Flowers & Landscaping

To create "grass," follow the procedure outlined below:

  1. Use an inexpensive green, indoor/outdoor carpet.
  2. Paint the carpet with a dark forest green acrylic paint.
  3. Using a white bristle folk art brush, size 10 or 12 flat, paint across the top of the "grass." This gives a mottled look, resulting in a more life-like grass.

To create a garden along the foundation of a house or porch:

  1. Determine the size and design of your garden.
  2. Use strip wood, stones, or brick for the edge of the garden.
  3. Cut pieces of 1/2" thick Styrofoam to fit between the foundation and the edge of the garden. Use these pieces as the base for bushes and flowers.
  4. To obtain the look of dirt, cover the top of the Styrofoam with a white glue that does not react with the Styrofoam. Then cover the Styrofoam with regular dirt or old coffee grounds.
  5. Butt the grass to the edge of the wood, stones or brick.
  6. Add flowers and bushes.

Portable Landscaping

Landscaping can be developed on a permanent base that can be moved and rearranged around miniature projects at will. Several pieces of landscaping, including corner pieces, are used to complete an area.

  1. The base is made from a 1/8" x 2" x 6" piece of basswood. Round the front corners. The front edge shape may also be varied. The size may be adjusted to the area to be landscaped.
  2. For a corner section, join a piece of basswood that measures1/8" x 2" x 5" to a piece of 1/8" x 2" x 3" basswood. Glue the two pieces together with the end of the 3" piece, against the top of the 5" piece at one end. Tape across the junction on the bottom with masking tape.
  3. Cut a piece of green indoor/outdoor carpet the shape of the wooden piece.
  4. Glue the piece of "grass" onto the wood piece with white glue.
  5. Use a dark forest green acrylic paint to paint the edge of the wood, the "grass," and the bottom of the wood. With an old brush, paint the top of the "grass" with a stencil, or stipple stroke (up and down).
  6. Use a Lo Melt Hot Glue Gun to attach various flowers and greenery to the painted "grass," creating your flower garden.
  7. Be creative, using different heights and arrangements.

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