Use a cob of corn as a decorative stamp

The patterns of nature have inspired designers and artists for centuries. Using the pattern of a cob of corn to faux-finish an unfinished piece of furniture is simple and yields beautiful results. If corn isn't available, using fern fronds yields a similarly interesting result, although they need to be pressed in place, not rolled.

This same process can be applied on paper, using nontoxic paint, to create colorful wrapping paper with your children.

Materials and tools

• 2 colors of interior latex paint that complement each other
• A piece of unfinished furniture
• One ear of corn
• Paintbrush
• Scrap wood or paper
• Paper towels

1. Choose which of the 2 paints you want to use as the base color. With brush, paint piece of unfinished furniture with base coat of interior latex paint and set aside to dry. Wash your brush. Shuck ear of corn and remove all silk.

2. Brush the second paint color onto corn cob. Leave ends of cob free of paint so cob can be rolled without getting paint on your hands. Roll cob on scrap wood or paper to get used to technique. Blot paint with a paper towel to remove any excess. Reapply paint to cob as needed and continue rolling.

3. When base coat is dry on furniture, roll cob with contrasting paint onto dry paint surface. Do this in small sections to keep the paint application even. After each roll of cob, blot the wet paint with a paper towel to remove excess paint. Allow to dry.

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