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Hybrid Building Blocks

Hey everyone! The Verve Project Parade is almost over. Have you got your project in? Tomorrow's the final day to enter! All you have to do is make a project inspired by our A Kid at Heart theme and you could win a $25 Verve gift certificate. Check out the Day 1 post to enter.

When Jen first emailed me with the idea for this month's theme, I was so excited! It's a nice change to focus on something fun, and I had all sorts of ideas filling my head. First up was a canister I got a while back, that suddenly seemed like THE perfect container for a game of pick up sticks. I thought I could alter the container and make a little pick-me-up card. Doesn't that sound cool! I thought so! But wait, you say - the picture isn't of a canister, it's building blocks. Well, you just TRY to find a game of pick up sticks! Do y'all even REMEMBER that game? I spent hours and hours on the living room floor trying to pick up all those brightly colored sticks without wiggling any of the others! Well, I searched... and searched... and searched in the stores around town and just couldn't find a single game of pick up sticks! Maybe it's a safety thing. After all, would you really want to set your child loose with a canister full of sharp sticks! LOL With the way my brother and I fought - it's a wonder we never poked each others eyes out with the things!

Anyhow, in my search for pick up sticks, I happened to end up next to my local craft store, and thought I'd just pop in. Now, I've tried to limit my "popping in" of craft stores, because it's the one area in my life where I struggle with impulse spending. I've always been the kind of gal who walks around with a cart, piling it up, then puts it all back and buys one or two items. Not so in the craft store, so I usually stay clear. Well, this LSS just happened to be having a HUGE clearance sale that weekend and I got some amazing deals! And while I was looking for some wooden sticks that maybe I could paint and make my own pick up sticks, I saw these little 2" wood blocks staring at me. Wouldn't it be cool to alter them? Nice straight lines - I could do that! Maybe they could be the Building Blocks of Love! And an idea was born.



So I ended up picking up a few blocks (they were $1.29 each) and making an entirely different project! I started by painting all the blocks with white acrylic paint and while that was drying, I cut 1 7/8" squares from papers I printed from the Waiting to Happen digi kit by Studio MGL. (It is a free download in the Jan/Feb edition of the Scrap 'n Art Ezine). Then I stamped sentiments from Heart to Heart on half of the squares in Memento Tuxedo Black. On the other squares I embossed the swirly heart from Hearts on Fire in white. I also stamped again on some scraps and cut out the center of the hearts and paper pieced onto each heart. The squares were run through my Xyron machine and then I slapped them on the blocks and sealed with a couple coats of Mod Podge. It was actually a really simple process - and I love the way they turned out.

Okay, that's it on the project front. I've been staying busy all week, so I just haven't had time to blog. I've got a few projects finished, though, so hopefully I'll be back on the blogging track for the rest of the week.

13 comments

Tosha Leyendekker said...

What a FABULOUS idea!! And your blocks are just GORGEOUS!! They would look awesome in any home!! LOVE 'em!!

Michelle said...

And that your Honor is why I'll never enter the Verve Project Parade - because it's IMPOSSIBLE to turn out smokin' hot things like you! Those blocks are adorable, Julee - and I love the rainbowy look too!

Bethany Paull said...

Julee! These are gorgeous! I can just see them sitting on a shelf in a baby or child's room. almost too pretty to play with.

Christi Flores said...

What an awesome idea!! Gorgeous!!

Kelly Lunceford said...

Julee, this is darling! I love it! You are so creative!

Allison said...

What an amazing idea. The blocks are gorgeous.

Amy Sheffer said...

Love these, Julee! What a great idea!

DoxieGirl said...

I love how bright and happy these are! I could use some building blocks of love!
~Kendra

Unknown said...

Amazing, as always!! Seriously - is there ANYTHING you can't do!?!? You're a hybrid pro now!! LOVE these! What a great baby gift idea!!

Ifat Art said...

What a great project!
I love it..

IfatArt

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

These blocks are GORGEOUS, Julee! WOW!

dpkennedy said...

These are just wonderful!

Laura (scrapnextras) said...

Love these! Such a fun idea and the paper is awesome. One day I will buy a real printer that doesn't print in faded lines.

Have you looked at fondue sticks? They are cheap and come in bags of 50-100. Long and pointy...perfect for pick up sticks!