Smile..........

Hello friends, I have a great new project for you.   This is actually my entry for the Today's Mama contest.  I'm crossing my fingers it's a winner, but either way, I love the way this one turned out and I hope you all do to.  

So as many of you know, we are working on finishing our basement.  The framing is done, (WOOHOO), and we have a bunch of left over pieces of 2 x 4 laying around.  On the 4th of July we had a weinne roast in our backyard, and I was shocked when my husband started using some of the left over blocks of 2 x 4 for the fire.  I screamed, "you're burning my next project".  I had been thinking about using some of them for something, i just didn't know what yet.  Well when I found out they were going to become firewood, I decided now was the time to make something fabulous.  

Step 1:  I cut my blocks to these sizes (2) 5x3, (1) 3x3, and (2) 2 1/2 x 3.  I sanded them, painted them, then sanded them again to give the blocks a distressed look.

Step 2:  The paper I used is from My Minds Eye, Just Dreamy 2.  I cut the pieces slightly bigger than  to allow room to tear the edges.  On a couple of them I used 2 coordinating papers to add contrast.  I used modge podge to glue the paper down.  

Step 3:  Next I added the vinyl letters cut from black vinyl.  I used the Sesame Street font cartridge, and choose the black board option.  

Step 4:  Glue clothes pins on to the back of the blocks.  These will hold your photos.

Step 5:  Add your extras.  I cut flowers from Accent Essential using 1 1/2 in, 2 in, and 2 1/2 in, then layered them.  I used a simple button in the center of the flower to accent it.  I also cut the bees from Pooh and Friends cart using the icon option.  Can you tell that I used assitate for the wings, and flocked sticky back paper on the bees.  I suspended the bees from some simple craft wire off the block.  (Soooo cute isn't it?)

Step 6:  I matted the photos in coordinating paper, then clipped them to the back of the blocks. 

This is such an easy, fun project.  I hope you enjoy it.  Thanks to all who visit my blog.  I LOVE the comments you leave for me.  They mean so much to me.