Back in April, I attended the SNAP Conference and spent three days immersed in learning and creating with a few hundred other creative bloggers. One of my favorite craft classes was taught by Poppy Seed Projects, and today I’m sharing the burlap monogram plaque I made in that class!
One of the things that made this class so much fun, besides making things side by side with fellow craft enthusiasts, was that there were several projects going on at each table. Here’s the array of projects we could make:
The supplies were provided to all participants by Poppy Seed Projects, and the MDF plaques, wood letters, and picture frames you see displayed in the image above can all be purchased on their website.
I decided to make the Burlap Monogram Sign as soon as I saw it!
I think the teal shade got me, as that’s an accent color in our home. This project can be done in about an hour. Here’s how easy it is . . .
Step 1: Paint your MDF board with a background color of your choosing. Acrylic craft paint dries quickly on this surface, which means doing multiple coats is a breeze! I painted the front and sides with two coats of white paint. I left the back unpainted.
Step 2: Cut your burlap into a large square that is smaller than your wood plaque. How do you cut straight lines in burlap? I’ll let you in on a little secret that my friend Laura from Pink Cake Plate taught me.
I must digress and share this picture of Laura. Isn’t she gorgeous? I love how perfectly accessorized she was each day!
And we both got a kick out of being somewhat dressed up and crafting – definitely not something any of us bloggers do in real life!
Here’s the burlap cutting trick:
Take a piece of the fringe, i.e. one string. Gently pull it out of the burlap. If it starts to bunch up, just smooth out the fabric and proceed. Remove it and in its place is a straight line for you! Repeat the process to give yourself a right angle. Do this two more times – measuring how big (or small) you want your square to be – and you can cut out your square!
Step 3: Pull some strands off each edge of your burlap square, to get that nice fringe effect.
Step 4: Glue the burlap to the wood plaque. Don’t use too much glue or it will seep through the fabric.
Step 5: Using vinyl and either a cutting machine or a cutting blade, cut out the letter that will go on the front of the plaque. Keep in mind: you will have two pieces to use when finished cutting: the letter itself and the “negative space” that surrounds the letter. For this project, you’ll want to use the second option. A large letter stencil could also work. (The MDF board was approximately 10.5 inches squared.)
Step 6: Affix the vinyl to the burlap and play with the positioning so you get it as centered as possible. Once you like the placement, smooth it down – especially the inside edges – so that paint will not seep underneath.
Step 7: Using a craft foam brush, paint the inside of the letter using acrylic craft paint. I used the teal paint. As I got to each edge, I pounced and painted up and down (versus side to side) to make sure paint wouldn’t bleed into the edges. Let dry.
And… Voilá!
It was Day Three of SNAP, and I was tired! But I’m happy with my plaque! Holly of Poppy Seed Projects is in the background on the right – she rocks! |
Once I got the plaque home, I added a metallic copper edge with craft paint.
I also touched up the letter with paint to make the color more even.
And I distressed the edges with sandpaper.
You can either stand this up on a mantel or shelf, or drill a hole into the back and hang it on the wall.
We decided to hang it in our breakfast room!
I love the way the painted K plays off the aqua Ball jars on the transom ledge, and how the burlap brings out the colors in our valences.
If you want to see more monogram ideas, visit and follow my Letter DIYs Pinterest board.
~Laura
Dakota Creek Chic
Turned out super cute. Love that you distressed the edges…a small detail but makes it better!
Shawna
Laura / The Shed by Pet Scribbles
Thanks so much Shawna! I agree about the distressed edges – I like everything a bit less “new” looking! π
Laura Strack
I love your turquoise & burlap “K”. There is something endearing about decorating our home with our family initial. I have “S” letters all over my house, as well as some “L” in my personal space, such as my studio. I even have a metal staked “S” in my garden. I don’t think you can have too many. Lol.
Have a beautiful weekend!
Laura S.
Laura / The Shed by Pet Scribbles
Thank you! Laura – I have several “L” letters in my craft studio too, so maybe it’s our name! I was just thinking the other day how neat it might be to have our initial somewhere outdoors in our garden – great idea!
Laura @ House Of Joyful Noise
I love these! Gosh, I just did a burlap project a few weeks ago (still unblogged), and I just cut the edges ragged. What patience YOU have, pulling strings. π Very cool. My love for burlap is outweighing the initial stink of it, lately. LOL
Laura / The Shed by Pet Scribbles
Thanks Laura! I’m getting kind of addicted to burlap projects too! Can’t wait to see yours, and lots of times the ragged edges are what truly MAKES a really cool burlap project! π And yes: what’s with that smell? LOL
malia
Love your K and you look so cute! Great photo
Laura / The Shed by Pet Scribbles
Why thank you Malia! π
Lisa Hall
Love this and how pretty it looks framed!
Thanks for sharing, I’ve pinned this one!
Lisa H.
Laura / The Shed by Pet Scribbles
Thanks Lisa! And thanks for pinning too!
Carol TheAnswerIsChocolate
Love this Laura. Burlap and I have never gotten along but you’ve inspired me to try again. Featuring this when my party opens up tonight.
Laura / The Shed by Pet Scribbles
Hah! I just saw this comment AFTER I had already been on your site to link up to your party! What an awesome surprise! And don’t tell me you can’t get along with burlap: I don’t believe it for a minute, my friend! π
Becca Diestelkamp-Woodham
Yeah! Love burlap! Love monograms! Great project. Stop by my Friday’s Five Features and link up this post (and others)! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/08/fridays-five-features-no-4.html
Laura / The Shed by Pet Scribbles
Thanks so much for the invite Becca! Just popped over and linked up, and found some great projects to pin too! π
Becca Diestelkamp-Woodham
Laura ~ Thanks for stopping by DIY Vintage Chic’s Friday’s Five Features and Fun Festivities. Don’t forget to stop back by this Friday!