Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Halloween Perpetual Countdown

Halloween is my favorite holiday - maybe because of the colors associated with it. So I wanted to make a countdown to Halloween. One of my past co-workers had a perpetual countdown like this, but just basic white with black numbers.

My husband cut the base wood for me (2"x4") and I bought the 2" blocks at Michaels. It took me forever to figure out the numbers for each block. I knew I needed a 0, 1, and 2 on each block, but the rest of the numbers left one number without a side. It took me a while, but then I found that the 9 and 6 would be reversible as the same number (so I had to choose a font that the 6 and 9 worked out as the same number.


Here's a pic of the vinyl I cut out for the blocks:


Then, paint blocks, sand the edges to distress them and cut and mod podge them to the blocks.



When attaching the vinyl letters (you could also use regular paper and glue them on) make sure the 6/9 number is on a paper square that doesn't have writing or an image that can't be upside down.

For the base block, I distressed it with black ink from a stamp pad - then applied mod podge to all 3 pieces to seal the vinyl and paper.


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13 comments:

  1. Cute idea! I think I'll try one of these for Thanksgiving or xmas!

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  2. Hi there! I found you through today's creative blog and have loved perusing... I have a one year old and am always looking for crafts I can complete while he's sleeping! can't wait to see more of your goodness!

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  3. How delightful is this? Halloween is my favorite holiday too . . and I totally love that you used Mod Podge. :D

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  4. Hi Serena - are you open to cutting and selling the vinyl for this project? I am thinking this will make a cute Christmas craft for my craft group, and would need the vinyl lettering for it. Let me know. Kristin krobertson9{at}hotmail.com

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  5. Soooo cute! What size are the numbers and word? I may need to just buy that at the store

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  6. I don't remember the exact size of the numbers, I used 2" blocks so they are smaller than 2" tall. And for the base words, I just measured the piece of wood my husband cut to see what fit - it was about 1/2" tall for the vinyl words.

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  7. Hi Serena,
    I am also interested in purchasing the vinyl for this project, if you are willing. Please email me at asugirl03(at)hotmail.com

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  8. did you cut your vinyl with the cricut machine or something else?

    I would love to make this.

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  9. I am using this idea to make a Christmas countdown! So cute!

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  10. This is such a fun countdown! Thanks for the great idea!

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  11. I just painted my blocks. Waiting to apply the 2nd coat. I don't have vinyl so I used the font Parchment in Word and printed directly onto the patterned paper. My hub cut the bottom piece for me. I am going to make one for xmas and I just decided to make one for my due date. :)
    Thank you for sharing!!

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