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10 Things to do with a block

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10 fun things to do with a block

We posted these last year when we had a few followers (thanks to our moms…they were our first followers).  We wanted to make sure you saw the fun things you can do with a simple block.

So on with 10 things to do with a block!

10 things to do with a blockA simple block…who knew?  10 things to do with a block.  We are using a 2×2 block.  We cut down a 4×4 post to an exact 2×2 post.  If you have access to a table saw set your width to 2 inches and cut one line and then flip your post to and cut another line.  Your 2×2 should be cut out and exact! Then you will need to use a chop saw and cut them into 2 inch chunks.  Making your 2×2 block…or just buy them from the craft store!

Idea #1

10 things to do with a block

Make a Christmas Ornament

1. Paint your block (I just used craft paint).

2.  Mod Podge a picture on one of the sides.

3.  Sand any leftover picture paper off.

4.  Screw in an ‘eye’ in the top.

5.  Add ribbon

6. Admire

Idea #2

10 things to do with a block

How about 9 Christmas Ornaments

1.  Mod podge 5 sides of your block with scrap book paper. (For 10 steps for perfect mod podging CLICK HERE)

2.  Mod Podge a picture to the 6th side.

3.  Sand any leftover paper off.  If you want to stain the edges to give it a shabby chic look…this would be the time:)

4.  If you wanted to stain the edges now would be the time.  It will give it a shabby chic look.  Keep it plain for a more sleek look.

5. Make your Christmas tree a true  ‘family tree’

We wanted to decorate our Christmas tree with pictures of our family and put a big fat red ribbon around the entire tree.  A friend is going to do a BSU themed tree and mod podge BSU paper on the blocks and then take pics of her kids in BSU uniforms…go Amber!  We want to see it when it’s done!!!

Idea #3

10 things to do with a block

A Picture Holder

How cute would this be on a fire place mantel or on top of a computer at work!?!

1.  Mod Podge all the sides

2.  Drill a hole in the top and stick a piece of wire in it! I found the wire at Lowe’s.  .

3.  Cut out of vinyl the name of the ‘featured’ and put on one side of block.  You can use yourcraft cutter for this project!

4.  Put in your picture!

Idea #4

10 things to do with a block

Neighbor Gift

1.  You think we’d let this pass with out making a neighbor christmas gift!!!

2.  Mod Podge all sides with cute paper

3.  Put some holiday vinyl on and wrap it like candy(no calories)!

4.  Love the poka dot ribbon!

Idea #5

10 things to do with a block

Stacking Blocks

1.  Mod Podge and add vinyl

2.  Don’t let your toddler play with the blocks…the first one said NOEL.

3.  Display on a shelf or in front of the Christmas tree!

Idea #6

10 things to do with a block

Christmas Count Down

1. Mod Podge 4 blocks

2.  Add the numbers: 1,2,6or9,0,7,8 to the first block

3. Add the numbers: 1,4,3,5,2,0 to the second block

 

Idea #7

10 things to do with a block

Blocks

1. Paint the blocks (easy) …

2. Put the ABC vinyl on them (easier)…I used the ‘Narkism’ font 1.8×1.8 in dark brown.

You can cut small vinyl letters and sayings with your Silhouette…or craft cutter.

If you are spelling out a name, make sure to put the letters of the name on the blocks first – you don’t want to put the ‘L’ and ‘U’ on the same block or you can’t spell out the name.

How fun would this be to give at a shower or to nieces and nephews for birthdays!

Idea #8

10 things to do with a block

Kid Stackers

(Great for Grandparents…put all the Grandkids!)

1. Mod Podge the blocks, add the picture (just like in the ornaments #1)

2. Drill a hole all the way through the blocks.

3. Put wire though them.

4. The top block will have both wires sticking out. Curl them with wire cutters.

5. Add vinyl ‘Family’ to it (‘Black Boys on Mopeds’ Font 1.6×1.6)

Idea #9

10 things to do with a block

10 things to do with a block

Presents

1. Wrap the blocks and stick them around the house for decoration.

2. -OR- put an eyelet in the top and hang them from the tree…just like #1 (Click Here to see it)

…do you see Missy in the photograph?:)

Idea #10

10 things to do with a block

10 things to do with a block

10 things to do with a block

10 things to do with a block

Kid Puzzles

1. Take 9 blocks and put them close together. Mod Podge a 6×6 picture on them. Take an exact-o knife and cut out the individual blocks. OR cut the 6×6 picture into 2×2 squares and Mod Podge them on after you cut them.

2. Flip the blocks to a new side and do it again.

3. Mod Podge all 6 sides with different pictures.

4. You’ll have created 6 puzzles with your favorite pictures!

5. Give as a gift to family…ya right…this one is a keeper!!!

HAVE FUN!!!

 10 things to do with a block

{We’re linking up to these great parties!}


About Alison

Alison is one of the 3 founders of HowDoesShe.com She is the mama of 4 rockin' kids who love PB and J's. She has one fantastic husband who is the love of her life and loves long walks on the beach!

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Comments

  5. valerene matthews, malaysia says

    i am SO gonna make these to give away! thinking of sticking christmas giftpaper on the non-photo side and sandpapering it to give it a decoupage kinda look. thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply

  7. chelsie says

    Love the blocks! Way stinking cute:) I’m makeing sure to spread the word of how awesome this site is! Thanks, you girls are the BEST!

    Reply

  13. kami says

    love your site. thank you. i just purchased me a crickut on a black friday sale. I’m so excited!!!! anyway, i was wondering where you buy your vinyl for it?
    thanks
    kami

    Reply

  18. Erin Keith says

    Thanks so much for such a great idea!!! I made a little family set for my son and I love them! And so does he, but for now, I might just a little bit more. Here they are if interested. chrisanderinkeith.blogspot.com/2010/01/family-blocks.html

    Thanks again!!

    Reply

  20. Courtney Leibrandt says

    I have also been having fun with wood blocks. Here are some sweet ones I made for Valentine’s Day: redheadscraftmorefun.blogspot.com/2010/01/l-o-v-e-blocks-x-o-x-o.html Have a great day!

    Courtney

    Reply

  23. Karen says

    Geez I love this site!!! Thanks so much for all the super fun ideas! I can’t wait to get started. I’m planning to do a spin on these blocks for wedding reception centerpieces. I was wondering, do you stain the blocks after you modge podge or before?

    Reply

  27. Kristen says

    So…i LOVE your site!!! Like LOVE it!!!! I have never been very “crafty” because i can’t really sew and i have not so pretty handwriting and yall have now made me a crafter and i am so excited! I actually just got a Cricut to do all my vinyl! I’m so excited! Just made my first blocks. I was wondering, as a very new owner of a cricut, is there a cartridge that you can custom what word you want and have the word actually connect, not just cut individual letters? Thanks!!!

    Reply

    • Alison says

      Congrats on getting a craft cutter! We are big fans of vinyl lettering. The Circut is a awesome machine, but I just don’t have one. I have used one and think they are awesome, but I have the Silhouette. They cut the same, they just run on different programs, so I hate to say this, but I don’t know how to do that on the Cricut. I know there are a lot of U-Tube video’s on the Cricut. Someone is bound to go over that.
      If you are asking because you want to keep the letters all in a straight line…One thing you can do though is after you cut it…put blue painters tape over the letters and rub over it. Then remove the vinyl backing. The letters will be stuck to the tape. Move that to your craft and put it on. Rub over the tape and the letters will stick. Pull the painters tape off slowly and the letters will stick to the craft and will be in a perfect line.
      Let me know if that helps! I hope I didn’t confuse you. I am so happy you got a craft cutter! It helps to make crafts professional…that’s why I have one!!!

      Reply

  29. kristenduke says

    I LOVE all the block fun, but am having a hard time finding them in bulk. I see them at Michael’s for $1 each, but never sales. Any suggestions online? Kristen in Texas

    Reply

  31. Heidi K says

    Love the ideas! I want to do #10 for Christmas. Just wondering how you got a 6×6 picture. Did you cut a larger one? Thanks.

    Reply

  32. Katie says

    I was thinking about these blocks and a great way to get a lot of these for a great price is to go shop at Home Depot or Lowes… get a 4×4 post (they usually run about $9-10) for 8′ length. This would make 22-24 blocks. You can even cut them in the cut center so you dont have to do it at home. So that would make each block about $0.45! Pretty good!!!

    Reply

    • Jenni says

      The thing you need to remember about lumber is that a 4×4 is actually a bit smaller (3 3/4 or 3 7/8 – something like that) so that you wouldn’t get TRUE 2×2 blocks when cutting it down – however – continuing with your thought – an 8 foot long 4×4 is 96″ if you cut that down into 2 inch segments you’d have 48 2x4x4 blocks and then cut those into quarters (making approximate 2×2 blocks) you would have have roughly 188 2×2 blocks – you would lose a few block to sawdust as you cut things down. Even if you spent $20 for an unpressure treated 4×4 that would make it around 11 cents per block! Oh and for ease I usually have the lumber center cut it down to 2 foot long piece so that there is less bulk for me to have to manuever on the table saw.

      Reply

  33. Ruthanne says

    I finished some puzzles today. I love them! I can’t wait for my boys to open them at Christmas. they are going to love seeing their pictures on a puzzle. Thanks for the great ideas. 🙂

    Reply

  34. Nancy says

    My daughter made one of those puzzles for me a few years ago and I treasure it! She changed all the photos to sepia first which turned out really nice. They’re also a great idea for wedding gifts. It would be cute to wrap each block of the puzzle up like little gifts!

    Reply

  35. Michelle says

    Love all the ideas! I want to do #3 to display holiday cards with Joy, Noel, and Peace, on the blocks. Question – what gauge wire do you suggest? I used floral wire for something similar, but found it a little too flimsy.

    Reply

  37. Melissa Dixon says

    I made some really awesome photoblocks as gifts for all the grandparents. They came out fantastic but I was so disappointed to find out yesterday that some of the photos are bubbling. Anyone have any idea about what the problem could be?

    Reply

  44. Deebi27 says

    Wonderful ideas, every single one…a blog keeper! My class could do some of these for holiday gifts for parents! Thanks!

    Reply

  45. rebecca spahr says

    I am a dingbat. I want to make the photo puzzles. But, I can’t figure out how to print my photos 6×6. Any tips?

    Reply

  46. Lindsey says

    My local home improvement stores (Lowe’s or Home Depot) do not carry untreated wood larger than 2×6!! Bummer!! Anyone have success in other places?

    Reply

  49. Anna says

    LOVE LOVE LOVE all of these ideas!! So adorable and creative! I could spend hours checking out all of the wonderful craft ideas on your site!

    Reply

  51. Bridget Burton says

    Cute ideas. Thanks for sharing. I have an almost 5 year old grandson and am always looking for things we can do together

    Reply

  53. Diaen says

    #7 I sanded mine just a little and it turns out white, but I didn’t go deep in with the sanding and I really like them. Turned out great. Thanks again for sharing your ideas and I look forward to the newsltr.

    Reply

  54. Gail Drahos says

    Hi, I am looking for some recipes I found, but now I can’t find them. The link is letbirdzfly.blogspot.com/2012/05/fathers-day-gift-dry-rubs-@htm, however the site says there is no page. Your blog name came up, so I thought , maybe you would know how to get there!! Thank-you for any help!!

    Reply

  55. stefanie says

    Hi just wondering how do you get a 6×6 pic? I print pics at walmart and you can’t get a 6×6 photo…HELP! Thanks,I love this idea and can’t wait to get started!

    Reply

  57. JenB says

    Did anyone else have an issue with the pictures bubbling up after a week or so? I just did some picture blocks for Christmas gifts, but some of the pictures have started to bubble. Am I doing something wrong?

    Reply

  58. Nancy says

    I want to make the photo puzzle blocks but Costco does not print pictures in 6×6 size, just wondering what size did you order?

    Reply

  60. kat says

    wowza ! I am so going to go get some wood blocks and do these things with my boys, that I am nanny to (they are 3 and 4/5) and I want to do lots of crafts and educational things with them . these are great ideas to have in my arsenal of “keep them busy times” in my bag of tricks I will be bringing with me.
    -KAT-

    Reply

  61. Jules says

    Love these ideas! I am having my dad cut some blocks for lawn yahtzee…we all love regular yahtzee these would be a great addition to our camping games!!!

    Reply

  63. sarah says

    When you mod podge the picture, do you mod podge over it with the foam brush, or do you put a little under neath the picture, then place It on the block? I’ve never used mod podge…. so I’m not sure of all the tricks and what not haha.

    Reply
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