You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
This fun project of breathing new life into my garden critters all started with a recent purchase, which after I got it home, looked rather "cheesy" afterall. It was a huge plastic frog in blaring green that I'd purchased at Goodwill for 49 cents. It has a mechanism in it that when you walk past it, lets out a cute "Ribbit". When I got it, I thought it would be cute for the grand babies to walk past. I couldn't wait to see their expressions as the frog "ribbited" when they walked past. The only problem was, when I placed it in my yard, it stood out like a sore thumb. I got out my cans of spray paint and covered that rascal up. He went from being "cheesy" to being beautiful! One thing led to another, and the next thing I knew, all of my "ratty" looking critters and statues were in line to be painted!
Trash to Treasure: Breathing New Life Into Your Garden Critters
I've been collecting treasures from thrift stores and garage sales for about 25 years. I've always been told that one man's trash is another man's treasure. I'm a firm believer in that philosophy!
Here in Southeast Texas, our winters consist of just a couple of freezing days, so most of my garden treasures stay outside because there are so many of them and I'm just too lazy to bring them in.
Over the years, some of them started looking rather "ratty". The paint was peeling or the critter had faded from too much sun. So recently, I decided to bring them back to life. How, you say? Well, I used spray paint to make them beautiful once again. They've all got a new lease on life!
I've been using Rustoleum's Hammered Metal paints for a couple of years on various things, like old planters, whether plastic, metal or terra cotta, and plant stands. I'm rather partial to the copper, bronze, black and gold colors.
I bought this beautiful dancer in 2007 at an estate sale for $15.00. She was the first of my garden art to receive the Hammered Metal paint. I used black to restore her beauty.
I recently painted a waybigo bird cage that I had found on the side of the road. It went from a rusty looking white monstrosity, that sat off to the side for 6 months with me trying to decide what to do with it, to a beautiful yard sculpture that I will park a nice Duranta tree in. It took me 2 days to paint the whole thing inside and out, but I was so pleased with the results that it was well worth the time I spent doing it. My index finger was numb for days afterward! I used bronze, copper and gold on this cage.
I went to buy more of this Hammered Metal paint recently to finish painting the bird cage. Originally it came in a regular spray push button paint can. The paint was to be used on metal. I'm here to tell you I've used it on just about any surface imaginable. Rustoleum has changed their packaging and now the paint comes in a trigger type sprayer and it says it's for all kinds of materials. The price went up by $2 per can so I bought as much as I could. Came out with $75 less in my pocket. I use this stuff on everything and really like the way it covers and protects. The colors are so rich and elegant. After I finished painting that bird cage, I thought to myself, Why not paint some of the garden critters that don't look so hot any more.
This fun project of breathing new life into my garden critters all started with a recent purchase, which after I got it home, looked rather "cheesy" afterall. It was a huge plastic frog in blaring green that I'd purchased at Goodwill for 49 cents. It has a mechanism in it that when you walk past it, lets out a cute "Ribbit". When I got it, I thought it would be cute for the grand babies to walk past. I couldn't wait to see their expressions as the frog "ribbited" when they walked past. The only problem was, when I placed it in my yard, it stood out like a sore thumb. So I got out my cans of spray paint and covered that rascal up. He went from being "cheesy" to being beautiful!
One thing led to another, and the next thing I knew, all of my "ratty" looking critters and statues were in line to be painted!
All of this painting this has caused me to have a whole new appreciation for the things I already have. NOT that it's going to stop me from looking for more treasures though. :-) There have been many a treasure I passed up because it looked like it was beyond repair. Now I know better.
This is the first batch of critters to get painted.
This resin turtle stand was so faded and chipped. No one would ever know he wasn't always this pretty.
This $5 garage sale bird bath is also made of resin. It was always so moldy looking. I bleached it and coated it with paint and it will be used for many years to come.
My oldest sister, Diana had this concrete frog sprinkler in her yard. The poor thing had been dropped and was never going to squirt water again. This new coat of paint has made him beautiful again. Diana, no longer with us, would be so proud to see him today.
Here is the second batch of critters painted the same day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Here are some things to think about when you get ready to do your painting. Obvious to some folks, but I'm gonna say 'em anyway. This is the voice of experience speaking here.
Choose a non windy day. I've gotten impatient and painted in the wind and had so much overspray from the paint in my nostrils when I got done that I was scraping it out with Q-tips for days!
Wear old clothes and old shoes.
Wear old gardening or laytex gloves when you paint. No matter how neat you think you are, this paint is awful to get out from under your fingernails and off of your hands.
Cover your eyeglasses with plastic if you wear them.
If you have long hair, pull it into a pony tail/braid and/or wear a hat. A hat might be a good idea even if your hair isn't long.
Wash the item you plan to paint really well. (Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Those times I didn't, I see more imperfections in the paintjob afterwards and wish I had.) Let it dry completely before you begin to paint.
Put newspaper or plastic under the object you are painting. I happen to have 2 homemade hideous tables that just happen look better when I get finished painting. I don't worry about them, but I do worry about my grass with big objects.
Try and avoid painting in the hot sun. Your body and skin will thank you and the paint will dry more evenly when it's not in the sun.
Shake that can vigorously for several minutes before you use it. The paint will be mixed better and spray more evenly.
When you are finished painting for the day, turn the can upside down and give it one last spray until only air comes back out. This cleans out the nozzle so it will be working properly the next time you use it.
I'm partial to the several colored look. To get that look, start with your darkest color and paint a fairly heavy coat. Give it a few minutes to "set". Then gently spray in a sweeping motion the rest of your colors until you get to the lightest one. Use a light hand. You can always add more, but it's hard to take it away. Your paint will last longer and go further with a light hand also.
Here are some before and after shots of garden treasures I've painted this year.
This angel stand and birdbath look so much better now that they coordinate together.
I love the rich elegance of the combination of metal colors. My "new" treasures don't detract from the beauty of my garden with bold brash colors.
The dancer and the sunbathing frog have both got a classy look to them now.
This paint peeling eagle stand and non working fountain sprinkler were destined for the garbage can until they got a new lease on life.
I will warn you folks about this... Once you begin using paint on your critters, every thing in your yard is fair game for paint. You'll have a line out the back yard to the street if you're not careful.
You don't have to paint your entire collection of garden art in one day. You can spread out the fun over several days. And that IS the key, to have FUN while you're doing it. Get creative with your painting. I'm here to tell you... It's a blast!
About Janet Colvin
Living in Southeast Texas, I have always enjoyed tropical plants and warm sunny weather. My gardening has become much more diverse and my plant collection has rapidly multiplied since joining the great folks at Dave's Garden. Working with my sister, we create unique copper garden art. I love to think outside of the box and can be found in the Coleus and Artisans Forum.
Posted by themir (from La Quinta, CA) on July 9, 2008 at 2:00 PM:
great article---nice treasures. have you ever used metallic coatings? check out this website [HYPERLINK@www.fountainpaint.com] there is some great stuff especially if you go to their main site.
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 9, 2008 at 4:25 PM:
Thank you so much. I haven't tried this product. I've bookmarked the site though for future reference. Your fountain looks wonderful!
Janet
...
Subject: Spray paint trash to treasure ...
Posted by Napergal (from Naperville, IL) on July 7, 2008 at 8:17 PM:
All your items look gorgeous!! So much better than the bright colors that detract from the garden look!! I use a lot of terra cotta spray paint, also the "stone" look. I just wanted to add that when painting, I always put on a mask and I spray small items in a cardboard box to contain the overspray. This summer, I painted a couple of gray plastic urns black and put huge ferns in them at my front door ...than I sprayed some hanging plastic pots black also, and they are all coorindated now and very elegrant looking. One of them, I turned upside down and put a glass top on for a table between two wicker chairs. Cheap found table!! Sandy
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 7, 2008 at 8:52 PM:
Quoted:
when painting, I always put on a mask and I spray small items in a cardboard box to contain the overspray
This is excellent advice. Especially for anyone who might have breathing problems. Thank you for your suggestion.
I bet the coordinated planters and table look wonderful together. I haven't tried the terra cotta or the stone paints. Those will be next on my list.
Something you might want to think about though for future planters is that black planters get hotter than lighter colors. I just found that out this year. It makes sense when you think about it. Much like a black interior of a vehicle gets hotter than a lighter colored interior.
I have a black pond form that I am using for a vegetable garden. When "winter" rolls around, I am planning on painting the outside of it a lighter color. Maybe I'll try the stone color on it to dress up the sides of it. Right now it dries out very quickly. Much quicker than it should.
...
Posted by Dollykat (from Lucasville, OH) on July 8, 2008 at 3:09 PM:
I've used the bronze/brown hammered metal paint on ratty-looking plastic pots and hanging baskets, to good effect, also. I have two very large plastic containers which has a raised vine motif around their midsection. I spray-painted the raised part sage green. No need to try to confine the green paint exactly to the raised part. After the green paint dried, I used the brown hammered metal paint, quickly dabbing the raised part with a dry, wadded cloth (paper towels didn't work). After the pots were all painted and dry, the green barely showed through, giving the pots an oxidized metal look. My neighbor obtained an old flagpole which she sprayed with the silver hammered-look paint. When she put up the flagpole, it looked new. This paint is great!
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 8, 2008 at 3:49 PM:
Dolly that sounds neat! I bet it looks great! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.
...
Subject: No more numb fingers
Posted by jvdl1 (from Englewood, FL) on July 7, 2008 at 5:41 PM:
Janet you can buy a gadget that snaps onto the top of the spray can, it's like a pistol grip with a trigger, you can spray all day long & not bother your finger. they can be bought at any paint dept. at any major store for less than $5.00.
John
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 7, 2008 at 5:47 PM:
Thanks John. I did get one of those with the Comfort Grip after this article was written, along with about a dozen more cans of paint. I love it and would recommend it to anyone that has a menagerie of critters or other BIG items to paint.
...
Subject: Let's see some before and after photos
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 7, 2008 at 4:53 PM:
Thank you all for your kind words about my article. I'm so pleased that several folks have been inspired to paint some of their own garden treasures. We'd all love to see the transformation of your yard treasures. Your before and after photos of your garden art are most welcome.
I started a thread in the Trash to Treasure Forum which was the inspiration for this article, called "Garden critters get a new lease on life", which can be found at this link. [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
It would be easier to post photos there than in here because only the first post in each thread of the articles is allowed to have photos. We welcome your photos in that thread for further inspiration.
Thank you so much,
Janet
...
Subject: Thanks for the article!!!!
Posted by DriftingDude (from Charleston, SC) on July 7, 2008 at 2:19 PM:
I have the Thinker in my garden also. Time for a paint job methinks!..
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 7, 2008 at 4:44 PM:
Sometimes I find things that might have a small flaw, like a nick or something. I pay next to nothing for them. This paint will conceal many flaws and give the art new life. I started a thread, which actually inspired this article, in the Trash to Treasure Forum. [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] We'd love to see some before and after photos of your garden art. It would be easier to post photos there than in here because only the first post in each thread of the articles is allowed to have photos.
I'm looking forward to seeing your transformation!
Janet
...
Posted by DriftingDude (from Charleston, SC) on July 8, 2008 at 1:04 PM:
Currently I do not owe a digital camera. Maybe one day I will and I will post some pictures. Thanks again for the ideas.
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 8, 2008 at 2:21 PM:
You are quite welcome!
Keep Drifting Dude! It keeps life exciting!
Janet
...
Posted by DriftingDude (from Charleston, SC) on July 8, 2008 at 6:30 PM:
LOL...it does Janet...
Michael
...
Subject: (re)painting garden art
Posted by ifferd (from Leola, PA) on July 7, 2008 at 11:45 AM:
Be careful what you paint! The man's head you repainted looks very much like a bust of Michaelangelo's "David" that I purchased for $4 at a yard sale. When I looked it up online, it was worth about $40+ and that was over 5 years ago!
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 7, 2008 at 4:41 PM:
Thanks for the warning. I paid 99 cents for mine at Goodwill. He's only about 6 inches tall. While I have purchased things like that and resold them, on ebay, etc. This particular statue, I never intended to resell, but just to enjoy him. Many times I find cool things like that that might have a nick in them. With paint, the flaw is concealed and I'm tickled pink, er, bronze, er, maybe it's copper. HAHAHAHA
...
Posted by ifferd (from Leola, PA) on July 8, 2008 at 12:41 PM:
I really enjoyed your article as I'm a big fan of "garden art." Keep up the good work!
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 8, 2008 at 12:52 PM:
Thanks! I will. :-)
...
Subject: Pushing me...
Posted by Sheila_FW (from Fort Worth, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 12:22 PM:
You are pushing me in the right direction! I have been needing to repaint all my items, but I was dreading it. Considered just throwing them in the garbage until your article. One color....I can do that easy! Thanks for the inspiration Janet!
ps....I have always hated missing that 2nd CS RU when you came. Hope to meet you one day! Love to read threads about you and your sister's facinating artwork.
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 12:36 PM:
Aaaawww Thanks Sheila. I hate that I missed meeting you too. Maybe you can make the one in Houston this month on the 26th at RJ's house. Connie and I will be there. We do have a good time creating things that can't help but make folks grin. I think we get that from our Dad. He was such a wonderful prankster.
It's a lot of fun seeing things in our yards go from ready for the trash to Hey I think I"ll keep that one a few more years. It's especially nice with sentimental things that you just don't want to get rid of.
...
Posted by Sheila_FW (from Fort Worth, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 12:54 PM:
If things were settled here with DH's health issues, I would definately be on the road. But he is lookin at a second back surgery probably sooner than later. We both retired and now can't get away for anything.
Got to put that paint on my list now so I don't forget again!
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 1:05 PM:
I'll keep your DH in my prayers. Back surgery is a major thing and hopefully they can get his problems corrected.
The hammered metal paint can be found at most hardware stores and I would be willing to bet Walmart has it too. Pick up a couple different colors. I love the bronze and the copper best. The two "mixed" are my favorites!
...
Posted by Sheila_FW (from Fort Worth, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 2:46 PM:
I thought it looked like bronze and copper, thanks.
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 4:33 PM:
What can I say? Copper runs in my blood! HAHAHAHAHA
...
Subject: Three Thumbs up!
Posted by Eufaula (from Eatonton, GA) on July 5, 2008 at 8:58 AM:
Janet your Article is just wonderful and thanks so much for all the photos! This has really given me some great ideas on how to revive my Froggies , out there in the sun , "Chillin" around the Goldfish pond! Thanks Gal! Eufaula
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 9:00 AM:
I'm so glad you liked it. I hope it inspires others to renew their treasures. Having collected these treasures for so many years, some of mine were really looking their age. I can almost see them looking happier now. Kind of like I feel after getting my hair colored! HAHAHAHA
...
Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on July 5, 2008 at 1:26 PM:
Great article, Janet. Good information AND easy for anyone to understand, esp. with the Before and After photos.
I've watched your work on here for years since I do a lot of copper work myself, and I've always liked how you inspire others to try something...
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 1:38 PM:
Thank you so much Darius. It seems no matter what I'm doing, in my mind, I'm thinking of ways I can share it with others. Dave's is such a great place to share fun projects. The folks here always seem to appreciate it and that makes it so much more fun. One thing's for sure, there's not a shy bone in my body. HAHAHAHA
Now you're gonna have to share some of your copper work. And if you have already, just point the way. I always love seeing what other people come up with.
...
Subject: Need help thinkin' "outside the box"...
Posted by podster (from Deep East Texas, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 8:28 AM:
I saw your thread on this and loved it. You are most clever with how tos... Since reading the thread, I have been rolling an idea around in my brain. I've some of those old metal lawn chairs needing refurbishing. I had painted two navy blue with white frames and one purple (my favorite) with white frame. I think I'd like this hammered metal finish but afraid it would look cheesy with a white frame and overwhelming if all done the same. Any thoughts on a contrasting color for the frame.
I enjoy your articles and posts. Always entertaining and informative...
Thanks... pod
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 8:43 AM:
Thanks Pod. I'm glad you like the article. I had fun putting it together and enjoy sharing with the great folks here at Dave's.
You could use just the hammered black where the white is now to give it a really nice contrast to the metallic colors. I bet they will be beautiful when you're done.
I've recently purchased a nice trigger sprayer thingamajig that goes on top of the spray cans. It's got a great cushion grip on it. It really helps on the fingers when you have a large object, like your chair to paint. It was around $5, but well worth the cost considering how many things I paint.
...
Posted by planolinda (from Plano, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 3:19 PM:
i love all the ideas you come up with! i spray painted a bamboo table and chairs after seeing your work and it looks great -but i think that "thingamajig" would have helped--it was a lot of spraying and sometimes getting behind, around etc it was a little hard to hold on to the can-thanks again
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 4:32 PM:
I bet your table and chairs turned out great Linda! If you plan on doing more of the painting, that sprayer is a great "investment". Investment in fatigue of the trigger finger, anyhow! HAHAHAHA I find it's well worth the little expense it cost me. Look for it at your hardware stores.
...
Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on July 5, 2008 at 6:45 PM:
Wow, so that's what I could do with those old rusty birdcages...thanks! Wonderful critters you have--that paint sure makes a world of difference!
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 6:55 PM:
Thanks KY! I am enjoying them so much more these days.
I'd recommend scraping off as much rust as you can before you start painting. Wash and dry the cages completely and then start painting. You'll be happier with the results than you would if you just paint over the crusty old rust. The paint should prevent any new rust from forming.
Good Luck!
Janet
...
Posted by dietelbug (from Claremont, CA) on July 7, 2008 at 2:00 PM:
This is GREAT! I'm moving to a yard with lots of statuary that's looking very tired. Nothing like some paint to change the mood. I have a Loch Ness (we call her Nessy) and she could use some metallic to really make her 8' of shoulders & head shine!
...
Posted by podster (from Deep East Texas, TX) on July 7, 2008 at 2:09 PM:
Love to see a photo of Nessy when done.
I haven't decided on colors for the chairs yet but everywhere I look outdoors, I see things I can paint.... Are you sure you are being paid a commission? LOL!!
...
Posted by 614longfellow (from Mount Airy, MD) on July 7, 2008 at 2:35 PM:
What wonderful ideas you have - many of which I'm ready to apply to my own tired old creatures! I was wondering what technique you used on the bust and on "The Thinker", as I'd like to try that first. I've never been what one would call artistic, so I can't tell just by looking.... Thanks for your input!
This message was edited Jul 7, 2008 4:17 PM
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 7, 2008 at 4:38 PM:
dietelbug, Nessy sounds like a wonderful creature to have in the yard. This paint would really give her new life and make heads turn. 8 ft. is quite tall and I can't wait to see this when you get it painted. You are welcome to post some photos of before and after. This article was inspired by a thread I started in the Trash to Treasure Forum. [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] That might be an easier place to post the photos. They'd be quite welcome there.
Pod, I don't get any kind of commission from RustOleum. I did write to them and let them know how much I appreciated their Hammered Metal paint. Who knows? Maybe they'll send me a coupon for a can of paint. HAHAHAHA
I noticed on the RustOleum website that the Hammered Metal paint comes in quite a variety of colors. It also comes in a brush on paint. That may work better in some applications that the spray can of paint. Now get busy on those chairs so we can see them. And like I told dietelbug, post the photos in that thread so we can see the before and after shots.
614longfellow, I started with the bronze paint and covered the whole surface on both David and on the Thinker. Once that was almost dry, I sprayed the copper very lightly, leaving some of the bronze showing, and then did the same with the gold. Think about how highlights work on hair, where the stylist uses several colors and "mix" them to achieve the lights. Personally, I think the combination of colors makes it look much more elegant that just using one color. Also, by having all of the art have that same "look", it makes for consistency in the yard. The metallic colors don't detract from the plants that are close by. I hope you too will post photos of before and after. It really is easy. I don't consider myself artistic enough to paint a scene on anything without embarrassing myself, but I can spray paint 'til the cows come home! HAHAHAHA
...
Subject: Great article, again
Posted by libellule (from Fountain, FL) on July 5, 2008 at 4:20 AM:
I do like that spray paint..it is so cheap and makes such a difference. I am going to have to hit the thrift stores with an eye to 'garden critters'. Of course, there are a few things in my yard that I can paint right now...well, when the sun comes up.
Absolutely love your dancing lady.
Nice tip on holding the can upside down and spraying till only air comes out. I didn't know that.
Jackie
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 8:46 AM:
Thanks Jackie. Shopping for treasures is always fun. Making what we already have beautiful again can be fun too.
That tip on holding the can upside down came from my Dad many years ago.
Janet
...
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on July 5, 2008 at 1:35 PM:
Nice article, Janet.
I love spray paint!!!
Thanks
Sharon
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 5, 2008 at 1:39 PM:
Spray paint is our friend! HAHAHAHA It covers so many flaws.
Thanks Sharran!
...
Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on July 7, 2008 at 10:31 AM:
I loved your refurbished yard art. Jo
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 7, 2008 at 10:34 AM:
Thanks Jo. It is amazing what a little paint will do for things that just don't look as good as they used to. It's a shame there isn't spray paint for people! HAHAHAHA
...
Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on July 7, 2008 at 10:39 AM:
I allmost posted..."Is there a spray paint for wrinkled faces" but I think it's called "crack filler". LOL Jo
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 7, 2008 at 10:41 AM:
ROFL! Oh Jo. All I can say is that the Lord for L'Oreal! I'm not one for plastic surgery, but I can at least cover up the gray in the roots. I've had to deal with that since I was 19 years old. At hubby's request, I did just let it go for a couple of years. And I look back on photos now and think to myself, what WAS I thinking, listening to him!?!?
...
Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on July 7, 2008 at 10:42 AM:
Husbands mean well...but....Jo
...
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on July 7, 2008 at 10:45 AM:
I know. I tried coloring it myself and always missed a spot. Now, I trade out doing taxes for getting it done professionally. We both win that way!
I recently painted a waybigo bird cage that I had found on the side of the road. It went from a rusty looking white monstrosity, that sat off to the side for 6 months with me trying to decide what to do with it, to a beautiful yard sculpture that I will park a nice Duranta tree in. It took me 2 days to paint the whole thing inside and out, but I was so pleased with the results that it was well worth the time I spent doing it. My index finger was numb for days afterward! I used bronze, copper and gold on this cage.
This fun project of breathing new life into my garden critters all started with a recent purchase, which after I got it home, looked rather "cheesy" afterall. It was a huge plastic frog in blaring green that I'd purchased at Goodwill for 49 cents. It has a mechanism in it that when you walk past it, lets out a cute "Ribbit". When I got it, I thought it would be cute for the grand babies to walk past. I couldn't wait to see their expressions as the frog "ribbited" when they walked past. The only problem was, when I placed it in my yard, it stood out like a sore thumb. So I got out my cans of spray paint and covered that rascal up.
This is the first batch of critters to get painted. 
I love it and would recommend it to anyone that has a menagerie of critters or other BIG items to paint.
