Friday, April 17, 2009

Faux Monograms

On a quick jaunt to Target today I felt my blogging mojo start to creep back in ever so slightly. There were an abundance of overstocked endcaps full of clearance. Yes...I was in heaven. Even with 2 toddlers, who were way past needing their naps, I felt inspired. Leave it to Target to bring me back....thank you Target, thank you!
Ok, so our project for this evening is faux monograms. First I printed my letter in a variety of my favorite fonts, ranging from 600 to 700 type. I was making mine big enough to fit the tray thingy I bought at Target, but you should make yours according to the scale of whatever item you are using. You might just have to play with it till you get it right.

Next I cut out my letters with the most AWESOME scissors on the planet, the Fiskars precision tip spring loaded scissors. I think I may have told you before that these things are amazing. They rock, I tell you...they rock...as in I cannot live without them.

This is the tray thingy, as I like to refer to it. The sticker on the back calls it a photo tray...whatever that might be. I decided it would make the perfect frame for my monogram.


And here is the finished product. I love it and think it is imperfectly beautiful (it's a bit off center, but I'm too lazy to go back and fix it, so this is what you get).


Not so sure I like it here. I might try it out in the bathroom tomorrow. Or the hallway. Maybe the kitchen. My longterm plan is to use it in my future redesigned master bedroom. That's one of my goals for this summer. I'm envisioning white beadboard, black and white damask comforter, painted black furniture, upholstered headboard, and a touch of robin's egg blue as an accent. Sounds dreamy, right? I'm trying to collect things here and there when I find good deals, because the budget just doesn't allow for a big expensive overhaul. I can be patient. It will be sooooo worth it!


This Martha Stewart platter I have had since we first got married, almost 12 years ago. I LOVE it. Right now it hangs in my kitchen, but I take it down and use it every now and then. I didn't want to paint on it, or make the monogram permanent for this reason. Once I cut out my letter, I just used little tiny pieces of double stick tape to adhere it to the platter. So when I want or need to use it I can peel the monogram right off.


I think I might have a teensy addiction to monograms, in addition to my ribbon addiction. There are "S"'s all over my house. I love the way it personalizes my decor and gives it meaning, if only to me. And isn't that what making your house a home is all about? The things we surround ourselves with should have meaning and purpose. They should bring us joy. It doesn't really matter that I don't have a home that looks like the cover of a magazine. It doesn't really matter that almost everything in my home is secondhand, deeply discounted, and wrecked and rigged to high heaven. What REALLY matters are the people who dwell with me here...in our own little heaven on earth. We're definitely not perfect...far from it...but we are incredibly blessed.



34 comments:

Sara said...

Yay for blogging mojo! I'm glad you're getting back in the groove. Super cute ideas. I love monograms too! I bought an embroidery machine so I could surround myself with monograms!

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

BAA HAAA...she's got her mojo back. You are too funny! You, my friend, never lost it for a moment! :)

Queen of the Misfits said...

Love love love this!

Terry said...

Oh Sweetie your back !!!!!!
I love the look.
Thank you for sharing the blessing.
Happy Weekend to you .

Mother Hood said...

I love how simple this idea of yours is! And I can't get enough of double stick tape! So, this would be a perfect project for me.

Jess said...

Yay! Love it! Hope you have fun moving it around to different rooms. I like the plate too!

Kristina P. said...

I love monograms. Love the plate!!

Sweet Caroline said...

I can no longer sleep...I am so upset! So, at our local Goodwill, Target gives a bunch of stuff... Anyway, there...laying on the 1978 donated table...was a brand new photo frame just like yours. I sat there. I stared. I pondered. I just didn't know what to do with it. I put it down. Then, I come to your blog. Are you kidding me? How stinkin cute is that? I LOVE IT!!!

Dawn said...

Hey Amanda! First off, I'm so glad you got your mojo back!!!!! Woo-hoo!!!

Second, I love what you did with the platters! Especially the Martha Stewart one! Don't worry, I'm addicted to monograms too!

Third, I love how you ended your post today! It's exactly how I feel about my home!

Have a great weekend!

Hugs from Eventually Cottage!

Anonymous said...

what great ideas! love the tray 'thingy'!!! so glad you got your creativity back...

kristal said...

she's BAAAACK!!!! yey! i'm so glad to "see" you here again and love love your monograms. you actually didn't miss the giveaway deadline, but when my son drew this morning your name wasn't there:( i was sad, but you can't mess with the three-year-old's choice. so glad to have you back and looking forward to lots more ideas, deals and meaningful decor.

Chris said...

I love it! So much so that I am literally going through my fonts right now to pick out a monogram! Great idea!

Kelly said...

Awesome post!! I love the ending and you are so right!

{amy k.} said...

I picked up that tray the other day while I was at Target, loved it but thought hmmm- I see it has potential but not exactly sure what. I'm going to run to target and keep my fingers crossed they still have it so I can do the exact same thing- love it! Thanks for sharing, glad Target could help. Aren't they great?!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Amen sister!!!! I love it! Great, now I have to go to Target today.

hannahshirley said...

that is so creative!
i fly home on Monday!
can't wait to see ya'll!

Marci @All Things Wonderful said...

Beautiful! I love the tray. Great job. I am so glad that you are back!!

Hopeful Housewife said...

What an awesome idea with the platter & double sided tape! Glad you are back in the spirit again!

southerninspiration said...

Obviously the stars were aligned in your favor...LOL...I was in Target and there was nary a clearance item that called out to me....hardly any that I even found, much less cutie pie like yours! GReat job!

Suzanne

Unknown said...

WELCOME BACK, MY FRIEND!! Fabulous project, just like you. Thanks for sharing. What font is that? I think it would look fantastic in a "B".

Southern Fried Gal said...

Hello! Stopping over from The Graves House! Looks like I came at just the right time! That tray monogram is so pretty! The plate looks nice, too! Great ideas!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Girl, how on earth do you use those scissors? I'm not sure I could do it..... I need to make some monogramed things. I love the look of them but can I just say how I hate hate hate cutting things out? My grandma used to do schierenshnit...cutting out intricate designs with scissors. I appreciate it so much but think I would loose my mind cutting it all out.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Aaaaaannnnddd....she's back! ;) I was out of town for a few days--so glad to see you found some inspiration. Target is a healing place, I tell ya! Love the "photo tray" monogram...so cute! :)

SarahJarnagin said...

Yea! You're back!!!

Anonymous said...

So glad you are out of your slump! I love both of these projects.

Your plan for your bedroom sounds just beautiful, can't wait to see it!

Lindsay said...

Great ideas! I love your dreamy bedroom ideas!

Jenn said...

I'm going to have to get me some of those scissors.

Love the monograms!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hi, Amanda, I completely understand about being busy, I can hardly keep up with any of you ladies anymore! Thanks for stopping by & I love your monograms. I think I'm a wee bit addicted too. :)

trish said...

How creative!! I love it!
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

Nicole ~ said...

Very cute!! I love your Target find, and especially with the monogram.

Unknown said...

I love what you did with the photo tray, I think I might need to go get one. Didn't they have another?

karen★ said...

Love love love this project! Thanks for the inspiration!

Cena @ Unexpected Necessities said...

Hi,
This is my 1st time to your blog....I live in South Mississippi, too....Waynesboro to be exact. Love your blog!

AndreaLeigh said...

where do you get your fonts from? i love this! i can't wait to try it on one of my china cabinet display plates.

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin