Got Milk?

     *Searched online searching for other ways to spruce up terra cotta pots. I had a begonia terra cotta, treated with Thompson's Water Sealant, that needed some sprucing. he first hint of milk paint came from Martha Stewart's site. I never heard of the stuff. Milk? Paint? However, if Martha talks about it--anything is possible.
    * I found milk paint recipes, which included lime and/or vinegar to curdle the milk. Use of a cheesecloth to separate the curds and whey. Some recipes said make sure you don't forget to wear a mask!  Hmm. All just a little too intense for me. Then I found a recipe that KIDS could make with non fat dry milk: EUREKA!
    * In an 8 ounce mason jar, I stirred 1/2 cup dry milk with 1/2 cup water til dissolved. I used a plastic spoon to add the tempera powder and stirred. After a few spoonfuls, the paint was still thin--not thick and pasty, like the jar of tempera paint said. What to do? I used the mason jar to mix everything, so I grabbed another mason jar. I poured about half of the liquid in it. Then I began to spoon and stir in more tempera paint  powder into the jar--EUREKA part two. My paint became thick and pasty. 
     *I used a sponge brush to apply the paint. Next time I may try a angle brush--we'll see. The paint was kinda thin on the pot, yet wasn't.I liked how the paint went on. Nice and smooth. I did a couple coats. I expected the milk tempera paint to dry quick like acrylic--it does not. I set the terra cotta pot off  by itself, so a cat wouldn't have at it--and let it dry over night. 
     *The dried finish is opaque and blue berry delicious! Gives the pot a rustic kind of look and feel. I haven't used a sealer on it yet. I need to read up on if a acrylic is fine or I need to use something else or if it needs any at all.  
     *Yes, indeed. I got milk!