DIY: Flag Garland

I love projects but I generally don't ever have time (or patience) to really do them and do them well.  I always have these ideas but they never really come to fruition.  This project was easy and super quick and I want reasons to make more!  This one I made for Lillian's Christening party.  I wanted some decorations but not the cheesy ones you get at Party City.  I like things simple and so does my mom and since we are having the party at her house I didn't want to impose with lots of 'stuff'.  This seemed to be the perfect solution.  I had always admired these on some of the hosting blogs I follow but I never really thought it was as easy as it was.  I decided to go ahead with the project when a fellow blogger, nestie, and facebook pal Cloud 8 1/2 did one for her daughters 4th birthday party.  It was soooo cute!  I saw her pictures and loved it and was inspired!  I was determined to do this and do it well.  I messaged her on facebook and got a tutorial and immediately ran to Michael's to pick through all of the pretty scrapbook paper and ribbon-funny because looking back on her pictures I chose a few of the same patterns she did-although there isn't THAT much of a variety.  I had a color scheme in mind but couldn't resist some of the beautiful paper!  I wanted to be able to hang it in Lillian's room after the party so I went with a light pink, light green with shades of taupe and blue to match the tones in her room.  Plus they are so pretty together.  I ended up having more paper than I used but I plan to make one of these for every party I have from here on out-I'm obsessed.

Here is what I did- which hopefully is easy to follow-if not e-mail me with any questions.  If you love this and don't have time to make it or just don't feel like it I would be happy to make one for you-seriously it was that fun. 

What you need:

Thin piece of cardboard (a shirt box would work well) or heavy card-stock for your template.  I used a cardboard insert from a box we were planning on recycling.  It was thin enough to cut out but heavy enough to keep for next time!   I pretty much just measured it on my computer screen and then used a ruler to transfer it on the cardboard.  I made the top of the flag 8 inches.  To get the center draw a line down the middle of the top line to find your point.  Make sure you include the tab at the top.  I couldn't imagine why you needed this at first (I am more hands on than visual) but once I started putting it together it made sense.

 
Scrapbook pages in any colors/patterns to fit your theme/style-I got mine at Micheal's-they also sell books of paper all ready coordinated which were really pretty too and I contemplated getting one but it was way more paper than I needed and I didn't want to get one if I totally botched the project.
Ribbon-I used 1/4 inch gross-grain which fit perfectly.  Anything thinner or lighter may not hold up the flags as well.
scissors
pencil
hot glue and glue gun-although I think it could work with regular glue-it may just be harder to work with and take longer to dry.  The hot glue worked well.  I was really excited with my mini glue gun purchase in pink-only 3 dollars at Wal-Mart and it worked great!  *Disclaimer* the hot glue is HOT!  I burned my fingers a few times when pressing down the tabs.

How To:
Trace out your flags on the paper.  On the standard size scrapbook page I got two flags out of it by tracing one flag one way and another flag the other way.  I only used one flag from each for the size banner I made (it's about 70 inches) so I had a back up flag for each color in case I messed up.  I also bought a piece I thought was beautiful but it ended up not really working with my scheme so I left it out..for the next one!

Cut out your flags and place them in order of how you want them arranged

 The paisley one was the one I left out.  The background was creamier and the pinks and greens were a bit different then I wanted.  I will definitely design the next banner around this print-it's so pretty!

I used a fresh spool of ribbon so I knew I had enough.  Make sure you leave some ribbon on each end to tie your banner.

Take the first flag and fold the tab in half like so:

 

Make sure the pretty part of the flag is facing down. Put a strip of glue on the bottom of the fold and lay in your ribbon.

On the ribbon place more glue and then fold down the top part of the tab. 

Viola your flag is placed.  Continue until you reach the desired length.  I didn't put any space between my flags but you could-since my flags were larger I think they looked best touching.  Make sure you leave some more ribbon on the opposite end and cut to desired length.

 And the finished product:

 

 

 

Have fun!