Sweet & Simple Seasonal Book Page Banners

Create simple book page banners for unique seasonal decorating in just a few minutes of time with basic supplies.

As I was giving our sideboard an update for fall (I kind of overlooked it for the fall home tour) using some items from the fall decorating box, I realized I've never shared the quick tutorial for these sweet and simple seasonal book page banners with you all.

If you've been reading AOC awhile, you may recognize them from previous mantels (see the end of the post for examples) - but did you know that they take just a few minutes?

And that people who visit your house will think you are a decorating diva when they see them?

I love that I can just smile and say, "thank you," all the while knowing I spent less time than it would take to drive to a store and buy something (if I could find anything I liked, that is).

And you all know these are the kind of diy crafts I go for - quick and easy, but with a nice impact.

Book page banners are one of my go-to decorating favorites because they can be made up so quickly, are easy to customize to say anything, and fit with any decor no matter the season or holiday.

They can be as simple as you like, or fancied up with lace, glitter, burlap or other fabric. They are even something that kids can help with, too.

This year I'm using the "Fall" banner on our sideboard and I paired it with one of my prized Jarrahdale pumpkins I grew, some drying PeeGee hydrangeas to coordinate with our hydrangea-filled diy barn wood trough on the table, the Pottery-Barn knockoff scripted pumpkin I made and a few Baby Boo pumpkins.

I added the linen runner to provide texture and break up all the white. Isn't it funny how the fall makes you want to layer things after wanting everything cleaned off for the summer?

Make Seasonal Book Page Banners

Supplies

• Old book pages (mine were 5 1/2" x 8" and a bit yellowed from age)
• Ruler, pencil & scissors
• Alphabet stencil (or large enough stickers)
• Sharpie or other fine-tipped marker, if using stencils
• Hole punch
• Jute twine or ribbon

Instructions

1. Draw a triangle on one book page by finding the center at the bottom of the page with a ruler, marking it, and then using the ruler to draw a line from the center point out towards each top corner of the page. Cut this triangle out (it will be your template).
2. Lay the first triangle on top of 2 or 3 stacked pages and cut out more triangles. Repeat until you have enough for each letter of your desired banner.
3. Trace a letter with a pencil on each triangle using a stencil. Repeat for all letters needed.
4. Use sharpie or other marker to fill in traced letter. If using a permanent marker, be sure to have a scrap piece of paper under the triangle to catch any marker bleed-through.
5. Punch two holes in the top of each triangle, about an inch in from each corner and about 3/4" down from the top.
6. Cut a piece of twine (or ribbon) long enough to hang where you'd like it and thread the triangles onto the twine.
7. Use push pins or small nails to hold banner in place (if using on a wall temporarily, like a birthday banner).  Tape works, as well.

2 book page banner examples

Our fall 2012 Pottery-Barn inspired mantel with the "Fall" banner on a vintage window, which easily changed to:

Our Thanksgiving mantel after creating a new banner (in just a few more minutes) to say 'Give Thanks."

These banners will work for any season, obviously, but are so quick that they also make terrific party decorations.

Of course, there are tons of ways to customize this idea by moving beyond book pages and using maps, children's books, or any number of papers.

Have you made similar banners before?