Introduction: Faux Fossils (Fake Fossils) for Your Garden

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About: Award winning Contest cook, Sous Chef at World Food Championship in Dallas, TX 2022; Finalist Pillsbury Bake-Off 2019; Community Cook for Taste of Home magazine; Wife, Daughter, Sister and Aunt

When I was growing up, I was fascinated by rocks and fossils and had an extensive collection of each. My prized rock being a geode filled with beautiful crystals and my favorite fossil was of prehistoric ferns. I spent MANY hours collecting, reading and examining my treasures. Now that I'm an adult, I sometimes wish I would have fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming a geologist, but, that was not meant to be. I still have all my rock and fossil treasures and look at them from time to time. Lately, I find myself thinking how great it would be to have some of the fossils scattered throughout the landscaping surrounding my house. Then it dawned on me!! If I choose the right rocks and the right colors of paint... I could make my own fake fossils! Now when I walk through my yard I can see these fossil impersonators peeking out from the shrubs and bushes!

Step 1: SUPPLIES

Tools needed:
LARGE ROCK OR ROCKS (NOT SHOWN HERE)

STIFF BRUSH

LARGE MARGARINE CONTAINER AND LID (EMPTY AND WELL WASHED)

STENCIL BRUSHES (2)

LEAF STENCIL

STENCIL PAINTS: BROWN, OLIVE GREEN, TAN

PAPER TOWELS

Step 2: PICK OUT THE PERFECT ROCK

Pick out the perfect rock from your landscaping or just a loose rock you've found somewhere, one that will take on the natural appearance of a fossil.

Step 3: CLEAN THE ROCK

The rock you choose must be clean so the stencil paint adheres. To clean the rock scrub it with water and a stiff brush. Let it dry thoroughly. Use the clean margarine container for water.

Step 4: Place the Stencil Paint on the "Palette"

Using the margarine container lid as a pallet, put a small "puddle" of each color on the lid.

Step 5: "Pick Up" Stencil Paint With the Stencil Brush

With the stencil brush, "pick up" a small amount of each color, wiping some off with the paper towel. You want the brush to be fairly dry so the paint doesn't "bleed" under the stencil.

Step 6: Choose the Right Position for the Stencil

Position the stencil on the rock on a spot of your choosing. Gently "swirl" the paint all along the stencil with the brush, holding down the stencil as you go. If needed, pick up a small amount of paint as you go, making sure there is not too much paint on the brush. Have the clean margarine container partially filled with water nearby to clean up any spills or errors.

Step 7: Lift Stencil Off of Rock

Carefully lift stencil off of rock. If desired, you can stencil additional images on the rock to achieve the look you desire. Please note: very rarely are there fossils of whole leaves, rather they are usually leaf fragments. To achieve this look just "wash" away part of the stenciled image with a wet paper towel and "fade" the edges of the leaf.