Spring DIY

Visions of brightly colored Easter eggs and tulips are emblematic of the start of Spring. This is a great time for crafting with kids and creating things to beautify the garden while waiting for the ground to warm up for planting. Pull out those paints and try some of these simple projects for things that you may already have around the home.

REFRESH

Pick a sunny weekend to freshen up your existing outdoor furniture. Tighten up loose screws and remove rust spots. The next nice weekend you will be ready to paint.

If you only have a few cans of different colored paints, consider mixing them up to get a tie dye effect. Here is an example of a set of side tables that I did.

Things to Consider

Paint projects are always fun to do. There are some things to consider before taking on painting projects for outdoors. The most important thing is to be sure your paint is specifically labeled for outdoor use.

Although there are paints that are “all purpose”, selecting one labeled for the specific application of your project could prolong wear and extend the amount of time before touch ups are needed.

More modern paints have primers already mixed in. Some paints that are made for metals will also have an additive that retards rusting. Read the instructions carefully to see if prior surface preparation is necessary.

Consider your preferred application. Do you like the ease of spray paint or the control of the brush? Rember to keep some distance when spray painting so you don’t get drips.

FLOWER POTS

Each year your flower pots show signs of wear. Some can be refreshed with a dip in soapy water while other can benefit from a fresh coat of paint. Bright colored pots make even the gardens of those lacking green thumbs look great. They also make great gifts. A hand painted post with a bulb makes a nice Easter gift for those who have outgrown Easter baskets.

Remember that most garden centers will take back the old plastic pots that came with your plants last year. You don’t have to throw them into recycling bins the garden center will be happy to get them back.

If you have a surplus of pots, Pinterest if full of creative ways to reuse them. Take a look at my Pinterest board of curated flower pot craft ideas for some inspiration.

If you have pots that have cracked over the winter to point of no return don’t despair. Take those broken pots and “make lemonade”. By that I mean mosaics. Take a look at the colors and patterns that can be created. If you have any old chipped dishes that you do not still use add them in the mix.

I do not recommend this project for children. Even adults should be careful when learning the art of mosaic design. But once you get started you will be delighted with the results. This is a particularly fun craft for people who enjoy putting together puzzles.

Mosaics can be incorporated into so many different areas of both the home and the garden. Find inspiration on my Garden Mosaic board. Don’t be intimated by some of the projects on the board. They are amazing! Start where you are. It’s not a competitive sport. It’s art! Do what speaks to you. Abstract mosaics are some of the best. If you feel a bit intimidated or don’t know where to start YouTube is an endless resource of tutorials.

Whatever you create remember to share it with us on Instagram or Facebook and it will be featured in Remnants.