It's Going Outside

So remember the $3 chair that could have been $2? I got around to painting it this week. Not exactly how I had envisioned it. But a good piece to practice some color combos since it's going outside. I first sanded it down a bit. It was pretty dirty. I wasn't going to be fanatical about it (going outside remember).

I had some Brilliant Blue I had bought for another chair. Glad I didn't use it for that. It was a bit on the bright side. This is it still wet. I think I did another coat after this. What the heck, don't like the color? Give it another coat. I did like it better with the 2nd but thought it was looking too new.

So I took some of this and watered it down. Gave it the old wipe on wipe off treatment. It stuck in all the groves and some of the previous finish that I didn't get sanded off (going outside).

It did age it a bit but also sort of made it look dirty. Something I wouldn't want if it was in my house. Thank goodness it's going outside.

I used window screen for the basket. Just stapled and folded it to make it as deep as I wanted. Staple it good, it will be heavy with dirt and water. Trim away the excess. I then soak some sheet moss in water. It's easier to work with. Just squeeze it out and start placing it on the bottom. No pics, it's imagination time. I thought I took some but I was hurrying since the mosquitoes were out to eat me alive. When you get part way up the sides add some dirt, then add more moss and work up. It  keeps the moss in place. And learn from my mistake. Don't make it too deep. Mine is hanging way low and reminds me of a cow's udder. I will hide it with a plant in front for now but I will fix it when I replant next year. Someone remind me.

So, then you add your beautiful plants. Hopefully your Home Depot doesn't suck in the plant department and you can find better ones than I did. I prefer to go to Lowes for plants but it was waaaaay over there, not where I was at the time. I wanted a vine for the back.

I let the moss cover up the staples on the edges. I do like to pack my planters pretty full. These are just the cheap annuals, except for the one draping over the front, so it gives me a full look right away. So there you have it. Not super thrilled with it but...it's outside. And I learned I didn't like the aging technique on the blue, maybe I should have used a whitewash. Oh, I gave it a shot of some clear poly on it too.

update: August 19, trying to survive this horrible heat!

I am linking up to 

The DIY Show Off Project Parade

                                 Debbie @ Debbiedoos    

The CSI Project Spray Paint