{2x4 raceway building blocks} featuring martha stewart paint & tools

I had the best day last week.  It was seriously like Christmas when a very large brown box showed up on my doorstep, and I opened it up to find it overflowing with the most fantastic products! 

I'm delighted to introduce you to the Martha Stewart Crafts Decorative Paint Line, brought to you exclusively by Plaid Crafts. I was privileged to preview the line, and I'm here to tell you that you are going to love it!  

 

Here's what I love about it...

• It is incredibly versatile.The paint is formulated to work on ALL crafting surfaces including wood, metal, glass, ceramic, terra-cotta and fabric.  It is indoor/outdoor safe, dishwasher-safe on glass.
•  There are 160 paint colors in five finishes (Satin, High Gloss, Glitter, Pearl, Metallic).
• The line includes really cool specialty brushes, and 3 sizes of stencils---large, medium, and adhesive.
• One of the things I'm most excited about? A spray paint kit that turns all of their craft paints into spray paint! (Click HERE for more details.)

My boys are two, and totally obsessed with cars, so as soon as I saw the car and road stencils in the Large "Playroom" Stencil set, I knew what I wanted to do for my first project.  I created a raceway and building block set out of a 2x4, and I must say, it has been a HUGE hit. What I love about it is that they can create roads for their cars (and use larger cars that don't fit on other race tracks), and also use them as blocks--can't beat that!

ITEMS NEEDED:

• 2x4, cut into desired lengths (cars:  5.25 in., long track: 9 in., corner track: 3.5 in.)
• gray spray paint
• Craft Paint {Martha Stewart}
• Car and road stencils {Martha Stewart}
• Brushes {Martha Stewart utility and pouncer brushes}
• sander

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Cut your 2x4 into desired lengths. (see the sizes I used above)

2.  Spray all the blocks gray.  I used Rustoleum's Granite spray paint, satin finish.  (I would have used the Martha Stewart line, but I didn't have a gray.) Let dry completely.

3.  Stencil on the road and car, using whatever colors you like!  (No, I don't have hairy fingers.  Yes, that is my very cooperative husband who held it down while I took pictures.)

4.  I could have stopped here, but I didn't.  I have this internal compelling force to distress everything I make, and despite my husband's arguments to the contrary, I went to work with my sander.  After all, roads don't look brand new, do they???!!! However, the paint comes off really fast, so be careful. I know this from personal experience, lol. Use a damp cloth to wipe off the excess dust, and you're done!  So easy!

I just love how they turned out. Kind of a vintage-y feel to them. Most of all, the boys loved them too.

You can make as many as you like, creating as big of a raceway as you want to.  I definitely need to make some more! These also work really well inside OR outside, and all the blocks are perfect for stacking.

What a super fun gift for a little boy you know!

.....

HERE is a link to a 40% off coupon to get you started!

Here are a few other great tutorials using this line...

{Back to School Crafting Fun} The Crafting Chicks
{Stenciled Pillows} Tater Tots and Jello
{Frosted Mirror} A Little Tipsy
{Stenciled Pencil Skirt} Brassy Apple

*100% of all opinions belong to me...full post disclosure here.