This is a simple project. One I’d been planning to do for some time, but just didn’t get around to it. Do you have those projects? I’m sure you do. You know, the ones that take no time to actually complete? The ones that you keep putting off? The ones that are so rewarding once you finally just go for it? This was one of those projects!

I picked up these plain white teacups at a local thrift store for under $1 a piece. I knew I wanted to embellish them with some doodles. Originally I’d purchased them to use as vessels for making candles. Since, I am not making candles anytime soon, I decided to use them for a couple small succulents who needed some cozy containers to live in. Perfect!

MATERIALS

Old teacups, bowls, mugs or any vessel in need of a facelift
Paint pens in various colors*
Small succulents
Potting soil
Small rocks or pebbles

*I used Craft Smart paint pens. These are acrylic, non-toxic and water resistant. Ideal for wood, plastic, metal and glass. Purchased at Michael’s.

INSTRUCTIONS

- Wash and dry your vessels.

- Follow directions for paint pen. I had to shake, shake, shake it. Test on a scrap of paper.

- Start doodling! I drew on the teacups without a plan. You can sketch out ideas if you’d like or use a stencil if you aren’t feeling up to freehand. I made mistakes, but that’s ok. Don’t be afraid! Mistakes are beautiful. A lesson I’m learning…

- Let the designs dry. I waited an hour before planting. This was really difficult!

- Place some rocks or pebbles in the bottom of your vessel, and top rocks with a bit of soil in before centering your succulent.

- Hold the succulent in place while packing in soil all around it. Water well, add more soil if needed.

- Now, place you lovely custom planter in a sunny spot and enjoy!

I’m kind of addicted to this project. It’s so simple. What a lovely housewarming gift, no? Can’t wait to make lots more of these! I also plan to doodle on other dishes. It’s so much fun.

Have you tried this? I’d love to see your creations. Send me a link!

Generally, empty toilet paper rolls end up strewn in pieces all over our living room rug after Bonsai (our dog) gets ahold of them. I managed to salvage one for my first challenge for Project Restyle. I decided to make something I could hang by the window. After few snips and hole punches finished off with a simple string it was ready to hang! I love how it turned out. Now, I’m tempted to make lots of them to hang in a cluster. Could be really lovely and fun. We’ll see if I can snatch them up before the dog gets them!

More information on Project Restyle.

Yesterday, we made our way to a local Salvation Army to drop off a load of items for donation. It was so amazing how much we stuffed into our little ‘72 Super Beetle that even one of neighbors who say the pile of junk before we loaded it up said, “You guys fit all of that stuff in there?!”

I had high hopes of finding something wonderful between the Salvation Army and the nearby Goodwill store, but it was such a let down. We’ll have to check out some other areas of town before we find our gold mine.

I did score this nice lampshade in spectacular condition for a whopping $4.50, so it wasn’t a total bust. I think it replaces our ratty old ORGEL shades from Ikea nicely! Those shades that have lasted us through five moves over the last five years. What do you think?

Now, I just need to score another nice lampshade for our second ORGEL lamp and I’ll be a happy lady.

I’m also not sure where I’ll place this “new” lamp yet. I have been moving it around our new place hoping it will speak to me when it’s found it’s home. It hasn’t spoken yet.

Alright, so I couldn’t just throw out that cute potato stamp. Instead, I got another use out of it. Not quite as cute as the skirt, but I thought it came out ok. I made this drawstring bag to house our fabric paints. I used an old khaki pant leg of my husbands. (it had already been cut off!) It’s sturdy enough to hold a lot of things! I am happy with it, although not completely thrilled. I do like the yellow dots. (made those with a pencil eraser)