Dishfunctional Designs: diy garden art

Showing posts with label diy garden art. Show all posts

Monday, May 6, 2024

DIY Painted Garden Stones

Painting your own garden stones is fun for all ages and simple to do. Smooth landscape stones work best, but you can paint any type of stone you like. Read on for my tips!

Choose Smooth Rocks: Look for rocks that have smooth surfaces and are free of cracks or blemishes. Smooth rocks provide the best canvas for painting intricate designs.

Clean and Prepare: Before painting, make sure to clean the rocks thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. You can wash them with water and a mild soap, then allow them to dry completely.

Prime the Surface: Applying a primer or base coat of paint to the rocks can help the paint adhere better and create a smoother finish.

Select High-Quality Paints: Invest in high-quality acrylic paints that are suitable for outdoor use and can withstand exposure to the elements. These paints come in a wide range of colors and offer excellent coverage.

Plan Your Design: Before you start painting, you may want to sketch out your design ideas on paper. Consider patterns, colors, and themes that complement your garden aesthetic.

Use Fine Brushes: For intricate designs and fine details, use small, fine brushes that allow you to control the paint with precision. Fine-tipped brushes are ideal for creating intricate patterns and delicate lines. Dotter tools are great for creating polka-dot designs.

Layering Techniques: Experiment with layering different colors to create depth and dimension in your designs. Start with lighter colors as a base layer and gradually add darker shades for shading and highlights.

Allow for Drying Time: Allow each layer of paint to dry completely before adding additional layers or details. This will prevent smudging and ensure that the colors remain vibrant.

Seal the Surface: Once you've finished painting your garden stones, apply a clear sealant or varnish to protect the paint from fading and weather damage. Choose a sealant that is suitable for outdoor use and provides UV protection.

Display with Care: Once the sealant has dried, place your painted garden stones in your garden or landscaping design with care. Arrange them in clusters or scattered throughout your garden space to add pops of color and visual interest.

First, wash and dry your rocks then apply a base coat of paint. Applying a base coat of paint will make it easier for you to paint your designs by helping smooth out any rough areas and also will help your colors pop. I use acrylic black paint but you can use whatever color you like.

Allow your base coat of paint to dry completely, and then paint your designs onto your rocks with different colored acrylic paints. Use small bristle paintbrushes to paint detailed designs.

A dotting tool is great for painting polka dots but you can also use a pencil eraser or the fine point of a paintbrush for the same effect.

Once your rock is completely dry, brush on a clear coat of acrylic sealant to protect your artwork from the elements. If you like, repeat with a second coat for added protection.

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Laura

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Saturday, May 4, 2024

The Upcycled Garden Volume 16: Using Recycled & Salvaged Materials In Your Garden

Hey friends! Here we are again, another springtime and I always look forward to putting together my Upcycled Garden blog posts for you each year. Here we are at volume 16! Enjoy this garden aesthetic inspiration and read on below for some of my best tips for using recycled & salvaged materials in your garden! Happy spring!

Vintage Containers: Use old metal buckets, tin cans, or wooden crates as planters. These weathered containers add a rustic charm to your garden while giving new life to discarded items.

Antique Garden Tools: Hang vintage garden tools such as shovels, rakes, and spades on a garden wall or fence as decorative elements. They not only add visual interest but also serve as a nod to the garden's history.

Repurposed Furniture: Turn old chairs, benches, or tables into unique garden furniture. Give them a fresh coat of paint or let them weather naturally for a timeworn look. These pieces add character and provide functional seating or display areas. Removing the seat from an old chair and adding a planter in its place is one popular option.

DIY Garden Art: Create art pieces using salvaged materials like old metal scraps, driftwood, or broken pottery. Sculptures, wind chimes, and mosaic stepping stones made from recycled materials can add whimsy and personality to your garden.

Vintage Signage: Repurpose old wooden planks or metal sheets to make signs for your garden. Paint them with charming messages, plant names, or whimsical illustrations to add a vintage touch and help identify different areas or plants.

Salvaged Pathways: Use reclaimed bricks, stones, or pavers to create pathways in your garden. The weathered look of salvaged materials adds a sense of history and natural beauty to your outdoor space.

Upcycled Trellises and Arbors: Construct trellises and arbors from old ladders, bicycle frames, or salvaged wood. Train climbing plants like vines, roses, or cucumbers to grow on these structures, creating vertical interest and a unique focal point in your garden.

Vintage Lighting: Hang old lanterns, mason jar lights, or repurposed chandeliers in your garden to create a magical ambiance. These vintage lighting fixtures not only illuminate your outdoor space but also add charm and nostalgia. Remember, safety first; inspect vintage fixtures to make sure they are up to modern safety standards, if not, do not use them. Never leave candles or any type of open flame unattended.

Found Object Plant Markers: Use recycled materials such as wooden spoons, old paint stirrers, or ceramic tiles as plant markers. Write or paint the names of herbs, flowers, or vegetables on these objects and place them next to corresponding plants to add a personal touch to your garden.

Creative Containers: Get inventive with containers by using items like old tires, teapots, or even kitchen utensils as planters. Let your imagination run wild and transform everyday objects into unique vessels for your greenery, adding an eclectic and whimsical flair to your garden.

Happy Spring!
Laura

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See my new printables at https://www.creativefabrica.com/designer/laura-beth-love/

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Don't miss out! Subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Have a great week!
Laura

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Wednesday, July 14, 2021

The Upcycled Garden Volume 15: Using Recycled & Salvaged Materials In Your Garden

Hi friends! I hope you are all staying cool in this summer heatwave. It's hard to believe that it's already July. I'm usually late with my Upcycled Garden blog post, but as they say, better late than never!

As I said last year, it's obvious that with Covid19 so many people have picked up new hobbies and the skills that go along with them while they learn how to make all different types of DIY projects, crafts, and home improvement projects. I think that's great! Especially when I see more people embracing the use of recycled and salvaged materials.

Whether you are a new reader to my blog or a returning fan, this is my 10th year of doing my Upcycled Garden blog posts (!!) and with each one I chose some of my very favorite Upcycled Garden inspiration. I hope you enjoy this collection and be sure to check back for more.

Be sure to leave a comment below and let us know which is your favorite, and I want to know, what have you been working on lately?

Mix and match a rainbow of different colored lawn chairs to add color to your garden (image via Pinterest, unknown source)

Orange VW with succulents from Ideiasdiferentes

Use wire to attach glass gems to a chain link fence for a glimmer of color

Incorporating the old with the new (unknown source, image via Pinterest)

Use an old lantern as a small hanging planter

Beautiful tree stump mosaic by Muni's Mosaics

Attach an old rake to a fencepost with wire and use as a trellis for vine growing plants

What a great way to use up extra landscape stones!

The end of an old garden hoe or trowel + wire + an old glass jar + baubles = cute bud vase

Metal colanders are plentiful at thrift stores and make cute hanging planters. Use enamel spray paint to give yours a pop of color, and use chain or durable twine to hang.