DIY moss letter and decor

March 29, 2011

Well, if spring isn’t going to show up, I’m going to WILL it here. I’m planting my herbs tomorrow (inside), I’ve refused to wear my coat for the past few days and gosh DARN IT, I am decorating for it.

And if you decorate for it, it will come. That’s my hope anyway. :)

I wanted to spring bling out our foyer and the first project was an easy one. The inspiration came from Pottery Barn:

image

Are you surprised??

Their mossy letters are about 20 inches tall and run about $80 each.

SHUT. UP.

Yowza.

Mine is 23 inches tall and cost me $7. Awww to the YEAH.

I already had one big part of this one project, so that helped the cost a bit. I made a fluffy green Christmas monogram a few years ago:

image

I unraveled the garland and used the honkin’ letter to create my new spring masterpiece:

You can get these cardboard letters in various sizes at Joann’s – I got mine years ago with a coupon so it was only $5.

For this project, I got a huge sheet of mossy stuff:

I got this at Joann’s as well – it was $15 but I had a 40 percent off coupon, and then another 25 percent off my whole purchase. Saawheet.

I used hot glue to adhere the moss to the letter, and kind of cut out the moss as I went. On the curves I cut it so it would fit against the sides flush:

I cut out little triangle shapes to make it lay flat, so I used those to fill it all in later. (You can’t even tell where I glued them on.) Then I trimmed it up and it was done!

Two things if you try this – the hot glue will bleed through the moss sheet, so watch your fingers! For reals. Yikes. And wow – just. WOW. This project is messy:

Thank you Mr. Dyson.

The mess was worth it though -- it turned out just as I had hoped!:

diy mossy letter

I hung it over the mirror, (with hot glue again) but it would also look fantastic on a front door! Because I was too lazy didn’t want to do the back, you could see it was unfinished when I hung it. I used some of that sticky gummy stuff (that you use to hang posters) to hold it to the mirror:

6b7f19

Ahh yes, much better.

I finished off the buffet by working (mostly) with items I already had. My friend Missy was so sweet and sent me some mossy rocks from the Dollar Tree:

mossy rocks

I couldn’t find them at our stores and was thrilled when she found some for me!

I added a few to my iron candleholder from a recent thrifting trip:

I put a nest where the candle should go and perched a little bird inside.

Pretty bird. Yeah, pretty bird. (Name that movie!) :)

I put another nest (you’ll see this is a trend) under a small cloche and called it done for that side:

pottery barn mossy letter

For the other side of the buffet, I used some Spanish moss under a cloche and nestled a small basket with eggs inside:

spanish moss

I am LOVING that Spanish moss! I’ve never used it before and it’s just beautiful. The little basket was a Pottery Barn splurge a couple of months ago – for $6. :)

I put some craft paper through our shredder to create another nest of sorts in an apothecary jar:

craft paper nest

Hello?? Cauute and free!

The largest apothecary jar is filled with more Spanish moss, a small nest and more eggs:

spring apothecary jars

ALL of these eggs were $4 at Joann’s last weekend!

My only purchases for this little vignette were the sheet of moss and the eggs:

I tried placing the three glass pieces on the left on a tray at first, but found I liked the simpler look of the glass on the black buffet:

spring vignette

I love it! Good thing too, cause knowing me, the eggs will still be out in July. :)

I was going for a springy moss look mixed with some glass sophistication:

All done in about an hour and with $10 of (new) supplies. Me likey.

Have you pulled out any spring decor yet? I don’t do much, but you really can’t go wrong with nests, eggs, some green stuff and a bird or two thrown in. ;)

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Comments

  1. Love the Spring decorations! And the Dumb & Dummer reference. I knew I liked you. ;)

    Kristen

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  2. Beautiful! I've been reading about those darn Dollar Tree moss balls and I can't find them at any of the stores in my area! I want some!! Looks great!
    Jen
    Scissors & Spatulas

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  3. Darling! I'm picking up my sheet of moss for my front door "springification" tomorrow. Thanks for the great tips!

    "Our Pets HEADS are falling off"... pretty sure I know every.single.line of that movie.

    Classic.

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  4. These are adorable! I posted twice today, check me out if you get a chance! Have a great Wednesday honey! Kori xoxo

    blondeepisodes.com

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  5. This is brilliant. I just discovered you tonight and you are darling. Excellent work. I am now going to follow you.

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  6. LOVE IT! I love your lamp on that table too! It is so pretty!

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  7. I think I like yours better than the PB version! You have motivated me to get going on some Spring decorating - haven't done a thing. We still have snow on the ground here.

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  8. I absolutely LOVE what you did with the S over the mirror. I might be too lazy to do all the messy moss stuff, but I will definitely keep my eye out for cool looking letters to hang over the huge mirror I have in our dining room. I never thought to put something in front of the mirror like that. Thanks for the awesome idea!!

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  9. Love this!!! Saw a similiar post a year or so ago at Crafty Southern Mama...may want to check her blog out too as she has so cool ideas as well. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. That looks so cool!! So glad for blogs...because I assume you Don't mind at all if we copy these things. I have been following your blog for awhile...and I LOVE what you do to your house. As soon as we are debt free...I will have way more opportunities to do more.
    Thanks. Sandy

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  11. This is the best looking PB knock off of the mossy letter I've seen! Great job. And I love those giant letters! I have one in my son's room, but I've yet to decide what to do with it. I'm pretending it's raw, natural cardboard state is cool for a boy.

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  12. I have been looking at your blog since September when I first dicovered you!( and found out what blogs were!) I know....alittle behind! Anyway, I don't think i have ever left a comment, just starting my own blog I realize how much you do want to hear from your readers and how happy it makes you so...A heart felt THANK YOU for all your AWESOME posts! Have a good night;)

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  13. LOVE EVERY PIECE THERE ALL BEAUTIFUL.. THE LETTER TURNED OUT EXCELLENT. AND THE CLOCHE IS ADORABLE WITH THE LITTLE BASKET AND EGGS. YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

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  14. What a beautiful vignette! Love how you decorated the apothecary jars.

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  15. Love the letter!
    I only have a spring wreath out, everything else is pretty much just everyday decor. Though our spring wreath is kind of out of season still considering we just had a blizzard last week...gotta love North Dakota! ;)

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  16. Love the spring decor! And your moss covered monogram is awesome!

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  17. NICE I like it. You did a fantastic job. If you will it...it may come. Spring that is! We are still under 5 feet of snow. please make it go away.
    Caroline

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  18. Great projects and you displayed them so well. Inspiring!!

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  19. That is such a great idea. I love the results!

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  20. This looks fabulous. I love the idea of using shredded craft paper for one of the nests. Fingers crossed that mother nature takes notice and brings us all spring. :)

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  21. LOVE it!!!

    I was wondering if you ever got your couch; did I miss a post?

    Thanks for the spring inspiration. I LOVE your cloches!

    Kaye

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  22. This is gorgeous! I love the look of the black buffet with the glass and green, mossy elements.

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  23. Oh, wow! I've recently seen someone do the PB knock off moss letters, but they used bagged moss. Yours has a much more finished look to it. Love!!! Beautiful Spring vignette, Sarah. :)

    I have also refused to wear my coat, but that is mostly b/c I get so busy getting the girls' hats and coats on that I'm just *done* by the time we have to leave. ;)

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  24. Looks great and it seeing the green makes me really hope spring is here soon.

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  25. Lovely! I glass...whether it be a cloche, apothecary, clear, lavender, etc.! Enjoying the moss as well. I'm gonna have to incorporate some moss soon! (amanda@fancylittlethings.com)

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  26. So cute, and all for $10. Me likey!

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  27. Your spring decor is beautiful beyond belief. I love the cloches filled with spring prettiness and the moss letter is perfect.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  28. Everything looks nice and fresh after winter. When you reference PB, Joanne's, and all the other spots where you pick up cool stuff, (on the cheap) I am envious. We just don't have 'em where I live.

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  29. I did something very much like this using eggs and nests that I found in the Target "vase filler" section. I haven't seen them since, but im so glad I forked out the $5 for 2 nests and 20+ eggs! With a little Spanish moss it filled 3 apothecary jars and a cloche! Love your post and your blog.....come on Spring, you can do it!!!!

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  30. Gorgeous!!! Your buffet looks fabulous for Spring!

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  31. Awesomeness.. totally, Dudette.

    Oh, and the blue glass of the bell shaped cloche, well, I am in love with it. Totally Dudette.

    Di

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  32. Absolute lovesies!!! Just put a bird on it!!

    I already have a nest with a bird and eggs on a terra cota pot under a bell (with moss, no less!) so I'm halfway there!!!

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  33. Hey Sarah! :) I see you're WAY ahead of me using your little mossy rocks...I'm so glad you received them ok..I still haven't done a thing with mine yet. Then again, this crazy laundry room of mine is taking all my free time right now...but it's looking SO Cauuute! :) I'm lovin' the aqua, white and black together. Gotta go find me some sweet accessories to go in there! :)
    Love ya much
    Missy
    OH, thanks for the shout out too :) hee hee hee

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  34. Love this post ! I love have big your letter S is.
    You quoted one of my favorite movies !

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  35. LOVE IT! I'm going to have to steal some of your sweet ideas.

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  36. I have seen several people do this & I think it would be easy to make! I am just iffy because our front door tends to get a lot of sunlight! Know of anything that I could spray that would keep the moss from falling? Thanks! :)

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  37. Love it! Thanks for yet another inspiring post! I can't keep up with all the ideas you put in my head...

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  38. I've seen several people do these and I have to say yours looks the best! Love it!

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  39. Winter refuses to leave Wisconsin also. Great job! I made a similar door hanging last spring with a wood letter and spanish moss from Hobby Lobby. I tied a black and white damask ribbon on it. I just love the way it looks on my red front door.

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  40. I love that "S" and of course the other stuff too!! Very cute!! It looks sooo springy! Have a great rest of the week!

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  41. You always do such a fantastic job. I'm still working on my spring decor. This makes me want to rush to the dollar tree and JoAnn's right now!

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  42. Cute, cute, cute! And for your own personal knowledge as well as maybe for your readers. Wal-mart has those same moss rocks for $3. They come in two sizes in the box and have two to three times as many as that pack you had. They are in the vases/decor section.

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  43. I love it! Gosh these are some great ideas-- I have a "bird cage candle holder thingy" at hope with a plain old boring candle in it. (Lookout, candly holder, you are about to get a makeover!)

    Thank you so much for sharing your creative impulses.

    Also: Dumb & Dumber?
    (I feel really dumb indeed if I'm wrong!)

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  44. Dumb and Dumber!
    I had the same idea here when I hung up some spring posters in our playroom. I told my boys that maybe spring would come now that they are up. So far it is still in the upper 20's here in Minnesota, so unfortunately we still need to wear our jackets! This is my first year in our new house, so I plan on putting some Eastery-Springy things here. I have found a couple cute things I am going to try. I will have to try and implement some of your ideas too, but it would cost me too much to do it all since I would be starting from scratch. I love how it looks though, so maybe I will slowly build up over a few years. Thanks for all the ideas. I always look forward to reading your posts :)

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  45. LOVE. IT. ALL. Especially the movie reference. (I about died when my sis-in-law named her dog Petey.) And have you seen the Portlandia skit, "Put a Bird On It"? If not, go watch... too funny!

    Betsey at b.bar
    www.bybbar.blogspot.com

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  46. love it!!! adds a fresh, personal touch to your room perfect for spring.

    xo,
    cristin

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  47. Wow. I am stealing, er, borrowing this idea. I loooove it!
    xo
    Mindy

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  48. Awww... to the YEAH!! Love it!

    I love your writing~ it is really hilarious and super fun to read AND you have great ideas! I've been following your blog for about a year or so. I was SO happy to see that Nate Berkus has found you as well!!

    You're incredibly talented! Thanks for the inspiration!!

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  49. Oh this is GREAT. I really do need to invest in some apothecary jars from HomeGood... you can use them for anything it seems!

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  50. LOVE the mossy initial! I can't ever find the right kind of moss. Thanks for sharing!

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  51. I LOVED those moss rocks from Dollar Tree too, I think I got 5 or 6 packs of them.

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  52. Me likey too! That last photo looks like it came straight out of Pottery Barn. :-)

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  53. movie reference: Dumb and Dumber or course ! :)

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  54. Wow chicka wow wow (LOL)

    This springyfied tablescape and wall decor is fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

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  55. SO CUTE!!! Think I will have to head to the Dollar Store soon!!! Thanks for all the cute pics!

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  56. Love it! I have a think for nests and eggs too! I'm fighting the urge to put them everywhere!

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  57. Looks great as always, Sarah!

    I saw those mossy rocks at my dollar tree and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what I would do with them, so I put them back. Now I have to go back! I have a little bird cage that I don't know what to do with, and I'm totally going to copy you.

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  58. That is sooo pertiful! Love it! It makes me sigh, and wish for spring.

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  59. You can also get a small box of those mossy rocks at Walmart, down their floral/candle isle. It is like $5 for a box of 12 I think.

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  60. I love letters covered in anything! The moss sheet is a great idea. I had not seen these before. Love the Dumb and Dumber reference.....I am embarassed to admit that's one of my favorites...classic! :)

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  61. Love this! Super cute idea for spring, can't wait to start decorating my own little place. Keep up the great blogging! :)

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  62. I'm always of two minds about your posts! My first thought is "LOVE IT! You have great taste and everything looks amazing. Inspiration much?" But then my second thoughts swing in; "I'm lazy..." Guess I'll just have to continue to live vicariously through your lovely posts!

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  63. This blog is so well done - I love the photos. Very inspiring!!

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  64. I love moss and your ideas! These vignettes are beautiful! I need to do this...like yesterday! :) Love your blog :)

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  65. I do like the eggs in glass and the glass bell too.
    The letter S is novel too.
    Thanks for the ideas.

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  66. Ok, so I found this while viewing the seaside vignette, which I love--however, moss is like my favorite thing that grows. I'm a sucker for it. And this is just beautiful. I'm already planning for next spring after seeing this!

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  67. I love your mossy decorations. I did something very similar to you, after I saw this post, and it came out well! I like to change up the decor in my house but am not very good at DIY and reading your blog has been very helpful! Not to mention inspiring! Thanks for all the hard work you put into it and how beautifully you photograph everything. Really, just wonderful work.
    Jen

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  68. Looove this! Where did you find the moss in a sheet?? very cool.

    Vanessa
    http://ourliofebeyondthepicketfence.blogspot

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  69. LOVE moss letters! I have been doing them for years - mainly for weddings! They are always a hit! I do mine a little different though. I go to my local print shop and get whatever letters I need printed out on paper to the size and font I want. This is cheap for me because it's a small town and I know them. (yay) I then take the paper letters and pin them onto 2" styrofoam board and cut them out. I then take the styrofoam letter and, instead of a roll of sheet moss I use the sheet moss that comes in clumps, and I use floral pins to attach it. The sheet moss that comes in the bags or boxes is usually "fluffier" and has more definition. You just so that until the whole letter is covered, front and back. I do the back because I often hang them on glass entrance doors. Since the clump moss is "fluffier," sometimes I spray them with hair spray and press down the "flyaways." lol

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  70. I just love reading your blog and getting new ideas for decorating or diy projects. I Saw the moss letter over the summer and decided that I would make one for my front door. I can't believe how easy it was to make. Thanks for sharing!

    Kylie

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  71. Just wondering how you attached your "S" to the back of the mirror? Very cute blog!

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  72. I just searched for moss letter on Pinterest and came across this post from 2011. Of course it's yours! It's funny that I'm a regular reader but I often see your ideas on Pinterest. yay! :)

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