Friday, November 4, 2011

Playing with Blocks


I'm

counting my Happies

today.




 Because the sun was shining
and the kitchen was flooded with it's bright, warm light.

Days like this are going to be hard to come by in the near future 
as winter slides in
and we have day after day of cold, cloudy weather.


So, I took a break today from painting furniture in the basement

to play

in my bright, sunlit kitchen

with some blocks.




This box of wooden blocks dated way back to when I was a child.
(Yeah...I know.  That was a lonnnnng time ago.)

After trying to sell them in various garage sales,
nobody wanted them.
So, they always ended up back in my basement.

(I guess kids don't play with blocks anymore...?
I still have the Tinkertoys and Lincoln Logs my brother and I used to build things with!)


When I was cleaning the basement moving things around the other day, 
the box tipped over and the blocks spilled out across the rug.
As I picked each one up to put back in the box,
memories of building houses, fences, bridges, and roads with these colorful little blocks
floated around in my head.

Then, the little creativity angel in my head gave me a nudge.




I knew what I wanted to do with them.


Of course there had to be Annie Sloan chalk paint involved, right?

They were lined up like little soldiers 
and coated with a couple layers of "Pure White".

I was actually tempted to start playing with them ~
but restrained myself.




After they were dry, I took them upstairs to the kitchen table
where the fun began.




I simply stamped different words on them.

Deciding what words I wanted was the most difficult part.

I just let my heart guide me.










After distressed with a sanding block, I used a coat of Clear wax to seal them.
















Yup.

I'm counting my Happies.

And 

YOU'RE 

one of them!



These blocks will be for sale at the Allegan Antique Market in May!


{ Blessings }





Linking to the parties on the lower right of my sidebar.
Click on the buttons and find some Happies!







69 comments:

  1. Oh how cute and clever! :o)
    Such precious phrases and words.
    Have a nice weekend.
    Sincerely, Trish

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  2. Really, really, reeeeeally cute, Laurie! I love them. Aren't you glad you kep them now? xo Diana

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  3. Very cute! Great vision seeing what they could become.

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  4. gorgeous i love this idea!! very clever.
    c x

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  5. Love watching you make magic

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  6. How sweet and so clever! It is so very easy to "count the happies". I certainly don't have to look far for the things and am thankful for.

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  7. These are adorable, I would want a whole bunch of these word blocks. You and your creative angel work well together! Angels are very busy this week in Blogland. ;-) xo

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  8. Laurie ! I love your blog...so sweet and "count the happies" is my fav of the blocks. HAPPY WEEKEND oxox

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  9. LOVE the block!! I must try it.. I also am slowing down for wedding season I would love to meet for lunch~

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  10. These are just darling Laurie!! I love them- what a great idea!! Thanks for linking up at my party! :)

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  11. awwww what a cute idea, Sis!
    Love them all!
    xxxooo

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  12. You are so creative. Love the white 'blocks'.
    - Joy

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  13. These are adorable--what a great idea! Thanks for sharing

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  14. What a fun idea! They look great distressed. I hope they sell wonderfully for you.

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  15. Of all the toys my kids had it's the blocks, the tinker toys and the Lincoln logs that I kept for my grandchildren. They do love to play with them as my own kids did and as I did as a child. But, we didn't let our kids have video games so blocks were something fun to do when they were indoors. I'm afraid I'm going to have to take the blocks out of their repertoire though because I LOVE your idea of painting them. Oh, the words and ideas for gifts are just filling up my head! Wonderful post as always. Blessings, Tia

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  16. Your blocks turned out so great. Love them!
    Barb

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  17. What a fab idea !! you would never guess what these beauties started life as...now where do I find a small child that I can do some swap shop with ??? haha ! I love the way you distressed them, they look just right. Have a lovely weekend creative one !
    Gail x

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  18. Hi - these blocks are a super idea!!!! And very nice painted and written on them - I just adore and love them ;-)
    Have a great and sunny weekend....hugs from Switzerland, Barbara

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  19. I absolutely love these!!!! Oh my gosh I want to make some. I loved those building blocks...and how fun would they be to play with as all white? YOu have got my head spinning. If I ever come across some I will snatch them up, Paint them white, and save to give as gifts to grandchildren or baby gifts. But I want some to stamp and distress too. I bet they will sell like hotcakes.

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  20. Beautiful! What an ingenious idea you've had!

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  21. Love the blocks girl! I think parents today do their children such a disservice by giving them the high tech games so early. They need to use their imagination........

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  22. I love them!

    Thanks for the visit and the prayers.

    Carolyn

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  23. What a cute idea! You are sooo smart~what fun.

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  24. i remember those blocks!! really cute idea!

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  25. I love them and your stamp set is fabulous too!!

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  26. Love it. Can I use our count the happies picture in my next post and credit this post back? Lori

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  27. Love, love, love the blocks...what a great idea!

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  28. Laurie, they are just adorable. I will look for you in Allegan. Missed it this year. (Yes, everyone of them) Have a great weekend. Wanda (Holland MI)

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  29. What a great idea !!! i like it verry much !!!...love from me...happy weekend....xxx...

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  30. Oh my gosh you are the cutest! You totally played with those blocks and made little houses didn't you! LOL!
    I love them, they are so adorable and you are such a clever girl Martha!! :) I can't wait for next year!!!
    xoxo

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  31. My email was being wonky, so I am responding here. So glad too. These are precious! What a wonderful second life =) Thanks for the kind words on my new white armoire.

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  32. I can't believe no one bought them from your garage sale! My son is 6 and still loves to build with blocks...of course, he wants to be a builder someday, so maybe that's why. Now after seeing yours, I want to get my hands on some!

    Thanks for stopping over at my blog and leaving such sweet words. Don't be to jealous of our 80...it is in the 50's and raining. It is a far cry from Michigan winter I am sure, but here in So. CA...I think people think the world is coming to an end. :)

    Heidi@HomemadeBeautiesByHeidi

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  33. Laurie, tu sei un genio! Sono meravigliosi!
    Buona domenica!

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  34. Hi Laurie! Those blocks are so adorable! I'm from Michigan, and hope to make it to Allegan sometime next season. I'll be looking for those blocks....

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  35. Thanks for popping by my blog.
    I am loving your blocks. Those old kiddie blocks were a brilliant idea and they look so cute when they're all transformed.
    I'll be your newest follower I think, we appear to share the same ideas. lol.
    p.s Any idea what those white pens are called? I could find the equivalent over in Scotland, in the back of beyond.

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  36. I have bunches of wood in a bag in the closet. Many different shapes. You've just given me a brilliant way to use them. Thanks!

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  37. I just love reading posts like this, it's so fun to see how inspiration begins for others. Such sweet messages each one! xo ~Lili

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  38. Oh my goodness, those are amazingly cute and charming. I guess big, extremely clever girls, still play with blocks!

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  39. Aw these are so cute! Love them!

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  40. The blocks are adorable! This is such a cute idea.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  41. How very creative.......

    They are precious.....

    They will be a big hit at your sale...

    How about one that say 'With gratitude' or 'Courage'

    Blessings,
    Sylvia Faye

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  42. Oh, you are so creative!! We have a box of similar blocks up in my twins closet. No one has played with them for a long time. Thank you for the wonderful inspiration! Now, I just have to find some of that chalk paint :)
    Blessings,
    Marcia

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  43. What about your grandkids playing with them??

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  44. How perfect is that? Free blocks already precut! They turned out super cute!

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  45. What a fun little project, I have old blocks in the garage that would be great for this project. Thanks for sharing, Laura Cottage and Broome

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  46. Ohhh, these are cute, Laurie. :) Great idea.
    xoxo,
    Jo

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  47. I have no words to describe how much I adore Your idea with blocks!
    I love Your blog and will visit often to see the "magic" happen...
    Warm wishes!
    Alina-Life After

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  48. Wow, amazing ! I love these blogs!!! Such a simple idea, but as often -the simple idea is the most original one !

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  49. I can't believe nobody bought those blocks at your yard sales - classic toys are always the best. But it worked out fabulously for you that they didn't because your painted version is amazing. Love the distressing and sweet messages.

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  50. What a wonderful idea! You are just full of them. :) All of the projects below look sooo nice. You have been blessed with a great talent. I am surprised you can make yourself part with any of them. I can see the love you put into each one.

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  51. Laurie, they're lovely! And who would think there's a new use for those old kiddie blocks! Great job!

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  52. Oh, this is super awesome Laurie. Firstly, I do think that Kids don't play with blocks anymore.

    Secondly, I think you've come up with a brilliant idea to relive your memories.

    Fantastic. I love them.

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  53. How cute! You are very creative, now to find some blocks...

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  54. Oh my gosh these are absolutely adorable! I love them! So pretty & they are very versatile too & I'm sure can fit in & be used in many places throughout the house. Very creative!

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  55. What a great idea! So cute! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  56. oh my goodness!!! I want some, how perfect. great idea!!!

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  57. How can you not be "happies" when playing with blocks? Love what you did with the old blocks. I would buy these old blocks when out yard saling to use on my home made birdhouses. I bet if a GrandMom filled a big glass jar of these blocks and just left them sitting on the counter, her

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  58. (oops.....my post published before I finished it...:) grandkids would be intrigued and love to play with them. Your words and painted white blocks will be a big seller this Spring. Have a wonderful weekend. ~ Lynn

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  59. Laurie, I love this block idea...will now have to look in the children's area when I go to thrift shops and garage sales ! After you use the sanding block, how come it doesn't show the original paint colors of orange or green ? Thank you ! * patty *

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  60. Good Morning Laurie ~
    Not only do I love to visit your blog because of the beautiful way you express yourself.
    This idea you came up with is amazing. See! You were not meant to part with the building blocks.
    I love working with chalk paint, the results are always well worth it!
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Hugs Rosemary...xx

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  61. Love your blocks!!! They are wonderful and should sell well! Great idea!
    Have a great week.
    ~ Julie

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  62. count the happies!!!

    luv your blocks,
    d

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  63. I have enjoyed reading your blog and catching up on all your goodness you offer. This post is one of my favorites! You just solved my Christmas gift problem! What a cute idea! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  64. I adore this.... Thank you SO much for sharing!!
    ~Lisa

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Bless you and thank you for visiting! I read each of your comments and treasure them all. So, please make sure your settings will accept emails, or leave your email address so that I can reply! ♥ Laurie