Trick or Treat Block Tutorial

Hi Friends,

It’s Kerrie from WOOD Creations. Not only am I a designer at WOOD Creations, I also have my own little blog “Simple Treasures” where I demonstrate simple techniques for crafting, along with fun crafts that we might have out in the store. So come check it out, www.kerrieskrafts.blogspot.com!

I'm here today to do a tutorial on our "Trick or Treat" word blocks we have out at the store. I picked the "Trick or Treat" blocks so that I would be able to show you a few different techniques. I have been getting LOTS of requests from customers who want to know if I can demonstrate how to chalk, tricks with applying paper; so the paper doesn't bubble, and also applying vinyl. So, I thought I would kill three birds with one stone today! :)

Our “Trick or Treat” blocks have been a huge hit this season. I’m so excited! They are very simple to do and they also turn out so stinking cute. This set is $10.99 in the store. These are truly easy for crafters at any stage. I have also put instructions on the “Craft Tips” tab here on our WOOD Creations blog if you ever have any questions after this post. All you need to do is click on the “Craft Tips” button at the top of the blog, and I have step by steps instructions with pictures.

The very first thing you want to do is take a piece of sand paper and lightly go over the edges to make sure they are all smooth. Then trace your wood onto your paper. I turn my paper over so the side I want on the front is facing down. You will also want the front of your project facing down as well! Then you just take a pencil and trace the around the wood onto the paper.The next step is to paint all the edges and back black. I also paint the very edge on the front as well. That way if your paper doesn’t go all the way to the edge, the raw wood isn’t showing. You don’t need to paint the whole front because we will be putting paper on the front. Remember we sale all the paint, paper, chalk, glitter, ribbon and everything you will need to finish your project at WOOD Creations.After I have painted everything, I cut my paper out. That gives the paint some time to dry.

Once everything is dry and cut out, it’s now time to apply the paper onto the wood. I know a lot of you get scared with this point. I promise, it does get easier and easier with practice. There are just a few little tricks to not making your paper bubble. You want to make sure that all of your wood has Mod Podge applied to it. If there is a spot on your wood that you have missed and is dry, that will make it bubble. Once I have applied the Mod Podge and made sure that the wood is covered, I take my brush over it and get all the clumps so it’s smooth. Another reason for you paper to bubble would be if there are clumps of Mod Podge on your wood when you apply your paper.Once I have done these two steps, I put my paper on and run a plastic scraper all acrossed it. If you don’t have one, you can also use a credit card or a plastic Pampered Chef Scraper also works great. After I have ran my scraper all across the paper, I then run my fingers across everything to make sure there are no lumps in the paper. This helps to know that the clumps are out so the paper doesn’t bubble. If you have paper hanging over the edge a little bit, you can get some sand paper or a nail file and just scrape the edge a little bit to get the paper to the edge. If you push too hard, you might need to touch up the paint on the sides. After I have done all these steps, I let it sit for about 10 minutes to ensure that the Mod Podge is dry under the paper. If the paper isn't dry, and you apply a top coat, this will also make the paper bubble.This is where you can apply your chalking (We do sell this at WOOD Creations). I put my chalking on before I put my top coat of Mod Podge because it shows up a little darker. If you happen to forget, you can still apply it on top of the Mod Podge once it’s dry. To apply the chalk, all you do is rub it along the edge of the wood. It’s actually like a stamp pad and not actual chalk. You can add as much or as little as you want. You really can’t go wrong with the “Chalking”. I LOVE it! I honestly don’t know what we did before chalking. Stippling?? Ha! Ha! That seems so “Old School” now. The chalk gives your project more character and can also make it look a little antiqued as well. I think it just gives it that little something extra.

Once you have your chalk all around the edges, you can now apply your vinyl. Applying vinyl is also really easy. All you need to do is pull back the clear side of the transfer tape. If the vinyl sticks to the paper side, just go back a little bit and push the sticky taped side with your finger and it should pull back with it. This is another one of those things that practice makes perfect with. Once you’ve got your vinyl onto the sticky side of the transfer tape, get your wood and put it in front of you. I hold my vinyl up just off the paper to help make sure it’s going on straight. You will want to be very careful not to get the vinyl too close to the paper because it will stick to it and probably won’t come off. Once it’s straight, I lay the tape onto the wood and then get my scraper again that I used to apply the paper and scrape the top of the transfer tape all over. Then I start at the top left side and start to pull the transfer tape back. You will want to go slow to be sure that the vinyl doesn’t come off with it. If it happens to pull back with it, just take your scraper and go over it again. You can even use your finger. I apply my vinyl before I apply the top coat of Mod Podge so it seals it. If you happen to forget and put a top coat of Mod Podge on before you apply your vinyl, that’s okay too. You can still apply your vinyl on top. You will just want to make sure your Mod Podge is TOTALLY dry or else the vinyl will not stick.

Once you have your chalking and vinyl done, you can now apply a top coat of Mod Podge. I put a top coat on top of my paper so it seals it to the wood. Putting a top coat on top is not a must. I just find it gives your project a "Finished" look. It also makes it easier to dust and keep clean along with protecting your paper.

While you are letting your Mod Podge dry, you can tie a little bow around the witch’s hat. I put a little dab of hot glue under the bow to ensure that it won’t slip off. Then, once everything is dry, I hot glue the hat onto the wood so it will stay. You don’t have to have the witch’s hat, I just thought it added a cute little addition to the project. We also sell the Witch Hats at WOOD Creations!

Ok crafters, here is the fun part. If you hop over to my personal blog, www.kerrieskrafts.blogspot.com and leave a comment, you will be entered to win a $20 Gift Certificate to WOOD Creations. You can also leave a comment here on this post for a chance to win ANOTHER $20 Gift Certificate to the store. That's TWO Chances to WIN! :) We will reply to the winning comment, one week from today. Good luck!

I will be posting another tutorial soon of one of our new Thanksgiving projects here. Be sure to follow our blog or watch our Facebook page to find out when our Thanksgiving crafts will be in stock. If you haven’t “Liked” Wood Creations on Facebook, make sure you do. We have great giveaways and specials ALL the time. We LOVE our customers and want to give back to you for being so supportive and wonderful. We wouldn’t be where we are today without all of you, so thank you!

P.S. We are ALSO on Pinterest! :)