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