J O Y to the world

Kind of cute , huh? Guess what? It cost me next to nothin' to make this, and I'm going to share the process with you.

    My daughter bought an entire bag of assorted 3D cardboard letters at the GW (Remember? I told you that's what the "regulars" call GoodWill...)several months ago. (Yes, she's got the gift of spotting a diamond in the rough, and I'd like to think she got that gift from my side of the gene pool, thankyouverymuch) You can find these at places like Hobby lobby or Ben Franklin's Crafts, if you're not lucky enough to stumble upon them at the GW.(Other supplies include scrapbook paper or sheet music or old book pages, a glue stick, some ribbon, jute or twine, and some odds and ends from around your home)

Anyway.

 As I said, it was an..um..assorted collection of letters in the bag, so there were only certain letters. (I am now thinking I will do up some of the individual letters as monograms for sale in the Junkees Tumbleweed Cotillion booth)  I wanted to spell a word that I could use at Christmastime and after some digging, I found the letters to spell JOY and I was set to begin a little Christmas Craft project! I took some old sheet music that I have had for a year or more (thrifted of course) and tore it into small pieces.(you can do this with old book pages, or scrapbook paper...whatever you like) I then glued it to the letters (all over them, not only the fronts of the letters) with a simple glue stick.

At this point you'll want to wander around your home in search of old bits and pieces of craft items...Christmas bells, little trees, angles, whatever you like. Also, you might like to make a cute tag to attach to one of the letters like I did.

I made my tag by printing a favorite bible verse on a paper and then cutting it out to be a tag. (Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Psalm 98:4) I still may go back tomorrow and add a verathane glaze and antique the letters just a bit...maybe, we'll see. (if I do, I'll be sharing my update!)

*sigh* I just love making little things out of bits and pieces of what I already have, don't you?

Comments

[September Lady]

Love this! I can't wait to try it myself! I have been wanting to make something but I don't have any Mod Podge and everything seems to call for Mod Podge. So. Thank you for giving me "permission" to use a simple glue stick. By the way. I wanted to enter your "favorite blog" contest but there was NO WAY I could choose just one. If I could only read 1 blog, yours would be it. I have an absolute fear of you deciding to quit! What WOULD I do? You are real. You are encouraging. You are happy. You are fun. You are educational. You are uplifting. You are...my friend! And, how very funny THAT is, since you don't know ME! Have a great day!

[Marietta Hoschak]

This is precious....

[Tina in Duluth]

Looks great! What fun you'll have covering the rest of the letters!

[Karin]

Oh, sweet. That is beautiful! Now I need to go to GW and see what they have!!

[Dawn @ The Feathered Nest]

Hi Tracey, I'm in LOVE with this project! Just beautiful....I hope you're doing wonderful sweet friend ~ xxoo, Dawn

[Sophie's Cottage]

Love the outcome, but I CRINGED at the thought of you laborously applying glue with a glue stick to all those little pieces of paper! Glues sticks drive me crazy, but are a 'necessary evil' sometimes in paper crafts.

HOWEVER, for a project like this, a faster and EASIER way to apply the papers would be to use LIQUID STARCH. The old fashioned kind that you added to the washing machine! You should be able to buy it in the laundry supply section in your grocery store. I use Sta-flo. Another brand name is Vanno.

It's pale blue in color, but don't worry, your project won't pick up the color. I've even used it on PURE white paper projects.

Be sure to give the bottle a 'shake' before you open and pour it. Pour about 1/2 an inch into a shallow bowl (even a plate will work).. Then DIP your entire strip of paper in the starch. Scrape off the excess by running it alongside the starch bowl or plate edge,(so the excess drips back into your container for re-use!) OR squeege off the excess by pulling it between two of your fingers. (again OVER your container) Then just SLAP IT ONTO YOUR PROJECT!

It dries nice a hard and with a perfect matte finish.

You will get done TEN times faster than using a glue stick!

aj @ Sophie's Cottage

[Tracey Buxton]

Wow. I've never heard of that! Thanks for the great tip! I will get some starch and try this out this weekend on one of the other letters.
Thanks so much for sharing with all of us!

[blondiensc]

I absolutely love it! I love the old sheet music and the little tag and the little bell. I have an obsession with all things handmade and well this definitely falls into my obsession, I think I am going to try it...perhaps I will use the words "Naughty" and hang it over my husbands stocking and "nice" of course over mine! ;)

Hugs~

Tara

[BParks]

What a great idea. I can't wait to do it.
I needed a good idea for a gift exchange.
Just love this blog. Have only been reading for a couple of months, but Tracey, you are so inspiring. By the way, what is GW's?

[Jackie]

I love them! I love old sheet music and book pages and this is a great way to use them - very clever! I may have to give it a try this weekend!!

[Peggy]

This is a great idea! I've been looking for a clever idea for my daughters name to put on her bedroom wall. I think this is it.
Peggy
http://pegslifeinthebuttonjar.blogspot.com/

[heartartz]

Ok, without sounding dumb.
What is GW and is there one in Reno?

[heartartz]

PS. GREAT idea!

[betsyderr]

GW is Goodwill.
I call the Salvation Army "SA's" sounds like essays.

[Dawn]

Love this, Tracey!!!!

[ACottageIndustry]

Thanks for clarifying, Betsy! I've added the info to the post so folks won't be confused! I must tell the other Tracey that we need to start saying "Essay" when we hit the Salvation Army shop! LOL!!!!
Tracey

[Arlene McComas]

Totally cute. These are sooooo cute. If you are interested, on my blog I have how to 'age' your paper for a vintage look. Might be another idea...........
Hope you cam make Junkees and your Cupcake dreams come true with your suddenly new life.

[Arlene McComas]

Sorry my link didn't work...try this..
http://www.heartrockshome.com/heartrockshome/2008/02/how-to-age-pape.html
Love the starch idea from Sophie - that sounds great. I have used starch to put fabric on my bathroom ceiling..duh, why didn't I think to use it on paper. Great idea..thanks Sophie.

[GAIL]

Very sweet, I love it! What a great idea!

[Jen]

Tracey, I LOVE this... I have been using torn sheet music in craft project too, love it... I even make them look old by diluting brown paint with water and age the pages...
It is so nice to see a craft project how to on your blog!
~Jen

[Mandi]

I love those paper mache letters...I have a few wooden ones as well. I love to see how others alter them. This is so great! My middle name is Joy so I'm especially loving it. :)

[suzanne]

Darling, Tracey, but I am not at all surprised coming from you......I hope it inspires a deep joy in your life. Christmas IS a time of joy....Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Merry Christmas!

Suzanne

[The Decorated House]

Love it!
Those turned out wonderful,
and at great price.
Donna

[soon to be auntie x 2]

OMG!! Too cute. You should also use other quotes too.Maybe a unique one for each piece.
I saw this one at Monticello and loved it.

The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.
Mother Teresa

[lovie]

LOVE your J O Y ! I made a much smaller joyofrom something a little different but also cheap. Come on over and visit me at Cotton Candy!

[Elaine L.]

I love the letters, but I would like them better if the paper were aged or glazed.

My elderly aunt always said she bought things at the Great Western.

~elaine~

[debi]

I love it! What a great idea...I'm going to have to go buy some letters. Thanks for sharing!
Debi

[Karen]

Those are really wonderful! What a great idea! Karen

[Catherine]

I love it! Thanks for sharing!
Catherine

[Ki]

Love your blog! Fun Project! It is snowing away outside, so I thought I'd take a break. I am now heading to my basement to find some bits and pieces to make something. Thanks for the inspiration!
Peace,
Ki

[Julia]

I love projects using sheet music and this is just wonderful. Am going to have to go get myself some letters now to try this. Thanks for all the work you put into your lovely blog.

[LuLu]

Oh my, now I have add another must!!! do thing on my list I just am crazy loving jumping for joy (hee hee ) for this one!!