Modeled after the ornate face of an 18th-century case clock, this oversize yet functional wall decoration all but ensures you'll never be late again. The numerals and dotted outline are stenciled in a deep green-brown, drawing out the warm coppery tones of the battery-powered clock mechanism. The timepiece is best situated so that it is clearly visible from a distance and not crowded by neighboring furniture.
When stenciling, pat the sponge in a dab of paint, and blot excess on the palette. Then apply paint in thin coats, taking care that it doesn't drip or pool, until the area is covered.
The numerals can be stenciled in any order, but these directions will maximize efficiency.
Tools and Materials
6 sheets of 11-by-17-inch vellum, printed with full clock template
Transparent tape
Drafting tape
Level
1 copy each of Roman numeral and dotted-arc templates
2 sheets of 11-by-17-inch waterproof paper
Cutting mat
Craft knife
Japanese hole punch
Small sheet of glass (palette)
Palette knife
5 to 7 ounces acrylic paint in dark green
Natural sea sponge
Arabic numeral stencil
Battery-powered clock mechanism
To Make Vellum Overlay
1. Arrange vellum sheets to create full template, and attach with transparent tape.
2. Affix vellum overlay to wall with drafting tape (making sure the top is secure). Use level to ensure numbers III and IX are aligned.
To Make Stencils
1. Affix Roman numeral templates to a sheet of waterproof paper; secure to cutting mat with drafting tape. Cut out I, V, and X with craft knife, and cut into 3 stencils. Remove template, and discard.
2. Affix dotted-arc template to a sheet of waterproof paper; secure to cutting mat with drafting tape. Use Japanese hole punch to make each perforation. Remove template, and discard.
To Stencil Dotted Arc
1. Align dotted arc stencil under vellum. Secure stencil with drafting tape, and tape vellum out of the way.
Prepare palette with paint. Use sponge to apply paint to stencil. Let dry 3 minutes.
2. Release vellum. Move stencil along arc, until only a few painted dots register on 1 end of stencil. Secure stencil and vellum with tape. Paint as in step 1. Repeat until dotted circles are complete.
To Stencil Numerals
1. Slide Arabic numeral stencil under vellum, and position the 1 stencil for "10." (It's easier to stencil the first number of a pair before adding the second.) Secure stencil and vellum with tape. Use sponge to apply paint to stencil. Let dry 3 minutes.
2. Stencil remaining 1, then stencil numbers 2, 3, 4, and 6, finishing with 5 and 0. Tape and release vellum as needed, leaving top secure.
3. Slide Roman numeral stencil under vellum.
Stencil Xs, then Vs, then Is. Let dry 3 minutes.
To Hang Clock Mechanism
On wall, mark center dot, indicated on vellum. Remove vellum. Follow manufacturer's instructions to hang clock mechanism.
Sources
Sheer trace vellum, $13.95 for fifty 14-by-17-inch sheets, by Borden & Riley, from Village Supplies
Japanese paper screw punch with 3 mm tip, $44, plus 1 to 5 mm tips, from $7.60 each, nycentralart.com
1 3/4-inch script number stencil, $11, designerstencils.com
Galileo 30 clock mechanism, $99, timeworksclocks.com
Kinko's will print 11X17. You can bring the velum in but you just have to make sure that the velum is the kind that is compatible with their printers. Give them a quick call and ask them if they will print on velum and what type of printers they have (ink jet etc.). We used to do this a lot for wedding invitations at the Kinko's I worked at!!!
Well, I did it. Looks great. See my complaint below (jeanmark) I discovered I could just print out the pattern on 8 1/2 x 11 vellum paper, making sure to include crop marks. Then it assembled easily. Stenciling was easy, but be sure to have extra wall paint handy to correct bleeding of stencils. We used brown paint on a beige wall. Cool!
This is one of the most frustrating projects ever. The instructions are very vague. The suppliers are scattered. How do we print the pattern on 11 x 17 paper using my printer? Who can print on 11 x 17? How do I scale the pattern to print. Very poor.
this is one of the most frustrating projects. The instructions are vague. How do I print the pattern on 11 x 17 vellum using my standard printer? Who has such a printer? How do I scale the pattern to print in standard paper? Very poor.
Ugh, I don't know why this link isn't working. Go to craftsetc.com and click Crafts > Wood crafting > Clockmaking and it is listed there. Sorry for all the posts!
Ok that previous post was too long. Here is the link to the $30 extra large clock hands:
http://www.craftsetc.com/store/item.aspx?dep=50
Hobby Lobby carries an extra large wall clock kit. It has adhesive roman numerals, but more importantly, includes the motor and 23" hands. I plan to paint on my own numbers, but use the hands in this clock kit. Best of all, it's only $30!
http://www.craftsetc.com/store/item.aspx?dep=50
The clock template is a 36" circle.
I ended up emailing timeworksclocks from their website and they called me back within 24 hours and are sending me a clock! What great customer service. Now if anyone can tell me that has done this....I want to order the stencil that Christy talked about so I can take that short cut but have been waiting to get the clock because I am not sure what size to order... 30 or 36? anyone know? Thanks!
Christy, Thanks so much on the stencil info! That is so much better than all the other steps. I am still confused on the clock tho and maybe it is just me. I am "assuming" (and maybe wrongly) that you need 30" hands for this large of a clock to look right on the wall. I can't find those hands anywhere and the clock mechanism shown has such great detail that of course I would rather have that than one that looks like a black box on the wall. Again thx for the help!
Hi again. You can also buy this full stencil and not go through all the tracing paper steps and hassle. You can buy it complete at:
http://www.designerstencils.com/ it is featured on the front page along with the Marta Stewart example.
Christy
Hi. You can find something similar at:
http://www.clockparts.com/?gclid=CInqxuKJ8pUCFQhJagodWnYpeg
Christy
I am frustrated!!! Almost everything else I can find except the clock! timeworks says they only sale to the trade, they gave me a list of dealers here in Dallas that carry their products but no one has any. Suggestions Please!!!!!!!!!