Christmas Countdown Blocks Box

So I know it's a little late in the game.

But I love love how this turned out :)

Even if it, what, six days away from Christmas?

I've been seeing ca-ute christmas countdowns everywhere and wanted to make my own version and I so happened upon the perfect things while at Micheals one day.

I happened upon these unfinished wood blocks...

I knew they'd be perfect for countdown blocks.

I actually started out holing the bigger version blocks but then I found this cutie...

And the smaller blocks fit so perfectly into it...

See?

And the ridge on top of the box fit the blocks perfectly as well. Thus the project was born :)

I first took off all the shiny gold hardware and gave it a good coat of oil-rubbed bronze spraypaint.

Here they are before...

Then I took some of my new love- Polyshades stain and polyurethane in Bombay Mahogany (yum!)

I stained the entire box, inside and out and let dry.

Then I stained the sides of the little blocks.

I only did the sides because I then modge-podged squares of scrapbook paper to them!

Then stain just helped the corners pop and look a little more finished :)

You wouldn't believe the hard time I've had with finding numbers for these little pretties.

Micheals and Hobby Lobby apparantly are anti-numbers in their stickers.

I finally found some in my stash that worked.

Here's what you put on each block:

first block: 0, 1, 2, 7, 8, 9  (make sure the nine can double as a six)

second block: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Then I did a layer of modge podge over them so they would last longer.

Here's the finished block:

And here are the sweet little blocks on top of their box:

I was in total, complete love.

For the front of the box, I used a scrapbooking label holder.

They were a goldy-glittery color that I brushed some blue paint over.

It still glittered :)

Then I printed out 'days til Christmas' on white cardstock and glued it to the back.

Then it was hotlued to the front.

I think it's a way cute addition to our Christmas decor :)

And little man loves to stack the blocks and see what numbers each day has.

Here's another set I did for a friend.

Except I used smaller numbers on it.

I like it either way but you know my thing about brown :)

And then they hide snugly away so they can be stored for next year!

Here's both sets:

I think they might be my favorite Christmas-y thing I've made this year :)

I set mine on the table by hubby's chair with my christmas tree painting I did several years ago.

So there ya have it.

My own Christmas countdown version.

...a little late...

So, c'mon there's still days left... pick some up and beaut-ify them! :)