Making Valentine’s Day Decorations with Wooden Blocks
Here’s a fun idea for Valentine’s Day decorations that are both cute and easy to make! All you need are some wooden blocks and a little creativity.
I’ve used vintage Valentine’s images, but you can use any style, time period, or holiday you like.
Wooden Block Valentine’s Day Decorations
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For This Project, you’ll need:
- Wooden blocks
- Red chalk paint
- Printed Vintage graphics
- Sharp scissors
- paper cutter
- Matte Mod Podge
- 1-inch flat paintbrush
Paint the Wooden Cubes
First, you want to paint the wooden blocks. If the surface is a little rough, use a piece of a regular brown paper bag to lightly sand the block. Amazingly, this works!
After painting the blocks and allowing them to dry, I use the same piece of paper bag to lightly sand the painted blocks. After a second coat of paint, lightly sand again. You’ll be surprised at what a difference this step makes!
Print And Prepare the Vintage Graphics
You can find all kinds of vintage graphics online. My favorite spot is GraphicsFairy.com. I right-click on the images and click “save image” to a folder on my laptop. Then, using PicMonkey, I upload them to a blank canvas. You can use your favorite photo editing tool.
I first choose the 8.5″ x 11″ blank template. PicMonkey has a grid option where you can choose rows and columns. Type in 5 rows and 4 columns. On the top left, choose ‘add image’. Choose the option from “Computer”. Then, add the graphics you saved from your computer file.
Resize them to fit in the grid squares you created earlier or choose a portion of the pictures to fit in the squares. You can see that I used only a portion of the graphics. The grid helped isolate the area I wanted.
You can then move them away from the edges of the paper, leaving space between them, too.
To get you started, here’s a Vintage Valentine Images pdf download ◄
Then, print out the graphics onto regular printer paper. I like to spray RUST-OLEUM Clear Topcoat onto the images to make sure the ink won’t bleed when the Mod Podge is applied. However, as I’m doing this, it is between 9 and 17 degrees outside. This time, I’m not using the topcoat. It’s too dang cold outside!
Just apply the Mod Podge with a 1-inch flat paintbrush and don’t overwork the Mod Podge as you apply it.
You will need 6 graphics for each cube. Notice that you need to crop the pictures to a 2-inch square for these blocks. You don’t want to make them 2-1/4 – inches. You’ll have problems with the corners and the red background makes a nice frame. I used a paper cutter but you can use a straight-edge, cutting mat, X-Acto, or scissors.
Make a Template for Cropping Images
When I started cutting these, I wasn’t happy with one of the squares. So I made a 2-inch template from some of the scrap paper. Some scotch tape held the pieces together. Then, I could move it around until I was happy with the image. A little pencil mark in each corner is all you need to indicate where to cut.
Glue the Vintage Graphics to the Wooden Blocks
Begin by applying Mod Podge to the back of the graphics.
If the paper isn’t sticking to the wood properly, paint Mod Podge onto the flat surface of the block.
Once the surface is ready, center the graphic on the cube.
Gently press the paper onto the wooden cube making sure to smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles. Repeat on each of the remaining sides.
Next, apply a coat of Mod Podge over each of the graphics. Be sure the edges are pressed down against the wood. You can easily work on the other three sides and the top, allow those to dry a while, and then finish the bottom. This matte Mod Podge dries relatively quickly after application.
Apply another coat of the Mod Podge over each side. You can paint the Mod Podge over all of the sides except one. Then, when the sides are dry, paint the last side. Make sure the glue doesn’t glob on the edges.
Display your beautiful Valentine’s Day decorations in your home or give them as unique gifts to your loved ones.
Click here to see ► DIY Valentine’s Hanging Heart Decorations.
How to Make Wooden Block Decorations
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