Saturday, July 28, 2012

Nursery Rhyme Letter Tutorial ~

Hello, lovely friends!

 It feels like forever since I've posted anything. Just over a month, but whose counting?!

I wanted to share a little craft project that I made for my sister as part of my gift for her baby shower. My niece, Zooey, is about to be born in less than two months. It's a very exciting time for our family as I have two sisters, both due with baby girls within a month of each other.


I wanted to make something one-of-a-kind and personal for my niece's nursery. I didn't want to take over the decor,  just add a little something to it.

I found the inspiration on Pinterest but the photo only lead to a website called Madeit.com. The item had sold and there's no way of finding out who made the item, so I can't really give anyone credit here.

This is what I came up with ~


I bought the letter Z at Micheal's for 50% off for about $2.50. The spray paint is Robin's Egg Blue by Design Master and it was another 50% off Michael's purchase for about $3.00 dollars. The nursery rhyme pages are from the Little Golden Books; 'Eloise Wilkin's Mother Goose' and it was just 25 cents at a thrift store.


I tore pages from the book, with the rhymes and pictures that I liked best and also a few random pieces for the background. Most of what I did was cutting out the pages to that would fit the shape of the letter Z. I wanted as many colorful and cute pictures as possible to fill the letter. The hardest part was coming up with my design and cutting the pieces to fit on the letter perfectly. 
Once my pieces were cut I used a Q-tip to spread tea dye ink from a distressing stamp kit on the sides of all the pieces of paper. I wanted an aged, vintage look to the letter like the book.


I spray painted the whole letter twice. Making sure that the edges were completely painted over.


I sponge brushed the wood side and then placed my paper piece over it and pressed down once the paper was in the correct spot.


I layered the pieces until the entire Z was covered. The pieces were mostly cut to size but I had to take care of the pieces that over hung the edges with an exacto knife once everything was Modge-Podged in place. This was a little hard as far as Modge-Podge projects go.  I've done projects where you cover the entire piece, but never where I wanted a paint color to show. Basically I couldn't be as sloppy which always makes things easier.


To finish, I went over the whole letter with two layers of the Modge-Podge. Also, I only use Matte Modge-Podge.


My sister was actually Little Miss Muffet one year for Halloween. When I saw that page in the book, I had to have it for Zooey's gift.


One more look at the finished project with Pat-a-Cake, Pat-a-cake, Little Miss Muffet, and The Old Woman and the Shoe as the background.

I'm currently working on another letter for my other sister Pam. Her daughter, Felicity, is due in a month. I'm doing the same spray paint color but the book pages are in all black and white from a Golden Book story of Children's prayers. I'm thinking of using some fine clear glitter over the pages to glam it up a bit.

If anyone tries this project I would love to see what you come up with. Happy Crafting!

I hope you're all enjoying a wonderful Summer!

Love,


Linking With ~ 

A Diamond in the Stuff ~ Time to Shine
Savvy Southern Style ~ Wow us Wednesdays
Ivy & Elephants ~ What's it Wednesday
The Charm of Home ~ Home Sweet Home
At the Picket Fence ~ Inspiration Friday
My Romantic Home ~ Show & Tell Friday
The Shabby Nest ~ Frugal Friday
My Repurposed Life ~ Catch as Catch Can
Funky Junk Interiors ~ Saturday Nite Special

27 comments:

Laurel Stephens said...

This is one of the cutest ideas for a nursery I've ever seen and makes such a great personal and thoughtful gift. I'm pinning this project to my grandchildren (someday) Pinterest board. I just love your future niece's names! Nieces and nephews are such a joy, and it looks like they'll be very lucky to have you as an aunt.

Whitney said...

Jamie,
I love how it turned out! I can't wait to see the one you make up for Pam. I just might need to make one or two of these. When are we going to schedule a crafting night??!! :)

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Very pretty, Jamie, and what a great gift for a baby! Love the images from the books. Your sisters will love these gifts. How nice, too, that the cousins will be so close in age!

Keeping It Cozy said...

How adorable! It looks so vintage.

The Farmers Daughter said...

Such a great idea! I'm a new follower!

Angie said...

I LOVE this! Absolutely so precious! And you did such an amazing job. This is a very special gift that your sister can always keep.

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Adorable idea!!! I am just planning the wedding now, but I bet it won't be to long and I will be helping with nursery plans LOL!

Carol

designchic said...

Could they be any cuter...love for a nursery!!

Tazas y Cuentos said...

Lovely!! Great job! I collect vintage children's dishes and storybooks and did a "Storybook chair". A letter would be a very good idea too...
Congratulations!
Besos from Argentina, Silvina

Tazas y Cuentos said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
elizabeth said...

What a cute gift! I love it! Thanks so much for your kind comment on my post today. :)

Highland Monkey's said...

That is a really lovely idea and such a fab present for your little niece. I bet she will treasure it for a very long time.

Debra@CommonGround said...

what a wonderful idea for something so sweet, adorable and very personal! I really love it, thanks so much for sharing it with us on Vintage Inspiration!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I have GOT to make myself one of these! With a B.
Brenda

meg said...

that is absolutely adorable! how creative!

Unknown said...

This project is a great idea.
Why stop at nursery, could be for older girls/boys, too.
A lot of inspiration here.
Thanks for sharing.
Michele

melissa @ daisymaebelle.com said...

That turned out so cute! I love that you used old books for the pictures! Your sisters are going to love their custom monograms!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

ohhh Jamie--I love this project! It really is so perfect!

you did a great job.

gail

Unknown said...

So clever, and perfect for a baby's room. Mind if I copy!?! I am here from a link party and I really enjoyed looking around your blog. I am your newest follower and I would love it if you'd stop by my blog and return the follow.
Nancy
http://dosmallthingswithlove.blogspot.com/

Kathy Bradshaw said...

I have always liked large letters to decorate with, what a cute project. Stopping by to say Hi from the blog hop. Come visit sometime, tea is cold and no shoes are required. Kathy B. http://www.southernmadeintheshade.blogspot.com New follower

Home Decorating at the Craft Guild said...

super sweet baby gift. it is darling. thank you for sharing it with us at the linky party at http://www.finecraftguild.com

Tammy's in Love said...

I love the graphics in Little Golden Books and Eloise Wilkin is one of my favorites! This is the nicest kind of gift, one that no one else will ever give your sister and new niece! So thoughtful and sweet of you to create!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea for a baby gift! Your letter turned out super cute and the back story on Miss Muffet is just perfect. Can't wait to see how your other letter turns out in black and white. Hope you are having a fun summer! :-)

Laurel Stephens said...

Featured your adorable nursery rhyme letter on Friday Finds today, Jamie!

Erica of Golden Egg Vintage said...

I just found your blog through "The North End Loft"! It's been really fun visiting and seeing all the cute things that you make and great vintage things you find!
I'll be following :)
Erica

Brittany said...

What a darling project for a nursery!! It's adorable!

Amanda said...

What a darling and thoughtful gift, Jamie! I am sure your sister will love it and your new niece will treasure it for sure! Thanks for your recent visits! I am sorry it's taken me so long to come by and say hi! I have been meaning to...it's just been a little crazy around here these days! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Amanda