October Blockheads...Round 2!!!

So just when I think I'm getting back on my game, life throws me a curve ball! A curve ball in the form of lightening that is.

Long story short, we have been experiencing several lightening storms over the last few days and they're not expected to go away until this weekend.

My vonage device apparently does not like lightening, it has been on the fritz since Sunday.

The bad news, my post schedule got a lot messed up.

The good news, I've seen some REALLY cool lightening over the last few days!!!

So on to that promised second posting of October Blockheads...

Monsters and more monsters, I love it!

The cute kind anyway- have I ever mentioned how much I HATE to be scared?

This little man will be bringing more smiles than screams...

meet Count Block-ula!

(His eyebrows make me giggle!)

So that makes the witch, Frankie and the Mrs., Dracie here, what could be left?

MUMMY of course!

This one's so easy, it's a crime to sell him! Simply wrap your block with a piece of torn muslin, blush your cheeks, glue on a nose and some spider friends, dot the eyes and your mummy is good to go!

Every monster needs a few accessories to help with that "SPOOKY" look, so why not start with one of these...

Black Cats are all the rage this fall! Do you have yours yet?

And last, bats in the attic? Definitely...

I have several and I'm thinking I need a few more.

So there you go, eight fun little critters all ready for Halloween tricks and treats!

Keep your eyes out for the tutorials to make your own little herd of monsters.

Because of the technical glitches, these aren't in my shop yet, but will be soon.

You can always drop me an email if by chance you can't wait!

Kits retail for $5 each and include (almost) everything you need to finish them.

Happy Crafting.

  

September Blockheads and Word...of the Month Kits!

So the start of school is clearly kicking my bootie!

 I've spent the last three days running to and from school, volleyball try-outs, play dates, dentist appointments, activity days, mutual, visiting teaching appointments....what happened to being back in school means peace for mom?

Maybe next week, right?

Anyway, I'm super excited to be sharing a few new blockheads and a new Word...of the Month Kit. I've had a kit done in my head for every month this year, summer just didn't give me the time to actually finished them so this is a bit of a mini victory for me!

 (I even have all of October's done too!)

I mentioned a few weeks back that I am SOOOO ready for Fall. I am just aching for cool nights, crisp mornings, and a color other than dead grass! But I fear with all this Texas heat and no end in sight, there will be no fall-so I'm making my own!

This set is cut from 1/2 inch MDF and vary in height from 5 to 6 inches tall.

Set contains four pieces: letters F, L, and L, and an acorn cutout for the "A".

Comes unfinished so you can your choice of color and embellishments.

This set will be in my shop HERE! later today.

The first September Blockhead kit is an autumn must have!

You can't have fall without a little brown owl nested in the trees.

I am loving that this little guy can hang out on my shelf from now all the way through October.

The kit contains the base block, beak, wings, and feet cutouts, as well as paper patterns for the tummy insert and eyes, feathers, and finishing instructions.

Whoo wants one?

Look for the tutorial soon or find the kit in my shop...

And Blockhead #2...

Fall is all about the harvest, and every harvest needs a friend.

This little scarecrow was so fun (and easy) to make and looks so cute nestled in with a bunch of sunflowers and pumpkins.

Kit contains base block, hat, and nose cutouts, raffia bundle, and flower for hat!

As well as paper patterns and finishing instructions. Again, in the shop.

Tutorial will be coming soon...

And speaking of the great fall harvest, I've put this word kit from last year back in my shop (it's still one of my very favorites!!!)...

It's looking a bit more Fall-like already!

Hope you like them, I sure had fun putting them together, along with 8, yes EIGHT, blockheads for October-I'm so excited to share them but am going to sit on them for a bit longer.

Happy Crafting-



Uncle Sam Blockhead Tutorial!!!

 

I pledge allegiance...to my growing blockhead collection!

We want you...to make an Uncle Sam... You'll need the following items: small 2x4 block for the base*mine are cut to square at 3.5 x 3.5 incheswood nose, hat, and eyebrow cut outs*you could also use fun foam or chipboard if wood isn't availablered, white, blue, and yellow card stock*I also used a little piece of pink for the nosewhite yarn for the beard and hairflesh toned, pink, white, and black paintbrown or black and red ink padsglue gun and scissorsmod podge and brushes Start by sanding any rough edges from your wood pieces. Then paint the base with the flesh toned paint.Once the paint is dry, blush the cheeks using the red ink pad... 

Finish the hat piece next.

Trace the entire hat shape onto the blue card stock. Cut it out, distress the edges, and then adhere it onto your wood/chipboard hat cutout.

Cut the top portion of the hat from the red paper, a stripe from the white, and a star from the yellow. Distress edges and adhere onto the blue hat piece going red, then white, then the star.

Next, finish the nose/mustache and eyebrow pieces by either paper covering or painting. Distress the edges with the brown or black ink pad. The mustache piece is cut from the white card stock and then glued to the back of the nose.



Use the white paint to add highlights to the cheeks and across the nose.

Using the yarn and glue gun, add loops of yarn to the back of the nose piece to form the beard.

Start at one side and work your way across to the other. You can go back and forth as many times as you'd like to achieve the thickness you want.



(You can then either leave the loop in tact or cut them.)

Glue everything into place...

Center the nose between the cheeks.

Place the hat onto the base top about 1/2 an inch down, and then add the eyebrows, gluing them onto the hat. I also added a few strands of yarn for hair.

Finish it off by using the black paint to dot the eyes just above the nose, when dry add white highlights and your Uncle Sam is ready for his debut!!

Happy Crafting. 

Uncle Sam Blockhead and Flag Kits are here!!!

I'm slowly getting myself put back together in regards to my shop and have added 2 new kits.(I've got several sitting in the sketch pad, just haven't made it much further!) I'm really excited for this first one... 

...meet Uncle Sam!!!

He's the latest installment into my blockhead series and well, I'm kind of crushing on him.

I love the 4th of July so this guy was an obvious choice for me.

He's super easy to put together and looks so cute sitting next to my Star Lantern!

This kit is a bit different from my others in that I'm including all the paper you need to finish him! You'll also find included in this kit the base block, hat cut out, nose and eyebrow cut outs, yarn for the beard and hair, all patterns, and instructions.

You'll find the kit available for purchase at my shop. The tutorial will post next Tuesday.

This next one is my take on a few July must-haves...fireworks and flags!

The flag is created with five 2x2 blocks, a 2x3 block, and a 1/4 inch star cut out.

They are quick and easy to finish with a little paint or spice them up with some fun patterned paper.

 And the nice part-they don't take up a ton of shelf space!!! 

Super fun for a group of gals or a bunch of munchkins.

The flag set looks fantastic with a little sparkle from the included firework set.

Firework set includes a pre-drilled 3, 4, and 5 inch base piece, wire "wicks", and finishing instructions.

Sand and paint for quick finish or add matching paper to complete the look!

So much fun for a holiday display or table! And if I get with it, there should be a few more summer kits coming soon. For now, check these kits out at my shop and keep an eye out for the tutorials next week...

Happy Crafting!

 

May Blockheads Are Here!!! Butterfly Tutorial...

You didn't think I could let an entire month go by without putting a few of these together now did you?I've had these in my head for a while now, just finally had a few minutes to get to them. First up is this little cutie... 

 

I tried to keep this one super simple. You just need a few things to make one. 

2x4 Block cut to 5 inches tall7 jumbo craft sticksScrapbook paperBlack craft wireribbon bow*I used a leftover piece of a 5 gal paint stick for the nose but paper or craft foam would work too. And some general supplies:pencil and scissorsMod Podge and brushink pads-black and redpaint-black, white, body and nose colorhot glue gun Start by painting and then sanding the block and nose piece: 

With the red ink, blush the cheeks, glue the nose into place, and add face details. Set aside to dry.

*Don't glue the ribbon on yet-makes your block sit uneven to glue the wings on!



 Cut your paper into 1/2 inch strips: 

Modpodge a strip of paper onto each of the jumbo craft sticks. Trim off the excess paper with your scissors and then use the black ink pad to distress the edges.

Do this for all 7 sticks.

Make your wings next:

 Cut each of the paper covered sticks in half. Set them into 4 groups-2 top wings each with 4 half-sticks and 2 bottom wings each with 3 half-sticksOnce you have them in a pattern you like, glue the pieces together.Glue the wing segments onto the back of the block-be sure the bottom set is even with the bottom of the block or she won't stand up. Cut and twirl a piece of craft wire for the antenna and glue into place also.Cover up the back ugliness with a piece of matching brown paper-I just used the glue gun. Turn your butterfly around, add her bow and any other embellishments and she's finished! 

Holler if you need any clarification!

The kits are available in my shop if you need it.

Happy Crafting-

 

2x4 Spring Chick Tutorial

This one's quick and easy, and super cute when finished-all fluffy and soft!(except for the wood block part...) Here's what you'll need: 

 2x4 block cut to 5 inches talla handful of yellow feathers, I used 12beak and feet cutouts(mine are 1/2 inch MDF, you could use foam, chipboard, or paper)orange paint and brush2 black furniture tacksribbon General Supplies:glue gunscissorshammersandpaper *I needed a gift bag for a baby shower so you'll notice I'm not using a block, but a paper bag. The process is the same, just lighter...) Start  by sanding the edges smooth on the block and your cutout pieces.You can paint the block yellow if you wish, I didn't cause well, unless you're looking at the back side, you can't see it! 

Using your glue gun, attach the feathers.

 Think of your block as a clock, start at 12 o'clock and work your way all the way around. Use the scissors to shorten the feathers as needed, be sure to save the cut pieces!

They work perfectly to fill in gaps.

The feather ends should all meet in the middle, just above the center of the block.

You'll cover them up with the beak piece...

Paint the beak and feet pieces orange. Sand or ink the edges and then glue them into place.

The beak will cover the feather ends and the feet should sit off center just a bit up from the bottom edge of the block.

Using the hammer, set the eyes into place...

Add a sweet little bow and your little chicky is done!

*I slipped a little flower under the "wing" in the top picture*

SO "TWEET!"

(Hehe! Look how cute they are as gift bags. They might be cuter than the intended present...)

Happy Crafting.

2x4 Basket Tutorial

 

Everyone needs a sweet basket filled with Spring treasures!

Grab a few supplies and you can make your own.

Here's what you'll need:

2x4 block cut to 3 inches tall

standard paint stick

brown cardstock

brown ink

sisal rope

Embellishments/Basket Filler

Standard Supplies:

Scissors

Sand paper

Drill

Glue Gun

Mod Podge

Sand the edges smooth on the block.

 Cut the paint stick to 4 inches-I just used my scissors, but  cut slowly.

If you plan on adding flowers, drill a few holes into the block to anchor the stems.

Use the mod podge to paper cover the paint stick. Cut the remaining card stock into strips, 1/2 inch wide, running the length of the paper.Once dry, distress edges on paint stick as well as each strip. Make your paper mat...

Start by gluing 2 strips together forming an "L" shape.

Glue additional strips onto the horizontal piece, alternating front and back...

Weave the remaining strips into the mat alternating rows of "over, under, over, under..."

Secure all the ends into place with glue and then glue the mat onto the block.

Trim away the excess paper and glue the ends down.

Glue the paint stick onto the block.

Glue the end of the rope into place behind the lip of the basket topper...

Repeat on other side...

(I doubled the rope on both of my wood baskets but kept it single on the gift bag I made)

Add your fillers, grass, eggs, flowers, etc. and your basket is finished!

Here's a  peak at the gift bags I made using this tutorial and the chick one as well...

(the chick will post later today)

Happy Crafting!