Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Mod Podge Strikes Again



So this is another one of those "use what you have" projects.   I always have left over "parts" or supplies from other projects that I do.  I suppose most people would just throw away something they didn't use....but not me.  I CAN'T throw things away ... I might need to use that sometime within the next 20 years.  Is this how hoarding starts??? Let's hope not.  I don't want to end up with a maze through my house full of "I might use this" finds.

My left overs today are from my favorite project so far......the Pottery Barn Light.  

Are you tired of hearing about this light yet?  I can't help it!  I had so much fun transforming that light.  And don't tell -- but sometimes I go turn it on just to revel in it's knocked-off glory.   When I originally got the light (thank you Craigslist!!), it had a lantern-ish glass case around it.









I knew I would be able to use the glass case, but  until a few weeks ago, I hadn't decided what I wanted to use it for.   I figured it would make an awesome outdoor lantern.  I honestly thought this was such an original idea...but sadly, it's not.  Since I had my idea I've seen other crafty bloggers turning their outdated lights into PB-style lanterns.  So here's my twist on it.

Here's my light part that was left over (yikes - dust! It was out in the garage....I promise!).

I took my Mod Podge/Food Coloring mix and slathered it on my new lantern.  For those of you curious about the exact mixture, I don't have one.  It's a "I-think-this-looks-good" method.  But if I were to guess, I would say I use about 1/4 cup of Mod Podge and 5-7 drops of neon blue food coloring and 3-5 drops of neon green food coloring.  You'd be surprised how far that 1/4 cup of Mod Podge will go - so use it sparingly!
It's a little scary looking at first, but it definitely turns out in the end.  The next step was to stipple the Mod Podge with a paper towel, so it looks like this:


Then I tried something a little different.  I baked it.  Yes, that's right I put my lantern in the oven.  I saw this on Autum's blog, Creative Little Daisy.  She has some detailed instructions on baking the Mod Podge mixture.

I baked mine at 175 degrees for about 25 minutes until it looks like stained glass.

NOTE:  The regular Mod Podge is not water-proof.  Sooooo, if you are going to use whatever your Mod Podging for outside - get the Outdoor Mod Podge - that stuff will stick! :)

Next I painted the gold "trim" on the lantern black - I painted it by hand becuase I was getting really frustrated with taping it off. But I'm sure if you had more patience than me you could tape off the gold and give it a good spray-paint.  That was it.....and here she is!






















I have to say, I certainly got my money's worth out of that Craiglist chandelier.  And the money-saving projects I got out of this one ugly chandy have far outweighed the weird looks I got from the gal I bought it from.



Linking up to:
Mondays:Between Naps on the Porch ; C.R.A.F.T; Craft-O-Maniac; Keeping it Simple; Mad in Crafts; Making the World Cuter; The DIY Showoff; The Girl Creative Tuesdays:  All Thingz Related; House of Grace; I'm Topsy Turvy; Lucky Star Lane; Sugar Bee Craft Edition; The CSI Project; These Creative Juices; Today's Creative Blog Wednesdays:  Blue Cricket Design; Creations by Kara; Debbiedoos; Domestically Speaking; My Backyard Eden; Night Owl Crafting; Seven Thirty Three; Someday Crafts; The Thrifty Home; Trendy Treehouse Thursdays: Beyond the Picket Fence; Craftastical!; Fireflies & Jellybeans; House of Hepworths; Life as Lori; Somewhat Simple; The Shabby Chic Cottage Fridays:  Chic on a Shoestring; Finding Fabulous; Fingerprints on the Fridge; Frou Frou Decor; Frugal & Fabulous Design; It's a Hodge Podge Life; It's Fun to Craft!: Just a Girl; Remodelaholic; Simply Designing; The Shabby Nest; Tatertots & Jello Weekend:  A  Little Lovely; Be Different Act Normal; Funky Junk Interiors; House of Thrifty Decor; I Heart Naptime; Kuzak's Closet; Under the Table & Dreaming





104 Hand-Me-Downers Shared:

Anonymous said...

I am speechless...almost close to hyperventilating actually. This is marvelous. You have truly hit on a very special project here, which can so easily be adapted to other items. This is spectacular!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this on the Boardwalk Bragfest!

Anonymous said...

Also -- is there a ratio of food coloring to mod podge or just stir it until you're pleased with the color? Can it really be this easy? Is it on there for good? Can you peel it off? Will is work outside do you think? I want to touch it!!!!!

Melissa said...

Wow!! That turned out super-duper cute!! Love it when it is open with the rocks and candle in it.

Angie - Big Bears Wife said...

I lOVE it!

Vanessa said...

I love this lantern! It's so awesome how you got so much out of one really ugly lantern!

the cape on the corner said...

that is fantastic, you flippin' rock. seriously. seriously.

Tracie@Gurtler+Home said...

Wow! That looks straight out of a pottery barn magazine. You give me such good ideas, my project list is just getting longer by the day.

Heather said...

What a great turnout! I was just looking at my son's bathroom light fixture...wondering how I could spruce it up and I think this modge podge technique may be the ticket.

Thanks so much for posting the bit about the baking.

Stephanie@cre8tive said...

Wow Amanda, that is such a great looking lantern! You did an awesome job, how creative of you. I would of been so scared to put it in my oven. I hope you shared this with Amy over at Mod Podge Rocks, she would love this!

Jami said...

OK, that's it...You need your own show! Your ideas are AMAZING...really.
smiles!

www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com

Country Mouse said...

OMG! What an awesome project!!! Thanks for sharing! You are doing a good deed and saving a lot of light fixtures from the dump!!!LOL

Helena said...

Whoa, this looks great. I love the baking technique- I've never heard of that before.

Thank you for participating in the Creative Therapy Session with Life in the Pitts!

Tru said...

I think this is awesome. I too would like the food coloring to Mod Podge ratio.

Kara @ Mine for the Making said...

Genius!!!!

Bec said...

so cool! thinking I need to go garage sale-ing now to find me a lamp.

Allison {A Glimpse Inside} said...

That looks FAB-U-LOUS!!! Wow!! Such a huge difference! Love that blue color and it so does look like stained glass! Great job!

Decorchick! said...

Amanda!! Wow! I may have to try this with a new lantern I got on clearance at Hobby Lobby! Yours looks awesome, great job!! Do you use the Matte or Gloss Modge-Podge?

Amber Dawn said...

I am sooo happy I found your blog. Me and my husband are in exactly the same process with our house...one room at a time and that lamp is so awesome...I have so many old lights that I can do this too! One questiont though....what type of paint did you use to paint over the gold?

Julie said...

Amanda, you are amazing. Very well done, it looks beautiful! I am going to spend the rest of the day trying to find something in my house that I can apply this technique to!

Lauren said...

That's beautiful! At first I thought for sure you were going to turn it into an old-fashiondey looking terrarium.

I think baking is a wonderful idea too. I can't find outdoor ModPodge for the life of me, I've searched all both of the crafty stores in town. Ugh. Well I'm going to Omaha next weekend, I bet they have it.

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

that is awesome! what a genius idea to bake it to set the mod podge. This makes me want to go out and hunt down an ugly outdated light fixture to revamp!

Great job....
~Amanda

Nana's Fun Stuff said...

Wow Amanda I LOVE it!! That turned out so pretty! Great job girl!

Amanda @ Healthy House on the Block said...

Thanks so much for all your lovely comments! :)

To answer a few of the questions:

The Mod Podge/Food Coloring ratio: I kind of just pour it and mix it -- not a whole lot of rhyme or reason to it. But if I had to guess I would say about 1/4 cup of Mod Podge and then 5-7 drops of Neon Blue and 3-5 drops of Neon Green. But play around with it, you can always add more of Mod Podge or coloring.

And I used the Glossy Mod Podge for the baking technique.

And as for the black paint I used just some glossy black furniture-type paint.

:)

Robin Ange said...

This is amazing. I can not believe baking the mod podge made it look like stained glass. I am going to use this tip. I love it!

Thanks so much for linking up to my linky party. Again wow is this great!

Joy@Thrifty Parsonage Living said...

Wow! what a great transformation! I love it!!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I cannot believe this! This is amazing!

Heather* said...

I think I would have also liked this kept as a light and mod podged...
Also I linked you to a post because I made some of your mod podge solar lights!
Thanks sooo much Amanda I love your blog

Desiree said...

Awesome! You should invest in ModPodge stock because you are keeping them in busines...for a very good reason!

What kind of brush do you use to apply the mixture to the glass?

-Desiree

srldesign said...

Wow..this is awesome! great idea all around =)

Kindra-At Home With K said...

Genious! I love this look! And yes, you did get your money's worth out of that outdated fixture!

Staci at Craftify It ! said...

Just found your blog & I'll be back often! I LOVE your sewing table from a few posts back...

Unknown said...

Its beautiful... and using what you have is BRILLIANT! way to go! Jenn

Jeralee said...

Holy Cow! That is incredible and looks just like stained glass. food coloring and mod podge... Wow, you have a gift for being able to see what something could be!

Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish said...

Love this! You are too brilliant!

Erin @ The Little Apartment said...

high five on the colored mod-podge. the possibilities are endless!

The Smith Hotel said...

Wow! I love your new chandelier and now your outdoor light too! Super clever!

Jody

The White City Project said...

Genius! I love this and have a bunch of lanterns I can't wait to do this to!

Unknown said...

One word: Clever!

You must have steady hands... I could not paint the trim without taping off.

Peggy said...

that's crazy cool!
It also really got the wheels turning in my head. I'm totally going to figure out some way to use this technique, it's just too cool not to!

Bette said...

WOW I didn't see that one coming!! That looks amazing!

Thanks for linking up at the Backyard party!

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

MOST EXCELLENT REDO! That turned out just gorgeous. I think I passed up a couple of these lights because I didn't have your cleverness. Great great rescue and restyle.

Mandy @ mintnclandycreate said...

Amazing - great job. I love both projects you got out of the lamp. Great job!

Nita Stacy said...

You certainly made use of all of that light fixture. I did not know about that modge podge - food coloring - bake in the oven thing. I'm pretty amazed by that.

Leslie said...

Wow chickie that is am amazing transformation! I am totally in love with how darling it turned out! Thanks for linking up to Hoo's got talent!

Autum said...

Your lantern is beautiful! What a great idea. I mod-podged some mason jars, and baked them. The baking sped the drying process and I think made it more translucent once dry, but it didn't make them water safe. I think to be safe, I would bring it inside if it rains.

Anonymous said...

That looks great....good thinking! Thanks for sharing at It's Party Time Thursday!

Kara said...

Such a fabulous idea, and it turned out beautiful! Thanks for linking up. :)

Life in Rehab said...

Holy cow, Amanda, that's just fantastic! I'm truly in awe, and I may have to do this one too.

Chris said...

How do you even come up with this stuff? It's absolutely brilliant! Way to use every last bit of that chandelier! :)

Unknown said...

Awesome - LOVE the color!

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Serisously? You have some talent!!!
XO
KRistin

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

gorgeous! love the technique you used. I will be featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com in a few days. You are amazing!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Amanda. You won't be surprised to know that I have featured your amazing transformed light on my blog!

http://wwwbobbypinsboardwalk.blogspot.com/2010/07/featured-attractions-on-bobbypins_18.html

Feel free to grab a "featured" button and I sure thank you for linking this project to the Boardwalk Bragfest!

Rebekah Lindenmayer said...

Wow I think the other comments said it all-AMAZING!

TheCraftInMe said...

Wow, I'm giving you a standing O. This looks fantastic, and I love the pebbles too!

Amanda said...

Wow, that is super cool!!

Mad in Crafts said...

Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!

René said...

How cool is that?! Love it!!

-Rene

Marigene said...

WOW! That is a awesome candle holder...love the color. I need to give that a try, would it work on a plain old hurricane candle holder? Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

i love it your way so much.. the color is cool. I have not ever tired this.

Sue said...

This is the neatest thing I've seen in a long, long time! Could you please post what you concocted as your mod podge mixture? Is it a specific ratio of color to the mod podge and did you use powdered color or the liquid? Inquiring minds want to know- LOL
Visiting from Rhoda's party.
:-) Sue

Sue said...

Oh geez, I just read your comments and saw what you posted. I didn't think to look thru the comments section because I didn't initially read the comments. :-) Sue

The Single Nester said...

This looks terrific. So beachy! What mod podge and food coloring mix did you use?

Ginger said...

AH-MAZING!!! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

sportzmom said...

GET OUT! That is absolutely amazing!
I must try this one. Thanks for sharing!!!

Skye McLain said...

so unbelievable! i would have never thought to put that in the oven but it makes perfect sense! how cool! i love it!

Jacqueline said...

No way! I about died when I turned the page so to speak! I couldn't believe how it looked like glass. This is one of the most amazing trash to treasures I have seen. So nice to meet you.

Kaysi @ Keeping it Simple said...

Wow I would have never known that mod podge could do that, it's awesome!!!

Suzanne said...

Gorgeous! It really does look like stained glass. I didn't know you could dye Mod Podge like that either. thanks for sharing!

Cecily said...

Really really beautiful. Simple and beautiful. Thanks for the post.

The Pennington Point said...

This is amazing. I had no idea you could use Modge Podge in this way. Now I have to look around my house and see what I can try it on. Thanks! Lisa~

Anonymous said...

Amanda, thank you for the shout out above and I appreciate the break down ratio. I simply cannot wait to get my hands on an old fixture. It must be fate because the large candle fixture that I've had on our screened-in porch cracked yesterday and I had to pitch it (awww -- what a shame)....now I'll just have to make this totally COOL one of yours!!! Perfect timing.

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

This is gorgeous Amanda! I love it! So clever and creative!!
Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase. Hope you have a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

Unknown said...

One word, AWESOME!

Lisa

Anny said...

WOW what a difference!

Amanda said...

I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I linked to this post today from the new Home & Garden channel at Craft Gossip. :) My hope is to share many of the fabulous projects I see everyday with the vast CG audience. I hope you will not only stop by and subscribe to CG, but will tell your friends about the new category! Hope you see some traffic from it!

Your feature will appear in the main Craft Gossip RSS feed, on the main home page and can be found directly here
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/drab-chandelier-turned-funky-candle-holder/

BAILEY said...

Great job. This turned out amazing!

Brandy said...

This absolutely amazing, you have inspired me!!! I will be scouring the earth for a light to make a project out of. Wonderful!!!

One Life Many Journeys said...

Found you via Someday Crafts. Love the lantern!!! I will never look at an old light fixture the same! I am off to snoop around your blog!

Debbiedoos said...

I love the MOdge...never knew I could do this though.....thanks for yet another creative genius idea, and for sharing it at my party...I am so glad you participated and hope you enjoy a few others as well:) Debbie

Unknown said...

Wow! That looks terrific! Thank you for sharing this with us at Anything Related!
{Rebekah}

Nikki said...

OMG, you bloggers are making me crazy with this modge podge/food coloring stuff!!!!!! I have GOT to find a project to try this with!!!!!! :D
Thanks for linking to gettin' crafty on hump day :)

Amy {The Red Chair Blog} said...

Wow! You've got some fabulously creative ideas here!! I'm impressed!

Thanks for stopping by my blog to say hello!

Amy

Room to Inspire said...

Ha, what a great idea! Love it. Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired this month.

Chelsea

Anonymous said...

Not only am I amazed, I'm also drooling over it! It is so cute! I'm going to have to try this out for myself! I will be following your blog from now on! Come check me out over at frugaldecormom.blogspot.com. Thanks!

Katie @ Frugal Femina said...

I saw the after picture first, and I couldn't believe it when I saw the before picture. We all have outdated fixtures like that, and I'm so amazed at how lovely it turned out. Thanks for all the pics!

Unknown said...

Wow, it looks so different! Gotta love the MP! Thanks for linking up to Sister Sister Sunday, see you again soon!
Amanda

Ashlee Marie said...

That's a fun way to dye glass! I've seen a few different ways to do this! Thanks for linking this up to Topsy Turvy Tuesdays!

Lenetta said...

Heh, about halfway through (at the dabbing picture), I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. But WOW! It's lovely! Very well done, indeed. :>) I linked on my weekly roundup - thanks for sharing!

AUDRA said...

Wow, that's amazing! I didn't know you can do that with Mod podge! I might just have to try this on another project.

Thanks for linking up to socialize with me Monday til Sunday! :)

Ginger said...

You have been featured! Check it out at the link below:

http://superstinkyboys.blogspot.com/2010/07/mad-skills-monday-link-party-18.html

Feel free to snag my featured button for your blog!

Anonymous said...

Don't ya just wish you could take your lovely transformations back to the lady and say "see the treasures I created." I'm sure her jaw would hit the ground. Great repurposing!! Really looks like stained glass. You were very brave to have put this in the oven, not sure I could do that without a lot of cringing.:O) Your new chandy is fabulous!!

Megan Gunyan said...

I just featured this on my blog! I'd love it if you could come and grab and "I've been featured" button! Thanks for such a great inspirational project!
http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/2010/08/someday-ill-have-time-to-do.html

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Love it!!

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

You're the queen of ugly lamps turned gorgeous!!

Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} said...

Love this technique! I've never heard of baking it before, but I love the effect. Great lantern!

KimberlyJ said...

WOW, that's beautiful!

Kelly said...

I just love this. I want to run out and find old light fixtures just so I can make one too. Love your technique!!

Karie said...

That is beautiful. I have wanted to do one. Now you have inspired me. Great job! Thanks for sharing.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

The color on this is amazing! I hope you don't mind if I borrow your idea...love it!

Jami said...

That is amazing! You are one creative gal!

Eileen said...

Wow. It really turned out fabulous. I would love to see it glowing at night with the candle.
Thanks for the tutorial.

Anonymous said...

You know how much I love this project -- I just want to let you know that if I were the judge in the CSI, you would have certainly been my choice to win! I can't believe your project wasn't chosen. Oh well -- that's just my two cents. Contests are hard to figure out, but this blows my mind. This projects shows a tremendous amount of creativity and talent!

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed.
- Esther

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