Paper to wood transfers. A little something different.

I really like discovering something new in the world of Mod Podge. Just when you think it's "all been did," an interesting picture or project guides you to the next best thing. So I bring you, wood transfers with Mod Podge. I was attracted to the wood transfer above, done by Becky, because of the use of blue (my favorite color) and the vintage feel. She was kind enough to let me repost this, and I direct you to her tutorial here.

Print any design on an inkjet printer (Becky notes laser doesn't work as well), and then follow her picture tutorial. Paint or color in the lines and you've have a great piece of art. Simple. Easy. I love it.

Papier-mache floral brooches by Cathy.

I was lucky enough to discover Cathy this past week. She is, among many other things I'm sure, a very talented Mod Podger. As her blog says, "I grew up in southern California during the 60s + 70s so I can't help but be influenced by the crafts + design of that time." It just so happens that I love the crafts + design of that time, too. I also loev the above brooches that Miss Cathy created using my very favorite Mod Podge. Visit Cathy's blog Cathy of California here and the brooch tutorial at Craftzine here.

NOTE: If you are heading to Maker Faire this weekend (I wish I was!), check out Cathy's demonstration of this very project. Here is the schedule.

A wordle - and a solution for Mod Podge tackiness. Or stickiness if you like that term better.

If you haven't been to Wordle, you have to go there. Why? Because you can waste hours. Wow, that was embarrassing. I just told you that I wasted hours creating a blog Wordle. Awesome.

The real intention for this blog entry is to share with you a tip that I hope you value. Before I share this tip, I would like to thank (in addition to the Academy), my friends Patty and Holli, who have taught me everything I know about Mod Podge. Including this tip.

Problem: You've finished your Mod Podge project, it's dried, and it feels tacky. Sticky.

Solution: Purchase a clear acrylic sealer such as this one or this one. When you are done with your project, allow it to dry for time recommended (about 24 hours after the last coat). Spray a coat of sealer, allow to dry for 15 minutes, then spray another coat.

SPECIAL NOTE for furniture. I highly recommend Hard Coat Mod Podge. It's not tacky, because of the satin finish. It's basically a tougher Mod Podge, hence the slightly higher price. If you want a gloss finish, I suggest using the Hard Coat and then spraying a gloss sealer over it.

I hope this helps. Okay, back to creating another Wordle. You hush!

Vintage-looking animal collages - from Martha.

I like easy and inexpensive crafting, don't you?  Decoupage lends itself quite well to both of these characteristics, especially with projects such as those above.  These wee collages - also known as "Petit Collages" - were featured on the Martha Stewart show recently.  They were created by artist Lorena Siminovich and feature our favorite: Mod Podge!

I highly encourage you to visit the supply lists and instructions here, and also prepare to be wowed by the video too.  Keep in mind, simple internet research will result in templates that you can use for said collages.  You can even check out a book from the library, find your desired shape and transform it into a wall collage!  Eh hem. . . don't forget to pay those fines while you are there. . . 

Photo Credit: www.marthastewart.com, 2009.

Switchplates, simply.

Switchplates are, in their original form, boring and ugly. I'm looking at the ones on the wall in Mod Podge Command Central and you know what? They don't coordinate with or compliment anything.

The good news is that it doesn't take much more than Mod Podge to make a switchplate wonderful. I found a la mode on Flickr originally, and she was kind enough to let me repost her fabulous switchplates. A few things to note. First of all, it's really easy to create a switchplate yourself--check out a tutorial here. Secondly, a la mode sells her special brand of designer switchplates in her store, which holds many other cute things too. Please visit it.

Then do something about those unsightly switchplates!

I encourage you decoupagers to try this!

I really like the blog Brassy Apple - you'll notice a link in my sidebar.  I was poking around today and noticed she is hosting some craft challenges this summer, starting with #1: t-shirts!  I encourage everyone to think about overhauling a t-shirt using Mod Podge.  I suggest screenprinting!  It's easy and much less expensive with Mod Podge than with your standard issue screenprinting tools.  Check out my two previous journal entries dealing with screenprinting here and here.  I promise you will be successful!  

Dress up a clipboard. With retro apples.

Clipboard for Teacher!
Originally uploaded by brendaswhite
I've noticed an influx of decoupaged clipboards out in the blogosphere recently.  I think it's because almost everyone has a clipboard, or something like it, and by nature clipboards are unattractive.  They have been brown with a silver clip since the dawn of time, and for someone who likes aesthetically pleasing things such as myself, that just won't do.
I like fruit, especially when it's retro looking, and Brenda has used an apple pattern that I find really cool.  I hope you do too.  Click on the picture above to read what she used to create this very special clipboard.

Patchwork candles on a budget. Great for gifting!

Please meet Libby - Mod Podge user and creator of the ingenious. One of my faults with Mod Podge is that I tend to overdo projects. That is why I turn to other people for kinder, simpler crafting ideas. It's not necessarily the most decorated project that is the cutest - case in point with these candles!

Libby used dollar store candles and decorative fabric to cover them. She also did it with her kids. I would love some of these for my apartment! Check out her blog and get more information here.

Awesome desk is right! Here we go again. . .

Lately I just love revamped furniture.  I know, I'm repetitive.  It's just that I can picture myself spending weekdays fixing up old furniture rather than working.  Unfortunately someone has to feed the three mutts I live with, so back to work I go!  In the meantime, I'm happy to post refurbishing projects that others are doing.  This particular desk is awesome.  See what J. Caroline Creative did here.

Mixed media porcelain necklace.

Nancy from The Rabbit Muse is a potter and a jewelry designer, and I was lucky enough to run across her site during a decoupage jewelry search.  I'm glad I did.  I think decoupaging jewelry is very rewarding (you can't beat a small space to work on), and it's great for unique gift ideas.  Create something that no one else has!

Please visit Nancy's site to see this creation among many wonderful others.  She even gives you a step-by-step on how she created the amazing above piece here.

A rather large gift box covered in pattern pieces.

I decoupaged this box for my friend's mother - her 60th birthday present! She loves sewing, and so we decided this would be the perfect gift for her since she has (now had) a lack of places to store her fabric and patterns. And how else to cover the box except with patterns? Don't be too shocked, but I actually took photos of the process. Trust me, it was difficult to stop crafting and snap the camera! In the interest of being a good Mod Podge blogger, I decided I need to post a tutorial. So here it goes.

Eggs. They aren't just for Easter anymore.

One of my favorite things to do is wear Christmas and Halloween socks all year round.  It feels so rebellious!  Not really.  If you met me or you already know me, then you know that is par for the course.

This project is along those lines for me.  Although Tatertots & Jello created this project when she realized she was short some serious Easter decorations, I see it as a decoration that you could have out all Spring.

And furthermore, it's not necessary to limit this decoration to eggs.  Those ball basket centerpieces are very popular and so I challenge you to think of how you could refurbish something like that.  I also challenge you to visit Tatertots & Jello's blog and see what she did to create these eggs here.

How about a Mod Podged paper bowl?

I'm a huge fan of How About Orange, especially because she is a huge fan of Mod Podge. She also has great how-tos with great photography, and she likes to recycle what she has already. When I open my closet and see the vast expanse of craft materials that I should be using--well, I quickly close the door. Mod Podge lovers, am I the only one who just doesn't have the time to create everything she wants to?

This bowl is very cute, and I think would actually be great for not only tabletop storage but for presenting someone with an edible gift. Sure beats the disposable plastic stuff from the store! Please view the project and How About Orange's how to here.

Mod Podge can also be used for fun card and scrapbooking projects.

I'm going to tell you up front that I am not a scrapbooker or card maker.  I was at the end of the line when the ability to do precision detail work was handed out.  I laugh at the thought of myself sitting with tweezers and assembling something.  The tweezers would eventually go airborne.

I'm also going to tell you that I'm very appreciative of people that can do it - I have the utmost respect for them.  I like it when people can do what I cannot because it makes the world a more interesting place.  Mel Stampz is one of those people, and she creates those beautiful detailed projects, like the one pictured above.

I'd like you to visit her site because she's talented, but also because she uses a lot of Mod Podge for embossing and fun stuff like that.  Fun stuff that results in very amazing cards, for instance.  See how she made the card above here, and search her blog for some other fun techniques to improve your card making and scrapbooking.  Cheers!

A memory game! No ginkgo biloba required.

When I was young, it wasn't the electronic or complicated toys and games that attracted me. My favorite pastime was hanging out in a little clearing outside with a stump table and bench my dad made (and by made I mean chain-sawed). I would bring books outside with me as well as the game Memory. I could play by myself, which helped since I didn't have siblings for awhile.

Connie from Green Apple Orchard created this little memory game, and it takes me back to a good place in my childhood. I have to say, this memory game is much cooler than mine was. It's probably something you can create with materials you already have around the house. Check out what she did here. And if you've never played before, give it a try . . . it's fun!

A magazine table re-do!

Mintage Home's magazine rack refurbishing project gives me the awesome tickles because, as many of you know, it has become my mission in life to re-do every piece of ugly furniture on this planet with Mod Podge. In fact, the weekly project last Monday was a table done by yours truly!

DO NOT be intimidated by decoupaging furniture - it's easier than it looks. I provide a DIY tutorial in this other entry, but also read here for the steps that Mintage Home went through to bring back to life this most awesome piece.

It's easy to decorate your furniture with decoupage!

Decoupaging furniture is one of my favorite things to do right now. This is also a bonus given that I live in a one bedroom apartment and have no room for furniture. It's not going to stop me though. . . I'll never stop Mod Podging!

In case you don't know how to Mod Podge a piece of furniture and would like a basic step-by-step, follow along with the DIY Ideas website here.

A recycled basket thing - great for organizing..

I like to, on a regular basis, feature projects that use materials lying around the house. You may be (as I sometimes am) inclined to do something creative that requires little or no effort in terms of collecting supplies. This is one of those great projects! Do you have magazines? I'm sure. Do you have Mod Podge? If you are reading this blog, then I suspect you do. Visit the tutorial here.

A word is dead, when it is said, some say.

"But I say, it just begins to live that day." - Emily Dickenson

That is one of my favorite poems. Why? Simple, and simply put. And so true. It's therapy to express oneself, through writing; through art. That is why I love the site Creative Therapy. Every week CT features a project from a different artist, a project that stems from a different question or idea--with the goal to be thought provoking. The project above is one of those.

Linda Albrecht was the guest artist who created this piece, and she used Mod Podge as one of the ingredients. Read about the project, about why "nest" is a word she loves, and learn more about creative therapy here.

Transform a Mini-chest.

I've already posted a project before from Ashlee at Pretty Partridge.  The truth is, she's such a talented Mod Podger, I've come back for round two!  She bought this simple little chest at IKEA - if you don't have an IKEA nearby, many craft stores, even hardware stores, have similar type storage bins.  Don't be intimidated by how cute this is.  It's really easy.  Find Ashlee's explanation and tutorial here.  

Refurbish a nursery dresser.

I was more than pleased to find this dresser on Skyla's blog Sanity Fair. It's very cheerful and cute. Its intention? To go into a nursery. Designer Adrienne Lemmond created it, and she gives her instructions and tips here on Sanity Fair.

For more of Adrienne's great stuff, visit her Etsy shop LilaGrace Designs.

Make it: Mod Podge recycled party trays.

Cathie and Steve make party trays on the show Living Live with Florence Henderson (hello Mrs. Brady) and Meshash Taylor. Even if you don't want to make a party tray, check out this demonstration of Mod Podge application - it's a great beginner video!