Rustic Western DIY Gift-Quick
In our small western town, we don’t have any stores within a 20-mile radius other than a general store, which has basic food stuff, like a convenience store. Now if I was well organized, which I attempt, I could purchase something on my weekly shopping trip. But sometimes things come up or I just plain forgot it on my list.
I don’t have a green thumb, but I really try. I am the eternal optimist when it comes to gardening. I know there’s many a time when I say to myself, “just go buy a crate of peaches”. It sure would be cheaper than some of my gardening failures.
One of the varieties of plants that I am successful growing are succulents.
I love that you can propagate more by just cutting off a branch and sticking it in moist soil-so easy. For this reason, I have often used this method for a quick gift.
Here’s my quick gift tip.
Keep a variety of clay pots on hand. I love their look. They fit in with rustic, cowgirl, hacienda and western looks. I tend to have a variety of sizes that I pick up at the discount store. Other types of containers work too.
Take one and give it a quick personalized touch with the chalk paint. I have several colors around because of the other projects I’ve created. There’s always a little left over. Many large stores now carry chalk paint in smaller containers, which can be used as well.
Using a craft paint brush, lightly brush around the pot with the chalk paint. 
When dry give it a quick spray with an acrylic sealer. Easy peasy. I love chalk paint. It is easy to work with and goes far. Using a 29 ounce can, I was able to paint a whole china cabinet and still had paint left over for this and three other small projects. You can get chalk paint almost anywhere or make your own.
I finish it off with a ribbon or string around the top. Different ribbons or ties can give it a rustic or western look. Anchor it in place with a dab from my faithful glue gun. A uncooperative bow will stay in place with a quick glob of glue.
Add a few pebbles in the bottom of the pot for drainage fill with soil, and plop-a very technical term, your succulent cutting in. Voila!
Multiples of these pots in a tray, can be even more decorative. Use a different succulent in each.
Materials needed:
- Clay pot
- Chalk paint
- Paint brush
- Acrylic Spray
- Ribbon or string
- Soil
- Plant
- Glue or glue gun
Step 1- lightly paint the pot with horizontal strokes. The project has a more “rustic” look if the brush strokes are visible and it isn’t a solid color.
Step 2-Spray with an acrylic spray. It will help maintain the paint if it is outside or subjected to water.
Step 3-Tie a ribbon or string around the pot, Glue in place.
Step 4-Add soil and plant.
Voila! You have a cute hostess from your home to theirs.
