U*S*A Blocks Tutorial

Liberty and I are part of a craft and sewing group - actually we are the head ring leaders.  We are just crazy enough to put this all together.  This month is our craft month and we are doing these way cute block letters for the upcoming holidays.  I thought today was the perfect day to post this since tomorrow is FLAG DAY. 

I have all the pictures for the steps to make these - although you could probably find how to make them all throughout the blog craft world.  But I will attempt to put together a tutorial of sorts.

What you need:

• 5 blocks cut from 2x4 at 3 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches(width of board)  I cut these myself so I don't know how much or if they would cut them at the depot or lowes.
• white acrylic paint
• mod podge
• vinyl letters or paper letters - cut from a cricut machine
• red and blue scrapbooking papers
• embellishments to make them cute - bling, buttons, stickers, etc
• sandpaper, paint brushes, newspaper to protect area

Mine are a little different and are what the tutorial is made from.  So as to not confuse you - here is the picture of mine.

(Isn't my husband funny - he noticed that my blocks weren't exactly even and so he couldn't just put the stars on top normal.)

To begin after the blocks are cut and sanded real good.  You need to paint the blocks - I white washed mine to give them a more rustic look.

Next I cut the paper to just a little bit smaller then the block and mod podged them on.

The next step is to sand the edges of the paper and the blocks to the desired amount you want of distressing.  Liberty likes hers really roughed up and I am a little bit more conservative.

After that, sit back and enjoy your work.

Next add on the vinyl letters and stars.

Then you can embellish to your hearts content.  Liberty had these great rhinestone/bling red dots that we put on the stars.  We also added the buttons and stickers.  It is an easy project and we know that our friends in our craft group will enjoy making them.