Faux Sandstone Planter & Trellis

Note: This arbor is meant for indoor use and artificial flowers.

Materials:

1 quart soft green latex paint
sand texture additive for paint
reindeer moss
sheet moss
two 1" Plastifoam balls
two 1/2" x 12" x 36" Plastifoam sheets
2" x 12" x 18" Plastifoam block
sweet pea garland & lavender bush, etc.
Plaid Folk Art olive green acrylic paint
large & small Design-A-Line Kreative Foam dragonflies
Dremel Versatip hot craft knife w/blade tip*
fume mask*
matte knife
strong toothpicks
scissors
u-shaped greening pins
1/8" dowel
hammer
1" bristle brush
yard stick
Liquid Nails
large paper for arbor pattern
four 5-3/4" tall double-ended chair rail corners (in molding section)

* Note: While cutting the foam, wear the mask. The fumes from craft foam when it melts can be irritating.

1. Insert the blade tip and then plug in the hot knife to heat.

2. Draw or trace a design for your arbor. Enlarge the pattern to approximately 18 inches in height and cut out.

3. Pin the pattern onto one of the 1/2-inch foam sheets (figure A) and cut out with the hot knife (figure B). To make cutting easier, place the foam above the worktable surface by sitting the edges on top of extra foam blocks or books. Place the area that will be cut between these items. Glide the blade completely through the foam (figure C). If you need to stop, pull up in a smooth motion. If the blade gets caught up, pull up and then wipe the blade on an old piece of wood. Allow the excess foam to burn off and continue cutting.

4. Cut out the following pieces from 1/2-inch-thick Plastifoam: three 5" x 16", two 5" x 6", two 3" x 16-1/4", two 3" x 5-1/4".

5. To assemble the basic box: Apply glue to the end of one of the 5" x 16" pieces and press onto one of the 5" x 6" pieces to form one corner (figure D). Break toothpicks in half and insert to secure the joints.

6. Apply glue to the bottom inside edge of the two pieces that are glued. Attach one of the 5" x 16" pieces to form the box bottom, securing with toothpicks.

7. Attach the last 5" x 16" piece to form the other long side of the box. Secure with toothpicks and glue (figure E). Attach the last 5" x 6" piece with the glue and secure with toothpicks.

8. Mount the wooden corner pieces so that the bottom end acts as a foot for the box and the top creates a finial (figure F).

9. To add the smaller panels to the box: Gently tap the longest edges of the remaining cut pieces with the hammer to bevel. Glue the pieces in place (figure G) and secure with cut toothpicks.

10. Attach the dragonflies randomly or symmetrically as you wish (figure H). For the sides, use just one smaller dragonfly in the center.

11. Add sand texture to the paint until the sand particles are clearly visible. The box indicates to add one box per gallon of paint. For a quart, add half the package. Stir thoroughly.

12. Apply one coat of the sandy paint to the entire box (figure I). Apply to the inside about a quarter of the way down. Set aside to dry.

13. Glue the balls to the ends of the arbor and secure with toothpicks. Apply the same paint to the arbor.

14. Apply another coat to all pieces after the first coat dries. If the foam still shows, add another coat later. Allow to dry before proceeding. Note: If you want to give the planter an antique or more realistic dimensional look, add darker paint sparingly in the crevices (figure J).

15. To attach the arbor: Cut two 4-1/2" x 15-1/2" pieces from the 2-inch-thick block. Glue one piece to the bottom of the box and glue the second to the first. Cut the dowel into four 4-inch-long pieces. Glue and insert the dowel pieces into the bottom of the arbor. Then glue and insert the arbor into the box, one quarter of the way from the back of the block.

16. Use greening pins to attach a layer of sheet moss in the box planter. Insert the plants and flowers as you like, being careful not to push too hard on the bottom of the box. Make a starter hole if necessary. Weave garlands and vines through the arbor. Let some tendrils hang over the edges. Pin reindeer moss wherever the sheet moss shows for added color.