| Materials Needed |
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STYROFOAM* Brand Foam:
Block, 18" x 12" x 1"
Hearts, 3" x 1/2" solid, three
Other Materials:
Modeling paste
Acrylic paints: ivory; burnt umber; warm brown; dark yellow; olive green; lavender
Miniature mixed shells, 1/4 cup
Miniature mixed buttons, ivory and pastel, 1/3 cup
Pink ribbon roses, 1/2", two bunches
Satin ribbon, color of choice, 1/4" x 1 yd.
Serrated knife
Candle stub or paraffin
Pencil
Ruler
Wooden skewer
Medium flat paintbrush
Palette or putty knife
Clean, soft rags
Small sea sponge
Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks
Thick, white craft glue
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| Instructions |
| 1. Wax serrated knife with candle stub or paraffin. Measure and cut three 4" squares from foam block. Center and glue one foam heart to each foam square as shown. |
| 2. Push skewer through top corner of foam square, from edge to edge, to create hole for ribbon hanger. |
| 3. Using photo as guide and knife, make jagged gashes, cracks, and holes in surface/edges of foam squares to create architectural look. Use knife to pry out foam inside cracks to create jagged inner surface as well. |
| 4. Use palette knife to spread modeling paste over front and sides of each square and heart. Surface should not be smooth. Use toothpick to remove excess paste from cracks and holes. |
| 5. Apply additional paste to front of heart. Press dimensional objects directly into paste to secure to heart; let dry completely. |
| 6. Paint entire plaque, including dimensional objects, ivory; let dry. |
| 7. To strengthen effect of texture and age, paint over entire plaque with dark umber. Immediately remove excess paint with damp sponge, leaving more paint in cracks and holes. |
| 8. Continue "aging" process in same way using warm brown, then dark yellow, removing excess paint with soft rag. Repeat with olive green or lavender, leaving a bit more color behind. Continue until pleased with effect; let dry completely. Note: Designer left more color on heart to emphasize shape. |
| 9. If unsatisfied with final look, simply wipe surface with damp sponge and let dry before starting again. Let dry completely. |
| 10. Cut ribbon into thirds. Thread one ribbon length through each hanger hole; tie bow. |
Form No. 179-01034
*Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company
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