How to Make the Perfect Valentine's Day Wall Plaque Using Proxxon Tools

Celebrate Valentine's Day with perfect wall decoration. 

Supplies and Equipment:

• Wood blank 7" x 3½" x ¼"
• LOVE template
• White acrylic paint or gesso
• Mod Podge
• Valentine themed paper napkin
• Artist's paint brush
• Twine or thin ribbon
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP
• Proxxon Drill Press TMB 115
• Proxxon Scroll Saw 
• MICROMOT Flexishaft 110/BF
• Proxxon Delta Sander
• Proxxon Pensander PS 13 

Instructions:

1. Mount the pattern on the wood blank. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape.
   
   
   
2. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
3. Cut the outline of the letters on the bandsaw.
   
   
   
4. Use the drill press to drill a pilot hole in the heart shape to accommodate the scroll saw blade.
   
   
   
5. Thread the scroll saw blade through the pilot hole, and cut out the heart shape.
   
   
   
6. Sand edges using the Delta sander. The flexishaft mounted with a sanding drum is perfect for sanding the inner edges of the heart shape.
   
   
   
7. Use the pen sander to sand those tight areas where the letters connect.
   
   
   

How to Napkin Collage the Plaque:

1. Coat the sanded plaque with a coat of white acrylic paint or gesso.
   
   
   
2. Gather the supplies for the napkin collage: Mod Podge, paper napkin, artist' brush, and water.
   
   
   
3. Separate the napkin layers. You will only use the top, printed layer. Some napkins have three layers, so be sure you're using only the top layer.
   
   
   
4. Dilute the Mod Podge with water. I used about four or five parts Mod Podge to one part water. Coat the plaque with with the diluted Mod Podge and cover with the napkin. Smooth the napkin using the artist's brush. Use the brush—not your fingers—to manipulate the napkin.
   
   
   
5. Use a water line drawn with the brush to form tear lines on the napkin. Avoid using scissors which result in harsh cut lines. The tear lines form a feathery edge that is easy to blend into the collage. Note: You can use small motifs from different napkins using the tear line method, overlapping the motifs to create a unique collage.
6. Optional: Coat the plaque with very diluted Mod Podge (equal parts water and Mod Podge), and sprinkle with very fine glitter. Set the plaque aside the dry thoroughly.
   
   
   
7. Measure and mark placement of holes ½" from the edge and ½" from the top of the plaque. Use the drill press to drill holes for the hanging twine. Set the adjustable fence, and use a piece of waste wood to minimize tear out.
   
   
   
8. Add twine or narrow ribbon for hanging.
   
   
   
9. Optionally, you can eliminate steps 7 and 8, and add hanging hardware to the back of the plaque.

Carole