Paper Mache Love Letters
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and I have to admit that I have been slacking in the decorating department. I usually decorate a little for every holiday but I have been preoccupied with other projects. So my front door remains bare and most of my Valentine’s Day decorations remain in the attic this year. I did however get a chance to work on a project for the girls over at Made from Pinterest a few weeks ago. I was asked to recreate a project I found on Pinterest. And I fell in love (pun intended!) with these Love Letters from The Polka Dot Chair.
Here’s What You Will Need:
Paper Mache Letters
Wooden dowel
Feathers
Leather cord
Felt or glittered fabric
Hot Glue Gun
Exacto Knife
Spray Paint
Let’s get started!
The first thing you will need to do is remove the inner support card board from your paper mache letters. Using you exact knife, cut a small flap in the back of each letter. Pull out as much of the center cardboard as possible. You will need to remove this in order to get the dowel through the letters.
Next, spray paint your letters your favorite color. Of course, it can be red if you want. But I love how the original letters were spray painted gold. And gold is a go to color in my decor.
It is helpful to prop your letters up on old cans when you spray paint them. This allows you to reach the sides easily and they don’t stick to your painting surface as they dry. Apply 2 coats to each side.
While your letters are drying you can attach the feathers and leather cording to one end of the dowel. Just add a touch of hot glue to the end of the dowel and apply the feathers around the dowel. When that is dry apply another drop of hot glue to attach your leather cord. Make sure you wrap the cord around a few times to cover the ends of the feathers and then glue the end in place.
Once your letters are dry, measure 4 inches up each letter and mark with a pencil. I only advise this because I didn’t do this! I had a little trouble lining up my dowel and letters since I skipped this step. When you have your letters marked, cut a hole about the size of the dowel in each letter. Thread the dowel through the letters and cut any excess dowel from the end when all the letters are on.
I found some of this thick glitter-covered fabric near the felt at the craft store. It was just what I wanted to make the heart for the end of cupid’s arrow. I cut out 2 small hearts thinking I would use them back to back. But then I only ended up using one. To attach the heart to the dowel just apply a little hot glue to the end of the dowel.
I love how these letters turned out! Even if they are one of my only Valentine’s Day decorations!