Halloween Countdown Blocks

I have seen countdown blocks at various craft fairs in recent years, but usually for Christmas. A friend forwarded a link to me with Halloween blocks. It looked pretty easy so I thought I would tackle this project too. I think I'll make one for Thanksgiving and Christmas after I finish this one. (I'm posting complete directions, and when I finish mine I'll put pictures with it.)

Supplies:
4" x 4" wood beam cut into 3 pieces- 1- 8" x 4" block and 2- 4" x 4" blocks
Sandpaper
Paint
Scrapbook paper
Paper trimmer
Mod Podge
Foam brushes
Vinyl numbers and saying for the bottom block

Directions:
1. First off I found that the 4" x 4" beam was actually 4" x 3 1/2". Grr. So I had my husband cut the wood to 4" x 3 1/2" instead of having him cut it a little smaller. I hope that it still looks good! Once your wood is cut sand it until it's smooth. Make sure to check the edges so you can avoid splinters!2. Paint the wood with your favorite color of paint. If you're using a dark color you may need to do several coats. Some people paint the entire thing. I just do the outer inch or so because I'm going to cover it with scrapbook paper. That's totally up to you. When the paint is dry you can sand the edges to give them a distressed look. Again, totally personal preference.3. While the paint is drying cut out your decorative scrapbook paper. I used 6 different papers so I would have a different paper for each side. Cut them 1/2" smaller than your measurement so you'll have some of the paint showing.
4. When your paint is dry put Mod Podge on one side and then on the underside of your paper. It sticks really well this way. Apply the paper to your block and make sure you rub out all the air bubbles. (I use my Pampered Chef scraper.) Continue doing this on all 6 sides fall 3 blocks.
5. Apply your vinyl numbers and words to your blocks.
6. When you're done apply at least one coat of Mod Podge to the top of all your paper. I have found that it's easiest if I leave one side dry so the others can dry and then I paint the final side.
Once everything dries you're done. Display them however you like!

Halloween Subway Wall Art

After looking around blogland I found several posts with subway wall art. I had the supplies and decided that I could make one too. If you want to make it here are the supplies you'll need: scrap wood (mine was 10" x 24") or a piece of stretched canvas coordinating cardstock black paint Mod Podge Directions:1. Sand and paint the wood. Seal it with Mod Podge and set aside to dry as you do the next step.
2. I used my Cricut to cut out several words and pictures in various sizes and colors. If you don't have a Cricut you can cut things out by hand or use pre-cut embellishments from your local craft store. 3. There are a couple of different ways to do the next part... I ran my cardstock through my Xyron sticker machine and so I could place them on the board without worrying about the paper slipping. You can also just put some MP on the back as your adhesive and apply it to the board. 4. After that all you need to do is seal it with more MP on top. Don't forget to seal the sides! It dries pretty quickly. 5. Then if you used a board put a piece of ribbon or something so you can hang it from the wall. You're done!
The first two are my inspiration pieces, and the one I came up with is at the end.

Christmas in July- Ho, Ho, Ho Wall Hanging

For church I'm teaching a class for a wall hanging that says HO HO HO. It's based on this project. In order to keep the price down and appeal to people who feel limited in their crafting abilities this is a simple craft. (There are several steps, but the process is simple.)

Supply List

• Wooden Letters: 3- H's, 3- O's
• 6- 12" x 12"coordinating decorative scrapbook papers
• 1-2 coordinating craft paint
• Decoupage medium
• 2 sponges
• 3 square wood boards, sanded to get rid of rough edges and splinters (Depending on the size of your letters you may need to adjust the size. For this project I did 10" square boards.)
• 2 1/2 yards ribbon, 1" or wider (grosgrain or strong wired ribbon)
• Hot glue and glue gun
• Staple gun
• Ruler
• Stickers (3D stickers), ribbon and other embellishments

Directions

1. Sand all the letters and boards to get rid of rough edges.

2. Select 3 different papers for your letters. Trace your letters on the scrapbook paper and cut out.

3. Paint the sides of the letters. Don't paint the top or bottom. Set aside and let them dry. You may need to do several coats. I usually do 2-3 coats. You'll usually get a little on the top or bottom. It's okay, but don't paint the entire top or bottom because the paper won't stick to it if you do.

4. Paint the sides of the boards. Set aside and let them dry.

5. When the letters are dry adhere the letters to the front of the letters with the decoupage glue. Set aside and let them dry.

6. Cut remaining scrapbook paper to size for the boards. Adhere to the boards with the glue. You can use the ruler to make sure the paper lays flat. I usually paint the glue on the board and the paper in sections to make sure it sticks on there really well. Set aside and let them dry.

7. When the letters are dry seal them on the sides and top with the decoupage glue. Do the same to the boards. Set aside and let them dry.

8. Optional- If you want to embellish with ribbons tie them around the letters. Another thing I've done is when the letters are still wet is get chunky clear glitter and put it on them. It looks really cute! I've also used fake snow on the corners and then put glitter on it to make it look like sparkling snow.

9. Get boards out and turn upside down. Place the boards an equal distance apart, using a ruler if necessary. Staple the ribbon starting from the bottom board, up to the top board, making a loop at the top, and then back down to the bottom of the board.

10. Turn the boards over. Take the letters and place them on your boards. Move them around until you have them arranged the way you like. Then hot glue the letters on the boards. Press down so they are adhered well.

11. When everything is dry you can add your other embellishments- like stickers or skinny boas.

Birthday Board

Supplies for Magnet Board:
1) Magnet Board (make sure it will be big enough to fit all the pieces you'll need for months and family members)
2) Paint (any color, I used black)
3) Finishing Spray (Matte or Glossy, I used Matte)
4) Foam Brush
5) Sand paper
6) Painters tape or masking tape
7) Vinyl lettering (bought already cut) or Vinyl for cutting (can use a Cricut for cutting)

Directions for Board:
1) Tape the metal next to the border so paint doesn't get on it
2) Paint the border of your magnet board, let dry.
3) Paint a 2nd coat on the border, let dry.
4) Sand the edges for antique look (optional)
5) Cover the metal and spray with finishing spray, let dry.
6) Spray a 2nd coat of finishing spray on the border, let dry.
7) Add your vinyl lettering to the top (whatever saying you've chosen)

Supplies for Wooden Shapes:
1) Wooden Shapes for months (I used "signs", about 1 1/2" long)
2) Wooden Shapes for individual birthdays (I used 1 1/2" circles)
3) Paint for Shapes (can do different colors, all one color, whatever your preference, I used a creme color for all shapes)
4) Mod Podge
5) Paint Brush
6) Fine Point Sharpie
7) Pictures of each person (I made all my faces just under 1" and printed them in sepia)
8) Any 1" punch, just make sure your pictures will fit on your wooden shape and have room for writing)
9) Magnets to fit your month wooden shapes
10) Magnets to fit your individual birthday wooden shapes
11) Craft glue for wood

Directions:
1) Paint all wooden shapes with two coats, let dry
2) Punch out each picture with your 1" punch while your paint dries
3) Mod Podge your pictures onto your birthday wooden shapes (no pictures for the months unless you've chosen to do this), let dry completely
4) Write the months on your month wooden shapes with your sharpie
5) Write the name and birthday on each individual wooden shape
6) Glue the magnets onto the back of each wooden shape, let glue cry completely
7) Arrange wooden shapes on your magnet board

Baby Frame

Here's a frame that I made for my friend to give to her mom. She found out that she was having a baby girl. She wanted to tell her family what her new little girl's name was going to be.
I painted the wood frame black, then cut out the baby's name of sparkly silver paper with my Cricut. I then went over the entire frame with glossy Mod Podge to seal the paint to it, and to make it look uniform.
Next I glued a 1/4" hot pink polka dot ribbon around the frame with a tiny silver buckle. When that dried I used my Mod Podge to adhere the letters to the frame.
While I was waiting for that to dry to the frame I cut a piece of decorative paper to 4" x 6", then put the ultrasound picture in the upper right corner. After I was done doing that I did another coat of Mod Podge over the letters to make sure they would stick well.
I put the glass back in the frame with the paper and ultrasound picture and this is the finished product!