How To Make Charming French Country Place Holders
The possibilities for filling the mini flower pots are endless. Set a chocolate Easter bunny or colorful jelly beans inside for guests to enjoy after dinner. Plant a succulent, pretty hyacinth, or add votive candles for guests to take home.
But these pretty pedestal name cards don't have to be used just for Easter. I plan on using mine often for family dinners. The fun is coming up with new ideas after storing the eggs until next Easter.
If you know someone getting married, these would make such pretty wedding place cards and/or guest favors.
The list is endless how these painted mini terracotta pots with saucers and wood pedestal bases could be used.
I'll fill the saucers with Easter M & M's like the one below when I set the table.
There will be eight of us for Easter dinner but unfortunately, I only had six pedestal chalkboards in my stash. Two painted terracotta flower pots and saucers will be without pedestal bases which are perfect for our grandchildren's place settings. They will less likely get knocked over then.
What you'll need to make them...
Did I mention that everything you need to make these French Country place holders can be found at the dollar store?This post contains affiliate links for your convenience so you can see what products I used or recommend to make this project. See my full disclosure policy.
I'll find another use for the chalkboards later. They are leftover from our daughter's wedding three years ago so I'm happy to finally give them another purpose.
Materials List
Mini Terracotta Flower Pots and SaucersPedestal Chalkboard Stands (base only)
White Plastic Decorating Easter Eggs
E6000 Glue
Clear Packing Tape
Laser Printer
Scissors
Mod Podge
Upper Canada Chalk Paint
Raw Silk Chalk Paint
Clear Chalk Paint Wax
Easter Grass or Moss
Easter Candy (optional)
Here's how I did it...
Pedestal base assembly
First, remove the chalkboards from the pedestal bases. Glue the mini terracotta saucers onto the center of the pedestal bases with E6000 glue and set aside.Paint Mini Terracotta Flower Pots
While the glue cures is a good time to paint the mini terracotta flower pots. First I gave them two coats of Upper Canada green chalk paint that I had on hand but you could use craft paint as well. The porous terracotta absorbed the paint quickly and they were dry to the touch in mere minutes. It didn't take long to have all eight pots finished.To add the pretty French Country look we'll be dry brushing white paint over the green paint. I used white Raw Silk chalk paint that I had on hand but white craft paint would be fine too.
Dip just the tips of an inexpensive chip brush into the paint and offload the excess onto a paper towel so very little paint is left on the brush. With little pressure on the brush, swipe across the painted flower pots in long random brush strokes. You want the green to be visible underneath.
Paint pedestal bases
Once the glue has cured on the bases, paint the wooden pedestals and flower pot saucers with the same white paint used to dry brush the flower pots. While waiting for the paint to dry we'll move on to the Easter eggs nameplates.How to make clear decals for the Easter eggs
Would you believe the Ray Dunn inspired typography on the eggs are actually DIY decals? I had been itching to try a new to me image transfer technique using packing tape. They are so quick and easy to make and now I want to go around the house and decal all our glass containers!Step 1:
I went over to PicMonkey to create a graphic with everyone's name. I sized the graphic for letter size 850 x 1100 paper and used the Amatic font sized at 150 pt. I couldn't decide whether to label the eggs in black ink or a similar green to the flower pots so I made each name in both.Next, print the graphic on regular bond paper using a laser printer ONLY. Let the ink dry for a few minutes before moving on to the next step.
Step 2:
Place packing tape over the names and overlap the tape slightly on each row of tape. Rub a credit card or brayer over the tape for a tight bond to the paper. Cut out each name close to the letters. I decided to use the black ones.Step 3:
Fill a small bowl with warm water and soak your tape covered labels for a few minutes. With your fingers rub the paper away from the back of the tape. Tada, now you have clear decals!Lay the decals tape side up to dry on a paper towel.
Step 4:
Brush Mod Podge on white plastic Easter eggs from the dollar store. You could use hard boiled eggs but I wouldn't suggest blown eggs because they may be too delicate for the pressure to rub on the decals.Place the clear decal over the Mod Podge and rub with your finger to get a good bond with the egg.
Step 5:
Once dry, brush a coat of Mod Podge over the decal and let dry. Repeat another coat of Mod Podge if necessary.Pedestal flower pot place holder assembly
Now that the painted flower pots are dry, glue them onto the center of the saucers with E6000 glue.Once the glue is totally cured, protect the paint on the place holders with clear wax and buff to a matte finish.
When setting your Easter table, fill the flower pots with Easter grass or moss. Add your Ray Dunn inspired Easter egg place cards in the French Country Easter place holders and fill the saucers with Easter treats.
So what do you think? Would you make these French Country pedestal flower pots for your Easter table or use them for another purpose?
Here are a couple more ideas to dress up your Easter table. I made this Whimsical Easter Centerpiece with fun chair spindle carrots and speckled colored eggs. I always have these Spring Burlap Cutlery Holders on our Easter Table. They are also wonderful to have on a buffet table.
For more Easter OR Spring inspiration visit my Spring|Easter page.
If you have any questions about this makeover, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!
I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.
What a fabulous idea for any type of table settings, Marie - not just for Easter! So many possibilities on how to decorate! But I think your dollar stores have nicer items than the ones near me. Those stands are too cute! And I love the soft green color you chose. It really shouts Easter! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Gail! Yes, I definitely plan on using these for multiple purposes and occassions. I love me my Dollarama (Canadian dollar store chain). We have three in our little hamlet that I frequent on a regular basis. Happy Easter!
DeleteNot only are the charming but they are oh, so elegant Marie. You have taken place cards to a whole other level with these cuties. Happy Easter my friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much my friend, I'm glad you like them! After Easter I'll continue to use them for family dinners and think of new ideas for filling the little flower pots. Happy Easter! Our outdoor Easter egg hunt is looking iffy, may be moving it indoors.
DeleteOh, these are so cute Marie! I especially love the little stands you made and if I can find the materials I have an idea for what I would do with those!!
ReplyDeleteTania
I found everything at Dollarama (Canadian dollar store chain) but I hope you can find them at your local dollar store too. Happy Easter, Tania!
ReplyDeleteThese are over-the-top charming and original!!! You always make the best crafts and these are pure joy. Happy Easter, my friend. And please oh please send me a photo of your table set. I have a feeling it will be one of the best of the season.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Susie, means a lot coming from you, a decorating rock star! I'm afraid my table won't be anything like you may have envisioned because I keep it pretty simple. Happy Easter back to you too my friend. xo
DeleteThese Easter Egg Place Cards are gorgeous Marie! I'd never know you got the materials at a Dollar Store! Enjoy your Easter weekend my friend. And oh, love love love your new theme/site btw... looks amazing! XO Hugs
ReplyDeleteLove how dollar store finds can be completely transformed into elegant decor that looks more expensive. I'll be using these for family dinners too. Glad you like the new look of the blog - still ironing out some kinks and making a few changes but soon it'll be done. Happy Easter back to you my friend! xo
DeleteI never host anything if I can help it!
ReplyDeleteI like this project. These are really adorable!
Too funny Cie! It's certainly a lot of work but I do enjoy it - just not the clean up. I'm glad you like my place holder idea.
DeleteThis is an adorable project, Marie! I'll bet that your family loved your Easter table set with these charming place holders. I love the way you made the personalized eggs. Did each person take them home or did you save them to use in future years?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Paula! My little grandson loved the eggs and made a game of "mix up the eggs and the people" and had a blast. The eggs did stay here so I can use them again in future years.
DeleteHow cute these are for Easter. Just a really cute idea Marie. I will go in and re sign for the feed. I do not want to miss your posts!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Thank you very much, Kris, I appreciate that! Something must have gone array with the RSS feed when I switched templates. I'm glad you like the place holders. My grandson thought the eggs were a fun game of now who belongs to each egg.
DeleteThank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marilyn, much appreciated!
Delete