May is birthday month in our house - we have Schoo's and Thatch's b-days, just 4 days apart. They both ask every day (multiple times a day) how many days until their birthday. I've always done homemade things for birthdays (with the exception of the cake) - decorations, gifts, games, etc. This year is no different, here is the first project I have finished, a 'Happy Birthday' banner.
I also have the words 'Schooler' and 'Thatcher' that I didn't lay out here since the boys were upstairs watching Chowder and I knew I only had 11 minutes to take pictures without them seeing.
For this project you will need:
Cardstock
Printed paper
Thread
The amounts needed depends on the size of your square, as well as how long you're child's name is (if you use it, you can of course just use the phrase 'happy birthday'). My cardstock background is a 6 x 6 inch square. I made the letters by first cutting my printed paper into 4 3/4" squares, then drawing the letters freehand, using up as much of the square as possible.
Then sew the letter on - this was much easier than I anticipated. I thought I'd have to adhere the letter on first to keep it in place, but it's not necessary. Once you start sewing, the letters stay put. Then sew around your square.
I've seen this idea before - using clothing pins to hang letters, and I found these at my local scrapbook store sold individually for .10 each. I got my printed paper from the same local scrapbook store. It is more expensive there than at Joann, especially since Joann often puts their paper on sale, but smaller, local stores will have a better and bigger selection of quality printed paper (a lot of Joann's printed paper is that flimsy quality, like printer paper). You can however, save a bit of money by buying the solid cardstock at Joanns, I purchased mine at 40% off.
There was no way for me to attach this to string and hang it up for pictures without my boys seeing it so finished project pictures will have to wait until after their birthdays, which are 9 and 13 days away. More projects to come!
A couple weeks ago my computer decided to stop loading pictures. No explanation. Today, it has decided to start again. I'm not asking questions, I'm just happy it is working again. Schoo's b-day has come and gone and he loved the decorations, as well as the shirt I made him. I almost just scratched the whole idea since my first attempt ruined the tee, but I still had Thatch's tee and didn't want one boy to get a birthday shirt, and one not to. That's pretty much how it is around here with two kids, both boys, and close in age - they get a lot of the same stuff. Keeping things even helps keep the peace.
These are the shirts just stuck on with Heat N Bond. I then attempted to zigzag the edges and ruined the blue one. I ended up buying a whole new shirt and fabric.
I didn't get a good close up of it, but you can see it ok in this picture. He told me repeatedly all day long how much he liked it. I made my own pattern by printing a number off of word at around '700' in size. Just remember to use the 'outline' font setting to save yourself ink. You'll need either a fat quarter or 1/4 yd of fabric. Like I said, I ironed mine on with Heat N Bond to keep it in place, then sewed a straight line around the number. 
Here is what he came down to on his birthday morning. I already posted about the birthday banner, but never got to the tissue paper pom poms. I am so not a fan of balloons even though kids are crazy for them. They are nothing but trouble if you ask me. These pom poms are from Martha Stewart. They are cheap, and so easy, and so fun to decorate with - you can find the directions here.
The "schooler" part of the banner has come down, and will be replaced with "thatcher." His b-day is tomorrow. Can't wait!
