DIY Ombre Give Thanks Banner

Good bye Halloween, hello Thanksgiving.  Oh boy you guys, I had fun with my favorite spray paint (Design Master) making this DIY.  This turned out just how I had imagined it (which is not always the case).  And even though it has a simple Thanksgiving message on it, I may keep it up all year.  This has the look and feel of popular dip-dye effects, but without the mess and hassle of dying fabric.

Here's what you'll need:

• a cotton fabric banner
• wooden dowel
• Design Master colortool spray paint in 3 shades of one color (I used Moss Green, Basil and Praire Grass) and gold for painting the dowel. 
• Large letter stickers (I bought these at Hobby Lobby)
• String or yarn for hanging the banner

Start by picking a color that you are going to work with, then find 3 shades of that color to create your ombre effect.  

For the banner I cut two 22 inch squares of unbleached muslin fabric.  Then I measured from the bottom up 5 inches, and drew a line from the center to the 5 inch mark for the angled edges on the bottom of the banner.  Then I simply sewed the two pieces together and then turned it right side out.  Iron the banner nice and flat.  Then turn the top edge down an inch and iron that in place.  Sew a single line along the top to make a tube for the dowel to fit into.  (If you don't sew, you could definitely just leave the edges raw and hot glue the dowel sleeve down.  It would be a more rustic look, but still very pretty.)

Now apply your letter stickers to the front of the banner where you'd like the 'give thanks' to appear.

Working outside on a drop cloth on cardboard, play with you colors a bit and practice layering the colors.  Design Master paint works so well for this technique because it sprays a light, even coat that can be layered to create less opacity.  

Start with the darkest color first.  Spray about 1/3 of the way up the banner.  Spray horizontally from left to right.  Layer more paint towards the bottom of the banner.

Now add the middle shade.  Be sure to overlap the darkest color just a bit.  Again, layer the paint so that the color is darkest at the bottom and you leave the top very faint.

Apply the lightest color last.  As before, be sure to overlap the lightest color with the middle shade to achieve a nice blending affect. 

Here's the cool part, Design Master paint takes only 5 minutes to dry between coats.  So, you don't have to wait too long before you can remove the letter stickers and reveal your Give Thanks message.  I'm so pleased with how crisp and clear the letter turned out.

Paint your dowel ends metallic gold or an unexpected splash of color and side it into the tube you made at the top.

Be sure to check out the DIY Faux Copper Vase I made with Design Master Copper paint as well. 

I buy my Design Master paints and my local Michaels and Joann Fabrics. Design Master paints can paint the most delicate of surfaces, such as silk and fresh flowers, fabric, ribbon, tulle, lace, paper, foam board and Stryrofoam TO the sturdy hard surfaces such as wood, metal, masonry, terra cotta, ceramics and plaster. Design Master is a great resource for products and ideas.  Be sure to check out all the craft and project ideas on their blog.  

This post is sponsored by Design Master. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.