Pick up some tissue paper at the store & copy this breathtaking concept

It seems like monogram letters are a classic decor staple that stays fashionable throughout the years, and they have quite the impressive history. Supposedly, the monogram has its roots in Greek and Roman history, once being used as a way to mark coins to identify rulers of different regions. In the southern United States, monograms are something of a cultural identifier. They also make appearances in the Victorian era, the Middle Ages, baby-themed gifts, and now as a continuing tradition, allowing you to proudly place your mark on your home or living space.

With so many options for monogram letters, it can be overwhelming trying to decide on a fun, whimsical way to display your initials. Instead of spending hours walking down store aisles, make your own. Choose a tissue paper with a funky pattern that speaks to you, and pick up some basic letter bases at a craft store. The tutorial uses a paper mâché letter, but chipboard and wood also work.

Materials
- Base letters (wood, cardboard, chipboard, paper mache)
- Piece of cardboard bigger than the letters
- FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint, Willow Mist
- Artist's brush
- Tissue paper in different colors and patterns
- Wooden dowels
- Hot glue
- Scissors

Instructions
1. Place the letter base face down on a piece of cardboard or paper.

2. Using chalk paint and a paintbrush, cover the backside of the letter completely. Continue painting the letter on all sides and edges but leave the front blank.

3. Cut strips of tissue paper a couple of inches thick and shorter than the length of the wooden dowels. Use the creases from the folds in the tissue paper as guides.

4. Lay a dowel on the strip of tissue paper, and roll the paper around the dowel.

5. Secure the edge with hot glue. Once the glue is dry, remove the dowel to leave a straw-shaped tube of tissue paper.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the rest of the tissue paper until you have enough to cover the front of the letter.

7. Turn over the letter so the plain front side faces up.

8. Line up one of the tissue paper tubes with the top edge of the letter, and trim any excess so the tube completely covers the front side but doesn’t hang over the bottom edge.

9. Secure the tube to the letter with hot glue.

10. Repeat steps 8 and 9, trimming every consecutive tube to match the letter base. If the letter has a slanted edge, trim the paper tubes at the same angle as the slant. Continue until the entire front face of the letter is covered.