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Baby Shower Crafts
Homemade Baby Blocks
Homemade
baby blocks
are perfect for baby shower crafts
...I'll show you how to make them. |
T hese
homemade baby blocks are just so cute. This is one of my
favorite baby shower crafts. My son's kindergarten class helped color the pictures on this set for a baby shower gift basket that was auctioned off at a school fundraiser. Baby alphabet blocks can be used to create adorable baby shower centerpiece ideas, or for decorating a baby nursery. |
| These blocks make
an adorable homemade baby gift that will not only be played with, but
cherished
long after baby grows up. Time required: A total of up to 3 hours for a full set of 15 blocks. But you can save a lot of time by cutting out the underpainting step as I suggest below, or by spreading out the decorating among shower guests. Project time is spaced out easily into several stages (prep, decoration, and finishing) but plan for at least one overnight drying session. Difficulty Rating: Easy! Lots of steps, but a fantastic finished product. |
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Baby Shower CraftsHomemade Baby Blocks |
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 Handmade blocks are one of
my
favorite baby
shower crafts!
We found an unfinished wooden box that fit our set of blocks perfectly, and created an adorable handmade wooden keepsake box to store our blocks in. Check out these homemade baby gift ideas for more baby shower crafts...including the instructions on how to make the box! Now
let's make baby shower crafts!
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What You'll Need:
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Step 1- Prep
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As you can see in the photo, I undercoated my blocks with white and then
painted most of the sides. In the end, this turned out to be
unnecessary, as the papers covered the sides very well.
You
would only need to paint or use solid color paper backgrounds for the
sides of your blocks that have letters.
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First, cut all of your
papers and pictures to size. I like to create a sample of the baby shower crafts for the guests to refer to.
When planning and
decorating my
blocks, I found it easiest to match
opposite sides.
For example, the side opposite the U is also a letter. The side
opposite
the gingham is another pattern, and the side opposite the star is
another picture.
If this is one of your baby shower crafts, be sure to put out a sample, and offer some simple instructions for the guests. Here is how a traditional set of 15 blocks is arranged by lettering pairs: A/Z, B/Y, C/X, D/W, E/V, F/U, G/T, H/S, I/R, J/Q, K/P, L/O, M/A, N/E, O/I |
| Step 2- Setting up the workspace | |
 I selected letters, paper, etc. randomly, but you can match them any way you wish. |
Put out the glue and several brushes at a station that will
accommodate several shower guests at a time.
Line your work area with wax paper, as the decoupage paste is very sticky. Important Tip: Don't use newspaper, as it will end up getting stuck in your curing glue and ruin your blocks. (Don't ask me how I know this.) |
| Step 3- Decorating | |
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Color the pictures/letters with colored pencil. Each guest can color, design, and assemble their own block in just a few minutes. Apply decoupage paste onto opposite sides of your block. Apply your papers, and then add your alphabet stickers over the solid paper sides. The guests may even want to sign the block they create. |
| If your paper needs trimmed after you glue it in place, use a sharp pair of scissors to trim it down to the wood. Don't worry about the edges looking sloppy...they'll be finished with some sandpaper after the blocks dry. |
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This is what your baby shower craft will look like after gluing all the sides on. Cute! Line up the blocks on a tray (with wax paper under them, just in case) and show off the set to the mother to be and all the shower guests. |
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Step 4-
Finishing the Blocks
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| Using
a medium grade sandpaper, go along the edges of each block and rub back
just until you see the wood. This bevels the edges of the
papers
which allows them to soak up the glue and keeps them from peeling up.
It also creates a soft, handworn finish to the blocks. |
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For the final finish, coat
each side with a final layer of decoupage paste or non-toxic clearcoat spray.
This will help the stickers and papers to really bond to the surface of the blocks. Lay them out on wax paper, leaving space between each block so that they are not touching each other. I like to use a cookie sheet lined with wax paper for this. Allow to dry overnight. Flip and coat the other side, and let cure well before stacking or storing (48-72 hours). Finally, deliver this beautiful set of homemade baby gifts to the lucky Mother to be! |
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 More Homemade Baby Gift
Ideas |
 Baby Sling Patterns |
 Homemade Pacifier Clip |
 Baby Shower Gift Basket Ideas |
| Share the inspiration in our Handmade Adelaide Baby Crafts Flickr Photo Group! | |||
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