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Vintage Valentine Banner from Recycled Cardboard

I love an attractive DIY project that involves recyclables and vintage goods. This vintage Valentine banner uses both and I found it super simple and super low-priced to make. Craft it on your own or with your kids, and yes, it’s that easy. In about 30 minutes you can make this decorative Valentine’s banner and have it hanging on your mantle in no time.
 
 

Make a Vintage Valentine Banner

Materials for Making a Vintage Valentine Banner

Materials to Make Valentine Banner
 
This post contains affiliate links for products necessary to complete the project. This is both for your convenience as well as to support my blog, as I receive a small compensation whenever you click on such a link and make any sort of purchase, for which I thank you.

Materials:

cardboard food boxes for vintage Valentine banner

I always keep a stash of cardboard packaging because I make tags with it. You’ll need several for this project.

 

Step 1: Make the Pennants

Using a letter card to determine the size of your pennants

 

Your letter cards will determine the size of each pennant. My vintage cards measure 2 1/4″ x 3 1/2″, so I made my pennants each 3 1/2″ x 5″.

If you don’t have vintage letter cards on hand, an alternative would be to stencil letters onto white cardstock. Or you could print out individual letters onto white paper or cardstock and cut to size.

I laid a letter card on the cardboard pennant and determined where to cut the “tails.” 

Step 2: Make the Triangle Pennants

Cardboard Triangle Pennants

The smaller triangle pennants, to which I added hearts, measure 3″ wide by 3 3/4″ long (at the longest point).

Two types of pennants
 
A side-by-side view of the two differently shaped pennants.
 

Step 3: Punch Holes in the Pennants

 

Punching holes in the cardboard pennants

Using a small 1/8″ hole punch, make holes in the corners of each pennant for stringing the twine through. Use a 1/4″ if that’s all you have.

You don’t have to worry about covering the back side of your banner if you plan to hang it against a wall (or your mantel, as I did). However, if you hang it in a doorway or something like that, you may want to paint (or paper) the backs.

Step 4: Make & Glue Hearts

Materials to Make Valentine Banner

I used my scalloped heart punch to make my hearts, but if you don’t have a punch, you can make them the old-fashioned way–by hand(!).

Glue the hearts onto the triangle pennants and the letters on the ones with tails.

Step 5: String Everything together

Close up view of vintage valentine banner--letters B & E

Use a piece of twine to assemble your banner. I put tape on the end of the twine to keep it from unraveling while I threaded all the pieces on. 

Vintage Valentine Banner hanging on a mantel

There you have it–quick and cheap, just like I promised!

Click for more great Valentine’s ideas:

14+ Valentine's Day Projects & Guides

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Make a Vintage Valentine Banner using recycled cardboard!

 

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13 Comments

  1. Love this and love how it looks on your mantel! I so wish we had a white fireplace! Ours is red brick…And now you've got me thinking I have to start saving cereal boxes…..the wheels are turning…..
    xoKathleen

  2. Really cute banner Diana. Love your mantel too. I usually don't decorate for Valentine, but love what other people do.
    Thanks for sharing your ideas.
    Audrey Z.

  3. love this banner! Not only upcycled in many ways but beautiful! love the combination shapes, the red hearts and the vintage letter cards. Awesome job! And btw, thanks for hosting with us ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. This is beautiful! What a great use for cardboard packaging. Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend? I hope you will join us again this Monday morning ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Super cute Diana! I made a n.e.s.t. banner a few years ago, but used poster board. Just made cardboard angel wings, but I haven't antiqued them yet. Love your banner!
    hugs,
    Jann

  6. Oh, Diana. Your creativity is boundless! Thanks so much for sharing. I am greatly inspired; if only I could find more time to craft!

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