This was first published November 23, 2015.
One day, when the twins were here, Wyatt found some plain wooden blocks. I had a plan for them at one time, creating a puzzle set of four blocks, like ones I’d made for Jaxon. Wyatt played with those blocks ALL DAY. Well, I decide I was going to give them to him for his birthday, but first I decided to make them into another block puzzle.
Now, last time I did this, some of you were mortified that I would use an actual vintage book and destroy it in the process. This time it is a bit different… This was Daniel’s book once upon 25 years ago or so… and I saved it for him. However, along the way, it got wet, and the pages stuck together. It was a mess, ready for the garbage, but, I decided to give it life again.
The book is laid open to a salvagable page, and I draw a light penciled square around all four blocks, making sure nothing important falls on the lines that will be the edges.
Wooden blocks are coated with Mod Podge and the picture carefully laid upon them. Care is then taken to cut them apart from each other. While insuring that they are firmly on each block, I then took sandpaper to the edge, actually running it down the edge of the paper, so that it ends up matching the wood perfectly.
The process is repeated on all six sides. Multiple coats of Mod Podge are painted on, making a hard, waterproof (-ish!) set of blocks.
The beauty of it is… I also gave Wyatt a new copy of the book, so he can read and form the six pictures right on top of the ones on the page… making it a tad easier for a four year old to accomplish. At the last minute, I decided it was still too difficult, so I took some colored sharpies and created a uniquely designed “frame” around each picture, so it can be done much easier!
Now I don’t try to compete with “remote-controlled turbo-powered Thomas the Tank Engine”, because I know I can’t, but when the plastic is broken and the batteries die… a great book and matching set of puzzle blocks will be waiting in the corner for a little boy’s hands to pick them up…
Find me here!
Throwaway Thursday: A Little Boy’s Hands, v.2.0′ is a poignant and evocative piece that captures the essence of nostalgia and the passage of time. Through a series of carefully curated images and reflections, the work revisits the innocence and wonder of childhood, symbolized by the small, curious hands of a young boy. The v.2.0 in the title suggests a modern reinterpretation or a revisit to an earlier theme, blending the past with the present to create a layered narrative. The hands, once busy exploring the world with wide-eyed fascination, now carry the marks of growth and experience, serving as a metaphor for the journey from youth to maturity. The piece invites viewers to reflect on their own journeys, reminding us of the beauty in both the fleeting nature of childhood and the enduring connections to our younger selves. With its tender imagery and thoughtful composition, ‘A Little Boy’s Hands, v.2.0’ transforms a simple throwback into a profound meditation on time, memory, and the continuity of life
Excellent and fun way to “keep” a vintage kid’s book!