The Gardening Guru Bucket!

Here is a fun project to add to your bucket list! To say my mom likes gardening is an understatement! In fact, right now on her laundry room door there is a sign that reads, "Keep door shut, seeds germinating" (true story). She has a portable heater blasting in her laundry room, to help her little seeds in mini green house, 'germinate' ... apparently! I just love my mom. So for Mother's day I wanted to make her something to help organize all of her gardening gadgets, and give her a soft place to sit!

Item's Needed:
Gardening belt
Spray paint for plastic (I used Krylon Fusion for Plastic, hammered finish)
Burlap
Glue to adhere burlap, such as Gorilla Glue
5 gallon bucket
Gamma lid (a lid that fits on the bucket that screws on and off, you can buy them from food
storage places)
Cut out wood circle to fit over lid, (hubby made mine out of plywood) and jigsaw to cut wood
Foam to cover wood circle
Material to cover lid
Clear vinyl to keep lid waterproof
Staple gun

Step 1: Make tool belt

For instructions, click here, this post was getting a wee bit long, so I made a separate post for the tool belt.  One of my favorite aspects of this projects is you can put the belt around the bucket, or where it around your waist.  If you are not a big sewer you might be able to buy something similar.  Here is my beautiful sister, and my cute daughter modeling the tool belt!

Step 2: Beautify your bucket

I choose to paint my plain white gamma lid, a coppery brown color with Krylon paint made for plastic.

Cut a piece of burlap the width of your bucket.  Glue the burlap onto your bucket, I used a hot gun glue gun. I did NOT love the hot glue gun, it would dry before I could put the burlap on, someone suggested that I use Gorilla Glue next time, and I think I will try it. The burlap not only makes the bucket look pretty, but the rough material helps keep the tool belt in place when tied. Note: I like to buy my buckets at the grocery store. My grocery store sells the 5 gallon buckets they have used from food products in their bakery for $1 a bucket. Talk to your local grocer, maybe they will let you have their five gallon buckets!
When paint is dried, attach the gamma lid to the bucket, and tie the tool belt around the belt.

Step 3: Seat Cover

Now, create a seat for your bucket. Cut a circle out of wood, my sweetheart cut a circle out of plywood for me, love him. Cut foam the same size as your piece of wood.

Cut a piece of fabric and clear vinyl about six inches larger in diameter than your wood circle.

Stretch fabric around the foam and staple to the bottom of your wood circle. Repeat for vinyl.

Attach the cushion, to the lid. Using four small screws, screw the lid to the plywood circle. I was going to velcro this together, luckily my dad saved me! Wa~la, you have a seat cushion!

I really love how it turned out... and best of all so does my mom! I was so excited to give it to her, I could not wait until Mother's Day!

I love all of the storage in the big pockets, the bucket is great storage as well.

You can take the cushion off the bucket and use it as a knee pad, when you are weeding. I wish I looked that cute when I was weeding, here is Alyssa, making an appearance on OUR blog!

This has been such a fun project! I might have to make one for myself now!

I like to link at these fabulous parties!