Art, Like Bread: paper craft

Oh-my-gawd! Rediscovering Mark Montano's YouTube channel has been like falling in love all over again.

I ADORE Mark Montano and his Big Ass Books of Craft. He is like a craft machine making project after project and his talent is just incredible.

I have been journaling a lot lately, so this DIY meant a lot to me. In fact, I've been journaling so much that I am needing more and more journals, so this is perfect!

Watch the video and then click the button below to save it on your Pinterest board!

And although the finished product looks very professional and doesn't appear to be an "easy DIY," Mark's video is very clear and has excellent visuals. I am convinced it actually is easy and I'm excited to try it! (I will just have to pull my sewing machine out of hibernation.) Also, if you're not a video person, you can check out Mark's blog for written instructions & photos.

If you would be interested in trying out this journal project with me, please let me know by leaving a comment or contacting me at artlikebread (at) gmail (dot) com. As always, thanks for reading the blog! Please leave your thoughts, ideas and questions in the comment section below. If you liked this post, please share this post with a friend through social media & and then write all about the inspiration in your journal?! Like my Facebook page for updates and more crafty sharing!

I know it's early, but Purim is coming on March 24 and you don't have to leave it to the last minute to get ready. I made this Purim banner in just a few hours and it's really cute. You can also use the techniques to make a banner for anything!

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Materials: scrapbook paper (or other pretty paper), glitter glue, string, scissors, hole punch. Optional: eyelet setter, crochet hook.

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1. Cut the paper into pieces that are about 3 inches by 3.5 inches. You will need as many pieces as are in your message.

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2. Cut out the negative space for each letter. Look at the picture. For "H", I just cut out a rectangle on the top and on the bottom. If you need guidance, look at your keyboard to see how the letters should be shaped.

3. Punch out holes in the tops of your letters (and set eyelets). If you use the hole punch/eyelet setter that I use, you can set the guide so that your holes are evenly spaced.

4. Decorate each letter with glitter glue. I had fun with different colors and styles! For those letters with "inner areas" (example - P, A), use the glitter glue to define the area you did not cut out. This will make your banner easier to read (and filled with sparkle!)

5. Let these dry thoroughly for a few hours. (You can speed up the process by using a hair dryer or a heat gun!) Mine dried for about 8 hours overnight.

6. Arrange the letters in the right order to spell your message and string them together. Use knots to secure your letters so they don't slide around.

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Use crochet to join the letters together.

* Make sure your crochet hook can easily pass through the eyelet*

1. Arrange your letters in the order you would like them in your banner.

2. Chain 50.

3. Working right to left, from the last letter (example, from the right hole on the "M" in "Happy Purim"), single crochet through the eyelet.

4. Chain enough to make it to the next eyelet without too much slack. Yet, too much slack is better than too little.

5. Single crochet into the next eyelet.

6. Chain about 6 or 8 (keep this number consistent throughout) to space between the letters.

Repeat steps 3-6 for each letter. DOUBLE the number of chains for spaces between words.

After you have crocheted through the final eyelet, chain 50 and tie off.