DIY – Terracotta Birdbath

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 pot
1 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

Blog Button

Well as you all know I am new to the bloggy world and some things still intimidate me but I have wanted to create a button for my blog. I finally sat down at the computer this weekend and after pulling a few hairs out I finally created a button and then came the fun of writing the code to add the button to my blog. I am so thankful there are intelligent people out there who think of people like me to provide codes we can use but can I say it is still a little confusing trying to figure out where to put what but I think I have finally figured it out. J My first button is not exactly what I wanted but hey I had to start somewhere so I started with my two favorite colors and swirls – how can you go wrong <shrug>! So here we go……..

So what do you think about my first attempt at creating a button?

I’m slowly starting to venture into this new world of trying to make my blog my own so you might see other changes as well. This blog is for you so if I make a change you HATE please tell me – really you will not hurt my feelings because I want your experience on my blog to be enjoyable.

I promise more crafty posts to come soon. If you liked my last project then I think you will like the next one I have to post.

Until next time stay crafty!

Tracey

DIY – Tipsy Stackable Pot Planter

About two or three years ago I saw a stackable planter in one of my Mom’s garden magazines and we worked to recreate one for my garden. After seeing some really cute painted terracotta pots I decided it was time to remake my tipsy stackable pot planter. As you will see in the before picture some of my pots were broken and needed replacing. This is a really fun project and adds a focal point in your garden so I thought I would give you a tutorial. This is a project you can make all your own depending on the colors you want to use and you can even make this on a smaller scale depending on the size of your garden.

What you will need:

1 - Rebar or any strong metal rod that is small enough for the hole in bottom of the pot

1- 14” terracotta pot

5 - 10” terracotta pots

Polyurethane

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

How to make it:
·         First you will want to apply polyurethane to the inside of the pots to help protect them.
·         Apply your base color to all of your pots. I painted the inside rim of my pots about 1” inside the pot since the top of the pot is visible and I also painted the bottom of my 10” pots because you can see them as well.

o   I thought it would be smart to put a “primer” on my pots since I had read that terracotta soaks in paint – depending on the color you use I would skip this step. My pots have a “primer” color and three coats of Pool paint. Had I not used a lighter color “primer” I could have probably painted just two coats.

·         Once the base color has dried have fun adding polka dots or whatever design you decide to paint. I used the largest pouncer for the 14” pot and the next size down for my 10” pots.
·         After your pots have tried spray at least two coats of the Valspar sealer – remember to spray the rim, the inside where you painted and the bottom of your pots as this helps to seal the pot and protect your paint.

Now it is time to assemble your tipsy stackable planter:

·         You will want to drive your rebar or metal rod into the ground so it is sturdy

·         Slide the 14” pot over the rod using the precut hole in the bottom of the pot

o   Make sure the pot is level as this pot holds the weight of the remaining pots

·         Fill the pot with dirt and make sure to pack the dirt because your next pot will sink into the dirt
·         Slide a 10” pot over the metal rod and lean the top of the pot against the rod and the bottom of the pot on side of the base pot – fill the pot with dirt and desired plant
·         Slide your next 10” pot and lean it in the opposite direction – it will be supported by the previous pot and make sure the top of the pot is resting on the metal rod. Fill the pot with dirt and your desired plant. Continue this step alternating sides until you reach the top.

You now have a unique and cute tipsy stackable planter that is one of kind. J

Here are the  before and after pictures – as you can see I needed new pots and I love the extra color in my garden.

This was my weekend project – what did you work on or plan to make this weekend?

 

Happy Crafting!

Tracey