Whether you're planning a birthday surprise or a baby shower, a personalized twist on the classic party banner—you know, the one with the cutout letters—is what can really get the guest of honor gushing. Bloggers Emma Chapman and Elsie Larson include this how-to in their new release,
A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book.
For the photos, Chapman recommends choosing simple images with a clear subject—think one or two people, not a crowd shot—so the banner doesn't look busy and hard to read. Then, select a few of the banner's cutout letters and trace each one onto a photo. Cut out the images and glue them to the letters. If you plan on keeping the banner long-term, use an acid-free adhesive, Chapman says.
