Looking for a grown up Valentine's Day Banner that will decorate your home in style?
Check out these crafty and elegant DIY garlands.
It's funny, I'd never made one before I started blogging, but since then, I've been compelled to put one up every year.
There's something about them that just makes me smile.
However, if you ask me why, exactly, I don't think I could give you one specific answer.
I mean I absolutely adore the color red, that's no secret, and let's face it, Valentine's Day tops even Christmas when it comes to crimson decor.
Speaking of Christmas, by February the decorations have been down for like two months and that clean and simple January high starts to feel a little austere.
It also could be because I love my kitchen hood, almost as much as I love the color red and the chance to combine the two? It's crafty and creative bliss.
Staring at my blank hood as Valentine's Day approached way back in 2014, I went in search of a banner online and at the dollar store, but came up empty handed.
There were some great choices for the classroom or even a party, but nothing I saw said, elegant, grown up Valentine home decor.
So I decided to make my own.
Now when I say elegant, I don't mean stuffy. I was just looking for more than tissue paper hearts and naked cherubs looped together.
What Can I Use To Make Valentine Banners?
I wanted something whimsical, romantic, colorful and fun that would compliment my cottage kitchen.
Something that wouldn't look out of place when my guests came over for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.
Ironic that I found my Valentine decor muse in my kindergarten planbook, don't you think?
We used to get crafty with puzzle pieces and one day, when I was cleaning out some of my old teaching supplies, I came across a box full of them and wondered if I could use them for more than just kids' crafts.
1. Upcycled Puzzle Pieces
The result was a charming word banner made out of red and pink letters. It simply said, LOVE. And yes, in love is exactly what I was...and still am.
2. Note Cards and Paper Hearts
The following year, as Valentine's Day approached, I felt the need to make another banner. This time, I was at the craft store and found these darling notecards in the dollar bins.
Stringing them up took me about ten minutes and I was all set for the holiday.
And I mean honestly, who doesn't love chickens?
3. Gift Tags
Next, I raided my craft closet and made a plain brown paper tag banner. As my desire to simplify started to take hold, so did my craving for a more neutral decor.
Oh sure, the red was still there, but as more of an accent than the star of the show.
The neutral tones and rustic twine provided an understated air, but still popped against my bisque colored hood adding just enough of an accent to make me smile.
4. Scrap Fabric
The last of my Valentine banners doesn't really look like a Valentine garland at all. The only clue that it was for the holiday is that red fabric and the two small hearts tacked onto the end.
This time around, I was looking for something totally different and wanted decor that could stay up past February 14th without looking out of place.
My solution? A scrap fabric box pleat banner. I had yards of red fabric just waiting to be used and an itch to stitch.
The result was a DIY I couldn't put away for months. It was so pretty and added such warmth to the room that it stayed up until April.
What will I put up this year?
I'm actually not sure. I haven't gotten that far yet.
Dirty little secret?
While all of my Santas and signs have been packed up and away, my big Christmas trees are still standing tall.
When they come down in the next day or so, maybe all that empty space will motivate me to conjure up something fresh...and like the others, it'll be basically free.
5. Furniture Transfers
Like my latest Valentine banner. A vintage floral one.
I can always go back to my very first banner.
Because after all, there's nothing like your first love.
Is there? 💌
Do you decorate for Valentine's Day?
Before you disappear, you must pop over and visit my friends for more Ten On The Tenth fun. We have a whole new crafty crew to introduce you to.
Ann @ Apple Street Cottage
Barbara @ French Ethereal
Benita @ Chasing Quaintness
Cindy @ CountyRoad 407
Eilis @ My Heart Lives Here
Kim @ Exquisitely Unremarkable - that's me!
Katie @ Let's Add Sprinkles
Laura @ Decor To Adore
Patti @ Pandora's Box
Susan @ Homeroad
Happy Hopping Friends!
Barbara @ French Ethereal
Benita @ Chasing Quaintness
Cindy @ CountyRoad 407
Eilis @ My Heart Lives Here
Kim @ Exquisitely Unremarkable - that's me!
Katie @ Let's Add Sprinkles
Laura @ Decor To Adore
Patti @ Pandora's Box
Susan @ Homeroad
Happy Hopping Friends!
You have the perfect spot for a banner!! I never think to make one! And what a pretty kitchen, too!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Patti. It really is the perfect spot for one...out of the way and yet in plain sight. I think I need another one. 😉
DeleteI love all of your banners and I really love that wreath! I don't decorate for Valentines Day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Penny! That wreath is still my favorite one in the house...and it was so easy to make.
DeleteYep!!! Valentine's Day is your holiday for sure. With your love of red and all your sweet homemade decor. I love that banner. It looks so striking against your white mantel. You have a big heart and a very talented one so this is definitely your holiday.
ReplyDeleteHugs and Happy Thursday.
Kris
Thanks Kris! That is the sweetest thing to say! You just made my morning. ❤️❤️❤️
DeleteI just took my trees down yesterday so you are in good company. I adore all of the banners but I do the chickens!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I like chickens, too!!
DeleteThese are adorable. Your vent hood is gorgeous. I think I need a wreath for on mine. I'm off to see how to make that pleated banner.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Katie! I had to fight for that hood, but it was so worth it.
DeleteI love your banners! They are always perfect and so beautiful! Your creative banners inspired me to make my project for this challenge! When I saw the goodies at Target, I thought "what would Kim do"? Thus, my Valentine's Day project. I picked up a couple of other things and will be making another little Valentine's Day deal...again, from your inspiration! :-) You are a good influence on my craft skills! Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteBenita, you are so kind and hilarious! I love it!! And I'm so glad that you decided to join us for this hop. There are so many talented ladies here. It makes it much more fun!!
DeleteSo cute!! I confess, I barely decorate for Valentine's day....I have a red dishtowel with a heart and a metal mesh heart filled with scented rosehips for the kitchen door - done. Boring.
ReplyDeleteI'm boring, too, Debbie...the banner is about the extent of it. I guess we're in good company!
DeleteKim your kitchen is to die for! Love all of the Valentine Day decor. Now that I've seen this, I think that I'm ready to break out the rest of my Valentines Day stuff!
ReplyDeleteTammy, thank you so much! I have to make a new banner and get it up there fast!
DeleteBeautiful as usual! You have a great place to display a garland in your kitchen xo
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan! I do love that hood....
DeleteI think you must be crowned, "The Banner Queen", Kim. They are all beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann!! I wouldn’t mind wearing a crown!! Haha!!
DeleteOh My Golly! I've never seen such adorable banners. I love each and every one. You are one crafty lady! Pinned
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Cindy!! I'm slightly banner obsessed!
DeleteYou have the best banner ideas in all of blogland! I love the note card idea!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa! I have to find some new notecards. Those are my favorite banners...
DeleteI love all you banners, Kim. In your beautiful kitchen everything you make looks so pretty. I made a pinwheel banner a couple of year ago, so think I will bring it out again this year..Happy Thursday..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy!! A pinwheel banner sounds like fun. I have to go peek at one. xoxo
DeleteYou just keep topping yourself! All your Valentine banners are amazing. I wasn't able to reach your sight through my normal browser (Chrome). I had to open Explorer to see your Ten on the Tenth post. Not sure why, but wanted to let you know.
ReplyDeleteEilis, you are so kind! Thank you! And thank you for the information. Blogger is a tricky friend sometimes. I have to look into that...I'm sorry it was giving you trouble. That's no fun!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteOur tree is still up too. ;-) We plan to take it down Saturday.
I love all your Valentine banners. I have a feeling you will come up with something amazing this Valentine's.
xx oo
Carla
Thanks Carla! Now that the tree is gone I'm craving something festive.
DeleteKim you are famous for your red banners in the kitchen and I know that whatever you come up with will be just right! So glad to see that so many other ladies have joined the group! The more the merrier!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary! I have to get working on something new...and yes, the more the merrier for sure!
DeleteI love all of your VD banners especially the one made out of cards. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! I love the card banner, too. Those chickens are just too cute!
DeleteI love everything about your kitchen!!! I had never seen or even heard of decorating with banners before I started blogging. Nobody here in my area uses them. I've never made one but may try this year. I am in the market for a new hood. I might see if I can find anything similar. My hubby would never be able to replicate yours!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Cheri! And I’m with you, before blogging banners were something we hung in the classroom for someone’s birthday! And as far as the hood goes, it was a simple build. The mouldings are what give it that character, but other than that it’s just a triangular box! I hope you find one that makes you smile!
DeleteBeautiful. Have a happy weekend Kim. Hug.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandra! You too...😊
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteAll of your Valentine's banners are so pretty, but the show stopper is the red wreath on your hood. Since I love blue, my last two Valentine's banners were blue. I'm not sure what I will do this year.
Judith
Thanks Judith! I love red the way you feel about blue, so Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to bring in a little more of it. And thanks, I love that wreath. It was so easy to make and looks good in any season. I’ll be on the lookout for some Valentine decor in your gorgeous home. I always enjoy a peek inside!
DeleteI have always loved your banners, Kim, and think I have been through all of them with you---although I may have missed one of them when I was taking a break. So sweet. If I did red I would want to do red exactly like you do. You have just the right combo of red and neutral so it is not overpowering. Love it---I always smile when I visit your blog. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana, I feel the same way when I visit you! And I haven't made a new banner in quite a while. It may be time to whip something festive up again. xoxo
DeleteYou make such clever things Kim, and I have always loved that red puzzle banner, it is adorable! My favorite banners that I've made are the fabric strip banners that I hang out in my garden, but I am thinking about making an outdoor Valentine banner. Lots of possibilities, but I need the time, ha! You do inspire me though, and perhaps I'll get around to making one before the day actually arrives, lol! Blessings and hugs :)
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, I can picture your garden banners right now and they have me dreaming of warm summer days in the garden! I know your world looks a little bit different at the moment, but beautiful nonetheless. Enjoy the view and please share your Valentine banner if you do whip one up. I'd love to see it! Hugs to you...
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