How to: Christmas Countdown Blocks

Do you remember how excited you were for Christmas to come when you were little? Every day, asking your parents "how many days till Christmas?" Advent calendars are a great way to build a family tradition, but with some fun Countdown Blocks you can sneak in some learning too!

 



Supplies

• 2 - 3 1/2" unfinished wood blocks
• 1 - unfinished wood box, base should measure at least 8" x 4" 
• Christmas Pattern Paper
• 2" Adhesive Vinyl or Paper cutouts of the following numbers: 0 (x2), 1 (x2), 2 (x2), 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
• Adhesive Vinyl or Paper cutout of "Christmas Countdown" to fit the side of the box
• Mod Podge
• Acrylic Craft Paint
• Foam Brush
• Gloss Varnish (optional)
• Paper Trimmer or Scissors

Directions

1. Clean the blocks and box of any dust by wiping with a damp cloth. Paint all surfaces and let dry completely.
2. Measure and cut paper to fit the sides of each block (6 sides per block) and each side of the base box. We cut our paper slightly smaller than our 3 1/2" blocks, leaving a nice red trim from the paint. We also chose to use different, but coordinating papers - this would be very pretty done in all the same paper too.
3. Mod Podge the paper to the blocks and base and let dry.
4. If you are using vinyl for the numbers and saying, skip ahead to step five. If you are using paper cut-outs, Mod Podge those onto your surfaces and finish with an optional gloss varnish (reference step six for block number placement).
5. Apply a gloss varnish (optional) to all surfaces and let dry. Apply your vinyl to the base and each block (reference step six for block number placement).
6. Block #1 - 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Block #2 - 0, 1, 2, 6, 7, 8

For more Christmas & Holiday project tutorials, visit our website!

http://www.bfranklincrafts.com/CraftIdeas/CI.html