SUPPLIES:

• Wood Blocks (2x – 5.25″ x 1.75″ x 1.75″ — 4x – 1.75″ x 1.75″ x 1.75″)
• Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in your favorite color (pictured: Gray Wolf + Caribbean Blue)
• Sharpie Paint Pen -or- Stickers
• Paint brushes
• Pencil
• Waxed paper

To find these supplies visit the “credits” at the bottom of the post.

The Wood Blocks

First let’s talk about the wood blocks. You can use ANY size wood blocks that you’d like, but the sizes I used here are below. For the turquoise set, my rectangle blocks were a little longer than 5.25″, around 5.75″. So again, use any size you want or you can cut down from what wood you might have laying around. I purchased two 10″ x 1.75″ x 1.75″ wood blocks off Amazon (linked below) and cut them down to the right sizes myself using a chop saw.

2x — 5.25″ x 1.75″ x 1.75″
4x — 1.75″ x 1.75″ x 1.75″

After you’ve cut and sanded your blocks, it’s time to paint! Protect your work surface with a piece of waxed paper. Paint only a few sides at one time so that you can lay the blocks down to dry without ruining the paint. Allow at least an hour of dry time in between each coat. I did two full coats of each color of paint.

I’ve provided two templates below that you can download and print to “test” your handwriting and design before you actually paint on your blocks.

Block Number Key

So you might have realized that each block only has 6 sides and we need 10 numbers. So to make it easier to countdown, you’ll need to make a 4th block with extra numbers. Here I’ve created a key that you can follow as to what blocks need what numbers. Note: the 6’s double as 9’s so keep that in mind when choosing your font.

Sharpie Paint Pens

Using a pencil draw your design onto each block and then trace with your paint pen. Depending on the color of paint pen you choose combined with the wood block color, you might have to go over the lines a few times.

There are many different sayings that you can create for this block-duo!

This project can easily be created in a weekend. Make for yourself or for a friend who just got engaged… if you are a bride, you could even pass this on after you’ve said “I Do”, to a friend getting ready to take the plunge!

Stickers

So let’s say you aren’t a fan of your own handwriting, no big deal — use stickers instead! I couldn’t find a sticker font I liked at my local craft store so I cut these out using black vinyl and my Cricut Explore. Note: make sure the stickers you choose are thin, the puffy or 3D stickers will not allow your blocks to sit flat and could make them look weird. Font used: Mensch.

Adorable right? For this version, the wood blocks are a slightly different size just showing again that you really can use ANY size wood that you want!

Optional: although this step is optional, I highly recommend it. Stickers + Wood = not the best seal. Seal your stickers to the wood using your favorite decoupage glue. Two coats, with at least an hour of dry time in between each means your stickers will be stuck to that wood for good!

This little countdown ceremony will surely add to the enjoyment of your wedding planning!