Crafting Outdoor Lanterns with Mod Podge: A DIY Guide
Transform your home into a dreamy, colourful haven with these easy-to-make DIY Mod Podge and food colouring stained glass lanterns. This eco-friendly project, using upcycled glass jars, is perfect for both indoor and outdoor decoration.
**Materials Needed:** - Mod Podge (preferably Mod Podge Outdoor for UV and weather protection if used outdoors) - Food colouring (various colours) - Glass jars, vases, or lanterns (such as mason jars) - Water - Puffy paint or dimensional paint (optional for outlines) - Brushes or sponge applicators - Fairy solar lights (optional for illumination inside the jars)
**Preparing the Colour Mixture:** 1. Mix 1 part Mod Podge with 1 part water to thin it out for easier application. 2. Add several drops of food colouring to the Mod Podge mixture to create your desired stained glass colours.
**Applying the Paint:** 3. Clean the glass surface well with soap and water (rubbing alcohol is optional) and let it dry. 4. Using a brush, paint your Mod Podge and food colouring mix onto the glass surface. 5. For a stained glass effect with defined segments, use puffy paint to outline the sections before filling them with coloured Mod Podge mix.
**Drying and Curing:** 6. Allow the painted glass to dry with good airflow. The Mod Podge needs air to cure properly. 7. For faster curing or better adhesion, you can bake the jars at about 200°F (90°C) for 90 minutes, but be mindful that too much heat or water exposure after curing can cause cloudiness.
**Protection for Outdoor Use:** 8. If the lanterns will be outdoors, use Mod Podge Outdoor with UV protection to prevent colours from fading or turning milky due to sun exposure.
**Final Assembly:** 9. Once dry, place fairy solar lights inside the decorated jars to create glowing stained glass lanterns.
This method is an affordable and customisable way to bring a touch of magic to your home. The possibilities for colour choices are endless due to the use of food colouring, and you can even personalise the lantern project by adhering scrap pieces of tissue paper to the outside of the jar, wrapping different materials like twine or ribbon around the jars, or painting patterns on the outside.
Remember, Mod Podge is not waterproof, so store the lanterns inside, especially if it's supposed to rain. For a more eco-friendly option, consider using candles with solar lights. Happy crafting!
This eco-friendly DIY project not only transforms your home into a charming, colourful haven, but also extends to outdoor living with the use of Mod Podge Outdoor. Customize your home-and-garden decor with indoor or outdoor stained glass lanterns that provide an affordable, personalized touch of magic to your lifestyle.
