Hey, hey! So it finally cooled down a bit out here! It was in the low 80’s today, and it felt like heaven! I do I hear that there’s a warming trend coming up this weekend, but hey I’m staying in the moment!
Earlier this week I posted about my fall mantel, and how easy and inexpensive it was to throw together.
Most of the items were from around my house, with the exception of the pumpkins, which are from Michael’s (which I adore). I got creative with the glass vases, repainted some old pillars, and made a ‘fall’ sign out of wood blocks to complete the look.
The block letters are by far my favorite part of the mantel! I know I’ll use them year after year!
If you’re looking to add a rustic touch to your mantel this year, you can make your own version of these blocks!
How to a Make Rustic Wood Blocks Sign
What you’ll need:
- Wood block scraps
- Stain
- Access to a computer and printer OR a vinyl cutter
- Paint
- Paint pen
- Foam brush (angled)
- Sand paper
Tutorial:
Gather your wood blocks.
I have a large pile of these in my garage, so I just grabbed a few from my stash (you can get these from any home improvement store). I lined them up in the order I wanted to use them, since they are different heights and widths. I loved this quality about them, only to realize after the project was completed that I didn’t follow the height order I had originally wanted. Sigh.
Sand.
I used my orbital sander (a.k.a. my BFF) to get these super smooth in no time, but you can sand by hand if you like.
Smooth like a baby’s bottom:)
Stain.
I chose a dark walnut shade of stain, and covered each piece in a light coat. I used a paper towel lightly dipped in the stain, and just smoothed it on. Let this dry over night or at least a few hours.
Lettering.
I could have used the chalk method that I’d used when making this LOVE sign a few months ago, but I opted to just print out the letters (font was ‘courier new’, size was 200 pt.), cut them out, and taped them on each block.
Other options are to use a vinyl cutter (like a Silhouette or Cricut), vinyl stickers, or the chalk method I mentioned above.
Using a paint pen I simply traced the letters.
I carefully painted around the letter’s lines with an angled foam brush, and then filled the rest in (correcting any mistakes with the paint pen). If using vinyl stickers or a cutter you could just paint over the whole thing in one fell swoop!
To ‘antique’ the bright white, I went over the blocks with a light coat of stain, and wiped it off right away.
Distressing.
The white took a couple of coats to cover the dark stain. Once that was dry, I went at it with the sand paper. Focusing on the edges, and over the letters to smooth out any transition between the stain and paint, and making sure to sand in the direction of the grain.
To seal it I added a coat of polyurethane (in a satin finish). I let them dry for about 10 minutes because I just couldn’t wait any longer, and gently placed them on my mantel, where they finished the drying process :)
If you are familiar with my blog, you know I love the beat up and distressed look on wood, so I am especially enjoying the natural imperfections in these blocks. The wood grain showing through the white is my favorite part of this project—I think it adds so much more character than if the letters were to have just been painted on.
Now that my fall mantel is complete, I’m getting ready to work on the front porch!
Happy Fall!
Linking up here!
Linda @ it all started with paint says
I just love, love these blocks … I think i may be making some of my very own this weekend!
:)
Linda
Patricia Purcell says
They look amazing! I never realized how simple they are to make. I think I need to make a set (or five) for around here.
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says
Great tutorial! I love the look!
Angela says
Love, love, love :)
Homa Style says
I came back to read your tutorial. You did an awesome job! Staining first and painting over the stain really give a great distressed look.
Donna Wilkes says
Perfect for this mantel vignette. I love that the “a” is taller than the rest – sort of like “a fall”!
Distressed Donna Down Home
Kathryn Pepper says
These are so super cute! I want to make some now! I’d love for you to share this at my link party!!
Kathryn
destinationcraft.blogspot.com
Full Circle Creations says
Looks great! Nice tutorial too! Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party!
Holly
Linda@Coastal Charm says
These are so cute and look outstanding on your Fall mantel. Come by on Monday and feel free to grab my featured button for your blog (it’s located under my header)…I have featured your desk and chair this week.
Blessings,
Linda
Chelsea @ Making Home Base says
I just think these are adorable and they look perfect on your mantle. Thanks so much for sharing!
Adrianne at Happy Hour Projects says
Barbara, these are beautiful! I love the look of the natural wood underneath, I haven’t seen anyone choose to stencil like that. I love the rustic-ness of it too. :)
Claire @ The Rustic Pig says
LOVE these!! Too cute!! I’m going to have make these ASAP!!
Kadie says
These turned out so cute Barbra!! I really like the distressed look too.:)
Lindsay @Artsy-Fartsy Mama says
Love, love, LOVE!!! Really want to make some of these for my house. Great work!
Dawn Braun says
great blocks! I’ve already pinned them, thanks for the great tutorial and I love your mantle! :)
Mariel says
So pretty, and I love the neutral theme! I would love to have you stop by ‘Or so she says…’ and share your great ideas at the Saturday link party (runs until Tuesday night…tonight!) I hope to see you there! http://www.oneshetwoshe.com
Kathy Mormino says
Hello, new follower here! I would love to have you link up with my Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week!
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/09/clever-chicks-blog-hop-2-featured-post.html
I hope to see you there!
Cheers!
Kathy
The Chicken Chick
gail@My Repurposed Life says
barbara, I love the reverse stencil of these blocks and the distressing. great job girl!
gail
Jeannie-JB says
Love your distressed FALL blocks! Pinning them Now.
Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says
These are super cute! Love how you distressed them!
Carissa Rasmussen says
just found your blog and am an instant fan! Thanks for this great tutorial, I really love how you took advantage of the different sized blocks to create something instantly appealing! great inspiration and I can’t wait to go make me one. New follower!
Meg says
Featuring your darling blocks on this weeks All Star Block Party!
http://www.nutmegplace.com/2012/10/all-star-block-party-18.html
Mindi@MyLove2Create says
These are such cute blocks! I love the distressed look too! Thanks for sharing!
Christine says
I want it Barbara!!!!! The tutorial is FABULOUS! I’m going to try and make one too!!!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
Alex says
Super cute! Now I need a fake mantle so I can do this!
Little Susie Home Maker says
What a great idea!
thethinkingcloset says
Love your wood blocks! And your tutorial is very clearly described, too. I came over from the Do Something Crafty linky party at seevanessacraft.com. Cheers! -Lauren
Deidre says
I really adore these fall blocks! Uber creative!!!
Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm says
I really like your fall blocks and love the taller “a” block. It really sets it off. Happily following you via GFC and looking forward to more!
Kristy LifenReflection says
I love projects like this and they turned out sooo cute!
jewelsforall says
So cool! Love the rustic look :)
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Such a great idea – your letter blocks would be great in a shabby chic girl’s room!!
Sparkle says
I pinned it to make it one day ;) New gfc follower from the hop
http://ellecrafts.blogspot.com
Tammy says
Great tutorial! I too love distressed wood :) Thank you for sharing this at Rustic Restorations weekend.
Craftberry Bush says
love the results you got….the wood looks perfectly distressed..thank you for sharing at our Happy HOur Linky…ox
Betsy @ Romance on a Dime says
These are so cute!! Love them. Thanks for linking up at Romance on a dime!!
Paula Miller says
Awesome! Simple and really pretty :)
Thanks for sharing with my NO RULES Weekend Blog Party!
Paula
lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com
Christine says
CONGRATS!!! You have been featured at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality!
Come on over and grab your feature button, you deserve it :)
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.ca/2012/10/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-37.html
Jill says
Hi Barbara!! I have the post up of my “snow” blocks! Thanks again for the amazing craft! Hope you will stop by and check it out sometime!
http://twoyellowbirdsdecor.blogspot.com/2013/01/snow-blocks.html
Jill
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
I love it Jill! I pinned it and am sharing it on facebook. They look sooo cute!!
Tiffany says
I love your “fall” wood blocks. They inspired me to create something similar using “noel” for Christmas. Here is the link http://flipflopsandsnowboots.com/noel-wood-blocks-page/
Thank you for the inspiration and the great DIY!
Tiffany