Arts Publications

Spring forward: flower garden memo board

Expression, May-June, 2005 by Allene Shackelford

What better way to welcome spring than by creating a hand-painted magnetic memo board filled with flowers? When I saw galvanized steel shingles at my local hardware store the idea for a new project quickly emerged. I imagined a magnet board framed with Style Stones decorated with fresh colors and spring images. These stones fit perfectly around the metal perimeter of the shingle, so no cutting or trimming of the metal was needed. When I laid out the tile border it reminded me of garden stepping-stones. Adding polymer clay rosebud magnets seemed like a fun way to finish the board. So when the flowers start blooming outdoors have fun painting them indoors.

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INSTRUCTIONS

Coloring the Style Stone "Tiles" Divide the stones into two equal groups consisting of nine small squares, 11 small rectangles and two large rectangles. Group one will be tinted in bisque tones and group two in green tones. For the bisque tones use Amber Clay, Bisque, Creamy Brown, Yellow Ochre, Alabaster and Burnt Sienna Fluid Chalk inks. For the green tones use Lime Pastel, Olive Pastel and Warm Green. To tint the stones, hold four or five at a time in the palm of your hand while wearing disposable gloves. Put a drop of ink on each stone and blend with your gloved hand until all surfaces are covered. (Photo 1) Immediately rinse in running water or a container of water to release any excess ink. Dry with a paper towel. Set aside and continue until all stones are tinted. For a watercolor look, use a cotton swab, moistened with rubbing alcohol to soften the color. Wipe the center of each stone with the swab leaving a darker rim of color along the edges. (Photo 2) Treat all of the stones and heat-set with a heat gun.

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Stamping the Stones Trace around the galvanized steel shingle to mark a space 12-inches wide by 8-inches high on a sheet of paper. Lay out the stones along the inside of the perimeter. Use the larger rectangles for corners and alternate small squares and rectangles. Also alternate the green and bisque tones. Choose at least 10 floral stamps for the small rectangles and corners. The small square stones serve as spacers and do not get stamped. Turn all of the stones so the holes in the sides are facing in and do not show. (The corner rectangle holes will be finished later). Flip over each stone and number the backs in order starting in the upper left corner and working clockwise. This will make the final assembly much easier. Turn each stone right side up and proceed to stamp a floral image onto each rectangular stone with ColorBox Black Crafter's ink. To do this, ink the stamp and place inked side up on the table. Press the stone facedown onto the image. Lift carefully. (Photo 3) If the image is not clear, rinse off the ink with water, dry the stone and try again. Heat-set for 2 minutes.

Painting in the Flower Designs Finally the fun part! Start by putting a few drops of ColorBox Chalk Refill ink on a plastic palette tray. For the colors use Tangerine, Wisteria, Dark Peony, Pink Pastel, Yellow Citrus, Rouge, Lime Pastel and Olive Pastel. Although lots of colors are listed, use a few and blend for additional hues. Use color groupings of yellows, greens, reds, purples and pinks. Load a small amount of ink on your nylon brush and tap off excess onto scratch paper before you begin. It doesn't take much for these inks to bring the flower-stamped stones to life. While the ink is still wet lightly press a piece of copy paper over the top of the stone to remove excess ink. Lift paper to reveal a soft transparent "porcelain" like color. (Photo 4) Continue to paint all of the stamped stones. Be sure to heat-set each stone after painting. Cool and coat with Krylon Matte Finish. To finish the corner stones, glue head pins with Zip Dry glue into exposed holes.

Preparing the Metal Backing Wash the metal shingle with soap and water. Be careful of the sharp edges. Dry and sand with 220-grit sandpaper on both sides. Wipe both sides with a paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol. Paint one side of your shingle with Krylon Interior-Exterior in Flat White. Follow manufacturer's instructions. Let dry overnight. In a flat container, mix 20 drops of Alabaster Fluid Chalk ink with three drops of Bisque Fluid Chalk ink. Use a wet sea sponge and apply the Fluid Chalk ink to the painted shingle. Sponge color evenly over the entire shingle. (Photo 5) Heat-set. Let cool and wipe off any excess ink with a soft tissue. Then spray on two coats of the Matte Finish and let dry. With a small handsaw cut one piece of Handipanel board to measure 12" X 8" so that it matches the size of the shingle. (Your local hardware store may be able to make the cuts for you.) Smooth the edges of the board with sandpaper.

Assembling the Board Cut two pieces of wire 3-inches long. Shape the wire on a dowel to make a half-circle loop. Use a hammer and anvil to shape ends flat. (Photo 6) On a protected work surface lay out the shingle, paint-side down, with the Handipanel board next to it. Spread E6000 evenly on both. Center the wire loops 3 inches in from each side of the Handipanel board and lay the shingle, glue-side down, on top of the board. Press and wipe off any excess glue. Clamp in place and let dry overnight. (Picture-frame hooks can be glued to the back instead of using wire loops.) Remove clamps and trim any dried glue from the edges. Cut a piece of ribbon 54-inches long. Start at the top and glue ribbon around the memo board. Let dry. Mark the midpoints of all four sides on the front of the memo board. Using E6000 on a craft knife, spread thinly on the back of a stone, and glue the stone in place at the top of the board. Add the next stone working left to right from the center mark. (Photo 7) Continue around the corner. It helps to have a straight edge, like a ruler, next to the board to keep the stones even. As you glue the last stone in place check to make sure all the borders are straight. Let dry.