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Y’all already know that I have a thing for sheet music. Well, I am at it again. I turned a bunch of cereal boxes into this DIY chipboard monogram. You will love this sheet music letter in your home!
Supplies needed to make a chipboard monogram:
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- cardboard (can be anything from an Amazon box to your empty Cheerios box)
- sheet music
- glue
- ink to distress the sides.
NOTE: I have had several questions about where to buy vintage sheet music. If you would like to purchase from Amazon and have a portion of your purchase go to support this site, just click here to search for sheet music you love!
How to Make a Sheet Music Letter:
I cut out four pieces of my “H”. Yep that H template was just printed off of the computer and I cut the cardboard with a pair of scissors.
I then stacked up those “H”s and used a spray adhesive to make one thicker “H”. I felt like one piece of cardboard by itself would not be strong enough. And I used the spray adhesive cause I am not a patient person. You could use your white glue for this also, just let it dry a little while before continuing.
I ripped my sheet music into pieces using a straight edge. That way I would get a frayed look on the edge. Then just start gluing. I began by making sure all edges were covered. Then I made sure all the cardboard on “front” was covered. Paint each piece down really well with white glue. You can use it on the front and back of the sheet music (it drys clear).
I then went back and added smaller pieces of sheet music to make it pretty! I placed all of my sheet music so that the print was right side up — I guess you could do it randomly I am just detail-oriented…
Again with my detail-oriented self, I also covered the cardboard on the back. Then you have to let it dry…sigh…the long wait. I would say 8 hours or so just to be safe. And then distress those edges with a little brown ink if you like that look (I do!). I like the Tim Holtz Distress Inks for this.
And there you have it — a thrifty “use what you have” project! I just love this sheet music letter!
Love quick and easy crafts like this DIY chipboard monogram? Check out our quick and easy craft gallery.
Kendall at Finesse Your Nest says
Angie — That is ADORABLE! Love it! Hey, thanks for all the great advice on my patio today at Amanda’s party! What a great repurpose for that coffee table! I happen to have a sheet of 3/4″ plywood in the garage. I just need to learn how to use my table saw! (hehehe) I think I’m definitely going to try that! I’ll keep you updated! Following your blog now!
the thrifty ba says
oh smarty pants! that would look great in MY piano room! you want to make one for me?
[email protected] says
this is fabulous! 🙂 i love sheet music too.
Maggie says
That is wonderful – I’ve been wanting to do something with sheet music.
Lynette says
OK – I want some sheet music – that is just way to cute!!I love distress ink too – I would distress the cat if she’d sit still long enough!
Christy says
Very cute idea. I think my daughter, who is learning guitar, would love this in her pre-teen room!
this blessed nest says
love this! looks pretty easy to do.laughing @ lynette’s comment about the cat. i don’t know lynette but i got the giggles over her comment. ;)have a great day!
LeAnn * ~ See Great Things says
What a great idea! I was looking at the store at the letters, but I did not want to spend the money on them i am willing to do this. Perhaps it will be a fun deviation from tomorrows schedule!
~ RM says
I love it! Do you mind if I copy? I will link right back to you! :)_Thanks for sharing!!!
Brittany says
what a great idea, i have an old baptist song book and i’ve always wondered what to do with it. maybe i’ll try this!
[email protected] says
I’m glad you distressed it! That looks so amazing!
Jaime @ Our Journey says
I love it … I need to get my hands on some sheet music! I laughed at the use of an Amazon or Cheerios box because I’m sitting here looking at both on my kitchen table!
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
Certainly steal away! 🙂 Amazon and Cheerios boxes — we always have on hand! 🙂
Katie says
So cute!
Jessi @ Yankee Belle Home says
This is gorgeous! And, you even saved money by making your letter instead of buying a precut wooden one. Great idea!
Kirsten says
Loving that big H! Another great idea!!
Jane says
This is so cute…and perfect for Frugalicious Friday! Hope to see you at the party tomorrow!
Nancy @ Live love laugh says
This came out great! Using letters that you created was a great $$ saver, too! I looked back and saw your crackle paint tip-love it! Thanks for stopping by!~Nancy
Kim says
This looks so pretty – it looks wonderful in your arrangement. I never would have thought about stacking cardboard up, how smart!
Cindy says
That is just the neatest idea yet! And so much cheaper than Michaels even. Thanks for the idea.
Leigh of Bloggeritaville says
LOVe it! Featuring tomorrow on my recap. I am going to do this one!Thanks for linking up to Tales from Bloggeritaville.LeighTales from Bloggeritavillewww.lbratina.blogspot.com
The Floppy Cow says
How unique and beautiful. Thank you!
Jennie says
Very Smart! What a fun idea.Jennie @ Cinnaberry Suite
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Very clever to use cardboard that is probably just sitting in the recycling bin!
[email protected] says
This comment has been removed by the author.
[email protected] says
Whoops…what I meant to say is I love your finished project! Great use of materials on hand!Cindy at Lakewood
[email protected] says
LOVE it! great job.gail
Teri says
What a great recycling project – love it! 🙂
MaryJanes and Galoshes says
ooh, I love that you used cardboard to build up the letter! Great idea, way to use what you have!
Me says
I love that you made your letters from scratch and didn’t buy a premade one…
Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com says
Thanks for posting your link at CROQzine – this is such a great idea. I love that you made it yourself! My letter is H too. 🙂
Amanda says
I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I linked to this post today from the new Home & Garden channel at Craft Gossip. 🙂 My hope is to share many of the fabulous projects I see everyday with the vast CG audience. I hope you will not only stop by and subscribe to CG, but will tell your friends about the new category! Hope you see some traffic from it!Your feature will appear in the main Craft Gossip RSS feed, on the main home page and can be found directly here http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/8-fun-letter-projects/If you would like a “featured by” button, you can grab one here!http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/
Anonymous says
AWESOME! Great project. have you used mod podge? It’s nicer to use than white glue.
Blessed Mommy of 2 says
This is beautiful! I have an H laying around that I’ve been trying to figure out how to spice up. This is a great idea! :o)
My House of L says
Great idea!
meettheswans.com says
This is such a great idea! I love how it looks and I am not even into music. My mom has played the organ at our Church since she was in the 8th grade!! I am going to use this idea for a gift for her!
Megan says
You would not believe all the old sheet music I have. This is a perfect project for me! Maybe I should even think Christmas presents. Great idea!!!
brockey says
Could you use mod podge?
MyHeatherHoney says
Love the idea! So cute, and, because it’s made out of cardboard, it’s light enough to hang on my dorm walls without having to use anything heavy duty. Instead of using brown ink, though, I think I’ll use a trick I learned in grade school and age it with strong black tea. I’ll just have to be careful to make sure the ink doesn’t run…
That Woman says
Making this now!! Thanks so much for the tut and the idea!!
Carolyn says
Fantastic! Love it!
cheap formal dresses says
Making this now!! Thanks so much for the tut and the idea!!
365 by K.O.S. Photography says
Thanks for the thrifty idea! I am making this now! I had to tell my husband that I have taken on the pintrest 52 weeks challenge. I pinned this and the one thing he was worried about was the financial cash flow and making projects since we just moved! Thank goodness, we have tons of card board boxes in the garage, I have hot glue, and will be making an H and a B! Heather and Bert c= Thanks for the easy step by step instructions!
Maggie S. says
I like your craft blog. You have the same skill level without the intimidation of many of the craft blogs. Important to me, because I am not very crafty.Hope to meet you at Blissdom.
Rustique Gal says
Angie, I love this letter idea. I’ve been looking for a way to complete a monogram and I think this is it! Thanks for the tutorial!Hugs,Sherry
Frances says
Thank you for the idea and I am going to make one tomorrow and I pinned it. Your site is wonderful
The mum of all trades says
I love this, especially because its so inexpensive.
Dewdrop Gardens says
I love this! It would be a perfect gift for my sister, the piano player.Debbie 🙂
Janette Johanson says
Oh I love this!!! I am just now finding it from Totally Green Contest and must do this for our Christmas deco this year– I wish the letter J sat well like the H does.. very cute!!! YAY!
Judy says
Angie, just found you by accident and I have to say I love this idea! The letters covered in music sheet pieces really makes an attractive decor and the country flare the distress ink adds is really great. Thank you for sharing.
Clara says
I am only mildly crafty, so I don’t know much about use ink to create a distressed look. Any tips like what type of ink to use and how to apply it? I’m opening a music studio next month and am creating some crafty items as rewards for a crowdfunding campaign to purchase our new baby grand piano! I love this monogram!
Angie Holden says
Tim Holtz makes a line of distressed ink that is perfect for this job. You can either rub the letter on the ink pad or rub your finger on the ink pad and rub it along the sides of the letter.