Efex In The Garden

Spring has finally sprung here in Maine.  The crocuses have bloomed, yards are getting cleaned up, and buds are starting to form on the trees.  After this winter we’re all a little stir crazy, so we’re jumping into the new season with both feet!

Soon we’ll be planting, and transferring indoor plants outside.  I have a rather large collection of terracotta pots and have been at a loss of what to do with them.  I think you can see where I’m going with this…

Efex™ them of course!

Reviving Clay Pots

Efex™ Decorative Appliqués hold up well outside and are super easy to apply to the surface of the pots.  They can be left outside all seasons, but for those of us who live further north, it would be a good idea to bring them in during inclement weather (like a Nor Easter).

 

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I wanted my pots to be all sorts of fun colors to liven up the garden, I’ll likely keep some inside too to decorate my window sills.  I painted one coat first, and then when it was dry, traced the outline of the applique.  I painted the surface of the appliqué a different color, just for fun!  You can let your creative side out with this project, this would be amazing with stencils or hand painted designs too.  Apply the contact cement the same way you would on any other project.  Use a generous amount, and make sure the edges have glue on them.  I didn’t put enough on one shell and it has since pulled off of the pot.  We recommend DAP­® Weldwood if you’re using another brand and you’re putting your creation outside make sure it’s safe for exterior use.

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Let the glue dry to touch and stick ’em together!  It’s that easy.  I used a small brush to touch up the areas I got overzealous with the glue.  I love the statement these pots make with the Efex™ appliqués, so much more interesting than a painted clay pot.  I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® on the first three, and Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint on the back three.  Both paints are great for interior and exterior projects.

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Now you can go make your interiors and exteriors exciting too!

~ I’m leaving my creations outside in the elements, so check back to see how they have held up soon ~