Monday, October 24, 2011

Tutorial Tuesday-Christmas Countdown

OK, I know we are still in Fall but I really wanted to get this done so we could start counting down!! 


Supplies:
Wood-I used a 4x4x8
Scrapbook Paper-I bought a Christmas/Winter pack
Mod Podge
Paint-I always use spray paint, much easier
Sponge Brush
Something for the words and numbers-I LOVE my vinyl


Start off by cutting down the wood. My local Home Depot cut it for me, note Lowes could not due to how small I needed them. I wanted them to be exact squares so I asked for them to be cut 4inches each and 8 inches. This is where I learned 4x4s aren't actually 4inches, since they are pressed(?) it shrinks them down to about 3.5x3.5, so I asked for it to be 3.5, again perfect square. Well, then he explained that due do to the blade size they will probably be about 3.25-WHATEVER-just cut it!! : ) I had the larger block cut down to 7 inches instead of the 8 due to the above reasons. I do not have a picture of them cutting it. The employee actually told me they are not supposed to cut things that small since they have to remove a guard, so I was on watch for his boss     : ) I had him cut a few of these sets so I could make a few countdowns. I think I need a saw.

Ok time to paint the blocks, again I love spray paint it goes so fast. Remember to either get paint with the primer in it or prime your blocks first. I picked red to go with my Christmas theme. 







I then went and cut out my paper, I didn't want any two pieces alike, and didn't want anything the red numbers would blend into. I cut it down to 3 inch squares so a little red would be exposed. I laid it down with the mod podge and sponge brush. 






I went ahead and did this with all sides, and the larger bottom block, and left them to dry...for a few days because I started a different project..NO SURPRISE!




After drying for a few days I used my Cricut to cut out the words and numbers. My bottom block originally said "Days Till Christmas" but Christmas was too long for the block so we switched it to Santa. I mod podged over the letters once they were down so they don't peel in the future. For the blocks use these numbers:
*Block 1 - 0,1,2,3,4,5
*Block 2 - 0,1,2,6,7,8-the 6 will flip for a 9




I went ahead and put the rest of the words and numbers on, sealed them and TADA!!





What I would do different:
  • Only mod podge the wood, not the paper when laying it down. If there is too much mod podge it will ripple.
  • Sand the blocks a lot better. The rough edges from where it was cut was difficult to get the paper to stick because of all the divits.

Linking up to:

    21 comments:

    Liz said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    those are so cute and festive!! i love them! i will have to make these for my family. totally awesome!

    Lacey said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    I love this idea! Very crafty! I'm a new follower from the Tuesday Blog hop :)
    http://laymel-thenextchapter.blogspot.com/

    Quirky Homemaker said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    That is so cute! Very cute blog. Love the header. What a sweetie! Following you now from Take Three tuesday,
    Michelle
    Heartfelt Balance Handmade Life
    Making It from Page to Table

    corabeth said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    So cute!!!!


    New Follower from Exposure 99% Blog Hop. Hoping you will follow back! =0)
    My Crazy Life

    ~*Nicole*~ said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    Thinking my next craft investment is a cricut!! Working at a lumber company sure does help me with the wood projects!! Although when I need something done, they always get a lunch outta me, nothing's free nowadays!! :)

    Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    @~*Nicole*~ I love my Cricut! It was definitely worth the investment. I actually purchased mine through Groupon so I got a great deal on it. I see a lot of them for sale on Ebay and Craigslist as well.

    Jenny @ Simcoe Street said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    Wow -- this is adorable.

    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

    Courtney said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    I really like this idea and want to try the Halloween one first. What size of vinyl letters did you use?

    Debbie said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    Adorable!
    I've visiting from Take Three Tuesday Hop. Looking forward to following your blog. Have a great day.

    Courtney said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates
    This comment has been removed by the author.
    Courtney said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    Can you tell me a little more about vinyl and how it works? Do you buy it in different colors? Is it like a rub on or sticker? When you print the letters on vinyl, do you have to do anything different to tell the cricut you're printing on vinyl?

    Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    @Courtney I cut my vinyl at 2.75, the paper is 3inch squares so I wanted it to be a little smaller.

    Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    @Courtney I buy the vinyl in sheets of 12x24 from Joanns, the vinyl is in the Cricut section. You can also order it online but it is cheaper to use a coupon and Joanns. It is a long sheet of vinyl that I attach to my sticky board. I set up the words I want to cut and then I switch my settings to "vinyl" so it knows how to cut it. If your Cricut doesn't have a vinyl setting you can look up how to adjust the blade speed and depth for vinyl. When it it done cutting I take the letters/numbers off and lay them right onto the blocks. Here is a good youtube video about the vinyl. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjldXXYkXTo

    Mom Fashion World said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    Great tutorial!
    Thanks for sharing your ideas.

    By the way, I'm your newest follower via GFC from the Tuesday Blog Hop.
    Please feel free to visit my blog. Looking forward to seeing you there, and hope you follow me back. Thanks!

    http://www.momfashionworld.blogspot.com/

    Ashley said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    Absolutely adorable! I need to make on of these to put in my office at work.

    Sarah said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    I love this..Im feeling inspired to make some blocks of my own.
    www.budgetfriendlydecorating.com
    Sarah

    Claire Justine said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    This is a great idea,thanks for joining in my hop Creative Thursday and sharing this :)

    Karen said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    I love the blocks Kalyn! The paper you used is adorable:) I have wanted to make one of these for a while.
    Karen@Pocket Full of Pink

    Sassy Sites! said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    super cute!!! Christmas is just around the corner! Thanks for linking up to Sassy Sites FFA party! Have a wonderful Halloween weekend! XOXO!!

    Marni @ Sassy Sites!

    Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    Adorable! What a fun countdown! Would you share it here? Along with any other holiday projects you have up your sleeve...

    http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/11/our-home-for-holidays-party.html

    Mandy said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

    These are so cute! I'd love it if you shared this project at my Christmas Craft Tutorial Party that is going on for the month of November. www.projectqueen.org.