“I’ve fallen in love! I’ve fallen in love for the first time! This time I know it’s for real! I’ve fallen in love, yeah! God knows, God knows I’ve fallen in love!” You sing and dance till the song ends and all collapse in a heap of giggles but then – ouch! Something sharp is poking into your back!You sit up and realize that much to your chagrin, it’s one of your BridgeWood Toys 80’s blocks! You open your mouth to remind the kids about putting away their toy kits but then realize this is a perfect chance to tell them all about your own youth. “You know what this block reminds me of?” you ask them. They shake their heads no. “It makes me think of the 80’s! That’s when that song we just played is from.” “Is that the olden days?” the littlest asks. “No, it’s just when Grandma and Grandpa were kids,” the older assures. You laugh and reach for your phone so you can play another song. Grabbing one of the toys you painted in neon stripes, you begin: “So in the 80’s we were really into neon…” These kids are gonna have to learn one way or another!
Now, these blocks are FUNKY! These are fun and easy to create. And they always turn out a little different from what you would expect. They make for colorful pops of color in a playroom, adding a little ‘twist’ that makes you think of the flowing, organic shapes and wild colors of the 80s.
This tutorial presumes that you are familiar with ‘The Basics of Toymaking.’ If you haven’t already, check out these short tutorials to learn how to quickly and easily make beautiful toys.
Although we chose to use Mary Blue, Hazy Purple, Baby Rose Pink, and Cozy Black for these toys, you can switch them out with any color you want. How about Butter Yellow, Meadow Green, Snowy White, and Baby Rose Pink? If there was any toy to have fun with color, this is the one!
How to Make Funky 80s Blocks
1
Prep the Blocks
Check every side of your toy blocks, especially around the edges. If there are rough patches, take your sandpaper and smooth them out. To prevent scratching, sand by rubbing the sandpaper up and down along, not against, the long grain.
For detailed instructions and tips, see the “Prepping the Blocks” Tutorial.
2
Mix Your Paints
Our “Mixing Your Favorite Colors” Tutorial will teach you how to get the perfect shade.
We used the following colors in this example, but you are welcome to use YOUR favorite combinations!
- Combine Rosy Red and Butter Yellow to create Baby Rose Pink.
- Combine Mary Blue and Rosy Red to create Hazy Purple.
3
Divide Your Blocks
Divide the blocks into three sets of three blocks each. To keep a consistent look, keep the same color combination on all of the blocks, but switch up the pattern for each set of blocks, changing the colors of each shape. For instance, instead of starting with a blue river, create a pink one.
4
Create Your Funky Pattern
4a
Paint a Blue 'River'
Dip your detail brush into the Mary Blue toy-safe paint.
About a third of the way up the block, create a wavy line or ‘river’ that runs across the long grain of the block.
4b
Create a Blue Curve or ‘River Tributary.’
Above the ‘blue river’ create a bubbly, blue ‘curve.’ Think of it like a river tributary twisting and turning right above the river’s main branch.
4c
Paint a Thin Black Line
Create a thin, black line that follows along the curve of the large blue ‘river.’
Leave a space between both curvy lines.
4d
Paint a Pink Line
Paint a Pink line that follows along the curve underneath the large blue ‘river.’
Leave a space between both curvy lines.
4e
Paint a Pink Bubble
Following the blue ‘tributary curve,’ fill the bubble with pink up to the edge of the block.
Leave a space between both curvy lines.
4f
Fill in the Purple Bubble
Underneath the pink line, fill in with a curvy ‘bubble’ of purple. Keep a space between the different colors.
4g
Fill in the Large Purple Bubble
On the last unpainted section on the side of the block with a large purple ‘bubble.’ Keep space for the raw wood to peek through between the different colors.
5
Repeat
Repeat this pattern on the opposite side of the block and continue with the other two blocks.
Set on an unpainted side to dry.
6
Change Up the Colors
Repeat the same pattern for the other two sets of three blocks. But change up the colors. For instance, make a ‘pink’ or ‘purple’ river instead of blue.
7
Sand the Edges
After the sides have been painted, take your sandpaper and sand the edges of the toys to get a crisp edge.
Wipe clean.
8
Seal the Funky 80's Pattern
- With your foam applicator or perfect brush, seal the Funky 80’s patterns with two thin coats of sealer.
- Set on an unpainted side to dry.
- Store the toys a finger-width apart and on a gallon plastic freezer bag to avoid ‘gluing’ them to each other or the drying surface.
9
Separate the Blocks
Taking each of the different colored patterns you created, put one of each wooden block into a set. You should have three blocks in each group that each have a different color pattern.
10
Apply the BridgeWood Stars
- Cut out and center the stencil on the block.
- Using the techniques from ‘Toymaking Basics,’ gently scrape the paint over the star and peel it to reveal it.
- Paint three blocks with pink stars.
- Paint three blocks with blue stars.
- Paint three blocks with purple stars.
- Flip over to the opposite side and continue.
- Set on an unpainted side to dry.
11
Seal the Last Four Sides
- Once dry, use your foam applicator or perfect brush to apply two thin coats of sealer to the last four sides of the toys.
- Set on an 80s, painted side to dry.
- Cure for 72 Hours.
- Although the sealer will be dry to the touch very quickly, the underlayers still need to cure and dry.
- Store the toys a finger-width apart and on a gallon plastic freezer bag to avoid ‘gluing’ them to each other or the drying surface.
- Turn daily to ensure even curing on all sides of the wooden toys.
12
Playtime!
You worked hard to make these funky, unique toys! It is time to enjoy them with some educational playtime with your little ones. They are going to love the bright colors
Making the toys was fun but playing with your loved ones is even MORE fun. Take the time today to play with your sweet ones and soak in the sound of their laughter.
