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Writer's pictureMaddylane

DIY Valentine flower Vases made with recycled bottles

@Home with Maddy

Project article and photographs

by  Madeleine M Langlois,  MaddyLane Designs


For the joy of making Valentine Special!


"Shabby Chic Romantic Valentine Vases"

Recycling to re-invent never looked better!

Here's a great way to recycle all those wine bottles during the last year. For Valentine set a shabby chic romantic scene. Instead of putting all your roses or flowers in one vases, why not place them in single vases for a spectacular effect. Recycling with style, unassuming bottles in assorted sizes and shapes are transformed with colourful texture to create stylist vase accents. This easy to apply textured effect is achieved by combining acrylic paints with a thickening relief medium. Bring colour and personality to your Valentine decor presentation. Parade the colourful textured vases as a captivating centerpiece, or line them to grace a mantel, staircase steps or window. Add gorgeous roses for fragrances and candles for atmosphere.


Total time: Less than two hour to make six bottles.

Hands-on time: Plus 24 hours to dry and cure.

Skill: Super easy.

Kid friendly

Project cost: Less than $20.00 for the project.


Materials & tools:

• Glass bottles in assorted sizes and shapes

(recycled wines bottles are perfect)

(Empty and clean bottles thoroughly)

• Newspapers, or plastic type of work mat

• Acrylic paints, in assorted Valentine colours. I used Pébéo Cream of Colour by PBO Deco (or whatever thickening medium you have).

(I use pink, red, burgundy, fuchsia, peach, and lavender)

• 1 inch flat paintbrush or a stippling brush

• Small palette knife

• A paint tray, or use recycled plastic container one for each color.

• Pébéo Effect + by PBO Deco (thickening gel medium, adds texture to acrylic paints)

• Roses or flowers of choice from your sweetheart

• Decorative wire (optional, can be wrapped around each vase)

(Materials for this project are available at arts, craft and above-mentioned

stores.)


INSTRUCTIONS:

Pébéo Effect + gel medium once mixed with acrylic paint will change its consistency and

thickness. It modifies acrylic paints to be used in infinite ways and for various applications. The thickness of the blended colours produces handling characteristics that are very close to that of oil paint without changing the colour or opacity of the acrylic paints. It makes it an ideal medium to use to transform assorted surfaces including plain bottles. It can be use on various types of surface from wood, metal and even to create very cool works of art on canvas.



Cover your work area with newspapers, or use a plastic liner or an old place mat. Remove bottle labels buy soaking them in warm water. Make sure that the bottles are clean inside and out, and grease free. Wash them with soapy water and towel dry. Lighter coloured labels can be left on since they will be covered with a thick textured medium. To make things even easier while you apply the medium; if you have a Lazy-Susan this is a great project to use it for. Simply wipe it clean after use.


Start by combining 50% of Pébéo Effect + with 50% acrylic paint and mix well with a palette knife in a paint tray or in a small plastic container. The proportions will vary with colour and desired textured effect. Start with small bead like amounts and add more gel until you have achieved the desired thickness. (2 of acrylic colour to 1 part Pébéo Effect +). Continue adding Pébéo Effect + slowly if needed, but not to much or shrinkage and cracking may occur during drying. At higher concentrations, can thicken paint to "cake" or sculptural consistency.





Work on one area of the bottle at a time, starting from the bottom up. Apply the thick colour mixture around the bottle with a palette knife or paintbrush. In a dabbling like motion create peaks with the palette knife or paintbrush as you are applying the medium, much like icing a cake. Continue this process until the bottle is completely covered. You do not need to apply the medium underneath of the bottles. Once all the bottles are completed, they will dry to the touch within about 4 hours. Let them air dry and cure at room temperature for 24 hours; depending upon thickness applied to the bottles.


Pébéo Effect + produces a matte surface sheen when dry. A varnish topcoat is not required; however for fun finish apply a high gloss varnish. Or to give the coloured textured vases a shimmering look applying dabs of silver metallic gel with a cloth; dab it on and wipe it off.


Adorn your revamped colourful bottle arrangement with gorgeous roses in assorted colours, a different colour for each vase. For a splash of contrast and visual geometry, add foliage, a few thin Pendanus leaves for each rose presentation.



Variations:

Get the kids involved. This is a fun project to keep the kids busy and creative. Have them embellish the Valentine bottles with special messages, or the names of the people in your home. For extra chic you can decorate them with ribbons, bows, bling, glitter or gems. Its all up to you and what you have around your home.

Have fun with your Valentine creations.



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Copyright maddylane designs 2020

photos, text by maddylane designs


 

Pretty Tea Towels, collection by Maddylane Designs,

Made in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.


I know we are spending a lot more time in the kitchen these days. So why not add a little colour and style to your kitchen décor with these quality and unique tea towels that are made locally. I also offer personalized orders specially to match your décor, theme and style. Plus they make great original gifts! You can use the as placemats and table runners.

Contact me for more information.




 

Comfort fashions and home decor collections by Maddylane Designs,

Made in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

From day wear, play wear to comfort wear.... pure comfort and joy!


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