This was just made out of scrap 2×4’s.
{Want to know a secret?} There are a TON of 2×4 laying around for free! If you have home building going on around you there are always scrap 2×4’s laying around. I am not suggesting stealing them…just ask the builder. Tell him you are making crafts with them and if he’s got extra scraps you’d like them.
1. Cut the wood…they are 2×4’s(or have someone cut it for you:) Just cut as many blocks as you want {or need}
- The first (bottom) layer is 8 inches long.
- The second layer is 7 inches long.
- The third layer is 6 inches long.
- The fourth layer is 5 inches long.
- The fifth layer is4 inches long.
- The 6th (top) layer is 3 inches.
3. Drill a hole on the end of the block.
4. Sand rough edges and then stain all the blocks with oak stain. Let blocks dry.
5. Mod Podge a strip of paper to the front side. *See Below
6. Lightly sand the edges of the paper…not taking the stained edges off.
7. Apply vinyl lettering ** See below
8. Twist your wire.
Stick the wire in the hole
Stack your blocks and tie a ribbon.
1. Buy your mod podge, you can get at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. I buy the matte kind (to be specific…Mod Podge CS11302 Original 16-Ounce Glue, Matte Finish)
2. Use a foam brush. The kind you throw away!
3. Pick out your scrapbook paper. I like to use the thicker paper (it bubbles less). Choose a small print (this helps to keep your focus on the project, not over whelm it).
4. Place your item on the paper and trace around it.
5. Cut it out. It does not have to be perfect!
7. Place your paper on the item and squish it down.
10. For an additional step you can stain the edges. Giving it a shabby chic look. You can use a distressing stamp pad (found at craft stores) or stain (from the hardware store).
**Vinyl Post…What you need to know before you buy Vinyl
YES I FOUND A PLACE THAT WILL SELL STRIPS FOR YOUR CRICUT(see below)! Yea!!!
Okay here is the low down on vinyl.
These are the three main types of vinyl I use on my crafting projects:
1. Oracal 631 Matte: This is what is sold at craft stores for your cricut machine. It is removable and it is a little thicker. It is NOT permanent. Great for general crafting.
2. Oracal 651: This is vinyl you’d use out side.
3. Oracal 751 or 951: This is the permanent vinyl. I use the 951. It lasts a little longer. This vinyl is thinner! It is harder to cut tiny… tiny things with this vinyl. Just make your font bigger if it’s ‘eating’ your vinyl. I still hand wash my items, but my daughter has put it in the dishwasher and it was fine. I wouldn’t microwave the vinyl. Pour hot water into the mug:)
Transfer Paper – you really need this to help things stay even so that your crafts look more professional. For small projects you can use painters tape (the blue kind at the hardware store).
These are the two companies that I recommend:
For Vinyl Strips: Expression Vinyl.com
They sell strips of vinyl and transfer paper at great prices!
For Vinyl Lettering: My Talking Walls.com
They sell pre-cut vinyl lettering. They have a new ‘design you own’ tab that makes font, color, and sizing easy!
Both companies have great pricing and great customer service…we checked them out before posting!
This is a tutorial on how to twist wire to hold pictures. It’s easy to do. I just thought pictures would explain it better!
The wire:
Just make sure it’s a firm wire. The gage is not that big of a difference. I’d choose the cheapest one you can find…just make sure it’s not ‘floppy’
I got this wire at Lowe’s
1. Grab the end of the wire with needle nose pliers.
3. Pull off the wire.
4. Squish it down
5. Easy picture holders!
1. Paint your block (I just used craft paint).
2. Mod Podge a picture on one of the sides.
3. Sand any leftover picture paper off.
4. Screw in an ‘eye’ in the top.
5. Add ribbon
6. Admire
How about 9 Christmas Ornaments
1. Mod podge 5 sides of your block with scrap book paper.
2. Mod Podge a picture to the 6th side.
3. Sand any leftover paper off. If you want to stain the edges to give it a shabby chic look…this would be the time:)
4. If you wanted to stain the edges now would be the time. It will give it a shabby chic look. Keep it plain for a more sleek look.
5. Make your Christmas tree a true ‘family tree’
We wanted to decorate our Christmas tree with pictures of our family and put a big fat red ribbon around the entire tree. Another idea is to so cutouts of your favorite team logo and paint colors to match...GO Razorbacks!
How cute would this be on a fire place mantel or on top of a computer at work!?!
1. Mod Podge all the sides
2. Drill a hole in the top and stick a piece of wire in it! I found the wire at Lowe’s. .
3. Cut out of vinyl the name of the ‘featured’ and put on one side of block. You can use your cricket cutter for this project!
4. Put in your picture!
Christmas Count Down
1. Mod Podge 4 blocks
2. Add the numbers: 1,2,6or9,0,7,8 to the first block
3. Add the numbers: 1,4,3,5,2,0 to the second block
Blocks
1. Paint the blocks (easy) …
2. Put the ABC vinyl on them (easier)…I used the ‘Narkism’ font 1.8×1.8 in dark brown.
You can save so much money using a Cricut to help with baby presents, Christmas presents, organization…so worth it!
If you are spelling out a name, make sure to put the letters of the name on the blocks first – you don’t want to put the ‘L’ and ‘U’ on the same block or you can’t spell out the name.
How fun would this be to give at a shower or to nieces and nephews for birthdays!
Kid Stackers
(Great for Grandparents…put all the Grandkids!)1. Mod Podge the blocks, add the picture (just like in the ornaments #1)
2. Drill a hole all the way through the blocks.
3. Put wire though them.
4. The top block will have both wires sticking out. Curl them with wire cutters.
5. Add vinyl ‘Family’ to it (’Black Boys on Mopeds’ Font 1.6×1.6)
1. Wrap the blocks and stick them around the house for decoration.
2. -OR- put an eyelet in the top and hang them from the tree…just like #1
Kid Puzzles
1. Take 9 blocks and put them close together. Mod Podge a 6×6 picture on them. Take an exact-o knife and cut out the individual blocks. OR cut the 6×6 picture into 2×2 squares and Mod Podge them on after you cut them.
2. Flip the blocks to a new side and do it again.
3. Mod Podge all 6 sides with different pictures.
4. You’ll have created 6 puzzles with your favorite pictures!
I Printed all my pictures on my computer 4x4, all in a sepia tone with a photo action filter over the top to really give it a distressed look.
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