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" Last fall Design Improvised author Haeley Giambalvo dreamed up the most inexpensive backyard planter after visiting her local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Aged cinder blocks for 75 cents called to her, but needed some dressing up to feel at home on her well-designed patio. With a stencil and some craft paint, Haeley turned these concrete blocks into pretty vases that won&amp;#039;t blow over in the wind.           Yesterday I had fun filling the cinder block vases I made last fall with random cuttings from our yard. The paint on them is still looking pretty good after being outside all winter #gardening #crafts A photo posted by Haeley Giambalvo (@designimprovised) on May 12, 2014 at 10:39am PDT     Here&amp;#039;s how to create a fun, inexpensive outdoor vase for your backyard cuttings:   Supplies  -Cinder blocks (I&amp;#039;ve mentioned that Haeley got hers from ReStore for 75 cents a piece, but Home Depot and Lowe&amp;#039;s both sell them in store for a couple cents more.) -A stencil that at least covers the surface of your block is best. You can always cut a larger stencil to size. Haeley used this plaid patterned stencil. -Multi-surface craft paints. Haeley likes Martha Stewart Crafts satin paints, which are UV- and weather-resistant. -Foam brushes -Masking or painter&amp;#039;s tape -A small cup or Mason jar to hold your foilage and flowers in since the cinder block is hollow  Directions  1. Tape the stencil to cinder block, then apply your favorite paint colors with a foam brush. Use an up and down blotting motion with the brush (versus a painting stroke) and a small amount of paint on the brush to avoid paint seeping under the stencil, Haeley advises. It only needs one coat. 2. Remove the stencil, and repeat on the other three sides of the cinder block. 3. Fill the cup or jar with spring&amp;#039;s prettiest cuttings from your garden, add some water (only about 1/3 of the way full), and place the vessel into the hollow center of the cinder block.  Tell us: What sort of creative flower container have you used on your patio?  -----  Plus:  See more of our pretty handy project ideas \u00BB   Spring centerpieces and table decorations \u00BB  Creative floral arrangement ideas \u00BB  46 ways to make something new out of something old \u00BB   100 living rooms you&amp;#039;ll love \u00BB "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/how-to/a5259/diy-planter-craft/>