Chevron Pattern Stencil: Free Printable

We love chevron stripes! This new printable stencil allows us to add this fun zigzag pattern to any surface we want. Just imagine the possibilities!  Paint fabric, ribbon, table runners, gift bags, walls,  letters or any thing you can imagine using this easy stencil. Keep reading to see how easy it is to use this Chevron patterned stencil. We updated our plain burlap bunting banner with a chevron pattern and customized plain wooden decorative letters with a ombre chevron pattern. 

Chevron Stencil Tutorial:

CHEVRON PATTERN PRINTABLE 

STEP 1: Download and Print Chevron Stencil

Click the link above to download the free printable Chevron Pattern stencil. You will need a PDF reader to open this file.(Click HERE for a free PDF reader from Adobe) 

Print out the page, using your desktop home printer or bring the file to a copy or print center. You can print them using regular copy paper or card-stock paper, which may create a better stencil.

For our Chevron Stripe project, we are going to make a no-sew burlap pennant banner with an ombre painted pattern.  For directions on how to make the banner, please see our previous post, DIY Burlap Pennant Banner.

Step 2
After you have printed out a copy of the chevron pattern, place it underneath one of the burlap flags and make an outline with a dark marker.

Step 3

With a small craft blade, cut out your stencil.  Be sure to have cardboard or a self-healing mat beneath the paper to keep your crafting area free from scratches.  Using the outline as a guide, cut out the stripes so that they reach out a little further than your marker lines.  Cut out the black stripes to create thin lines, and cut out the white stripes to create thick lines.

Step 4

Once you have cut out all the stripes, place the stencil on top of your flag. Before you begin painting, make sure you have something underneath your flag and stencil to prevent paint from leaking through onto other surfaces.

Step 5

Apply color!  You can either paint all of your stripes the same color or use an ombre effect (see below for a how to create an ombre color palatte).  Be sure to push down on the stencil or tape it to your surface of the burlap so you do not get paint under the stencil.  

 

If you are using solid colors, you can make each flag a different color or use spray paint to make the painting process even faster. Allow the paint to dry before hanging.

 

 

Perfect for indoor parties and backyard gatherings, the basic burlap pennant banner is versatile and easy to personalize!  

 

Here we used the same technique to paint a chevron pattern on our wooden decorative letters.  We used varying degrees of color, a technique called ombre. Using the chevron stencil, start off at the top zigzag stripe with the darkest color and move down to the lightest tint.

 

Ombre Effect: 

To create varying tints of paint, we used only two colors, one main color and white.  On your paint mixing surface, create 3 areas of your main paint and one of white.  Add a few drops of white to two of the paint dollops, one with a few more drops to create a lighter color and one with less.  Add just a tint of color to your white paint dollop and then you have created 4 shades of color in varying degrees, from dark with no white added to a light hue.

For more styles of decorative letters and numbers to paint, click here.

Are you as in love with the chevron stripe trend as we are?  What are you going to paint with this Chevron Stencil Pattern?

Celebrate Mardi Gras Today with a Free Printable Pennant Banner

Happy Mardi Gras! Today around the world, people are celebrating- one last day of revelry before lent begins. This printable Mardi Gras pennant banners is an inexpensive way to decorate for your celebration.  With this free printable, you can make as many as you want!

DOWNLOAD PENNANT BANNER

STEP 1: Download and Print

Click above to download the free printable Mardi Gras Pennant Banner. You will need a PDF reader to open this file.(Click HERE for a free PDF reader from Adobe) 

Print out all 4 pages of the banners, using your desktop home printer or bring the file to a copy or print center. You can print them using regular copy paper or card-stock paper.

STEP 2: Cut-out Pennants

Once you have printed out all four pages, use scissors or an X-acto knife and ruler to cut out each individual flag.

STEP 3: Fold

With each flag cut out from the pages, start folding the top section. Fold it back behind the front of the flag across the top at the white line, as shown above. Use the sides of the pennant as a guide for straight edges.

STEP 4: 

Place the fold around a long piece of string, and then tape or glue the flap down to secure. Continue attaching all of the flags. We used two different strings, but use one long string if you need to. You could also use ribbon or Mardi Gras Beads to create a pennant banner that is more like a garland.

Our finished banner took under 10 minutes to cut out and string together.

The finished banner-garland across a doorway.

We love the pennant banner on a garland or staircase!  A step-by-step tutorial on how to make this Deco Mesh garland is available HERE.

We hope you have a happy Mardi Gras!

Color and Cut-out a Mardi Gras Crown: Free Printable

What are you doing for Mardi Gras weekend? Anyone headed to a parade?

Whether your screaming "Throw me something, mister" at a parade or celebrating with the neighborhood children here is a cute Mardi Gras crown to wear. This simple color and cut- out crown is the crowning touch (pun intended;) for Mardi Gras.

Everyone loves to be KING for a DAY!

FREE PRINTABLE CROWN

Print out this paper crown on 8.5" by 11" card stock or regular paper. Decorate the crown with paint, crayons, beads or glitter to complete your custom crown. This is a great class or family craft project.

You will need a PDF reader in order to view the page. Click here to download a free PDF reader. 

DIRECTIONS (also on the printed out sheet)

1. Color and decorate your crown. Add glitter, stickers or faux jewels. Get creative!
2. Follow the lines to cut out the crown and the two head bands.
3. Attach the headbands to each side of the crown with tape, glue or staples.

4. Fit the crown to you head and attach the bands together at the back (as shown in the photo above). 

Happy Mardi Gras! Let the revelry begin.

For more free coloring page downloads and other printables, click below:

Free Coloring Page Downloads

It's Crab Boil Time

Fresh, delicious Louisiana blue crabs are in season right now! A crab boil is great way to celebrate the end of the summer. Here are our tips on how to have the perfect Louisiana crab boil.

  

Set the tone of your crab boil with a crab themed invitation! This blank watercolor invite can also be used for the menu. Customize it by printing at home with your featured dishes.

Here in the Gulf Coast we have blue crabs available, so using local and fresh crabs is the best way to go. Aren't the colors of fresh blue crabs beautiful?

Season the crab boiling water with lots of spices, garlic, onions and lemons.  Zatarains makes complete seafood spice blends for crab, shrimp and crawfish boils, found here.

In Louisiana, we don't limit the boil to just crabs.  Those delicious Cajun boiling spices add great flavor to what ever is in the boiling pot. Add in sausage and hot dogs (for the kids). Create spicy sides with boiled artichokes, red potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, corn- even brussel sprouts.

 You will need a  BIG pot. This crab boiling pot is full of flavor. The blue crabs will turn bright red once they are cooked.

While the crabs are cooking, serve a family favorite-Crab and Brie Dip.

Crab and Brie Dip served on a cute Louisiana state shaped cutting board.

Creamy Crab and Brie Dip Recipe

• 1/2 stick butter
• 1 lb. white crab meat (picked through for pieces of shell)
• ½ small onion- finely chopped or minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup white wine
• Dash Worcestershire sauce
• 1 pint heavy whipping cream
• 4 oz. Brie cheese, rind removed
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning to taste

1. Sauté onion and garlic in butter over medium heat. Cooking until the vegetables are soft.

2. Deglaze the pan by adding white wine.  Add in Worcestershire sauce, bring to a rolling boil, stir often and reduce the liquid by about half.

 3. Add in cream and reduce to a simmer. Add both cheeses in small pieces, stirring until melted. Remove from the heat. Season to taste with Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning

4. Gently add the crab meat, trying to keep the lump crab meat intact.

Serve warm or cold with assorted crackers or toasted baguette slices. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges.

Crab shaped cookies are adorable desserts, or can serve as guest party favors. They are easy to make with a crab cookie cutter, available here for $1.50.

This photo by Vicki Lynn Photography and Crab Shack Birthday Party designed by the Tom Kat Studio. Check out more photos of this precious crab birthday party ideas, here .

Looking for fun activities for kids? Print out this crab coloring page, available here.

You will need a PDF reader to download this printable coloring page, which is free here.

For fun crab boil supplies, like this Tika Designs Crab and Lemon platter, and the whole line of Tabasco Seafood themed tableware, visit our crab boil party supplies section, HERE.

They are great colorful accents to add to any crab boil party and wacky crab themed things like crab hats, soap and this  crab mylar balloon.

To see a larger collection of crab boil party ideas, check out our Pinterest page, which has a collection of all things crab from all over the internet. Just click through each image to see the original source.

Happy Fourth-USA Fireworks Coloring Page: Free Printable

How are you celebrating the Fourth of July this year? Create your own American Flag and fireworks celebration at home with this star-filled, free printable coloring page.

PATRIOTIC COLORING PAGE

Click on the link above to download the free printable coloring page.

For more free coloring pages and other free printables: FREE PRINTABLE PAGES.

You will need a PDF reader to open the files ( available here for free)

Stars n' Stripes Snack Cups: Free Printable

School is almost out for the summer! Celebrate the arrival of the lazy days of summer with a Memorial Day barbecue or backyard picnic. These patriotic Stars n' Stripes snack cups in red, white and blue are a cute, budget friendly party idea that will wow your guests. Easy DIY paper cups are convenient and portable containers for pretzels and other fun snack foods. Use the free download (available here) for these printable snack cups!

PATRIOTIC SNACK CUPS-FREE DOWNLOAD

Click on the link above to download the printable free PDF template. You will need a PDF reader( available here for free). 

Print out as many as you need on your home printer onto 8.5"x11" copy paper or card-stock. You can  also save the file and have them copied on a color copy machine at your local copy center.

DIRECTIONS

Cut out the half-circle template, and then roll it into a cone shape. Make sure that the paper edges overlap by a few inches, and line-up at a red stripe. Staple or tape the cup together.

Once you have made the cups, stack them up next to bowls of snacks on the table. And let your guests fill them up during your party.

Or have them filled with fun party snacks. We found these great vintage rustic wooden coke crates that held the snack cups perfectly. A pretty presentation and easy to grab snack on the go!

Snacks with family and friends- Let the good times roll this summer! Enjoy!

Mardi Gras Parade Float Coloring Page

MARDI GRAS FLOAT COLORING PAGE

(click above to download)

Carnival season is in full swing, which means parades, beads and good times abound! Create your own parade at home (or an illustration of one ) with this free printable coloring page.  This is a great Mardi Gras art activity for kids! Display your colorful floats in a row, lined up just like a real parade. 

 Happy Mardi Gras!

You will need a PDF reader to open the file, available here for free.

For more free coloring page downloads and other printables, click below:

Free Coloring Page Downloads

Paper Jester Hat Pattern: Mardi Gras Crafts for Kids

Mardi Gras paper crafts are a fun creative activity for children. This three-dimensional jester hat can be made with some colorful construction paper and this free printable template. All you will need are some scissors, a pencil and some tape or glue. See below for instructions. 

FREE JESTER HAT TEMPLATE

Click on the link above to download and print the Mardi Gras jester hat pattern on your printer. You will need to have a PDF reader to open it (free at this website). The hat instructions are also on the template page.

STEP 1: CUT OUT THE TEMPLATES

Print out both pages of the free download jester hat patterns. Follow the dotted line and cut-out each shape with scissors.

STEP 2: MAKE THE HEADBAND

Using the rectangular template on page 2, cut-out 3 pieces from construction paper. For this hat, you can use purple, green and gold, the colors of Mardi Gras, or any other colors you want. Tape the pieces end to end into one long head band.

STEP 3: CUT THE JESTER SPIKES

Using the triangle pattern, cut out 6-8 pieces out of different colors of construction paper. The number of triangles you need depend on head size.

STEP 4 & 5: CONSTRUCT THE HAT

Using glue or tape, secure the triangle bottoms side by side to the head band. Now, fit the headband to your head and secure with tape.

STEP 6: ADD ACCENTS

Use the circle, star and jewel templates on page 1 to cut out decorations for your jester hat. Glue or tape them to the hat. 

Happy Crafting!

For more free coloring page downloads and other printables, click below:

FREE PRINTABLES