I saw a project in a magazine about two decades ago. It was one of those projects I was apprehensive about starting, maybe because I wasn’t quite sure I could pull it off. Well, I just got to it this spring! I know, it took me long enough.

I was in the mood for some whimsy in my backyard. I enjoy looking at things that make me feel happy and hope it does the same for others. There’s a large old maple tree in my backyard. Every year it loses a limb and looks more sparse. I spray it for bugs, particularly ants, for fear they may be killing it. It always buds out in the spring, but has lost its shape since lightning claimed its vertical stem. It looked a little sad, which is why it was the prefect model for this project.

If you’re truly interested in doing something like this, know that it takes several hours. I mean several…enough to create days, which turn into weeks. I believe this took nearly six weeks for me. I didn’t keep track of the actual hours, but several of those days were rainy or things were too wet to work on. You’ll also need some time for your product to dry or set. We all have other things to tend to; jobs, children, dinner, laundry, family obligations, good television, etc. It’s not like we can devote several days strictly working on a happy tree, right?

The first step was picking a tree, of course. Once you’ve decided where you want to see your smiling tree, you’ll need to build a basic shape for your facial features. I spray painted a general smile so I could use that as a guide. I used pink foam insulation to build the base, because I already had several random pieces stored away. Why? Because I thought I might need it someday. You can also use styrofoam. You can tack them onto the tree or use glue. I used both.

Next, you’ll need to build onto your base. For this part, I used bondo. Yes, the bondo used to repair the body on vehicles. It’s messy and stinky. You’ll want to wear gloves and if you have any type of lung issues, you may want to wear a mask. Mix the bondo per directions on the can. I mixed small amounts at a time, because you have a limited amount of time to work with the product, before it begins to set up. At that point, you have to stop, because it will no longer spread. To push the bondo into all the nooks and crannies, I used an old butter knife. It’s a knife I use for projects like this. You can also use a larger popsicle stick or small putty knife.

Once you get going, you can add more foam right over the bondo if you need more depth or decide the shape isn’t quite right. You can see, I added eyebrows. Once the bondo has set up, you’re ready for another layer of bondo. At this point, I grabbed the mixed bondo with my gloved hands and began slathering the bondo onto the facial features. This was messy, but saved a lot of time and you’re able to mold and shape the face easier. When I first sat down with my gallon of bondo, I had no idea how quickly I would go through that. I would be running back to the hardware store for three more gallons! Once you’ve applied your final layer of bondo, you’ll need to give your face some lines resembling bark. Try to follow the same pattern as the tree bark. For this, I used a dremel tool with a small bit. Dust flies around for this, so keep the mask handy.

This is where the face really comes to life. Once you’re done with your carving, you can paint. Try to match the paint to your tree bark. I used a dark shade for the base coat and then I dry brushed the lighter shades over the top. If your tree has a lot of moss growing on it, then you may want to add some green to your face. It may grow on its own over time!

And lastly, the eyes. I decided to go with something more natural looking that would blend with my tree. But you do whatever is in your ketchup bottle! Paint them any color you want and get as fancy as you want. This is your work of art.

After you’re satisfied with your painting, you’ll want to spray it with a clear acrylic protective spray or sealer. This will help protect your art from the elements and prevent fading.

It feels good to see a smile first thing in the morning. My son is older now and has grown to hate mornings. He walks through the house like a crabby ogre who hasn’t pooped for days. Sometimes there’s brief eye contact and a grunt. So, I sip my coffee, pet my cat and look out the kitchen window.

Good morning, Happy Tree.