Chalkboard Flower Pots

Here is a fun and easy project that can brighten a windowsill, patio, or garden. It's so incredibly easy and a great project for kids too!

What you'll need:

• Chalkboard paint 
• Stencils - (I made my own with stencil sheets I picked up in the craft section at the store)
• Pencil
• Paint brushes - one fine and one about 1/2 wide
• Terra cotta flower pots
• Acrylic paint - optional

Start by drawing your stencil on your terra cotta flower pot.

Once you have your stencil drawn on, use your fine paintbrush to follow the outline of your stencil with the chalkboard paint. Then use your wider paintbrush to fill in the rest of the "label" or stencil you drew on your flower pot. I did 2 coats on my pots, you may need to do a third, but you'll be able to tell once the paint dries. The paint dries relatively fast. I added additional coats within about 3 minutes.

At this point, you can either choose to be done or use acrylic paint and do a little free hand on your flower pots. Now, I'm not super artistic...but it's suppose to be whimsical, so don't let your fear stop you from letting your inner artist out, regardless of whether you're the next Picasso!

Let your pots dry for at least 4 hours. Now your pots are ready for planting!!! Enjoy!!!

Get Your Drill On...

I've been seeing these raised garden beds all over the place, and I absolutely LOVE them. However, I didn't love their prices. So, I got the amazing idea to make them. Me...the girl who thought she was mowing her grass for 3 months only to have a neighbor tell her that she didn't have the blade engaged.

This should be good...but I am a determined chica. So, I watched a video on YouTube and went to Lowe's, and for about $70 I made two 8 x 4 garden beds. It took me an afternoon to make the raised beds that actually turned out and look good!

Below is how you make some for yourself:

You will need:
*12 2 x 4s - cut into 4 foot sections ( you can adjust size of beds to fit your needs and still follow              directions below)
*Four 4 x 4 - cut into 1 foot posts
*2 1/2in outdoor screws
*Drill

Start by measuring and marking for 2 holes in each end of the 2 x 4. You can space them however you like, but make sure you measure consistently on each end and each board.

Once your boards are marked, drill holes at each of your markings. Place one 4 x 4 post under each end of one 2 x 4. Make sure that the post and 2 x 4 are flush on each end. Screw each of your screws into your pre-drilled holes. I screwed in one screw on each side and then repeated for the last two holes on opposite ends. I felt like that ensured the 2 x 4 to be flush with the 4 x 4 post. You will screw in two more 2 x 4 sections to this same 4 x 4 post. This creates one "fence" wall to your raised garden bed. Repeat these steps to 3 other 2 x 4s and the last 2 4 x 4 posts.

Once you have the 2 "fence" sections both adhered to the 4 x 4 posts, line up each section to start forming your box. Then place one 2 x 4 to connect each "fenced" section. Screw in the 2 x 4 to the 4 x 4 posts on each end. Then stack a second 2 x 4 piece on top of the just screwed in 2 x 4 and screw in on both ends. Repeat on both ends of the "fenced" sections to form a box. VIOLA! Your raised garden bed is complete!

Pat yourself on the back and be proud of what you accomplished!

Here are some of the pics from my finished project: