French Country Bucket

It's hard for me to pass up a great deal when I see potential, this was definitely the case with what I assume was a promotional item donated to the local thrift store.  I found some spray paint with a hammered metal finish that can be used on plastic and other surfaces as well, and had some leftover from another project earlier this year.  The paint looks very close to galvanized steel when dry so I knew I could cover up the logos easily.  They would have been fun to leave as they are too and fill with ice and drinks for summer bbq's but I really wanted this to look super pretty.

I used a couple coats of the hammered finish spray paint, and after it dried added some lettering and a damask stencil off center using black and white acrylic paints and a sponge pouncer.  I seem to be on a French Country kick which has picked up speed after having a wonderful visit with my sister who just returned from France.  She is amazing, and I adore her, and so enjoyed every minute of our time together. 

After the stenciling dried I used a sea sponge dipped in a bit of moss green acrylic paint and sponged lightly all over, especially around the edges.  Being from the Northwest, I am well versed on how moss grows.  Fact: Moss usually grows on the North side of a tree, lost in the forest? (hopefully you read this first) and need to know which direction is North, you are set.  Additionally, if one stands still for a long time here they also will find moss growing on them.  So if you visit Oregon or Washington, just keep moving about and you should be ok.

My little helper was cutting flowers in our garden with me and found a pretty yellow dandelion for our bucket.  Our hydrangeas are blooming (finally!) and I am a bit impatient so I pretty much cut anything with a bloom.  I have four of them so there are more to follow.

I used a layer of clear matte polyurethane to seal the paint so it won't fade in the sun.  I placed two large pickle jars (you know those huge ones you hate to throw out because you just know that you can use them someday?) filled them with water and our Jardin bucket is sitting on our patio full of happy flowers that make me smile. 

Hoping you are able to enjoy some fresh flowers and sun today, they are good for the soul :)

xoxo, Tanya

Friday 

MyRomantic Home, Whipperberry, Redoux Interiors, Sassy Sites, Thirty Handmade Days

French Country Cottage, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello,Chic On A Shoestring  Shabby Nest, At The Picket Fence, Serenity Now, Blissful & Domestic, Naptime Crafters,  Simple Home Life

The Not So Functional Housewife, Rooted In Thyme, Craftionary, One Artsy Mama

Saturday
Funky Junk Interiors, Positively Splendid, I Heart Naptime, Family Ever After, Too Much Time, Be Different Act Normal, Six Sisters Stuff, Natasha In Oz

Sunday
Sisters Of The Wild West, Just Us Four, Nifty Thrifty Things
Cherished Treasures, Polkadot Pretties

Monday
Making The World Cuter, Be Colorful, DIY Home Sweet Home,  Covered in Grace, Between Naps On The Porch, Craft O Maniac, The Southern Institute, Keeping It Simple, Skip To My Lou,
Brassy Apple, Delectable Home, C.R.A.F.T, Get Outta My Head Please,

Tuesday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,Sugar Bee Crafts, A Diamond In The Stuff, Home Stories A to Z, Reasons To Skip Housework, Domestically Speaking, How To Nest For Less, Organize &DecorateEverything, Ladybug Blessings, Cherished Bliss, The DIY Dreamer,The Sasse Life, The Winthrop Chronicles (button below),

Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style, Someday Crafts, Ginger Snap Crafts, Clean & Scentsible,  The Trendy Treehouse, Uncommon Designs, Southern Lovely
Family Home and Life, Practically Functional, Vintage Gwen, Rae Gun Ramblings, The CSI Project

Thursday
 Delightful Order, The Shabby Creek Cottage  Somewhat Simple
Embracing Change, House Of Hepworths,  52 Mantels,  Thrifty Decorating, Not Just A Housewife, Beyond The Picket Fence, AKA Design, Crafty Scrappy Happy,Christina's Adventures, The 36th Avenue,Johnny In A Dress