DIY Mother’s Day gifts she’ll love

24 Apr 2018

Say thank you to mum this Mother’s Day with a thoughtful gift made by you. Here are three DIY projects using Resene testpots that are as gorgeous as they are simple to make.

Create a keepsake photo tray

Paint an old tray to use as a unique photo or art frame.

You will need: 

• Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat
• Resene testpots in Resene Black White, Resene Romantic, Resene Midnight Express and Resene Half Hammerhead
• An old tray
• Low tack masking tape
• Ruler
• Testpot brush
• Washi tape to attach the photo or art

Step one. Coat the tray with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat. 

Step two. Apply masking tape on a diagonal through the tray, and paint one side in Resene Black White. 

Step three. Paint the other side in Resene Midnight Express. Leave to almost dry then remove the masking tape. Top tip: don’t let the paint fully dry or the tape may lift the paint. 

Step four. Measure and mask the tray as shown.

Step five. Paint one of the triangles in Resene Romantic, and the other in Resene Half Hammerhead. Remove the masking tape. Attach your photo or artwork to the tray with washi tape and lean against the wall on top of your dresser or mantelpiece. 

Drippy vases

Upcycle some old vases with an on-trend dripped effect.

You will need:

• Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer
• Resene testpots in Resene Cosmos, Resene Tall Poppy, Resene Burnt Crimson and Resene Sunglo
• A testpot brush
• Vases of your choice

Step one. If your vases have a smooth finish, ie if they are glazed or glass, coat them with Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer. 

Step two. Paint the vases in your choice of base colour – we used Resene Cosmos. Leave to dry.

Step three. Turn the vases upside down, and steady any vases with a narrow neck by placing them in a plastic pottle. Pour your contrasting colour slowly over the base and let it drip down the sides. We used a selection of dark burgundies and orange - Resene Tall Poppy, Resene Burnt Crimson and Resene Sunglo.

Mandela dot bowls

Give old bowls a lift of colour with this Mandela-dot style effect.

You will need:

• Wooden bowls
• Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer
• Resene testpots in Resene Pink Lace, Resene Poet and Resene Kandinsky for the bowls and Resene Alabaster for the dots
• Artist’s brush

Step one. Coat the bowls in Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer.

Step two. Paint them in the various testpot colours.

Step three. Using the artist’s brush, paint the dots in Resene Alabaster, with thicker dots in the middle and smaller dots as the pattern spreads out.

Step four. Once dry, use the bowls as tealight holders or for jewellery and trinkets.

Styled and photographed by Nikki Astwood.

Published: 24 Apr 2018