We were cleaning out the house for our garage sale this past weekend and I had a little black vase out to sell for $1. Then I got to thinking… I could probably upcycle this vase with a little Mod Podge and some book pages, SCORE!
The first thing I did was cover the entire vase in Mod Podge using a paintbrush.
I tore pages out of an old book into little strips. I laid them on top of the Mod Podge (make sure you work quickly as the Mod Podge will dry quickly!) When you have a couple of strips on the vase, brush on additional Mod Podge. Keep working in this pattern until the entire vase is covered.
I used my finger to press down the book pages to make sure everything was flush with the vase. If you’ve never really worked with Mod Podge before, when you brush it on it will be a little cloudy but dries clear. Seriously, LOVE this stuff!
Let the Mod Podge completely dry and embellish the vase as you’d like!
Catie @ Catie's Corner says
May 30, 2012 at 8:40 amCute, cute Erin!! Great idea and I love how quick it is to do.
~ Catie
howtonestforless says
May 30, 2012 at 2:36 pmThanks so much Catie!
Shannon Fox says
May 30, 2012 at 8:54 amGood save 😉 That is cute all Mod Podged up!!
howtonestforless says
May 30, 2012 at 2:36 pmLOL Shannon!! Thanks babe 🙂
Lisa says
May 30, 2012 at 10:51 amGreat idea. I would have never thought of it…
Kathe says
May 30, 2012 at 10:57 amSooo cute! I have an old dictionary and plenty of unused vases! I am totally going to try this!
I’d love it if you would share this at my party going on now at
http://www.kathewithane.com/2012/05/youre-gonna-love-it-tuesday-week-6.html
howtonestforless says
May 30, 2012 at 2:37 pmTHanks so much Kathe! I’m heading over there now 🙂
Erin @ DIY On the Cheap says
May 30, 2012 at 4:21 pmCute vase! Great idea.
howtonestforless says
May 31, 2012 at 3:42 pmThanks Erin!
Monica says
May 30, 2012 at 9:18 pmBeautiful piece of work just by using simple materials, great. Happy Bump Day!
howtonestforless says
May 31, 2012 at 3:42 pmThanks so much Monica!!
Shona says
May 30, 2012 at 10:21 pmThis is so pretty!! What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing!
howtonestforless says
May 31, 2012 at 3:43 pmThanks so much Shona!
maria says
May 30, 2012 at 10:40 pmI made two vases like this using newspaper and an old wine bottle and a mason jar. I placed some flowers in them, but I still felt like something was missing. I never thought to embelish them with something else. Thanks for the tip!
howtonestforless says
May 31, 2012 at 3:43 pmOoh, wine bottle sounds like a great idea!! I have plenty of those lying around 🙂
Claudia says
May 31, 2012 at 12:48 amBeautiful job done there. It deserves applause.
howtonestforless says
May 31, 2012 at 3:44 pmAww, you’re too sweet Claudia. Thanks so much!!
katie says
May 31, 2012 at 10:31 amLOVE this vase–simple yet impactful! I can’t wait to meet you next month at Haven!
howtonestforless says
May 31, 2012 at 3:45 pmTHanks~! Can’t wait to meet you too, Katie! Only 3 more weeks 🙂
[email protected] A Proverbs 31 Wife says
June 4, 2012 at 10:38 amThis is so cute! I pinned it for future gift ideas, thanks!
I’m following you from “Cure for the Common Monday”
Maria says
June 5, 2012 at 10:40 pmWhat a beautiful vase! Nicely done!! This would fit perfectly into a study or a library! I love it!
howtonestforless says
June 6, 2012 at 8:08 amThanks so much Maria!!
Daniela @frugal ain't cheap says
June 7, 2012 at 8:56 pmAMAZING! love the look! Now, if I can only bring myself to rip some pages of a book…
howtonestforless says
June 8, 2012 at 7:06 amHaha, I know what you mean! I purchased a book from Goodwill for 50¢ just to use it for this project 🙂
Marji Roy says
June 8, 2012 at 8:55 amGreat project. I have pinned it to my ever expanding board on book page ideas. I have started always keeping some old books in my craft closet. There are so many great ideas out there. Never know when something will inspire you. I especially like the burlap flower with the book page vase. Thanks for the tutorial.
howtonestforless says
June 8, 2012 at 1:24 pmThanks so much, Marji Roy! Such a good idea to have a whole board on Pinterest for book page crafts! Might have to copy that idea 🙂
Kerryanne English says
June 8, 2012 at 8:19 pmWhat a great transforamtion Erin. I’d love it if you’d consider sharing this on Shabbilcious Friday ~ http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/shabbilicious-friday-link-party-86.html
Debbie says
June 10, 2012 at 3:03 pmLove it and the burlap flower. That would make a great gift too 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Toot Your Horn Tuesday 🙂
Dacia says
September 17, 2012 at 12:43 pmDo you have a tutorial on how to make the burlap flower on your book covered vase? I love this flower!
howtonestforless says
September 17, 2012 at 3:29 pmI actually bought it from Michael’s! They have a two-pack for $3 I think 😉
Dacia says
September 17, 2012 at 3:50 pmThanks, I’ll take a look there.
love says
May 8, 2013 at 5:16 pmI love the idea, I’ve never used mod podge. How did you get it to look so shiny
howtonestforless says
May 9, 2013 at 12:38 pmMod Podge comes in different finishes, like matte or high gloss!