Friday, January 29, 2016

DIY Letter Art

Decorating a home can be EXPENSIVE! While out shopping for items to spruce up our home, I came across several beautiful letters, but I couldn't get past the price tags attached to them. So, like I always tend to do, I set out on a path to create my own for a portion of the price.

There are many great tutorials out there for creating these in many different styles, but here is my take on it.

What you'll need:


First, I took a trip to Hobby Lobby to find the perfect supplies. There were many different styles of wooden and cardboard letters and many different sizes. The one I picked ended up only costing my $3. I chose this one:


The next step is to pick the color you want your letter to be. Since i'm in the process of redecorating our bedroom, I chose this grey color that I already had in my paint stash. (Our bedroom is a mix of blues and greys) You can use any color, or finish of paint that matches your home.


Your next step is to heat up your hot glue gun. Once it is heated, use the glue to "draw" designs onto your letter. You can do flowers, swirls, polka dots, stripes, etc. Be sure to let each portion dry before moving onto the next section so that you don't smudge the glue design (or burn yourself!)


After the glue has dried completely, it's time to paint it! I like to start by painting the sides first, and then painting the top. I like to use a stiff brush, because I like the rough look it leaves on the finish. If you prefer a smooth finish, you can use a foam brush instead. 


After the sides are dry, I move onto the top. I'll be using this letter on a bookshelf, so the back will not be seen. If you will be using your letter in a place where the back will be seen, then you will want to paint the back of the letter also. 


I wanted to still be able to see the brush strokes, and the small streaks of the cardboard showing through, so I only did one coat of paint. Again, if you want a nice smooth finish, then you can add another coat of paint. 


After the paint has dried, place it in the perfect spot and ENJOY! :)


Leave me a comment below if you try this out. I'd love to see your results!











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