This paper mache LOVE pennant is fun to create and makes a unique addition to your Valentine’s Day decor. Keep reading for detailed instructions and inspiration for this cute, eco-friendly project!
What You Need:
- Cardboard
- Newspaper and/or old book pages
- Masking tape
- Flour
- Water
- Acrylic paint
- Ribbon and decorative trims
- Glitter
- Mod Podge
- Glue
- Glue stick
- Sequins (optional)
- Branch (optional)
- Wire (optional)
Tools:
Be sure to check out My Top 10 Go To Tools for Crafting
- T-square
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Wooden skewer
- Paper piercing tool (this Pokey Tool looks like it would be very versatile)
How To:
To create your LOVE pennant, you’ll first need to create to pennant shape and then cover it with paper mache and dry it. I have a complete tutorial from a previous post which you can read here: Paper Mache Play Pennant.
Paint & Decorate
Now that you have a fully dry paper mache pennant, it’s time to get creative.
First, paint the pennant in your desired base color.
Next, lightly pencil in the lettering, using the photo as a guide. I swapped out the O and used a heart instead. Start the lettering about 1.5 inches from the top edge of the pennant.
The easiest way to “paint” in the LOVE letters is with paint markers. I have a variety in my studio and they all seem to work pretty well. If you don’t have paint pens, Sharpies or regular paint applied with a thin brush will also work.
Next, cut a heart shape from a scrap of felt. Cover the felt heart with Mod Podge and then coat with glitter. Let dry (ideally overnight) and then shake off any excess glitter. Use your favorite tacky glue to attach the felt heart.
Add Ribbon Ties & Trim
If you followed the steps in my previous tutorial, then you made holes in your pennant before painting it. I didn’t follow my own directions and had to make the holes after painting (which I don’t recommend).
Choose the ribbon you want to hang your LOVE pennant with and cut two pieces, about 12 inches long each.
Use a plastic yarn needle or another tool with a small tip to push a piece of ribbon through each of the two holes in the short end of the pennant.
Ensure ribbon pieces are equal lengths before moving on to the next step.
Next, glue on the decorative trims. I chose a red braided trim and along with white ball fringe (of course). Use hot glue or tacky glue to attach the trims across the pennant, gluing over the hanging ribbons from the previous step.
Finishing Touches
I chose to finish off my LOVE pennant by adding more sparkle with the addition of sequins. To attach, simply dab a tiny bit of glue where you want each sequin to go and then set a sequin on each spot of glue. If sequins aren’t your jam, you could also use a Q-tip or the end of a paint brush to add polka dots.
Display your LOVE pennant
I thought it would be cute to hang my paper mache LOVE pennant from a branch. Then I also thought it would be cute to paint the branch in coordinating colors. I used acrylic paint and embraced the rustic imperfection-ness. Whether or not it looks like a festive Valentine branch or a candy cane, that’s for everyone to decide for themselves lol. I had some thin gauge red wire that I twisted around the branch to create a hanging loop.
Finally I tied the hanging ribbons from the pennant onto the branch and hung it on the wall. The nail head is begging for a heart (something like this: heart shaped nails ) but it’s plenty cute plain as well.
(Note: the finished pennant is very light and you could easily use a couple of pushpins through the hanging ribbons to hang it right on the wall)
Happy Creating!
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