Faux Stone Flower Plaque

Materials:

1/2" x 12" x 36" Plastifoam sheet
16 Plastifoam 1" balls
safety goggles
fume mask
Beacon Hold the Foam! glue
Beacon Foam Finish
Dremel Versatip knife-blade tip heated tool
1 qt. each Benjamin Moore paint: Shenandoah Taupe, Hot Springs Stones
Fiskars 12-1/2" square acrylic ruler
Fiskars Softouch scissors
18-gauge florist wire
wire cutters
lightweight hammer
dressmaker's straight pins
sea sponge
1" bristle brush
pencil
paper for pattern
serrated knife
paper towels
shallow disposable bowl

1. Draw your design on paper and cut out each piece.

2. Using the pattern in the PDF file (under the image, above), cut the following items from the plastic foam sheet: an 8" x 8" square, four leaves (Pattern A), five large petals (Pattern B), five small petals (Pattern C), and two 1" x 1" squares (these do not have to be exact) (figure A). Note: Use goggles and a fume mask when working with the heated knife. Practice with the knife before beginning. To cut patterns accurately, insert the knife blade vertically; then glide slowly around the shape (figure B). Note how the foam continues to melt after it is cut. Practice will allow you to get used to the feel.

3. Bevel the edges (figure C). Use the hammer to tap down the sharp edges of one side (figure D). Next, flip the piece over and tap these edges. Repeat this step for all pieces.

4. Using the pencil, score a diagonal line from one corner to the other. Repeat for the other two corners (figure E). Where the two lines intersect is the center of the 8" x 8" square. Glue the 1" x 1" pieces in the center on top of each other.

5. Apply glue to the back of each leaf. Position the leaves along the scored diagonal lines. The longer tip on each leaf should fit in the corner of the plaque (figure F). Pin in place to secure.

6. Apply glue to the back of the larger petals. Position them around the center. The top edge of each petal should slightly overlap the shorter tips on each leaf. Pin in place to secure.

7. Apply glue to the back of the smaller petals. Position them around the center. The flat edge of each petal should touch or come close to the 1-inch square in the center (figure G). Pin in place to secure.

8. Cut the 1-inch balls in half. Bevel the cut edge by pushing it on your work surface.

9. To create the center of the flower: Glue a circle of half balls around the outer edge of the center area. The half balls may be grouped and pushed into each other to get a shaped circle. Pack the center with more half balls. Build up the center with additional balls as needed to create a tightly packed cluster of balls (figure H). To assemble pieces, apply glue to the backside of each ball before placing and then insert a straight pin to secure.

10. Cover the entire surface with Foam Finish, spreading with a paint brush (figure I). Be sure to
apply enough to fill in the areas where layers of petals meet. The goal is to make the plaque look as if it came from one large, solid piece of material (figure J). Allow to dry overnight or until hardened.

11. Apply a coat of the Shenandoah Taupe paint (figure K) and allow to dry.

12. Mix some of the Hot Springs Stones paint with equal parts water. Use a sea sponge to "wash" the surface of the plaque with the mixture (figure L). Immediately blot away excess pant with a paper towel (figure M).

13. To create the hanger: Clip the florist wire to 9". Bend the wire in half like a large hairpin. Next, find the center of each side of the wire and fold the end back up toward the curve of the hairpin. Measure about 1/2 inch beyond the top of the rounded area and clip off any wire longer than that.

14. Insert the hanger wires up into the back of the plaque. Apply foam glue to the insertion to secure. Allow the glue to dry before hanging the plaque.

Tips:

- To minimize strain on your wrist, small, lightweight craft hammers are best for the technique shown.
- You should be able to make approximately three plaques from the foam sheet, depending on how much practice you need for cutting.
- You will not use the full quarts of the paint. You can use the rest for other projects in the Foam Décor book. You may also use Apple Barrel paints from your local craft store.
- If you have a pasta machine, you can create a lower-profile plaque. First, cut the leaves and petals with a serrated knife. Do not use the hot knife, then feed each piece through the machine on the thickest setting. Rub any dusty edges.
- Hang the finished piece as a square or diagonally like a diamond.