A party garland or pennant adds colorful style to any graduation or off-to-college party. And putting one together takes only a few minutes. Here's what you'll need for that DIY party pennant:
- Printer paper and a color printer
- Cardstock
- Exacto knife, pinking shears or decorative scissors
- Ribbon
- Doublestick tape
Using a decorative, large size font, print the word "college" (or whatever word you prefer) so each letter is 4- to 5-inches high, against a colored background.
Each letter should print out on its own sheet of paper.
Once the ink has dried, cut each sheet of paper into a rectangle 6-inches wide by 6.5-inches high, centering the letter and leaving a little extra margin at the top. Pink (or use a decorative pair of scissors) to trim the bottom and side edges.
Then...
Cut a length of narrow ribbon at least 12 to 14 feet long, or 20-plus inches per letter. Lay it flat on a work surface.
On the reverse side of each letter square, fold down a flap half an inch from the top. Crease crisply.
Center the middle letter - the second L in "College," in this case - right side down in the middle of the ribbon. Tuck the ribbon under the flap and use the double-stick tape under and over the ribbon to attach it securely.
Repeat with the remaining letters, leaving a few inches of space between letters.
Then...
Using white cardstock, or heavy paper in a contrasting color or print, cut out rectangles of paper that measure 6.5-inches wide by 6.75 inches high.
Use doublestick tape to securely attach the cardstock to the backs of the letter squares, so the tops line up, and a little white (or contrasting color) peeks around the edges.
Hang the pennant and enjoy.