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!

Nursery Details: Ben's Burlap print

Still sharing some details of Ben's nursery today. This one was a sweet handmade gift.

Peter Pan Burlap Print

My dear friend Brett is super talented and makes burlap prints perfect for nurseries and kids rooms. I'm lucky enough to have one in my son's room.  He even handmade the frame. It's such a fitting quote for a little boy's room!

Check out some of the other cutie-patootie stuff he's created!

Would these not be perfect if you were doing a woodland, camping, or rustic nursery? They'd be great for a little boy or girl's room!

set of 4 burlap prints

Oh man, if you are having a camping theme you need this print.

Tuck me in Tight print

Looking for some cute decor for your nursery? These would be such sweet and unique gifts to that friend who is expecting her little one. Take a peak at Brett's Etsy shop Porter Design Co. His prices are super good and he's a fast little worker so he's quick to ship stuff out too. Personally, I think that's always important because I am a last minute kinda gal. He has more adorable prints and I heard from a little bird he's great at custom orders too.

And before I end this post, I just have to show you..For my 30th birthday he made me a very special present. This represents my new family. I love it. And again, he even made the frame himself! He did a wonderful job. I love that we can add to it as our family grows too!

I hung it up the day I brought it home with me!  Although he doesn't have these listed in his Etsy shop convo him and ask him nicely and I bet he could work something out for you.

In case you missed it!
Ben's Vintage Nursery
Ben's dresser/changing table DIY
Billy the Bison Nursery Decor
Being a Mama...so far

P.S. This is not a sponsored post, my friend is just super talented and plus I love him. But go buy all the things!

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.

Dare to DIY: Stenciled coasters

When I was at Menards one day scanning the aisles for some kitchen backsplash ideas. I picked up a stack of travertine square tiles in the clearance section.

I wanted to make a few to bring as hostess gifts for upcoming holiday parties. I like to bring a bottle of wine from the family winery for the host, but this is just an extra to add to the gift.

Easiest DIY ever. I did it while we watched Home Alone this weekend. I love Home Alone around the holidays. It's nice to watch it with all the Christmas lights twinkling and a fire. 

Anyway, back to the DIY:

These were 2 bucks at the hardware store for all 8. They have more expensive ones. But I chose these because it was more stone-like, less shiny tile. Plus, they were in the clearance section.

Then I stenciled.

And when I messed up (because I am no Martha), I just painted over it and did a reverse stencil look.

NOT PICTURED (because it's too dang cold outside to be pausing to take action shots): Spray with a clear coat outside to make sure your minutes of hard work stenciling stay put.


I added little felt tips that I already had on hand. But you can get a huge bag at the hardware store for 6 bucks.

 And make sure you test them...

They work!

Tie a few up with some twine. And you are finished.

What do you like to bring/get at hostess gifts?

Linking up with: Decor and the Dog, Maybe Matilda, Newlywoodwards and Primitive and Proper!