I’m a huge fan of the DIYs that Amanda of Wit & Whistle creates. A few weeks ago, she posted one for DIY Color Block Terracotta Pots and I just had to have a go myself. I already had some pots lying around that I knew I wanted to spruce up with some color and so it was just the motivation I needed. Thanks Amanda!
On Saturday, I popped over to the art store and picked up the supplies I needed. Surprisingly, I managed to restrain myself from buying anything else. I have a habit of buying art supplies and never using them don’t you? Here’s what I came away with – two tubes of Amsterdam acrylic paint in Turquoise Green (661) and Titanium Buff Light (289).
I’m not going to share the whole process here as you can read it over on Wit & Whistle but I will share one step I changed. When it came to applying the second color, rather than use masking tape to define a line, I first painted the whole pot in one color and then placed another pot on top of it so that I could trace a line with a pencil. I then just used the pencil line as my guideline for applying the additional color. Worked like a charm. It’s not perfect, but who cares. Not me.
As you can see, this project couldn’t be any easier. Pick your colors, paint your pots and simply let them dry. In fact, the hardest part of this project for me will be keeping the plant alive. I swear I have black thumbs of death.
So, are you going to paint any plant pots soon? I think I may have to do a few more myself.
For those of you who are looking for a way to use these flower pots outside, I suggest spraying the whole thing with a clear sealer. It is best to us the sealer that comes in a spray can because it is easier to control and it is faster to apply. You can find it in your art supplies or at a department store in with their spray paints, just remember to get the water proof clear (not matte) sealer. Hope this helps some of you.
Ive been looking for some pots to put in my kitchen, which is painted the EXACT shade of aqua you used – youve just inspired me to do them myself!!!
Love this project! I linked to it on my blog in a post about color blocking today: http://www.everafterblueprint.com/2012/06/22/friday-top-5-color-blocking-projects/
Adele, thank you so much for posting. I now have my mini project of the evening night. Keep up the creating!
This is really pretty! I’d love to make some for outside, but my terrace gets REALLY hot. Can you recommend what to seal them with? Thanks!
Hi Jodi, I’ve been wondering the same thing. I asked a friend and she said she read that water based polyurethane is good. I can’t confirm it would work though unfortunately. I think I’ll ask next time I’m at the art store.
Love this! I need to make one of these for my mom for Mother’s Day. :) She has a HUGE collection of plants– inside and out. :)
Thanks Stacie! If you make them for outdoor use, you might want to seal the acrylic paint. I read somewhere it can get tacky based on heat exposure (even my base/pot stick together a little and I’m using it indoors) although I can’t confirm. This was my first time using acrylic paints so I don’t know much about them. I’m not sure what you’d use to seal it though, this is all new to me. Hmm…
Hope to see you again. Thanks for dropping by. :)
Adele, this turned out beautifully :) I’m thinking of painting a bunch of small ones and handing them out to my mom, aunts, and grannies for mother’s day.
Great idea! They’d make gifts. I have a small one I need to paint so I just bought a plant for it. This could get addictive!
I just picked up some of these little planters to dip in gold paint, but I kind of like this colorful version better :-)
Yes, these pots are such a fun punch of color although you really can’t go wrong with some gold either. I almost picked up gold paint. I still might. :) Thanks for stopping by Gloria, hope to see you again!
I love it Adele! You are a genius for skipping the tape and tracing a pencil line instead, and that shade of blue is so perfect. I’m notorious for buying art supplies and never using them, so I appreciate your willpower at the art store. ;)
Yah, the blue is awesome! Perfect aquamarine. Glad you like it A!
This is GORGEOUS! Love the way it turned out :)