Monday, February 22, 2010

Welcome

2010_02_22_6774

I had a successful thrify re-do this week that turned out well and I thought I’d share. I came across these old blocks at the thrift store last week, I knew exactly what was in store for them.

2010_02_08_6404

I popped off the wooden letters, painted the front black, and printed off some letters in various fonts.

2010_02_17_6556

I liked the way the black letters on white looked so much that I painted white over the black background. I then traced the backs of the letters in pencil, put each letter on a block, and rubbed the front with a lead-less mechanical pencil to transfer the letter outline onto the block.

2010_02_18_6608

I got some Craft Smart paint from Michaels that almost doubled my painting time (on the right). Do not get this stuff if you are trying to do this project, it covers like watercolor, so it makes an already time-consuming project take a lot longer. Luckily I had some of the Liquitex (on the left) leftover from another project, and that filled in the letters easily with only 1 coat.

2010_02_22_6752

I then sanded the letters and corners, painted over the whole thing with a glaze and wiped it off. Ta da!

2010_02_22_6787

I realize that glazing flirts with the fine line between making your project look antiqued, and making it look just plain dirty. This was my first time glazing anything so hopefully my technique (I’m pretending there was one) will improve with time.

2010_02_22_6789

The black paint under the white background paint ended up coming in handy, because when I sanded the edges and corners, the black just popped right out. It didn’t even need the glaze.

2010_02_22_6791

I'm excited to be linking this to the CSI Project!


Visit thecsiproject.com

47 comments:

seattlehatfields said...

My house needs some love from Erin A!!! miss you, sjo

Caroline said...

These are so cute! It would be adorable adapted for use in a nursery! I will have to keep that in mind for a shower gift!

Thanks for the tutorial. You did such a great job!

One Cheap B*tch said...

Those are great! Thanks for sharing the DIY! I love working with blocks and this definitely is something I want to try too!

Megan said...

Those look GOOD.

Tiffany said...

Seriously? Erin, you kill me. These are too cute. They are screaming my name. Wow. I love them. I think they were actually meant for my house, don't you???

Nice job. : )

Allison Shops said...

I love this project. Your distressing is excellent. Good job!

I hope you'll drop by AtticMag to tour my home.
Allison

Anonymous said...

Who's the artist now?? ;-)
These are fantastic!
J.

Kaysi said...

Those look so great!

Heather@ My Frugal Family said...

They turned out great- I love them!

Thank you so much for linking up with the Talented Tuesday link party at My Frugal Family, which is hosted every Tuesday. Please feel free to stop back in every week and post your newest projects!

Lisa said...

I'm a sucker for wooden block letters. Fantastic job!

Six in One Hand said...

They came out beautiful!!
Great outcome for your first antiquing job!!

Kimberly said...

I love these! I'll have to give something like this a try.

Susan S. said...

What a great idea and thrifty!!!1 i love IT.....The "paint" job is great too. I like the "worn" look!

Happy St. patrick's Day from Houston, TX!

Jamee said...

love how you re-used your stamp blocks with the various sizes looks great!!

Brenda @ Tie That Binds Us said...

cute, cute, cute. Have any left over blocks? ha ha!

all thingz related said...

These look great! You did a fantastic job! I love 'em!
Rebekah @All Thingz Related {hosting a giveaway on our blog!}

Ana Paula@ Get Craftin said...

I love those!!

Lanie Ree said...

Adorable! I love the distressing.

Thanks for linking up to A Little Creative Therapy with Life in the Pitts!

Tara said...

That is cute! Great Project. Would love to have you link up at Trendy Treehouse for our Creative Share WED.

http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2010/02/creative-share-blog-hop-please-join-in_24.html

Sandra said...

So cute and I like that you took the time to handpaint the letters...way to go! Just found your blog...come say hi sometime. Sandra

Kirsty said...

You are so freaking creative. Love those blocks. I have got to do this one!

too Blessed to Stress said...

Love these! great tutorial by the way :)

~ Emily N. from "too Blessed to Stress"

Leanne said...

I love them. They turned out so great. Thanks for sharing.

Your Frugal Friend, Niki said...

I love the technique you used! I will definitely be trying it in the future. Thanks for sharing.

fawnda said...

Very very cute! I love the vintage look!

The Persimmon Perch said...

They turned out lovely! Thanks for sharing with Made it Monday! Jules

Lizzy said...

These look great! What a creative idea.

Jen said...

Oh, I love it. I really think the glaze is the key! Thanks for showing us.

Tausha said...

These are darling! I love the pic of them stacked on top of each other in towers! Great tutorial as well!

Tiffany said...

Okay, I already commented on these but had to again. They are just awesome. Also, how did you get that adorable header on your blog? It looks perfect. LOVE it!

Andy Porter said...

They look amazing! Fantastic job!

Linda said...

These are GREAT! II think I have some old blocks around here somewhere. I'll have to start digging and give this a try. thanks for sharing.

BlueGrassandGreenTomatoes said...

I am so impressed! Wonderful!!!

cozycapeintheburbs said...

This is an adorable blog. I'm glad I stumbled upon it!

Kim said...

I love how universal these are! tfs!

Rachelle said...

I love it! They're so pretty! I'm putting it away in my idea file for sure!

Rachelle

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

Cute idea! Great house warming idea too. I think you did a great job with the glaze. Thanks for sharing it at POPP.

Rhonda said...

Love the blocks!

Holly said...

Great project. I totally agree about that paint! Nice job finishing them with that glaze. Super-Cute!

Holly
504 Main

Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden said...

I love how they turned out! Super cute!

Thanks for linking up to Make it Yours day!

Tiff @ Making The World Cuter said...

They turned out fantastic!
-Tiff

conner.ash said...

I love this project! I just stumbled across your blog from amberfilkins.blogspot.com. She linked to your wall art project that you did which I also loved. Great stuff! I'm following you!

jenjen said...

I love your blocks. So cute!!

Thanks for linking it up to my party!!!

XOXO
Jen

Gina said...

LOVE this idea! I can't wait to try it! Loved the photo blocks idea you posted on Lemon Tree Creations, but love this Welcome sign block idea too, a lot. Thanks for the great ideas and tutorials. You are very inspiring!

Chic Creations said...

Those are cute. You have inspired me. . I have some blocks I need to re-do. Thanks for sharing. Karie
@ karieschiccreations

Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish said...

Wow! Those turned out great! Love them!

Anonymous said...

The article was very interesting and informative for me. weight loss Read a useful article about tramadol tramadol

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin