As spring comes in full force, attention again turns to the garden and what to do to brighten it and make it more cheerful.  Personally at this time of year I start looking at my garden ornaments and flower pots.

A touch of acrylic paint can make boring old garden ornaments look all exciting and new.  Here are before and after photographs of some ornaments recently decorated.     

Personally I always cover the painted ornaments with a layer or two of yacht vanish, which must be allowed to dry thoroughly between each layer.  This is particularly important if the ornaments are to be left outside over the winter, as it provides a significant level of protection from the weather, which will go along way towards stopping the paint fracturing with the cold.  The draw back with the yacht vanish is that it adds a slight brown coloration to the ornaments and can dampen the original colours.