Sunday, August 4, 2013

Nursery Project# 6 ~ Beatrix Potter Book Page Letters

Hello, dear friends!

Olivia is now here and I will soon be doing my post of the nursery all finished, but in the mean time I still have tutorials and projects to share with you that I did for the nursery.

One of the first projects that came to my mind for Olivia's nursery was to do her name in block letters with Beatrix Potter book pages modge podged to them. 

I love how this project ended up working out! It's similar to the modge podge monogram that I did last summer for my niece Zooey's room. You can see that tutorial here.


So I started out by painting the letters with my mix of Old White and Provence (with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint) that I used on the dresser and bookshelf for the nursery. You can see that post here.


I painted two coats and waxed with clear and then dark wax.


I grabbed my trusty old library books and started cutting out pages. I was only able to use book pages from The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, and The Flopsy Bunnies stories.


Unlike my project for my niece, I was able to use full book pages as opposed to scraps of paper that I Modge Podged together to fit onto the letter Z.
I outlined the page with the actual letter, cut it out, and with an exacto knife I was able to get at the inner parts of the letters without cutting the paper.


I let the sides overlap a bit so that I had extra paper to work with in case I messed up when Modge Podging the book pages to the wood letters.


First layer of the matte Modge Podge


Second Layer of the matte Modge Podge


After letting the Modge Podge dry (about 20 minutes) I started removing the overhanging parts using an exacto knife and a cutting board.


I then used my distressing ink pad and a Q-tip to distress the edges of each letter to give it an old looking antique feel


A closer look


I liked the look so well that I decided to do the distressing all over each letter and not just on the edges


Layer 3 of the matte Modge Podge drying


I have no clue why the A is so different from the rest of the letters. My husband added a piece of wood to make the A a little taller to match the rest of the letters


Please let me know if you have any questions if you decide to try this out. 
I would love to help and love to see what you come up with!


Love,



Linking With ~

Creative Home Expressions ~ The Creative Home & Garden Hop
TwelveOEight ~ Inspiration Monday
Dimples & Pigs ~ Give me the Goods link party 
The Farmhouse Porch ~ Tuesdays the Scoop
A Diamond in the Stuff ~ Time to Shine
Savvy Southern Style ~ Wow us Wednesdays
Gingersnap Crafts ~ Wow me Wednesdays
Ivy & Elephants ~ What's it Wednesday
Adorned from Above ~ Wednesday Link Party
Glamorous Affordable Life ~ All Things Thursday
Lamberts Lately ~ Create it Thursday
Saving4Six ~ Think Tank Thursday
The Fine Craft Guild ~ Link Party
The Charm of Home ~ Home Sweet Home
Common Ground ~ Be Inspired
The Shabby Nest ~ Frugal Friday
My Repurposed Life ~ Catch as Catch Can
My Romantic Home ~ Show & Tell Friday
Dear Creatives ~ Inspire Me Spotlight
Funky Junk Interiors ~ Party Junk
Vintage Chic ~ Friday's Five Features



20 comments:

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

This is really cute, Jamie! It goes so well with your Beatrix Potter theme in the nursery, too.

Rita said...

This is a beautiful project! I also have an Olivia. She is about to start school this fall. Seems like she was just born. I may have to do a similar project with her. Thanks for the inspiration.

http://www.ferrytaleshome.blopspot.com

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh my goodness...this is soooo cute! Too bad my grandies are all boys...I'd do this in a flash! Thanks for sharing at The Scoop!...hugs...Debbie

dee -@ The Old Fat Hen said...

this looks so good-love deex

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

Hi Jamie,
I love your project! I have modpodged some letters, but I never thought to "age" the edges the way you did. Looks so much better by doing that so thanks for the tip!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh Jamie, that is simply adorable, I bet it will be an heirloom. I can't wait to see more. We love babies and weddings

Carol

Tazas y Cuentos said...

Great job! I really love it! I love children's illustrations. So cute.
Besos from Argentina, Silvina

sweet violets said...

This is so wonderful, great idea!!! Will have to do this for my grandniece for Christmas.....

Felecia Cofield said...

Hi Jamie! I love how the Olivia letters turned out! So cute! That was a very creative idea you had to use the theme on the letters! I'm bookmarking for future reference! Thanks for sharing! Blessings from Bama!

Tammy N said...

Love this idea. So cute for a nursery. You can never go wrong with Beatrix Potter illustrations.

Laurel Stephens said...

This is one of my all-time favorite projects and at the top of my list to do if I ever have the pleasure of grandchildren. :) I'm looking forward to seeing more nursery projects, how-to's, and the finished nursery!

DIY Vintage Chic said...

Ah... this is so cute! What a great idea. Adding it to my list of projects to complete for some kiddos! 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-3.html

Olivia said...

I love what you did with the letters.When my son was young we watched a Beatrix Potter dvd so often that even I knew every word by heart. It was the story of Peter rabbit. Plus the tape finally wore out. He is 22 now but it seems like yesterday.

Jamie-So Much Better With Age said...

Where did you get that distressing stamp? So cool! You're being featured from our Give Me The Goods party tomorrow and also on my FB page. Be sure to grab a button ;)
Hugs,
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

Kayesi said...

What a fun and intriguing idea! I'm linking to this at Pinterest. Thanks for a delightful visit via The Charm of Home.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

What a sweet nursery project!

Wendy said...

I'm here visiting from Better with Age's FB post about your beautiful project. My nephew's nursery (he's now 38) was all Beatrix Potter. I have such a love for it. You've done a beautiful job.

Debra@CommonGround said...

these are adorable and so unique, what little gal wouldn't love these!

Cranberry Morning said...

Jamie, these are absolutely adorable! I would struggle to cut apart a book, but if I could bring myself to do it, I'd sure love to do this project for my grandson - although his would have a Thomas theme. :-)

Amanda said...

Such a sweet project, Jamie! How are you and your dear little one? Very busy, I am sure! Hope you are all well!
Many blessings,
Amanda