Cowboy Blocks

I knew about a year ago that I wanted to try my hand at this little craft. And boy am I glad I finally got around to it! I LOVE THESE LITTLE BLOCKS! This first go round was quite the learning experience though. I made them a little too big (they take up our entire mantel), and I wanted to give this first set to my mom (they are going to take up her entire windo sill at work, but oh well).

It started with a trip to Lowe's that was originally for the boys (Charlie and James), but Annie Jo and I tagged along to play in the lumber yard. I learned what a 2x4 was. And I learned that they aren't all straight. When I got the boards home, I also learned that some of them aren't REALLY 2x4s. Some are 2x3.9s. Anyway - at Lowe's and Home Depot, they will cut the wood for you in whatever dimensions you need (fo' free!) But when it became our turn, and Charlie got his plywood cut, our little wood cutter guy wasn't exactly the friendliest so I decided it wasn't the right time to tell him I needed 3- 6 in pieces, 2- 5 in pieces, and 2- 5.5 inch pieces. We just left with the 2x4.

So I had to convince Charlie to cut the wood for me - which he surprisingly agreed to. But only because he sucks at it. He cut them all wonky and cockeyed. Next time, I will just politely ask the man at Lowe's to do it. Their crazy monster of a saw cuts the wood so painlessly. Here we go!

The wood was cut into varying height pieces

I spray painted the backs and sides to make them a little cleaner

Then I mod podged different patterned scrapbook paper onto the fronts of them. I used a kitchen scraper tool to work the air bubbles out.



I cut the letters out using my AMAZING Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter (SOOOO EASY)



I mod podged the letters on, and TA-DA! Love them.

I have one more embellishment I want to try to add, so there may be an update to this post in the future. Like I said though, these are going to my mom (if she wants them - they are a little wonky). I have plans for some Choctaw Yellowjackets blocks too, so you might get to see another set of these - now that I've worked the kinks out!