Glass Vase Blues....

Glass vase bought at one of my fave thrift stores
Cover with two different Martha Stewart
Blue gloss glass paints, and dotted with
Martha Stewart Pearl white glass paint.
Vase placed in a cold oven that was
Then set 350 degrees and baked for 30 minutes
Cool the vase in the oven for at least an hour
Before you handle. 

Glass Vase Vamp

One Salvation Army Thrift Store glass vase displays its four sides. Martha Stewarts Gloss Glass paint was used on my newest crafty piece!  Specifically, I used two blues: Pool and Greek Tile, with one yellow: Yellow Jacket.  I think Martha's glass paints are the creamiest and yummiest paints I've used.

 Instead of painting the colors on the vase, with a sponge or brush, I squeezed the paint directly on the vase from the bottle. The plastic paint bottles have a pointy end, which makes things easier. Working with one side at a time, I squeezed each color in random this way/that way lines. And then comes the FUN part!

Rolled up a piece of Saran Wrap (or any plastic wrap)  and began to dab the paint over the vase. Think as if you're sponge painting. Some sides I squeezed out more blue, another side more yellow. I think the Saran Wrap dab gives a cool and different texture/look than sponge painting does. Who knew?

 Since the paint seemed pretty thick (next time I may not use as much paint), I let the vase dry overnight.  The next morning, as I got ready for work, I popped the vase in a cold oven, set to 350 F degrees to bake for 30 minutes.  After baking, I left the vase in my oven to cool.

What a nice surprise to come home to!   

**I love getting to learn my inner-crafty self** 

Got Milk?

     *Searched online searching for other ways to spruce up terra cotta pots. I had a begonia terra cotta, treated with Thompson's Water Sealant, that needed some sprucing. he first hint of milk paint came from Martha Stewart's site. I never heard of the stuff. Milk? Paint? However, if Martha talks about it--anything is possible.
    * I found milk paint recipes, which included lime and/or vinegar to curdle the milk. Use of a cheesecloth to separate the curds and whey. Some recipes said make sure you don't forget to wear a mask!  Hmm. All just a little too intense for me. Then I found a recipe that KIDS could make with non fat dry milk: EUREKA!
    * In an 8 ounce mason jar, I stirred 1/2 cup dry milk with 1/2 cup water til dissolved. I used a plastic spoon to add the tempera powder and stirred. After a few spoonfuls, the paint was still thin--not thick and pasty, like the jar of tempera paint said. What to do? I used the mason jar to mix everything, so I grabbed another mason jar. I poured about half of the liquid in it. Then I began to spoon and stir in more tempera paint  powder into the jar--EUREKA part two. My paint became thick and pasty. 
     *I used a sponge brush to apply the paint. Next time I may try a angle brush--we'll see. The paint was kinda thin on the pot, yet wasn't.I liked how the paint went on. Nice and smooth. I did a couple coats. I expected the milk tempera paint to dry quick like acrylic--it does not. I set the terra cotta pot off  by itself, so a cat wouldn't have at it--and let it dry over night. 
     *The dried finish is opaque and blue berry delicious! Gives the pot a rustic kind of look and feel. I haven't used a sealer on it yet. I need to read up on if a acrylic is fine or I need to use something else or if it needs any at all.  
     *Yes, indeed. I got milk!