Thursday, December 1, 2011

Free Blocks for a Little Peace & Joy

I'm always on the lookout for free or low cost projects.
I'm always happy to find bits of  leftover wood
and low cost paint.
This project combines the two
for a total cost of under $2 for twelve blocks.

While digging for some old blue jars in storage,
I found bits of wood.

My bf's family had repaired the local bandstand
and these were the pieces that were left when they were finished.

I've been wondering just what to do with them
and had been hoping to make some angels,
but there's nothing in my stash that would make a good angel head
to sit atop the block of wood.

A couple of weeks ago,
while at Home Depot,
I'd purchased sample pots of Martha Stewart paint,
that were marked $1.

The colors are Barn, Cornbread, Sultana(green), and Francesca(black).
After the blocks were painted,
they were sanded with 60 grit to give them
the I've-been-knocked-about-a-bit-too-much look.

Gesso was then applied with letter stamps and a stencil.
(I like to use stencils.)
After the paint dried,
the letters were sanded with 150 grit paper for distressing.
The JOY blocks were washed with brown paint.

To finish things up,
two coats of Minwax Wax Paste was applied to seal in all the goodness.



Who doesn't need a little more Peace & Joy?

Below are a few more of my Christmas ideas
Just click the photo for more details
The Old Block House
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25 comments:

  1. Absolutely adorable! :)

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  2. Ingenious! Crazy awesome creating with leftovers, isn't it?!
    Shannon
    www.akadesign.ca

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  3. I love it! So lovely!

    I'd love for you to link up and share: http://tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com/2011/11/pinteresting-linky-party-week-fifteen.html

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  4. Great repurpose! I'll look at scrap wood completely differently now. Thank you for sharing!

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  5. These are beautiful! I need to try it!I am hosting my first ever blog hop this weekend and I would LOVE if you stopped by to link some stuff up!

    Kim @ Too Much Time

    http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/search/label/get%20schooled%20saturday

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  6. Tooo cute! I am all for using what you have!

    Carol

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  7. Great job! I love the distressed look. I my self am a low cost paint enthusiatist as well. I love Walmarts mistints!

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  8. Oh I just love the old, beat up look you achieved! Perfection in my book. Thanks so much for sharing them at my Winter Wonderland party over at I Gotta Create!

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  9. Wonderful! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  10. Your holiday blocks turned out so cute! Wasn't it fun?? I made some recently from a child's old blocks set and used AS chalk paint on them. :)

    xoxo laurie

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  11. I recently got a box of used wooden blocks for my grandchildren this is a great idea! I am glad I hopped over from Sew Can Do. I started a link party too on thursdays
    http://emosaicideas.com/tag/blog-carnival/
    I also started excepting guest posts
    http://emosaicideas.com/guest-posting/

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  12. Those blocks are so lovely! I love their distressed look and the variation of colours you used :)

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  13. So cute! Stopping by from the Alexa Blog hop...
    ~JamieS

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  14. Love your crafts, I'm your newest follower. Please stop by mine too

    http://www.candoitmom.com/

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  15. Those block are super cute...though I think my boys would steal them for tower building :)

    I'm stopping by from the Alexa hop and would love it if you stopped by my blog What I Live For sometime!

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  16. The blocks are great, So lovely, but rustic too! Nice! Some of the other ideas look good too...I'm going to have to find some time for some crafty things!

    (BTW, you are my "after", from Metamorphosis Monday. Thanks for sharing your ideas!)

    Mellodee

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  17. I love those blocks. What are planning on doing with them? Are they part of your decor? Stacked on your mantel? i'd love to see them in place.

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  18. I really like the colors you used. =D


    Hi! I'm here from the Alexa hop and am now following you. I entered your giveaway too.
    Would love a follow back when you get a chance.

    Tina "the book lady'
    http://familyliteracy2.blogspot.com
    http://givingnsharing.blogspot.com
    http://holidaygiftsandmore.blogspot.com

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  19. These are so fun, and I love that they are so inexpensive to make! Thanks so much for linking to my Saturday 7 party last week. I shared your idea in this week's Saturday 7 Spotlight! http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2011/12/saturday-seven-spotlight_10.html

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  20. i did a version of your block words myself (before i saw your site, so didn't copy)...i love your site!

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  21. Wow! You are a Christmas crafting genius! So glad I found your project via Centsational Girl.

    Please stop by for a visit to my blog. I am currently in the midst of a Gifts to Make series.

    Be Merry and Bright!

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  22. Great idea with the blocks-I'm your newest follower from Beneath My Heart-stop over for a visit!

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