2019 #9 Arty Wood Blocks: Listen with Hot Picks {by Corrie}

2019 Topic 9: Arty Wood Blocks

Grey. The layers of grey painting in the background are the key to how Corrie has made the details really pop on these gorgeous wood blocks. Then, as you observe her build the layers, her soft colouring and stamping just adds the right amount of 'zing' ~ Leandra

Hi everyone, it's Corrie with you today and I have a set of three arty wood blocks to share. 

I chose a trio of three wood blocks because I simply love things in threes. Most of the time I do the same when I make ATCs and tags. So, for this project I rummaged through the garage and came across an enormous piece of wood. Hubby helped me saw it into the pieces I wanted and then the fun could start. 

This is what I made out of the three pieces of wood. Amazing what you can create from a piece of rubbish really.  Here's how I did it:

This was what I started with. First things first, I went around the rough edges with a piece of sandpaper to make them a little smoother. 

I decided that I couldn't leave the backs undecorated so I used some {Grunge Paste} and Tracy Scott's stencil {PS052} to add some texture to the backs of the blocks. 

Next, I painted them all over with a mixture of  Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics in the colours {Concrete} and {Koala}. I made sure it was a thin layer as I wanted to see the wood through it still. Later on I learned that I can't see much of it anymore anyway ! Oh well!

After everything dried I used Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic paint in the colour {Steel Grey} and wiped it mostly over the backs of the blocks. I did add some to the fronts and sides too but a lot less. When it had dried I took my piece of sand paper again and revealed the Grunge Paste again. I really like how grungy it looks !

Next I used a script stamp from set {ESN11} to add some interest to the background. 

I did this to all three blocks. I used Archival ink for this in the colour {Watering Can}.

Next was stamping and colouring the images I chose to go on my blocks. I love Hot Picks, they are so versatile and interesting and there are so many of them ! I chose to go with {HP1011} for this project and I coloured the images with Copic Markers. 

I also thought that the backgrounds needed more interest so I stamped the 'courage' sentiment from the set in Archival Ink {Aquamarine} because it went so well with the colour I chose for the doors. I stamped this 'around the corner' on all the blocks. 

I then adhered the images to the blocks using mat medium and a brush. I also inked the edges of the blocks with Archival ink in the same {Watering Can} that I had already used. The sentiments were just stamped, cut out and adhered. I added some black pencil around them to make them stand out better. I added legs which are beads and then decided to add the doll to the top because it was a little bare. And that was it ! I'll leave you with some more photos:

I also added the courage sentiment to the right side of the right block and the left side of the left block so they show when the blocks are displayed. 

A better look at the backs. I think that looks great! I forget all the techniques I have learned and then am really pleased if I finally remember one again; like the sanding of the Grunge Paste, it works so well. 

I enjoyed making this project and think it came out nice. I keep being amazed by how easy it is to make something out of nothing! I hope you will give this a go too, take something simple, not meant to be used for crafting and change it into something pretty. It is very satisfying. I also hope you enjoyed my post and will continue to do so! 

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you'll visit me at my other locations too :

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