I am SO VERY excited about what I’ve got coming for y’all through this beautiful month of June! It’s taking everything I have not to spill the beans now (yes, again!), but let’s just say that I’ve teamed up with some lovely bloggers and we’re working on a top secret project that will bring you a whole month of fabulous DIYs just in time for summer!!! You’ll get a chance to learn all of the exciting details in Thursday’s post.
I’m kicking off the week with a super simple DIY project I made for our little guy’s bedroom.
Hubs and I have been planning to transform our (almost) empty spare room to make a big-boy room for our little man pretty much since the day we bought this house. With our recent travels and the arrival of this beautiful weather, we’ve definitely been dragging our heels a bit to get things done. With Carson perfectly happy in his current room for the time being and bigger priorities at the moment (you know, like enjoying our short summer while we can!), we don’t really have any plans to get going with things until the Fall … but, that doesn’t mean that I can’t start chipping away at the CRAZY LONG list of things I’d like to see happen (take a peek at our plans for the space here).
A few weeks ago, I came across this tutorial by one of my very favorite bloggers and couldn’t help but be inspired. *By the way, this SUPER talented lady never ceases to blow me away with her mad crafting skills and creativity! You should absolutely check out the AMAZING bedroom she designed for her little guy!!!* Though I totally LOVE the letters that she created, I’m not sure that the industrial look of them is really what we’re after for Carson’s rustic bedroom design. So, here’s what I came up with to tie them into our design plans:
I started with some paper mache letters that I found at Hobby Lobby. There were a ton of material choices (ie. wood, canvas, ect.), but I liked the dimensions (and low price) of these ones best.
I decided to paint them with some chalk paint (Antibes Green by Annie Sloan) mostly because I’m slightly obsessed with the stuff, but you could totally use acrylic craft paint if you’d rather. I intend to coat a few other pieces in Carson’s room with this same chalk paint, so I thought it would help to tie it all together. Because I’ll be covering the front with scrapbook paper, I only needed to paint the back and sides, though I did wrap the colour around the front a bit just in case.
It was definitely love at first sight when I found this super cool scrapbook paper with the green chippy paint design at Hobby Lobby!!! While my paint was drying, I placed the letters onto the back side of my scrapbook paper, traced around them and very carefully cut them out.
With everything cut and dry, it was time to put it all together. I sprayed the back of each scrapbook letter with a light layer of adhesive and placed the paper letters on the front of my paper mache letters pushing everything down firmly to make sure there were no air bubbles.
I was so thrilled with the way these were coming together, that I actually debated about stopping here, but I had a tub of nails calling my name and I just couldn’t help myself … so I hammered in what felt like thousands of nails all around the edges of each letter. I’m SO happy I did! What do you think? I tried not to be too precise with the placement as I wanted that imperfect, rustic look.
Click through the gallery that follows to see more photos:
I’m SO in love with how these turned out! My affinity for chippy paint has me totally swooning over this paper and the bright green will bring such a fun pop of colour to the room!
Supply List:
– paper mache letters – $2.99ea at Hobby Lobby
– scrapbook paper of your choice (1 sheet will cover 2 letters) – $.59ea at Hobby Lobby (I got mine for 50% off!)
– chalk paint or acrylic craft paint – I already had this, but you can get Martha Stewart craft paint at Walmart for $2.99 per bottle
– spray adhesive (I used Krylon Spray Adhesive) – $7.99 at Hobby Lobby
– approximately 60 one inch finishing nails (per letter) – $3.00 at Timbermart
So, for only $7ish per letter, you too can have custom monogram letters to display in your home! Where will you put yours?
Shared with: Liz Marie Blog, Blooming Homestead, 36th Avenue, Jennifer Rizzo, Too Much Time on my Hands, It’s Overflowing, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Pieced Pastimes, Carrie this Home, Denise Designed, I Should be Mopping the Floor, Nifty Thrifty Things, Flamingo Toes, DIY Showoff, By Stephanie Lynn, Soho Sonnet, Addicted 2 DIY, Chic California, From My Front Porch to Yours, Lewis Lane Designs, Saving 4 Six, Posed Perfection, The Style Sisters, Mostly Homemade Mom, The Blissful Bee, Crafty Wife, Green Willow Pond, Ducks ‘n a Row, The Walker Fireside Chats, Thrifty T’s Treasures, Home Coming, Upcycled Treasures, House on the Way, Mabey She Made It, 3GLOL, Lou Lou Girls, Kleinworth & Co, A Stroll Through Life, Craving Some Creativity, Crafts on Sea, Cupcakes and Crinoline, Memories by the Mile, Ladybug Blessings, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Confessions of the Perfect Mom, Thrifty Decor Chick, My Pinterventures, Denverista & Elizabeth Joan Designs.
Very cool! It looks like real wood in the pictures! What perfect scrapbook paper!!
Thanks Nicole!!!
Had no idea that was paper! Looks so realistic. Awesome job! 🙂
Thanks Bre!!!
These came out awesome, Kristi!! I love the paper you chose!! 🙂
Thanks Christina!!!
they turned out really good. Im sure your little one will love them too. Im sure it added that rustic look you were looking for.
Thank you SO much! I’m really happy with how they turned out 🙂
these turned out so cute. I have always have large letters like this for each of my kids. I never thought to rough them up, this is a cute idea!
Thanks Emily! That gorgeous chippy painted wood paper is what really makes these look so rustic I think 😉
Marilyn from Merry Monday stopping by to say thanks for joining and hope to see you next week!
Thanks SO much Marilyn! I’ll definitely have a ton to share next week 🙂
I love those letters!!!!
http://kindergartenpond.blogspot.com
Thank you Melissa!!!
LOVE these, Kristi! That scrapbook paper is amazing. Another fabulous project!
Thank you SO much Tasha!!!
These are great, my daughter would love a set for her room with her initials, thanks for sharing on Treasure Box Tuesday. Rachel
Thanks Rachel!!! They were super easy and make a great addition for a child’s room!
Very nice work!
Thank you Mandee!
Thanks for the shout out!! Your letters turned out great! That paper is amazing!
You bet Angela! Thanks!!!
I love the nails! I have a huge tub of little nails, and I think I have a great way to use them now! I’m so glad I found your post through the Twirl and Take a Bow link party!
Awww, thank you Anne!!! I so happy to have given you a bit of inspiration! Thank you SO much for stopping by and have SUCH a lovely week!!!
These are well cool! Pinning! #Pintorials 🙂
Thanks for popping by and for sharing Elizabeth!!!
Brilliant. I thought it was a paint effect, not paper. I love the finished effects with the tacks. #tuesdaytutorials
Thank you SO much Louisa! The paper is definitely convincing 😉 Have a fabulous week!
These look great! I will have to try them soon.
Thanks Erica! They’re so super easy, I’m sure you’ll be just as thrilled with yours!
I would never have guessed you used scrapbook paper…they definitely look like aged wood! Nice job!
Thank you Liz! It’s VERY convincing paper 😉
Wow! They look great. Totally did not guess scrapbook paper! Thanks so much for linking up with us at The Makers. 🙂
Thank you SO much Alexis!!!
These are brilliant! We’re about to move house and I’m looking for ideas for the kids rooms 🙂 Pinning this for inspiration x #Pintorials
Thank you SO much Sara! I’m thrilled to hear that they’ve inspired you! Good luck with your move!!!
This is the easiest letter makeover I have seen! Thanks so much – I am definitely putting this on my list of things to do!
Stacy
http://www.anygirlcandoit.com
That’s great – I promise, it took me less than an hour! Thank you SO much Stacy!
Wow! They look amazing! Thank you for linking up with us! #Pintorials
Thanks Eileen!!!
These look really gorgeous, thanks for sharing!
Thanks SO much Betsy!
Large letters are so popular and I love your nail trim and rugged but bright look!
Thank you Michele! I wasn’t too sure about the nails, but I’m so glad I tried them 🙂
I too did just one letter and put it in the kitchen. I started off with the same kind of letter, painted and put craft paper on. Wasn’t as cool as yours. Wish I would have seen your post first. It’s very Mary Tyler Moore(ish) Love it!!!
Awww, you are super sweet Paula! I’m sure yours turned out beautiful! The nice part is that if you want a re-do, they cost next to nothing to make 😉
I realized by how many DIY letter projects I pin that I am obsessed with them! We just got a hobby lobby in our area so I need to go look for these.
Thanks for sharing with Hump Day Happenings!
Hahaha! Totally makes sense … they are SO versatile! Thanks for stopping by Jenna! Have a fab week!
Scrapbook paper – what a wonderful idea! And the nails add the perfect touch!
Thank you Tshanina!!!
That is so cool! I completely thought they were real wood.
Thanks Rachel! It’s very convincing paper 😉
It looks so great. And I really like the green. Hope you have a great day!
Thank you SO much Heidi! I think the green will add a bit of personality to his room 🙂 Wishing you a wonderful day too!
Awesome! Love the DiY letters. This was a great tutorial!
Thanks SO much Elizabeth!
These are so cute! I would have never thought that was scrapbook paper! They turned out great!
Alex @ Lavender’s Blue
Thank you SO much Alex!!! I’m absolutely in LOVE with that paper and on the hunt now for more projects to use it in 😉
Looks great! Super cute! Thanks for sharing with us at Your Designs This Time!
Thank you Emily! Have a lovely weekend!
I Pinned it! Hello from Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party.
Thank you SO much for sharing Melissa! Wishing you a lovely weekend!!!
Love these! Kinda inspires me to make some 🙂 Yay, I am just loving your blog – hope it’s not too stalkerish to already add your button to my sidebar 🙂 lol
Hahaha! I’m honored! Thank you SO much! Heading your way now too!
Thanks for linking to Create Link Inspire at The Crafty Blog Stalker. You have been featured and pinned! Thank you for sharing.
–Katie, TheCraftyBlogStalker.com
Oh wow! Thank you SO much Katie!!! Wishing you a fabulous weekend!
This looks incredible! Pinned. I’m so excited because your letters had the most views at our party! We will be featuring them at our party today! Woo Hoo! Stop by, it starts at 7 pm.. http://loulougirls.blogspot.com
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Oh wow, how wonderful! Thank you SO much Kimberly!!!
I want to thank you very much for linking up @ Teach Me Tuesday @ 3GLOL. I sure hope you’ll stop back by this week – http://3glol.net/2014/06/09/teach-tuesday-3glol-7/.
YOU WERE FEATURED 😉
Thank you SO, SO much Bobbi!!!
I love these letters! That scrapbook paper is perfect with the nails! Well done!
Blessings,
Nici
Thank you SO much for your kind words Nici!
That paper is perfect! I picked these to feature at the Do Tell Tuesday party today. Come grab a featured button, and thanks for linking up!
Oh wow! Thank you SO much Steph!!!
These letters came out awesome! Love the scrapbook paper choice! Stopping by to let you know I will be featuring them tomorrow on Made in a Day P3 Features! Thanks so much for pinning them to the party!
Kim
How awesome! Thank you SO much Kim!!!
This looks so easy to do and turned out fabulous! I will be featuring this post at the next Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop tomorrow night! Thanks so much for being a loyal linker!