How to Paint a Monogram

I bought this plain wooden stool at a thrift store months ago. I've been wanting to dress it up somehow. It functions as an ottoman for my reading chair (also a thrift store purchase). I decided it should have a large "S" monogram for our family name. The chair is positioned near our most used entryway, so it works.

I got this armchair for $20. The original upholstery fits-in with the rest of our decor. I might reupholster it someday in the future, but not anytime soon. I found the pond lily throw pillow at the same thrift for $1. It reminds me of my in-laws' beautiful pond lilies at their home. The needlework lap blanket was also a thrift store purchase.

I printed the large "S" onto regular computer paper in reverse. I flipped the "S" in a word processor before printing. I cut the "S" out, leaving enough space to tape the paper onto the wooden stool using painter's tape. I measured the top, bottom, and sides of the "S" using a ruler to make sure that it was centered on the stool.

I used a sharpened No. 2 pencil to trace the outline of the "S" onto the wooden stool. Make sure that you don't press too hard or you'll break the lead or tear the paper ...

Then, I went over my traced lines with a fine point black Sharpie. The black Sharpie works because the black paint will cover the lines. This makes it easier to see the traced lines when painting.

I used "Lamp (Ebony) Black" acrylic paint to paint the "S" onto the wooden stool. I took my time painting between the narrower lines and smoothing out the curves. Once it was dry, I spray-painted a matte clear coat over the top to seal it.

Here is the finished product! This same technique can be used to make painted wooden signs.

Fall Reading Room

I recently painted this room using Martha Stewart's Sandpiper. It used to be a dingy mauve color from the previous homeowner's. The new color matches the grids for the dropped ceiling ... it makes for a much more welcoming reading spot. We don't have a garage, so the space has to share with the deep freezer ...

I dressed the room in fall colors and decorations. It makes it a perfect spot to read seasonal books. I picked the cozy arm chair up at a local thrift store for $20. No reupholstering required. It's slightly worn from use, but nothing too bad. I got the needlework scarecrow pillow from the same thrift for $0.25, along with the World Market burnt orange curtains for $10/ pair. I picked the Heritage Lace Skeleton curtain from my neighbor's garage sale for $1.

The friendly skeleton waves at our guests as they walk up the driveway. I picked some seasonal scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby to put in my three frames. This bit of wall space is the perfect width for an 11" x 14" frame. I picked up these frames at my local Dollar General for around $5 each - much cheaper than other stores!

This cozy arm chair is such a comfortable spot to read a book! I picked the "171" hooks at Ross, a discount store. The hooks were in the clearance section. I picked the cinnamon broom a couple of years ago at the local thrift store for $0.25 and added raffia ribbon bows that I found on the same day. It hasn't lost it's cinnamon aroma just yet, but I think I'll have to invest in some new ones next year.

For some reason, my wall color looks purplish in these photos. In real life, it is more gray like sand. I added this picture of a carved pumpkin from last year. I like to trade-out pictures with seasonal ones. This thrifted 11" x 14" frame hangs above my bookshelf ...

I picked these three glass pumpkins at a local thrift store for $3, or $1/ each. I also picked these three Halloween-themed children's books for $0.25/ each. The small pumpkin basket is filled with wheat-colored raffia ribbon peeking out. It is part of a set of 3 pumpkin baskets, which I also picked at the local thrift store. The glass pumpkins are lit with orange LED pillar candles I picked at Hobby Lobby, using my 40% off coupon. I used a gift card a family member gave me for my birthday.

Can you tell that I buy most everything at a thrift store or garage sale?