Make a design statement with this oversized clock that will truly be a conversation piece. Use plywood, scrapbook papers, and a little paint in colors to match your décor—and add the clock works in your choice of styles. The model shown was mounted on a sheet of painted plywood, but all of the pieces can be mounted directly on the wall.

Finished Size: 39" x 51 1/2"

Skill: 1   Time: 2 Cost: 3

You will need:

Large clock works*
39" x 51 1/2" 6mm plywood
Black acrylic paint
Adhesive spray*
Spray varnish
Wood sealer/conditioner
12 sheets of complementary 12" x 12" decorative paper*
2 saw-tooth hangers
2" foam brush
Large flat paintbrush

AA battery, brayer, , quick release masking tape, pencil, sandpaper,  scissors, 1/4" screw, screwdriver, soft cloth, white paper, yardstick

*The following products were used for this project: Walnut Hollow Big Time Clock Kit • My Mind’s Eye Signature Suite paper • 3M Super 77 adhesive spray 

Allow paint and varnish to dry between applications.

Step 1: Preparation. Use sandpaper to lightly sand entire wood surface. Use foam brush to apply one coat of wood sealer to entire wood surface. Use fine sandpaper to smooth surface. Remove dust with a soft cloth. Note: To make your own wood sealer, mix equal parts clear shellac and denatured alcohol. Store wood sealer in a labeled airtight container. 

Step 2: Paint plywood. Use large flat paintbrush to apply black acrylic paint to entire wood surface. Lightly sand and remove dust with cloth. Apply second coat of paint. Apply 2-3 coats of spray varnish.

Step 3: Adhere paper. Before adhering paper, use yardstick to measure 1" border around edge of board. Mask off border with masking tape. Lay 12 sheets of paper on board and arrange them as you like. Apply adhesive spray to back of first sheet of paper in top left corner. Align with inside corner of masking tape in top left corner. Adhere the remaining 11 sheets, leaving a 1/2" space between each sheet of paper both vertically and horizontally. Note: Be sure to get the first row of paper on very straight to ensure the remaining rows will also be straight. Remove masking tape carefully.

Step 4: Add numbers. For a more artsy look, place the numbers irregularly on board as shown on model. You still can tell the time!  

Step 5: Attach clock movement. Trace outline of clock base on a sheet of white paper. Punch hole through paper at center of mounting hole. Cut out circle using scissors. Use yardstick to locate center of board. Place paper circle in center. Line up mounting hole with the clock number 12 and mark with pencil. Use screwdriver to partially insert a 1/4" screw on pencil mark. Note: If mounting the clock directly to a wall, the directions for mounting the clock movement will be a little different.

Step 6: Finish. Attach saw-tooth hangers to upper right and left corners on back of plywood. If nails or screws are too long, glue a small rectangle shim to each corner before attaching them. Follow manufacturer’s directions on packaging for inserting AA battery. Hang clock movement on screw in center of clock. Attach clock hands.