Making Fairy Doors

I wanted some fairy doors to use as photo props while we were on vacation.

 As usual, I made them so I got exactly what I wanted.

This oval wooden sign is recycled from an old project. 

The Welding Man cut it in two just off center.

Then I had him trim the edges of one piece. 

Now I have two uniquely shaped doors!

Using the ol' tried and true Elmer's glue and craft paint technique,

 I gave both sides of each door a fine cracked paint finish.

Here's a link to my post about easy crackle paint with Elmer's glue....

http://makethebestofthings.blogspot.com/2010/05/crackle-finish-with-elmers-glue.html

Here's how the white crackled side turned out. I glued on the wood shapes for door knobs.

And here's how all four sides turned out. I sealed them with plenty of clear acrylic spray but I don't plan to leave them outside in the weather. These are for photo props!

DIY Zen Stone Stacks

Whenever we go on vacation I make these zen stone stacks and take photos for some pretty memories.



The trick is to find compatible stones that have flat surfaces and balance. This is a fun project to do with the grand kids!

None of these stacks are permanent and probably are knocked over as soon as we leave.

So when I get home I wanted to preserve that vacation vibe with some zen stone stacks for my own master bath.

I brought home a whole bag of flat rocks in different sizes and stacked them up. Here they are next to a succulent terrarium made for me by Insanely Creative Christy.

 So pretty!

So zen.

But I wanted these stone stacks to be PERMANENT. 

Well, that's so easy to do with stacking stones and a tube of E6000 adhesive!

This glue is specially made for glass, stone, metal and jewelry items. It is strong and easy to use but it is really smelly. Be sure to use it in a well ventilated place, like outdoors.

This year I'm going to make some of these stacks for my deck garden.

I'm trying out some miniature bonsai trees and they would go perfectly together.

I'll post about it here when I do!

DIY A Pretty Map Planter

Sometimes an idea comes from nowhere, sometimes from a photo on Pinterest or even a magazine article. I'm always looking for unique ways to create things I'll actually use.

And sometimes "necessity is the mother of invention." 

In this case I needed a plant pot for a kitchen houseplant and I did not want to go buy something new. So I rummaged in my stash and found.....

exterior formula Mod Podge  and an old National Geographic map. Wheels are turning!

Here's the right size planter I retrieved from my garden shed stash. This has real possibilities! I cleaned it up and sanded it a bit for some "tooth" so the paper would stick.

Ooh aah! I really like how the colors show up! I wonder how the exterior grade Mod Podge will do on a planter even if it is inside?

Well, I'm going to find out, aren't I? This looks so unique and it is perfect for my kitchen window.

I chose to put this view on the front side and made my cuts and corrections on the backside, on the best plains of Russia. I am sure someone can make a political statement out of that action ;o) In this case the backside adjustments worked perfectly!

UPDATE-

This little planter pot has been in the window for several months and the Mod Podge is holding up extremely well, tolerating the moisture and shedding any over watering like it is actually plastic. 

I just love the colorful graphics of the map and I KNOW that no one else has a planter like this. Plus I didn't spend any money. That's a win win in my book!

Zen Stone Stacks

What do you do when you go on a family vacation? Besides have loads of fun we like to leave a bit of whimsy behind with water smoothed stones put together in zen stacks.

The acts of collecting and carefully balancing the stones are contemplative and patient endeavors. Also, fun!

Here is the private swimming hole we enjoyed all week. This is a photo downriver. Man, I wish I was still there!

And here is a photo upriver. Can you see the trio of stone towers in this picture?

Here's a single stack up on the beach.

A set of three on some bedrock.

Another trio down by the water.

Can you see the stacks in this picture yet?

Here's a closeup in the morning sun. They are in the lower right of the previous picture. We left over a dozen stone towers for the next guests to find down by the river....

...plus this sweet driftwood heart with a tiny stack right in the middle.

When I got home I wanted a nice reminder of those warm sunny days down by the river. With some E-6000 jewelry adhesive and a bunch of collected river rocks, I now have these beautiful and soothing zen stacks for my master bath. Along with loads of houseplants and a sweet terrarium, they remind me to slow down and just enjoy my days.