DIY Letterpress Stamp
I shared this project at The Answer Is Chocolate a few weeks ago.
Here it is again in case you missed it!~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Here it is again in case you missed it!~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
You all know by now I am slightly obsessed with monograms.
4. Yarn Wreath
And I'm always trying to think up new creative ways to make more to add to my decor!
This is my latestĀ inspiration:
I present you with theĀ DIY Letterpress Stamp!
The materials needed to make your own oversized letterpress stamp are pretty basic.
I used a largeĀ paper mache monogram letter and a couple of pieces of wood cut about a Ā¼" larger thanĀ the letter.
Just stacking everything up you can see what I'm going for with these three pieces.
Now to start putting everything together!
The two pieces of wood were glued together then wood putty was used to seal the cracks between the two pieces. It was then sanded and primed. You can see that you can not even tell that this block is more than one piece of wood!
I mixed some brown, black, and dark green acrylic paint to make a grayish brown color and painted the wood block. With the primer, it only took 2 coats of paint for good coverage.
I painted the M the same color as the block. Then I mixed some brown, black, and gold acrylic paint and brushed it lightly over the top of the M, making sure not to give it good coverage. Then I quickly wipedĀ much of the paint back off.
I think that extra lighter coat of paint on top gives the letter a "used" feel like it really was used as a stamp! And it helps add that metallic touch of an old letterpress stamp.
Once everything was painted and dry it was time to glue my monogram to my wood block.
I used my trusty Beacon's 3-in-1 adhesive.
This stuff is like a hot glue gun in a bottle.
All the adhesive power, none of the burns!
I made sure I had my Ā¼" edge all the way around my new "stamp" as I glued the letter down.
Although the letter was made of paper mache, it still made the front of the stamp a little forward heavy when it was standing upright. And with that Ā¼" gap on the bottom of the stamp, it had a tendency to tilt slightly forward. To remedy that I added a small bit of that material you put under your rugs so they don't move around. Then I painted it black so as not to be noticed.
Its amazing the transformation paint can have!
Another happy monogram project to check off the list!
This is GeNiUs & so doable!
Can't wait to give it a try =)
Brilliant!!! I love letterpress stamps. WTG!
Awesome idea! Finding the real thing is expensive and you're obviously a genius - thank you š
This is pretty cool!! I could definitely use one of these. I would love it if you could stop by and share your monogram at my linky party! http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/2011/09/bedazzle-me-monday-1.html
Very cool. š Love all of your monograms!
Very, very clever!
love your letter press monogram!
gail
love, love and LOVE! Going to have to try this for myself!
Excellent job! It looks fantastic and something I would absolutely do for decor in my own home. Thanks for sharing!
Michelle this is awesome! Great job!
thats awesome!
itsjustcalledspicy.blogspot.com
This is such a cool idea! Very unique
Michele I love this! Very unique!
Susan
Ah-haaa...very clever! Visiting from SNS š Laurel@chippingwithcharm
great idea! i'm going to have to try this--thanks for the inspiration!
This is a really cool project idea. I love the look. You should share this at my Shabby Shares link party over at Rustic Crafts ~ http://rustic-crafts.com/?p=2306
Renee @ Rustic Crafts
You are so cool - I love this!! (I know, I know, not a very original comment. š
You already know I love this! I think you may have created a monogram monster mwaaaaahhhhhh.
nice job! love the distressing- it really does look like a used letter from a press! great idea š
I LOVE this!!! I was shocked after reading how easy it is!! I am pinning this to make in the future!!!
I featured you today in my Friday I'm In Love favorites!
http://socialsalutations.blogspot.com/2011/09/friday-im-in-love-week-18.html
- Jenn @ Social Salutations
I LOVE this idea! I wish I didn't have to drive an hour to Michael's for the letters!
Super cute idea. I am your newest follower. Feel free to check out my site and follow me back here: http://www.utahcountymom.com
I love this! I have done the letters and painted them to look like metal, but I never thought of adding the piece of wood behind it. Genius! Lisa~
I love this!! I'm going to have to try this for my mantle!
I'm a new follower of your page, I found you on Someday Crafts!
This is fabulously creative! Thank you for sharing your secret!
Looks very cool and very much NOT like paper mache!! Great job!
This is such a beauty! I love it and must try!
~ Meredith From A Mother Seeking come find me on my blog, A Mother Seeking...
This is such a beauty! I love it and must try!
~ Meredith From A Mother Seeking come find me on my blog, A Mother Seeking...
This is so cool! I love, love, love it!
Holly
http://www.lifeasathrifter.blogspot.com
You are a genius! What an adorable letterpress stamp!
I would love for you to post this on my Fall In Love linky party today.
That is so cool! I love letterpress stamps too. I'd love to have you link it up with Creative Me Monday at The Southern Institute. You can link up all week long and the link is:
http://www.thesoutherninstitute.com/2011/09/creative-me-monday_18.html?utm_source=BP_recent
Hope to see you there! And I'd love to be added to your party list when you get a chance. Thanks!
Jenny
super cute!!
what a clever idea! Saw it on Curbly, and had to come over for the full tutorial
Michele, I love the way this turned out! Thanks for the great idea!
AWESOME M...love the project! Thanks for sharing! Tweeting! POP ART MINIS
ohhhh-ho-ho! I L O V E this!!! SO have to do this...thanks for the outstanding tutorial. Yippee!
This is just so stinkin' clever, Michele! Love this idea!
oh my gosh i LOVE it!!
I absolutely Love This!!!! Can't wait to get to the store and get some letters...it is so simple and useful! Thanks for the great tutorial!
LOVE this project Michele!!! You did a fabulous job on it - I really need one. My to-do list is starting to frighten me. haha
Pinning, stumbling, and all that stuff. š
You ARE obsessed with monograms - I just noticed š Of course - you get a two-fer with your first and last name...haha.
So, question - the "M" works without having it backward as a letterpress stamp (mirror image). Would you mount other letters backward on the board to have them be more authentic looking as a letterpress stamp, or would you keep them going the right direction? Just trying to imagine a "P" - would it be backwards or forwards?