After countless hours of the cricket, have you found yourself dreaming of a beautifully patterned lawn? It’s easy to mow spirals, diamonds or a chequerboard into your handsome green canvas, but if you really want to show off to the neighbours, try clipping out a famous figure! You will need a second-storey balcony or scaffolding tower, so you can project the image onto the lawn, then it’s time to get shearing. It may take a bit of patience, but grab a mate to help and you’ll soon be appreciating the green, green grass of home.
Gather your supplies
• Black-and-white printout of your choice (we used an image of Elvis Presley)
• A4 transparency sheet n A4 card in black
• Long-handled grass shears n Cordless electric grass shears
• 3.6m-high (approx.) aluminium scaffolding tower (hired, if needed)
Step 1 Using a photocopier, transfer chosen image onto transparency sheet. Cut out centre of black card and discard, then tape frame to transparency.
Phil Aynsley
Step 2 At night, on top of balcony or scaffolding tower, shine torch behind transparency to project image onto lawn.
phil
Step 3 Position paddle-pop sticks along outline of image, using laser pointer to help guide placement of sticks.
Phil Aynsley
Step 4 In daylight, trim between paddle-pop sticks using long-handled shears. Use electric shears for smaller, more intricate areas.
Step 5 When complete, trim edges down to ground to help highlight the figure. Wearing ear muffs, use leaf blower to remove any leaves, sticks and clippings.
