her craft: Paint a flower pot for Mom

If there’s one universal Mother’s Day gift, it’s a potted flower. And there’s a reason that’s acceptable -- it generally goes over quite well with the recipient and it’s seasonally appropriate.

But it’s pretty impersonal just to hand mom some dirt and blossoms in a boring ol’ store bought pot.

This month’s craft is a Sponge Painted Flower Pot from Stephanie Brockman, a fifth grade teacher at St. Mary’s Magnet Academy and third-year instructor for Columbus State University’s Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center for Continuing Education’s Activ8 Summer Camps. She’ll be teaching 11 Activ8 sessions this summer ranging from Princess Party to Basic Wizarding.

Brockman, who is also a painter, said the sponge painting is easy enough for kids to do on their own or a fun activity to share with mom on Mother’s Day.

“It doesn’t have to be perfect,” she said. “That’s what’s great about homemade stuff.”

Materials:

Clay flower pots

Acrylic paints

Brushes

Paper plates to put paint on

Pre-cut sponge shapes or regular kitchen sponges or stamps

Newspaper to protect work area

Apron or old shirt to protect clothing

Glitter (optional)

Stencils (optional)

Item for inside the pot, such as a planted flower or candy; a larger pot could be filled with candles and bath stuff

Tips:

Rinse and dry sponges between colors

If you are using glitter, sprinkle it on while the paint is still wet.

If you want to layer colors/designs, wait for the first layer to dry before adding more.

Instructions:

1. Choose pre-cut sponges or cut a household sponges into desired shapes.

2. Select your paint colors and squeeze a small amount of each paint onto paper plates.

3. Dip sponge so its is well-covered.

4. Press the sponge onto the surface of the pot, where you want to make your design.

5. Continue until the pot is to your liking. Let dry.

6. Place a plant or other gift inside your finished pot and your gift is ready for mom.

This story was originally published May 1, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "her craft: Paint a flower pot for Mom."