Julie's Countdown Blocks

I was finally brave!!  I used Mod Podge for the first time!!

What?  You say that's not very brave?????  Well, how 'bout this?  I used it for the first time on a project with my 6 year old!!  How's that for brave?  Glue, paint and messy stuff that I'm not totally sure how to use with an impatient 6 year old in the background....Actually, it wasn't that bad.  She's very good at crafts.  OK, on to the project.

While reading my blogs one day, I came across a project for Countdown Blocks.  For the life of me, I cannot find that post again.  I'd love to give credit to the blogger so if anyone knows who it was, please let me know.  Anyway, I showed the idea to Julie and she loved it as well, so it was off to Michael's for supplies.

We bought:
2 wooden cubes (2" square) = $0.99 each
1 wooden plaque = $0.99
1 bottle Mod Podge = (don't remember exactly - about $4)

What we already had:
Paint (in trying to pick a color for the bathroom, we've had many different samples, hated them all, but have lots of paint for little projects like this)
wallpaper samples (got free samples online)
sticker numbers
paintbrushes

How to make 'em:

1) Paint your blocks and plaque.  Julie picked a light green.

2)  Cut out squares from wallpaper or scrapbook paper or wrapping paper, or whatever you want.  I cut out 1.5" squares so I would have a 1/4" of green showing on each side.  Cut out 6 squares for each block.  Put numbers on them - sticker number, vinyl numbers, etc. The numbers should be divided up like below.  Make sure you use a font where the 6 can also be a 9.

Numbers for block 1 (0, 2, 1, 3, 4, 5)

Numbers for block 2 (0, 1, 2, 6, 7, 8)

3) Paint Mod Podge on the block and the back of the wallpaper with a paintbrush.  Stick the paper on the block and paint over it all with Mod Podge.  It was a little confusing to Julie, but you can't Mod Podge all the sides at once because there has to be one non-sticky side to set the blocks on.  Anyway, after applying about 3 coats of Mod Podge to each side and letting it dry, you're done.

4)  Oh, I forgot a VERY important step.  Entertain the 4 year old with paint, a foam brush and styrofoam plates.

Of course Julie had to get in on the plate painting as well, so the sun is her creation and the modern art is David's.

Want to know how many days it is until Christmas?

 

Stay tuned for a post on the Advent calendar I have been working on.  Hopefully, it will be done today or tomorrow, since it was supposed to have started on Dec 1 - Ahhhhh!

I'm going to post this to the

at Its So Very Cheri.  I know this isn't technically holiday decor, but we are using it for Christmas purposes - to see how many days are left until that big event. 

Have a great day!