Milk Jug Vase Knockoff

Are you like me and browse online stores for inspiration? Doing this is one of my favorite pastimes! So you can imagine how excited I was to see milk jug vases in various colors at West Elm! Just take a look:

To me, the cool thing about these vases is that #1 - I have a milk jug in my refrigerator that looks very similar and #2 - the vases show what looks like imperfections! My kind of upcycle crafts, lol! Just in time for this month's Monthly Blog Hop Challenge!

So let's get started with gathering the materials used:

• Milk jug
• Acetone/nail polish remover/cotton ball
• Mod Podge (matt) brush/sponge
• Parchment paper/paper towels
• Plaster of Paris/bowl/stirring spoons/measuring cup
• Water
• Spreading tools
• Sandpaper
• Acrylic Paint/brush

First, make sure the milk jug is clean both inside and out, removing all labels, tabs and .  .  . 

markings. Use a cotton ball soaked with acetone or nail polish to remove the lettering and any sticky residue on the jug. 

I wasn't quite sure if Plaster of Paris would adhere to plastic so I thought I would apply a layer of mod podge and tissue paper first. 

But that seemed like an unnecessary messy chore so I washed it off before I added more.

And applied a layer of Mod Podge as a sealant instead and let that dry.

 

Following the Plaster of Paris directions, mixed two parts (cups) of plaster with one part (cup) of water .  .  .

stirring together until reaching a smooth consistency.

Applied over jug, smoothing out with spoon or spreading tools.

I probably could have smooth the plaster out a bit better, but . .  .

this was the best I could do. It took about 30 minutes for the plaster to set But needs twenty-four hours to dry completely before .  .  .

sanding. After that, I applied another layer of Mod Podge to seal the plaster before .  .  .

painting.

The West Elm description mentioned that it was a one of a kind vase .  .  .

and I tend to agree! Especially done in purple, lol!

For this project, I've joined a group of creative bloggers each month to bring you a themed blog hop challenge on the 2nd Monday of the month, hosted by Beverly @Across the Blvd. This month, it's all about creating a project/craft using items that you have upcycled, repurposed, or made-over!

Be sure to check out all the awesome bloggers and their projects listed below:

Beverly | Across the Blvd | Easter Bunny Decor DIY

Gail | Purple Hues and Me | Milk Jug Vase Knockoff

Niki | Life as as LEO Wife | Farmhouse Bunny Sign 

Marci | Stone Cottage Adventures | DIY Double Duty Door Hanger

Julie | Sum of Their Stories | Upcycled Jar Spring Terrarium

Loopy Yarn Lamb Treat Jar

Welcome to this month's Sustainable Craft Challenge Blog Hop hosted by Julie @ Sum of Their Stories. This challenge is all about sustainable crafting! Each month is themed and all projects must have some sort of a sustainable element to them. This could be an upcycling or recycling element, or something that reduces waste, uses leftovers, etc. 

The theme for this month is Soft! For this project I'm recycling a pickle jar to make an adorable loopy yarn (my soft element) lamb treat jar - just in time for Easter! This is a project that both kids and adults would love to make! And is perfect for springtime celebrations, too! 

This fun filled idea features a super plush cuddly jar covered with fuzzy socks (soft, too) surrounded by loopy yarn and precious fuzzy pink ears with the most adorable smile and soft sculptured legs! And all that's left to do is to add the treats - be they jelly beans, colorful candy filled eggs or any homemade delights - that's sure to bring a smile on your face!

Flower Leaf Cord Wrapped Basket

 

Here's a fun and quite unusual looking DIY basket that's ideal to make for spring, Easter or just about any decorative theme! Perfect to share on this month's  Creative Craft Hop hosted by Sara @Birdz of a Feather!  If you are visiting from Terri @Decorate & More with Tip, WELCOME! Wasn't Terri's Texture Bunny Wall Plaque adorable!  Getting back to my basket, don't you just love the cool effect of the curved "flower leaves" that enhances the basket! Want to know how I made this? Just follow along with me!  

DIY Wood Trim Trifle Bowl

How many times have you gone into the Dollar Tree or any store for that matter and bought random items you just couldn't resist? You know, the ones that are so cute or you just love the colors or patterns especially if they're purple or have purple in them, lol! Or maybe something you know you might need one day, or popular items you know you're going to make something with! Well my craft room is full of things like these! Especially if they're purple! 

So for this month Craft Room De-stash Challenge, I'm hauling out a trifle bowl that I got from the Dollar Tree - just because it was PURPLE! Plus, I will be using a box of the ever popular tumbling tower game. I'm not going to tell you how many boxes I have of that game. But to be fair, I was going to use them in my craft class that I have each month in my community clubhouse. I just haven't gotten to it, yet!

Wire Hanger Soda Can Heart Wreath

 

Welcome to this month's Sustainable Craft Challenge Blog Hop hosted by Julie @ Sum of Their Stories 

This challenge is all about sustainable crafting! Each month is themed and all projects must have some sort of a sustainable element to them. This could be an upcycling or recycling element, or something that reduces waste, uses leftovers etc. The theme for this month is Love! To me, hearts have always meant some form of a "love" statement! And co-incidentally, I was inspired to make a wire heart wreath by one I saw on Anthropologie's Terrain site as seen here: 

I loved the look of this wire heart wreath! Can't you imagine using a coat hanger to make the frame? I sure did! And using soda cans to make the flowers, too! But I didn't want to make flowers like the ones pictured! Since this Sustainable Craft Challenge Blog Hop was all about LOVE it was so appropriate to make hearts out of soda cans instead! What a lovely upcycle craft this is going to be!

Upcycled Bamboo Placemat Crafts

Hey, it's time for another "Do Over" project - the first for the new year! For this craft, I'm almost too embarrassed to show you how quick and easy it is to update a plain clear glass cylinder vase! It only takes a few minutes to add an adorable bamboo covering from - you guessed it - an old bamboo placemat I've had for years! Plus, as a bonus craft - a lovely DIY frame made with the leftover bamboo slats!

Welcome to our first "Do It Over Designers" projects for the new year! In case you didn't know, the Do It Over Designers is a group of talented bloggers who love to recycle/upcycle/DIY, hosted by Anne @The Apple Street Cottage. It happens the 4th Saturday of every other month and it's all about taking something old and/or unused and 'doing it over' into something new. Anything from fabric, old dishes, and decor to dressers and hutches. Items found in closets, cabinets, barns, garages, yard sales, thrift stores, you name it! I hope you'll visit all the super creative bloggers to see their amazing "do over" projects.  The list of participants are at the end of this post.            

 

Woven Heart Shaped Box

 This adorable woven heart shaped box is a very versatile container for Valentine treats! And when that special day is long gone, use it to store your what-nots and what-evers! And the best part about creating this lovely heart shaped box, you probably have everything in your craft supplies to make it, like I did! Plus it's a great project to do during those dark and chilly days of winter!

Welcome to our very first Creative Craft Hop of the new year, hosted by Sara @ Birdz of a Feather!