I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Wednesday 27 January 2016

Bottling It Up

Hello all.  Thank you so much for your lovely response to my Wanderlust Travel Journal.  I hope I'll be able to return some visits over the next few days - I've been a bit distracted lately (all with good things, don't worry - just time-consuming).  I'm back today with my second inspiration offering for Brenda's wonderful "Inspired by Bottles" theme at Country View Challenges.


You've only got a few days before the end of the month, but I hope this might nudge you in to action.  Although there are already lots of great projects, it's always the more, the merrier!






I got a job lot of vintage bottles on Ebay for a very good price, and some have already put in an appearance.

I suppose serious collectors might get antsy about altering old glass bottles, but there seem to be a lot of this type around - and I do have others in my collection which I wouldn't dream of altering!












These were actually pretty simple to do... 

First, a couple of coats of gesso to seal and give some tooth.










Then I stamped the gorgeous Graphic 45 vintage label stamp on to tissue paper with Archival ink.  

(The two in this photo are in fact some others I was also playing with, painted with white crackle paint rather than gesso, and both stamped on natural kraft-coloured tissue paper, but in different coloured inks.)












Of the two I've ended up with here, one is stamped on white tissue paper and one onto kraft tissue paper, but both stamped in black ink.  For some reason I can't find the early stages photos of these ones.  














I couldn't decide which I preferred out of the two tissue papers, so decided to go with one of each.















After all, if they've been standing around for decades in different places with differing amounts of sunlight falling on each of them, they'd have faded differently in any case.














I stamped my favourite PaperArtsy "birds in the grass" along the foot of the bottles.  It just makes me happy!












After that, I applied DecoArt Crackle Glaze in places, just using my fingers mostly.















And once that had crackled nicely, I used various Distress Inks and DecoArt paints to highlight the crackles.













A couple of Idea-ology Muse Tokens are attached with rusty wire...















... wound around the necks of the bottles.













I thought about putting a coat of Ultra Matte Varnish over the top, but the crackle is showing no signs of going anywhere, and I decided I rather liked the gleam of the glaze in the sunlight.













And I really love that embossed lettering along the sides of the bottles too - so glad it has plenty of exposure despite all the ageing. 













And that's pretty much your lot for today.








I hope you like my "antique" bottles, and I hope you'll be "Inspired by Bottles" and come and play along with us at Country View Challenges.


As always, there's a prize voucher on offer from Country View Crafts, and the honour of being one of our Top Three or our Special Mention for the month.  Hope to see you there!

He who pours water hastily into a bottle spills more than goes in.
Spanish Proverb

61 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Fantastic bottles, so beautifully transformed. Hugs, Valerie

Helen said...

what amazing bottles!! both before and after - but especially after!

Lauren Hatwell said...

They look fabulous don't they. I was soaking labels off bottles myself yesterday so you've given me some really good ideas there. Lx

sally said...

Love your bottles & the raised lettering down the side is a real bonus to the end product :-)

Sally xx

Jenny Marples said...

Absolutely wonderful Alison! I for one think you were most definitely right to alter these as you've truly added to their beauty. Isn't it interesting to do two in slightly different colours and compare the finished look! Couldn't choose between them myself! Jenny x

Craftyfield said...

Aged and distressed to perfection! Love the crackle and the labels, the Birds in the grass look at home there. All around beautiful project!

brenda said...

Wonderful altered bottle Alison, they look so aged and could easily have just been discovered in a cobweb ridden shed at the end of a secret garden - OK yes, I live in a fantasy world.

B x

Chrissy said...

I just love your altered bottles Alison..love the rusty wire and tag around the top and the stamping on tissue is wonderful with all that crackle too..they look awesome.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Monika Gulyas said...

Wow Alison, I'm impressed by your beautiful vintage bottles!!! Nice job, as always!!!

Amanda said...

Love how you've aged these, Beautiful end result,
Love
Amanda x

Pamellia said...

Wow Alison, these are just awesome! I love the crackle texture, and the addition of the stamping at the bottom gives them such an authentic antique feel! Fabulous. hugs :)

Gio said...

Wow, they are so simple, still so effective. Simple just the looking, I am pretty sure there's a lot of techniques involved. Totally in love with them!

Candy C said...

Very cool altered bottles, Alison. A great tutorial, too. I always love your work.

Unknown said...

Resurrected to ultimate glory!!!! Wow. j.

rachel said...

absolutely brilliant Alison - glorious work - I loved the paperartsy stamping on them and the crackle - fabulous! hugs Rachel x

Sandy said...

What ever you do don't snort - it is not at all lady like. Yes I am having more computer problems - had to go half way to h--- and back to get my email and don't know if my leaving comments or even emailing someone works.
I love your bottles - always wonderful and I remember when you said when you got all those bottles on ebay. First I have to go find that Graphic 45 vintage label stamp - that is awesome.
I have an idea -- I think I will print out all your posts - make a how to book and then sell it!!!!! You do have such good tutorials.
Sandy xx

froebelsternchen said...

Those bottles look amazing Alison! Fabulous transformed!

SewPaperPaint said...

These are absolutely AMAZING! What an altered project if ever there was! We found a bunch of cool old liquor bottles in the woods hiking and this really makes me want to repurpose them! Great project and beautiful earthy colors. Hugs, Autumn

Lys said...

Fabulous altered bottles! The aged look and the crackles, but also the little birds on their grass... Perfect! And inspiring as always.

maj. said...

What a great work! The bottles are fantastic!!!

Almo said...

Fabulous transformation of what were already quite nice bottles into something very special. Mo x

Meggymay said...

Love how you altered these bottles, for me, your additions give them the 'wow' factor and would make me want to stop, look and touch
Yvonne xx

Corrie Herriman said...

Such beauties !
Corrie x

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Love the bottles Alison they look brilliant. I have loads of old bottles all over the house and never thought about altering any of them.... who knows! Thanks for the visit to mine and happy crafty week, Angela x

Redanne said...

Beautifully distressed and wonderfully aged, I like the way you used the crackle glaze on random spots, it just adds to the ageing. Great labels too! Anne xx

Kirsten said...

They look wonderful.

Astrid Maclean said...

Both are beautiful and I am drooling over that G45 stamp! The crackle has turned out great, and yes, it looks as if it will stick. The bottles themselves were a brilliant find for sure. Yes I love that embossing on their sides!

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Wow,you've made these look even more vintage Alison then before! Absolutely wonderful aging technique,they look like apothecary bottles
Hugs
Donna xxx

Julie Lee said...

Your bottles look fantastic! I really love the little birds in the grasses - one of my favourite PA stamps: they work just perfectly! I always love how you work with bottles and with illuminated projects. xx

Margik said...

What stunning transformation, these altered bottels are fabulous. I especially love the crackle and the embossed lettering. A great job Alison!
Mar xx

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!
I love the aged appearance and that is such a wonderful label stamp you have worked with. The Idea-ology embellishments are just the perfect finishing touch.
Wishes
Lynne
Alison, I have been meaning to contact you. An e-mail from you landed in my junk mail but recently, there have been a few from friends except the email were never actually sent by them. Maybe I am just being paranoid and the email is safe!

cathylynn said...

The labels are phenomenal and the way you painted and distressed each bottle is downright fantastic. I love the crackle for sure. All so scrumptious! Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

experiments in paper said...

Oh, Alison - these transport me to an age past.... love your labels, and shading...and the stamping is is so evocative of something I might come across while wandering across our farm. The combination with the labels is fantastic. Absolutely love these bottles! And thanks for your visits despite your busy schedule.... glad to hear it is all good! xxx Lynn

Michelle said...

These are lovely, Alison! So full of charm!

Pawsitively Creative said...

Stunningly vintage altered bottles you have designed here. Funny thing, I am working on a bottle (vase?) as well. These are gorgeous and I have to look up the stamp you used. Never heard of it but am intrigued. Love the stamping on the bottom! Hugz. ~Niki

Curls N Twirls said...

The bottles are so pretty .. Loved the Stamped Image ( I should find this stamp) and the glazing effect ..

Diana Taylor said...

Wow, a stunning project - the bottles looks so authentically aged that I can't believe they haven't just been dug up! I love the labels, especially with the foliage along the bottom, it looks perfect. So beautiful and inspiring. Thanks so much for your kind comments on my blog earlier,
Diana xx

Cocofolies said...

Really magical and fantastic new bottles Alison!!!
Thanks for this great post as usual, it is interesting moreover to read and see the differences between the two.. You're always so inspiring, I want to decorate bottles too, but taking my time I know!... :)
Coco xx

Terry said...

Bottled up genius, Alison! Great crackled look for those vintage labels! Love all the details. Thank you for the reminder that I have a little bottle collection! Hugs!

Kay Wallace said...

What a fun project, Alison! Love the addition of the charms to your perfectly aged bottles. Well done!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Wow! These bottles are so awesome. They look like you dug them up out of my grandparent's yard. G'pa used to run a junkyard with an eye for scrap metal and interesting bits. It was always so cool to see what treasures one could find.

Julia Aston said...

I absolutely love how these bottles came out Alison! The labels fit perfectly - and the aging and cracking look wonderful - a super bottle project! Julia xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

What great shaped bottles, and what a fabulous alteration to them! They are MARVELOUS!!!

Anonymous said...

I love these altered bottles Alison. Wonderfully aged, the cracks and the build up on what looks like a very long time. Gotta love all these amazing products. I also admire the birds in the grass stamp which finishes off the piece beautifully. Karen.x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

You say "simple" Alsion, I say simo,y elegant and very classy. Love the vintage tones. These are gorgeous . Tracy x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Simply elegant even, my iPad just makes up its own words lol X

Lisa Minckler said...

These made me incredibly happy!!!! I wish I could sell them in my booth...they'd go like hot cakes!! :D Thank you for the step by step...these look like so much fun. :)
Big hugs and have a great weekend.
Lisa x

Hazel Agnew said...

These bottles look much happier wrapped up nice and warm! Great idea, great inspiration, thanks Alison! X

A Pink said...

Your altered bottles are wonderful Alison . Love the vintage aged look you have given them with those labels , crackle and distress .
xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! This really is a wonderful improvement - surely any collector would agree with me! I love the crackle of course! Hugs, Chrisx

Brenda Brown said...

Just love these Alison.
hugs Brenda xxx

Marjie Kemper said...

Positively gorgeous! Thanks for sharing all the step-outs.

Deb said...

Beautiful Alison! Deb xo

sarascloset said...

Alison, your antiqued antique bottles look like they've just been dug up out of some old dump site! And that is a wonderful thing! I remember finding old blue bottles in a long buried dumpsite on our dairy farm when I was a kid. Ever since then, I've had a love affair with old bottles. Your's are at the top of my list, and the added bird stamp at the bottom warms my heart! Hugs!

Jackie PN said...

Alison !
These bottles are magnificently aged and antiqued! Gorgeous- thank you for the step outs! xo

Gaby Bee said...

Alison, these altered bottles are absolutely amazing, really beautifully transformed. Love the labels!

Barbara said...

FAb-tastic alteration! These bottles are stunning! barbara

Doreen said...

Really love what you have done to these bottles.xxx

Evelyn Walter said...

vintage at it´s best! Love your bottles <3
xxx Evelyn

Maggie said...

Stunning Alison they look so original and vintage, must try this will add it to my list.....ever growing lol
Thanks for sharing step by step.

MaggieH

Adventures in Paperland said...

I do love these!!!