How to make a Character....

I started making what I call "Characters" right after my nephew Brock was born. In fact, his character was the very first one I ever made. That was 4 years ago. I don't make as many as I used to but I still love making them, especially for a wedding. Click HERE to see all the characters I have made.

Today I am going to teach you how to make your own!

Materials:

1. Letter of your choice, obviously :) The only place I buy my letters is Michaels. They have letters at Joann's and Hobby Lobby but they aren't the same font as the ones I like to make. They are about $3.5o. Remember to take your coupon and get yours for even less!

2. Modge Podge

3. Scissors

4. Pencil

5. Paint Brush (I use the cheap foam ones)

6. Bone folder or credit card

7. Paper

8. Box Cutter or Exacto Knife

9. Whatever embellishments you would like on your letter. This could include ribbon, stamps, stickers, brads, etc.

10. Hot glue (to attach ribbon)

11. Super glue (to attach anything metal, like brads)

Bare Naked Letter :) With a Diet Coke of course

Directions:

1. After you have picked your letter and your paper, you will want to trace the letter onto the paper. I like to use the back of the paper so I don't have to erase my lines.

2. Once your letter is traced onto the paper, cut the letter out.

3. Next comes your Modge Podge. Apply a very thin coat on the letter, and then very quickly put your paper on the letter.

4. Once you set your paper on the letter, use your bone folder or credit card to smooth down the paper. Make sure all your corners are secure as well. What happens if you miss a spot? Well if it's on the edge, you can lift up the paper a little and stick your brush underneath. If it's not on the edge and you have a huge bubble, you should probably start over and use more modge podge next time.



5. After the modge podge has dried, about 20 min. You can use a marker to trace around the letter to create a border. You don't have to do this step but I like my characters to have a border. My favorite marker to use is the Martha Stewart markers. I buy them individually.

6. The marker should dry in a few minutes and then you are ready to embellish. I use stamps to personalize the letter with names and dates. I also use rub-ons.

The name and date are stamps and the "Love One Another" is part of a rub-on pack bought at Hobby Lobby

7. Once all your stamps/rub-ons have been placed on the letter, you will apply a thin layer of Modge Podge over the paper. You should not need to rub anything down but if lots of bubbles appear, then you can try and smooth them. When bubbles appear it means you didn't apply enough modge podge in the first step or you didn't wait and let the modge podge under the paper dry long enough.

8. After the top layer of modge podge dries, about 15 min, you can do more embellishing with ribbon, brads, etc. BUT, don't try to add more stamps or rub-ons on top of the modge podge. It will end badly :)



And your done! You should have a beautiful letter ready to display in your home or give as a gift!

Let me know if you have any more questions!

I am linking this project up to THESE parties.