How to make a Birthday {Frame} Banner!

I LOVE BIRTHDAYS! They are so much fun and planning a party for someone special is a good way to show you care!  But it's the details that really show your love.  Here's a project that is quick, easy, and you don't have to have any crazy skills to do it!  A unique and beautiful birthday banner is in reach!

So, I started in my mind with a more traditional type fabric banner.  However, that seemed less than quick or easy, so I thought "cardstock!"  The theme of Mr. S's birthday party was board games, including monopoly, so what better template than a monopoly deed card.  Each card is a letter.  I created the template in photoshop, but you could print each letter on a mailing label and cut it out to cover the monopoly deed info on the card (leaving the color exposed).

Once I had my cards made, I picked a ribbon and affixed them with small wire hoops usually reserved for jewelry making.  Punch holes in the top of the cards for the hoops. :)

Now, at this point I had intended to affix this banner to the brick of the fireplace, but HOW???  Then it hit me!  We had a big, beautiful, frame out in the shed that I had planned to paint and hadn't yet.  So, I thought, "why not?!"

The frame is about 24" x 30".

So, I stretched the ribbon across the back of the frame and stapled it in place so it hang the way I wanted.  And that's it!  It was super easy.  And all it was completely free (because I had everything in my house already).  It turned out to be my husband's favorite thing about the party and it is STILL on our fireplace!

Hard to see details in this pic, but you get the idea :)

Recap:

Materials:  Picture frame {large}

                Ribbon

                Cardstock

                Stapler/staples

                Wire rings

                Hole Puncher

Program to make card:  Photoshop, but you could use Microsoft Publisher or 

                                 Word

I want to make one of these with our name and hopefully will post pics soon!