Today’s craft

Tue., Feb. 28, 2006

the U-Bild Craft Staff

If you enjoy decorative painting, you know there’s nothing more enjoyable than taking a familiar object and turning it into something lovely, unique and useful. With that in mind, it’s easy to see how a simple clay pot makes a great starting point for your spring painting projects.

What you do

A new, full-color, 40-page guidebook, “Paint-A-Pot,” will show you how to transform inexpensive terra cotta pots and saucers into colorful accessories for your home and garden. The book includes materials lists, step-by-step instructions and full-size patterns for 12 clay pot projects that also make great gifts.

If you’re new to decorative painting, a short section of general instructions will help you get started, and full-color photos will make it easy to pick just the right project. There’s even a resource list to help you find local craft supply sources.

Designs include “Sun Bells” (pictured), “Good Dog Cookie Jar,” “Butterfly Pot,” “Tassel Fun,” “Tuscany Wine Cooler,” “Dragonfly Birdbath,” “Fiesta Chip & Dip,” “Fruit Pot,” “Rose Bowl,” “Grow Pot,” “Sunshine in the Kitchen” and “Gecko Table.”

How to order

The “Paint-A-Pot” guidebook, No. LA22588, is $10.95. If you’re new to decorative painting or if you’d just like to expand your skills, you can find 19 other outdoor projects (designed especially for beginners) in a 45-page guidebook, “I Can’t Believe I’m Painting,” No. LA22566, available for $10.95. Please include $ for postage and handling and allow about two weeks for delivery.

To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Spokesman-Review, 15241 Stagg St., Van Nuys, CA 91405. To order by credit card, call 1-800-828-2453. Visit U-Bild on the web at craftbook.com.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.