REVIEW: Cute Typography Banner: Happiness is Homemade

I’ve always had a love of typography and inspirational phrases, so when my friend tagged me in a Facebook post from Really Really I was excited to check out Hayley Rogers’ wares. She offered to make me up banner to review on my blog*, and asked me what I wanted it to say. She has examples on her Etsy shop, but I wanted to choose something personal as it can say anything at all. Decisions, decisions. I thought long and hard, and finally decided on ‘Happiness is Homemade’ because that kind of sums up how I want to live. I believe we make our own happiness; it doesn’t just fall into your lap, and good things rarely come easily. And there is such joy in making something for yourself, it’s so much more satisfying than just buying it! When this cute little parcel arrived in the post, I was so excited to open it.

this to your best board

For some reason, I thought the banner would be normal cardboard, but it’s actually way more durable –  it’s quite heavyweight, with a coating of some sort. The letters themselves have grooves along each edge, giving them extra interest. I had planned to put it over the girls’ pictures in the dining area of the kitchen, as that’s where we do most of our making – either baking, colouring, printing and craft, but it ended up looking a little crowded:  So I had a rethink and put it up over the sofa in the living room, where it has more room to breathe. Eventually this will be a kind of casual gallery wall, and as most of the things I plan to add will be homemade in one way or another, so I think it goes perfectly. I’ll post more photos when I finally get round to finishing a few projects… Currently I have a framed version of a short story called ‘Life Begins’, written by my sister Deborah Fielding, and illustrated by Toria Macleod, and three pictures by Ava and Thea.

I just stuck the banner up with white tack; because it’s so lightweight it doesn’t need any nails or pins to make it stay up, and that means I can always move it around if I like.

Hayley charges just 52 pence per character, so this banner would come in at under £12 – what a steal! She ships internationally too. I’m thinking of other phrases for other rooms in our house, and will be ordering name banners for Ava and Thea’s doors next. I think they would also make brilliant presents, or wedding/christening/party decorations. Your imagination is the only limit!        

Whilst I was checking out the ReallyReally Etsy shop, these other beauties caught my eye…

These fab prints are just what I’ve been looking for, for my home office – and this one has gone straight on to the Wishlist I’ve created on Etsy, wouldn’t it look great in a plain white or black frame? Perfect in pink, but it comes in blue and yellow too. I also spotted that they can print your pictures too, making them look like Polaroid prints. I have something similar already (see them on my downstairs toilet tour) but had to get them shipped from America, so next time, I’ll be using ReallyReally! I hope you like Hayley’s items as much as I do. You can find her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter @ReallyReallyNet or click through the links above. *Please note, I was sent this banner to review, but all opinions are my own.