Add a little bit of French charm to your home and create a beautiful vintage enamel milk jug with distressed and waterproofed French labels
You can never have too much French decor in your home, if you ask me :)
With that in mind, let me tell you that today's DIY is so easy you won't even believe it. You will only need a few things to make some amazing French labels, all distressed and waterproofed, ready to be placed on a vintage enamel milk jug or on just about everything else! :)
With that in mind, let me tell you that today's DIY is so easy you won't even believe it. You will only need a few things to make some amazing French labels, all distressed and waterproofed, ready to be placed on a vintage enamel milk jug or on just about everything else! :)
DIY: Vintage enamel milk jug with distressed and waterproofed French labels
You will need:
- French labels printed on textured or regular cardboard sheet (see the end of this post for downloading updates)
- a stencil sponge (or any other sponge that you have laying around)
- dark acrylic paint (I've used dark metallic paint)
- a brush
- Mod Podge
- Mod Podge
- scissors
And of course the recipient you want to decorate. The one I used is really old and chippy just the way I like it and has a great sentimental value because it was a ''legacy'' from my grandmother. I just love it!
For phase one, making and distressing the cardboard labels, use your scissors to cut all the labels. Use the borders I've made for guidance, do not leave them on the labels.
Gently dip the sponge into the acrylic paint and dab it for a few times on some paper, to remove the excess, before applying it to the labels.
Start by dabbing your sponge on all the margins of your first label, insisting on the corners.
Now gently dab on all the surface of the label without applying too much pressure. There isn't an universal pattern, just follow your instinct and don't stop until fully satisfied! :)
Do the same for all the labels and let them sit for a while, until completely dry.
Aren't these just ''tres chic''? :)
[ctt title="Learn how to distress French labels or tags with metallic paint
" tweet="Learn how to distress French labels or tags with metallic paint" - via @didreamsfactory http://ctt.ec/QEVL6+" coverup="QEVL6"]
Now look for a minute around your room, can you spot at least 3 things that would look nice with these French beauties? I know I have a few (more) things in mind! :)
Well enough with spotting new things to decorate, let's go back to the sealing and waterproofing part, now it's time to put the Mod Podge to work!
Apply a generous amount of Mod Podge on your label and brush it back and forward until your label is completely covered with a uniform layer.
Even though the labels will look a little bit translucent when applying the Mod Podge, don't worry. After drying, the uniform layer will turn into a beautiful clear plastified film, all waterproofed and sealed and even ready to use outside on different decorations.
Put your labels to dry on some tall recipients and let them dry completely. Do not leave them directly on the table, Mod Podge is a strong adhesive after all and there's a high risk of adhering to your working table in no time.
[ctt title="Learn how to easily waterproof French labels or tags" tweet="Learn how to easily waterproof French labels or tags" - via @didreamsfactory http://ctt.ec/4idae+" coverup="4idae"]
After the labels are dry, use some more Mod Podge and a brush, this time to apply some Mod Podge on the back of the labels and glue them to your milk jug.
Use some paper towel to remove any excess Mod Podge, after completely dried, the Mod Podge won't come off.
And you're done! Your very own enamel milk jug with French touches! :)
[ctt title="How to easily transform a milk jug or any vase into a Frenchified beauty" tweet="Easily transform a milk jug or any vase into a Frenchified beauty" - via @didreamsfactory http://ctt.ec/QEVL6+" coverup="QEVL6"]
All you need now are some delicate flowers, thank God spring is just around the corner! :)
I hope you like my Vintage enamel milk jug with french labels project and decide to give it a try! :) You can grab all the materials you need and start working on it or you can pin it for later. Either way, would love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to leave a comment below.
--------------------------------------
UPDATE:
I'm starting a new and exciting collaboration with Karen / The Graphics Fairy and I'm gradually making some of my collages and printables available for FREE download on her website.
Click HERE to download the printable I made for this project.
Amy | Canary Street Crafts
These are so pretty! Total coincidence, I was searching The Graphics Fairy yesterday and came across a link to your website and was showing my mom how you do your labels. We both thought they were so pretty. And now today I was checking out some of the links on our Your Turn To Shine link party and there you were linked up with us! Love your projects and so glad you stopped by our party. Looking forward to seeing more from you!
Tamara
Your books are so beautiful, DIana. I love all of your projects! :) and thank you for sharing the tutorial. Have a wonderful day. <3
Diana DreamsFactory
Amy, thank you for your lovely comment, I'm so glad you and your mom like my French labels. They are so easy to make and you can sure find one or two things to use them on :)
I don't believe in coincidence, everything happens for a reason, so I will sure come back to your lovely link parties :)
Ancuta | Handmade Ancasiada
Un tutorial foarte bine realizat, asa cum ne-ai obisnuit. Etichetele sunt reusite, iar acrilica metalizata de efect. Multumim ca impartasesti aceste tehnici cu noi :)
Deborah
I just love these! I have lots of jars, vases, etc. that could benefit from these pretty labels. Thank you for sharing it at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Blessings, Deborah
doreen
Love these labelled jars! Thanks for a great tutorial. Pinned!
Diana DreamsFactory
Ma bucur ca-ti place tutorialul, Ancuta, poate incerci si tu! :)
Diana DreamsFactory
Thank you so much, Tamara ♥
Diana DreamsFactory
Thank you so much for the feature, Robin, love all the Shabbilicious parties ♥
Diana DreamsFactory
Thanks for stopping by, Doreen!
Suzie Homemaker
This is lovely lovely! Found you via Treasure Hunt Thursday!
Jacqueline
I definitely pinned these! I love how easy it is. Thanks for the great tutorial. I am in love!! I came over from Feathered Nest Friday. She featured you there! Thanks again.
Sam @ Living The Dutch Dream
I Love this milk jug! Thanks for sharing such a great clear step-by-step tutorial.
Mimi
Diana, this is the most beautiful project, thankyou! It's a must try, and I've pinned it. Would you consider coming over to my linkup at A Tray of Bliss, to share at Five Star Frou-Frou tomorrow? I'm with you. You can never have enough French influence in the home! Love, Mimi xxx
Joy@aVintageGreen
Wonderful labels idea. Pinned. Visiting you from Shabbilicious Friday.
Joy
Holly
This is amazing! I love the jug and I adore the labels too! Holly :)
Joan Howaniec
This is so lovely and just the thing for my craft room decor. I'm in the process of updating the space and something like this will go great with the shabby chic look. Love the labels and the technique. Your how to was spot on, the directions easy to follow.
Diana / Dreams Factory
Hey, Joan! I hope you've already made some beautiful French labels and even decorated some vases for your craft room! :)
Thanks for stopping by!
Doreen @ Altered Artworks
Wonderful tutorial. Love your writing style. I've pinned this project and plan to embellish a few items soon. Thanks!
Diana / Dreams Factory
Thank you for your lovely comment, Doreen!
I hope you will give this project a try, you can make/decorate so many beautiful pieces for your home.
dana
its pretty and chic
Diana / Dreams Factory
Thank you, Dana!
Gwen
Ces étiquettes sont vraiment magnifiques, et merci beaucoup pour ce tuto
Diana / Dreams Factory
Thank you, Gwen, I love the French labels too! :)
Maria
Many thanks for this beautiful tutorial!
What is the mod podge you use in this tutorial?
Diana / Dreams Factory
I'm glad you like it, Maria!
Mod Podge is an adhesive used mostly in crafting, that can also be used as a sealer, medium transfer and many other things.
You can Google it or search for it on Pinterest, you will find many creative ideas!