Horchow Asian Blocks Knockoff Using Cricut Pagoda Cartridge & Vinyl

Horchow Magazine Knockoff I Created

I like looking at things in expensive magazines, but I don’t usually buy things from expensive magazines, especially if I can make it!  This is just such a case.  Look below to see what this costs in the Horchow magazine.

Ignore the part about the 60 watt bulb.  That went with another pricey item. 😉

I don’t know about you, but I’m not spending $275 on these blocks.  I’ll waste good money on something else use a tiny fraction of that money and make my own for about $10.  Oh yeah! 😀

I found most of these things at WalMart.

I already owned the Cricut Pagoda cartridge, a Cricut and some gold vinyl.  So, you might need to buy those things.  However, you could easily make a stencil and use gold paint instead of the way I did this. 🙂  The wood cost me .99 each and the 8oz bottle of paint was under $3 at WalMart, both are by Plaid.  I already owned a package of sponge brushes that I used for painting, but they are really cheap and can be found at Walmart or any craft store.

Need vinyl?  I like to buy mine from Expressions Vinyl.

She’s thrifty!  Wait, how much did it cost to get those cartridge acetate covers?  Ummm…

I paint!  Well, doing this and basic furniture and wall painting is the extent of my abilities.  You won’t see me doing any portraits, that’s for sure.  I used the clear acetate that goes around Cricut cartridges for my little palette.  Very thrifty!  Goodness knows I have enough of those containers laying around.

Gold vinyl is perfect for this project.  I got mine from Expressions Vinyl.

I cut the Kanji symbols at 3-1/2″.  The symbols I chose mean “five” and “love” because I have 5 people in my family.  Me, DH and 3 kiddos. 🙂  The Kanji words are hard to see on the cartridge’s booklet.  They are located in the “Kanji Word” area inside the bottom left hand image.  You might need a magnifying glass or use your Gypsy to zoom in and read the words.  I printed out a list of them and glued it to the inside of my cartridge box.

Next, I’ll apply the vinyl to the painted board.  By the way, you could get wood cut to any specifications at the hardware store, I just didn’t want to go to that trouble.  Also, I was mad that I didn’t already have a bunch of wood because we used to have tons of boards left over from martial arts. I got tired of them being everywhere, so I finally threw them out.  My husband is a 2nd degree black belt and all my kids are about to test for their 2nd degrees.  If I’d ever get back to class, I’d be testing for my black belt.  My favorite thing to do is break boards!  I can break them with a punch and/or a kick.  I do it without a glove or shoe the majority of the time.  It’s so empowering!

I’m so happy with the way this turned out!  I put it on my mantel (removing a now leafless orchid) and I liked it so much that I think I’m going to make 6 big canvasses for my living room wall! 🙂

Want to learn techniques for using vinyl with your Cricut? 
Check out my Cricut Vinylology DVD.

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