DIY & Crafts

Rock out for Mother's Day

Rock out for Mother's Day

Author: Canadian Living

DIY & Crafts

Rock out for Mother's Day

Showing Mom how much you care seems to get harder every year. She tells you she has all that she needs, but you still feel a token of your affection is the best way to show how much you love her. Embellish a special stepping stone with a few of her favourite things, like flowers or birds, as well as her home address or a phrase like "Mom's garden."

You need:
• flat stone, such as shale or flagstone, of any size
• decal paper (available at office supply stores)
• scissors or utility knife
• craft or oil paints (available at hardware stores)
• paintbrushes or sponges
• clear waterproofing sealer
• duct or masking tape (optional)

To make:
Step 1: Create a design
Decide on your design. We chose a group of cattails and a house number.

If you're using words or numbers, open a new document in your word-processing or photo-editing program and find an appropriate font. Size your type according to your stone's dimensions.

For decor elements, search online for simple clip art images. Save a copy of the one you choose and lay it out with your numbers or words in your photo-editing program.

Our stone was an odd shape. It was 15 inches across at the top, three at the bottom and 12-1/2 inches tall -- like an inverted triangle with the tip cut off. So in our photo-editing program, we sized our canvas to 15 x 12-1/2 inches and re-created the shape of the stone using the line tool. Then we copied and pasted our design onto the canvas between the lines.

When painting, you can use a decal more than once, but if you plan on using mirror images (such as birds facing each other from each corner of the stone), it's best that you create a second reverse image in your program. To do so, simply highlight the original element, copy and click on the "flip horizontal" option.

Fill in your images with a dark colour before printing, so you can clearly see where to cut them out.

Test-print your design on normal paper before printing on the decal paper. If it looks like it will fit the stone, remove the lines in your photo-editing program. Print the images, numbers and/or words onto decal paper, according to the package instructions.

Cut out the images with scissors or a utility knife.

Step 2: Transfer the design
Peel off the decal's backing paper and then smooth the decal onto your stone (you may need to tape in place).

Using a sponge or brush, paint in the numbers, words and/or image. If you need to layer, wait until the first coat is dry.

When the design is completed and dry, coat the entire stone face with the sealer.

Step 3: Present the gift
Wrap the stone with a beautiful bow and accompany it with a floral-printed tote filled with seeds, bulbs and other gardening delights.

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DIY & Crafts

Rock out for Mother's Day

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