If you are a caregiver for an aging parent or loved one, you might find it difficult at times to find a project that interests your loved one. A hobby can be a great way to pass the time, but what kind of hobby is right for the senior in your life?

Arts and crafts are usually a great gateway hobby, as they are fun, and don’t necessarily have to take a long time. This project, for example, can easily last anywhere from an afternoon to a week, depending on how much effort you and your parent want to put into it. You can make one teacup planter, or you can make a whole tea set – it is up to you!

All you need are teacups, paint (and a glaze if you want to go all-out and make sure the paint stays where you put it without chipping), a few rocks, soil, and seeds.

Here’s how to get started:

1. First, buy a white teacup or a tea set. You can get these from secondhand stores or flea markets, or you can even find blank sets at arts and crafts stores that are specially made for this purpose! Make sure that each teacup has a plate that goes under the cup, as this will catch the water that drains out of it.
2. Carefully drill a hole in the bottom of the cup for drainage.
3. Next, have your loved one paint a design on the teacup. They can paint whatever they want – the more colorful the better!
4. Let the paint dry, and if you want to make it permanent, add a layer of protective glaze (be aware that this adds an extra day or more to the process, however).
5. Once the paint is dry, place a few small rocks in the bottom of the cup. This will help with drainage, so your plant’s roots won’t get too soggy.
6. Fill the cup with soil.
7. Get the soil damp, and then add your seeds. This type of planter is great for growing herbs, or for growing small, colorful flowers that don’t grow too tall.
8. Then, just place your teacup in a warm, sunny spot, and wait for your plants to grow!
9. This type of teacup garden is very cute, and will be a lovely sight for visitors when they come into your home. If your loved one enjoyed making one teacup planter, go ahead and make a whole set! Then you can place them on a table, as if you were staging a tea party.

Keep in mind, though, that the plants that grow best in these containers are small, so don’t try to plant a sunflower in a tiny teacup! This would only lead to a dead plant (or a broken teacup), so be sure to choose the right seeds for this particular project.

Other than that, just have fun and be creative! This project will surely turn into a great hobby for any senior who loves arts and crafts.

If you or an aging loved one needs caregiver services in Rancho Cordova, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.

Source:  http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/upcycling/how-to-turn-old-teacups-and-saucers-into-garden-planters

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Jay Bloodsworth

Owner at A Better Living Home Care

I started A Better Living Home Care Agency after seeing the impersonal and inconsistent service of large home care companies and franchises in the Greater Sacramento Area. I know, because I once worked for one. I left to put the “personal” back into home care.

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