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Thrift Store Vase Makeover

January 30, 2018

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Turn an old plain glass vase into a show stopping conversation piece with this easy DIY.

It's a quick and easy way to add a little whimsy to your decor and dress up a thrift store find.

Glass Vase

This weekend, my husband and I went out for a drive and ended up at the thrift store. 

He's a very good sport. 

We actually had a blast aimlessly poking around and even though we weren't looking for anything specific, we found a ton of fun items I can't wait to transform. 

Among them was a .99 cent plain glass vase that I couldn't put down.

My husband,  however, did not see its appeal. 

Why are you holding on to that? It's nothing special. 

But it could be. And I'm getting it. 

I knew from the start that it would look great with a simple transfer on it.

The word FLOWERS would do nicely.

Of course, I'd never transferred anything on glass before. I've use them on wooden decor sure, but that was different and I didn't have the faintest idea where to start with my old vase.

But I knew Google would know. So I was good.

Turns out, transferring when you don't have a fancy machine or a laser printer isn't so easy.

And I'm all about easy. 

No problem, I washed my glass vase with a little dishwashing liquid and vinegar and put my thinking cap on. 

How To Clean A Glass Vase

As the warm soapy water hit my hands, I suddenly remembered that way back in 2016 Maria Elena from Our Home Away From Home had sent me a set of her lovely handmade labels in a prize pack I had won.

I had tucked them away in my craft closet waiting for inspiration to hit and today was day.

It just showed up in an unexpected form. 

Instead of adding the decals to canisters, I thought it would be fun to use the FLOUR decal on my vase.

I'm not above a little play on words...I mean how cute is that? Flour on a vase?

Unexpected, whimsical and thanks to Maria Elena, easy. How perfect!

If you don't have decals or labels on hand, no problem. They are available at craft stores. Just remember those coupons.

You can also use Dollar Tree wall decals. I've used them to create holiday candle holders from glass vases

Canister Transfer Decal Labels

My prize pack had included a sheet on how to apply the decals, but that paper had disappeared, so I winged it.

It was pretty simple though.

I peeled the white paper backing away and positioned the letters on my vase where I wanted them. 

Then I ran a ruler over and over the letters until they were firmly in place, then I carefully peeled the clear paper away from the top.

How To Apply A Decal On Glass

Since I wanted to make sure the letters would really stick, I laid a piece of wax paper over the top of them and ran the ruler over them a few more times. 

Securing A Transfer Decal  On Glass With Wax Paper

And voila!

Decal Transfer On Glass Vase

I knew this old thrift store vase could be so much more and I was right.

Thrift Store Glass Vase Makeover

Decorating my kitchen with its adorable little cooking reference, filled with colorful tulips, it's truly outstanding. 

My fabulous flour flower thrift store vase. 

Attractive and amusing.

How To Transfer On A Glass Vase

Not bad for .99 cents.

What do you think about it now, honey? 

How about a few more creative flower holders?

Pumpkin Cookie Jar Filled With Roses
Pumpkin Cookie Jar Vase


Wooden Swan Planter
Wooden Swan Planter
Kim Signature


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  1. Oh for fun. I have been pinning transfer techniques hoping to someday do some of it but so far I have not tried it. Your vase looks really cute. Good job!!

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    1. Thanks Lorri! It was a fun (and easy!) project. Ever since your post on Wexford, I have been spotting it in thrift stores. I have seen plates and I’m pretty sure I spotted another decanter. It’s an addictive hunt! I haven’t purchased anything yet…well, on purpose anyway. I have to look again, I think I picked something up just because it was pretty. I’ll keep you posted!

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  2. Love this idea, Kim! The decal makes the vase look fresh with a little bit of modern edge. Tulips are always perfect.

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    1. Thanks Stacey. It's a fun one to peek at in the kitchen!

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  3. How sweet of your husband to shop with you. I love when my husband shops with me. Your vase is dearling and beautiful. Have a lovely week.

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    1. Thank you, Vanessa! It's always nice to have company, isn't it? I hope you have a lovely week, too.

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  4. You know, that sounds just like a husband, "what do you want that for?" I know exactly what you mean Kim! Looks like you nailed it with your method, so you probably don't need to hear that you CAN do image transfers with an inkjet printer. My method is to wait 24 hrs for the ink to settle, and for me it works like a charm. I can't be bothered with running down to Kinko's for using their laser printer every time I want to do an image transfer. No way. Yours turned out cute though. I like that play on words!

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    1. Florence, thank you for letting me know that! New information to me and I like the idea of being able to create my own. It isn't always easy to find what I'm looking for premade. As soon as I read the tutorials online that said, head on down to Staples or Kinko's I stopped reading. If it's not easy, it's not for me. Great tip!

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  5. This made me giggle. Flowers in a flour vase! Extra clever.

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    1. It made me giggle, too, Lisa. Giggles are good! 😊

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  6. It's perfect with the tulips! You did a great job! xoxo Su

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  7. Perfect idea. And I liked seeing your fun nails.
    I like how your hubby went along with you. ;-) I have gone thrifting with Jeremy too, it is fun. We like to make each other laugh with some of the tings we find.

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    1. That's exactly what we were doing, Carla! Lots of fun things to laugh at and the Mr.'s commentary is priceless...although I spend a good deal of time shushing him in between the laugher. I think it's that boy thing again!😉

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  8. How do you like me now?!!!! For 99 cents and a bit of humor, it is worth its weight in gold (and tulips)! Such a clever girl you are. Too cute..Happy Tuesday..xxoJudy

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    1. Thanks so much, Judy! It makes me smile...and you can never have too many of those, right? I appreciate all the kind words. ❤️

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  9. Very cute....you might start a sensational new trend on the internet!!

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  10. I know I've said this before but I really want to spend about a week inside your brain just to see how it works!! Super cute, I love what you did, my friend - and of COURSE I adore the tulips! My local market has THE WORST selection of flowers, sigh.

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    1. Thanks Debbie!! I am a tulips junkie. The prices are so weird here, they vary greatly from market to market. One week bargain…next week, splurge! When that happens, I put the cookies back on the shelf in favor of the flowers. I probably don’t need those cookies anyway! Win, win!

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  11. This is perfect Kim. Just one little stencil and oh la la you have a beautiful new flower vase. I am loving the tulips of late too. Just feels a little more like Spring in the house. You go girl with your 99 cent make over.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Thanks Kris! I really like this one and I am so excited that tulips have hit the stores already. Spring is not far away…(she says as it’s snowing outside!!).

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  12. My favorite thrifted items are clear or white glass. You just change the filler & they fit all year round.

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    1. Totally agree, Jenny! I also just picked up a white hobnail footed vase for two dollars and I am in love with it. It looks fabulous right now filled with tulips and I know it will look just as good in the fall and at Christmas.

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  13. I think your flour/flower vase is perfect. Isn't it fun when you find a hidden treasure? Love that. :)

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    1. It was a super find for the price, Lisa. I'm glad I didn't let my doubting husband talk me out of it!! And thank you!

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  14. And your husband learned a new lesson about his very creative wife, lol :) Fun post!!!

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    1. And I am going to show him your comment now, Deb! 😉 Thank you!!

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  15. Replies
    1. Thanks Deanna! I'm really happy with the result.

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  16. What a really CUTE idea, Kim. Love the FLOUR decal---play on words is always fun for me. Your hubby is a good sport- John would rather sit in the car and nap when/if I head into a thrift store.
    Have a wonderful day- xo Diana

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    1. Thanks Diana! I have to say, I like the play on words, too. It worked out to be fun project. I guess sometimes being lazy really pays off!

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  17. Kim that was so unexpected. I love it for the kitchen. And love the reference too!!

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    1. Thanks Mary! I'm so glad I remembered that I had them!

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  18. Very cute, Kim. Dennis likes to thrift with me. We were out of town yesterday and stopped at two stores. He left with something from each one. I bought nothing because everything I looked at was way too expensive. I think we've established who is more frugal. LOL Hugs.

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    1. That’s funny, Nancy! My husband likes to look at the thrift stores, but he rarely buys, thank goodness. He’s just there for comic relief! 😉 Hugs!!

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  19. Cute and clever, Kim! At first I thought you were going to put flour in it and I was wondering what you were going to do for a lid, lol.

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    1. Thanks Melanie! My husband thought the same thing! 😊

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  20. So, so cute and extra thrifty too! Win, win!!
    Jemma

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    1. Thanks Jemma. It was a super cheap thrill! 😉

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  21. Hi Kim, oh the vase looks so cute and pretty with flour put on it. I love how pretty the tulips seem to brighten things up on these cold and snowy days!!!

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    1. Oh Julie, I am so tired of the snow. The tulips definitely help! Hope you’re staying warm! :)

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  22. So cute! Aren't you clever to use the "flour" decal!

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    1. Thanks Gina! It’s silly, but it makes me smile!! 😊

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  23. As tulipas são lindas. A ideia genial. Feliz dia Kim.

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  24. Loved this Kim . . .
    Vase
    Word Play
    Tulips
    Arrangement
    Color
    Flour stencil freebie . . .
    Gosh oh Golly you are creative!

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    1. I think the wordplay was my favorite part, Lynne! Thanks so much for your kind words. As always!

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  25. You are amazing! I am so glad you found a way to use those labels. So beautiful and original! And thank you for the mention. If you ever need any other labels, you know all you have to do is ask. Have a wonderful weekend!xxx Maria

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    1. Maria Elena, I can't thank you enough for those sweet labels! They came in handy at the perfect time. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, too! xoxo

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  26. How cute is that! Love this idea! Thanks for stopping by for a visit. It lead me back to your fun page.

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    1. Thanks so much and I'm always up for visiting!

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  27. The shape of your vase was great to begin with but you sure have made much more out of it--eye catching!

    We just came home from Goodwill and spent a fortune...$35! Really, we never spend that much but this time it was worth it, $14 for an old triple mirror with beveled edges that used to sit on top of a dresser. A project for my husband and he loves nothing better than a project--maybe he's related to you??

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    1. Sounds like a thrifting steal, Dewena...and he sounds like my own husband. Always ready to take on a challenge!

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  28. Just stopping by your blog for the first time and love that you're a thrifter! I was the biggest thrift store snob until my sister introduced me to thrifting. Now I wonder what great finds I missed out on for all of those years!

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    1. Hello Linda! So nice of you to pop by! I have always loved thrifting, first because I had no money, then because I loved the thrill of the hunt. Unfortunately, now, it’s become big business in my neck of the woods and the prices are generally very high. Every now and then I get a bargain and that is tons of fun. I hope you’ll come by and visit again! 😊 Enjoy the week!

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    1. Thanks so much, Cathy! I would say lazy, but I really like your word better! 😉

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  30. It's really cute Kim. I love the play on words! It makes it whimsically fun. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  31. Fun play on words! Vases like these would make cute end-of-the-year gifts for teachers.

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    1. Having taught for many years, I would have to agree. I would love to get a gift like this!

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  32. Adorable! I also adore your cute, funky nails!

    Hugs,
    Carol

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    1. Thanks Carol! Speaking of, I need to do my nails again. 😊

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  33. That is so cute! Thanks for stopping at my blog. I going to look around here a little longer - I'm enjoying my visit!

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    1. Thank you for the visit as well, Mari! I hope you have enjoyed your stay and will come back again soon! 😊

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  34. LOL, love it Kim and your nails, they're so cool ;-)

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    1. Thanks Michelle! It was a fun on and by my nails, I'm sure you can see, that I like color and whimsy!

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  35. So amusing Kim....looks beautiful and fun!

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