Upcycled Bottles for Halloween Decorations
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You know how some people window shop for shoes or clothes or books? I’ve developed the habit of “window shopping” at the Graphics Fairy. I can and have spent hours drooling over the great graphics Karen has on her blog and the amazing projects she features with her graphics. Take a minute an hour to drop by and check Karen’s blog out. You can print out any of her amazing graphics to use in any project you can imagine.
Recently I’ve been dreaming of Halloween and new decorations. You know I have a collection of trash treasure bottles that I saved from the recycle pile. I thought it would be fun to find some labels to add to the bottles. Another easy, quick and upcycled project (my favorite kind).
I washed them all well and removed the labels. I just used warm water and my nails to remove the labels. If you’re not as lazy as I am, you could use Goo Gone to remove the adhesive residue. But I’m lazy. I decided not to.
After the bottles dried, I grabbed my Mod Podge, a sponge brush and my Graphics Fairy labels that I’d printed out and trimmed to size.
I chose the pumpkin label {here} for the orange prescription medicine bottle. Call me simple, but the orange bottle seemed to be screaming for a coordinated label.
I used the poison labels {here} on the vintage looking brown bottles. The one with the white lid is a plastic vanilla extract bottle. My lazy label removal left sticky residue on the bottle. Lucky for me, the label placed vertically covered the residue. I’d recommend that you not be as lazy as I am and take the time to remove all the residue so that your label can go on horizontally.
I really like the taller bottle with the black lid. It’s a Liquid Smoke bottle. I like the shape of the bottle with this poison label and the bottle is made from a heavy dark glass that gives it a real authentic feel. I’ll be looking for more ways to use Liquid Smoke in recipes so that I can collect more of these bottles. Watch out family.
I like the simpler Witches Brew label {here} on the simple shape of the vinegar bottle. My plan is to fill the bottle with green or purple liquid for our neighborhood Halloween party.
I was careful to apply the Mod Podge only to the back of the labels so that the front still has a natural paper texture not a slick Mod Podged texture. If you’re going to be using your bottle often you’ll probably want to seal the front of the label with Mod Podge to make it more durable.
It was a 20 minute project not counting drying time for the bottles and for the Mod Podge. It would be fun to do with kids of just about any age (as long as they’re old enough to not eat the Mod Podge!).
I’m a mom of 3, a veteran and military spouse. I’ve moved into 20+ homes all around the world. My passion is helping busy people make the space and time for what’s really important to them.
Hi Susan – I’ve been painting all of my bottles getting them ready for Halloween! Hugs, Holly
Oh my gosh, Susan! Love these…I can’t believe ( actually I’m not surprised!) that you’re making them…I saw these at the checkout at Walmart the other night! (Yours are nicer….those were to cover up 2 liter bottles of soda….)
Great idea!
Pinned!
Have a great day…see you tmrw for your Thurs hop…
xoxo
What a clever idea! Love this. Such an easy and inexpensive way to decorate for Halloween!
I never thought about using a medicine bottle this way! I have to admit, you have me saving my trash – well, I should say you have me saving my recycling materials! I also have a little bit of a crush on all the wonderful things that Graphics Fairy has to offer!
How creative of you!!We don’t celebrate Halloween but I really like it 🙂
Wow! You have an interesting collection and you are so creative. A great Halloween decoration idea Susan. Halloween is not celebrated in a big way in Jamaica so I am always fascinated seeing and reading about Halloween decorations etc.in the U.S.A.
This is a great collection of bottles, love the labels! A friend of mine bought a bag of spiders from the dollar store and added them to her bottle – that would be spooky too! I’ve pinned this project.Hugs, antonella 🙂
So cute! I have been dying to try making some potion bottles and you have given me some great ideas! Your labels are great!Jenna
Love these, what a great way to recycle those old bottles! I featured this on my blog today! I’m just stopping by to pin it and say thanks again for sharing! You can check it out here, and grab a Featured button if you don’t already have one:
I found that vinegar removes the adhesive gunk easily, too.
When you have to put a label on glass you could just use milk. It’s handy, easy and when you wash the glass, it comes off very easily in your washing basin. Your labels look great, I like them
Danièle (Belgium)