It’s rare, but there’s a baby related project in the DIY Show Off house! NO! Not for me! I‘ve been invited to a baby shower and I just love giving handmade baby gifts. (Tara, if by chance you’re reading, please stop right here!) Unfortunately, I can’t make it to the baby shower (my baby girl’s graduation party is the same day) but I have a whole handmade collection planned and here’s the first thing in the gift box:
A sweet baby girl counting sheep banner, inspired by cute bird, butterfly and bunny banners but designed and DIY’d by me with a counting sheep theme.
Not guaranteed to help baby sleep, but it sure is cute.
Materials:
Scrapbook paper (It doesn’t take much. Two 12×12 sheets will work but more if you want more designs.)
2 ribbons (I used almost 1 spool of organza, 1 thin satin)
Baker’s twine (a thin ribbon or twine would work just as well)
Number ink & stamps or stickers #1-10 (or free hand)
Tape
Tools:
Pencil
Scissors
Hole punch
Optional: Xacto knife
Counting Sheep Banner Tutorial
10 steps to 10 sheep
#1 Print a lamb stencil or template from online onto card stock and cut out. (Optional: you could also use your Cricut or Silhouette to make die cuts.)
#2 Trace onto scrapbook paper and cut out sheep shapes. I used an Xacto knife and alternated the direction (flip the sheep stencil) so my sheep were facing each other in sets of two {><} rather than all facing left {<<} or right {>>} or back side to backside {< >}. Trace and cut out 10 sheep. I used pretty paper in pinks for baby girl (to coordinate with other handmade items planned).
#3 Punch 2 holes beside each other near the top of each sheep. Near the top keeps sheep from twirling on the string. I tested punching holes in different areas. Near the top works best. (Optional: reinforce with eyelets. I also punched holes for eyes…animals without eyes make me sad. You could draw on closed/sleepy eyes too.)
#4 Number the sheep 1-10 using rubber stamps, stickers or draw on with markers.
#5 Cut 11 five inch pieces (eyeball it…no need to measure) of pink ribbon and 22 five inch pieces of organza (or do your own ribbon combo/thing). This is tied between each sheep.
#6 Pull a length of baker’s twine. Tape off the end (it keeps the twine from fraying and makes threading easier).
#7 Add sheep. Thread from back to front in one hole. Then front to back in punched hole right beside it. Repeat for all 10 sheep.
#8 Space out evenly. I left about 10 inches of twine on each end for hanging. Cut and tie a loop on the ends of the twine (loose knots to allow resizing the loop for bigger hanging on drawer knobs, smaller loop for thumb tacks or safety pins).
#9 In between each sheep, I took 2 pieces of organza with 1 piece of satin ribbon and tied a knot. (Shabby Chic option: use frayed pretty coordinating fabric pieces or strips of tulle.)
#10 Space evenly again (leave them semi-moveable to accommodate different areas in the gift recipient’s home or tape twine on back to keep in place). Ready to hang!
Isn’t it so cute? I want one for me and I don’t even have a nursery. I love pretty decorative banners and ‘counting sheep’ is perfect for a nursery!
- Hang it across drapery
- Tie on dresser pulls
- Use as wall art
- Cute learning to count tool
- Baby shower decor.
Lots of options. Now lots of pictures:
I hope she likes it. 🙂
What have you been doing this weekend?
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