Friday, August 20, 2010

Heirloom name birthday banner

I am finally ready to share the project that has been keeping me busy the past week, and I am very happy with the result,  truly I just adore it. The colors are so bright and cheery, it is thick and soft, and I look forward to this piece being brought out year after year, with only the number of years exchanged. It really makes me smile, and I know that Kaleena will love it,
she truly appreciates these kinds of surprises.
I started out knitting 7 triangles in the same color, one for each of the letters in her name, and 1 in a different color for the birth year number, this will be the one exchanged each passing year.
For those interested; I cast on 30 stitches, and knitted 5 rows. In the next row, I knitted the first two and the last two stitches together, then knitted the next three rows, and repeated this pattern until the end.
I used Lamb's Pride wool, bulky weight, and size 10 needles.
Here they are all finished. 
Then I felted them, first in the sink, simply soaking them under the hot faucet, added a bit of dish soap, and rubbing them two and two together all over, then rinsed in cold water. Then they went for a wash in the machine and then a trip through the dryer. 
and then they looked like this:) ready for the needle felting
For this I simply added tufts of wool roving, shaping it to the letter needed and used the felting needle to attach it. 
All the letters felted on. So lovely if I may say so myself:)
I added tassels, using the felted beads I made the other day, as well as a wooden bead at the very end.
Then I sewed them all together adding a smaller wooden bead in between each letter. And voila, all done. I will not hang it until the eve of Kaleena's birthday, as a surprise hanging over her birthday table for when she wakes up.
And it packs up nicely to store for years to come.
I adore these kinds of projects, something that will last, bring back memories of each passing birthday, and will last until she herself is grown.
It was made with all my love and I know she will sense that when she sees it year after year.
Soon I will get started with Keenan's who's birthday follows Kaleena's. Fall time is certainly a busy birthday crafting time in this house.

~May you have a wonderful weekend~

24 comments:

  1. What a cool and loving mom you are :) This is a wonderful tribute to the birth of each gift in your life. Thanks!

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  2. i love this! thanks for the directions. i think i'm going to make one for my boy. : )

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  3. What a lovely banner, such a great piece to treasure over the years. I find your blog so inspiring, I just made a version of the elderberry syrup you posted about recently - it is delicious, thanks for sharing with us. I will eventually get around to doing many more of your ideas - I just need a few more hours and days in the week... don't we all! I included a link to you on my blog, x

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  4. Positively gorgeous! I wish I knew how to knit! The colors are fabulous and it will be such a treasure year after year. Thank you for sharing the process.

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  5. That's so beautiful! I think I'll try to make one for each of my little guys. Thanks for the instructions! (:

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  6. It's so beautiful! I've been thinking of doing something similar so thanks for the instructions! :)

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  7. How sweet. I've never thought to knit a banner. What a great idea.

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  8. you did a lovely job. i have wanted to make a birthday banner ever since i saw soulemama's- but for some reason there aren't enough hours inthe day for me. :)

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  9. it is stunning!! what a wonderful job you have done on such an incredible gift for your daughter. she is going to love it so! i adore the colors you chose, of course. ;)

    i don't know if you see my replies when i reply to you on my blog. when are you moving?

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  10. I *love* this! Brilliant idea, knitting and felting the banner. And those tassels are the perfect touch! I love how the beads' colours tie in with those of the letters. Really, this is just fabulous! Looks like there will be one regally-honoured birthday girl (with a beautiful name) in your happy home :-)

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  11. It looks wonderful, a beautiful birthday banner. I really must try knitting again, the last time was when I was about nine years old at school, I made a snowman, full of holes where the stuffing fell out! But you have inspired me to give it another go. Knitting needles here I come! ;)

    http://curiousinquisitivechild.blogspot.com/

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  12. mmmmmm...so very pretty:) you put a lot of thought and hard work into this:) it will be a treasure for years to come:):)

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  13. What a beautiful banner! I love it, such amazing colours:) Thanks for sharing on Creative Friday:)
    xo
    Linda

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  14. They turned out lovely, Kaleena will love those! xxx

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  15. This is a beautiful! My son's birthday is in the next few months so I better get started...

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  16. Oh this is great. A little late for this years birthdays (our last one was today!) but that gives me a whole 10 months to make three ready for next year.
    Thanks for sharing.
    xx

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  17. I would like to ask your permission to use your mandala photos to create teabag folded pictures and cards for gifts. I can explain more and send samples for your understanding and potential approval if you like. Is there an email I can use? or other suggestion? You can also do an internet search for teabag folding if you like. Thanks for your consideration. Sharon

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  18. Sharon, you can email me @ christinantonetti@gmail.com
    Thanks, Christina

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  19. ooooooooh i'm so inspired!!! have to do this! love your blog!

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  20. Wonderful inspiration. Thanks so much for sharing. I will make these for my children as a keepsake! (i may just add one extra triangle for each as my daughter is 10 next year!)

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  21. Wow, this is stunning. Your children are so lucky to have chosen such a crafty mama.

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  22. I loved the banner so much that I am in the process of creating one for my son's birthday next month. I love your blog. It is inspiring!

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