Spring Flowerpot Makeover + Elmer’s Paint Markers Giveaway!

Leave a comment on this post before midnight tonight, April 4th, for your chance to win a set of Elmer’s Paint Markers and a $25 Walmart gift card. See details below!

A couple weeks ago I was approached about doing an Elmer’s product review and giveaway. My reply? Yes! I’ve always wanted to do a product review, and you know how I love art supplies! With the arrival of springtime, blooming plants, and sunshine, I figured a painted pot project would be just the thing!

To begin the project, I stopped by to a local thrift shop to pick up a pot. Hmm… which lucky pot would be going home with me? How about this one:

It would be perfect for our front porch. I brought it home for a little TLC, including a thorough scrubbing and a coat of semi-gloss white paint.

Then my Elmer’s Paint Markers arrived. Wow! These are not like any paint marker I’ve ever used. The colors are bright and the flow is just right. At first I kept doodling test sketches of flowers, but then I realized a friendly greeting might be more appropriate for near the front door.

Like any paint, you have to shake the pens before using. To get the paint flowing, you depress the tip on a dry surface. I had a piece of paper to do this on before I painted the pot. I was pleased to see that the marker caps were true indicators of the paint color, and that they fit snugly – not only is the product protected from drying out, but I don’t have to worry about my little ones being able to open them without my supervision. They are also non-toxic, acid-free and fast drying. I was able to lay down the green lines and then draw the blue letters on top shortly after. I did go over the filled-in areas a second time, just to ensure a solid coat. Over all, I was pleasantly surprised. I can see many possible future uses for these little pens!

What do you think? Want to paint your own flower pot, or have some other project in mind where paint markers would be handy? Then you’re in luck because this post includes a giveaway!

Enter to win a set of Elmer’s Painters AND a $25 Walmart gift card!

To enter, leave a comment below (or by clicking “comments” under the title above to add your comment). That’s it! Yay!

More details: This is not a paid review. I was simply given a pack of markers to try, which I sincerely enjoyed. Winner will receive a 5-pack of medium Tip sherbet swirl painters which includes: Ocean, Lilac, Citron, Coral and Tangerine, AND a $25 Walmart gift card. This contest is open to residents of the US and must be 18 years or older. Giveaway ends on Thursday, April 4 at midnight PST. Winner will be drawn on April 5 using random.org. Please be sure to leave a valid email address so I can contact you. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!

Plum Blossoms

Did you know it will officially be spring next week? I’m so glad! We’re seeing signs of it throughout our neighborhood, little splashes of brightness here and there – daffodils, crocus, candy tufts – and our daphne smells divine! But most of all, I love seeing the plum blossoms start to open. Every year about this time, I take a moment to bust out the good camera and document the opening of their tiny pink buds. So sweet and serene and lovely.

This plum tree is actually in our neighbor’s yard. A few years ago she allowed us to dig up a runner that we placed it in a pot. It hasn’t gotten much bigger, but just last week David planted it in the back corner of our yard. Someday we’ll have plums! I’m looking forward to it.

Taken with a Canon T4i, 50mm 1.4

 

 

Little girl clothes

I’m unwinding tonight by virtually window shopping some of the new spring lines out for little girls. Not the most productive thing to do, but, for being mindless, it is actually quite inspiring. These are my top two picks if I win the lottery tomorrow (which I don’t play, so dream on right?).

Funky Print Dress, Mini Boden

Irina shoes (in teal), See Kai Run

Spring Tunic

I did it! My first top! And just in time, too, to enter Spring Top Week.

This was the most challenging sewing project I have ever completed. It is the Baby Doll Tunic from the book Sew Teen. As I mentioned before, I thought it was strange that I couldn’t find a single reference to anyone making this top. Now I know why – several key measurements and details in the instructions are incorrect. I know this because I followed them step-by-step, and the first top I made was wildly out of proportion. So much for “the perfect guide for first-time sewers”! I was pretty disappointed at first, but after putting it away for a few days I decided to take it apart and try to figure it out on my own, with much better results! Despite the setbacks, I learned a lot, and am glad I gave it another try. 🙂

Notes about the pattern: Despite specifying the “bust measurement” (and showing how to measure for it), this particular pattern is actually asking for the underbust/ribcage measurement. Big difference! I also noticed other instances – like writing 10 “centimeters” instead of 10 “millimeters”, and having certain steps and diagrams out of order. I couldn’t understand attaching the bias-binding at all, so I just had to figure it out from the photos. I also chose to use 3/4″ elastic and made the ties a tad thinner.

Blossoming signs of spring

From top to bottom: crocus, plum blossoms, camellia

Just thought I’d share some of the blossoming signs of spring that Chloe and I found around the yard a few days ago. 🙂

Harbingers Of Spring

The weather has reverted to its normal cloudy grey self today. Right now all their little heads are tightly closed against the cold, but this weekend several little blooms peeked out to say hello. David and I both snapped several pictures, hoping to preserve the feeling of joy at these first little signs of spring. Neither the snowdrop or the yellow crocus shown above are ones that we’d planted, so their arrival is that much more pleasantly unexpected.