holiday DIY with the kids

cement planter made from recycled packaging

1. Collect recycled food packaging for molds. Pay attention to unusual shapes. Wash them and spread out to find proportional molds. For instance, a cottage cheese container in an ice cream container works well.

2. Combine the dry cement mixture in a plastic bucket using one part cement, and 4 parts vermiculite. Use gloves when mixing. 3. Slowly add water as if you were making dough, being sure to add the last part of water slowly. Humidity can affect how much water you need. It should be the consistancy of peanut butter. (It looked too dry to me but you will be suprised.) The mixture should clump in your fist and hold its shape. We used a drill to mix the materials but a shovel will work if you don’t have one. Be sure to wash it immediately after mixing. 4. Transfer mixture to one of your recycled containers. 5. Tap the container on your work space to make sure it settles in until the top is flat and even.

6. Push a smaller container into the larger one. Remove the displaced cement mixture and put it back in your bucket. I like to put it in off center to give it that cool modern look.

7. Place the sheet metal on top and flip it over. Move the container back and forth to get the top nice and flat. Leave to dry for at least 24 hours

8. To remove the molds, tear off the outside mold if it is paper or use a knife to cut off plastic molds. Pull out the inside mold with pliers.

9. Sand the edges smooth 10. To create drainage, drill holes in bottom. Let dry for at least two days before drilling.

11. Plant a succulent! Enjoy!

to see a pictorial version pop on over to ready made . there are loads of other fabulous projects to try, the site is CHOKA block of inside, outside, craft etc..DIY projects, some are a little daggy but its kind of nice to wander through a site that is not awsum in its styling and just to find that sometimes SIMPLE is all it takes to get your kids / your creative minds working :)

happy holidays everyone xoxo