Monograms – I love them and now that it is Autumn and time to change the decor on my front door, I wanted to make a monogram cutout to go on my Fall wreath. I bought the best plywood, got a new scroll saw blade and set to work – after two failed attempts – all those thin curlicue areas were way too hard to cut… I gave up. Then I asked myself, “Why don’t I do this the way I know best… in my own style.
As many of you know I used to work as a display designer. In a day in the life of this profession I had to make lots of lettering, logos, and other decorative stuff – I did it all with foam or FomCor boards and a hot wire cutting machine. Since I no longer work in display and don’t have access to such a machine anymore, I found the next best thing to cut Foam Cor is a very sharp craft knife and/or a Hot Knife. Unlike a foam cutter, a Hot Knife is made to cut easily through the paper that sandwiches the foam, too.
So after two failed attempts of trying to make a wood monogram that took me all afternoon, in less than 1 hour I had not one, but two monograms cut out and it cost me only $2.00
I made one white.
The second one I added a pattern to. I am not sure what I am going to do with it yet – probably frame it, but I did want to experiment to see if it could be done.
Anyone can make these even if you don’t have Photoshop on your computer – plus no power tools are needed.
supplies needed:
- Dollar Store Foam Board $1.00
- Monogram enlargement – $1.99
- Craft knife and replacement blades
- Optional – Hot Knife
- Transfer paper
- Colored Pen or pencil
- Glass or craft cutting mat
- Computer and monogram lettering printout
How To Create Your Own Monogram on a Computer
If you have a computer and printer then you can create your monogram easily. You have three options that I know of – 1. Photoshop or Photoshop Elements 2. Microsoft Publisher 3. The old-fashioned way – cut and paste. I will explain how to do this further down in the post.
No matter which method you choose, you will need to download a monogram style font.
I used KK Monogram for mine. You can download it at Dafont.com. If you don’t know how to download a font, it is easy. You can read my post – how to download a font – here.
For this tutorial I am using PSE.
1. Make your center letter 600 points using Monogram KK font. For the left and right letters use 450 point size.
2. In a separate layer in PSE or a separate text box if using Microsoft Publisher add your first letter using 450 pt. size type. In another layer or text box add the last letter – 450 pts. You should be able to move each letter around on your screen by themselves. If not –delete the letters that are connected and create it again in its own layer or text box.
3. Move the letters so that they are evenly spaced and lined up. Make them bold – which helps give the curlicue areas a bit more thickness – helps when cutting.
Print it to fill a 8 x 10 sheet of printer paper.
4. Take your printed monogram to a copy shop. I went to Office Max. For $1.99 they made me an enlarged copy to my exact size specs – which was 18-inches wide. You can have it sized as big or small as you want. It is on a vinyl sheet so it can be used over and over again.
How To Make the Monogram Using The Old-Fashioned Cut and Paste Method:
If you don’t have a program on your computer where you can create separate letters and then put them together in an image, you will have to do it the old-fashioned way. In your word processer, create your 3 letters using the sizes mentioned above. Print each one out. Lay the center letter face up. Cut the other two letters out. You don’t have to be exact – just make sure not to cut the actual letters. White paper can be left on the outer sides of the letters. Lay each letter down on either side of the center letter. Arrange and then use a glue stick to attach to the center letter.
How to Transfer the Monogram onto Foam Board
You will need transfer paper. They sell it at crafts stores. Martha Stewart sells it along with her paints. Just ask if you can’t find it.
1. Lay your foam board on a cutting surface – glass or a crafters cutting mat work the best. On top of that lay the transfer paper – graphite side down. (My paper was smaller than my image so I pieced it together with tape to get one large piece of transfer paper.) Place your enlarged monogram on top of the paper. Tape it to the foam board so it won’t move.
2. With a colored pen, trace around the image. Trace your line right outside the letter – not on it. This bit of extra space will keep your monogram to size. If you trace right on the edges of the letters – when you cut it – you will lose some of the letter. ( I used a different color pen or pencil for each new monogram I made. This way I can see where I traced around all the letters completely. )
Note: My center letter H has a pretty thin center. I made it larger when I was tracing. If your center letter has a thin part like this – beef up the line thickness in that area as you trace. If it is too thin your monogram will break apart.
3. After tracing around all the letters, remove the copy and transfer paper from the foam board. You should be left with your traced letters.
4. Plug in a hot knife or use a craft knife with a very sharp blade. Have extra blades ready. I like the knives that allow you to snap off the dull blade and expose a new one quickly. When cutting out the two monograms I made, I changed my knife blade 3 times to make sure I got nice clean edges with every cut. I only used the hot knife to get around some of the tighter curves. I did not change that blade.
5. It should look like this after you cut. On some cuts the corners can be stubborn. If necessary – flip the foam over and you will see the cut lines of the area you are working on cutting out. Place the knife blade into the corner areas where the cut did not go through all the way to cut the back paper. Dollar Store foam is easier to cut as the paper that sandwiches the foam is not a thick as brand name FomCor.
After you are finished, trim any raised edges carefully. I had a few around curved areas.
To hide the smudge marks and transfer lines I sprayed my cut out with a few very light coats of white spray paint. Normally you cannot spray paint foam, but if you just do the top – it will be fine.
If you want to paint it a color –including the sides which will be white, I would use craft paint. Depending on the quality of the foam board – the paint may warp the board. I have painted tons of foam boards and have discovered that the thinner ones have to be weighed down as they dry. We did this by pinning the boards down with straight pins into the work surface.
Hang it up. I looped orange ribbon through one of the loops on the center letter and tied it around the top of the wreath.
I wanted mine for my front door and know that hanging it outside will shorten its life, as it is only made of thin foam. Inside – yes, it will last a long time. My front door is exposed to all the elements – no roof over it. Everything, including the door – takes a beating from the elements – especially the wind. I have lost lots of wreaths, bows, and decorations over the years. To help this stay put and straight – I tied the bottom of the left and right letters with clear fishing line to the wreath.
How to Add a Pattern to Your Monogram
I made two monograms. After I cut out the first, I used that as a template and traced a few more onto dollar store foam boards for future use – like a Christmas wreath. The second one I covered with a decorative paper napkin. I found the pack of napkins at Michaels in the clearance aisle.
1. Gently remove the 2-ply paper backing from the napkins. Spray the monogram with spray adhesive – let it get tacky – about 2 minutes. Place the napkin over one half of the monogram. Smooth with your fingers. Repeat with a second napkin on the other side making sure to line up the pattern.
2. Flip it over and use a pair of scissors to cut the paper in the open areas. Leave about 1/4- inch of paper all around the letters. I thought this would be harder than it actually was. The paper is very thin so it was easy to form to the letters. Cut tabs into the paper to make it easy to fold over to the back of the letters. Once you have it all cut out – it does not have to be neat. Spray a light coating of spray glue over the back. Wait until it gets tacky and then, with your fingers, smooth the excess paper that you cut into tabs to the back of the monogram.
Kenisha Hannah says
07/21/2015 at 12:39 amLove this idea. I will try this out for a sweet 16 sign I am making.
Paula says
11/30/2015 at 5:41 pmDo u know if a cricut or a silouette is large enough or (which machine can make these) I love it and you did a great job, just curious what machine can do these. I have purchased them before and would love to do them myself.
Diane Henkler says
12/01/2015 at 10:51 pmHi Paula – They machines are not large enough to make the entire monogram, you would need to make each letter separate, then overlap to create the larger size monogram.
Margie says
07/08/2015 at 7:48 pmDiane just got a new Mac so I’m experiencing a lot of first with this system. Can you tell me how I get the letter to PSE page.
Charlotte says
04/30/2015 at 4:28 pmLove the tutorial. I was just curious what the transfer paper does. I couldn’t quite follow that part. If you could let me know that would be great!!
Diane Henkler says
04/30/2015 at 4:38 pmHi Charlotte – Once you have your monogram printed, you need to transfer the image to the foam board. To do this you need transfer paper. It has graphite on one side. When you place it graphite side down on the foam board and then place the monogram image on top of it, you can then trace around the letters of the monogram with a pencil or pen. The pressure from the pencil/pen will deposit graphite to the foam board. Once you have traced all the letters, remove the printed monogram and the transfer paper and you will see that outline of the letters on the foam board. It would be nice if it was affordable enough to get the monogram printed on foam, but it is pretty costly. Transfer paper is inexpensive.
mackenzie says
04/28/2015 at 3:05 amI couldn’t find any foam sheets at the dollar store, do you have a link/ anywhere else I should go to find the foam sheets? thanks
mackenzie says
04/28/2015 at 3:06 amand also how big was your piece of foam. thanks
Diane Henkler says
04/28/2015 at 3:47 pmhi Mackenzie – you can find the foam poster board size sheets at the craft store – Michaels or AC Moore. They are 20″ x 30″. I cut it down to 15″ x 18″ to make my monogram.
Kat says
01/08/2015 at 12:09 pmQuestion: I know you cannot spray paint directly on the foam core. However, what about spray painting once you have covered it with the napkin?
Diane Henkler says
01/08/2015 at 12:57 pmHi Kat – Once the foam sides of the cut foam core are covered – you can paint over it with light coats of spray paint. If you apply it too thick, it may make the foam core warp up as it dries. Fast and light spraying is the way to go.
Kat says
01/08/2015 at 1:45 pmThank you for your reply. Painted that way might make it more weather resistant.
Diane Henkler says
01/09/2015 at 11:30 amHi Kat – Yes it will. Mine lasted two years before it started to warp.
Elizabeth says
12/24/2014 at 12:33 ameverything was great until I tried to cut it out — my exacto knife ruined it and wouldn’t cut through properly. Huge bummer bc I had everything else done right & I spent around 3 hours already working on it :( I will either start over and copy onto a regular poster (not foam) board or drop the project (which wouldn’t be good because its Christmas eve)
Ann Byrd says
10/24/2014 at 12:06 pmSo excited to find your monogram tutorial and can’t wait to try it…definitely for my Christmas front door. Your instructions are so clear and easy to follow. After “chasing rabbits” all over the internet, I managed to download the font and get started…so pat me on the back and give me a green jelly bean!! :) Thank you so much for sharing and I look forward to getting more goodies from you!
judi says
10/16/2014 at 9:50 pmlove it. Why did you only use the hot knife in the tight spots? And not all over?
Diane Henkler says
10/16/2014 at 10:35 pmHi Judi – I could have used it all over, but the blade on my regular craft knife is large and using it along the large straighter areas was much faster than the hot knife. The blade was too big for the tight spots – the hot knife blade shape and size is perfect for them.
Diane Henkler says
09/19/2015 at 8:54 pmHi Judi – Another reason that I used the hot knife only in the tight spots only is that the blade gets dull fast and it is more expensive to replace than the regular craft knife. :-)
Lynn Z says
10/11/2014 at 12:01 pmWow what a great Christmas gift idea. I know a few college students that would love this in their dorm rooms.
Thank you for the tips and for sharing.
bobbi gardner says
07/13/2014 at 10:38 pmi would love to do this., and have been trying to figure it out ,how to use pse but everytime i try to go one this on my computer it says that it is no longer available.
can you tell me what else i could use
would love to do this.
thank you for sharing
bobbi
Diane Henkler says
07/15/2014 at 11:30 amHi Bobbi -Are you trying to purchase a hot knife, Photoshop Elements, or the Monogram font?
bobbi gardner says
07/19/2014 at 8:49 pmwhere do you purchase a hot knife , the name of it and also you said that your letters were 18″ wide,
what was the length
thanks again
bobbi
Diane Henkler says
07/22/2014 at 8:58 pmHi Bobbi – It does not matter what the length is. As long as you have one measurement when you have it printed out just tell the print shop to keep the length in proportion. You can buy a hot knife at Michaels and on Amazon.com. I have a link to it on the “SHOP” page on my blog. You can find it under the “CONTACT” tab under my blog logo. Once on the shop page, click on Crafty things on the upper right to open the page where the hot knife is.
hudi leksono says
05/06/2014 at 1:20 amdoesnt hobby hot knife cause foam board scorched and melted ?
Diane Henkler says
05/06/2014 at 9:32 amIf you hold the knife in one place for too long, you might end up getting a brown edge, but a Hot Knife is made for cutting through foam. It is a quick and swift way to cut any foam. I have a hot cutter that is a wand, but I like the control you get with a hot knife better.
Kathy says
04/18/2014 at 7:48 amYou are one smart lady! I’d love to try this! Not sure I have the skill of hand or the patience. Your step by step guide is awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Annette K. says
03/12/2014 at 1:50 pmJust a quick questions- you said you have the monogram on vinyl so that you can use it again and again. Did they print it on vinyl at Office Max when you enlarged it? Just the only thing I’m confused about… Thanks for your help!
Diane Henkler says
03/12/2014 at 4:09 pmHi Annette –
The machine that they used to enlarge my monogram to the size I wanted printed on a vinyl type of paper. I had no idea it would be done on it, I was expecting a blue print type of paper. Another reader went to her Office Max and was told it would cost a lot more to print out on the vinyl. I either got a deal or the store she went to used different pricing.
Janie says
01/22/2014 at 1:10 pmWhat type of wood is used for the wooden monograms I think.
Diane Henkler says
01/23/2014 at 8:15 amUsually birch or any very smooth plywood.
Janie says
01/23/2014 at 9:10 amThanks so much!
Debbie says
01/06/2014 at 5:08 amGood tutorial. The result is breathtaking!
Thanks for sharing.
Chelsea says
10/27/2013 at 11:41 amSUCH a great idea. I was trying to figure out how i was going to do this with plywood and it seemed like an immense undertaking. This seems way more reasonable! I downloaded the font this morning, and designed and printed out my monogram and it looks fantastic…going to get it blown up this afternoon! Doing one for our wreath, and one for our master bedroom! Thank you!
Allie says
09/26/2013 at 9:56 amThank you for taking the time to put this up last year… I’m just finding it, but I am printing out your instructions so I can do this this Fall.
Sarah says
09/22/2013 at 11:36 amThank you SO much for posting this! I used this to make a GORGEOUS wreath for a Wedding Shower. I made a tutorial for doing this in Microsoft Word and linked back to you: http://domesticfemme.blogspot.com/2013/09/thrift-store-finds-diy-monogram-wreath.html
Susan says
08/20/2013 at 6:42 pmThanks for this great tutorial. I was trying to talk my husband into cutting the wood, but he said it would take forever. This looks much easier!
Ann says
07/10/2013 at 8:20 pmSo cute but I was unable to download the KKmonogram font…that’s okay because my monogram is AGE anyway (LOL). I always use my last initial because of that…
Nicole says
06/25/2013 at 12:23 pmIf you do not have any program nor want to have to do the monogram on microsoft word- I found this great website that will make your monogram printable in seconds!
http://forchicsake.com/printable-monogram/
Diane Henkler says
06/25/2013 at 10:32 pmHi Nicole – Thanks so much for sharing this. It is a perfect(and very cool) place to go for anyone without access to photo or computer programs.
Tammy says
05/28/2013 at 12:02 pmMs Diane
How does this monogram using foam craft board hold up to the weather all year long? Any problems you’ve had or suggestions on what I can do especially for Southern weather? Thank you in advance.
Diane Henkler says
05/29/2013 at 11:36 amHi Tammy – I had mine hanging on my front door that is open to the elements. I had it up for about 5 months. It bowed slightly from getting wet, other than that it is fine. I plan to use it again in the fall.(For the summer, I have a metal basket filled with hydrangeas on my door.) If your door is protected from the rain – you should have no problems with it. The humidity may effect it, since it adds moisture to the air, but I am not sure since mine was hanging in the less humid cool fall air.
Teresa says
05/22/2013 at 5:25 pmWhen you have completed the cut out do you then remove the paper of the foam board? We were wanting to paint the letters a color. Thanks a million for your help on this.
Diane Henkler says
05/22/2013 at 10:45 pmHi Teresa – I left the paper on. The paper is what gives the nice flat surface. If you remove it, the foam will have texture and won’t be as smooth as the paper. If you paint it, it may curve depending on the brand of board you have. You will have to weight it down to flatten it after it is dry
Htoles says
05/03/2013 at 9:07 amHi!
I went to Office Max to get an black and white enlargement and they told me it would be $30-$40 dollars! Which office supply store did you use to do an enlargement and what did you tell them to do so that it would only be $2?
Diane Henkler says
05/03/2013 at 10:41 amI went to Office Max. Another reader a few months ago has the same problem. Others have not. Not sure if their pricing booklets are the same in each store or someone is not reading the pricing charts correctly. When I had mine printed, I showed the copy guy what I wanted to do and he went to a book and read me the sizes and types of paper and films it could be copied onto along with the prices. I am not sure what else could be the reason for the price difference. If you really want to do it and can’t find another place. Cut your monogram into four. Get each one enlarged on a regular machine to the same enlargement size. Tape the enlargements together to create one your enlargement. It won’t be on the vinyl, but you can still use it to trace. I hope it all works out for you.
Besa says
04/14/2013 at 9:28 pmI love monograms and I am planing to use them in my next project. Thank you so much for sharing your tutorial. I have already pinned almost all your monogram tutorials.
Thanks again.
Paper Invite says
04/08/2013 at 8:01 amThis is soo cool.
Jessica says
03/28/2013 at 10:32 pmI love this!!! I’m buying all the supplies and I want to try and use wood instead of foam. Do you know if the transfer paper will work on wood? Or would I have different steps? Just curious if you have tried to use wood!
Thanks!!!
Diane Henkler says
03/29/2013 at 2:12 pmHi Jessica –
Yes, the transfer paper works on wood. Steps will be the same, except you will need a jig saw to cut the wood instead of the craft knife. I would get the finest jigsaw blades, so your cuts and scrolls will be super smooth. I have tried making a monogram on wood, but it did not turn out so great, that is why I came up with the foam version. :)
Staci says
03/19/2013 at 10:32 pmThis might be a silly question but what initials would u use for a married couple??
Diane Henkler says
03/20/2013 at 3:34 pmHi Staci – not a silly question at all. The proper etiquette: Wife’s first initial, initial of husband’s last name larger in the center, then husbands’ first
initial. I sometimes do it the other way around, though, as I like the way my husband’s initial looks first :)
Janice says
02/21/2013 at 7:39 amHi Diane – I’ve just discovered your site in the past couple of days and I’m already addicted – you are a genius! I have a daughter who will be moving into her first ‘off campus’ home in the Fall and you have provided me with some wonderful decorating ideas! Thank you for the clear, concise instructions and creative inspirations!
Carlyn says
02/20/2013 at 10:10 pmThis is a great tutorial with great photos. Thanks, it’s on the “to do”list.
Jo Mims says
02/16/2013 at 10:43 amI am unable to find Martha’s hot knife. Can anyone recommend one that is not so expensive. I see a few out there that are reasonable, but unable to find reviews for them.
Love your monograms, thanks.
Jo
Diane Henkler says
02/17/2013 at 1:46 pmHi Jo – I did not know Martha made a hot knife. I use the Walnut Hollow one. It runs about $16. Replacement blades are around $4 for 3 blades.
Lauren says
02/01/2013 at 1:05 pmI made one of these for my little sister’s room, it’s beautiful and was so easy to make! It took me about half a day to do it and it was so worth it. Thank you for this idea!!
Melissa says
01/27/2013 at 7:06 pmOh my gracious! I have been looking for a tutorial for this all weekend! I do like the monogram font, however I can’t seem to get them to connect together. I have a licensed monogram font and I know how to make that set connect. Is there a secret to this free one?
Thank you for sharing!!
Diane Henkler says
03/12/2013 at 10:04 pmHi Melissa – I remember you commenting on how to learn how to connect the letters when using monogram fonts. I am not sure if you figured it out or not, but I just posted a tutorial on how to do it. It may help you out. you can find it here: https://inmyownstyle.com/2013/03/how-to-create-a-monogram-using-microsoft-word.html
melissa says
06/20/2013 at 12:07 pmThank you for your response! I meant to send a thank you prior to now. Your blog is fabulous! Thank you!!
Pamela Sanders says
01/12/2013 at 11:11 pmThis is awesome! I love monograms and knew how to do them in PSE but didn’t know how you could increase the size as large as you had it. Now I know. Can’t wait to try this.
mimi says
01/04/2013 at 4:41 pmthanks, wanted to do this but looked hard, now not so scared to try.
Sandy says
01/03/2013 at 4:04 pmI have downloaded the font, but I can’t figure out how to get it to my document. Is there a secret?
Char says
01/10/2013 at 11:06 pmOpen MS Word and look in your fonts list. My list shows it as “monogram kk” and it has a double “t” on the far left instead of the list.
Diane Henkler says
01/10/2013 at 11:28 pmHi Char – the double “T” stands for True Type – it is the type of font it is. Monogram KK is the name it downloads as – not sure why, but it is the same font. If it comes up in your Word font list -it should open up to use when you click on it.
kathleen says
12/30/2012 at 1:47 pmHi – this is beautiful. I have photoshop, but I don’t know how to use it. Your tutorial is wonderful and I was wondering if you can tell me how to pull the letter up on the PSE program.
Thanks in advance!
Diane Henkler says
12/30/2012 at 5:36 pmHi Kathleen –
I think you want to know how to move the text? or do you want to know how put text in? I should first tell you that each letter has to be in it’s own layer. Once they are, then you can move them around separately.
When the text tool is active, just move the cursor away from the text/letter and it will change to the move tool icon. Now simply click and drag the text/letter to reposition the text/letters where you want them.
If this is not what you wanted to know, the best thing you can do is watch a YouTube video on working with text in PSE. There are many of them. Type in “Working with text/type in PSE” into a Google search. I also subscribe to the blog: EverydayElements.com Amanda has a lot of easy to follow tutorials. I have learned so much from her blog.
Happy New Year
Melissa says
12/24/2012 at 6:44 amYou make everything look so easy! This is absolutely gorgeous!
Jazmin says
12/04/2012 at 12:22 amTHIS IS THE BEST EVER!!!!! I’ve spent the last 2 hours trying to figure out how to do this and your tutorial is the best I’ve seen! So easy to follow! User friendly! I’m being super redundant but that’s how awesome this tutorial was! Thank you so very much!
Melissa D. SC says
11/12/2012 at 9:37 pmThanks so much for the feedback!
Melissa D. SC says
11/11/2012 at 10:45 pmWould you be able to tell me the size of the new background tht you opened up in PSE to make the monogram? Did you make your bkgrnd an 8×10 on the computer or a smaller size? I would like to make a special 50th wedding anniversary monogram for my parents.
Thank you for your time and for sharing your tutorial.
Diane Henkler says
11/12/2012 at 8:51 amHi Melissa – I made it a little smaller than 8 x 11 so that when I printed it out on my home computer it would fit the the paper. When I took it to Office Max I told them how big – (wide) I wanted the final size. They used a proportional scale to figure out the percentage or the enlargement needed to get it to the size I wanted.
You can print it out at home any size. Just know how large you want the enlargement and the copy shop will be able to figure the percentage.
Kayla LaRocque says
11/05/2012 at 2:46 pmHi i had a question i download PSE and Monogram kk.
the install button doesnt not show up on the monogram kk so how do i get it to install or show up on PSE
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose says
10/29/2012 at 7:20 pmLovely! thanks so much for sharing your tutorial – I think I can swing this now ;-) I was not looking forward to even trying this with a scroll saw.
JoAnn
Tiffany says
10/27/2012 at 2:18 pmI am also planning on doing this project! I am in Office Max now waiting for my monogram to finish printing.. They also want to charge by the square foot here. I love the pumpkin idea as well… Makes me want to do that also. Thanks for sharing.
Tiffany says
10/27/2012 at 2:18 pmI am also planning on doing this project! I am in Office Max now waiting for my monogram to finish printing.. They also want to charge by the square foot here. I love the pumpkin idea as well… Makes me want to do that also. Thanks for sharing.
Cami says
10/24/2012 at 11:09 pmI am trying to monogram a pumpkin but not sure how to get an online font ONTO my pumpkin! :) Can you give any advice?
Diane says
10/25/2012 at 10:12 amHi Cami – What kind of computer do you have and operating system? Mac/PC ? Windows 7 or Vista or something else?
Debbie says
10/24/2012 at 5:44 amSo Excited! I have everything ready to make my first cut. I did want to let everyone know that Office Max would NOT enlarge my design for $1.99. They were going to charge by the foot, so I went to Office Depot and they did do for $1.99 but it was not on vinyl. Anyway, will let you know how it turns out. Doing mine in black with white graphite paper.
Diane says
10/24/2012 at 9:36 amHi Debbie –
I am so happy to hear that you got the enlargement for $1.99 at Office Depot- $1.99 is affordable and doable. It doesn’t matter that the enlargement is not on vinyl – as you are just using it as a pattern to trace. Thanks for taking the time to tell us.
Ann says
10/22/2012 at 4:36 pmThanks Diane! They are beautiful. You made it look easy. Hope I can do one.
phyllis says
10/22/2012 at 8:23 amGood morning! I wanted to let you know I featured your project on my blog this morning. I think these would be perfect for brides!
http://www.theweddinggals.net/uncategorized/monograms-on-the-cheap/
TY for sharing this wonderful tutorial!
phyllis
Heidi says
10/22/2012 at 1:00 amWould you consider selling these? Thanks! Heidi
Michelle says
10/20/2012 at 1:04 pmThanks for this idea! I saw this in Siuthern Living & was prepared to spend $45+ to order the wooden version. After pinning for almost a year, this is the first project I am actually going to tackle!
Kathy says
10/08/2012 at 10:56 pmThat is beautiful.
Ruby says
10/07/2012 at 10:21 pmBeau-ti-ful! Thanks for sharing
Erin says
09/30/2012 at 2:34 pmI love all things monogram…and, I’m definitely going to give this a try! I am enjoying your tutorials, and am not following to see what tip I can learn from you next!
Erin @ Chronic Christian Crafter
Donna says
09/28/2012 at 1:06 pmI LOVE IT!!! :0)
Sheryll & Critters. says
09/28/2012 at 8:42 amI so love this. I hope I can do it. My problem now is with not working, I can not afford ink for my printer. I wonder if I can someway trace them out with a dull pencil over my monitor? I hope so. I did some butterflies that way that I want to put on a wall. You are so patient, not only to do these, but to give such great instructions.
caitlyn (ladyphlogiston) says
09/27/2012 at 5:12 pmnice job! you could also do the text editing in Inkscape very easily, or in Scribus, and quite possibly Gimp as well (those are all free open-source programs that are great alternatives to Adobe products)
Stephanie says
09/25/2012 at 10:51 pmHave you tried to cut corrigated plastic they make signs out of?
April Richey says
09/25/2012 at 12:03 pmHow much would you charge to make them
Melinda McCorbin says
09/24/2012 at 8:28 pmHow large did you have it printed? Thanks
Diane says
09/24/2012 at 10:28 pmHi Melinda –
I measured my wreath and wanted the monogram to fill the center. I told the guy at Office Max to make it 18″ wide. The height was kept in proportion when the monogram was enlarged using the width measurement.
Melinda McCorbin says
09/25/2012 at 8:55 amThanks.
lori caldwell says
10/06/2012 at 11:14 pmHi Love the initials I went to office max they told me that .it would be 17.00 to enlarge the initials .Could not believe it.I had to say no.
Diane says
10/07/2012 at 9:16 amHi Lori – OH no! The guy at my Office Max went to a book he had with all the prices and sizes of enlargements. I told him how wide I wanted it and he looked it up asked me a few questions and came back with $2. I either got a deal or the pricing structure is not being used the same in each store. :(
Sarah says
09/24/2012 at 6:12 pmSuch a cool idea and great tutorial!
Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane says
09/22/2012 at 7:09 pmDiane–I just love how you always figure out a way to do things beautifully, for less money, and in your own style. Kudos on another amazing tutorial. I’m making this one tomorrow!!
Amanda -cupcakes and corndogs says
09/22/2012 at 9:28 amI LOVE The leaf wreath with the monogram. I wish I had seen this before I posted a blog about fall wreaths. It would have been at the top of the list.
Where did you get the leaf wreath? Did you make it? I want to recreate this for y fall wreath this year!
Diane says
09/22/2012 at 3:04 pmHi Amanda – I made the wreath years ago and tweak it every year. It is just a grapevine wreath that I wrapped a few strands of raffia around. Then added dollar store fake fall leaf stems pushed into the grapevine on an angle. I then evenly spaced 4 purple hydrangeas around the wreath. Every year it gets beat up from the wind and rain so I refresh it with some new leaves. I posted a photo of it last year on my back door. Here is the link –
https://inmyownstyle.com/2011/09/friday-at-momtastic.html
TMT @ chateaurelaxo.blogspot.com says
09/21/2012 at 12:09 pmI think… I may… love you. Oh my, it’s the perfect tutorial at the perfect time! And such a barely-there price to produce beautiful monogram results…? Bless you!
Tammy
Kimberly from Serendipity Refined says
09/21/2012 at 7:22 amDiane, I LOVE this! I’ve been looking at those monograms for awhile and thought that I’d never have one. I have a “hot knife” that I use for carving foam pumpkins…Can’t wait to try it out on foam core! Thanks for a fabulous tutorial! xo, Kimberly
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says
09/20/2012 at 10:39 pmDiane – this is fabulous! I’ve hear of Hot Pockets, but never a hot knife! I love all things monogrammed and this little dollar store baby makes me sing!
Kelly
Kristal says
09/20/2012 at 7:03 pmDiane – As always….you amaze me!!
Linda says
09/18/2012 at 10:04 pmThank you! Thank you!! I have been wanting to do a wreath with this type monogram forever. I am not very good with a computer but your directions are so clear that I think weven I can do this.
Gigi says
09/19/2012 at 11:50 pmFabulous tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing!
Aimee says
09/18/2012 at 10:01 pmSo elegant! Thanks for the tip on the hot knife.
Emma Briggs says
09/18/2012 at 9:46 pmThis is a great idea to make monogram letters…I used old makeup for painting my monogram project.
Kim Gardner says
09/18/2012 at 5:57 pmWOW! It’s just beautiful!
Mara says
09/18/2012 at 11:50 amVery pretty, I have always thought that this would be super hard to do, but you make it look so easy, love the napkin idea.
Amy @ Positively Splendid says
09/18/2012 at 8:10 amDiane, you are such a smarty pants!! I have been using foam core board for tons of projects lately. It is amazing how much can be done with it!
Judy King says
09/18/2012 at 2:08 amThat is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Your whole entrance are is so nice and adding your wreath really looks so classy! Thanks for sharing the tute!
Sue B. says
09/18/2012 at 12:18 amWow! Super tutorial and so timely with the gift giving season upon us!
Diane | An Extraordinary Day says
09/17/2012 at 11:54 pmI just went to pin this fabulous tutorial and you already have had it pinned over 1K times!!!!!!!! Way to go!! And thanks for the awesome tutorial. I know that took a lot of work.
Blessings!!
Sarah @ Simply Sarah Style says
09/17/2012 at 10:54 pmThis is brilliant! I have been eyeing the wooden monograms for awhile now, but wasn’t ready to spend $50 on one.
Your foam core one looks just as a great. I will have to remember this. Thanks for sharing!
Sherry says
09/17/2012 at 10:32 pmThis is beautiful, so creative and amazing on a budget – just may have to give it a try!
[email protected] This Top That says
09/17/2012 at 10:17 pmwhat a wonderful tutorial. You have saved many lots of money for the monograms that are out there !! Looking forward to following your blog!
Rachael Miller says
09/17/2012 at 9:50 pmWhaaat?!? And to think, I was about to spend $30 or more on a monogram JUST LIKE THIS! Genius. Pure genius.
Penny says
09/17/2012 at 9:45 pmWhat a great tutorial! Thank you so much! Hugs, Penny
nest of posies says
09/17/2012 at 9:43 pmohmygoodness – this is amazing!
well done. wow.
Martha/Marty says
09/17/2012 at 9:24 pmI WANTED one of these!! Leave it to you to come up with the easy and cheap version. Hurray!
[email protected] Cottage says
09/17/2012 at 6:38 pmWhat a great idea! Thanks for the super tutorial.
Peggy says
09/17/2012 at 3:37 pmI LOVE this idea! I followed the link to the Hot Knife–950˚ is kinda scary! I do want to try this! Thanks for sharing.
Kim @ Sand & Sisal says
09/17/2012 at 3:13 pmI love this! I have a Martha Stewart hot tool and I’ll have to try it out on foam core. Gorgeous Diane! Gorgeous!
Beckie says
09/17/2012 at 2:52 pmThis is so awesome! I love shopping at the dollar store, this would make a fabulous gift!! :)
FineHouse says
09/17/2012 at 2:46 pmYou are so creative! What a great tutorial too, I would love to try monograms – you make it look so easy too.