Empty Tomb Garden DIY Easter Decor Project

Last year I pulled together a roundup of Christian Easter Activities.  I was inspired by those posts and made several of them myself. Some were so successful, they are going to become traditions in our house.  (along with our Resurrection Rolls).

One in particular I just had to recreate was the Resurrection Garden from Uncommon Designs Online.  Their garden called for growing real grass on the hill.  Well, I knew that might not be so good for my “brown thumb”.  So I added my own twists on this DIY Easter decor project.  You know I have stated my disdain for the hot glue gun- and try to stay away from it (like in this successful DIY wreath).  But this project definitely calls for using the thing.  So I just looked at it this way- a reminder of the pain and suffering of my Savior (ok- so I am not saying my burning little fingers are the same as what Christ endured… but you get the idea…)

How to Make an Empty Tomb Garden

Empty Tomb Garden Supplies:

I got most of my supplies at JoAnn with lots of coupons of course.  You may also have some of these items in your craft stash.  I have also linked them to products on Amazon so you don’t even have to leave the house!

• hot glue gun (sigh…)
• spanish moss
• 5-8 in terra cotta pot (I found one that was already painted in a pretty way- but you could paint a reg terra cotta one to save a little)
• 5-8 in terra cotta saucer
• 2 in terra cotta pot
• small river pebbles
• one larger rock (found in my landscaping)
• floral foam
• craft adhesive
• sticks (found in the yard)

Empty Tomb Garden Assembly:

1. First, break the sticks in small pieces to create the 3 crosses.  I made the Christ cross a little bigger and attached the pieces with hot glue.
2. Next use the craft adhesive to glue the saucer onto the bottom of the large pot.
3. Then begin to arrange the garden on the top of the saucer.  I glued down a couple pieces of floral foam at the back corner and placed the smaller pot on top (the foam helped give the pot an angle).  I placed the rocks next, but I would suggest waiting until the last step to add these (they kind of were all over the place as I worked with the other items).
4. For the crosses, I cut a small piece of floral foam into a rectangle and then cut an arch on the bottom so that it would sit on the back of the small pot.  I glued the foam on to the pot. This provided an anchor base for the crosses (also a dab of glue after I had them just so- to hold them in place)
5. Now it’s time to attach the moss with the hot glue gun. (This is when I burnt my fingers the most!).  Cover the entire top of the small pot, base of the crosses and up to the rim of the saucer with the moss.
6. Now add the pebbles and glue a large stone near the front of the tomb opening.  My rock wasn’t quite big enough to look right at the front of the tomb, that’s why it ended up inside.  I’m ok with it.  But if you want to “stone rolled away” look, you will need to find a little bit bigger stone.

As you can see, the end product is certainly a charming reminder that He Is Risen! (if you know the response to that call… leave it in the comments below! 🙂 )