When it comes to parties (especially with the holiday season and New Year’s Eve on the horizon), my go-to decor theme is usually always sparkly or metallic, and I give myself double points if the item is both. I loved the feeling I got when I saw this sequin ampersand project, and it occurred to me that sequin trim would be the perfect supply to make a glittery phrase garland for upcoming holiday parties. We’re teaming up with one of our favorite craft stores, JOANN for this easy project that will add quite a dose of glittery pizazz to your next event, and I bet you’ll keep the garland displayed long after the party is over.
Supplies:
–stretch sequin gold trim (I used a little over a yard of this for each 9″ tall letter)
-scrap cardboard
–X-Acto knife
–hot glue gun
–metallic cord trim
First you’ll want to print each letter in your phrase so you can use them as a template to cut out your cardboard letter. Choose a simple bold font (I used Function Pro Bold) and a font size that makes the letters just under double the width of your trim. My trim is a little over 1″ wide so I made my letter font around 2″ wide so the trim would be sure to cover the cardboard. Tape each letter to some scrap cardboard and cut out the letter with an X-Acto knife.
To make the ends of the trim look as neat as possible, you’ll want to fold and glue the ends under so the trim doesn’t unravel and drop sequins. So, at the end of the outside edge of your letter, use the hot glue gun to glue the trim end face down going away from your letter.
Fold the trim back the opposite way and continue to glue the trim all around the outside edge of the letter. When you reach the other end, cut the trim so it hangs a little past the end, fold the trim under and glue in place. Repeat steps with the inside edge of the letter. Make sure both lines of trim are going in the same direction so they will look more like one piece instead of two.
If you have a letter with intersections, don’t worry about doing the folds on places where you can cover those ends with another row. So on the “H” I just cut and glued the middle horizontal lines, then covered those cut ends with the vertical lines that had folded ends.
Once you have all your letters completed, you can line up your phrase (backwards of course!) and glue your hanging cord to the back of the letters. Once the glue sets, you’re ready to hang your garland!
I really really love how this project turned out. It’s such a statement piece for a party, and you can customize it to fit your theme. You could easily make it “MR & MRS” for a wedding, or “IT’S A BOY” for a shower, or “JOY” for Christmas, or whatever you like! You get the idea…What phrase would you make? xo. Laura
Credits // Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
77 Comments
I love everything gold and glittery and this is both! On top of it, it’s cheerful 🙂 I’m in love!
Thanks for sharing and love from bella Italia!
http://lasagnolove.blogspot.it/2014/12/hello-december-thoughts-on-chronic.html
Bambi
It’s so gosh darn bright and cheery! I’m not normally a fan of glitter and gold, but I have to admit that this look is perfect for the holiday season. It turned out so professional-looking too 🙂
Cat
http://oddlylovely.com
You know that moment when you see a DIY and you instantly want to go and make it but then feel all sad because you’ll have to wait until you can buy supplies!!! So in love with this!
Oh my gosh. This is so awesome and ridiculously easy! Great post!
This is so pretty! and easy to make!
http://www.lovealwaysjess.com
This is such a great idea!
These are great, a beautiful modern take on traditional Christmas bunting!
Emma | The Fashion Six
This is SO great! So darn simple and lovely! Great addition to a NYE party!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
I can’t wait to make this for New Year’s Eve!!
Also – will you be announcing the Print My Insta contest winner?!
This is such a beautiful idea. I will be making this for my new year’s party for sure. So cute!
Juli xx
http://juliwilliams.com
So lovely!
I know you can’t hear me, but I’M MENTALLY SCREAMING BECAUSE I LOVE THIS! I want this at every party and gathering, especially for my next birthday. I love how easy and customizable this is and I can’t wait to make garlands out the wazoo!
Neha // http://nehasharmaphoto.com/blog
This is so rad, Laura! LOVE it!! You are awesome!
Great!
what a beautiful idea!! I totally see this for weddings and other happy occasions, just like you mentioned 🙂
p.s. I love love lerrrveee Jo-anns!! I was there twice this weekend alone. Can’t get enough!!
Gold + sparkly = perfect! Love this festive idea!
~Sacha
Rad!! Making one for New Years!!
http://www.tuskstails.blogspot.com
What would be a corresponding font and size in Microsoft Word for Function Pro Bold?
bayıldım,şahane
Oh cool! I have been wanting to do something like this but thought I would have to find all of the letters separately. Great idea!
looks amazing and glam and does not look too complex to make 🙂
Cheryl
http://daisycandle.com
This is BRILLIANT!
What a beautiful idea! xx
http://www.creativityandchocolate.com
I love this! So simple and darling!
Looks amazing! Thanks so much for the DIY. x
This is so much fun!
xo
Thanks Ladies. An awesome project with a multitude of fun applications! Although, to be honest, I was looking more at the chocolate covered puff pastries than I was the garland 🙂
Thanks for the share and take care.
Lyle
Awesome ideas! Thanks 🙂
I might give this a try with Hebrew letters!
This is the cutest idea. I’ll have to remember this DIY to add some glam at my next holiday art show!
Anything with sparkles is a must! I also love the polygonal sculpture below the banner… super cool.
I need to know where that amazing gold geometric shape on the mantle came from and how do I get/make one???!
You should! We won’t be announcing the winner, just contacting them directly 🙂
Laura
Hmm, I don’t know for sure! I just use the rulers on the side of the Photoshop document to determine how big the letters are before printing them. If Word has a way to show the rulers on the side, I would do that (or print out a light outline of the letter until you get to the size you want).
Laura 🙂
I think that was actually from Hobby Lobby 🙂
Laura
thats so cool! I want it!
Xo, Belen
A Hint of Life
So cute and festive! Great idea!
Perfect for NYE! I would just write an every day word like ‘hello’ and hang it in my entry way – fun!
This would look amazing at a holiday party! I would go for the JOY letters! The gold was a great choice.
I’ve done a similar project before but this post makes it look way easier and way better. I’ll have to try it your way.
So perfect!! I love this! Very clever!
So fun! This is definitely a must do this holiday!
xoxo, Laura
http://www.theaccidentalmama.com
My favorite toast! I’ll have to give this a try. Cheers!
I love that this project is simple, yet packs a punch. Mine would say “MRS & MRS” if I ever used it for a wedding.
I love that this project is simple, yet packs a punch. Mine would say “MRS & MRS” if I ever used it for a wedding.
BEAUTIFUL! I love it. I’ll have to do something similar with a Christmas related word… 🙂
Wow! I really loved how this turned out and was much simpler than I thought it would be! Looks like I need to hit the fabric store for some sequins and bust out the good ole xacto knife! Perfect DIY for holiday decorating on the cheap! Definitely excited to give it a try. xoxo
This is so shockingly easy, and classy!! My bf is a total minimalist and really against tacky decorations or anything plastic, but I will be able to pass this one off for sure. Thanks for sharing such a great idea 🙂
Jill
Champagne for Everyday
Pinning this for a girl’s night craft xo
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
You had me at sequin…
Omg! I want to make this right now!! It’s so simple and yet so lovely.
Love it, making it asap.
I love this so much, Laura! So festive! I think gold is my new fave 🙂
This is such an amazing idea! I love it!
WritingMonique
Somehow this stays away from looking trashy and just looks flippin’ awesome!
Lovelovelovelove
This is so exciting! love this getting ready for the holidays
I just found that Impact at 675 font size on Microsoft Word is just around the right measurements. I have yet to try with the trim, but I will find out in the next couple of days
Just curious how easy it is to lay the trim on the curved part of the C and S and R? Are those continuous pieces or small sections?
I love this though! Just wondering if it could get trickier than it looks.
I love this project, it’s absolutely fabulous!!
It’s a project that I will drop everything and make for myself (I mean my home) 😉 Thanks for this tutorial, I’m sure my husband will thank you also!
Trista
My Sparkled Life
Love it. So ingenious and creative!
This is so fun! It truly is cheerful. haha 😉
An absolutely gorgeous project. I have gold on my mind a lot lately. I’ve been looking for ways to incorporate it into my living room color palette. This garland seems like just the right thing. Thanks for the idea Laura!
http://xfallenmoon.blogspot.com/
this is PERFECT! now i’m thinking of doing this for the drinks table of my wedding… 🙂
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
This is such a nice idea! It looks so lovely! 🙂
Love, Tatjana
http://sectionofstyle.blogspot.de
Love this! Hope I’m able to find a similar sequin cord at my local craft store as we don’t have a Joann’s here!
I think this could be left hanging all year long 🙂
I love the letters. Super cute.
ooh! i just might make this to hang on our bride & groom chairs. LOVING the creativity on this site so much!
Wow! I can’t wait to make this! I know it’s supposed to be for parties and celebrations but I think I’m going to be tempted to leave mine up all year round! 🙂
Amber
http://locketzwithlove.co.uk/blog
Thanks for replying! I went to the hobby lobby website and tried to find it but wasn’t able to. I want to order a bunch for the tables at my wedding. Do you remember what it was called or what section of the site it was on?? Thanks so much.
Laura
They were just in the metal decor area when I went 🙂
Laura
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agreed
Sent here by another blog – and really liked this piece, your NO SEW (OMG!!) tree garlands – especially the pom pom one and these great letters.
I think it would make a great B-Day sign too, or “Name” in a teenaged girls room. So easy too. Plan to follow you!
TAF
Super nice idea, will definitely try this out!
xxx
Yolisa
https://cestyoli.wordpress.com
I am SO excited to make these! The endless possibilities! Love.