eHow Crafts Blog
Let everyone know you’re ready for Halloween with this DIY Happy Halloween banner. Make it modern and fun or spooky and cute — I’ve got the templates to share with you so that you can make it any way you like. This week we’ll make the banner, and I’ll show you a simple way to make it modern and fun with freezer paper and craft paint. Join me next week and I’ll show you how to make one that’s spooky and cute.
To get started on the banner, download this printable that explains the how to in five easy steps. It looks like this:
After the banner is made, get out your freezer paper and craft paint to start decorating. If you’re not familiar with freezer paper, it can be found at the supermarket alongside the foil and plastic wrap. It’s a fantastic tool to have in your craft room. It has a printable side and a waxy side that can be ironed onto fabric (when you’re ready it peels right off), making it the perfect stencil.
Step 1: Cut a few sheets of freezer paper into standard 8 1/2-by-11-inch sheets. Download the Happy Halloween PDF here and print it onto the dull side of your freezer paper sheets. It looks like this:
Step 2: Get out a fresh blade for your X-acto knife and start cutting out those letters. (If that seems intimidating, I’m happy to reassure you that it takes only 30 minutes. I timed myself — twice. It took 35 minutes to cut out all the letters the first time and less than 30 minutes the second time. I even surprised myself!). Also, don’t forget to hold onto those little bits that go inside the letters.
Step 3: Iron the freezer paper stencil to the front of your banner, waxy side down.
Step 4: Using fabric or craft paint and a small paintbrush, fill in those letters.
Step 5: Pull the freezer paper stencil off your banner when finished. Use a pair of tweezers for those tiny pieces that want to stay put.
Time to add the dots.
Adding the dots couldn’t be any easier. Set out your favorite paint colors and grab a pencil with a well-formed eraser. Ready, set, polka-dot!
Don’t forget to come back next week for the spooky and cute version of this Halloween banner.
