Is it a VASE or a VAZZ Part 1

 I've always been a collector of little things that I could use for a new purpose - I'm sure I get that talent from my dad, who could design or make or build just about anything out of something else.   

Although you may know me as the "Card Connoisseur" - since I have been sharing my ideas on cardmaking for at least 5 years - I'd rather be known as the crafter who is inspired to use one pattern to create in many different mediums or forms. That's what you're going to see in Part I.   You may think you know what a VASE (or VAZZ) should or could look like, but you'll be challenged to think otherwise.  

My traditional VASES are one that you could put a grocery-store bouquet in, but I also have a tall, slender vase for one flower, like a rose; a fluted, heavy-weight vase and a tear-drop vase, both from my daughter; and a tall, frosted and etched pitcher with handle that was my parent's wedding gift, that I use for my dried flowers. On occasion these vases also hold a bouquet from the local florist.  But these three glass vessels do not inspire me to create another project with them.

Here are some variations of VASES or uses for vases.

I hot glued 2 tall plastic tubes (Amazon) in between 2 - 1" thick x 5" tall Birch Tree slices.  Then stuff moss in between to hide the tubes.  Add a ribbon and twine.  NOTE:   stand the wood slices on end before you glue them - they are not perfectly round and will lean to whatever shape it is.  You don't want your tubes to end up open to the side instead of the top.

Use one S & P Shaker (Salt & Pepper) as a vessel for dry flowers or fine stemmed real flowers.  I added a small! bit of water through the holes on the top, making sure the plug is in the bottom.   Just in case, I sat this VASE on a paper towel.  I found a dozen of these for FREE at a yard sale - Instant VASES for Baby's Breath flowers.

Do you see the tall necked VASE on the teapot bottom?  Attach it with E6000 glue.  Its waterproof but not winter weatherproof.

I have saved (from the landfill) many little glass bottles to use for real - dried, fresh, or artificial flowers.   In Spring and Summer, there is a sprig of a wildflower - like the one shown above in the birch wood, or a stem of carnations, or a bouquet from my garden or the grocery store.  

Today's project was inspired by Jukiclub.com where the creator has a pattern of a pitcher which she cuts out of oil cloth and sews together on her sewing machine.   The minute I watched her video on Instagram or on her website, my creative mind started to wonder, "how could I make that out of paper?  And what kind(s) of paper would look the best?" That is how my creativity works!

I forwarded her pattern to my phone and printed it off on my laser printer.  There is no need for a color print, but the print helps size my pattern for a paper design.   Please give Jukiclub.com the credit for the original if you share this idea on the internet.  

Now! I have to tell you that I do not have a mathematical thought process!  But I sort of figured out the width of the paper pitcher - AFTER I had made a few of them.  

                                                    

If the jar is 1 1/2" square, then two sides (2 being 1/2 of 4 sides) equal 3".  That ends up being the measurement of the narrowest (is that a word?) part of the pitcher, the top.  The purpose of knowing that top measurement is to make sure that your vessel will fit inside, because you are adding a square vessel (VASE) into a flat or oval shape Someone that's a math whizz can help.   I've already confused myself by trying to think of the shapes as a math problem - yikes!

First I made a pattern out of parchment paper.  

Cut two pieces of the pattern - this can be the same direction because there's no pattern to the paper (and its just your pattern).  Use clips to hold it together after you place it around the jar.   This step also helps you to decide where to put the adhesive to hold the two sides together.

Here's a view of the jar inside the paper pattern, from the top.

I chose heavy weight printed vellum for my paper VASE.  Make sure you don't make the mistake I made.  When you have an inside and outside of the paper (the inside print was much lighter in color) make sure to place one of the pattern pieces in the opposite direction.  

++Remembering that this paper pitcher will have two sides, be attached to each other just on the edges, which will create a "sleeve" type shape that will slide over your jar or vessel.   

This is the photo that shows the error - make sure to cut one piece out of the opposite direction 

I used a coordinating piece of vellum for the second side, making sure that I placed the pattern in the opposite direction.

                                        

Use a strong tape, like Tear & Tape, to secure the sides.

On the spout side, add the adhesive from the bottom, up to the spout.  I added a very small piece of Tear & Tape on the upper corner of the spout.  Its a hard place to add adhesive, but any further in makes the opening tighter.  

                                            

Add some real or dried flowers to your VASE and enjoy a colorful piece you've made.   Change it with the seasons or use a different type of paper.

Being a JJ - Junk Journalist, I have coffee-stained bookpage on my mind, and wanted a more subtle paper for my VASE pitcher.

I really do like the way this bookpage pitcher turned out.  I think the black drips and subtle color bring character and make it look more realistic.   Now my creative mind is already thinking about music page or even old black and white photos - there'll be no end to what I try.

VASE or VAZZ Part 2 will show how to enclose flowers in a rounded vase inside a card that actually folds flat.    

Thanks for stopping by.   Be inspired.  Be Blessed.  Now go get creative! sb