Miss Mascara's DIY Project: Mossy Initials

One of the first projects I decided I wanted to take on for the wedding was some initials to hang on the doors of the church. They are just so pretty!

Here are my initial inspiration pictures…

Jennifer Brum

April Smith via Style Me PrettyHere’s what you’ll need to make your own mossy initials.

• A large piece of Styrofoam insulation (the pink stuff works just fine!), but cardboard letters would also work. We used 1/2″ thick insulation and doubled up the layers for strength.
• Box cutter
• Sharpie
• Spray adhesive
• Sandpaper
• Spray paint (I used a light green color)
• Spanish moss

Instructions:

1. Draw the letters onto your Styrofoam with a permanent marker.

2. Carefully cut the letters out with a box cutter.

3. If your Styrofoam is thin like ours, trace the letter you just cut out onto more Styrofoam. This will be your second layer to strengthen the letters.

4. Carefully cut out your second letter with a box cutter.

5. Now you have your two layers!

6. Apply spray adhesive to the front side of the bottom layer and to the back side of the other top layer.

7. Match the edges and carefully press the two layers together. Now you will have one letter with double the thickness.

8. Use sandpaper to smooth the edges of the letter. Sand, sand, sand, until all edges are complete.

9. If you are using insulation, remove the plastic covering from the top and bottom of the letter. This is an important step! If you forget to do this, the paint and glue in the next steps might rub off.

10. Spray the top, bottom, and all edges of the letter with spray paint. Be careful not to spray too close, or the paint will eat away at the Styrofoam.

11. Wait for the paint to dry!

12. When the paint is dry, apply spray adhesive to the top and all edges of the letter.

13. Spread the Spanish moss over the letter to cover it.

To help the moss stick, squeeze it around the edges of the letter.

14. Admire your pretty initials! Depending on how you plan on hanging them, you will have to add a ribbon, mounting tape, etc. to the back of the letter. We’re going to add some plum double-faced satin ribbon to the tops of ours (similar to the first inspiration photo), but I haven’t ordered the ribbon yet.

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial!

(To check out the original, click here.)

gorgeous! I will have to find some way to incorporate into our reception...would work just perfectly!

very cute and simple!

oh my goodness... i totally like this.  i'm not crafty but i think this is worth a try!  and your great directions with pictures should help tons!!!  thanks for posting this

very cute i think we need to do something like this

thank you so much for this! so helpful! :)