There is always a wonderful selection of art/crafting books and products at the C&T Publishing website, and when I saw these Ready To Go! Blank Board Blocks, I knew I had to give them try. The label reads "no prep" and that is absolutely true. They are also quite sturdy and took the handling needed to press on collage elements; I never felt as if they'd be crushed under the pressure I applied.
I really like the fact that after you've decorated the blocks, you have an ever changing display depending on which side of the blocks faces forward.
I created themes around 'home' and 'family' and added vintage text, music and dictionary pages to accompany the vintage images.
To recreate the look I have here, simply paint the blocks with brown acrylic paint and allow to dry. Cover each side with an even coating of Elmer's School Glue and when tacky, cover with a coating of robin's egg blue fluid acrylic paint. (I find that the easiest method is to work on three sides while holding the block, dry the paint with a hair dryer (or heat gun) and then continue on with the remaining three sides.) You won't need to force dry the glue, as by the time you are ready to paint your coat of blue paint, the glue will be the right 'tackiness.'
When the blue paint has been painted on, applying just one coat and not over-working, dry with a hair dryer and you'll see the crackles forming. (Do not touch the crackled paint until it is completely dried or it will smudge.) When all is completely dry (later that day) darken the edges of the blocks with brown fluid chalk ink. Now you can decorate with words, images and text to your delight!
Coming soon: Ready To Go! Blank Board Box Review
Disclaimer: C&T Publishing supplied the product for this review.
© Nancy Lefko
This project is happily taking part in "Tip Me Tuesday"
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