I must confess that Wal-Mart holds a special place in my heart. Growing up in a small town with limited shopping options, it was our go-to destination for everyday essentials. I spent many afternoons browsing the aisles with my mom and friends, making memories that still bring a smile to my face. As an adult, I’ve moved to Arizona where a plethora of shopping choices are available, yet I still find myself drawn to Wal-Mart’s familiar charm and competitive prices.
Recently, I stumbled upon their craft section, which often leaves much to be desired, but this time I was pleasantly surprised by the variety and quality of supplies. It inspired me to create a beautiful fall-themed front door hanging that cost me $10.86 – a small price to pay for a fun afternoon and a sense of accomplishment.
Materials for the Door Hanging
The initial investment in creating a HOME stationery setup is relatively modest. The essential items include letters (4 units at $98 each), totalling $392. Additionally, you’ll need a chalkboard ($197), twine ($197), and foliage ($300), bringing the grand total to $1086. To facilitate the setup process, it’s also recommended that you have some basic tools on hand, such as a hot glue gun, chalkboard marker, scissors or wire cutters, and a Command strip hook.
For those who prefer to shop online, links to these materials and tools from Amazon are provided at the end of this post.
Step 1: Cut Apart the Foliage & Glue to the Chalkboard
With the plethora of foliage options at Wal-Mart, I found myself spoilt for choice; with most bouquets priced at just $3 each, I opted for one that boasted an impressive variety of elements, including pumpkins, pinecones, cattails, leaves, and grasses, which provided me with a diverse range of textures and colors to work with when arranging them around the chalkboard.
I began by cutting off two larger stems and attaching them to the back of the chalkboard to create a sense of depth and visual interest along its sides. Next, I selected a few different types of foliage to adorn the top edge, securing them in place with glue while ensuring that I left enough space for the hanger. To add an extra layer of dimensionality, I chose some particularly attractive leaves and attached them to the front of the chalkboard, just above its bottom edge.
As I worked, I kept a watchful eye out for any unsightly hot glue globules – in this case, one had formed beneath a pinecone – and addressed it by creating a tiny twine bow to cover it up. In fact, if you’re interested in learning the art of tying the perfect bow, I’ve prepared a quick video tutorial that’s available for your viewing pleasure.
Step 2: Glue the Letters
I was thrilled when I stumbled upon rustic white wood letters at Wal-Mart for an unbeatable price of just $98 each. The best part is, it was a steal that got my creative juices flowing. To get started, I began by gluing the letters together on their backs using small pieces of twine to maintain their spacing. Once they were securely attached, I moved on to the next step. Next, I cut longer strands of twine and used them to attach each letter to the chalkboard.
To ensure that ‘HOME’ hung straight, I made sure to position each letter at roughly the same height, leaving about an inch between the top of the letters and the bottom of the chalkboard, giving me a sense of balance. Finally, it’s crucial to allow the glue sufficient time to dry thoroughly before attempting to hang the door decoration – at least 10 minutes is recommended.
Step 3: Lettering the Chalkboard
When it comes to hand lettering, I’m the first to admit that I’m no expert; however, after experimenting and learning from my mistakes, I’ve developed some tips to help you get started. First, find a font that resonates with your style or the project’s aesthetic – you can browse through thousands of fonts on websites like dafont. com until you find one that speaks to you. Type out your text in the ‘Preview’ feature and use it as inspiration for your hand-lettering attempt.
Before you begin writing, make sure your chalkboard surface is smudge-free by wiping it down with a damp paper towel; you can also tidy up any stray marks or edges after completing your design. Next, freehand each letter to the best of your ability, paying close attention to the top and bottom of each letter to ensure they’re proportional. Then, use tracing techniques to refine your work, adding thicker lines where necessary to match your chosen font’s characteristics.
Don’t be afraid to smooth out any bumps or imperfections that arise during this process; a valuable tip I recently learned from my cousin is to maintain thin upstrokes and thicker downstrokes when creating your hand-lettered design. With practice and patience, you’ll be surprised at how well you can replicate the font’s essence – My own hand lettering may not be perfect, but from a few feet away, it’s passable – and that’s all I can ask for! 🙂
Step 4: Hang it Up & Enjoy Your Handiwork!
For added stability and flexibility, I opted for a Command strip hook to secure my DIY project on the front door. However, feel free to experiment with alternative methods like a wreath hanger or even a traditional nail – the choice ultimately depends on your personal preference and the specific requirements of your design.
Materials from Amazon for the DIY Fall Door Hanging
(affiliate links):
For a rustic and charming atmosphere, you’ll need the right tools. Start with the essentials like the Chalkboard (4 pack) for writing notes or displaying important reminders. [https://amznto/2y604qA] Add some autumn flair with the Fall Bouquet, perfect for decorating your home or workspace. [https://amznto/2gfPvrd] Tie everything together with the Twine, ideal for wrapping gifts or securing packages. [https://amznto/2xnqb8F].
Give it a personal touch with the HOME Letters, allowing you to add a personalized message. [https://amznto/2gi9pSo] Bring your creative vision to life with the Chalkboard Marker, ideal for adding color and depth to your designs. [https://amznto/2ghZKLX] When it comes to DIY projects, a reliable Hot glue gun is a must-have. [https://amznto/2yuB6lF] And finally, secure everything in place with the Command Hook, perfect for hanging decorations or storing items. [https://amznto/2y0CJEY.
PIN IT
For a rustic and charming atmosphere, you’ll need the right tools. Start with the essentials like the Chalkboard (4 pack) for writing notes or displaying important reminders. [https://amznto/2y604qA] Add some autumn flair with the Fall Bouquet, perfect for decorating your home or workspace. [https://amznto/2gfPvrd] Tie everything together with the Twine, ideal for wrapping gifts or securing packages. [https://amznto/2xnqb8F].
Give it a personal touch with the HOME Letters, allowing you to add a personalized message. [https://amznto/2gi9pSo] Bring your creative vision to life with the Chalkboard Marker, ideal for adding color and depth to your designs. [https://amznto/2ghZKLX] When it comes to DIY projects, a reliable Hot glue gun is a must-have. [https://amznto/2yuB6lF] And finally, secure everything in place with the Command Hook, perfect for hanging decorations or storing items. [https://amznto/2y0CJEY.
