Let's Get Crafty: Repurposed Plastic Bottle Vases

I cannot take the credit for this creation. My new friend, Emily, was kind enough to invite me to her Crafty Chicks Night last week. Repurposing plastic bottles into colorful vases was the project. (I cannot express in words how excited I am to be involved in a monthly gathering of women and crafts. I'm actually giddy.) And the added bonus? This project uses mostly recycled materials. Go Earth!

The directions for the original project were from a fancy magazine, but they turned out to be more than a bit messy and involved mixing glue and water. Why bother? I say, when my trusty Modge Podge will do the job and keep things neat?

So, here are the no-fail directions that even the craft-challenged can master.

Supplies:

1. Plastic bottle

2. Modge Podge (found at any craft store) or similar glue.

3. Glue brush

4. Newspaper cut into strips or torn into pieces

5. Acrylic paint

6. Paint brush (or rinse your glue brush and reuse. That's what I did.)

1. Find a plastic bottle that has a cool shape. Clean it well.

2. Using a glue brush, paint some Modge Podge glue onto your plastic bottle. Cover the glue spot with newspaper. Repeat until the entire bottle is covered with newspaper.

3. Add a second layer of newspaper and Modge Podge. Don't worry about wrinkles in the paper. They actually add texture and interest to your vase.

4. Paint with acrylic paint. (I found that paint in a tube worked much better than paint in a jar.)

5. Seal with 2 more coats of Modge Podge and you're done

Here's me working on the first layer of newspaper. Tell me I don't look beyond excited!