12 Days of Christmas 2013 - Day Twelve

Today is day 12! Christmas is 2 days away! Yikes! No, really, I'm good. I have only 2 projects to finish, a head for a monkey and a remote holder, and I'm done!!!!

I always try to make the last day's project about the birth of the Savior, so our project today is a banner that proclaims "NOEL" to everyone who sees it. It take a little time, but it's very easy to make and very rewarding to display or give.

You will need at least 4 or 5 different 12" x 12" pieces of cardstock. You can use Christmas designs, or solid colors, whatever you like. Or mix and match!

The pennants are 6" wide and 7" long. Cut a strip of cardstock 7" x12". Mark the middle, at 6" , on one long side. On the other long side, make marks at 3" and 9". Now draw lines from the 6" mark to the 3" mark and the 9" mark, and from the 3" mark to the corner and from the 9" mark to the other corner. That will give you three pennant shapes.  Out of the scrap triangles, cut 2" circles. I used my flower punch to do this.

For each medallion, you will need 2 strips of cardstock 12" x 2 1/2". Fold them in half the long way, one with the printed side out and one with the white side out. Now fold the ends into the middle.

Then to the middle again.

Then again. Then open up all your folds and fold them again into an accordion.

You will have one accordion with ends that go up and make a valley and one with ends that go down and make a mountain. Place glue on the very last section of the valley and place the mountain over it and glue them together. Do the same on the other end. This will give you an accordion folded circle.

Now, put some glue on the front of your pennant and on the back of one of the circles. Flip one edge of the accordion folded circle up to make a flat medallion and glue it to the pennant. Glue the 2" circle on top.

Do 3 more of these in colors and patterns that compliment one another. Cut your letters and glue them on. On these I used gold glittery paper, on others I made I used black paper, and on some of the black letters I used red glitter glue to make a letter on each lack letter. It's your swag, so it's your call. I like to add a little extra something, so I put holly or a snowflake in the O..

And lastly, you can either punch holes in the corners of the pennants and string them on some cord o twine, or you can use tiny clothespins to pin them to the cord or twine. Personally, like the clothespins, because you can take it all apart to pack it away.

You can see that on some of them, I didn't put the little circle on top, and it looks good that way, too, but you have to be sure your letters are glued down really well, so that the medallion doesn't pop up in the middle. Place a weight on it, like a small book or a plate, until the letter is stuck really good!

Last of all, when I make something that is kind of fragile to pack away, I like to give the packaging with it, so I went to the deli in my local supermarket and got some clamshells used to package the turnovers, and they were the perfect size! Tied up with some jute and a cute tag, it makes a nice gift.

There you go.....the 12 Days of Christmas. I hope you enjoyed the projects and will make at least a few, if not this year, then in the future.

"And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him is swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger,,,,,,and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." That was the first Noel.

Merry Christmas to all of you, and I wish you all the blessings you deserve for the coming year. Love to you all,