Nut and Bolt Monogram

My best friend from high school and I are both teachers.  She is an Ag teacher, meaning she teaches kids to weld, build stuff, plant stuff, work on engines, etc.  Her classes contain mostly guys and I am pretty positive that every boy is in love with her.  She is a gorgeous girl and a great teacher.

Being and Ag Teacher, she can't really have a girly, fun classroom (unless you consider welding helmets fun).  She spends part of her time teaching in her classroom and part of the time teaching in the shop.  I wanted to give her something for her birthday that would "pretty up" her classroom in a way that her male students wouldn't think of a too girly to be in a shop class.

I went to Home Depot and bought nuts and three sizes of bolts.  Now, I don't know much about "handy work," but I am not a complete idiot.  I know that you count out however many bolts you want and put them in a little plastic bag.  It's just like buying fruit at the grocery store.  Well, apparently a young female in this isle of Home Depot is a rare thing.  In the 10 minutes I was in the store, I had about 6 people ask me if I needed any help.  Now don't get me wrong, I heart good custom service, but geez people, I am trying to count bolts here!  Stop interrupting me ;)


Okay so on to the actual project and enough of my long-drawn out explanations.


I bought a shadow-box-like frame from Michael's.

I measured and cut out a piece of thick paper that would fit in the frame.

I printed out the letter 'R' and cut it out.  (Don't mind the lack of ink in the printer, it got me through.  I just needed a rough outline.) 

Next, I lightly traced the letter 'R' on my thick white paper.  I gathered up my nuts, bolts, and super glue.

Then using my nuts and bolts I filled in the 'R' I traced.  I played around with this for a while trying to decide which way I liked it. 

After I decided, I started to glue each one down.  I don't know if super glue was the best choice.  At one point I may have had a bolt or two glued to my fingers
 (Now, Home Depot guys this was the point when I actually need your help! haha) 

My friend's last name is Rice, so using my Cricut I cut out 'Miss Rice' in black vinyl.
 I added it to the white paper.

Here's how it turned out:

This would also be a good gift for any guy's garage for a birthday or Father's Day.  Instead of "Miss Rice" on the side it could read "Bob's Man Cave" or "Dave's Other Home."






Linked to:

Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Texas Monkey
The Girl Creative
Keeping it Simple 
Polly Want a Crafter? 
A Little Lovely
Giggles, Glitz & Glam
Not Just a Housewife 
Sugar Bee 
Sugar and Dots