DIY: Christmas Centerpiece

I have been wanting to find different ways to use empty wine bottles for a while. After saving these 3 bottles for a few months, I decided I wanted to use them for my Christmas Centerpiece. However, I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do or how it was going to turn out. After a few hours of Mod Podge and experimenting, this is what I came up with.

What You Need:
- 3 Empty clear wine bottles (gather different sizes if possible)
- Mod Podge: If you don't own this by now, you're missing out!
- 2 Tea lights in 2 small votives: Hobby Lobby
- Straw string bundle: Hobby Lobby
- 3-4 Sheets of tissue paper: any store
- Metallic paint: Hobby Lobby
- Decorative sticks: Target
- Vase filler (snow): Target
- 2 Paint brushes
- 1 Clear plate



Steps:
1. Remove all labels and decorations on the wine bottles.
2. Paint the cleanest wine bottle with Mod Podge, covering the entire bottle. Take the snow vase filler and gently attach to the MP surface. This can be messy, so I suggest putting the bottle on a paper plate or towel for easier clean up. Cover the whole surface with the filler. The MP will dry clear.
3. Paint a second bottle with MP. Again, cover the entire surface. Tear tiny pieces or strips of tissue paper and place on top of the MP. It doesn't matter if there is overlap because you will paint over the top of the tissue with another layer of MP. Once the whole surface is covered with paper, paint a layer of MP on top of it. Place a second layer of tissue paper on top of that. Finally, paint the bottle with a sealing layer of MP. Really make sure that you have laid down all the strips of tissue. It will look crinkly and will dry clear...I promise:)
4. For the last bottle, paint with the metallic paint. I used about 2 to 3 coats before I felt confident that the whole bottle was covered.
5. While your bottles are drying, beginning gathering your sticks. The ones I bought were pretty long, so I broke them to make different sizes. Place as many sticks as you can fit into the bottles. Use different lengths to create this look.
6. When the bottles have dried, place them on your plate. Tie a desired amount of straw around the 3 bottles. I cut the ends to make them straight across the bow.
7. Place your votive candles on the plate next to the bottles. Add the extra vase filler (snow) around the bottom of the plate.
8. Light the candles and you're done!

This project has quite a few steps, but the outcome is well worth it. With these simple inexpensive items, you will create something very beautiful. The colors I chose for everything correspond to the Christmas decorations in my apartment (silver, red and white.) With the exception of the white snow filler, you can chose any color of paint and tissue paper you desire. Enjoy!

Happy Designing,

Jordan