garland

so, inspired by the images of “brown paper packages tied up with string” – i announced to my husband that that would be the theme of our holiday decorating. we already have a spindly folk art-type tree and many handmade ornaments. i purchased some kraft paper at target, found some baker’s twine, and got to planning.

because i didn’t want the decorations to be “too” traditional – i thought the best place to start would be yards & yards of the pennant garlands that have been hot for awhile. hanging from door ways, wrapped around the tree, strung from picture frame to picture frame.

my garland supplies

first, i gathered my supplies – as i mentioned, kraft paper and baker’s twine – glue stick, scalloped scissors (any shape would work!), regular scissors, and a harry connick jr christmas cd.

to put it simply, harry connick jr is a necessary supply in any holiday crafting project.

strips of kraft paper

then, i cut strips of my kraft paper about 3-4 inches wide. i totally eye-balled this. i suggest you do the same.

folded kraft paper

keeping in line with my precise measurements, i folder the kraft paper in half several times length-wise. i then cut it up into little folded flags. nota bene, i’ve done this several times now and cut it differently each time – it doesn’t really matter how you do it as long as you end up with little folded flags approximately 1″x1″.

folded, cut flags

cover one side with a glue stick

i then unwound a length of twine and covered one side of the flag with my glue stick. two actual tips here: i really like the glue sticks that start off blue & turn clear. they’re heavy duty and they prevent that annoying problem of thinking you glued an area that you clearly did not… second tip, put glue into the fold of your paper to keep the string in place.

kraft paper flags glued to the string

after you have all your little square flags glued on to your twine, you’ll want to cut each into triangles – or, even easier, just trim along the bottom – with your patterned scissors. sure, you could do this with regular scissors but the little scallops are so sweet!

scalloped scissors create a fun edge on pennants

if you make one of these… would you pretty please add it to the scoutie girl flickr pool?? i’m sure your pics will be ever so much better than mine and i would love to see how you improve on the idea!

p.s. there’s great tutorial over on creature comforts today – written by rikkianne from chakra pennywhistle – about creating your brown paper packages with thrifted sewing patterns! genius!

oh – and bonnie, from going home to roost – was inspired by this morning’s post and posted more great images of brown paper (among other things!) packages tied up with string.

finally – don’t forget to enter the maizie designs earring giveaway and there’s only a day left in the perideau designs holiday stationery giveaway, too!

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