DIY Lavender Knockoff

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.

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. 

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. 

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.  

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. 

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.