Pennies & Letters

I created this idea by combining a number of different pins. I wanted to create an easy project to teach our customers, but I wasn't sure what to do. I looked around and saw PAINT STICKS! Then my brain began to search for ideas I had seen. While I was concocting a plan, I stopped at Hobby Lobby on my way home where I found a giant hard cardboard letter "L" on sale for less than two dollars! I bought it and then I spray painted it with spray paint I had at home (Rustoleum's Universal Oil Rubbed Bronze). I then glued copper pennies to cover the letter. At first I used a hot glue gun, but there was so much gluing to be done! I then used Liquid Nails Multi-Projects Glue, and found it worked perfectly! Once the "L" was covered I set a heavy object of them and turned to the paint sticks. I measured the sticks so they were all the same size and used a utlity knife to score them, then cracked them. I used heavy duty scissors to tidy them up and a sanding sponge to smooth out the edges. I then stained the sticks, using various colors of Minwax. Again, I pulled out my new favorite glue, and glued the sticks together, and then the letter to the sticks. Once they were dry, I attached a picture hanger and viola! It was done and not only did I have any easy project to teach my customers, but I had a great addition to my family's home!

Garden Markers

GARDEN MARKERS

Even though the weather is still nasty, I have decided to think about spring! I began planting seeds indoors, creating a mini-greenhouse in our sunroom. I (of course) referenced numerous pins for tips of when to start each plant, and tips for seedling care. After a few weeks, I tossed all that date out the window and started them all, MY WAY. Oops. Well, with an eight foot deep frost line, I truly don't believe any helpful tips apply to me. By the time the ground thaws, I will be lucky if I get two months of outdoor growing. SO, I started THEM ALL. So, three weeks later, I have awesome little seedlings and my sunroom smells like spring (even if they are calling for more snow this week). I then realized, that if I am planting, others probably are, too. I was thinking about what paint class I should teach at work, when I realized I would incorporate the two! I pinned 6 or 7 garden marker ideas, then I made them my own!

First, I bought cheap wooden spoons at Walmart. A 5-pack was .88! I bought a (ahem!) few packages and brought them into work. 

Then, I began thinking about what would hold up the best to daily sun & watering (still trying to stay positive, here). I taped the bottoms of the spoons with Scotch Blue Painter's Tape. I then sprayed the rest of the spoon with red Plasti-Dip. It is used for tools & wheel rims, so why not garden markers? Two coats and I had some awesome, durable red garden markers.

I then had fun! I used Paint Markers & Behr Paint samples (only $2.94 and I could pick my color) to decorate, label & embellish the markers!

Once they were done, I loved them so much, I sealed them with a clear enamel spray just to add even more durability.

Now, I not only have seedling sprouting, but I have awesome garden markers. When it finally thaws, I will be ready to move my ready-made garden into the great outdoors!