a portable herb garden and a Fusion giveaway.

Published on by Quandie

Happy Monday!  I hope you have your coffee in hand, this is going to be a long one!  So kick back and enjoy.

fbh portable herb garden

You all know that the people from Fusion offered me some free paint a while back to try out.  They also invited me to join their blogger group.  I am beyond flattered to be included in this group of really talented and creative people.  Today I’m participating in a blog hop with the rest of the group, and as a bonus for you, there is a giveaway component!  So, first I’ll share my Fusion project, but stay tuned at the end for all of the details on the giveaway and links to visit the other bloggers who are participating with Fusion projects of their own today.

At the same garage sale where I found my hard vulcanized fibre case, I also picked up a rusty old Craftsman tool box.

fbh before

Personally, I’m not opposed to rust.  I would have considered leaving this guy all rusty except for two things.  First, it’s going to be a gift for my mother-in-law, and I don’t think she has the same appreciation for rust that I do.  Second, someone wrote the price on top with a Sharpie at the garage sale.

fbh price

Yep, it was $2.

This is a good sized toolbox, and I decided it would make a fabulous portable herb garden for my m-i-l for mother’s day.

To prep the toolbox for paint, I sanded it quite a bit.  I wanted to remove a fair amount of the rust because I didn’t want a lot of it to bleed through the paint.  I’m sure that a proper paint job would involve somehow removing the rust entirely with some nasty chemicals or something, but that’s not the way I roll.  I just sanded until it felt pretty smooth, and then I wiped it down with a damp rag.  I taped off the handle, the latches and the Craftsman logo.  Then I added two coats of Fusion’s Laurentien.  Since you could still see the “$2” through the paint at that point, I added another two coats just over that writing, blending at the edges.  That did the trick.  I distressed the toolbox thoroughly.  Even though I didn’t leave it rusty, I still wanted it to look old.

Next I dug out my trusty Cricut machine and some white vinyl and added a title to my toolbox.

fbh herbs

A couple of years ago I used my Cricut and some vinyl to add my house numbers to my mailbox and they have held up beautifully outside in the elements.  So I’m hoping that this ‘herbs.’ holds up as well.  If not, it’s not the end of the world, the letters can just be peeled off again.

fbh closeup 2

With Fusion paint, you do not need a top coat, even if your piece will be going outside.  However, if you distress it down to bare wood or metal, like I have here, you should add some protection with wax or a top coat of some kind though.  In addition, you can add wax to help you achieve a more aged look, and that is what I decided to do with my toolbox.  I added a coat of Fusion’s beeswax first, and then strategically added some Cece Caldwell aging cream (a dark wax) to add a little more dimension.  Having that base coat of beeswax helps the dark wax be a little more ‘workable’.  You can blend it and move it around a little.

Never let it be said that I do things in the proper order.  I know it drives my handyman Ken a little nuts when I paint something, and then say “now, could you just fix this little piece?”.  He would prefer to do repairs before I paint, although I keep telling him that it’s OK if he dings up the paint, I want it to look distressed!  Anyway, I next flipped the box over and used my very manly large drill bit to make drainage holes in the bottom.

fbh holes

Plants do not do well without drainage.  Ooops, you can also see that I only painted the bottom with one coat.  Shhhh.  Don’t tell, no one will ever know.

As I mentioned this is a fairly good sized toolbox, and it’s already kind of heavy on its own.  For that reason, I didn’t want to fill it up entirely with dirt, so I used a little trick.  I filled the bottom with some empty cans and plastic bottles to take up some space.  This is a great trick to use if you have a large planter.

fbh filler

Once it gets filled in with dirt, no one ever knows!

fbh dirt scoop

One the dirt was in, the next step was to fill this baby up with herbs.  I found a great selection at my local Bachman’s.  I just love the Minnesota shaped tags on these.

fbh herb tag

I ended up with the golden oregano, chives, thyme, rosemary, tri-color sage and a purple basil.  My m-i-l loves to cook with fresh herbs, so I know she’ll get use out of all of these.

I planted them and then labeled them all with the same chalkboard picks I used for my administrative professional’s day flowers.

fbh closeup2

I tucked some vintage plates in the dirt too, just to add some interest until the plants fill in.

fbh plates

I know my m-i-l will love this little herb garden.  She often uses fresh herbs in her cooking and in salads.  If the plants fill in and get too crowded, she can always move some of them into her garden.

OK, now for the fun stuff.  You guys are eligible for some free stuff from Fusion now too!

fusion giveaway

There are two ways to enter!
1. Visit Fusion Mineral Paint here, and then leave me a comment telling me which one of their products you want to try the most and you’re in!
2. For a 2nd entry, follow Fusion Mineral Paint on Instagram here, and then comment again with your Instagram name letting me know that you have done so (or just leave the comment if you already follow Fusion on Instagram).
I will be randomly drawing a name from all of the comments I receive and that name will be provided to Fusion for a chance to win the grand prize.  Fusion will determine the final winner.  Each of the participating bloggers will be providing a name as well.  I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that my winner will be the ultimate winner!
Visit-more-Fusion-Mineral-Paint-Projects.11-PM
Hint, hint:  You can also enter the contest at each of these other blogs giving you a whole bunch of chances to win!
This giveaway is good worldwide. You must be over the age of 18 to win. Void where prohibited. Winner will be deemed by random draw. Winner must enter with valid email and reply within 3 days of winning email sent to you. This giveaway ends Monday, May 18th, at midnight EST. Winner will be announced in this blog post by May 20th.
If you don’t want to wait to win and just want to get started on your own Fusion project today, the closest place to buy Fusion for my local readers is Farmhouse Inspired in Hudson.  Jody at Farmhouse has offered a discount of 10% on Fusion paint for my followers!  So, stop in and mention q is for quandie to get the discount!  Thanks Jody!
The rest of you can find your nearest Fusion retailer here.
Best of luck to you!  I hope you win!
5/19/15 update:  I used a random number generator to pick Miranda V. to submit to the final drawing for the Fusion prize.  I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that she wins!
Final update!  The winner is Lucy Auburn, whose name was actually drawn by two of the bloggers participating.  Congrats Lucy!

103 thoughts on “a portable herb garden and a Fusion giveaway.”

  1. Pingback: Rustic paint cart with Fusion and Old Sign StencilsFunky Junk Interiors

  2. I love this toolbox – herb garden makeover. And that color is just perfect! Great project I am sure you MIL was thrilled.

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  3. What a fabulous project. I bet your MIL loved it. I would like to try Upper Canada Green in fusion mineral paint (it has hard to choose which one!) Thanks!!

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  4. What a lovely idea and your execution is spot on. Love the whole concept and picks and plates too. I am going to forward the contest to a client who is going to paint a table and chairs for her breakfast room. 👍🏻

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  6. I have several things in the holding cell that would benefit from Fusion paint. However, the first thing that caught my eye were the stencils. I have the perfect spot for stenciling right now. Thank you for the chance to win such a great give away.

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  7. What a cute idea. I think your m i l will love it. Now I need to get a few things to start painting.

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  8. This is absolutely the cutest herb garden I have seen. I have an old tool box, I might copy you! Pinned.

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  9. I have a china cabinet about the size of the beauty you painted. I would love to make mine Homestead Blue.

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  10. What a great gift for your MIL. She’s a very lucky lady.
    After looking thru the Fusion paint site I would select two products, stencils and the bees wax.
    Thanks for the opportunity to be considered for the give away.
    Vanessa

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  11. I’ve offered to help my daughter freshing up her kitchen by repainting the cabinets & faux brick backspace – fusion mineral paint in casement would be perfect for the job 🙂 And maybe a newfusion paint brush as well!

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  12. I love the herb garden tool box. I have started painting some old boxes and this is a great useful idea!
    I went to the Fusion site (because who doesn’t love a giveaway) and it was hard to choose which product that I crave.
    The beeswax, stencils, gilding paste and the transfer medium were all things I’d love to try.
    Thanks for the opportunity!

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  14. I would love to try some of Fusion’s paint…either Inglenook for a pair of nightstands for our master bedroom or the Prairie Sunset for an old metal glider for the front porch! Thank you for the chance to win!

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  16. Good Morning! I so glad that you are continuing to enjoy the Fusion paint! The possibilities are so endless with paint!! Thank you for mentioning my shop in your post!! I would like to offer a 10% discount on Fusion products for any of your followers! Just mention “Q is for Quandie”. Thank you!!!!

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  17. Pingback: Paint A Copper Metallic Star Lamp + A $150 Fusion Products Giveaway!My Patch Of Blue Sky
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  19. Thanks for the chance to win! I haven’t tried any of the Fusion products yet so I would love to try some of there paints in Prairie Sunset and Laurention as well as their brush cleaner and transfer gel 🙂

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    1. That Prairie Sunset does look pretty, doesn’t it. I haven’t tried the transfer gel, but I do love the brush cleaner. And I clean a lot of brushes!

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  20. FUSION paints has a great site! I would love to try antiquing gel! Brushes! Some paint colors….so rich! Thanks!

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  21. I really want lots of paint colors, brushes, brush cleaner, beeswax, antiquing gel, stencils. Hmmmm. Was I supposed to choose one thing??

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  25. I only learned about Fusion Paint after I started following your brilliant, creative and beautiful blog! My current project is an architectural piece (something you would use for a mantel or large doorway) that I picked up at an estate sale. It is white clean plaster and the home owner never did anything with this detailed piece. It is waiting for paint and finish, so I’m looking for some paint suggestions. I’d like to layer two colors, and then use the beeswax and a dark finish along the scroll lines and various corners to make it look aged. And, what I have discovered by reading your blog religiously, that Fusion Paint will set and become permanent in time. I honestly do not have a call for one color over another, but would like to create something timeless.

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    1. I like the idea of layering the Algonquin under a lighter shade, maybe the Limestone. Maybe do a wet distressing technique (basically use a damp cloth to wipe off some of the paint along the edges before it is fully dry) on the Limestone layer to reveal the darker layer beneath. Then definitely use the two waxes to add some more dimension. I’m sure it would be lovely!

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  26. I love your herb garden and hope your MIL will be pleased that you created something so unique for her. I would like to try Fusion paint and use their transfer medium to turn a ho-hum planter project into WOW!

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  28. I would love the try the color Upper Canada green or Inglenook. Great idea with the tool box. I love planters that are creative and unusual! I use an old, rusty pink enamel chamber pot for flowers that I think is perfect.

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  29. Pingback: DIY Rustic Photo Frames - Clean and Scentsible

  30. what a wonderful give away!
    I am all in on the Fusion paint – I would love to try their brush soap and brushes.

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  33. Pingback: French Hope Chest Makeover | So Much Better With Age

  34. This is the most adorable toolbox idea I’ve seen yet! And your chosen Fusion colour is perfection! I’m seriously going crazy over this project!

    Thanks for the great wax layering tip. I too have found dark waxes to be a little overpowering at times, so I will be sure to remember to put on Fusion’s Beeswax first!

    I can’t wait to pin the daylights out of this project… my junk people are going to go crazy… 🙂

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  38. Great toolbox planter! Your gifts are so adorable. I have two dining chairs (freebies) that I’ve been wanting to paint. Casement looks like a great choice for my kitchen. Congrats on the blogging gig 🙂

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  40. I would love to try fusion paint and I’m thinking that stone texture would be fun to try! Thanks Linda

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  43. Not to be copycat but I think Laurentein would be one of the first colors I would try! And I’d get some new brushes…..and some beeswax….and some stencils, oh my!

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  45. This is such a fabulous project! I love the color you chose and the fact that it is an old toolbox. Really, I love the way your mind works. I am anxious to try some Fusion paint. First off, I love that they offer such cute testers, since I would love every color. Buttermilk Cream, though, is such a sunny warm yellow I think I would start with that one. 🙂

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    1. The testers are cute, and they are perfect for painting something like my toolbox. Although I didn’t use a tester on mine, I’m sure that I easily could have. I want to try the Buttermilk Cream as well, it’s such a yummy pale yellow. Good choice Anya!

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