Driving toward a nearby town with my family recently, I noted a sure sign of fall’s arrival: Wagon after wagon loaded with pumpkins for sale, standing cheerily beside the country roads.  Mums have sprouted up on a few front porches in the neighborhood and I find myself grabbing a cardigan before I head out the door, wary of the chill that hits the air in October.

Autumn’s my favorite time of year, and the day I pull out my small box of harvest time decorations always puts a little spring in my step.  This year, I felt an itch to create something pretty for our dining area.  Maybe a “Thankful” bunting I can string across the windows, I thought as I sat down at my computer to design something.   In the midst of all the fall busyness at school and church, it’ll be nice to have a reminder toward gratitude gracing the walls.

Come to think of it, it’s nice to have a reminder for thankfulness any time of the year, isn’t it?

I found some gorgeous fall florals to use in my design and set to work arranging them across each piece of bunting. But when it came time to choose a background, I felt torn.  I always love the rustic look of kraft paper, but a rich cream background really made the floral elements pop with color.

These are the moments when it’s fabulous to be a blogger. Because I figured even though I will only choose one of these designs to hang at my house, I’m sure someone else out there would delight to use the other!  In the end, I created two different color options and today I’m thrilled to share both “Thankful” bunting options on the blog!

(You’ll have to guess which one I picked for my house. . . But then, I might just change my mind next year!)

If you’d like to make a pretty “Thankful” garland for your own home, you can grab the free printable files right here.  I’ve got a picture of both color options below:  Just pick the one you like best and click the blue “Download” button below. Once you print your files, assembly is a cinch:

1. Cut out the individual bunting pieces.
2. Lay them out, spacing the letters evenly.
3. Lay out a piece of string or ribbon across all the letters, leaving about 12″ extra on each side. Cut your string.
4. Attach your string to the letters either by a.) pouching a hole in the top center of each letter and stringing onto your piece of ribbon/string, or b.) simply using some tape on the back of each letter.

And that’s it! You’ll have your own pretty “Thankful” banner to bring a little beauty to your home!  I hope you enjoy this little project–and even more, I hope it helps you remember that there’s reasons to be thankful every day!

(If you want more great ways to celebrate Thanksgiving in your home, check out my free printable Gratitude Journal or create a Thanksgiving Tree with your family this year!)

Here’s the kraft paper background download!

(Downloads are only available to More Like Grace subscribers: By clicking the download button below, you consent to OPT-IN to our email newsletter with encouragement and freebie news. Unsubscribe any time.)

And here’s the cream colored background.  (Note: The purple color of the letters is more subdued on paper than it appears in this picture.)

(Downloads are only available to More Like Grace subscribers: By clicking the download button below, you consent to OPT-IN to our email newsletter with encouragement and freebie news. Unsubscribe any time.)

Hope you have a beautiful fall this year, friend. Happy Thanksgiving!