jalex

Materials

3/8" x 6" x 7" wooden plaque with scallop edges (available at most local craft stores)
4"-dia. mirror
1-3/4 yards of 1/2" wide sheer ivory ribbon
Sculpey III white clay
Assortment of two- and four-holded buttons in colors of choice
DecoArt Americana Acrylics in Fawn and Warm White
Fiskars Decorative Edged Scissors (an assortment for cutting out button flowers--see Step 2)
Royal & Langnickel Series 355 Nos. 5 and 8 short round
Beacon Adhesives Kid's Choice Glue!
Fine sandpaper, rolling pin, wax paper, cookie sheet, paper towel, masking tape, electric drill with 1/8"-dia. bit, ruler, oven, water, scissors, scrap wooden block

Instructions
1. Knead clay and roll out on wax paper until it is approximately 1/8"-dia. thick. Press assorted buttons face down into the clay and then pull buttons straight out, keeping impressed design intact.

2. Peel off clay from wax paper and cut around button impressions with assorted Decorative Edged Scissors. Button flower shapes should be slightly irregular. You will need approximately 18, but actual number will depend upon size of buttons used for making impressions.

3. Place the button flowers on a cookie sheet and bake at 275 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool.

4. Dilute one part Fawn with one part water. Brush the diluted paint on the button flowers one at a time using the No. 8 short round brush. Quickly wipe off excess paint from the surface with a slightly damp paper towel, leaving paint in the crevices.

5. Drill two holes symmetrically in the top of the plaque to attach ribbon hanger, placing the plaque on the wooden block before drilling. Lightly sand wooden plaque. Wipe clean using the paper towel.

6. Paint the wood plaque with two to three smooth coats of Warm White using the No. 5 short round, allowing adequate drying time between applications. Then paint the plaque with diluted Fawn and wipe off in the same manner as was done for button flowers.

7. Glue the mirror to the center of the plaque. Glue button flowers randomly around the mirror, overlapping and covering the edges, leaving one small button for the hanger. Let dry.

8. Cut ribbon in half. Hold the ribbon pieces together with ends even. Place a piece of masking tape around the ribbon pieces at one of the ends and twist into a point. Insert ribbon through holes in the plaque usng the pointed ends of the tape. The ribbon ends should be even on both sides of the front. Tie ribbon pieces into a bow in the center above the plaque. Trim bow ends even. Glue button flowers to the center of the bow.

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Get our guys out of Iraq!!