Monday, January 10, 2011

{conversation blocks}


Who doesn't love conversation hearts? I used them as my inspiration to turn 4x4 post blocks into this darling version for display...they will be the perfect addition to your Valentine's Day decorations! The fact that they are fast, easy, and inexpensive is the proverbial icing on the cake.

Conversation Blocks



ITEMS YOU NEED:
  • 4x4 post, cut into perfect squares
  • spray paint--red, pink, and cream
  • sander
  • vinyl lettering
DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut your 4x4 post into perfect squares. Each post will vary in width, so it's important to measure it first, so you can get the right size.

2. Spray paint each block ( I did three--pink, cream, and read) you could certainly use craft paint, spray paint is just a lot faster. :)

3. For any blocks you want to be pink or cream, you're ready for the second coat of paint. Spray the blocks again, covering the red with pink or cream. ( I used Rustoleum's Sweetpea and Heirloom White) Let dry completely.

4. For any blocks you want to be red, distress the edges with your sander. Take a paper towel, and spray a little cream paint onto it. Immediately take the towel and rub it on to the edges and fronts of the block--you're just smearing it on--so you don't want a lot on there. Once it's dry (which will be almost immediately), take your power sander and remove the excess, so you can see mostly red, with accents of cream.

5. When your pink and cream blocks are dry, you're ready to sand! Distress the edges and fronts of your block, and the red will start showing through.

6. Once all your sanding is done, wipe off the each block really well with a lint-free rag to remove any excess dust. Apply desired vinyl (this is PERFECT for a Silhouette!!).

Ta-da! Adorable conversation blocks!




Photobucket

49 comments:

Jaime said...

Kierste - Loving all your 4x4 projects, what type of saw do you use to cut through a 4x4? I only have a circular saw and I have to make 2 cuts to get through. Is there an easier way?
Thanks and please keep posting the awesome wood crafts.

Michelle@Somedaycrafts said...

Darling! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com this morning.

Corners of My Life said...

I love when one project leads to another and then another. Your ideas are always so fun.

Mommarock said...

The fact that they are inedible.. is a bonus with all of the Valentines candy.. when the Christmas candy is still out there.. oooh the sugar..

Brooke Douglass said...

Gosh I love these!!!!! I want a silhouette soooo bad... Thank you for showing these! Brooke
brookedouglass@yahoo.com
Girl Boy Girl Inspired

Rachael said...

I love this. I am going to have to try this tutorial. Thanks for sharing.

Sarah said...

I love all the fun things you do with blocks! These are super cute! Thanks for sharing!!

-Sarah
http://sarahndipities.blogspot.com

The Crafty Side Of Life said...

So CUTE!!!!

Brandy said...

I always love your projects!

MMB Creations said...

So many projects, So little time. I have some old 4x4s so I really need to do this.

kierste @ brown paper packages said...

Jaime--

We use a chop saw (miter saw) and it also takes us 2 cuts. It ends up looking like there was only one cut made. If you want to cut it once, you need a saw with a 12 inch blade, but they get increasingly more expensive.

sbodier_1 said...

Ahhh! Love this. Making it. I am, I am!

Thanks for all of the great ideas!

http://craftinessiskey.blogspot.com

Yvonne said...

I absolutely LOVE these. Can't wait to make them.

Michelle D said...

Cute! I love the look, and I am going to try to make a set for myself! You are such an inspiration!

Amanda said...

These are so cute, thanks for sharing your great ideas

TCahal said...

These are so much fun!! TFS

WhoWhatLogos said...

Oh, we think these would look great with your own personal logo. Use the files you get from us to make your own vinyl. Choose one from the OURS section to make the perfect Valentine!

Ange said...

I do believe I need to make these for Valentine's ! We don't have many heart day decor and these are perfect..thanks for sharing.

Ashley said...

SOOOO CUTE!!! I'm new to your blog and am so excited!

jumpingcactus said...

Love them! Do you remember what font you used?

Heather, TJ, Brock, and Jillian said...

Love these!!! Sharing them on my facebook fanpage at Pirates-n-Princesses. You ought to check it out!!!
Thanks!
Heather

Candice said...

Wow! Those are adorable! I just found your blog from Ucreate and love it! I went back and read almost a years worth of posts and loved them all.

Krystal said...

Cutest idea ever! I'm featuring these on my blog tomorrow if you'd like to check it out.

Thanks!
sassysanctaury.blogspot.com

Wendy's Unique Creations said...

These are awesome. But for those of us who don't own saws, I was thinking about making some with cardboard. Square kleenex boxes would be great for these. Add another piece of cardboard to cover the hole on the top, flip them over so the added piece of cardboard is on the bottom, then paint them. Since I don't have spray paint, I would probably use acrylic paints and use a wide paint brush to paint it quicker. And instead of using letters already made, why not hand paint them on if you are brave enough to...lol(joking). Ok I think I better get the letters already made since I have a hard time painting letters perfectly. ;) Then again, hand painted would add more character no matter how un-perfect.

Another idea for these blocks would be to make childs alphabet blocks and use them to decorate a baby's room. Maybe set them on shelves strategically around the room.

Jeannie said...

I love these! I just featured them on my blog!
http://craftybalancing.blogspot.com/2011/01/to-do-list.html

Megs said...

Could you get the employees to cut the wood for you at Home Depot?

Suzi said...

Love these! However if you don't own a Silhouette where can I get some vinyl letters for this project?

kierste @ brown paper packages said...

Wendy--Great ideas! Very creative!

Megs--Definitely. Home Depot will cut just about anything! Just make sure you know your measurements ahead of time.

Suzi--I use Writings on the Wall, an online vinyl company, and I have for years. They are wonderful! Their link is in my right side bar, under "need vinyl?".

Rebecka said...

I'm also putting a link to these little lovelies on the blog at www.writings-onthewall.com/blog

Cute, cute, CUTE!

Chessa said...

So what would you suggest if you don't have a Silouette? chessamoore@yahoo.com

Jessica Barney said...

I love these so much that I made my own and featured you on my blog :) I don't have a silhouette so I just used the vinyl letters from Michaels. I think yours turned out better, but for my first real craft, they turned out great! Thank you so much!

Trinity Whitley said...

Thanks for the tute. Here's my final: http://wolfpackwhitley.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentine-mantel.html
I used a 2x4 instead, because it's what I had in my house, but I love them!
Thanks again!

Emily said...

So cute! I love seeing all the cool things people come up with for blocks! Your blog is great by the way! I've added you as one of my favorite blogs to follow!

Ali Holt said...

Thanks for all of your cute stuff! I have linked this project to my new blog!Doing this project tomorrow... Thanks again!

www.ncbabyblog.blogspot.com

laura@imnotatrophywife.com said...

okay... you are one of my fav new blogs. I need to continue to tackle my fear of power tools.. I used a drill last week...

Amanda said...

I've put together a final round up of Valentine projects on Craft Gossip and included your fun post here
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/25-valentine-crafts-wreaths/

If you would like to share the Craft Gossip love and show your visitors you've been featured, you can grab a button here!
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/

saket said...

nice conversation.by the way your posting has to be awesome.

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Juli said...

Love the blocks, did you just use a 4 x 4 from like Home Depot? They only carry the treated ones so didn't know if that is what you used. Thanks for any help you can give.

Lisa Cutler said...

@ juli, right above. I have used the treated wood from HD. I bake it in the oven first because I've had trouble with it splitting. But for this type of project, even the cracks look great!

Marcy said...

hi kierste--my dad just brought me a box of 4 x 4 cubes---so excited to get started! i do have a question on the painting, though....did you paint all three blocks RED first and then cover the red with cream and pink so that the red shows through when you sand the top color off? just making sure as i love what you did and would love to get the same effect! thanks for sharing!

Vixen said...

I love this!! I wanted to let you know I linked this up on my blog: http://vixenmade.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-valentines-day.html

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