Valentine Blocks

Friends, I’m really excited about today’s post because not only do I get to show you something I made, I get to show off the creative projects of some very special ladies in my life.
A few months ago, I had the idea of trying to start a little crafting group with some of the ladies I know in real life who like doing creative things.  We thought it would be tricky trying to do something around the holidays so we set our first “meeting” for January 26.  Not everyone was able to make it this first time, but here are the gals who were: April, Erin, Jess, Sherl, and Verna.
We had, ahem, a bit of a tricky time deciding on what our first project was going to be {mostly because I’m super indecisive and they didn’t all know each other so no one wanted to be assertive}, but we finally settled on painted wooden Valentine blocks.  It was my job to purchase our supplies, so Little Crafter and I headed off to Michaels to get some wooden blocks.  Except that they don’t have them in the size we wanted.  We grabbed some scrapbook paper, then headed off to Home Depot to buy some wood and get it cut.  Here’s that story…
As I wandered aimlessly around the lumber section, unsure where to find a 2×4, a helpful employee asked what I needed, then directed me to someone who worked in the lumber department.  Here’s what happened next.
Lumber Man: “How can I help you?”
Me: “I need a 2×4 cut into a bunch of little blocks.”
LM: “What size are you thinking?”
Me: “Um, I don’t really know…maybe 4″?  6”?
LM: “That’s really small.”
Me: “Uh, yeah, I guess…we’re using them for a craft.  Wooden blocks with sayings on them.  Like this. {showing him a photo on my cell phone}.”
LM: “Okaaay, but I can’t cut them that small.”
Me: “What do you mean?” {isn’t that your job?}
LM: “I can’t cut anything smaller than a foot.”

Me: “Really?”

LM: “Yeah.  That’s our policy.”
Me: “Really.  I didn’t know that.  I thought you could cut it however I wanted.”
LM: “No.  It’s a safety issue.”
Me: “Oh.  {crap} Uh.  How big would 12″ be?”
LM: “A foot.”
Me: “Yes. {I know} Can I see it?”
LM: “I guess so.” {pulls out a tape measure}
Me: “Ok.  Let’s go with that.”
And so we did.  The ever-helpful Lumber Man who thought I was an idiot cut me 24 wooden blocks.

 

I brought them home, told hubby the story, and he told me he could easily cut half of them in half for me so I had some 6″ ones to work with too.  God bless that man.
So, the night of the party, I set up the table with everything we would need.  Wooden blocks, ribbon, paint, LOTS of Mod Podge in all kinds of formulas, scrapbook paper, scissors, paint brushes…and of course, Cammie and some vinyl were close on hand for the words.
After some socializing and getting to know each other, we all got to work painting our blocks and adding embellishments.  I think my favorite part, besides the laughter and great company {oh and the coffee and cake balls} was seeing how differently everyone’s projects turned out when we all had the same materials in front of us!  Here’s a peek at what each person made!
Jess made these “lover boy” blocks for her hubby…I absolutely love the little mustache, top hat, and bowtie!  She originally had the white block sitting on top of the red one, but we decided that made it look like “boy lover” instead.  Oops.  Much better this way.

April made this Heart is for Love set…I totally want it.  If we hadn’t run out of red paint I probably would have copied it exactly, lol.  I just love it.  The heart, the fonts, the colors, the bow {tied by my fabulous mom}…perfect!

Sherl, my wonderful mom, made this Love block using some cute heart scrapbook paper.  She saved her other block for a separate project I’ll show you in a minute!
Erin decided to be different {big surprise…hehe}, and stack hers this way like a pile of books to make Happily Ever After blocks.
Some people decided they also wanted blocks that weren’t specifically for Valentine’s Day…something they could leave out year round.
Sherl made this To the Beach block to go in her turquoise/beach themed dining room.

Verna also loves the beach and made these sea-inspired LOVE blocks.

And, my Erin also made this “Quit your whining, cupcake” block that I totally want.

And, if you’re wondering what I made, here it is.  Of course, it had to sparkle, so I sealed it with a coat of Sparkle Mod Podge!  It’s actually a gift for Little Crafter for Valentine’s Day.  Well, it was going to be, but I forgot to put it away and he saw it.  And read it.  All by himself.  He walked over and said, “oooooh, what’s that?  Hey!  It says ‘Love you to the moon and back!’  Is that for me?”
I also made one other little project, but you’ll have to wait a little longer to see that one…I’ll give you a hint, it has something to do with a certain team and a certain rather important game…
So, what do you think?  Which blocks are your favorite?  What would you do with those same supplies?
Hugs & Glitter,

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18 Comments

  1. These are really creative and sweet. I’m new to this blogging thing and crafting. Where did you find stencils for the lettering? I have been looking all over for stencils for a project and I can’t find any cute ones the correct size?

  2. They ‘re all great! And to answer to your question I would make one looked like a box (jewelry or tin can) draw the locker and everything… So anyone would try to open it 🙂

  3. Amy, you have some super talented friends! I love how you each started with the same basic “ingredients” and yet came up with so many amazing works of art! I’m so glad you shared this at Loving Valentines Day!

    TGIF!
    Marilyn

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