Guest Author - Diane Claus

Take drawing to the next level by drawing on a stone tablet. This makes a unique art piece or gift that anyone would love.

4+
You will need:
-3 cups plaster of paris
-1½ cups of water
-Mixing bowl
-Popsicle stick
-1 cake pan I used 8½ x 11½. You can use a square pan to make stepping stones.
-Wax paper
Optional:
-Food dye
-Tooth pick
-Plastic spoon

Note: Once you have created your mixture you will not be able to leave this project and return to it later.

First you will want to put a sheet of wax paper in the cake pan. If you are using an 8½ x 11½ and the wax paper doesn’t completely cover the sides it shouldn’t be a big deal as long as the wax paper is a ½ inch or so high on each side.

To create the mixture put the plaster of paris into the mixing bowl and add the water. Mix together until the mixture has no lumps. Pour mixture into the lined cake pan.

Optional To give your stone tablet a marbled appearance add drops of food coloring randomly to your tablet and swirl with a toothpick.. Then gently flatten the surface of the tablet with the back of a spoon before drawing your image.

Take the popsicle stick and start drawing you image. The plaster I used set up in about 5 minutes so it is important that full attention is devoted to this project. If you think you will need more time to create your image try using three cups of water. Be aware that the finished project will be a bit more fragile if you do.

Not up for drawing? Try using one or all of these ideas:

*Gather some grass, leaves and flowers and after you have poured your mixture lay them in the mixture. Gently push them into the mixture and use a spoon to flatten the mixture around the item so that they are fully embedded into the mixture. When it is fully dry You will want to seal it. If it will be indoors you can mix 2 parts glue with 1 part water and brush over your tablet.

*Use food coloring or glitter or sand to create an image on top of the mixture. I found that food coloring will spread out as the mixture dries giving it a really interesting effect. You can use an eye dropper or a syringe (the kind you get from a pharmacy with children’s liquid medicine) to add the food coloring.

*Sprinkle glitter, colored sand or food coloring on the wax paper before adding the mixture. Allow to dry and flip over to see an interesting design.