Painting Blooms and Blossoms

Delicately pretty florals adorn boxes, plates, a birdhouse, and a floorcloth in this easy-to-follow guide. Each of the 10 projects features a complete pattern template, a full-color photo of every step, and a color-keyed chart of all the required paints. The coverage of general techniques is quite brief, but the individual project how-tos explain the specifics of rendering asters, daisies, tulips, chamomile, thyme, apple blossoms, pansies, lilacs, poinsettias, holly, and fruits, plus foliage, branches, plaids, and wicker. Decorative painting naturally complements a country-style decor, and the items demonstrated here would make attractive accessories for such a setting. A glossary, source list, and small gallery of other painted objects round out the presentation. --Amy Handy