While browsing
through Pinterest I found a really cute birdbath made from terracotta pots and
a terracotta saucer. Unfortunately the Pinterest link did not provide any
instructions so I did a little search on Google to find instructions so I will
share my version with you.
What you will
need:
1 14” terracotta
pot1 12” terracotta pot
1 10” terracotta pot
1 16” terracotta saucer
Liquid Nails adhesive (I used one for extreme heat)
Martha Stewart Multi-Surface Paint – I used Pool and Green Curry
Martha Stewart foam Pouncers for the polka dots
1 can of Valspar Interior/Exterior Clear Sealer – I used Satin finish
You will notice I
used the same paint that I used for my stackable planter I posted previously,
so while I was painting those pots I painted the ones for my birdbath at the
same time. You can also use any size pot and saucer of your choice just
increase the pots by 2 inches and your saucer is suppose to be 4 inches bigger
than your largest pot (more on this in a minute).
First you will
want to stack the pots from largest to smallest upside down and take a pencil
to mark a line around the pot it is sitting on. This is so you can save some
time by not painting the entire pot since only a portion of it will be showing
(with the exception of the smallest pot).
After you have
marked your line paint your base color a little above the line you drew to make
sure you do not have terracotta showing. Then have fun adding whatever creative
design of your choice or you can leave them a solid color. I used Martha
Stewart pouncers to make my polka dots.
Once the paint is
dry spray several coats of Valspar Interior/Exterior clear sealer – I added
more coats to the inside of the saucer since it would be holding water. Now it
is time to assemble by stacking the pots upside down starting with the largest
pot. The instructions said to use the Liquid Nails to glue each of the pots
together but I opted not to do this step. We all know accidents can happen in
the yard, since we have a lot of rock it is always possible for a rock to go
flying out of the mower and I did not want to have to replace my entire
birdbath if only one pot gets broken and they are heavy enough to stay in
place. I followed the instructions for the Liquid Nails and applied it to the
bottom of the smallest pot and adhered the saucer. Once this is dry fill the
saucer with water and now your birds have somewhere to play and get water. I
know my birds are enjoying it between 100 degree days and no rain their water source
is limited.
Okay, so let me
tell you the story behind the saucer so you can learn from my mistake. I
searched everywhere for an 18” saucer and could never find one so I decided to
be smart and purchase a plastic saucer than was 18 inches. Then I thought I
could use plastic primer spray paint and that would let my paint adhere to the
primer. WRONG! After spraying the saucer with primer, my Pool Martha Stewart
paint, and adding my polka dots I picked up the saucer to add my sealer. Can I
just tell you I was a very unhappy camper when the paint that was completely
dry stuck to my finger and starting pulling off. My advice – do NOT buy plastic
if you are going to try to paint it. I finally purchased a terracotta saucer
that was 2 inches smaller and it turned out just fine.
I have one more
outside project to share with you and with the hot weather we are having I am
happy my outside projects are finished. J
Happy
Crafting!
Tracey
