Dutch Oven Garden

At the Garden Day I went to recently, I bought this succulent.

At last, something to plant in my old cast iron dutch oven.

A few months ago I left the pot burning too long in one spot, and the enamel cracked.

So I bought a new one the next time they were on sale at Aldi.
I couldn't bring myself to just throw it out and have been waiting to find some plants for it.

So this was a nice quick project after a day of garden inspiration.

I'm not sure if this is really going to grow, I have my suspicions about that plant stall,

but it's looking good, especially with some added colour from some mosaic tiles I found in the shed.

(which were long ago planned for another project).

Christmas Kitchen Dresser

 Earlier in the year I bought some chalk paints,

with great hopes of making over our kitchen dresser,

and my craft hutch.

A few months back I finally painted the dresser

and am so happy with it.

I've been looking forward to December

when I could decorate it for Christmas, 

and here it is.

These Grindley jugs love their new space,

I left them up for Christmas but added greenery and twinkle lights.

On the next shelf I made a little forest scene.

(Although I don't ever want to see 

a deer that is bigger than a house!)

A jar of snow and cinnamon

and this little girl with her lantern

also look better on their new white backdrop.

And in case you're interested,

here's what the dresser used to look like:

and here it is now:

Remind me to show you my craft hutch, too!

Chalk Paints!

After many months of waiting,

I discovered that Annie Sloan Chalk Paints

are now sold in Australia!

I ordered a beginner's bundle

from here on Friday,

And look at what just arrived on my doorstep!

Woohoo!

Much faster than I expected.

I can't wait to start painting.

These are the main candidates

for a chalk paint makeover:

our dresser by the dining table,

currently a honey pine colour,

still in good condition but 

I think a painted piece would 

make for a calmer living room.

This will be painted in Old White.

I'm planning to get some pewter knobs

and distress it a little.

The hutch in my craft room

was always going to be painted.

I've just been waiting for the paint!

This was an ebay purchase

with help from Linda.

I think this will be painted in Duck Egg Blue

and I have some fun knobs already to use on this.

First we need to work on the little 

doors at the top, they are a bit tight

and need to be cut down a little.

*

The bundle above cost a small fortune,

as do all craft supplies here in Australia.

  

But from all I read, it's worth it

in the savings on time and products

normally used for preparation,

not to mention in the quality

of the finished job.

I'm looking forward to getting started

on these two projects that I've been 

dreaming about for so long.

In the meantime, I have a few little 

projects to do first

to try out the paints.

Stay tuned!