UPCYCLED, RECYCLED FLOWER POT

EASY FIX FOR AN UGLY FLOWERPOT!!

 

We're busy planting mums for the fall season, and I noticed an ugly, peeling pot. I still liked the pot because it has nice embossed fern leaves on either side and I wondered how I could save it.

 You can see it in this picture, the dark burgundy pot in the lower right hand corner, paint peeling and very unattractive!!

So, I decided to try my hand at spray painting, and just happened to have a can of black gloss enamel spray paint. 
Voila!! It worked really well, then I decided to try to make the embossed fern design stand out. I chose Bronze acrylic paint from Apple Barrel, brushed it on and it looks lovely!

I may decide later to paint the entire pot bronze, but I like the look for now....just have to put a nice looking plant in it, probably a purple mum!
 

TEACUP BIRDFEEDER

TEACUP BIRDFEEDER!!

I saw this idea awhile ago and thought it was cute!
So I scoured the local Goodwill and thrift stores and found a cup and saucer for $1, perfect! We had some extra wood posts from a railing, so I took one and painted it....
Then the hard part, glueing the cup and saucer to the top of the post! I tried many types of glue, including industrial strength E6000 but nothing worked. 
Here's the finished product:

  The glues I tried worked for awhile but when the post was out in the weather the glue quit sticking, so
this is what I found finally worked....

Gorilla Glue!! I can't say enough about this great product!! It bonded the porcelain cup and saucer together as well as the saucer to the top of the post. After weeks in the weather it is still holding!!
Thanks Gorilla Glue!
 

FAIRY GARDEN!!

FAIRY GARDEN

I've seen a lot of fairy gardens and wanted to try one to put on my deck to compliment my other potted flowers and plants....

Here's what I came up with....

I found a rustic (and rusty) little house on line for sale and made it my fairy house.
I put it in a pot over some mulch and proceeded to decorate around it.
In the back there already were some small plants growing, but I also used fake small flowers around the house to add some interest. To the left there is a "boulder", actually a small rock,
and a fence I made from popsicle sticks. I also used clear glass marbles to make a "walkway" for the owner, Mr. Blue. He's a troll with blonde hair who is now occupying the house!
I made a gazing ball (on the right) by attaching a small silver Christmas ornament to the top of a cork! The "mushroom" in the left foreground is a leftover cabinet knob.
Finally, to top it off I found a fairy to help protect the home and garden, which I bought at Ben Franklin Crafts....
In the back right I placed a few "moss mounds" I found at Dollar Tree.
The elements have weathered the fence nicely and I can change some of the flowers with the
changing seasons!!
Lots of fun and very inexpensive to do!!

Here's a side view showing the real plants in the back and the "fence".

Jewelry Tray: Repurposed Cup and Saucer!!

Repurposed Coffee Cup

This cute little cup and saucer I found in a thrift store has found new life as a ring and jewelry holder! Love the polka dots! Great on anyone's vanity or dresser as a unique accent piece...

 To keep it secure, I glued the cup to the saucer using clear glue that specifies it can be used on china....

Not bad for $1!! 

TRIVETS: REPURPOSED FROM SOLID SURFACE QUARTZ

TRIVETS

REPURPOSED FROM SOLID SURFACE QUARTZ COUNTERTOP MATERIALS....

I decided to repurpose these squares of solid surface quartz.

These were discontinued color samples, which are a perfect size for trivets...

Solid surface quartz (such as Silestone) is a composite material that is heat and microbial resistant.

The backs of the squares were rough and unpolished, so I decided to paint them, giving them a textured look, with colors to match the front. I just used a standard acrylic craft paint.

This trivet was painted with a copper acrylic paint, and I used self-stick felt pads on the corners, available at any craft or big box store....

The trivet below was painted silver, with self-stick heavy duty clear rubber bumper pads for the feet. These pads are normally used on the insides of cabinet doors.

A new use for something that was probably going to be thrown away, and that will last a very long time!!

VINTAGE MEXICAN HAT PIN!

This adorable wood pin came from my mother-in-law's collection of jewelry. I acquired it when my sister-in-law was downsizing some of her things...
They said it was probably bought in Mexico sometime in the 1940's or maybe '50's, but thought my father-in-law got it when he was in the service during WWII.

VINTAGE MEXICAN HAT PIN!!

Notice how bright and vibrant the colors are!
I seriously doubt this piece was ever worn because it is in such excellent condition. The back pin clasp was broken, but I managed to secure an older pin and replace it to maintain the vintage look....
and it looks adorable on my red wool coat!!

BACK OF BROOCH WITH PIN REPLACED

I only wish I had thought to make something as cute as this, but I am glad it survived the years so someone else can enjoy it!
This is not really a crafting post, but I wanted to share my find because I was amazed by the workmanship. Whoever made this was a true crafter because this piece is very unique!

 

MORE CHRISTMAS DECORATING WITH NATURAL ELEMENTS

DECORATING WITH NATURAL ELEMENTS

Here are a few more simple ideas for decorating that use more natural looking and simple greenery.....
Unfortunately, I am allergic to REAL evergreens, so I tend to use the artificial. You could use either...

GRAPEVINE WREATH

 Here I took a grapevine wreath and filled it in with some pine cone picks, poinsettias and grape leaves. Since there are gold touches in the decorations I used a little gold glitter paint and brushed some on the grape leaves, then added a gold sheer ribbon to complete the look! You can use thin wire or hot glue to attach your decorations to the wreath. Very easy and simple to do...

CHRISTMAS DECOR BASKET

 Here I took a plain basket I had lying around, filled it with sprigs of greenery, Christmas picks, then added a glittery Christmas ribbon to complete this easy, simple look! The basket could be used as a centerpiece on your coffee table or dining table.....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.... may all your craft dreams come true!!