Are you the type of guest that likes to have an activity to do at a party? I totally am! Especially if you don’t really know that many people. An activity keeps you from looking spare and is also a great way to start conversations with the people doing it along with you. Win! Unfortunately sometimes craft activities leave a little too much up to the interpretation of the guests though and it doesn’t end up quite how you originally imagined it. Awkward!
These DIY wooden baby blocks were our solution for a recent baby shower. We really wanted to make a special gift for the soon-to-be-parents, but being very creative themselves, we wanted to guarantee that it would turn out well!
What You Need:
Wooden blocks (Similar cut blocks here. Ours were from a 4cmx4cmx150cm plank, that we got cut into 4cm pieces, making 4x4cm blocks)
Baby safe paint
Baby safe varnish
Sponges
Paintbrushes
Masking tape for making patterns
Alphabet stickers (Similar pre-made stickers available here. I cut mine from vinyl with my Silhouette Cameo, you can download my file here, free for personal use only. Please note, the file will only work with Silhouette Studio, so you’ll need a Silhouette die cutting machine to cut your own stickers with it.)
Pattern stickers (optional, I cut these from vinyl too, using circles and triangles. To get the separate shapes to stick in the correct place we used transfer tape)
What To Do:
If you’re doing the baby blocks as a DIY baby shower activity, place all the stickers, paint, sponges and blocks out on a table and make a clear instructions page:
- Select 3 letters, sticking each onto one side of your block.
- Select one pattern sticker, or use masking tape to make your own pattern on one side of the block.
- Paint over the 3 letters, pattern sticker and paint one full side in your colour.
- Leave one side paint-free.
- Leave the stickers on the block and allow it to dry.
It’s also helpful to make a few blocks as samples, helping to guide guests through the process.
Once fully dry, remove the stickers and coat with baby safe varnish. To prevent varnish sticking to your drying surface, do each coat in two steps.
How do you think they turned out? I think they’re pretty darn cute!
I’d love to see your Pure Sweet Joy DIYs. Show me on Instagram using #puresweetjoyblog or email me at deborah [at] puresweetjoy [dot] com. Like what you see here? Follow along on Facebook, Twitter or Bloglovin or subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive access to the latest news and freebies.
Iris Fahrenfort says
Hi Deborah,
Thank you for this wonderful DIY!
I am new with the Cameo3, do you know of a beginner tutorial to learn how to cut vinyl with the Cameo?
Thanks, Iris
Deborah says
Hi Iris. How exciting! https://www.silhouetteschoolblog.com is a good place to start. For vinyl you’ll generally want to use a blade cut setting of 1, as vinyl is very thin. You need to make sure that it cuts through the vinyl layer fully, but leaves the underneath backing layer intact. Once you’ve figured out your Cameo, the options are almost endless!
Lacey Woodfield says
Hi! I was looking at this tutorial and I want to make these to decorate my baby’s room. What kind of vinyl did you use? Was there any problem with the paint bleeding through? Thanks in advance!
Deborah says
Hi Lacey. As long as the vinyl is pushed down smoothly onto the block it shouldn’t bleed through. I.e. It will only under the vinyl, if there’s a little gap, not soak through it. I used a standard gloss vinyl. Nothing fancy.
Liz French says
I want to make these for my baby due in March. Do you remember what brand of child safe chalk paint you used? I would love to replicate your color scheme!
Deborah says
We used a South African brand, Fired Earth. Happy nesting!!
Tina says
Hi, I love love love this idea! Can you speak to what paint and varnish brand you used? I would also love the files you used if you don’t mind sending them to me! Thanks so much
Deborah says
Hi Tina. The files are available her: https://www.dropbox.com/s/r7ms8wfk7z8ohxg/alphabet%20stickers%20from%20Pure%20Sweet%20Joy.studio3?dl=0
I used a local South African brand, Fired Earth. The best would be to ask at your paint or hardware shop for a child safe paint.
Lindsay says
Hi there,
Can you also send me the files for the letters as well!! I love them!!!
Lindsay
Deborah says
Hi Lindsay. The files are available here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/r7ms8wfk7z8ohxg/alphabet%20stickers%20from%20Pure%20Sweet%20Joy.studio3?dl=0
Shari Mequet says
Hi! These are adorable. Can you please tell me the size of the blocks? Thanks so much!
Shari
Deborah says
Hi Shari. Our blocks were 4x4cm. Enjoy!
Kerianne says
Hi! I’m hoping to make these for an upcoming shower and would love if you could share the files you used. Also wondering about the paint you used and if it’s safe fir little kiddos who put everything in their mouth. Did you use some sort of finishing coat? Thanks! 🙂
Deborah says
Thanks Kerianne. I’ve tried to send you an email, but it bounced. Could you provide a different (or correct?) email address?
Nancy says
Hi Deborah,
I’m new to your blog and I already love everything I see!
Would you mind sending me your silhouette files sincr I’m also doing this for my baby shower? 🙂
Thank you in advance!
Deborah says
Hi Nancy. Sorry for the ate reply! I assume I’m too late, but the files are available here https://www.dropbox.com/s/r7ms8wfk7z8ohxg/alphabet%20stickers%20from%20Pure%20Sweet%20Joy.studio3?dl=0
Jennifer says
I love these! This is exactly what I was looking for—something fun and cute to be able to use! Would you mind sharing your files? Also, what paint and varnish did you use that is safe?
Deborah says
Hi Jennifer. The files are available her: https://www.dropbox.com/s/r7ms8wfk7z8ohxg/alphabet%20stickers%20from%20Pure%20Sweet%20Joy.studio3?dl=0
I used a local South African brand, Fired Earth. The best would be to ask at your paint or hardware shop for a child safe paint.
Cynthia says
These blocks are so stinking cute and exactly what I’ve been looking for! My baby shower is in a few weeks and these are so perfect for baby boy’s nursery. Would you also be able to send me your silhouette files as well? I would greatly appreciate it! 🙂
Deborah says
Hi Cynthia. I’ve sent you an email 🙂
Bonnie says
Would you send the file to me as well? Thank you!!! Love your blog!
Deborah says
Thank you! The files are available her: https://www.dropbox.com/s/r7ms8wfk7z8ohxg/alphabet%20stickers%20from%20Pure%20Sweet%20Joy.studio3?dl=0
Heather says
Hi,
Would I be able to purchase the precut stencils from you?
Thanks!
Heather
Deborah says
Hi Heather. Thanks for your comment and checking out the blog. I am always happy to work on custom pieces for people, but if you have easy access to Amazon I’ve added a link to some very similar stickers in the “what you need” list 🙂
Adele says
hi there would you be able to tell me what letters you put on each block and how many blocks did you need ? i am eager to try this but not sure what letters be best on each block.
Deborah says
Hi Adele. I think we had about 35 blocks. Each block was completely different as the guests chose the letter themselves, from the vinyl stickers that I’d made. You can try to plan out the letters, but if you’ve got enough blocks you should be able to spell most things. Just make sure to have more of the more common letters like vowels, R, S and T.
Kathy says
I do not have aCameo or Cricut- is there any suggestions for these circle and triangle stencils? How do you do the reverse so the dots get painted and not the surrounding stencil? I have seen dot stencils with the holes cut out but can’t figure out how to paint the reverse pattern. Thank you.
Deborah says
Hi Kathy. The only way to paint the reverse pattern will be to put stickers onto the blocks. If you can’t cut them yourself you get get a pack of small round stickers and stick them onto the blocks yourself. It will just give a less regular effect as it’s unlikely that they’ll be in straight rows.
Ina says
Hi! I’m a mom to be from Argentina; i’m very grateful for this tutorial, I love it and look forward to do it for may daughter’s room. Could you tell me which font you used for the letters and what’s the exact size of each circle?
Hope to hear from you soon!! Thanks
Deborah says
So good to have you here! I used Arial Black. Each circle for the pattern is about 0.8cm in diameter. Enjoy!
Katie says
Hi, what do you use the sponges for (listed under supplies)? What kind of sponges do you recommend?
Deborah says
Hey, the sponges are used for painting. It gives a smoother finish than paintbrushes. I like the little ones on a stick, but you could use whatever you want.
Debbie Ross says
Hi I love your blocks. I am helping plan my daughter n law and son’s baby shower and going to use your block idea. I have a Silhouette Cameo and would love to use your project.Could you send me your files. I really love your design. I found baby safe blocks on Etsy from Bubbletubes. Cannot wait to start painting.
Thank you,
Debbie
Deborah says
Hi Debbie. I’ll email you the files 🙂
Debbie Ross says
I have a Silhouette Cameo and wanted to see if you would share your designs and letters. I am so excited to start making the samples for the shower. I found block on Etsy from Bubbletubes that are sanded on the sides and corners, so they would be safe for young ones. What is transfer tape? LOVE your ideas.
Candace says
Hey, I LOVE these! I was wondering if you can send me the files you used for your stencils? I have the cameo and would love to make these for my daughter! xx
Deborah says
Hi Candace. I’ve sent you an email 🙂
Rebekah says
This is great! What kind of paint and varnish did you use?
Deborah says
Hi Rebekah. So glad you like it! We used a child safe chalk paint and varnish. The best would be to ask at your local paint shop which ones are child safe and then choose the brand with the best colour options 🙂
K says
I have been looking everywhere for a tutorial, thank you so much for this! Can I ask you to explain cutting the letters form vinyl with my Silhouette Cameo a little further? I would love to make these! thank you 🙂
Deborah says
Hi! Thanks so much for checking out the tutorial. Do you have a Silhouette Cameo? If so, you can simply type the letters into the Silhouette Design Studio Software, make the text the size that you want and then set it to cut from any extra vinyl that you have at home.
If you do not have a Silhouette Cameo (or other die cutting machine, such as a Cricut Explore) then you can either purchase vinyl letter stickers or cut them out with a craft knife and scissors from self adhesive sticker paper. Cutting them all out by hand may end up being quite tedious though.
I hope that helps!