K,
Are you going to use a flat paint or a glossy enamel? I used spray "gloss enamel" one year and did not notice any problem. I painted glue over the white paint and sprinkled plastic ice chrystals. It was really nice. If the branch is dry and dead it will suck up more paint than a fresher branch. Any kind of sealer should minimize the paint absorbsion. I am interested in knowing what "look" the branches you saw at the florist had. Rustic? or shiney? Please tell us more!!!! I may want to do one again too. :)

Susie

Was the greenery draped or just wrapped ?

I have a beam between my dinning area and living room area...with posts (one on each end and one is offset middle) the posts have two x two's angling up to the beam.
(this is inside of an old barn) I'd like to make one of the limbs and greenery with little white lights to hang on the longer space. maybe with snowflakes hanging on monofilament thread.

I used to paint snowmen on barnwood....it's really dry...I used white craft paints and it covered without needing a second coat. If you want a shine you spray with a sealer.

patti

I would think if it's absorbing the paint, then maybe a sealant would help. Then use you imagination. And please post some pix so we can see what you've done.

To answer your question about Kilz, - yes. It would seal it very well and you might not have to put a top coat on if you are going to wrap it in greenery. I really would love to see the example from the florist shop. Or maybe you will show us yours!!!!

Susie

There is also spray primer. That might work. Can't wait to see it!

~~Mimi

Just use a white spray primer.....:D Sounds like a great display

You just gave me a wonderful idea! I have some 50's wall planters on the porch that are currently empty. They would be perfect filled with purple branches and some cheap little ornaments!
Thanks for the great idea!!

GGG

If you can get your hands on any "corkscrew willow branches," they are wonderful for a project like this! I took branches to FMrkt. this summer and they sold like hot-cakes! A friend of mine, spray-painted them a dark red and put them in an garden urn (filled with sand) at her front door entrance...they are beautiful against the house and snow!

Pattico...your place would be perfect! Love the pics you posted on conversation side! Would love to visit sometime! Good luck, ksokie! Jeanne S.

When I used to do a LOT of outside decorating, I used sweet gum branches (sprayed with white primer)in wreaths & fresh greenery filled window boxes, adding big redbows.

Also made tiny decorations for all the birdhouses & hung half a dozen or so homemade seed covered peanut butter wreaths on olower tree branches.

Suzi

Ooo love the idea of red painted branches on front porch. Purple sounds good too! We might have to do a holiday and or seasonal front porch/entry thread.
kathy

You give me too much credit to think that I might ACTUALLY get this project done!! However, I think the red twigs in an urn would be beautiful. I have resisted the temptation to paint my doors red, this might be a good substitute--or just push me over the edge. Several years ago we built a big bird using the log and branch method (you have seen the log deer). It was about 12 ft tall & quite a conversation piece. It was purple with yellow legs, beak and hot pink tail 'feathers'. It took 3 cans of spray paint & touch up occasionally. I don't think I even have a picture. This wasn't an original, I copied after seeing one in the MO Botanical Garden. Big giant IF I do any of these I will learn to post photos and share with you. Thanks for the ideas--everyone!!

I made some last year......
Cut some branches from a dogwood tree in the woods. Sprayed it with some white pearl Paint and then brushed gold acrylic paint I had around... some glue....some glitter! Worked out great.
Here's where they are this year..........
Click to see bigger picture

Closeup from last year...

I like the bead ornaments too. (Still have mardi gras beads in the cellar from going to New Orleans for mg in 2004!

I spray painted ditch willow trees (or whatever the trees are that grow along creeks and ditches) for my son's wedding. They were about eight to ten feet tall, and I painted them white. I bought a pail of cheap white paint from Wal-mart, and used a Wagner spray painter. They turned out really well. I stuck them in the sand pile we have outside, so they stood up, and tried to spray upwind!
Or downwind..I'm not sure.
Hope this helps.

Kilz or gesso will help, any kind of paintable wood sealer. This time of year I always start thinking about painting branches and weeds for the holidays. Pinecones and branches and seed pods and paint and glitter, it's just so much fun.
My mom had a large grapevine wreath that was painted pure white and had a string of small white lights laced through it. It was just beautiful for Christmas.

When I lived in Houston TX I had to make my own ice branches. I used plastic ice chrystals, glitter, and ice sickles on a glossy branch. I mounted it in a plastic flower pot (painted gold) and poured plaster in it covering the top with white snow glitter. It made a nice icey tree out the back window in the midst of 70 degree weather.

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