vintage-inspired custom name letters: a cheap and simple craft tutorial

I recently finished transforming the Little Red Caboose into this for Levi's room:

I love the vintage -- yet still bright -- feel to this personalized wall decor.

It's a project that cost me under $10.00, is one-of-a kind, and easy enough for most any novice crafter to pull off.

Creating these is fun and simple!

1) Gather your supplies:

1. Letters spelling your child's name. (Choose a "thin" letter if you want to use them on the wall, or a "thicker" letter if you want to them to stand alone on a shelf.)
2. Clear varnish. (I prefer spray varnish.)
3. Clear-drying PVA craft glue.
4. Paper of your choice. I used a $2.50 classic golden book, but you can also use scrapbooking paper, photographs, comics, or anything else you wish.
5. Screw in hooks (if you choose to hang them on the wall).

2) Tear the paper into strips of your liking. (You can cut them for a more geometric feel, but I prefer the soft edges you get when tearing.) For this example, my strips are about 1/2 inch wide.

3) Layer and glue the strips over the face of your letter using the PVA glue. (Don't worry about glue squeezing out the edges - it will dry clear!) Choose a "random" look to layer your strips (like I've done) or lay them carefully side-by-side for a more "ordered" look (choose vertical, horizontal, or diagonal). Make sure there are no little spots left uncovered.

4) Turn the letter over and glue strips along the edges of the letter. This will serve as a base to ensure no "empty" spots when you're gluing your original strips (from the front) down over the edge.

5) Trim the strips down with scissors so that they are more manageable. Make sure to leave enough to work with though - perhaps one or two inches.

6) Fold and glue the end of the strips from the front of the letter over the edges. This will give the edges the same "random" look as the surface of the letter.

7) Trim the edges again. You want to make sure you don't have excess paper all over the place so that your letter can lay flat against the wall, but you also need to ensure there is enough excess edge to fold over the back so that it will glue down easily. About 1/2 a centimeter works well.

8) Glue down the last bits of paper to the back, making sure that all of your corners are as crisp and clean as possible.

9) Put any final touches on the front of your letters. I like to include some key phrases from the text of the book.

10) Let your letters dry thoroughly. After they have dried, if you notice any bits that were not glued properly, add more glue and smooth everything down. Wait for it to dry again and re-check. Repeat this until you are completely satisfied.

11) Begin your varnishing process. Lay the letters on wax paper (or something similar) and spray the varnish over your letters, covering both the front as well as the edges. Do this at least eight to ten times, letting the varnish dry between each spray. The varnish will protect the paper, prolong the life of your letters, and add a shiny, finished-looking surface to your piece. (Of course you should be doing this part outside!)

12) Attach hooks to the back if you plan to hang them on the wall. (Make sure to measure carefully so that they will hang evenly.)

13) Add them to the nursery wall or wherever else you had in mind and applaud yourself for being a creative genius. Ok, applaud yourself for making a really simple (and inexpensive!) craft that makes it look like you're a creative genius.

Dear friends, I don't "get crafty" often, but I have fun when I do. Aren't these cute and simple?! The possibilities are endless. Try using a major color theme on each different letter or using alternate color themes every other letter. Try using the Sunday comics or text only from your favorite book, newspapers, or magazines. Try using your child's favorite Disney-theme books or a classic Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme book. Try using sheet music or favorite photos from a family trip. Try using various patterns of scrapbooking paper in a similar color scheme. Try... well, you get the picture! The possibilities are pretty much endless!!! Enjoy.

always thrilled by decorating on a dime,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011 
do not reproduce without written permission

a party for one

It was a good, good day... as evidenced by the amount of chocolate involved.

A chance to celebrate the life of our precious son... our treasure, our joy, our sweet, sweet boy.

We started off the day with fireworks--well, sort of--and opening pretty packages with Gigi and Gramps over skype and Nanny and Bop in person. How wonderful it was to have all of Levi's grandparents present for... the presents.

And then of course was the party. There were lots of banners... big, floating balloons... party pies and sausage rolls (classic Aussie kids party food)... adorable and animated munchkins under three feet tall... many wonderful friends... brightly wrapped gifts... party hats... and of course cupcakes... many cupcakes. (We are still eating cupcakes.)

There was a make-shift photo booth... for laughs and memories and future blackmail material.

There were squeals of delight... and well-wishes... three generations... and free play... live music performances by the little ones... and "helpers" for Levi when he opened his gifts.

And of course there was chocolate... the first timid tastes of sugar which built to kneading and mashing and stuffing of the face... moments of hilarity... and lots, and lots, and lots of mess.

Oh sweet, sweet chocolate... all over our sweet, sweet boy...

There were impromptu fake beards... and very dirty clothes... and kids sent straight to the tub.

And after our little birthday boy was tucked up into bed... there was more celebration: toasting, laughing, and reminiscing. There were sincere prayers of thanksgiving and a few little tears of joy and gratitude.

It was a good, good day.

It was a great day.

And, although we most likely will not put such time and energy into parties to come, to mark this first year with a bang felt right and appropriate. Levi's life (and our parenthood) seemed worthy of our best effort. We thank the good Lord for the miracle of life and for the ability and means to celebrate well.

Dear friends, near and far, thank you for making our occasion so special.

enjoying the afterglow,


P.S. Just so you know, I did the party for quite cheap... lots of construction paper, ribbon, my laptop, a printer, some felt, a few sticks, brads, magnets, and wooden clothespins, a visit to the dress-up box that lives under my bed... and of course my trusty little glue gun. The most "expensive" thing was getting a few helium balloons. I'm convinced that making something feel extravagant does not have to cost a fortune... but rather some planning and some creativity!! Oh, and I made Levi's cake from a box, set it on a plastic plate that I found in my cupboard, and stuck a couple of handmade pinwheels on there with a candle - simple and cheap and cute! Betty Crocker, I am not my friends. :)

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011 
do not reproduce without written permission

i am craftabulous

It's been a long while since I've done anything crafty. But with Levi's upcoming celebration on the horizon my little brain has been bursting with ideas...

And the most exciting part? I've had the motivation to actually be deliberate about carving out the time to make a few things happen.

I've dusted off my hot glue gun. I've sharpened my scissors. And I've buried myself in felt and card stock, clothespins and toothpicks, tinsel and string.

I'm having so much fun!

Here's a sneak peak of his birthday party next weekend...

I'm having so much fun!

Oh, I said that already? Well, this sure beats preparing my incoming taxes, organizing my address book, or any of my other *ahem* more adult-like responsibilities. That's for certain!!

I keep asking myself why it's been so long since I've unleashed my crafty creativity on the world! And then I remember those... responsibilities. (Apparently the IRS doesn't take "crafting" as a legitimate excuse for an extension.)

But while I've found my groove, I'm gonna enjoy it. And not just for the party.

There's a project that I was inspired to do over a year ago to decorate Levi's nursery... But it never happened since it just never made it to the priority section of my to-do list. (Don't you hate it when you just live from one urgent thing to the next? Not good.)

I was determined to have this little project done before his first birthday... so finally, here it is - the Little Red Caboose inspired name letters for his room:

I love how these turned out! Such cute, unique, inexpensive room decor. (I sure wish I had done it a year ago like I meant to...)

When I'm able, I'll post a tutorial for how to make these. It's fun and easy!

And now, I must be off. I have banners and pinwheels and party favors to make.....

It's an exciting week folks! We're celebrating my baby and we're celebrating parenthood!

Dear friends, do you like to craft? I've found my crafty groove again during these last couple of weeks. I'm enjoying it while it lasts!

craftabulous,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

tips and tricks for how to decorate a nursery on the cheap (part 2 of 2)

Decorate your nursery without busting your budget...

{If you missed Part 1 with my first eight tips on how to decorate on a dime, you can read them here.}

frame a favorite story book for inexpensive art work and decorate using toys.
(the cute little green lamp was $7.00 from a thrift store.)

9. Decorate knowing that your baby will soon be a toddler and then a preschooler. 

As much as I love to decorate and re-decorate, it would be unrealistic for me to think I’d be able to re-do Levi’s room every two years. Because of this I’ve stayed away from things that are super baby-ish like pastels and teddy bears. Of course there’s nothing wrong with those and there are many cute nurseries complete with teddy-trimmed curtains, but I chose to go with bright bold colors and simple shapes and lines so that the room could grow with Levi without becoming too outdated too quickly.

multi-purposed rubber bins are practical and look great

10. Buy things that are multi-purpose. 

I bought two rubber bins for $10 each that sit on top of Levi’s wardrobe. Not only do they add a pop of color to the room, but they currently serve as a place to store clothes that he hasn’t yet grown into. As he gets a bit older, we’ll move them down to the floor where they will hold toys and can easily be moved from room to room. In addition to that, when we have parties we temporarily take the stuff out of them, give them a clean, fill them with ice, and--presto--they become our backyard BBQ drink holders. It's a cheap and easy three-in-one!

frame up a fave children's story. (eric carle book from ross: $5.00)

11. Frame a favorite story book or record cover... or a baby t-shirt or dress. 

A friend of ours made us an adorable “made in Spain” onsie for Levi, which we framed until it fit him. (Yes, he was conceived in Spain, if you’re wondering. *grin*) It now hangs on a small hanger on the wall (since he's grown out of it).  It’s such a fun, personalized element of the nursery and a great conversation piece for visiting friends. I've got my eye out for a good shadow-box frame for it to stay in long-term... but for now it looks cute on a nice hanger.

use a favorite t-shirt/onsie/dress to help decorate.

12. Visit a local hardware or craft store. 

Roam the isles and be inspired. We bought wooden letters spelling “Levi” for $2.00 each to be painted and hung on the wall for a personal touch. (No photo for now as I’m currently “re-crafting” them… Maybe I’ll show them off in another post later on?)

old rocking chair from freecycle with a throw pillow repositioned from
another room and a new white throw blanket to cover the outdated cushions.

13. Pair old with new. 

I tucked a nice woven blanket in bright white ($10.00) over the old (80's-looking) cushions of my freecycle rocking chair and added a red throw cushion (an extra one from our living room) to create a nice place for nursing and story time. I also paired old with new on the change table where I have a second-hand change table with a new cover ($17.00) to spruce it up and make it feel new.

an old changing table with a new cover ($17.00);
colorful storage boxes ($2.50 each) to store diapers, wipes, burp cloths, etc.

14. Use storage boxes. 

Not only can you use these to store bits and pieces (duh) and keep things tidy looking, but they also add bursts of color and help keep your theme going. I found these in the perfect colors for about $2.50 each. Some I have used to keep diapering-related things organized, and others I have used for books and toys.

use small, colorful storage bins ($3.00) for books or toys.

15. Add a plant to give life and make a room feel fresh. 

I think every room needs at least one plant. From my perspective it makes a house feel lived in and alive… and it’s a great (inexpensive) way to add color and beauty to a room. If you have trouble keeping them alive, you can get awesome fake plants as well. (Unfortunately good quality fake ones can be a bit spendy… but just watch the sales. Everything goes on sale or clearance at some point!) I picked up one for Levi’s room (a real one) at our local farmers market for $5.00.

a plant is a simple addition and nice touch in any room.

16. Give yourself permission for a splurge item that you love. 

For me it was a piece of art work that I fell in love with. Even though it was marked down by 50%, at $50 it was still more than I’d normally spend on something like this when decorating on a budget. But when I found it I had a pocket full of birthday money… and I figured “it’s my birthday so I’ll spend it how I want to!” (Don’t worry, my birthday money will be spent on myself this year… I was just an excited first-time-mama-to-be last year!)

i love this car artwork... my little splurge for the nursery.

It is possible!

So as you can see, with some hunting, patience, creativity, and thought you can easily decorate a nursery (or any room) without busting the budget. I hope you feel inspired to create a beautiful space and that I’ve got your wheels spinning as you think about how.

Dear mommy-friends, do you have any tips about how to decorate a nursery on the cheap? Please add your expertise here!

Have you registered your blog here yet?

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

tips and tricks for how to decorate a nursery on the cheap (part 1 of 2)

can you spot the four new items in this photo?
the dresser ($60), the two storage bins ($10ea), and the bedding ($12).
everything else is second-hand or repositioned from elsewhere in the house.

Do you have a nursery you’d like to decorate on a dime? 


I believe you can and I’m going to show you how!

My husband and I “work” as full-time volunteers for a non-profit and we’re responsible for fundraising all of our income and living expenses, so you can imagine we aren’t rolling in the big bucks! But just because we’re on a budget doesn’t mean we lack style and it certainly doesn’t mean we don’t care about living well and having beautiful surroundings and a lovely home environment! (I’m convinced quality of life is not dependent on a large income, but that’s another post.)

Although I haven’t written much about it on the memos, those who know me know that I love fashion, decorating, and all things lovely. In the last 10 years living and working as a volunteer, I’ve learned a thing or two about living large on a little… because I’ve had to figure out how to feed my “lovely things” passion some way or another. {grin}

I hope these tips will help you to think outside the box, get creative, and realize that you don’t have to sacrifice style just because you don’t have a lot of cash to throw around.

small clock from ikea: $1.95 

1. Join Freecycle. 

I’ve written about my love of freecycle before, but there’s no way I can write this post without starting there. Freecycle is an online community of folks who want to pass on things they no longer use as well as keep the landfills from filling up unnecessarily. Members can post both “wanted” and “give-away” items, and all you need to do is race to be the first email responder. From the moment I knew I was pregnant I kept a sharp eye on freecycle and ended up with a wardrobe and rocking chair from for Levi’s room – two major items that would have cost us nearly $800 if we purchased them new here. (Australia is not cheap!) Both items needed a little bit of fix-it-man-magic from my husband, but were as good as (almost) new when he finished. I heart Freecycle. (Interested in joining? Search for your local freecycle in yahoo groups.)

accent rug from ikea: $3.95

2. Shop at Ikea or other bargain stores. 

I love (loooooove) Ikea. For me it’s the equivalent of a grown-up’s toy store. Unfortunately there is no Ikea in the city where we live, but when we go to Sydney to visit our in-laws, we always try to make a trip. I got Levi’s bed set from Ikea for $12.00 (for real), as well as a cute mobile for $4.95 and a decorative rug for $3.95. Seriously, how can you beat a store with prices like that? Other (American) stores I love to rummage through for deals are Ross and TJ Max.

levi's fave - a "garden friends" mobile from ikea: $4.95

3. Look out for quality second-hand items. 

The great thing about baby gear is that people only need it for a few years and then—even though it’s still entirely usable—it becomes obsolete as the babies grow up. Our crib and change table are both from a friend who was moving overseas. We purchased these from them for around $100. (Had we bought them new here in Australia, we would have spent around $700!) I also found a small night stand to use by the rocking chair at a thrift store for $5.00, which is perfect for setting Levi’s paci and story books on (not to mention that having extra drawer space is always a great bonus).

rocking chair from freecycle, spruced up with a pillow
repositioned from the living room and a new blanket.

4. Determine your color scheme and then keep an eye out for things that “fit”. 

For Levi’s room I wanted to use bold colors with lots of white for a fresh, bright look. I used lime green, blue, and red… But yellow and orange also work in the mix. Once your colors are chosen, just keep an eye out for things that “fit.” I bought this little green accent lamp at a thrift store for $7.00, and it’s one of my favorite things in the entire room. We always use it rather than the overpowering ceiling light.

use toys to decorate like this wooden block
set from ross: $9.99; thrift store lamp: $7.00

5. Use toys as accent décor. 

I love wooden toys. They’re long-lasting, look great, and of course… not plastic. Use a few toys here and there to do the decorating for you. I like these in bright colors – not only are they fun to play with, but they look great on display in between play sessions.

6. Find things that are being under-used in other parts of the house to reposition. 

For example, we took a shelf that we no longer needed from our kitchen and hung it in Levi’s room to place photos, books, and other toys on. It’s now a focal point for the room and is being put to much better use.

along with a few strategically placed toys, display
maternity photos or old photos of mom and dad as babies.

7. Display baby photos of mom and dad or a cute maternity photo. 

Your child will love seeing these photos as they grow and they add a great personal touch to your babe’s first room. All you need is a couple of inexpensive frames and a good quality printer (or a trip to Office works!).

a little airplane that i've had on my desk for a
decade... now at home repositioned in the nursery

8. Use solids or simple bold prints and then add in the detail. 

I personally love stripes so it was easy for me to choose this bedding for Levi’s room as a starting point. Then I added in a few car, plane, train, and vespa details for fun and interest… but not so much so that you walk into the room and become overwhelmed with modes of transportation – just a few things here and there. As he gets older and develops his own interests, I could easily switch out a few of those details for robots, zoo animals, rockets, or any number of things while still staying within the same color scheme.

shelf repositioned from the kitchen.
bed set from ikea: $12.00

9. Decorate knowing that your baby will soon be a toddler and then... click here to continue to part 2.

Dear mommy-friends, that's all for today! {Did you survive a post without any photos of my adorable koala? *grin*} Please come back tomorrow for my last eight tips!

Have you registered your blog here yet?

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission