What mother doesn’t like seeing her child’s name personalizing just about everything?!
I love doing these cute letters as baby gifts because they’re super easy, really cute, very personal, and usually costs less than $10 (depending on the length of the name and whether I get the wood on sale).
This set I made for my best friend who I suspect is in the hospital giving birth as I write this post! Her official due date was yesterday and I haven’t been able to reach her at home or
on her cell- which is not like her at all! 🙂 So hopefully little Arthur is making his debut! Obviously he and Little Man are going to grow up to be the best of friends!
Enough about that and back to my tutorial (I’m just really excited for his arrival!).
Supplies Needed:
Wood Letters: Hobby Lobby about $1 each
Scrapbook Paper: Hobby Lobby .59/ page (I suggest choosing something that matches the nursery…Arthur’s nursery is pirates… Argh Matey!)
Paint: to match scrapbook paper .69
Ribbon: (optional for hanging) 1.99 but usually 1/2 off at Hobby Lobby
Modge Podge: left from previous project
2 Sponge Brushes: Michaels .20 each
Sandpaper: left from previous project
Pencil
Scissors
Glue Gun
How To:
1. Start off by flipping your scrapbook paper so the backside (blank side) is facing up.
2. Flip your letter so the backside is facing up.
3. Now trace your letter onto the scrapbook paper.
Hint: make sure your tilting the pencil in toward the letter so you are right up along the edge.
4. Once you trace the letter redraw the line about 1/5 of an inch further in.
You can measure if you want but I just eyeball it- it will never be perfect so don’t sweat it!
5. Continue with all remaining letters.
6. Now cut out the letters using the inside line. If you have an exacto knife I would suggest using it because it will make the inside parts alot easier to cut.
Hint: When you have multiples of the same letter mark the letter and the wood with a 1, 2, 3, etc so you know which outline goes to which piece- for some reason there is always a little bit of difference in the shapes and sizes. Also, when you have letters like H or S that are the same rightside up and upside down mark the paper and the wood in the bottom right corner so you know how it goes- same thing, they are never symmetrical.
7. Paint the wood pieces. This may take 2 or 3 coats. Make sure you let it dry for about an hour.
8. While allowing your letters to dry find something to do (like play with this happy little guy)
9. Once your letters are dry you can use the Modge Podge to paste the scrapbook paper cutouts onto the wood.
Hint: Line up the paper on the wood first then lift one section at a time to paint Modge Podge under the paper. If you try to move the paper once it’s attached to the wood it can rip or get really bad air bubbles. I also suggest getting your hands a little dirty and flattening the paper as it gets wet from the Modge Podge.
10. Let the Modge Podge dry – about 15 minutes
11. Cut your ribbon to the desired length for hanging.
12. Hot glue the ribbon onto the back of the letters.
Congratulations, your project is done and ready to give!
What else have you made using Modge Podge and scrapbook paper? I’d LOVE to see your creations!
