MATERIALS NEEDED:

• Craft Pattern or Bead Pattern
• Transfer paper or carbon paper
• Background material
• Seeds and/or beans, clean
• Glue
• Craft sticks
• Clear varnish
• Picture frame (glass removed) or shadowbox
• Optional (for painting seeds): paints, paint brushes, shallow containers, wax paper or newspaper

NSTRUCTIONS:

• Select your background material.  The background should be larger than the design used, so the picture will not look crowded when framed.
• You can enlarge or reduce your craft pattern on a copy machine to get just the size you need for your project surface.
• To transfer your craft pattern to background material, use transfer paper and pencil.  Place transfer paper with transfer side down directly on your background material.  Next place your craft pattern on top of the transfer paper, and begin tracing over the pattern with a pencil.  Remove transfer paper to view your transfer.  (To make your own transfer paper, rub the edge of a soft-lead pencil or dust-free chalk across a sheet of vellum or tracing paper)
• To paint your seeds: Put the seeds into a shallow container, squirt some paint on the seeds, and mix the paint around with a paint brush until all seeds are covered in paint.  Do this for as many colors as they need.  Spread the seeds out on wax paper (or newspaper) and let dry.
• Map out your seed design.  Arrange seeds in a pleasing way on top of your paper craft pattern.  This will make it easier to transfer items to background material, and it allows you to preview your design and make adjustments.

• Using a craft stick, spread glue over small areas of your background material, then position seeds one at a time.  Use enough glue to hold each seed in a secure manner.

• After glue has had time to dry thoroughly, coat seeds with clear varnish. This gives a pretty finish.
• Frame, without glass, and you will have a very attractive picture.  You may also use a shadowbox for framing.