Monogram Table Setting

By Chris Wallace for Walnut Hollow

For the past few years, we have seen an increase in interest for rustic table décor. There is nothing quite as popular as the signature Walnut Hollow Basswood Country Rounds® and Basswood Country Planks® to use anytime during the year.

It’s very easy to create your own plate chargers, trivets and even a centerpiece for your next dinner party, or how about this coming Thanksgiving?

All you need is a Creative Versa-Tool® (CVT)and a few Basswood Country Rounds® and Basswood Country Planks®!

Oh, yes – you also need a computer. Find a font that you like and reverse it before you print it on a laser printer. It has to be a laser printer to make the copy.

When you place the laser copy of the monogram ink-side down onto the wood to transfer it, it will transfer correctly. Use pliers to attach the Transfer Point onto the CVT. Place the CVT on the Tool Stand and plug it in to heat for 4-5 minutes. You can turn the Versa-Temp control dial to the Orange Zone because you don’t need the transfer to be too dark – just dark enough so you can see the lettering. Once the monogram is transferred, use the pliers to remove the Transfer Point and drop it into a ceramic dish or mug.

Attach the Flow Point or the Universal Point using the pliers and you are ready to wood burn the monogram.

This is a great way to personalize your dinner table. It’s also a great idea for a gift!

 

Personalized Basswood Country Round®, Thick

A long-time signature wood piece from Walnut Hollow® just got Thicker! The Basswood Country Round® bark-edged wood piece is a well-known product from Walnut Hollow http://www.walnuthollow.com/store/wood-surfaces/basswood/basswood-country-round-thick-straight-cut/

Crafters and artists love the natural look with the bark left intact.

We decided to make a thicker version. So, this style of the Country Round® is 1 5/8” thick.

I started the project by drawing the letter “W” onto a piece of tracing paper, then transfer the drawing onto the Thick Country Round with graphite transfer paper and a stylus.

This is a great project to begin wood burning if you’ve never tried it. I used the Creative Versa-Tool® (CVT) to wood burn the design.

Note: If you haven’t used the CVT previously, please take time to read the instructions on the back and inside of the packaging.

I taped the Tool Stand onto my work surface with masking tape. I then attached the Flow Point onto the CVT with pliers. After placing the CVT onto the Stand, plug the hot tool into an electric outlet and dial the Versa-Temp control to the Red Zone.

You can see the various Zones and how to use them on the back of the packaging.

 

 

I outlined the “W”, then divided it into sections with a straight, solid line. After that, I just changed the points (I used the stamping points and the calligraphy point) to add “doodles” to the inside of each section.

To finish off the wood burning, I attached a stamping point and stamped all around the edge of the Thick Country Round. For a protective finish, brush on 2-3 coats of satin varnish. If you want to use it as a trivet, skip the varnish.

These make quick and very easy personalized gifts for your friends and family. It will go even quicker, if you have a set of large stencil alphabet letters to simply trace the letter onto the Thick Country Round to start the projects.