Sign of Autumn

Pattern

Materials Needed:

1/2" flat brush
1/8 one-stroke brush
Large flat brush
No. 1 liner brush
Spatter tool
Sponge applicator
Stylus
Basswood country round, Walnut Hollow #5509
Dried quince slices
Grapevine swag
Raffia
Moss
Silk fall leaves
Natural wheat
Tracing paper
Hot glue gun
Wire, black, 18 gauge, 6 feet
Wirecutters
Needlenose pliers
Cotton swabs
Palette paper
Paper towels
Pencil
Sandpaper
Scissors

Instructions:

For best results, please read all instructions before beginning project. Refer to photo for color and design placement.

1. | Using the sponge applicator, apply All-Purpose Primer to wood surfaces. Let dry. Sand lightly.
2. | Trace pattern onto tracing paper. Place pattern on wood pencil side down, and transfer with a stylus.
3. | Mix each color with Clear stain, 1 part color, two parts stain. Use quarter-size puddles and add color to each.
4. | For orange leaves, load one side of a damp flat brush with the True Orange mixture, and blend on palette until color washes across bristles, leaving only water on opposite end of brush. Float color along inside edge of leaf, starting at leaf points. When brush begins to drag, add a little water.
5. | Float Deep Peach mixture at small-leaf bases and Deep Blush randomly on leaves, leaving some inside areas unpainted.
6. | Thin Deep Peach with water. Using the liner brush, outline small orange leaves.
7. | For small leaves, float True Orange mixture on top of each leaf. Float Deep Sage mixture around inside of bottom leaf, blending into the orange area. Thin Deep Spruce with water and use a liner brush to outline leaf and add veins.
8. | Float Deep Violet around inside edge of violet leaves. Float Deep Spruce randomly around edges and centers. Thin Deep Spruce mixture with water and outline with the liner brush.
9. | Dip a cotton swab into True Orange and Deep Blush mixtures and apply dots. Using a clean damp cotton swab, lift color off the center of each dot. Using a liner brush, deepen color in bases of berries with thinned Deep Violet. Apply thinned Walnut Stain to centers with the liner brush.
10. | Mix one part Walnut Stain and two parts Clear and float color onto branches. Use a liner brush to outline with Walnut Stain with irregular lines.
11. | Thin Deep Spruce with water and paint small stems and vines. Apply Walnut Stain randomly over stems and vines.
12. | Using the large flat brush, float violet mixture randomly over background, then repeat process using Deep Peach.
13. | Pounce bristles on a paper towel and stipple Deep Peach lightly and randomly on background and around leaves and lettering.
14. | Using the one-stroke brush, paint in True Orange lettering. Thin Deep Blush with water, and using the same brush, apply a drybrushed look to top and bottom of each letter.
15. | Mix one part thinned Deep Peach and two parts Walnut Stain and use the liner brush to outline letters.
16. | Thin Walnut Stain with water and spatter piece. Let dry 24 to 48 hours.
17. | For a protective finish, apply 1-2 coats of Matte Varnish.
18. | Drill two small holes in top of wood. Cut wire in half and bring through holes. Twist wire to secure, leaving a 6" to 8" length to curl. Wrap remaining wire around swag and twist to secure around leftover wire. Leave a 12" length of wire separating wood from swag, and twist and curl wire.
19. | Spread Hot Glue Helpmate onto swag where moss will be applied. Add moss. Follow instructions on the glue label to adhere silk leaves, raffia, quince slices and a raffia bow.