This is another project from that article I did with Rosie years ago. Still strikes me as fun and easy especially after revisiting Clare's summer art.

Begin with an unpainted bench or one like this or a well-prepped secondhand piece and basecoat it with white, then yellowy green. Copy some seed packets with summer blooms and cut them out. I made the flowers from colored copy papers in hot summer colors to coordinate. Again, just cut them out in simple flower patterns and add big colorful centers from the contrasting paper colors. If you have children to help, let them make the flowers. The shapes will have that natural charm that we love, and it adds so much to the sentimental side of crafting, not to mention their pride in the finished piece.

Lay out the papers to see what you like and where you want everything to go. I think I left the middle of the bench undecorated -- kind of where adorable Olivia is sitting. That made sense at the time and the blank spot was balanced by the decoration centered on the bottom shelf, creating that visual triangle. (Does that make sense?) Obviously, just do whatever looks best on your bench choice. I can't remember or see, but now I think I might have put a garden quote somewhere. You could do that with a rubber stamp set or freehand with a paint marker or brush. If you do, practice first on a piece of paper and cut that out. Place it on the bench and stand back to see if it you like it before you add it permanently. When the composition looks complete, attach the paper cut outs with Mod Podge and a foam brush.

When finished, paint the whole thing with several coats of sealer. It looked so cute out in the yard for the photo shoot, but honestly, should be kept away from the weather. Inside in the mud room for those lucky folks who have one of those. Or at the Rosie magazine offices which is where it ended up. I think that's where it went. Who knows, maybe it's in Rosie's mud room.

Wherever it is now, it sure was fun when it was here.