Rose Colored Glass

I am seeing the world through my rose colored glass (not glasses).

  Remember when I showed you how to make your own beach glass?  Same method here.  I took a glass candlestick holder from the thrift store (these things make excellent pedestals for dessert trays,etc.) and a glass container that I believe came from some sort of air freshener.

You could use any small jar, glass, etc.  Painted on the color and when it dried, I just glued the container to the candlestick with some Amazing Goop.  You could use superglue, hot glue, whatever you have available.   You could also go with any color you like so if you want some accessories to match your blue or yellow (or whatever color) room- here you go!  I don't know if you can see if but there is a white ring around the inside on the top that wouldn’t come out because I had water in it or something for so long but it’ll still pass.

 

I think it turned out pretty. I will probably just put it in my girls’ room to hold jewelry and other girly stuff. 

DIY Beach Glass Jars & Bottles

It’s summertime, one of my favorite times to decorate.  I love the casual beach cottage look.  One thing that gives you that relaxed coastal feel is beach glass. You can find these bottles and jars in flea markets, thrift shops, online, etc. Or you can make your own. 



I have been hoarding collecting my old salsa and pasta sauce jars and glass bottles lately and this was the perfect project to get them out of the cabinet.  I have seen several blog posts about how to do this.  There were various methods shown from painting inside the bottle or jar, oven-baked paint, and using actual glass paint.  Some of them were absolutely amazing.  Some of them were not.  One thing I noticed is that they either looked totally transparent (like a blue Ball jar, which I do love) or were not translucent.  True “sea glass” is colored and catches the light but has a certain frostiness about it.



That’s what I wanted.  This is how I did it:

DIY Beach Glass

 

 

Supplies:

• Blue & Green Food Coloring ( I used the Neon colors from McCormick just because I like how intense the color is)
• School Glue
• Dish Liquid
• Water
• Paint Brush
• Glass Jars, Bottles, etc.

 

 

 

Directions:

• Start with clean, dry glass bottles and jars and prepare your workspace (put down some old newspaper or something!).

• Mix the school glue and water as if you were making homemade mod podge.  WHAT?  You don’t know how to make your own mod podge?  So easy!  Just mix 2-3 parts glue to 1 part water.  That’s it!

 

• Add a few drops of blue and green food coloring.  Add more blue or green depending on your preference.
• Add just a little dish liquid.  How much is just a little…well, not too much!

• Blend well. I just like to say that.  It makes me feel like I’m making some special recipe.

• Now, carefully paint the mixture onto the outside of the glass and let it dry.  Watch out for being too streaky or leaving drips.  Don’t worry, if you mess up – just wash  and start over.
• Enjoy!

One thing I should mention is you can put water inside for fresh flowers.  You just have to be VERY careful not to get it wet on the outside. 

Also, this is a great technique because there is no commitment.  Maybe during the summer you want pretty beach glass but during the fall you want jars to fill with Halloween candy or whatever.  Just wash and the jars are as good as new. 

They look great in a grouping or alone, in a windowsill, as a centerpiece, on a shelf, pretty much anywhere.

  







See, wasn't that easy (not to mention free if you have everything on hand)?  Go grab your bottles and jars and give them a new beachy look!

 

Hello Out There

(Sorry- not a good photo)

 
Well, hello, blogworld!  I haven’t seen you in quite a while!  I have to admit, I have enjoyed getting away for a while.  No, I didn’t really go anywhere.  I haven’t really done much of anything.  I did move.  A block away.  It was a big ordeal though.  I’m glad to be settled in and ready to get back to old routines.  Like my blog.  

I started this blog last fall with no idea what to expect.  I quickly learned all about taking (& editing) better photos, leaving comments, linking back, blog parties, giveaways- you know, all of this stuff that takes up a TON of time.  I wanted to do well so I threw myself into my blog and my craft projects.  I felt like I had to have several awesome crafts each week that were linked up to all of the major craft/decor blogs on the internet.  Not only that but I was hosting my own party and blog-hopping all over the place to see what everyone else was up to.  I was doing pretty well too.  I was getting featured regularly and gaining lots of followers.  This all went along just fine for about 6 months until I just burnt out. 
 

Everything was going great but the kids were about to get out of school and you know how hectic things get at the end of the year.  I just felt so overwhelmed and just had to stop.  I hate that I just kind of quit but I couldn’t keep going.  My life was too busy and I was having a hard time not putting 110% into my blog to be all of the things to all of the people I have to be in “real life”.


Well, lesson learned.  If I wasn’t a mom who participates in her family’s life, I could be a blogaholic and put in bookoodles of time/money/energy and be great at it.   However, I have a lot of hats to wear and a lot to get done on a day to day basis.  But, I ♥ blogging.  I can’t help it! It fulfills and completes me.  I love being able to share with you whenever I have a crafty or creative idea or see something that I like that I think you will like too.  I don’t want to give that up!  I have to just cut back.  I can blog on a regular basis without losing myself in it.  I have to find my balance and I am ready to try.   If any of you have any tips, I would love to hear.

I look forward to getting back into my blogging groove and hope you’ll stay close by.  I can’t wait to show you my new craft room and my other new spaces.  In the meantime,  if you’d like, check out my boards over at Pinterest.  I have quickly become seriously addicted.  Have you?   

It’s been so good to be able to talk to you again.  I have missed you so much! 

Stay Krafty,

Kathie