printable // take a rainbow poster

Wall Background Photo by melodi2 from FreeImages

Do you need a rainbow today? Please take one! We've all seen the posters advertising something and along the bottom is a row of tabs you can tear off to learn more. Recently I've seen more of this style of poster but instead of an ad, the tabs have some little fun phrase or encouragement. So I thought, wouldn't it be so fun if people could take a rainbow with them? I know that I'd like to carry a happy rainbow in my pocket.

All you have to do is print out the poster, cut the tabs, and hang it up for folks to enjoy!

DOWNLOAD THE TAKE A RAINBOW POSTER PDF

Print out the poster on regular paper and then grab your scissors. Cut the tabs apart in the white space between each rainbow.



You may want to fold the tabs along the dashed line so that they are easier to tear off, but you don't have to.



Each little rainbow reminds me of a stick of gum. Did you ever eat Fruit Strips gum as a kid? Yeah, that. But also, I know that there have been many times when I've received some small note or reminder and I've kept it in my pocket. Any time I reach in to that pocket (especially jackets or things that aren't frequently washed), just feeling the note was a reminder. And who wouldn't want to know that they have a rainbow in their pocket?

You can tape your poster up somewhere so people can see it. Here are some ideas: on a message board at a coffee shop, on a school locker, in your break room at work, or even outside your home! Anywhere that you're allowed to tack up a little sign.

Rainbows are just one of those things that make people smile. For me, they're also a reminder of God's promises, and I really like keeping those reminders close!

project // rainbow-stitched cuff bracelet

When DMC released their stitchable cuff bracelets not too long ago, I was excited to try them. I don't wear cuffs very often, but you know...this is just too fun, right? I mean, who can resist embroidered jewelry?

These faux-leather cuffs come pre-punched and ready to stitch. They come in four colors (black, white, pink, and blue) and they have two snaps. Technically, those snaps make the size adjustable, though I think it's really intended to be one-size using both snaps.



The sample photos and other patterns I've seen for these cuffs show them with cross stitch. But I wanted to see how I might use the bracelets with simple embroidery. And what could be simpler than stripes of back stitch? But not just any stripes...rainbow stripes!

DMC sent me one of each color to try, and I went with black to show off my nearly neon rainbow palette. It feels a bit like a video game to me, and definitely like my childhood.



To make a rainbow cuff bracelet, you will need a DMC Stitchable Cuff and 10 embroidery floss colors (There are ten long rows of holes). I used DMC 350, 3340, 741, 743, 3819, 993, 806, 156, 3607, and 3832.

For some rainbow inspiration, check out my collection of rainbow floss palettes. You'll need to add a few extra colors in there, but they'll get you started!



For each color, stitch a line of back stitch, working through the pre-punched holes.

One of the things I love about this is that it doesn't require much thought as you work. It's just straight lines! Mind you, I did stitch half a row before realizing that it was the wrong color. Oops! Just pay attention that you have the colors in rainbow order.



I'm not opposed to knots on the back of embroidery, but in this case, I didn't trust them to not pop through the holes in the bracelet. To start each line I held a tail on the back and stitched over the tail to secure it and to end each line, I wove the thread through the back of the stitches.




You can stitch this entire bracelet in an afternoon or evening (maybe two), and I'm quite sure you'll find it to be super relaxing. I already have plans for my next cuff!

Many thanks to DMC for sending me these to try, and for making such fun products and great floss!