Today I’m sharing a DIY lavender knockoff and besides this easy craft I’m sharing a great new craft. I can’t wait for you to read about it so stay through this post.
Also, today we are trying a new challenge, DIY Knockoff and Terrie from Decorate and More with Tip is our host for this every month.
Here the premise, find something of inspiration when looking in stores or catalogs. Next, come up with a way to create the piece for less money. Who doesn’t like to save money I especially do?
Terrie has so much talent with her DIY’s I hope you love her project!
How This Idea of Making a Imitation Plant Project Begins
My inspiration comes from this piece I had bought from Antique Farmhouse. This lavender knockoff is especially easy to make because faux lavender is easy to find.
For the most part, I enjoy French décor in our home. So then, I began to apply a dry brushing technique to the basket.
Supplies Need:
- fake lavender
- 6″ flowerpot or a basket
- Styrofoam
- low temperature glue gun and glue
How to Make This Easy Idea with Faux Flowers
So, then looking at my faux lavender I immediately decide I can make this and for less money. And this how I came up with my plan to make a knockoff lavender in a flowerpot!
In the meantime, I knew I didn’t have a basket to use, but that was okay because I came up with another option. Because I have painted flowerpots in my office/craft room is the solution.
Here I begin by gluing a piece of Styrofoam to the bottom. By the way when gluing Styrofoam using the low temperature setting is important. This is important because very hot glue breaks down the foam. After adding the piece of foam to the pot for my craft I hold it in place to set.
Now, begin cutting the lavender into separate pieces with a wire cutter. The next step is to add the stems to the pot one at a time to create the look of real lavender. As a rule, odd number work best when decorating. So, five pieces of lavender is all I need for my knockoff craft idea.
Making Fake Dirt to Add a Realistic Look to My Plant
Here is when I decided to make dirt that looks real to add to my craft project. I did look on Google for instructions on how to make real looking dirt and found a few, however none had exact measurements.
First, I add the kitty litter to fill the gap around my Styrofoam.
After the gaps are filled, I add non clumping kitty litter and Elmer’s glue to a paper bowl.Â
Making the dirt, here’s what’s needed.
- Plastic container
- Elmer’s glue
- Non clumping kitty litter, very important to be non clumping
- burnt umber craft paint
- black craft paint
- 2 paint stirrers or plastic spoons
Unfortunately, there’s no exact steps with this process, as I mention above the directions weren’t clear cut. I have mixed glazes and paint and felt confident I would achieve what I need to make the dirt.Â
It’s especially important is to use enough glue and kitty litter to keep it the soil pliable. Next, add a decent amount of glue to your container and sprinkle in some kitty litter and mix well.
Add a decent amount of burnt umber paint to the container and a few drops of black craft paint.
After this is well combined it will look like dirt. Incidentally I find adding the few drops of black paint gives it a more realistic look. It’s particularly important the kitty litter gets wet enough to move around. Â
Adding the Paint to the Kitty Litter to Add the Soil Look
Here use small popsicle sticks to spread the mixture carefully around my plant. After covering well, I let it dry. It dried pretty fast about one hour.
Now I begin to bend the branches of my DIY lavender knockoff outwards in spots on the outer edge to have a more realistic feel.Â
Placing my DIY knockoff on a wine barrel from Ital adds a rustic touch. Dishes add to the realistic look of this plant. A crown was adding an elegant French touch under the cloche.
For the money of kitty litter and Elmer’s glue I have to say I LOVE this project and the end result. This fake soil is truly amazing, and I will make this again.
When I created my piece above with the Florentine plaques HERE. This post is a big transformation.
Lastly, I hope you enjoyed this DIY lavender knockoff and get inspiration to try your hand at making one of your own home.
Next up is Liberty from B4 and Afters and I hope you pop over to see what she has created for this challenge she always creates wonderful pieces.
Decorate and More with Tip | Cloches and Lavender | B4 and Afters | CD’s Country Living
Sew Sassy by Paula | Patina and Paint | Blessings by Me | Through a Vintage Door
Hi– I’ve never tried to make faux dirt, but you did a good job! Good to join you in this Challenge : ).
Liberty
I love your faux lavender, Cindy! It looks so realistic! And WOW on that faux dirt! Who knew you could make it! So creative! Great Job!
I love what you did here Cindy. This turned out just lovely.
And that dirt, looks so real. Great job!!
Teresa
Cindy Your cloche is so cute how you have it styled. I love lavender as well. I could of used your tutorial on faux dirt when I made my lemon tree. Yours turned out great. Great job. Thanks for joining me on this fun knock off challenge
This turned out so beautifully, Cindy! And I love that idea for making the faux dirt! Thanks for sharing!
What a great idea on how to create your faux “dirt”! I will be using that idea in my future! I have shared this over at Chloe’s Crafters FB group!!
Thanks so much Chloe! I will be using it again definitely. Very easy to create
Beautiful! Your dirt is genius. I am totally going to try this since I can’t keep real plants alive. Awesome tip!
Love how you made the dirt. That is so great. Love this it looks so pretty.
Hugs,
Kris
Do you know how much the finished project ended up costing you? Looks great Cindy!
A bottle of Elmer’s glue and kitty litter, not bad
You did a great job! I love the faux dirt idea!
Thanks Paula
Beautiful ob, Cindy. Fascinated with the faux dirt. xo Laura
Job!! My computer is cutting things off today.
Thanks Laura, hope the baby chick is holding on
Looks amazing, my friend!! I would have never thought to use kitty litter, so creative! Looks sooo real! Love it!
Cindy this is SO pretty! You did an amazing job! I love how you styled it with the cloche. Beautiful!
Thanks so much, I’ll be making that dirt again for another project
Cool invented! Good and helpful post!
It looks great. Love your kitty litter tip as well. Thanks for sharing with us a Charming Homes & Garden Link Party.
Be sure to look for your feature on Wednesday! Rachel
Thank you so much Rachel
I LOVE this! And the dirt looks SO real! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen
Thank you for hosting!
Thank for the feature!
Thanks for the feature!
Thanks for the feature!
Thanks for the feature!
Cindy, I love what you’ve done with your lavender and that cloche is COOL! Thanks for linking up with SYS last week. Happy to feature your post in this week’s Share Your Style #257, thank you!!! <3
Happy creating,
Barb 🙂
Thanks so much for the feature!! I love this creation!Cindy
Wow, Cindy, this is awesome! I can’t get over how you made the dirt! The lavender looks so pretty under the cloche.