying around the house (making them extremely inexpensive) and are a super easy way to add a little bit of festive decor for any season.
Even better, they are generally flat when folded making them convenient to store and can be hung up with a piece of tape, Command Hooks or a drop of hot glue ~ that's how I hang mine. It's a nifty little trick I learned from my friend Lisa. She's crafty!
No need for hammer and nails or holes in the wall.
Fabulous.
Just like my new tulip banner!
Which I must confess I did not make.
I would love to tell you that I did, because it is totally gorgeous and all about me, my love of tulips and red and my Exquisitely Unremarkable site, but nope.
It was a gift!
My good friend Lorri, who blogs at Mom's Hobby Farm, sent it to me last week and I have to say, I was totally blown away. I have blogged about Lorri before. She is super creative and a great cook, something I envy, but have no real interest in doing myself.
She had offered to send me a sweet pastel colored rainbow spring banner (she is well acquainted with my banner problem love), it was one she had featured on her blog. I was thrilled and said sure, but when I opened the package, I found a lot of red tulips inside, too.
Honestly, my mouth dropped open.
She sent me the pretty mini spring banner, some tulip gift tags, the aforementioned tulip banner and a bag of oats, so I could grow a little grass in a pot and plant my spring banner inside.
I haven't gotten to that part of the project yet, when I do, I will be sure to share, but you can bet I hung that tulip banner up lickity split!
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I was truly overwhelmed by her kindness, her creativity and her craftsmanship.
And now my hood is perfectly dressed for the season and I didn't have to make a thing!
Thank you my friend.
Truly.
I also would like to thank Maria Elena from Our Home Away From Home for the lovely giveaway prizes I won as she celebrated hitting one million views on her blog! Way to go Maria!
Wow. A million.
Maria hosts a link party on Mondays and it's always filled with so much great inspiration. If you are a blogger it's a great party to join and if you are not, it's fun to peek at all the creativity.
Speaking of...Maria has one of the most drool worthy craft rooms I have ever seen. I can just imagine her sitting in that room making the springtime pillow covers she sent along as part of my prize and wrapping the items up.
Her attention to detail is amazing. Notice the pearl seal on the envelope. My kids were very taken with this idea.
I am so ready for spring with all this loot! I received two tea towels, two custom made pillow covers, a candle and holder, hand crafted gift tags, two small mason jars, handmade labels for my pantry with instructions (thank you Maria!) and best of all...drumroll...a Happy Easter banner!!
No kidding!!
My job for today is to hang that baby up in my living room and start decorating with the rest of my winnings.
Fun!
The bill for my post office box is coming due soon and I keep thinking that I should get rid of it...I'm a frugal girl...and then just when I do, something fabulous pops up inside of it and I think, hmmm.
Maybe not.
So for now, I'll pay that bill.
When banners keep showing up in there, how could possibly shut it down?
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Giveaways, Giggles and Great Crafts!
Sweeeet! You made out big time, girlfriend. Cute banners and tags, wonderful prizes. Yes, you'd better hang on to that PO Box. :) Hugs, Nancy
ReplyDeleteI know, Nancy…that PO Box seems to be the key to my loot!! :)
DeleteHmmm....maybe I will get a post office box and some pretties will show up in it! What a pretty display of gifts you received. Love them all!
ReplyDeleteIt's magic AnnMarie! It's like the post office fairy shows up!! ;)
DeleteI love your kitchen and I especially love your banners!
ReplyDeleteBernardine
Bernardine, thank you and I am so glad you like the banners! Making them is truly one of my favorite craft projects!
DeleteThanks, Kim, for the kind words. I appreciate your friendship. Now, off to check out Maria Elena's blog. It is one that I have not been familiar with but it appears that I need to fix that asap. Have a great weekend friend.
ReplyDeleteLorri, the banners and tags are just spectacular and I love looking at them every day. I was truly blown away when I opened that envelope. I too appreciate our friendship…isn’t blogging amazing? ;)
DeleteIt is amazing.Such fun.
DeleteDefinitely!!
DeleteYou deserve all this and more Kim. You are such a wonderful and giving lady and any gifts you get are well given. Also congrats on your win from Maria's blog. Hope you are well and we want pictures of the easter banner when you hang it up! Happy Easter to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mary!! You are very kind...and yes, lots of lovely gifts from some very lovely ladies!
DeleteHoly smokes, lady, you would almost think it was YOUR birthday week!! :)
ReplyDeleteI know! Well, it is my birthday month...does that count? ;)
DeleteKim and banners just go together
ReplyDeleteLike cup and saucer
LOL!
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan! I love that!! :)
Deleteand what it is
ReplyDeleteis just adorable! it's happy and light.
just like your kitchen.
just like you.
those who have depth and have known the dark... but still
spread light. oh
they are the ones to treasure.
xo
Thank you Tammy, you always leave me the nicest comments and out a smile on my face! :)
DeleteI love your new tulip banner and how sweet that your friend made it for you.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I am loving the sign - It Is What It Is.
Thanks Carol. That is my husband’s favorite saying and I found that sign in a shop in my town a few years ago. You could make this one for sure (even if you don’t need another sign!). I wasn’t too fond of the sentiment at first…being a control freak that worried and always wanted to change the outcome of things. However, as with many things in life, the older I get the more I realize how little I truly control and it really is what it is! ;)
DeleteFun!!
ReplyDeleteI love the banner. And your other sweet prize as well.
Happy Easter,
Carla
Thanks so much, Carla! I am enjoying all of my goodies!! :)
DeleteI always love to see your creative and pretty banners. Have a great week. Happy Easter.
ReplyDeleteKris
Lorri made a lovely one, Kris and I am so excited to have a new addition for my collection!!
DeleteThe tulip banner is so fun ~ you had a good week ;)
ReplyDeleteI did!! Thanks Cecilia!! :)
DeleteYour tulip banner is so sweet. I usually stencil words but you have me thinking outside of the box. And yes... banner, garland and bunting (as the Brits call it) are beautiful ways to dress up a window or just about any space.
ReplyDeleteI love your win from Maria. She is just the sweetest and most talented lady in Blogland. She can decorate, sew and create like nobody's business! I won some of her sewn pillow covers awhile ago. So so pretty~~she is very generous.
Happy Spring, Kim!
Jane
Thank you, Jane. I have some very generous friends in this land of blogs. I feel very lucky!! :)
DeleteI love your banners, they are always so pretty. I really like the green background you chose for the tulips. It's one of my favorite colors.
ReplyDeleteI've made a few banners but can never get myself motivated to make them for the seasons like y ou have. Right now I'm up to my eyeballs making paper roses (they are absolutely beautiful!) for Mother's Day. It takes me 15 to 20 minutes to make one rose & I need to make about 50. So I don't see any banners in my near future.
Thank you, Jenny!! I have always loved the looks of those pretty paper roses, but I am such a lazy crafter. I'm afraid I would make one and then give up!! I would love to see what they look like! I bet they are fabulous!!
DeleteLove this latest banner and how nice to have the giveaway items to play with next! :) Have a wonderful Easter weekend.
ReplyDelete...and I have been playing, Deb!!
DeleteWhat a wonderful win! This tulip banner is so Spring and you do know that your hood is meant for a wreath and a banner-did you do that on purpose?
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter weekend, Kim!
Jemma
Thank you, Jemma!! I am so honored that she made it for me. I just love looking at it! When we designed the kitchen, I knew I would have a wreath up there, but that was back in 2003….a decade before I knew anything about blogging or banners!! I was just lucky!! ;)
DeleteKim, I just love, love your tulip banner! How pretty! I am so glad you like with your gifts. It makes my heart happy. :) Take care and Happy Easter. xxx Maria
ReplyDeleteThank you Maria and thank you again for the lovely gifts! I am really enjoying them all!!
DeleteWhat wonderful gifts you have received from blogging friends! Love the tulip banner - it is so perfect for you. You have the best place to hang banners, too. I don't really have anywhere in my home to hang one.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Melanie!! When we installed that hood, I never thought I would be hanging banners on it. Blogging has opened my eyes to the world of banners! ;)
DeleteI LOVE your kitchen, especially the hood. It's always decorated so nice. Your newest banner is great!! Happy Easter Kim :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Karen! I do love my hood, with and without banners…but banners definitely make it better!! ;)
DeleteI think you have a beautiful kitchen and the banner is a wonderful way to showcase it! Happy Easter to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Janet!! You're so kind! :)
DeleteHey there banner girl . . .
ReplyDeleteTulip Banner is perfect . . ,
Cuz . . . you are a Tulip Gal too . . .
Happy Easter . . .
I agree, Lynne...it was the perfect gift for me!! :)
DeleteWOW, you are such a lucky duck....make that "lucky bunny" but also very deserving! Such lovely things and could not be more appropriate for the "Banner Queen!" Cannot wait to see how you use your new pretties!
ReplyDeleteWarm hugs,
Carol
I know, Carol…it was a super surprise for this banner junkie!! I am lucky to have so many nice friends. I feel blessed for sure! :)
DeleteI love the post office fairy too!
ReplyDeleteYour banners are always lovely and so inviting Kim. I would love to sit in your kitchen!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us all at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. We are so glad you are here!
Thank you, Laura! That post office fairy always seems to bring the best stuff! ;)
DeleteI just subscribed! I often forget to do this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet gift and the banner is lovely in your beautiful kitchen, Kim. I remember loving banners decades ago when the only place I saw them was in the UK shelter magazines. It took the US a while but they sure have caught on, haven't they?
Happy Easter!
Dewena
They are certainly all the rage now, Dewena! I have become a full blown addict!!
DeleteLovely banner. Happy Easter, Kim.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thanks Amalia!! :)
DeleteI adore your banner, and your ideas are smile-makers. Your kitchen is exquisite! Thank you SO much for sharing your talents with Foodie Friday and Everything Else. Have a blessed, happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Making people smile has always been my goal!! :)
DeleteSuch wonderful creativity! Tulips are perfect for spring.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this lovely post at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. Wishing you and yours a glorious Easter.
Lorri is the sweetest, Lorri. I am just the lucky recipient!
DeleteVery Cute and definitely looks like Spring! Have a wonderful Easter! Lynn
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynn!! I really like it, too…super sweet! :)
DeleteI love all of your goodies you won Kim! It's always fun winning! Wishing you a Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I love my bag!
Julie
Thanks Julie and I'm so happy you are enjoying the bag! :)
DeleteYou're so sweet to mention me! Thanks! A little drop of hot glue works every time. :) Love, love, love the banner you received! Tulips are such a happy little flower. Congrats on the winnings too! You're on a roll! You must have given that prosperity jar a shake recently. ;)
ReplyDeleteSo happy to mention you, Lisa! I was always wrestling with tape to hang my banners and after a few days the stick would give out and I would be struggling to tape it all up again! Love that tip! :)
DeleteThank you, Teri!!
ReplyDeleteSo very pretty indeed Kim!
ReplyDeleteThanks Vel! Lorri does lovely work! :)
DeleteWow, you are one lucky lady, awesome goodies. Love that sweet tulip banner. It looks great hanging in your kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Kristi! I am a lucky lady with some very talented friends! :) Yourself included!!
Delete