“Immanuel” Burlap Banner
It’s November 1st and I’m sharing my first Christmas post. Do you know what that means? It means I’m a month late in beginning my Christmas celebration! It’s true.
Every year on October 1st, my dad breaks out his Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Christmas CD, and anyone who’s with him listens to it nonstop from October through the beginning of January. So while you may be thinking, “She’s posting Christmas stuff already?!” my dad has already been rocking out to “Christmas Without You” for a month and thinks I’m behind the times. 😉
I’m not very experienced with burlap, so I decided to go simple just to get my feet wet. So though I know Christmas is still almost two months away, I couldn’t resist putting together this little burlap banner to hang over my nativity scene. Here’s what I used to make it:
- Burlap, cut into your favorite bunting shape {Be sure to leave an extra 1/2″-ish at the top to attach it to the ribbon.}
- Scissors
- Sharpie marker
- Iron
- Ribbon {Mine is left over from my wedding almost 7 years ago. Yes, we used that much ribbon– bows everywhere!!!}
- Hot glue gun (and glue sticks)
- Scrapbook paper
- Circle Punch
- Needle & thread
This banner was easy-peasy to put together! Once I had my bunting shapes cut, I looked up a fun font on the computer and did my best to imitate it, drawing the letters in Sharpie. No tracing, no measuring– just do your best!
I went back and forth for a while on whether to use “Emmanuel” or “Immanuel,” but I was referencing Matthew 1:23, which says, “‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’)” and the two translations I use most often (NIV and ESV) both used “Immanuel,” so “Immanuel” it was.
After I had drawn all of my letters, I ironed down a 1/2″ flap on the back of each piece to make it easier to attach to the ribbon.
![The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[a] (which means “God with us”).](https://justagirlandherblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Ironed-flaps-720x681.jpg)
Then I simply used my hot glue gun to adhere the ribbon under the flaps, creating my banner!
I really liked it when it was done, but it needed a little “something.” I used my circle punch to cut out red, green, and white circles and threaded them into a garland. I hung up both pieces and set up my nativity below.
Since I happen to love this nativity set, I made sure to set it waaaaaaaay up high on top of our Expedit so that little fingers can’t reach it! I don’t think I’m calling the styling “done” yet. I need to come up with something pretty to put on either side of the nativity scene, so you probably haven’t seen the last of this space. Good thing I have almost two months until Christmas! 😀
Have you started on your Christmas decor yet?
I link up at these fun parties!
I love this! I will have to do something similar to hang over our stockings 🙂
Ooh a burlap banner over stockings sounds so cute! Totally go for it! Hope you had a great weekend!
~Abby =)
How about Dolly Parton’s, “I’ll be home with bells on…” Where might she be wearing those bells?! Your banner turned out great! 🙂
Oh, yes. I think I know every word to that one too! Though I’ve never thought about the location of her bells… 😉 Have a great week, friend!
~Abby =)
That’s so cute! I’ve just recently started working with burlap, and I love the look! No Christmas decorating here yet–I host Thanksgiving, and my parents would revolt if they saw Christmas blended with Thanksgiving. I’ll have to hide my Christmas crafts! 😉 Dee
Lol! This is my first Christmas season blogging and I was amazed at how early the Christmas crafts came out! I guess we have to get on them so other people can pin them and make them too! Hope you had a wonderful weekend, Dee!
~Abby =)
very beautiful…..and such an original idea!!!!! Christine from Little BRags
Thanks, Christine! I joked with someone that this was the millionth burlap banner created in blogland, but I did try to add my own little touches. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Abby =)
Very sweet project! I’m not in the Christmas frame of mind yet, but my 3yo was marking up the Target toy catalog for Santa last night. 🙂
They always seem to get on that early, don’t they?! My kids get the “gimmes” when we go into the toy store at this time of year, and I just tell them, “Put it on your list!” Lol. Hope you had a great weekend, Laura!
~Abby =)
It turned out so well Abby! And I also love the little circle banner you created as well. We have that same Nativity set:)
Thank you, Krista! Yes, I love that nativity set! We got it as a wedding gift from a dear friend, and I just love setting it up every year! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Love this! Can’t wait until we are done with our move to Germany so I can start crafting again!
Germany?! How fun! Good luck with the move! Happy crafting!
~Abby =)
So cute! I’m obsessed with cute little banners like this, and I have that circle craft hole punch too. I might be making this in the near future! We actually decorate for Christmas the day before Thanksgiving, so I gotta get my crafting on soon!
Nice work!
What a fun tradition! Happy banner making! 😀
~Abby =)
Okay, I am cracking up at your dad because I am a die-hard “No Christmas Stuff until the day after Thanksgiving NO MATTER WHAT” kind of mom. My kids even know not to ask to watch a Christmas themed movie from December 26th until that magic day we set up the tree!
Lol! He started that tradition when he was in college and still does it every year! We love Thanksgiving, too, but he can’t get enough of Kenny and Dolly. 😀 Hope you had a wonderful weekend, Elisabeth!
~Abby =)
I love the beauty and simplicity of your banner. It’s done very nicely. I’m going to attempt one also. I love making banners and signs. Do you mind if I make one like yours?
Due to fact it takes me so long to get things done I’m going to be starting on holiday crafting. Already have some projects lined up. Thought I’d do something little different this year. Have made paper ornaments last few years, getting a little bored with them. What will you be making this year? Any plans?
I’m getting in the mood, watching Hallmark channel all day/night and it’s been all holiday movies. At least they have a few new ones this year. Thought I’d scream last year, was same movies over and over again for years. I enjoy them but repeated so many times, come on. Maybe if I can get my crafting done I can actually clean up my house and keep it that way. We’re supposed to have snow at least by Monday and pretty cold temps along with it. Better get my boots out and a few sweaters tomorrow. Stay warm and have fun.
You can absolutely make one like mine! I would be flattered! I’m thinking of making some monogram ornaments this year or maybe something with the clear glass ones. Keep warm– I can’t believe you’re going to get snow already! Hope you had a wonderful weekend, JaneEllen!
~Abby =)
Great burlap project, Abby! I actually plan on incorporate burlap into our wedding decor. I’ll be posting about some of my inspiration later this month. A banner like this is definitely on my list. Thanks for sharing your tutorial!
Hugs!
~ Bethany
Ooh burlap would be so pretty in wedding decor! Can’t wait to see your inspiration! Hope you had a wonderful weekend, friend!
~Abby =)
What a fabulous banner! My mantel is just begging for a little something to get the Holiday season started! I’d love for you to share this tutorial with my link party Life Created Tuesdays! This week’s party is now live 🙂
Thanks so much for the invite, Erin! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)