Hi friends, Diana Trout here today with a project using Joggles Artist Trading Blocks. My Blocks feature layering, leaving white space, collage, embossing, and birdie quotes. I was inspired by a book cover! The book is The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney. I haven’t read it but the gold and robin’s egg blue cover caught my eye.

Here are the supplies I used to create this stack of blocks:

Joggles Precut Mat Board Artists Trading Blocks – Assortment Pack
Dina Wakely Media Acrylic Paint – 1 oz. bottle – Turquoise 
Faber Castell Gelatos: Aqua Dolce; Guava; Butter Cream
Ranger Inkssentials Mini Ink Blending Tool
Joggles/ Margaret Applin Designs 6 x 9 inch Stencil – This and That #3 
Joggles Cling Mounted Rubber Stamp – Background Noise – Dots 
Versamark Watermark Clear Ink Pad
Double Stick Tape such as Scor Tape
White glue such as Scotch Quick Drying Tacky Glue

Carabelle Studio Art Stamp – Scribbled Feathers

Other: German Scrap Birds; Gold Sparkle embossing powder; Golden Fluid Acrylic Paint – Titan Buff; Carabelle Studio Art Stamp # SMI0194 – Un Rond en Damier; embossing buddy; Faber Castell Texture Luxe Gold Paint; washi tape

Here is my process:

I wanted to treat these blocks like journal pages and include some quotes about birds. On the flap of each long piece, I marked arrows to indicate the “up” side on each cube strip. Later, when I was ready to write the words, I added numbers so that I was sure to get the words in the right order.

I began by scraping Dina Wakley Media Turquoise Acrylic Paint over the box using an old room key and leaving some white space. I wanted very little texture from the paint so scraping is a good way to apply it. After the first layer was dry, I scraped on small amounts of Golden Titan Buff Fluid Acrylic paint.

I painted the top/bottom areas (the middle of the strip) of the blocks turquoise.

Next, I collected a bird quote for each ATB.

“A Bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”

“Don’t just fly. Soar.”
“Use all of the talents you possess. The wood would be very silent if no birds sing but those that sang best.”

Use the arrow and number system to write the words (or wing it, pun intended). I wrote sloppy with a pencil, journal style.You could also use stamps, printed words or more formal lettering.

Next, I added a little stenciling using Joggles/Margaret Applin Designs This and That #3 stencil and Gelatos. I rubbed the Gelato directly onto a blending foam attached to the Mini Ink Blending Tool and then rubbed the foam through the stencil for a subtle effect. The stenciling and later stamping was made easier since there is almost no texture from the paint.

Make sure that the strips are completely dry before heat embossing.

NOTE: It’s a good idea to test an area of your project to make sure that the embossing powder isn’t about to stick everywhere. If it does, dry your project more.

Rub an embossing buddy (anti-static powder tool) over the areas before you start stamping. I used a couple of  Carabelle stamps and the Joggles Background Noise – Dots stamp, Versamark Watermark Ink and sparkly gold embossing powder.

To assemble the Blocks, I used a quick-set white glue, such as Scotch Quick Drying Tacky Glue.

I added some washi tape for visual interest around the edges of two of the trading Blocks and Faber-Castell Texture Luxe gold paint around another… just for fun.

Finally, I went around the blocks and glued on some gorgeous German scrap to add still more interest, again being careful to leave white space.

The stack of blocks looks great sitting above my washer/dryer with some old family photos. We just painted our laundry room with a color inspired by The Nest book cover. I’ll have to read that book. I hope it’s as good as the cover.

I hope you enjoyed this project and will try some of the techniques!