Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on Omaha.com

Find more crafts in our “Handmade Holidays” series, by clicking here. 

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By Laura King
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

There’s just something more personal about a gift that’s handmade. But a handmade gift emblazoned with the recipient’s monogram? Extra personal.

It seems monograms are everywhere right now. A scroll through the social media site Pinterest shows countless craft projects with initial letters. And a stroll through the gift shop yields plenty of gift ideas with a letter aesthetic. We’re kicking off the fourth year of our 25-day Handmade Holidays series with a group of monogram gift or decor ideas. Maybe one will fit that special someone on your gift list.

YARN-WRAPPED LETTER
(photographed above)

Supplies

3-D cardboard letter (can be found at most craft stories in various sizes)

1 skein of yarn (a solid color works best to avoid problems with pattern matching)

Adhesive (we used a quick-drying craft adhesive with a fine-tip applicator, but hot glue could also be used)

Embellishments

Directions

Unspool a good amount of the yarn before you begin wrapping to eliminate any pulling while you’re working.

It may take some trial and error to figure out the best way to cover your letter, depending on its shape. We suggest not even touching the adhesive until you’ve figured out your plan of attack to cover all of the surfaces of the letter.

Once you’ve got a plan, place the yarn end on the letter and glue. Allow to dry before wrapping. With a quick-drying adhesive, this takes only minutes.

Begin wrapping tightly around the letter so that none of the cardboard shows through. Be aware of overlap and appearance on the front side and adjust as you go.

Depending on the letter, you may need to wrap a section, cut the yarn and begin again at another section.

Once you have the entire letter wrapped in yarn, glue the end in an inconspicuous place, preferably the back.

Add any embellishments.

Difficulty: Two (out of four)

MONOGRAMMED TOTE BAG

Supplies

Canvas tote bag

Acrylic paint

Paper doily

Stencil brush

Letter stencil

Directions

Select a doily that will fit the corner of the bag, with the edges running off the sides. Punch out any closed holes in the paper doily.

Tape the doily onto the bag and apply the paint using a stencil brush and a firm up-and-down motion to make sure the exposed canvas is completely covered.

Allow the paint to dry completely.

Remove the doily once dry and tape on the letter stencil in the inner void of the doily design.

Repeat the paint stenciling as you did before and allow to dry. Remove the stencil once dry.

Difficulty: Two (out of four)

GARLAND-WRAPPED LETTER

Supplies

MDF letter of any size (these can be found at most craft stores; the one in the example is 11 inches tall)

25 feet of garland

Floral picks, ribbon or other embellishments

Hot glue and hot glue gun

Directions

Bend the garland around the top of the letter and apply the hot glue. Allow to dry.

Wrap the garland down and around the letter, making sure there is no exposed MDF board. Once the letter is completely covered, glue the end to the back of the letter.

Add any embellishments using hot glue and allow to dry.

Hang on the wall or front door by attaching a hook or ribbon to the back as a hanging mechanism.

Note: Depending on the size and shape of the letter, you may need more length of garland. For this example, 25 feet was exactly the right amount.

Difficulty: Two (out of four

PAPER-COVERED WOODEN LETTER

Supplies

Wooden letter (the example is 9 inches tall)

Acrylic paint

Paint brush

Two different, coordinating sheets of patterned scrapbook paper

Craft glue

Ribbon or tulle

Embellishments

Directions

Paint front, edges and back of wooden letter.

Turn papers pattern side down and lay letter backwards on top. Trace the letter on both sheets. Cut along trace marks. Cut papers so they are a little longer than half the letter.

This way they will overlap just a little once glued down.

Use brush to cover entire front of wooden letter with glue. Put first piece of paper down. Add a little glue to overlap part. Put second piece of paper on letter. Use ribbon and/or tulle to tie a bow at the point where paper overlaps to cover the line.

Once the glue is dry, take a little more paint and brush the very edge of the paper so it matches the paint on the edge of the letter.

Add any embellishments you choose: flowers, charms, etc.

Difficulty: Three (out of four)

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