Abstract: A hand tool for spreading plaster on a substrate such as a ceiling and the like in decorative designs in a repeating pattern having a stiff but resilient blade with a serrated distal, longitudinal edge. A handle is attached to the resilient blade at an opposite or proximal edge of the resilient blade from the serrated distal edge of the resilient blade. In one embodiment, the resilient blade includes two spaced-apart tool alignment marks for aligning the tool with a previously-made design of the pattern to align the next repeated design therewith. In another embodiment, the hand tool includes a pivot device associated with the resilient blade proximate one end of the resilient blade to define a location on the substrate about which the tool is to be moved to generate the design.