Hand Print Planter: Mother's Day Gift

I just love now that I have a kid I can do fun artsy fartsy personalized gifts for grandparents.  This year we made flower boxes for both of Ben's grandmas.

It was super simple. We did hand prints on one side, and text on the other. You can make it even easier: handprints only on both sides. Or, you can do a fancier stencil, or Modge Podge photos. Whatever you think Grandma would like.



First, get yourself the planter. You can either build yourself a simple planter box, or buy one. We planned to build our own, but we both got swamped with work in the end of April. We were glad to find these so easily at our hardware store even if we do lose a few DIY points. These red cedar planter boxes were purchased from Menards for less than 10 bucks each.

One evening before tubby time, we set up the supplies to roll art paint onto Ben's hands. It seemed like the simple and quick part of the project. We got the camera ready for a photo opt. "The pictures would be so cute to show the grandmas!"  It ended up being a bit more chaotic. Instead of documenting the event with photos as we'd imagined, it went a little something like this:

"Look Ben, we're making your grandmas Mother's Da-- ucky no, no."

"Don't let him touch his mouth!"

"You're smearing it!"

"Don't rush me."

"Hurry, I need a rag."

"NO. Do not eat it."

"Crap, it's on the dog!"

Sounds fun huh. After that mess, this is what we ended up with on the planters.

After the baby was cleaned and put to bed, I poured myself a diet coke and got to work.  Stenciling was easy and sort of relaxing. I traced with pencil, then went over the stencil once more with a q-tip and the paint. They're weren't perfect of course.

The grooves of the wood made it hard to get each letter lined up, but we're going for the rustic look today.

I went over the boxes with one coat of Minwax Early American the next day. I was going to leave them unfinished, but decided to give it a shot, and I liked them even more. In between the stenciling of the Grandma boxes and the staining---I made my own planter box for my herbs. However for mine I decided to skip the hand prints. It was not as easy as it was cute.

Then we planted.

I like how my herb box turned out too. I did skim Pinterest text ideas more interesting than 'fresh herbs' but I typically go for basic, and basic it was again. I'm happy with it.

Ben seemed pleased with his work.

What would you do to personalize your planter box? Add photos? A design?

Pin it, share it, and save it for Mother's Day Gift idea next year!

Next, we're sharing more basement updates!

The Perfect Father's Day Gift: Cargo Totes

Disclosure: I received this product as part of an advertorial.

Did you have a good Mother’s Day? I didn’t get to see my momma this year…we are celebrating a little later in the month this year! Well, now that mom's day is over with...it’s time to start thinking about Dad! And, what to get your dad for Father’s Day. It’s already next month!

What do you usually get your dad? A tie? How about a ‘#1 Dad’ coffee mug? Are you shopping for a dad who likes to work outside on the weekends? What about the dad that doesn’t work in the office—the tradesman? Well, I have the perfect gift! A tote.  Yep. You heard me.

The first tote bag for men!

Veto Pro Pac sent me one of their brand new Cargo Totes™ to try out. This is the PERFECT gift for Father’s Day! It’s a high quality, heavy duty tote. The Cargo Tote™ is ideal for hauling tools back and forth to a job site, carrying camping gear, fishing and hunting equipment. This product is built tough, for tough jobs, and tough guys!

The totes come in Large and XL. Adam is holding the XL in the above photo. The tote is tough built, with heavy duty materials. It was easy to haul everything we needed while working on our latest project. We anticipate this tote will stand up to wear and tear, no matter how hard we are on it.

Veto Pro Pac’s Cargo Totes™ boasts:

“Designed to stand up to the rigors of daily use, the Cargo Totes™ feature 1800 Denier Body Fabric, leather handle grips and Veto's signature 3mm thick polypropylene waterproof base. Veto Pro Pac's patent pending design keeps the Cargo Totes™ standing upright and open at all times for easy access, a feature not seen on other tote products.”

You can find them out Facebook and the Vet Pro Pac Website to find out where you can buy your very own!

What are you getting the dads in your life for Father's Day?

Would your dad like a manly tote bag like the Cargo Tote?

FYI: This is a sponsored post, but as usual, the words and opinions are my own! This post does NOT contain any affiliate links.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.