Submitted by Patricia Oeste, NBCT, Conway, Arkansas

Idea posted November 1, 2002

I put up my Veteran bricks yesterday! WOW! Here's what I ended up doing...

I got as many hues of pastel construction paper as I could find (about 10 different tones). I cut them in half lengthwise. Then I got some tempera paint and mixed brown with white for a light brownish color. I bought hobby sponges and sponged the brownish color very lightly onto the pastel bricks. Then, I put on the information with a black marker, adding pictures if they had sent some. I have to admit that it worked out great! People thought I had painted the wall by hand! The texture of the sponging really makes a great effect.

I have about 500 bricks so far, and they keep coming in. The Wall is SPREADING! It has been an amazing project - the kids and I have learned so much. Some great stories are being told... very exciting!