Creating your own embellishments can be fun and satisfying. This article will show you how to make your own monogram letter using your glue gun. You can also use the same technique to make other types of embellishments as well!

Gather the following supplies:
1. Glue gun and glue sticks
2. Transparent silicone crafting mat (I use Adhesive Tech’s “Work Surface”)
3. Paper for drawing on
4. Writing pen
5. Paints, inks, powders, etc. for embellishing
6. Heat gun



Supplies

WARNING: You will be working with a hot glue gun, hot glue, and a heat gun. Always take the proper precautions when working with these tools and refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for proper usage.

First, plug in your glue gun according to the manufacturer’s instructions and allow to heat thoroughly. While your glue gun is heating up, take your writing paper and pen and draw the outline of your letter (or other design) that you want to create with the glue. It does not need to perfect since you are only using it as your template.

Draw your design.

Next, place the designed image underneath your transparent silicone crafting mat.

Place the drawn image under your mat.

When your glue gun is properly heated and the glue easily releases from the gun, slowly follow the outline of your pattern. Once you have created the outline, fill in the remainder of your pattern where needed. Do not worry about it looking perfect. The melted glue will fill up small spaces.

Outline your design with the hot glue.

Fill in your design where needed.

Once your glue has cooled, if you find the glue is not smooth, use your heat gun to heat the surface of your glue embellishment. This will melt the glue creating a smooth surface. This technique is also great if you get unwanted finger prints on your embellishment!

If you are adding micro-beads to your embellishment, add them at this point while the glue is still hot.

Allow your embellishment to cool completely. Next, using your metallic powders, inks, paints, etc., decorate your embellishment as much as you would like while it is still on your transparent crafting mat. I found it helpful, when using metallic powders, to once again heat the embellishment with the embossing gun to help “set” the powder.

Embellish.

Once your embellishment is completely cooled and dry, you can gently lift it from the transparent crafting mat and use it however you’d like!

To adhere to your page, you may either gently heat the back of the embellishment to melt the glue or use a few dots of glue from the glue gun.

The possibilities of what you can make are abundant. Experiment with different sized glue tips, colored glues, and designs.

‘D’ is for delightful
supplies used:
Adhesive Tech: Working Surface crafting mat, Ultimate Glue Gun, glue sticks
Jacquard: Pearl Ex Pigments
Ranger: Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Micron: black pen
Other: manila tag, fiber

Articles on ScrapFriends may not be duplicated in part or as a whole without the permission of the original author.

See more of Kathleen's work in our gallery.
Read Kathleen's biography.