I held onto these three flower bud vases for many months after our wedding. My dear friend, Jill, had lent them to us. I had intended on giving them back to her but at that point she and I were living in two different states and my trips to my hometown were starting to become infrequent. Sadly, that day never came. Jill, passed away unexpectedly one cold December morning.
A few weeks ago while looking for something in one of our guest room closets I layed eyes on the vases. Seeing them sitting there on a shelf wasn’t unusual; I’m in this closet at least once a week. But this time instead of allowing the sight of these objects to sadden me I decided I should do something with them. Jill would want that. You see Jill was the queen of DIY projects. I’m not just talking spray paint a frame and go on about your business type of DIY queen. I’m talking like thee ULTIMATE DIY QUEEN. It wasn’t uncommon for Jill’s husband to come home and find a wall knocked down in their house because she “decided that morning she wanted a bigger living room” or to drive up and see her painting a cobblestone mural down their sidewalk. All true stories. Jill’s DIY motto was “do it, and do it big”. So I’d like to think she would be happy that these vases are seeing the light of day again.
As you can see in only three easy steps I was able to dress these vases up and make them a little bit more unique. All I did was clean the vases, spray painted them, and then added a string of pearl beads to each vase with translucent jewelry string.
These vases look great sitting on our vanity in our bedroom and now I can look at them and they make me smile; something Jill would have wanted.
What sentimental objects to you have sitting around your home?

Linking here:
http://www.tipjunkie.com/
http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
http://gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/
http://letbirdzfly.blogspot.com/
http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/
http://www.thegunnysack.com/
http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/
30 comments
I have so many vases sitting around.. I must do this! Thanks for the idea!
Gorgeous! I love the color you chose! And embellishing it, it absolutely perfect! great job!
those look amazing and the color green is to die for her. your fiend would be proud!
Fabulous idea & wonderful tribute! Love the color and the fun jewelry!
I LOVE these! I just sold 20 vases at an estate sale and didn't keep any for myself...darn! This is so cool!
So sorry to hear about your friend. I'm sure she'd be proud that you made something beautiful from her gift. They turned out great!
I want to know Jill!
What a lovely story behind some simple glass vases. And I think you did a great job with them! Love that color! I have some vases that I'm waiting for a good time to spray paint and decorate with.
I have these knick knacks in my office that belonged to my great-grandmother. I got them when I was helping clean out her house after she passed away. They are from Japan and I'm really not sure when, where or how she got them, but one day I would like to get them appraised and see if they are of any value. Maybe I'll blog about them soon and show them off. ;)
That is so great you were able to transform these vases, your friend would be so happy Im sure. I have some vases similar that were my late grandma's. I may have spruce them up :) Thanks for sharing your story!
So cute and such a great color! Looks great!
I love what you did with these! Especially adding the little pearls to the vases! I don't have a lot of sentimental stuff around our house... I think it will take some years to acquire that kind of stuff!
They look awesome! Great idea! I am stopping by from the Sugar Bee link party.
Hi Jennifer!
So nice stopping by to meet you and enjoy your sweet place here!
I love that you made something so lovely that will bring a smile to your face and the memory of your talented friend to your heart. The color and the pearls are perfect. Very nice!
Kindly, Lorraine
Very pretty!
Beautiful vases- I love that color! Adding the jewelry gives it a nice touch too. Do you spray any kind of finish on top of the spray paint? I've seen spray painted vases before and I've always wondered if the paint chips off.
You are a genius! What adorable vases.
I would love for you to post this on my Fall In Love linky party today.
how cute!! never would have thought of adding embellishments like that. great job!
i would love for you to come link up this or any other amazing project at my creativity party going on right now!
letbirdzfly.blogspot.com
thanks so much for sharing!
Sweet story, Jennifer. I love what you did with the vases!
amazing! i love the color your picked and the beads, nice touch!
I love these, and the color green you chose is awesome. I'm currently trying to dress up a couple of plain glass vases for my Fall table and I might have to go the spray paint route! Thanks for sharing!
Found you at Southren Lovely's Show and Share and am your newest follower. :)
Kim @ Little Rays of Sunshine
morrowsunshine.blogspot.com
I did this awhile back :) minus the beads! It looks awesome!
I love how paint can transform everyday items and make them extraordinary! I'm your newest follower and would love if you joined us over at Sew Woodsy and link this up!
That is so easy and fun really dresses up the vases! I am a new follower from Blue Cricket Design. Vicky @ www.messforless.net
These are super cool! I love the bead element.
Hi friend! I just wanted to let you know that I featured your vases over at my feature post tonight! :o) you rock!
Jaime
I used to work as a florist and have always hated these ugly vases. Who knew they could look so gorgeous?! And I love that they have such a special meaning for you. :)
These are gorgeous. I have a box of vases and I have been trying to figure out how to dress them up. I plan to fill them with soil and plant spider plants in them.
Hi Jennifer! What a sweet post! Your vases turned out beautifully! Thanks so much for dropping by and joining the Tuesday To Do Party!!
Smiles!
Jami
www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
This is just fabulous...you turned plain glass into high impact colorful decor accents! It's a wonderful way to revamp and make it even more special.
Wonderful! I have lots of clear vases and a crazy amount of spray paint (small addiction I have) so I will be trying this!
I'd love to hear from you!