Rocks Can Heal a Broken Heart

My rock painting was shelved due to a broken heart and I've been away from my blog for awhile.

In one of my earlier posts, "Healing Art," I wrote about my mother who resided in an Ohio nursing home. Every month I would paint a small rock and mail it to her, hoping to bring a smile to her face and let her know I was thinking of her even though I lived many miles away and was unable to visit.

At first my mother kept the rocks hidden in her bedside drawer. Then, my sister found a wooden frame with little compartments and hung it next to my mother's bed. The painted rocks found a new home displayed on the wall for my mother and all the visitors and caregivers to see.

Sadly, in April 2009 my mother left this world. I was fortunate to be with her during her last days and hours and comforted to see my painted rocks keeping her company as she slowly slid away.

As one life was slowly ebbing away, new life came to the painted rocks. My 8-yr. old niece, Sophie, found the visits to her dying grandmother difficult and at times boring. As a distraction, the rocks were removed from the wall and several sheets of blank paper became backdrops as Sophie drew a scene appropriate for each bird, bumblebee, butterfly, cat, flower, frog, ghost, gnome home, ladybug, mouse, nativity, penguin, pumpkin, Santa, snake, strawberry, and winter house that I had painted and mailed to my mother.

After I returned home to Colorado, I painted one final rock for my mother to mark the spot where her ashes were buried.

Click here to see the back of this Memorial Painted Rock

Then, I lost the inspiration to paint my rocks until a dear friend had to move her unwilling mother to an assisted living facility. Aha! I knew just the thing to bring a smile to her face and make the transition a little less traumatic - painted rocks!

Life goes on and I'm painting again. My friend says her mother's face lights up every time she sees one of my special envelopes in her mailbox. It's amazing how an ordinary rock can come alive and bring joy in so many ways, including healing a broken heart.


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rockin' with Santa at Christmas

The theme for the White House Christmas tree this year is U.S. National Parks. While my latest project did not depict a national park, I used rocks from my park-like property in the state of many national parks (Colorado) to create unique Christmas decorations and gifts.

Santa Painted Rock Xmas Tree Ornaments

My hand-painted rocks depicting smiling Santa faces are unique, unconventional ornaments for a tree trimming party as well as a one-of-a-kind addition to a wrapped gift in addition to a festive bow.

Painted Rock Sitting Santa 

Sitting Santa is a whimsical, hand-painted holiday decoration. He is also a great Christmas gift and will brighten the winter garden of a favorite gardener on your Christmas list.

To see more of my unique, one-of-a-kind, hand-painted rock Christmas decorations based on Lin Wellford's designs, visit High Plains Critters and He is my Rock.


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Traditional Christmas Gift Nativity Set

I wanted to make my own stable to accompany the hand-painted rock nativity sets that I've been painting as Christmas gifts.

On a recent trip to my local craft store, I found an object in the unpainted wood department I used as a stable for my painted rock nativity. 

Here are the steps I followed to create my own nativity stable:

1. The unpainted, wooden letter/key caddy was rotated so that the arched back now became the stable's floor
2. Brown acrylic paint mixed with water was applied to the unfinished wood with a rag, followed by a coat of gloss sealer
3. Thin wood chips were glued along the front sides of the rotated caddy
4. Thicker wood chips were glued to the top of the rotated caddy to embellish the roof of the stable
5. A thin layer of glue was painted on the floor of the stable and natural moss was then attached
6. A large wooden star was painted silver; gold glitter paint was added for highlighting
7. The star was attached to a slim wooden stick and glued to the back of the stable

The before and after picture shows the finished stable. Note that the rounded back of the unpainted letter/key caddy became the floor for the stable.

For another variation of the DIY stable, I removed the star and used a Mother and Child painted rock.

This DIY stable was made using a small wooden letter/key caddy. The craft store also carried a larger caddy that would be suitable for displaying larger or additional nativity scene figures painted on rocks.

Now my painted nativity rocks have gone from being a traditional Christmas gift to a traditional Christmas nativity scene.

See more nativity set display ideas. 


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

No Room at the Inn

I've had a difficult time finding stables to use with my hand-painted rock nativity sets. Most times, I could only find complete nativity sets which included the figures along with a stable. Hobby Lobby, a wonderful craft store, does sell separate stables but they are quite pricey.

I've often mentioned to friends and family how much I like Wal-Mart because I always find what I'm looking for at a price I'm comfortable paying. Wal-Mart did not let me down in my search for a stable to use with my hand-painted rock art nativity figures. For one-third the cost of Hobby Lobby's version, Wal-Mart came through with a larger yet simpler stable for my needs.

Thanks to Wal-Mart, my hand-painted rock art nativity figures won't be left out in the cold.

Painted Rock Nativity Figures in Store-Bought Manger Scene Stable

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Candy

When painting (or gifting) small rocks and stones it is important to keep in mind that young children and nursing home residents may mistake the brightly painted rocks as candy and attempt to eat them.

Painted Rock Hamburger & Pickle Look Good Enough to Eat

Some of my nativity sets feature Baby Jesus glued to a piece of bark which makes the piece slightly larger and less appetizing. The bark also becomes a unique, natural manger.

Remember to always consider the possible recipient of rock art paintings; bright or realistic painted rocks can be deceiving.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks