Awesome ABC Blocks - Happy 1st Bday Pierce!!

I found THIS great how-to on DIY ABC blocks awhile back on "This and That Creative"...I swore I was going to make Kapri some for a Christmas present...but that didn't happen. Just like her flippin Crayoll is STILL on hold! oye vay

With my friend Niki's son's 1st birthday just 2 or so weeks away, I knew this would be the perfect gift. Kapri loves to stack...and she does it like a pro. So my trusty sidekick Kapri & I ventured off to the foreign land I call Home Depot - I get so intimated by this place, and I'm amazed when I see women in there by themselves, shopping for all sorts of goodies - like they know this whole store like the back of their hand. Yeah...not me. As a young girl I took many trips here with my dad...yet I never really cared for it myself...there's way too much going on. At least the employees are always super helpful, when you walk in with an idea & they help you find what's on your list.

I grabbed a 2"x2"x8' piece of wood, found some white spray paint, a small double-sided sander (med/fine grain)...then had to seek advise when it came to a small hand saw. *Gulp* Finally I was showed the wall of little saws, and was specifically guided to buy this nifty thing called a Mitter Box...not too shabby for $15!! With that, I headed home with my proud purchases....eager to start this fun project. Here's the breakdown of a week long process.

Day 1

• Cut out 26 pieces of 2x2 wood blocks
• Use medium grain sander to eliminate the super rough/jagged areas, and the fine grain sander to smooth out every side/corner of each block (mmm...love the smell of freshly cut wood & sawdust)
• Spray paint each side of each block...wait to dry...spray one/two more coats to ensure even-ness

Day 2

• Cut out 156, yes...156 little squares from scrapbook paper (6 per block)
• Realize that I cut too big of squares...re-cut all 156 down a bit...ugh.
• Call it a day...my hand kinda hurts 

Day 3

• Mod Podge the HECK out of each & every little square...
• Realized by trail & error that I could only 5 sides at a time, since you have to lay each block on one end (not mod podge'd) to allow all other sides to dry
• Wait for blocks to dry...turn over & MP the bare side
• Let dry overnight

Day 4

• Repeat entire day 3 (minus the trail & error)
• Run to Michael's to buy some clear acrylic spray...only to realize upon opening it at home that the spray nozzle is totally M.I.A....great. 
• Drink 1/2 bottle of wine in irritation to missing spray nozzle & call it a night

Day 5

• Return/exchange janky spray can to Michael's for another - make sure to CAREFULLY inspect can for nozzle. Check.
• Come home, lay out all blocks outside...coat with acrylic spray & let dry
• Turn all blocks over for another blast of spray & let dry

Day 6

• Strategically place each block inside adorable clear plastic 'paint' canister in order to take equally adorable photos of my proud creation.
• Place in birthday bag

Day 7 (today)

• Watch in amusement as little P plays with his blocks while mommy unwraps all the other gifts
• Mission accomplished. Perfect 1st bday gift.  :-)