DIY project

Rose Hughes comes up with a novel – and pink! – way to throw even more fun into the garden.

Build your own flamingo hoopla.

1

Find a suitable flamingo image online, copy and mark out onto the timber. Cut out carefully using the jigsaw. Sand well.

2

Undercoat with Resene Quick Dry Primer and when dry apply two topcoats to the body. I used Resene Test pots in Smitten, with White and Black for the beaks.

3

Undercoat the terracotta pots including the inside rim. Apply 2 topcoats. I used Resene Test pots in White, Abbey Road, Vanilla Ice, Half Dusted Blue and Ciderhouse.

4

Cut the wire into 10 x 250mm lengths. Drill two angled holes into the base of the bodies of each bird. Put a drop of glue into each hole and insert the wire legs. Allow to dry.

5

With suitable safety gear on, mix concrete. Put a stone to block the drainage hole and pour the concrete into each pot. Insert the bird’s legs into the concrete, ensuring the bodies are level, and allow to dry.

6

Cut felt circles to cover the concrete, with slits to accommodate the legs. Cut the vinyl tubing into 400mm lengths and join the ends by melting over a candle or similar. Allow to cool and wrap the rings with electrical or Washi tape in various colours.