Homemade material - sandpaper letters

Keeping in the same line of subject today. The sand paper letters.

I wondered for a while how I would make those. I knew I wanted them made on wooden boards, but at the time, that was it.

I found some really thin wooden board at my local art shop. In the watercolor section. SO I bought that and had DH cut them into 4 squares, so I didn't need all that much.

Then I painted those boards with acrylic paint that I also bought there. I used the same red and blue that I did for the red rods and the numeral rods. I created the pink with a dash of white. I started by painting only one side, but was not happy with the end result, so I ended up painting both side, and I am happy that I did. It makes a neater job IMO.

Once the paint was dry, it was time to add the letter. I had different options:

1- apply glue and pour sand over it to create the letters

2- Used sticky felt

3 go the longest way and use sandpaper.

After weighing all the options, I decided to go the "real" route, and use sandpaper. I do not regret one bit this choice, even though it took longer.

SO I used 220 sandpaper. I could have used softer, but that was what I had on hand. DO NOT GO LOWER THEN THAT THOUGH, it is too rough for little hands.

I cutted the letter with a exacto and a self healing board. Then I glued them with carpenter glue. This does a wonderful job of sticking the paper!

I finished with a slight coat of Mod podge, but I didn't pass over the letters for fear that they would not have the necessary tactile feeling anymore. I think I could have done it though without problems.

So here is the finaly result:



I organized them in a basket, I couldn't find any wooden boxes that would fit them in, and that allowed me tu reuse things I had on hand.



I am super happy with the result, and I don't feel the need to get already made sandpaper letter. (which is an indicator for me of my level of satisfaction ;)

I did see some really nice handmade ones though. So if you don't feel like making them, but would rather have something homemade, these would be a very nice choice. Otherwise, this is a fun but I admit time consuming project. YOu cannot do this in one seating, because of the paint...

HTH :)