Monday, March 14, 2011

Painting clay pots for spring


Here is an easy project that is pretty quick to do and fun to do with kids.  
I love terracotta pots but not the orangy color.  
These pots are easy to paint so here's how I makeover mine so they look a bit aged.

You will need terracotta pots, whatever style and size you want. Watch the sales at Hobby Lobby and you can get the small ones for cents and the larger ones for a dollar or two.  I used small ones in a couple of different sizes.  You will also need craft paint in whatever colors you choose.  I used red, a couple of shades of green and creamy white. You may also need brown if you decide to age them.  I also use crackle medium.  Grab a paintbrush, a paper plate and some paper towels and you're ready to go.

I couldn't find the exact color of green I wanted so I used two shades and dabbed my brush into both.  
I didn't want to mix them perfectly.

First, I painted the saucers and pots white, leaving the tops bare.

Then, I painted the tops in the colors I chose.  
I decided to paint the saucers for the green pots green as well.

These do not need to be painted perfectly.  Imperfections give it character 
so just slap the paint on.  One good coat should do it.

After the paint dries (which is really quick), brush on the crackle medium.
Just follow the directions on the bottle.  Here you can see the one on the left has crackle medium applied
and the one on the right does not.

After you let the crackle medium dry according to directions, mix a little brown paint with water.
You want it to be very watery which will make it easier to add in layers until you get the effect you want.  Brush it on and wipe it off.  As it all dries, you will begin to see the cracks in the paint.  I've also done this with stain instead of brown paint.

Here are pots that are freshly painted with out aging.

Here are the little pots that have cracked and aged.





With the green pots, after I painted them and added the crackle medium, I then painted white all over them.  The white cracked and allowed the green to show through.  Then, I added the watery brown over all of it and wiped off.  I wiped (maybe scrubbed a bit) so some of the white would flake off leaving a lot of green showing through.


So, what could you do with these cute little things?  Of course, you can plant little flowers or plants in them and set them where ever you want little plants (windowsills, a chair, bookshelves, kitchen, etc.) You can use them to hold utensils, paint brushes, pens/pencils, etc.  You can put some soft filler in them and use them to hold eggs for Easter.  

OR

you can make "Dirt Pudding" and make individual servings in the little pots.  
These would be cute at a party or sitting next to each plate.  I've done this before using little individual pots and let guests take the pots home.  Kids love this and often don't want to eat them so they can take them home and show their family.  They make great treats for teachers and school staff as well.  
You can also share them with neighbors.
foodista
Dirt Pudding Recipe
(this will make enough for a regular size large pot or many small pots)
1 bag of Oreos
1 box (large size) instant vanilla pudding
1 small box of cream cheese
milk
1 large container of Cool Whip

Crush Oreos.  You can use a blender, food processor or put them in a heavy duty baggy (like a freezer baggy that zips close) and let your kids beat it up or step on it.  It works and it's fun.

Mix the vanilla pudding and 2 cups of cold milk.  Add the cream cheese to the pudding and mix well with an electric mixer.  Add Cool Whip to the pudding mixture and blend well by hand or with an electric mixer on low.

To assemble in a large pot, layer it all starting with a small layer of crushed Oreos on the bottom, half of the pudding mixture, another small layer of Oreos, the remaining half of the pudding and top with the rest of the crushed Oreos. If assembling small pots, use proportionate amounts.

Tips:  The pots have a hole in the bottom.  For large pots, put a layer of foil on the bottom of the pot and place one uncrushed Oreo on top of the foil but over the hole.  For small pots, just line the bottom with some foil.  
To make it look like a real pot, add an artificial flower or greenery to the pot. 
 Add gummy worms, clean sea shells or clean rocks.  

I may be linking up to some of my favorite blog parties listed in the link at the top of my page 
or down on the bottom right of my page.


15 comments:

  1. Really, cute. I especially like the green. Visiting from naps on the porch!

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  2. I love how those turned out! The green ones are perfect. I think I may have to try some. I love the look of aged pots.

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  3. I love how the green ones turned out. How fun to serve the dirt pudding in a Welcome Spring type of party.

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  4. They look yummy and would be fun to decorate. Do you worry about getting paint into the food?

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  5. I love painting terracotta pots. It's so fun. And thank you for sharing that Dirt Pudding Recipe. What a wonderful idea. I must try it.

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  6. So perfect. Glad to see you have been busy!

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  7. How cute! This a great idea!

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  8. Thanks for showing us how to do these great pots.

    Linda

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  9. Those pots look great! I love how the green shows through the white paint.
    And the dirt pudding really looks like dirt. :)

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  10. I love it. They look like they been well loved and used for years and years.

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  11. love the dirt pudding... such a cute idea! The painted pots are darling! xoox

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  12. Good tutorial! I have some pots I would like to age too. I'm visiting from Coastal Charm!

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  13. I LOVE the aging look on them! would love if you ever have a chance to come link up to handmade tuesdays @ ladybug blessings. www.ladybug-blessings.com

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  14. They came out great! Visiting from Blue Cricket Design and I am a new follower!
    Have a great week!
    Michelle
    www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com

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  15. Those are great! I love dirt pudding, too!

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