@story and images CATHERINE FREDERICK
Writer’s block. Bad. Building blocks. Good. Who doesn’t love blocks? We’ve loved them since we were babies and we’re adults now, so dang it we’re gonna’ use them as the foundation of our Father’s Day gift. And whether you’re five or fifty-five, we know your dad will love them.
Ready? Then let's get this block party started.
Materials
Unfinished wooden blocks (I used 1 ½” from Hobby Lobby)
Sandpaper or sanding tool
Soy Paint (any acrylic paint will work)
Photos (you can use up to six)
Rubber band
Parchment paper or tracing paper
ModPodge crafting glue
Flat foam brushes (optional)
Accent stickers (optional- in the scrapbook section)
Directions
(little hands can help with this project)
Sand the blocks if needed, then paint with a thin coat of your favorite paint. You can use multiple colors or a single color. You could use your dad’s favorite colors, just be sure your photos are going to look good on top of them.
After your paint dries, arrange the blocks in the order you want them to appear in the puzzle, then secure them with a rubber band. Grab a piece of parchment or tracing paper and lay it on top of the blocks. Trace around the edges of each block with a pencil. Lay the tracing on top of your photo so you can easily cut the squares into the correct sizes. Repeat this for all photos you plan to use.
Next get your ModPodge. It’s like glue, and in my opinion, the best thing made since sliced-bread. Paint a thin layer onto the block and carefully place the photo on top of the square. Press firmly. Now, cover the photo with another piece of tracing or parchment paper and using a credit card, press down firmly in the center and work your way outward to remove any air bubbles.
If you’re not covering all sides of the blocks with photos, you could apply some raised stickers, typically found in the scrapbook section of local craft shops. To finish the blocks, apply a thin layer of ModPodge over all sides of the blocks to seal the photo and give it a matte finish.
That’s all there is to it! Happy Father’s Day to all of the wonderful Dads out there.
Send us your favorite photo of you with your Dad and you could find yourself on Facebook! Email photos to: editors@AtUrbanMagazine.com.
