Patina Green Stars

An easy decoration by Kathleen George. These patina stars can be given as a housewarming gift or kept inside your own home.
 

Materials:

• STYROFOAM Brand Foam:
  • Stars, one each: 12" x 1"; 9" x 1"; 4" x 1/2"
• Faux finishes: Patina Green Antiquing Solution: Copper Metallic Surfacer:
• Embossed scrapbook papers, any color
• Serrated knife
• Fine-line black permanent marker
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Paintbrushes: stiff-bristled disposable; 1" sturdy foam
• Paper towels
• Disposable palette
• Water basin
• Candle stub or paraffin
• Extra-long straight pins
• Craft knife with new blade
• Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks
• Thick, white craft glue

Instructions:

1. Wax serrated knife with candle stub or paraffin. To create star-shaped opening in large foam star, shown left, trace 4" foam star in center; cut out carefully. Save cut-out star for later use.
    
2. To create decorative border around opening, use sharp pencil and ruler to carve 1/4"-deep line into foam 1/2" from opening edge; poke hole into foam at each star tip, if desired.
    
3. For a recessed center, shown right, do not remove center star; instead, gently push star halfway down. Glue to secure; pin foam until glue dries. Remove pins.
    
4. Cut 1"-wide paper strips to cover star edges; glue to secure. Trace star front onto back of paper; cut out slightly beyond traced lines. Glue paper to star front; let dry. Use sharp craft knife to carefully trim excess paper at star edges, including center opening. Pin paper edges to secure until glue dries; remove pins. If desired, omit paper step; faux finish foam directly.
    
5. Follow manufacturer's instructions to apply copper finish. (Note: Multiple coats will produce a greener finish.) While final copper coat is still damp, follow manufacturer's instructions to apply one coat patina finish; let dry.