Post #445426 by palapala on Tue, Apr 7, 2009 11:20 AM

Mahaloz 2 u all fo da attagirlz!
The tapa blocks were made out of a camping mat, as suggested by Howland, in earlier posts.
I used a really cheap ($10) roll of green foam mat, about the size to put under your sleeping bag.I think it was only about 1/2 inch thick. I cut it to the size I wanted with a utility knife, and then drew the pattern on with a sharpie..(I had to keep changing out the sharpie because for some reason,it wouldn't flow well onto the mat.)
Then I used a type of all purpose wood burning tool, to burn in my patterns.
I glued the finished piece onto the same sized piece of plywood, with a bit of molding screwed into it for a handle.
another method I tried that was a bit easier, was to use some of the multi layered packing foam panels that are used to cushion electronics, but it was hard to find, if you don't have it just laying around. this stuff doesn't need handles.

The paint I used was just your average interior latex, though you might want something a bit thinner. I had to keep making sure that it didn't fill up the patterns and obscure the design.
It was a really fun group activity! We even had the neighbors 10 year old daughter, and her friend rolling the paint onto the blocks for us!
When you work, don't forget your Mai-tai, and some lounge music!
A little game came out of this, too!
I made sure that one each of our dog and bird prints were printed upside down.
Now if anyone can find them, they get another drink.
(they would get one anyway, but everyone likes a puzzle!)