Now’s The Time to Plan For Spring

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Thanks to DecoArt for supplying me with paint for these projects. Opinions are all mine.

Who’s been having a bit of spring fever? I’m not sure we ever experienced winter except a few weeks at a time. Although you may have been itching to dig in the dirt, it might still not be time yet but it is time to get ready your planters ready so when you want to fill them with plants, you will have a fresh new look.

I had big plans last summer to redo my upper deck but this little thing called cancer got it my way so I’m determined to get it done this year. Lots of ideas and plans are in the works. Stay tuned to see what comes with my blue, aqua, and green color scheme.

But, to get started on a smaller scale, you may remember my herb pots from last year. I love the vintage corner shelf to hold multiple pots, and where they are in the corner of the deck, wind doesn’t have much affect on them.

When I looked closely at these pots, I noticed they were really faded. But, to be fair, they came from Dollar Tree last year, so you can’t expect them to last forever. Wanting to try DecoArt Americana Decor Outdoor Living Paint, I knew this was a great place to try it out.

As always recommended, planters should be emptied and cleaned well then store inside during the winter. Raise your hand if you always do this. (Mine is not raised). But as I justify this to myself, our winters haven’t been bad and I do have a few herbs which last through the next spring, even if they normally don’t. If I do see we are having a hard freeze for several days, I do make sure my concrete, clay, or better pots are inside.

The color scheme was chosen to match this fabric.  Ikat isn’t quite as “in” as it was a few years ago when I bought this, but I still like it and don’t always keep in step with the current trends.

 

I chose Turquoise Sky DecoArt Americana Decor Outdoor Living Paint for my first planter, just to really try the paint.   It wasn’t a huge difference from the original planter, but just enough to freshen it up.  After the pot was scrubbed well I let it set until it was completely dry. The bottom of this pot can come off, so I separated it before cleaning and painting.

I gave it 2 coats of paint, allowing to dry a few hours between. It is recommended to sand between coats, but with the ridges on the outside of this pot, I didn’t feel it was necessary.

 

I used Succulent DecoArt Americana Decor Outdoor Living Paint on another bottom so I could see how it might work to mix and match the colors. By having a two-toned planter, it’s just a way to add another pop of color to the deck area.

This DecoArt Americana Decor Outdoor Living Paint is designed for concrete, terra cotta, wood, plastic and more. Not for glass or metal though. It offers great protection from the outside elements without requiring a sealer. I love the eggshell finish as I’m not personally crazy about everything being a high gloss.

Do you ever just start looking around to see what else you can paint? Since I needed a couple more projects for an upcoming TV segment, I spied this little watering can I had picked up at a yard sale a few years ago. It too had become a bit faded from over the years.

 

So if it’s faded – you paint it. This time I tried the Fountain DecoArt Americana Decor Outdoor Living Paint and for now just half of it is painted (for TV) so it will be finished soon.

 

I’m loving this color – and what a difference it makes. Again, I used 2 coats, but didn’t sand this either. I think I will have to free hand paint the little flower in Succulent after it’s completed.

Check back in the next few days for the completed watering can.

All of these projects are for my deck and what deck wouldn’t be complete without a grill. No I didn’t paint it – yet – but had this set of utensils which thought would be cute hanging on grill.

Don’t you love my background – hint:  I buy flannel tablecloths at yard sales for usually .25 to protect my surfaces.  

To make this painting a bit easier I used Frog Tape to tape off the metal portion.

Again with the Succulent DecoArt Americana Decor Outdoor Living Paint I gave each section 3 coats. I think the reason it took 3 coats was due to me using a smaller artist brush and you can’t load as much paint on it.  Several lighter coats are better than a heavy coat.

Only half of the tongs are done for now, for TV purpose, but it will be painted, but after looking at it, it was calling out for a bit more color. I let it dry overnight to assure it wouldn’t come off with my Frog Tape.

Maybe a few simple stripes, so again with the Frog Tape, and stripes painted with DecoArt Americana Decor Outdoor Living Paint.

I’ve always had a thing for stripes and polka dots, so those will probably be on my next project.  Of course, other ideas pop up so with the pretty tongs, the fork looked plain.  Using a DecoArt Americana Anchors Aweigh stencil in the rope design, it was a great place to add another color of Adirondacks.  

These are self-adhesive which makes it even easier.  

If you actually use these utensils, I would recommend just wiping the wood handles off with warm, soapy water. You should never put wood items in the dishwasher, or let them soak.

Just getting a few little things done, makes me want the weather to hurry up and stay warm so this deck can get done.

What’s your plans for spring?  I can’t wait to get my herbs planted.

Herb Planter

 

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