DIY Decorative Letters

I have made these letters for friends for the past few years - mainly for baby shower presents :) Finally, for the first time - I was able to make them for myself!

Materials:
- Wood letters
- Scrapbook paper
- Modge Podge
- Foam Brush
- Scissors

I like to purchase the wooden letters from Michaels. They always have coupons, and often have coupons for a certain percent off of your entire purchase - which is what I scored for Bennett's letters. Depending on the color scheme of the room that you're creating the letters for, they're available in black and in white.

You'll want to browse the scrapbook paper aisle to pull different pages to use for each letter. I've found that it's easier to buy 2 pieces of each (in case you mess up on one) and to get as many designs as you think you'd like (luckily, they're very cheap - not on sale, you can usually get 10 pieces for $1 at Michaels).  Also, I like to get a variety of patterns, even if I'm still undecided on them because it's much easier to lay them all out at home to choose the order and color scheme for each letter, than it is to try to visualize everything in the store. Then, whatever scrapbook paper you end up not using, you can always take back if you can't use it for another project! :) Here is the combination of paper that I ended up choosing for Bennett's letters:

After choosing which patterns/color of scrapbook paper you'd like to use for each letter, you're ready to start tracing the letters on each piece of scrapbook paper. Tip: To avoid having pencil marks on the front side of the scrapbook paper (that will show on the front of each letter), I like to turn the paper and the letters over on their backs to trace that way - so that the pencil marks are on the back of the scrapbook paper instead of the front.

Once you have traced all of your letters, you're ready to start cutting! I use regular scissors to cut everything out. For letters that have much smaller holes to cut, I'd recommend using an exacto knife for a more precise cut.

After all of your letters are cut out of the scrapbook paper, you're ready to modge podge them on the wooden letters. You'll want to paint a thin, even layer of modge podge on the front of the wooden letter.

Once you have a thin, even layer - place the scrapbook paper letter on top and smooth the paper out over the entire wooden layer - this is what will keep the paper stuck to the actual letter. Smooth evenly and flip the letter upside down to dry and finish sealing.

Optional: If you'd like a shiny finish on your letters, you can continue on to add a thin layer of modge podge over the top of the scrapbook paper. Be extremely careful when doing this, as it's common for the scrapbook paper to bubble when you add the layer of modge podge on top.

That's literally it! Once it dries, they are ready to hang! (The letters from Michaels have holes to hang them with nails, but I recommend using command strips - much easier to place and measure out on the wall! Also - if ever you need to move the letters or remove them, you won't be left with numerous nail holes in your wall). Here are Bennett's letters hanging above his crib :)

I love making these letters for girls because you can also add little embellishments to the letters. Here's an example of letters that I helped with after Bennett's - we used flowers to spruce up the letters before hanging them on the wall of the nursery. I've also made letters that have had ribbon and buttons added as well and they turned out really cute! :)

If you end up trying out this project - be sure to share your end result with me, I love looking at all of the creative things you can do with these! :)