As you probably know, I’ve been making A LOT of these blocks during the past year. They’re kinda fun. I knew with Independence Day approaching that I wanted to make some Red, White, & Blue blocks. I already have some USA letters, so I wanted to do a word I didn’t already have. I decided that I would either make them say FREEDOM or AMERICA. I ended up deciding to do AMERICA. I had a few snags while working on this project, but overall, I’m happy with how it turned out.
I used the fun Echo Park Paper, Dots & Stripes. I was super excited to use this! I got my paper adhered to the blocks with Mod Podge and then cut white vinyl for all the blocks. You COULD NOT see the E or the C. 🙁 Snag 1. I left them for over night trying to decide what to do. I really liked the white vinyl. I even asked a few different people what they would do with the problem. I found some lighter blue vinyl that I had, and thought it would go okay. I decided to re-cut all the letters in the light blue with my Cricut. {I used the Lyrical Letters Cartridge. LOVE this cartridge!} When I started changing the blocks from white to blue, I got to the point of only having the three letters changed, and I was kinda liking it. I still had some of my white letters. 🙂
But, I still wasn’t completely happy with how they looked. So I started going through my stash and looking for ribbon and buttons that I could embellish with. I got them all embellished, put on my table where I like to put my blocks and got my camera out. Why does taking good pictures seem to be so hard for me sometimes?! I tried to take pictures, but when you are taking them against a window, the lighting just isn’t right! Snag 2. Anyway, I did get at least one, on the table where the blocks belong, but then I waited until the lighting was right outside and headed out to snap some pictures.
I am excited to have my AMERICA blocks done and sitting in my living room. Here in Utah we can get away with leaving Red, White, and Blue decor up all month long, because we celebrate the 24th of July as well, in honor of Utah’s Statehood.
Am I the only person who seems to have snags like these? Please do share, if you have these snags too. I’d love to hear about it.

I love how they turned out! the paper is adorable and love the buttons too! Great job!!
I love this! I featured it on my blog at dazzlingdomesticdiva.blogspot.com come check it out & grab a button!
Oh these are too cute! Love them.
http://www.iheartmygluegun.com
So cute! I love them and just in time for the 4th. Great job!Ladeedacreations.com
These turned out great! And you are definitely not the only one that ends up with snags while crafting, but sometimes that’s how things turn out even better then we planned.
What a great project!
I am having a Red, White and Blue Linky Party that I’d love for you to join in on by adding your link!
http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2011/07/red-white-and-blue-linky-party.html
The letters look awesome and I think the ribbons and buttons embellishments made it even better! I’ve had block letters on my “to do” list for a while now, and I’m definitely going to incorporate buttons after seeing your project. Thanks for sharing. I found you via the Weekend Wrapup Party.
I love ’em, I love combining wood fabric. I linked to you as one of my 4th of July Tutorial Favorites.
Hi! I absolutely love blocks! These are really cute! I am a new follower!I would love it if you stopped by blog, take a look around and if you like what you see, follow me back! Thanks!
Have a great holiday!
Kirsten
http://www.mushkiloves.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for linking up to my Red, White and Blue Linky Party!
http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com
Great blocks! This is one project I keep meaning to do. I love the variations for all the holidays! Maybe I’ll get some made one of these days!
New follower!
http://thepurplehound.blogspot.com
I’m sitting here looking at my USA blocks I made this year and thinking how cute they would be next door to your AMERICA. 🙂 it turned out soooo cute.
Do you by chance know the measurements for the blocks? I am having a friend cut me out some blocks. Love the way yours turned out! I bought a bunch of paper from HL a couple weeks ago to do a bunch of 4th of july crafts! [email protected] Thanks!!