custom word banners

 

I've been having so much fun playing with the idea of prayer flags.  I started out making them as holiday decorations for friends and family.

I then saw the possibilities of turning them into more personalized banners, creating this bee happy set for my sister-in-law who is a beekeeper.

When I began thinking about my word/intention for 2013, I realized a banner or prayer flag would be a great way to set one's intention in a tangible way. (I'm still planning this one!)

 

 

Making the above flags for friends, I found myself thinking about their words (Create and Emerge) as I decided upon stamps, appliqué designs and colors. 

 

As I carved new stamps and sewed banners, it felt like I was meditating upon these intentions, adding my thoughts and prayers to their words, their energy. It has been a rich and powerful way to move into the new year with mindfulness and love.  

 

Now, I am not a great sewer (straight and even are foreign concepts for me)  nor are my stamps perfectly neat and tidy, but I am enjoying the process and learning so much from experimenting with fabric, ink and forms.  For anyone who would like their own customized set of prayer flags (or Intention Banner) I would be happy to discuss making a set for you.  

Here are the details: each flag measures 5 by 5 inches and is a cotton fabric (honestly, not sure what is it called; the fabric is in the "home" section of Joann's Fabric store ... it lightweight and takes the fabric inks nicely.)

The cut edges are left raw and I fray the loose threads, so the squares are slightly uneven.  Some sets I add ribbon on the bottom, others I stick with stamps and appliqué elements only.

One banner is comprised of 5 flags sewn to twill tape which measures approximately 6 feet long (so you can pin or tie the flag and allow for draping.)

I mix up sewn elements with stamps.  The stamps are all my own carvings.  The sewn elements may be layered (as in the hearts) or single layer collage (I created some flower and leave designs in the bee flags.)  

I only have the one set of large letters for words and a long word or phrase could comprise an entire flag or span two in the middle.

As I am testing the waters on this project, I am offering to accept a few orders at this time.  Please note that I am a working mama and cannot guarantee something immediate; two weeks would be my promise (not including shipping time; if I need to make a new stamp, that could take me a little longer).  The cost (including first class shipping to the continental U.S.) is $20.  Canada and Europe: $25.

If you are interested, please contact me via email at: Lishofmann(at)novia(dot)net with prayer flags in the subject line and we can discuss details. 

Of course, these are super fun to make so perhaps you will want to experiment with designing your own?  Feel free to contact me if you have questions.  I am thinking the possibilities (there is my word again) are endless!