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Nov 11, 2012

"Birch Bark" Painted Vase

I'm starting to wrap up my fall crafting and lean more towards Christmas. But I thought I'd sneak in one more  fall-type craft that I've been wanting to do for a long time, this "birch-bark" vase. It might not look like birch bark to everyone, but it sure does to me.

"birch bark" vase - elastics & spray paint

Luckily, depending on how you fill the vase, it can be used year round. In fact, it gives off a bit more of a winter vibe to me than a fall one. What say you?

I've seen this idea all over the place - check out a couple of versions here and here - and knew I had the perfect vase for it. I bought this 12" vase at one of my company yard sales, for $1 or $2 I think. Don't you love the height and the thick, heavy glass it's made of?

"birch bark" vase - elastics & spray paint

I liked Emily's (Merrypad) way of spray painting with shades of brown first to give a more natural bark look rather than having it be clear in the unpainted spots. I used two colours, Rustoleum's espresso and nutmeg, both in a satin finish. You know, I kind of like how the browns blend and wouldn't mind having a vase just like this.

"birch bark" vase - elastics & spray paint

Once it was dry I added rubber bands in a random non-pattern and then started spraying on very light coats of white. True confession time - I was so excited to get to the painting that I accidentally started spraying on the white before I put the elastics on. Thank goodness it was just a little mist in one spot when I realized what I was doing and stopped. Tom says he wished he had the camera ready because the look of horror on my face was priceless.
"birch bark" vase - elastics & spray paint

Several coats later I let it dry completely and then snipped off the rubber bands. The edges where the elastics met the glass were a little rough in places so I sanded them with a high-grit sandpaper. There are imperfections where the elastics were, but I think that makes it more natural. Have you ever seen a perfect tree?

"birch bark" vase - elastics & spray paint

There isn't a lot of foliage around to decorate with this time of year, so I snipped off some branches from our tree out front. The tree has these crazy wiggly branches and the leaves always look like they're dying for a drink. If you know what kind of tree it is, please let me know. I also added in some orange and red berries from the dollar store.

"birch bark" vase - elastics & spray paint - Turtles and Tails blog

"birch bark" vase - elastics & spray paint - Turtles and Tails blog

This is one of my favourite projects. I think it's the clean lines that get me. And birch trees are my absolute favourite tree in the world. In fact, we're considering pulling out the crazy, drama-queen-looking-for-a-drink-of-water tree out front and replacing it with a white birch next year.

"birch bark" vase - elastics & spray paint - Turtles and Tails blog

And even though there are brown undertones, the light does still pass through the glass and give it a glow in the afternoon.


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I'm linking up here this week!


32 comments:

Kathe said...

I'm in love with this Barb! We don't have birch trees here but I fell in love with them when we were in Michigan recently! Pinning this to try for myself :-)

Tirabaralla said...

Love this! Thank you for sharing! One to try for sure.

A Cultivated Nest said...

That looks great! Birch trees are my favorite also. I have two that I planted about 10 years ago and their bark is so nice and peely.

Danielle Lavoise said...

That looks really great! I can't wait to try this myself. New follower.
Danielle www.thesweetpeapod.blogspot.com

TasteofAugust said...

OO so pretty! I think ill try this for Christmas...we shall see!

Lin said...

Wow, the vase came out fantastic! Nicely done.

Kerry Moody said...

Great idea! I found a birch tree in the woods a while back, but I couldn't get to it so I'm glad to see this project.

Crystelle Boutique said...

LOVE your vase.... I can't believe you used rubber bands...!! What a brilliant idea!




hugs x
Crystelle

JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose said...

This turned out really cute - I love when I find a deal on something someone else no longer wants!

I Gotta Try That said...

So creative and pretty. Thanks so much for sharing on "I GottaTry That"
Have a great Thanksgiving.
Marcie

Shannon said...

Thanks for linking up to The Weekly Creative last week - I'm featuring you today! I'm also hosting my first official giveaway and would love for you to check it out.

http://sewingbarefoot.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-weekly-creative-9-and-giveaway.html

Have a great day!

Shannon @ Sewing Barefoot

Nicole said...

I love birch trees! This is such a beautiful idea.

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you! I can't help staring at it myself - it makes me so happy.

BarbSteadman said...

Thanks Shannon!

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you! You too!

BarbSteadman said...

Thanks!

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

BarbSteadman said...

I hope you do! Let me know how it turns out!

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

BarbSteadman said...

Ahhh, I'm jealous! I really want to plant a birch tree this year.

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

Alexis Lohrke Tanner said...

I love this! It's absolutely beautiful and would match my house perfectly! I'm pinning it!

Carrie said...

Very pretty!! Thank you so much for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!

Kim~madeinaday said...

Love this! I am featuring you tomorrow! Thanks for linking up!

Kim

Jill said...

This is gorgeous!! I tried doing that before and totally failed! Yours looks great. I think I did too many coats on my so it didn't look right when I pulled the rubber bands off. Thanks so much for sharing at Thursday's Temptation 2 weeks ago! I will be featuring this at this weeks link party tonight on my blog!
Jill

Carrie said...

I LOVE this!! I'm trying to finish up my Christmas decor and am looking for ideas for my table center piece. I may have to try this. Rubber bands...who knew??!!

My sister and I host a joint link party...Think Tank Thursday and would love for you link this up there. http://www.saving4six.com/2012/11/welcome-to-think-tank-thursday-7.html

Andrea said...

Very cool. i like how you painted it brown first instead of leaving the glass clear.

BarbSteadman said...

Thanks! I have to give credit to Emily at Merrypad.com for that idea though!

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

BarbSteadman said...

Thanks! I was worried I had too much paint (hard edges where the rubber bands came off) but I sanded them a bit and it worked out fine.

BarbSteadman said...

Thanks, Kim!

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

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