Take THAT, Pottery Barn

Oh Pottery Barn,

You think you're so fancy...and you are.

I often get your catalog and dream of having it's contents splashed all over my house.

Then I look at my bank statement and realize, that just ain't happenin'.

Much to my delight, I saw a post on Dollar Store Crafts about making the robin's egg vase filler from PB. SWEET!

PB's vase filler is really cute and would just be fabulous sitting on my table, but there is no way I am paying $14 (plus tax) for those bad boys. I will however pay $1 (plus tax).

Seriously people, these were so easy and turned out so fabulous.

I went to the Dollar Tree and bought these little foam eggs, took them home, pulled out the ribbon, stuck them on kabob skewers (for easy handling during painting) and painted them (*note* use a sponge brush, NOT a regular paintbrush)!

I had the paint on hand. I mixed a couple of colors until I found the shade I like. Even if you had to buy the blue and brown paint, that's like, what, two or three bucks (depending on the brand you buy)?? Paint the entire egg, one heavy coat will do ya, or two thinner coats. When it's relatively dry (or when you've run out of patience, whichever comes first), take them outside and splatter the heck out of them with brown paint. I did this using The Dude's an old toothbrush. I thinned the brown paint with a bit of water first to make it splatter a bit better.

For argument's sake, let's say I had to buy the eggs, buy the paint AND buy the vase they're pictured in (from the dollar store): the total would come to

$1 for the eggs

.99 per paint color (2 needed)

$1 for vase

plus LA state tax

My little project cost would have been $4.30, a far cry from $15.12 (even with the free shipping PB is advertising).

I'm gonna go swipe some Spanish moss from the trees down the street to complete the nest-look in my vase. That little addition will be free-ninety-five, people...courtesy of mother nature.

P.S. the eggs came out looking sort of electric blue in these pictures. I assure you this is not the case. I'm just too lazy to go mess with the color saturation/shadows/crap like that.