I’ve had this little basket that I picked up at a thrift store floating around the house for a few months now with my plan to give it a milk glass makeover. It was a little grungy but I thought if I went full white it could become quite pretty. I can’t continue with this post though until I tell you the story of my monster aloe plant. A while back my mom stopped by our place to drop some things off when we weren’t home.
(Teaming up in our DIY Blog Hop this month with thrift store finds, check out all of the projects following my post. If you’re interested in joining us click here for more info!)
The text I received from her made me snort, “What is going on with your aloe plant!? Its AMAZING!”
For some perspective, a before and after picture of my aloe:
I don’t have a green thumb but I’ve found that my house plants do pretty well on the verge of total neglect. I throw some water at them when I remember to (generally once a week) and they all seem to do fine.
Back in 2017 (the first picture of my aloe when he was little) I planted that flower basket / box to hang up in our master bedroom and, miraculously, all the plants did REALLY well.
They grew right out of the flower boxes so I repotted most of them over a year ago – hence the giant, octopus-like, aloe plant that is now on a table in our entryway…
It looks a little beaten up because I’ve, at no small risk to life and limb, repotted it twice since then into bigger and bigger pots.
I admit, when my mom told me how much she loved it I asked if she wanted to take the monster home with her. She actually thought about it but realized she had absolutely no place for it… who does?! Anyway, my monster had a couple of seedlings and she was very excited at my giving those to her once they got a little bigger.
Perfect mother’s day basket opportunity and a chance for my monster to take over another household!
(What’s really amazing is when I picked it up from walmart that aloe plant was so sickly and dried out I actually wondered if it was fake when I planted it… obviously not a fake… I still can’t believe how it thrived in the fours years since.)
I thought of my thrift store basket and gave it a new paint job with some leftover rustoleum white high gloss spray paint. From there I carefully transplanted the two seedlings into new potting soil.
Aren’t they adorable?! What sweet, innocent little guys right now… kind of like picking up a kitten to realize later that you actually brought home a cougar.
I set it on a pretty wood tray I found on Amazon complete with a bottle of wine, some boxed chocolate and a fun pop up card.
I think it turned out pretty great!
Though I call it a monster I’m proud of my aloe doing so well that I can actually pass it on!
I think my Grandma would be proud!
I always look forward towards your posts and partys.
Thanks for coming by Rebecca!
What a cute little basket and the paint made it one of a kind. All in all it’s a great gift!
Thank you Maybeth!
Your Mom is going to love the basket with your baby aloe plants. What a thoughtful gift!
Thank you for hosting our DIY hops. I love making new friends and being inspired.
Have a wonderful week,
Kippi
Thank you Kippi, its great hopping with you and all of the other gals!
This turned out so cute, I just love a non traditional planter and the story of your aloe plant monster is just hilarious! Your mom is going to love it! Such a treat getting to know you and hop with you ๐ค
Thank you so much Allison!
I love how a little paint can change anything. You made it look fantastic, and gives it that vintage milk glass look. Wonderful hopping with you friend.
Thank you Chas!
Awww, what a great gift for your mom. And the little white basket is the perfect upcycle to hold the Aloe!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
Thank you Niky!
What a sweet and thoughtful gift! Your mom is going to love the aloe plants in this cute basket. Always fun to see what you next.
Thank you Kim!
Omg, that aloe plant is amazing. I need to step up my indoor plant game… ๐ What a fantastic gift for your mom. The little basket looks perfect painted all white with the baby aloe, and the whole tray is such a good idea. Thanks so much for hosting a great hop!
Thank you Amy!!