"In Bloom" Watering Can Garden Plaque

Steps 2-4

Steps:

1. Sketch the watering can design on paper and fill in with colored pencils.

2. Draw the outline of the watering can directly onto the piece of MDF (medium density fiber-board) with a pencil.

3. Set the MDF on a large piece of wood supported by saw horses. Wearing safety goggles and a mask, cut the basic shape of the gardening can out of the MDF with a jigsaw.

4. Smooth the edges and create a dimensional effect on the wood with a mouse sander.

Steps 6-7

5. Sketch the detailed design and words onto the MDF garden can shape.

6. Wearing safety goggles; carve the words and design into the MDF with a rotary tool.

7. Smooth the rough edges with a mouse sander.

Steps 8-9

8. Paint the watering can with a base coat of white acrylic latex primer. Let dry for about 15 minutes. Hand-sand the entire watering can.

9. Remove all dust from the watering can plaque with a damp paper towel or rag.

Step 11

10. Paint the entire watering can plaque with black acrylic paint. Let dry.

11. Paint the design on the MDF with a variety of acrylic pants. Use one color at a time and mix in white paint to create a blended effect. Let the paint dry for 10 minutes.

Step 13

12. Accentuate the carved words and dividing lines between the color blocks on the wood with a permanent waterproof black art pen.

13. Color in the loops in all the letters with black paint.

Step 14

14. Color the areas inside the letters with various colors of acrylic paint. Touch-up areas with acrylic paint as needed. Let dry for 24 hours.