Rolling Stones Making Messes

I am making messes this morning.  All for the cause though.  I need more stones for the exterior of the shop.  I used the same recipe as before.  This time I made three different colors.

I used an old paint brush to texture the clay.  I may add something more later. . .

I'm going to wait a while before I cut the stones.  Last time I did it too soon and got some drag marks that I didn't like.   I'm trying to make a stacked stone wall treatment.  Something like this one from TheStoneStore.

Another messy project I have going today is painting the paper I need for my 12 foot (12 inch) palm trees.  This paper is very thin and tears easily.   It makes great flowers but I'm not so sure about leaves?  I usually make my tropical plants out of masking tape.   I may have to try something else?   I want to try out my new Martha Stewart fringe scissors too.

Hope you have fun today!    Go ahead.  Make a mess!

Buy One, Get One Free

This is the only egg carton I have.  I found these Chinet paper plates on sale "buy one, get one free."  I thought maybe I could use them to make tiles or stone?

They are about the same thickness as cardstock with a slight texture.  I cut some "stones" then glued them to a piece of foam board. I added some color washes then painted them with Mod Podge gloss.

I ran a knitting needle around the edges to give them some definition.  The colored edges looked like sun bursts to me.  I'm still thinking about whether or not to use them?

Not sure if I will try to add grout?  I'll have to wait for the Mod Podge to dry first.

I may use these to make a patio or sidewalk?  At least I have enough plates to play with.  If nothing else, I won't have to wash dishes for a long time!

Hope you have a great day! 

Quite By Accident

I painted the ponds with one coat of Gesso. Then I used the edge of a little piece of wood pressed into the foam to make stones.

One problem that concerns me is crumbling. The floral foam is so soft the you can sand it with your finger. I'm hoping two coats Gesso, some paint and a final fixative spray will harden it enough.


Quite by accident, I discovered moss! Well, not REAL moss, but the green that's showing could be moss, right?

My plan is to tint the second coat of Gesso with gray and dab it on with a sponge. I can always paint away some "moss" if I think there is too much. I may add some real/fake moss here and there too?

The ponds will need plants too. I like making plants. :D


Here are some water lilies in progress.

The Koi fish are in the "water." It's really humid here right now so the resin is still sticky. That will need to cure for a few more days before I can add it to the ponds.

I was unsure how the resin would react with the foam, so I'm making that part separately. I'm really having fun with this!

Hope you have a nice day!