When I was little and my mom would ask me to do a chore, I remember protesting. My brother and sisters did it, too. I guess that is nature of kids, more fun, less cleaning. If my old Uncle Dominic was around to witness this, he would always say, "It takes longer to talk about it, than it does to do it."
As I got older, I realized that he was not wrong and today, his words came flooding back into mind when I looked at my tattered and painted old milk can. It was in need of an update, one that I had talked about doing for years, but obviously never accomplished.
I picked it up for about $5 at a garage sale. It was already painted red, a bonus, weathered and scuffed up. In other words, it was perfect. However, as time has passed, I have felt the need to add something to it, to call attention to its prettiness.
I wanted it to really stand out. I knew that stenciling it was the way to go, even had one picked out that I picked up at Michael's (with a coupon, of course). I talked about doing it all the time, but ugh, I would have to get out the paints, blah, blah, blah.
It just never got done.
Then today, I decided to just do it. It took me all of about five minutes. It's still nicked and scuffed, but that's part of its vintage charm.
I wiped the can down to remove the dust and taped the stencil to it.
I am a lazy painter and not a perfectionist, so I put some white paint on a piece of paper and quickly patted the paint over the stencil with a foam brush.
I removed the stencil and I was done. Or was I?
You see, now that the can had been adorned, the grey planter sticking out of the top looked even more terrible than before. I wasn't going to remove it, because it fit the space and the plants were thriving. Filling that whole can with dirt is unnecessary and finding a better fitting option at 8am was not happening.
So, I improvised.
I grabbed some red paint and using that same foam brush, I covered the plastic awfulness.
Next season I'll buy a more appropriate pot.
Or maybe I'll just talk about it for the next few years.
Are you more of a talker or a doer?
What do you think of my old milk can now?
I'm so jealous...you gots stencil skillz...LOL!! Seriously, this is gorgeous! I love the red and the cute stencil shape. The flowers look so pretty up against the red. I try to be a doer, but I'm much better at talking about it! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks! You are certainly a talented talker, Benita! I think you’re a pretty good doer, too, I’ve seen the recipes, photos and successful crafting post! :)
DeleteI'm a little of both I guess. I love the red and the stencil!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Thanks Brenda! I'm a doer under pressure. I was that term paper at midnight the night before gal...shh, don't tell my kids! ;)
DeleteI think it's adorable! I love that you are not a perfectionist painter.
ReplyDeleteNope! No perfectionism here, Stacey. I’d never get anything done! ;)
DeleteIt looks great!
ReplyDeleteI was the same way with a crate. I am using it for the wedding and it was just wood. I just didn't want to take the time to paint it. Finally yesterday, I painted it and I couldn't have spent more than 10 minutes. I then stenciled the wedding date on the site. It looks great and I questioned why I waited so long.
I bet it looks great, Carol, and you’re glad to have it behind you.
DeleteI have one too in black, and your making me want to paint it too! Love what you did with yours with Kim's signature red and pretty stencil!
ReplyDeleteIt was so easy, Vel, do it! :) I actually saw one recently on Hometalk with the house number painted in white on the black can. Stunning.
DeleteLooks great Kim. Love the red and your stencil skills are fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteKris
Thanks Kris! I had a lot of practice in the 90’s! ;)
DeleteHi Kim, looks fabulous. Love the red and the stencil makes it prefect. Makes me wish I still had my old milk can!!
ReplyDeletexo
I wish I could’ve done something freehand, but that’s not my forte….and I’m afraid a milk can is just too heavy to ship to you! ;)
DeleteI love your milk can all stenciled so pretty! I have recently resurrected my love of stenciling from the '80's and will stencil anything I can get my hands on! I have 3 large milk cans.....what a perfect canvas to stencil on!
ReplyDeleteI used to stencil everything, AnnMarie! I did bedding, walls, pillows, you name it. I dropped it for a while, too, but I think you're right, it's making a comeback!
DeleteI'm like Brenda...a little bit of both. Love the milk can with the stencil and you know I'm all about a quick and easy DIY.
ReplyDeleteBirds of a feather, Kristi! ;)
DeleteThis is just the sort of redo I love seeing---when it's 'good enough'! I'm pretty good at following through on my plans because I don't do a lot of projects and the ones I do are usually not difficult or time consuming. I love the bright, shiny red you used and the stencil is darling. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteJane x
I am totally a ‘good enough’ kind of girl, Jane! Some of my magazine bios actually include the line "just don’t look too close”! ;)
DeleteVery cute! Me, I'd have done it in fuchsia pink, I think. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh fuchsia sounds divine, Gwen! :)
DeleteI go in spurts. I talk a while then get a lot done. Unfortunately, my talking spurts last longer than my doing ones!
ReplyDeleteI love the can. Red is such a great color to add to the garden.
That sounds a lot like me, Jenny. Once I accomplish one project, I get motivated to do others. I'm glad you like the red, it's kind of an addiction!
DeleteHi Kim, wow you did a great job stenciling the milk can and the flowers look so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! I really like the way it came out...and it only took me 5 minutes!
DeleteIt looks great but I am laughing because I'd have never noticed the gray planter part until you mentioned it :) I was busy looking at the pretty stencil work !
ReplyDeleteOh Deb, that gray was screaming at me! I had to paint it and make it go away! ;)
DeleteLove, love your milk can planter! I always say, everything is better with stencils. :) xxx Maria
ReplyDeleteI like stencils, too, Maria. I had forgotten how fun they could be! Thanks for the visit today!
DeleteWhat a marvelous saying!!! One to live by!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd you certainly show the wisdom of it, by your great milk-can-planter do-over.
Tessa
Thanks Tessa! I try to teach my own children the wisdom in this saying. It hasn't taken yet! ;)
DeleteAnd now, you get to smile, every time you set eyes, on it!
ReplyDeleteTessa
Yes! I do! :) Thanks!
DeleteI love it and the flowers it contains too ...
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thanks Jan! I hope they bloom a bit more, it's been a slow start around here!
DeleteI'm a talker and eventually a doer, like you. I still have rooms and trim to paint, but I just keep talking about it LOL
ReplyDeleteThe milk can turned out cute :)
xo,
rue
I find that the older I get, doing things around the house becomes less and less important. I would rather be doing things at the beach or with friends. When I finally get to them, though, I am happy...and thanks! It was an easy one.
DeleteIt looks beautiful....love the stencil and the gorgeous flowers! Great way to solve the effect of rim of the pot....I do things like this too, and it is always nice to find a 'work around' rather than start a huge (unnecessary) job!
ReplyDeleteHappy week.
Helen xox
Thank you so much, Helen! I’m definitely a ‘work around’ kind of gal! ;) Thanks for the visit!
DeleteVery nice! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joy! :)
DeleteWhat a difference the stencil makes. And just that touch of color on the flower pot makes it disappear. What a wonderful mini makeover!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy! It was super easy, super quick and absolutely free!
DeleteIt turned out lovely, Kim!
ReplyDeleteThank you Julia. It's simple, but it works! ;) Thanks for the visit!
DeleteOh, I love the old red milk can, and your white stencil addition is perfect! I think your painting over the grey pot is great too! I love the two-tone red shade... and your plants look so happy spilling out of the pot.... I tend to think about things a long time too before doing them... lol!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, I think too much. I find it’s better to dig in. Now that I did that pot, I am on a roll! ;)
DeleteLOL - and to answer your questions, it depends on what it is. LOL
ReplyDeleteI really like your style and love the red you add to your home, and outdoor decorating. It simply makes me smile.
Carla
Thank you, Carla. It’s an addiction really, but that’s ok, it’s pretty harmless! ;) And it makes me smile, too!
DeleteWAAAAAY more of a "thinker" than a doer.....that's why I like to teach ;^)
ReplyDeleteYour milk can is beautiful! I have one on my back porch that needs your special touch :^)
Blessings,
J
Thanks J! Once I start doing, I get on a roll and do a lot! Then I start thinking again for a bit. ;)
DeleteWhat color red is this? It's not too bright and not too orange--just right.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much and I wish I knew Trish, I bought it already painted.
DeleteI adore old milk cans, and your update came out beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brenda!
DeleteWell aren't you glad you got er done? And that luscious red is a show stopper!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Thanks Jann and yes! So glad it’s done! :)
DeleteHaha! I'm a talker, but also a doer. Depends on my erratic energy level. I like doing, I just don't always feel up to it.
ReplyDeleteLovely makeover, Kim! And I hadn't even noticed the red-painted flower pot till you mentioned it! Good idea!
Thanks! I am erratic too, when I start to do, I can’t stop….but then once I stop, I’m done for a while!! ;)
DeleteVERY cute! Love the stencil! Good idea to paint the gray pot red too. It just blends in.
ReplyDeleteThanks Florence! It was an easy makeover...all the way around! :)
DeleteYour milk can looks great. Love the petunias and vinca also. I have a black, rusty lidded milk can with a faded gold eagle on it (bought it this way) and need to paint mine. Perhaps I'll get on it now that I've seen how clean and shiny yours looks!
ReplyDeleteI say get the paint, Barb! It was so easy to do and even with a little bit of rust, it still looks great. Good luck! :) Oh...and thanks!!
ReplyDeleteLori April 25, 2017 at 4:30 pm....I just finished painting my old milk can red also...then I put a round glass on top for out drinks, etc....will surprise my neighbors tonight!! Oh, I also planted the milk can cover...and attached it to the side!!!
DeleteThat sounds amazing!! I think I need to get myself another milk can and make a table like yours!! Fabulous! Thanks for sharing your idea with us!
DeleteSay what?? You painted paper and then smooshed it agai st the stencil with the foam brush?? Brilliant! I must try that.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I'm a talker and then I get into a doer spurt for about one project, and starting another that promptly gets pushed to the side when i run into a snag.
I have a pile of projects that need to be finished, Nancy...I am talker too!
DeleteI love your jug, its a great buy! its one of my favorite thing to do is used these container for plants and flowers.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very lucky find, Maria! If I went looking for one, I would never have found it.
DeleteLove this, great idea! We have an old rusty milk can but I haven't thought of putting a plant in the top. I will be going out to see if I have a pot that will fit in the top. Love the stencil too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda! It was so easy!
Delete