Vintage Valentine Banner from Recycled Cardboard
Materials for Making a Vintage Valentine Banner
Materials:
- Cardboard (I used food packaging)
- Red paper
- Heart paper punch
- 1/8 hole punch
- Twine or jute
- Glue stick
- Vintage letter cards (here’s a new alternative)
I always keep a stash of cardboard packaging because I make tags with it. You’ll need several for this project.
I used my paper cutter to trim off all the rough edges.
How to Make the Valentine’s Day Banner
Step 1 Make Letter 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 Triangle Pennants: The smaller pennants, on which I’ll add the hearts, measure 3″ wide by 3 3/4″ long (at the longest point).
Step 3 Make Holes for Hanging: 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.
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 4 String Together: 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.
There you have it–quick and cheap, just like I promised!
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Bye for now, 
I’d love it if you’d pin me for later!
So cute! You had me at "super cheap"! 😎
I don't decorate for Valentine's Day but this adorable banner makes me want to think twice about that Diana!
Marie@The Interior Frugalista
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
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.
What a neat (and easy) idea. Very clever! I must remember this!
Love those vintage letter cards. I think the banner is my favorite of the Valentine ideas.
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 🙂
How cute is this! Thanks for sharing at the Home Matters LInky Party this week!
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 🙂
From trash to treasure! Very sweet banner.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Debra
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
Very cute. Love the graphic letter cards.
Oh, Diana. Your creativity is boundless! Thanks so much for sharing. I am greatly inspired; if only I could find more time to craft!