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Friday 21 March 2014

Spring In A Basket

With spring officially here, I am already thinking of outdoor decor. How about painting up a basket to hold all those flowers that will be popping up in the gardens! ~


This little wicker basket on a bamboo stand started out as a $4 thrift store find. ~


The basket got a light coat of blue, latex paint. The stand had a shiny surface and rather than sand it, I mixed the latex paint with Plaster of Paris and water for a DIY chalk paint. ~


To make your own chalk paint, mix 2 parts latex paint to one part Plaster of Paris.  Stir until thoroughly mixed and there are no lumps.  Thin with warm water to the normal paint consistency.  That's all there is to it.

Now to give it all an aged look.  I mixed dark brown craft paint half and half with water to create a wash that would drip into the recesses. ~


As I painted on the wash, I wiped back with a cloth.  Don't worry if it looks too dark.  You can always lighten it up by dry brushing some of the original (in this case blue) paint on top of the brown after it has dried.

Just the right amount of age for my taste! ~


The sign is a blank piece from Michael's and I added a chalkboard paint centre.  It's the first time I've used chalkboard paint and it went on easily.  After two coats of paint dried, I seasoned it by rubbing a piece of chalk across it and it's ready for me to add whatever script strikes my fancy.



I'm not quite sure how this basket will be used on the front porch.  Clara Jane thinks she has found the perfect use for it! ~


Now, all I need is for the mounds of snow to melt away and the real daffodils to bloom for my basket of spring!

12 comments:

  1. Love the shape/style of that basket and your paint technique.
    ... will be great filled with Spring flowers. Even looks cute with Clara Jane inside.
    Hurry Spring ... sorry you still have snow.
    Hugs.
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

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  2. Can't wait for our spring flowers! Though I will feel sorry when Clara Jane loses her new perch.

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  3. That is an unusual basket. I like the paint you chose and it will look sweet on the front porch with some summer annuals in it like million bells or petunias. At least Clara Jane can't get at it when it's outdoors! :)

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  4. Oh that is adorable, especially with your cat taking up residence. :) I hear you Maureen...snow, snow ...go away!!

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  5. What a great little basket! Really like the sign :)

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  6. Beautiful and I think Clara Jane has claimed it good luck getting it back! I need a tiny amount of chalk paint I think ill use this version my other version tends to be a little too thick and dries too quickly.

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  7. That is one gorgeous cat bed!! What a great thrift find! I think I prefer it with the flowers, but obviously Clara Jane does not!

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  8. Clara Jane has the right idea! It will look great with fresh spring flowers in it and a bit of cat fur!

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  9. It's really cute Maureen, and I love your little chalkboard sign, perhaps it should read Casa Clara Jane !
    Sorry you still have snow, we haven't really had a cold winter just a very wet and windy one and my flowers are all confused. I have geraniums in flower and an arum lily that hasn't died back, it's all very odd !

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  10. Daffodils are my favorite! I can't wait to have some in my yard. And Miss Clara Jane is quite the regal princess in her throne!

    -andi

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  11. Speak her name and the sun appears!

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