enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

five minute project / stained letterpress block.

5minC

I am hoping to bring a new series to the blog this fall – five minute projects. Super simple DIYs that really take the time it takes to buy supplies. Ideally, these posts will take me longer to write than the projects themselves.

5minC2

Jo-anns has "letterpress wood blocks" on sale right now. This C was $2.50. They are a cute size (5×3.75) and you can't beat the price, but the balsa wood letter did not look very authentic.

5minC3

I used an old rag and some leftover stain to fancy it up. The trickiest part was getting it in the small creases. But really – two minutes. Tops. And even though the wood was cheap, I was impressed that it took the stain so well.

5minC4

I'm a fan. Too bad they didn't have ampersands…

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33 responses to “five minute project / stained letterpress block.”

  1. Alida Avatar
    Alida

    So cool, looking forward to the series. Thinking where I can find similar letters here in South Africa.

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  2. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    That look great! Looking forward to the new series.

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  3. Carrie Avatar
    Carrie

    It turned out beautiful. And so real. I just might have to swing by Joann’s later….

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  4. Skye Avatar
    Skye

    Love it! Looking forward to this series 🙂

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  5. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    Definitely a series for me!

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  6. kristi Avatar
    kristi

    Love it! I wonder if you couldn’t make an amprisand by finding a regular one and gluingit onto a wood block.

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  7. Mrs Forkel Avatar
    Mrs Forkel

    Love this project. Thanks for the idea!

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  8. Sarah C. Avatar
    Sarah C.

    Very cute, and love the idea of this series! Perfect for so many things, including gift ideas. I am already thinking about how today’s project could be a great stocking stuffer, or even how to incorporate the concept into gift tags that could then be turned into ornaments for future years (get small letters, stain, drill small hole, use string to attach to ribbon on a gift, move to tree after gift opened…). I will definitely be watching & no doubt gathering wonderful inspiration from you, as always, this fall!

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  9. Megan Anderson Avatar
    Megan Anderson

    Looks awesome! And smart series; can’t wait to see more!

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  10. Laney Avatar
    Laney

    Super cute!
    And is that a real sea urchin with the plant in it? I’m guessing not, those are fragile.

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  11. Kathleen Avatar
    Kathleen

    Awesome all around.

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  12. hanna Avatar
    hanna

    LOVE this idea for my son’s room. And love the idea of 5 minute projects. W/ 2 year old twins that is about all I have time for.

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  13. Caity Avatar
    Caity

    I was seriously just looking for a “C” the other day for a decoration idea that I had. So funny that you would have it on the blog just a few days later and it would be the same exact letter I need! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  14. Anna Aspnes Avatar
    Anna Aspnes

    Love.

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  15. Jennifer G Avatar
    Jennifer G

    Ok, definitely going to Joann’s! Love these!

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  16. kelly lanley Avatar
    kelly lanley

    Love the project and great idea for the series – I will definitely be a fan! But I didn’t see a picture of Ellerie in that post. Please don’t let that happen again 😉

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  17. Debra Avatar
    Debra

    Looks so nice, love it!

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  18. brianna Avatar
    brianna

    That’s totally cute. It would be fun to get Ellerie’s name and paint ’em in bright colors (not primary colors, but neon colors). Or pink ombre.

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  19. brianna Avatar
    brianna

    Ignore that link in my name. I don’t know what happened.

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  20. Kel Avatar
    Kel

    Very excited for this series!

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  21. Ffion Avatar
    Ffion

    Looks way better than the original 🙂 Great idea, and cool idea for a new series!

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  22. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    It is … I got it with the airplants from a shop on etsy. 🙂

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  23. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    haha!

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  24. Jody R Avatar
    Jody R

    I’m looking forward to this series.

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  25. Patchouly Avatar
    Patchouly

    Love this series already! I pin so many projects that I never do, with 5 minute projects there is no excuse NOT to do it! I think I will attempt to complete all projects in this series 🙂 Thanks for making your blog so much fun to read!

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  26. J3SS1C4 Avatar
    J3SS1C4

    Looks great! Quick and simple projects are the best! I’m looking forward to your ideas, this is a great start 🙂

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  27. elly Avatar
    elly

    loooooooooove it
    Why the letter C, I wonder ??

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  28. Libbi M. (Ashland, Oregon) Avatar
    Libbi M. (Ashland, Oregon)

    i love this idea. i had a idea on a potential future blog post… i love how you organize everything and i was wondering if maybe a post on how you organize your closet. your side and p’s side. what do you think?

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  29. Shayne Avatar
    Shayne

    cute!

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  30. Kelly W. Avatar
    Kelly W.

    Five minute projects? Heck to the yeah! Love this one, too. May have to boogie over to Joann’s. 🙂

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  31. Peggy Avatar
    Peggy

    Love it! Thanks for sharing. Do you collect ampersands? I collect printers blocks and have a few “&” but they’re only 2 inches tall.

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  32. Sonia Avatar
    Sonia

    I just saw these in the store the other day and was wondering what I could do with them. Thank you so much for the idea!

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  33. Grace W Avatar
    Grace W

    And I was just going to ask if they had ampersands! Boo!
    Maybe I’ll just get an initial. They’re too cute not to take home & DIY! 🙂

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