Wooden Christmas Block

Instead of storing your favorite holiday cards in a shoe box, make a home decor project that allows you to put them on display for the holiday season.  Designer Dawn has a great home decor project using your favorite holiday cards, a wooden block, paint, paper, Glue Dots and few embellishments.

Designed by: Dawn Mercedes Barrett
Time: Approx. 1 hour, not including drying times
Level: Intermediate
Size: 1.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches

Are you a sentimental holiday card saver? If you can't bare to part with a special card, here is a grand way to reuse and display your favorite cards for years to come!

Here's what you need:

• Pop Up Glue Dots®
• Ultra Thin Glue Dots®
• Mini Glue Dots®
• Holiday card
• Americana DECOR Chalky Finish in Everlasting
• Americana DECOR Creme Wax
• Americana acrylic paint
• Ribbons and/or silver cording
• Buttons,  jingle bells, and other embellishments (optional)
• Cardstock
• 1 - 2" x 6" board cut at a 5.5 inch length
• Sponge brush
• Sand paper, medium grit and fine grit
• Scissors

Here's what you do:

1. Using fine grit sand paper, lightly sand the wood block. Wipe clean.
2. Mix a small amount of Americana DECOR Chalky Finish and Americana multi surface acrylic paint. You may want to use more than one color to create the perfect shade. Here I used Deep Turquoise and Baby Blue acrylic paint.
3. Using a sponge brush, paint your wood block. When it is completely dry, apply a second coat of paint and allow to dry over night.
4. Use medium grit sand paper to distress the edges of your block. Wipe away the excess dust.
5. Apply Americana DECOR Creme Wax onto your block in a circular motion. Wipe up excess. Then, use a new clean rag to buff the block. This seals your paint. Allow to dry over night.
6. Trim your card front so that it fits on your block. Create a mat and other additions to decorate the front. Use Ultra-Thin Glue Dots to adhere your card front and mats to the block. Use Mini Glue Dots to secure corners.
7. Create a large bow by layering three smaller bows together using Pop Up Glue Dots. Add other embellishments as desired, such as bells, buttons, rhinestones, etc. to finish your Holiday Block.

Tip: Check the hubby's scrap pile after home improvement projects. You are bound to find scraps to use in your home decor projects!

Now, instead of keeping cherished cards in a box, they can shine on mantles and on side tables. Keep those holiday memories alive year after year.

~ Dawn

Glue Dots products can be purchased at: