Do you ever notice how banners catch your eye no matter where you are? You would be walking past a show window and you'll notice something colorful in the corner of your eye. Since curiosity normally gets the better of us, you turn your head to see what it could be. Lo' and behold, it's a half off sale at your favorite store! Now this you just can't resist and you run instead of walk to the store. This is the sole purpose of banners, to grab your attention and to draw you into the store to purchase their products.

Banners can have the same effect on layouts. You can use them to draw the reader's attention to a particular item on your layout, like the title for example. You can also use banners as an embellishment to add that little extra something which may be missing from your layout.

U R My Dreams by Pamela Young

Supplies: Paper, Chipboard, Stickers, Flowers, Journaling Spots, Ribbon, Felt, Flair: American Crafts, Lace: Prima Marketing.

Design Notes: Don't be afraid to put most of your embellishments on one side! Also, I love to layer, layer, layer!

Journaling: This picture is so loved that it is a bit damaged. It was taken on our honeymoon... and I only love you more. Sometimes I think life was just easier back then...but I don't want to go back! We've come so far.

Mayor of Stubbornville by Christa Paustenbaugh

Supplies: Paper: Cosmo Cricket, American Crafts, My Mind's Eye, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Alphabet: Dream Street Papers, Flowers: American Crafts, Journaling Spot: My Mind's Eye, Stickers: Cosmo Cricket, Twine: Studio Calico, Pens: Micron, Other: chip, buttons, bling. Tools: Border Punch: Fiskars.

Design Notes: I cut each individual banner from the American Crafts paper and attached them to the twine to make my own mini banner for this. I also cut birds from the My Mind's Eye paper for added embellishment and dimension.

Journaling: She watches us eat dessert because she won't eat dinner. She will go to time out rather than say "sorry". She will insist she is warm when she wears flip flops in winter. Stubborn much?!

The Road Not Taken by Diana Fisher

Supplies: Paper: Sassafras Lass, Dream Street Papers, Chipboard, Die Cuts, Stickers: Sassafras Lass, Alphabet Stickers: Jenni Bowlin Studio, Rub-Ons: Daisy D’s, Mask: Prima Marketing, Specialty Ink: Maya Road, Other: cardstock.

Design Notes: Mixing techniques, brands and styles can create an eclectic look. Also, try using an interesting perspective or angle in a photo.

Journaling: finding my way... leaving my mark... writing my story... working it out. . .