Framed Initial

I've been in a crafting mood the last few weeks just enjoying making little things for the house and sprucing things up around here.

We have this cover for what I guess was a old stovepipe or something over the fireplace which isn't the most attractive decoration ever but is kind of the centerpiece of the room, regardless. I've gotten in the habit of covering it with seasonal decorations and found it looks a whole lot better and adds another little spot for something decorative. For Thanksgiving, a wooden turkey covered the eyesore and for Christmas, stockings.

So when I took the Christmas decorations down around New Year's, my thoughts immediately turned to what could be hung there. I tried several pictures but nothing was quite right.

I then remembered this cute framed initial idea that I had bookmarked a little while back. This would be perfect! I love monograms and initials so I thought framing a 'C' (for our last name) would be really cute for that spot.

First, I had to find a frame that was the right size. I put it on my thrift store list and looked the next time I was out thrifting. On my second trip, I found just what I was looking for. A wooden frame for an 8 x 10 picture. A plus was that this frame looked brand-new and was already black which was the color I was going to paint the frame. And it was only $2! Plus it came with a mat that I can use for another project!

The cast of characters.

I was determined to only use fabric from what I had on hand so I  rummaged through and came up with a combination I liked. The tan linen was a thrifted skirt bought for sewing projects and while I was working, I remembered that the red check fabric was a yard sale find a while back. Not bad!!! I already had a roll of Heat-n-Bond on hand so the frame was the only item I needed to buy.

This was a really quick and easy craft. Finding a font and adjusting it to the right size was the hardest part! The letter 'C' can be funny to find just right, some were too skinny and others looked too plain or like I was teaching kindergarten printing. I printed off one I liked, then adjusted it a bit by cutting some parts a bit wider.

The finished project.

This whole project was done in less than 30 minutes. I love it and can see many more of these types of projects in the near future. I think it'd be cute using scrapbook paper instead of fabric, too. Or with whole words instead of just letters.

So fun!