I am loving the pastel colors of these spring time lanterns - a little reuse project I have been playing around with lately!
The secret to all these lovely colors! Mod Podge colored with a bit of food coloring!
I had a couple little stamped jars on hand and I got to thinking, if I colored them, they would probably resemble some of the vintage glass pieces that belonged to my great grandmother.
So pretty on a spring brunch table set with vintage glass dishes.
I wasn't sure whether to use acrylic paint or food coloring so I tested both. I selected Outdoor Mod Podge because I wanted to be able to use the candles and lanterns outside on the patio but for inside use, regular Mod Podge will work just as well.
I tried out red acrylic paint first, adding just a tiny bit to a brush full (about 2 teaspoons) of Mod Podge.
Hummmmm... not too crazy about the brush strokes.
Maybe a bit of bubble wrap would add a more even texture.
Y-U-C-K Not at all what I was looking for!
Now to test the food coloring.
The Outdoor Mod Podge seemed to be a little thicker than the regular Mod Podge, so I decided to add a bit of water to thin it out thinking it would go on a little more smoothly.
I followed the same procedure as I did with the red, brushing it on then using bubble wrap to create texture.
Oops! That wasn't what I was after either! The watery Mod Podge gathered into little concentrated dots of green.
But - I liked the transparency so I mixed up some undiluted blue colored Mod Podge, brushed over a jar and then stippled it all over with the end of the brush. I worked really hard at covering the surface as evenly as possible.as I stippled. Once dry, the result was a lovely, transparent almost smooth surface.
Noticing that the pattern on the green jar resembled my drinking glasses, and having just had good luck with the stippling on the blue jar, I mixed up some undiluted green colored Mod Podge, added another coat to the green jar and stippled evenly over the surface. When dry, it looked perfect! I really like the dot pattern that still shows under the second application.
Red and yellow make orange! And I wanted an orange candle. I used one drop of red and one drop of yellow in about a tablespoon of Mod Podge.
After brushing and stippling, I decided to try to create a little different texture pattern and swirled the brush tip in circles.
These two images of my orange jar really show how much change takes place when the jar dries. It looks opaque and not terribly pretty while wet. It's a trip watching the colored Mod Podge change from opaque to transparent as it dries.
The problem with the Acrylic paint colored Mod Podge is that it remains opaque.
I was able to line these up in a shaft of sunlight so you could see them better!
A cluster of colorful candles is lovely inside too!
I washed off the "red acrylic" disaster and reapplied Mod Podge colored with red food color.
And look at my lovely little lavender jar! Two drops or blue and one red in a couple teaspoons of Mod Podge did the trick.
A second, thicker application of lavender added to the bottom and blended up toward the middle while the Mod Podge was still wet created a pretty variation in color intensity.
Now I am headed over to Goodwill to find a couple flower vases to color!
UPDATE! I JUST ADDED A TUTORIAL FOR THE HANGING SYSTEM RIGHT HERE!
UPDATE 7/4/10. I have had several people ask where they can find the Outdoor Mod Podge. I have just heard from Amy at Mod Podge Rocks that it is only available at stores on the east coast - AC Moore. So, I have included a couploe links for you so you can order it!
You will also be able to find Fabric Mod Podge, Glitter Mod Podge, Glow in the Dark Mod Podge, Shimmer Mod Podge at these online stores.
I love this project! I
I love this project!
I recently modpodged a mini vase that I used as a candle holder and I also did a vase. I'm not sure if it's because I used regular [matte] mod podge or if it's because I used gel food coloring instead of the liquid kind but I accidentally left my candle holder in the sun and it lost all of it's color! Do you know how I can prevent this? Have you run into this problem as well?
Anyways, thanks so much for sharing this project idea! I can't wait to paint some jars :)
I can't speak about the
I can't speak about the results you would get with gel food coloring or with regular Mod Podge, but I can tell you that the little jar that I hung over my fountain has shown signs of fading during the summer. It receives about three hours of intense sunlight in the afternoon and it has been out in an unusually wet year. All in all it is holding up great, and I intend to refresh the color when it is needed. All of the other candles are kept inside the house or on the porch where they get no direct sunlight and I haven't noticed any fading at all.
The project was not really designed for items that would be left outside in the weather. I used Outdoor Mod Podge because I felt it would be less suseptable to evening humidity during parties and evening gatherings. Whether or not it holds the color better, I do not know.
But you are right, the food coloring does seem to be unstable in prolonged, direct sunlight. I would suggest applying another coat and enjoy your candle out of the sunshine!
Such a simple idea, that
Such a simple idea, that maked the jars look so neet. Anyone having a garden patio would add such attmosphere with these jar lamps. Great idea. Babbs
Beautiful!
Beautiful!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!! My
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!! My daughter and I did 4 jars in just a few minutes!! They turned out fab! I foresee some Christmas gifts out of these. Thanks for the WONDERFUL idea. Oh yeah and not sure if this will make you shreek, but we live over seas and didn't have modge-podge so we used some craft glue we just received last week in a box and a little water. Worked wonderfully, and I can't wait to do more!
Thanks again!
I made some of these today
I made some of these today and used Neon food coloring and they turned out so pretty and vibrant! Also, for those who have access to a Michael's Art & Crafts store, I was able to find Outdoor Mod Podge there! Happy crafting!!! :)
Hi There! I love this project
Hi There! I love this project and have been saving jars all summer to do it! I am having a heck of a time finding the outdoor mod podge though! No where around here sells it.
I linked back on my blog. It's a great project!
http://thedabblingcrafter.blogspot.com/2010/04/idea-thief-mod-podge-jars...
I haven't modge podged for
I haven't modge podged for years, but these would make a perfect birthday gift for a friend of mine this weekend. Going to have to try my hand at a couple tomorrow night... just have to run down some outdoor M/P. Hoping our Michaels has it. :o)
What a brillant idea gotta
What a brillant idea gotta try this.
Your blog so good love coming here.
hugs
What a great idea!!! Thank
What a great idea!!! Thank you so much for the tutorial "along the way". I'm goin to try this on... glass knobs maybe??!! I'll let you know.
Terrific. Thanks again.
Thank you SO very much for
Thank you SO very much for this wonderful tutorial! I linked to it in my most recent project -- thanks again! WONDERFUL JOB!!
http://thehandmedownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/round-two-of-pb-knock-off...
Great idea! I'm going to try
Great idea! I'm going to try this! Thanks!
Smiles-
Melissa
Awesome! Can't wait to try
Awesome! Can't wait to try it this weekend!! LOVE IT!!
i love this idea. I am giong
i love this idea. I am giong to color some flower vases for centerpieces at my son's Bar Mitzvah.
thank you!
I clicked on a link from
I clicked on a link from another site and it's your project! I just love it! Would you drop by my blog linkiing party again and link to this? And I'm going to send this to my friend Amy over at modgepodgerocks.com to get you some more press if she hasn't seen it already! all the best, and hope to see you on Sunday!
Oh my gosh, how clever! I am
Oh my gosh, how clever! I am always wondering..."what could I do with this jar"....Thank you for sharing your project and great instructions.
I love this, I've mod podged
I love this, I've mod podged a jar this morning, I'm going to blog it and link back to you.....thanks for the tut.
Found you through the Mod
Found you through the Mod Podge Rocks site and so glad I did. What a wonderful way to 'dress up' the plain vases that you get from florists. Thanks for the tutorial and it helps that we don't have to go through all the work you did to find the 'right' way to do this.
I've only just recently
I've only just recently started collecting jars for no apparent reason. Now I have a reason... Thanks. The jars are so pretty. And your before and after with experimenting really helps the viewer know what to try and what not to try. Great tutorial. (Amy from Mod Podge Rocks blogged about you with a link.)
My bottles won't be bare
My bottles won't be bare anymore! Thanks for such a great idea to dress up all the glasses, votives and jars I collect to do SOMETHING with.
A friend of mine sent me over
A friend of mine sent me over here to see these...they are WAY cute!!! I love them! I know I will be back soon!
I am definitely doing
I am definitely doing this...I love it and have just the jars! Thanks!
I love these jars, so pretty
I love these jars, so pretty and simple! They will look lovely in my garden on a summer evening.
You inspired
You inspired me!
http://tomboyemily.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/inspired-modge-podge-and-foo...
(these are the same ones as on the flickr group).
This is really innovative and
This is really innovative and creative!
I enjoyed following your
I enjoyed following your adventure to color the jars, Pam! I will file this one away for future use, since they turned out so beautifully.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks so much for sharing! Can't wait to try this!
Beautiful!!! Now I won't be
Beautiful!!! Now I won't be throwing those spaghetti sauce jars in the recycling bin! lol Thank you so much for showing your 'oops' pictures! That really is a big help to us in that it shows us what not to do and why! Loved the earlier mention of glitter Mod Podge too!
Ohhh, these turned out great,
Ohhh, these turned out great, I'm so glad I had a chance to see them! I may give it a go myself!
@ Sasha in Sweden... You can
@ Sasha in Sweden...
You can substitute PVA glue for Modge Podge with similar results. PVA glue is the plain white liquid glue that children use for craft projects.
Thank you for adding this
Thank you for adding this information for Sasha. I just didn't know how to respond to her.
Several people have written to tell me that they are unable to get mod podge in their country so I am delighted to know of an alternative product to suggest. You have been a huge help to all of us.
What a great idea. Beautiful
What a great idea. Beautiful too! Thanks for sharing.
These are beautiful! I love
These are beautiful! I love how you showed your successes, as well as your initial attempts!
I want to make these too!!!!
I want to make these too!!!! But what is Modge Podge? I wonder if we have an equivalent here in Sweden...?
Thank-you for this wonderful
Thank-you for this wonderful idea, my 8yo daughter and I had a blast making them tonight as a Mom/daughter craft night :)
Thanks for this! I finally
Thanks for this! I finally broke down and bought some mod podge just for this project, and am painting every glass surface I can :). I make a swirled effect by twisting my paint brush. I was going for aged glass, but the resulting pattern is quite nice.
I applied straight strokes to a thin flower vase (the ones that you see by the millions in thrift stores). I LOVE the change a little color makes. I will be buying three or so more so I can paint them different colors, and maybe put one big white flower in each vase?
Thanks so much for the inspiration!!
great ideas... and so easy to
great ideas... and so easy to make... Fantastic!
Love this idea and your
Love this idea and your beautiful blog! So creative! I reposted today on my blog here: http://www.lovelyandgracious.com/2010/04/start-saving-your-old-spaghetti...
These turned out great!
These turned out great! Thanks for the excellent instructions.
(see my result here: http://www.thebaylors.org/michelle/2010/04/antique-glass-in-15-minutes/)
Loooooove this!!! They are
Loooooove this!!! They are so beautiful and delicate looking :) This is going straight to the top of my Craft To Do list. Thanks for the tutorial!
This is a fabulous idea,
This is a fabulous idea, Pam!
I love the different effects, too... so clever :)
these are so cute. what a
these are so cute. what a great idea. i can't wait to show these to my brides...a combination of candles and flower vases would be really awesome!
This is such a great idea!
This is such a great idea! It looks easy and I think it's something I can do! :o)
What a lovely job on those
What a lovely job on those bottles..I love the lanterns in their transparent hues..way to go!
These are so purfect. I too
These are so purfect. I too have the colored glass from Jim's grandmother. I love candles, guess what I'll be doing this week. I've been wanting to craft, thanks for the idea.
Take care and have a great and blessed week.
I have some jars on the
I have some jars on the windowsill in my kitchen with tealights inside. I put some ribbon on them, but something is still missing. This might be it! Thanks!
I love this! and I have all
I love this! and I have all the supplies right here in my home!
Hi Pam - What a clever idea,
Hi Pam -
What a clever idea, I have many of these jars around and am just starting to plan my outdoor decorating scheme. These will look divine.
Oh wow Pam, these are
Oh wow Pam, these are gorgeous! I love the light springy colors you came up with. Just beautiful. Your tutorials are always so great. I love all the pictures. I'll be linking.
Thanks for this idea, its
Thanks for this idea, its fab!
I have made some of these today. I used the above suggestion to use crackle medium first.
Mine are here:
http://creativeflourishes.blogspot.com/2010/04/pre-journalling-coloured-...
Thanks again,
Nicky (from UK)
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