A decoupaged pumpkin. And an excited Podger - me.

Posting this project gives me a thrill - I will say it many times in the next few months so get ready - fall is my favorite season and Halloween, my very favorite holiday. I was so pleased to find this punkin on on SVG Cuts. I was also pleased to learn that an SVG file is one used with a Cricut, so if you have this fancy pants machine you might want to pay attention. You'll need a punkin, and the best thing you can do it use a coupon. Then head here to see the tutorial on the SVG site. Finally, oil up your Cricut, cause the party 'bout to get started!

Even if you don't have a whiz-bang cutting machine, you can get a less detailed effect with some hand cuts or even craft punches. I want to receive lots of pumpkin pictures this holiday season my dear readers!

A flower embellishment tutorial.

I'm going to have to start a production line in my apartment to make these delightful flower embellishments designed by Theresa at Sunshine Memories. I'm kind of serious, because I think these are awesome and I can image them on many things: frames, memo boards, the wall, my dogs. . . everywhere.

I especially love these because I have everything to make them, if only I can find my Bulldog mini stapler somewhere in Mod Podge Command Central. But my missing stapler shouldn't stop you - visit here for Theresa's tutorial, and look for something inspired by Theresa from me very soon.

No, you can never have enough owls.

I saw this project featured on Jennifer Johner's The Little Things and there was no question that I had to post it. To answer the question, no - you absolutely can't have too many owls. At least in my humble opinion. Owls are smart and . . . smart.

Jennifer completed this project with a canvas, papers, Mod Podge and some other embellishments. She used a digital kit, which I've never done before, but I'll let her tell you more about it here. She says it's easy, and I believe her. Oh, and to see an owl appreciation frame I did, go here.

Check me at Dollar Store Crafts.

I've recently started shopping more often at the $1 store, and it was actually Dollar Store Crafts that inspired me to do so. I had everything on hand but the sign, which is what I purchased for a buck. Come visit the entry here so that you can see the tutorial. I'm pretty happy with it, especially because it's bright and cheery - and you know that's how I roll.

A simple mailbox makeover featuring Mod Podge.

I'm kinda jealous, because I really want to live in a house with a mailbox like this on the front of it. My mailman (or woman) would dance up the steps to deposit my mail, and comment on how nice it was to be a mailman (or woman) for someone so crafty as myself. Because depositing mail into a pretty box is surely better than doing the same thing into an ugly one. Right?

Rachel from Life Off the Shelf re-did her mailbox, and I am very happy to share it with you today. She could have just painted it green, but she didn't, because she's cool. Instead she used Mod Podge to fancy up a letter and dress up her box. This is why I love her. Visit her post here for more information, and keep in mind a project like this if you are a beginning Podger. It's easy and there is instant gratification.

Exactly three months before Christmas.

I know, I know - Christmas shouldn't start until after Thanksgiving. I think that all holidays should be given their just celebration, but don't we agree that with crafting, it's just a little bit different? Many of you are busy with kids, families, jobs and other activities, so you definitely need extra time to get the holiday crafting par-tay started.

I wanted to get your winter crafting started with a tutorial from Kristy at Crafted Wonders - and it is very easy to follow. The finished product is holiday fab, and makes a great gift. Visit Kristy right here for the entry, and also poke around to find more Mod Podge goodness. She is also a whiz with a Cricut. Hope this gets your holiday juices flowing!

Creativity happens with a glittered pumpkin birdcage.

Halloween is a magical time for me. One of the reasons it is my favorite holiday is because am inspired to do projects with glitter, rhinestones and other fantastical objects that I don't use on a regular basis. Enter Jo Pearson, creative mind behind Where Creativity Happens. Jo also sees the magic of the holidays--and the best part is that she is a regular user of craftbellishments such as glitter and rhinestones, so she is an expert.

She also likes Mod Podge.

Please visit Jo here to see her collection of amazing craft videos, one of them being the glittered pumpkin birdcage above. The birdcage is so creative you won't believe it - and it uses a healthy dose of Mod Podge. Oh, and I had no idea those fake pumpkins were hollow. Am I the only one?

Stacie from the Creative Crate.

Hi {MPR} Friends!!

I'm Stacie...the crazy one behind The CrEaTiVe Crate and yep...I am Swapin' Blogs and taking over Amy's awesome blog for today!! {which, by the way...I LoVe!!}

Let me tell ya a little about myself:

I'm a busy momma of 2 boys and 2 girls....and a wife to one AwEsoMe Hubby,

I am your average SAHM who LoVeS doing crafts {obviously} :) in the spare time that I have.

Yes, even a ceiling fan can be decoupaged.

Hi Podgers! Lynette from Get Your Craft On came up with this wonderful ceiling fan idea, and I wanted to let her tell you about it in her own words. I really think it's fabulous. So here she is:

I can honestly say that, as far as I know, I came up with this idea all on my own! That really is a lot to be said since most of the time I can't take complete credit for anything! Usually I see a cute idea and copy it and make it my own. But, THIS FAN!! I think maybe I might have, could have, hopefully did really come up with this all by myself (notice my still lacking confidence). So, when we were finishing our basement and finishing up projects in my favorite room in the house, my hubby was installing a ceiling fan. As he was about to put the blades on the hole fan base part, a light bulb went off in my head! I asked him "would it hurt the fan or start it on fire if I added some fabric or paper or something to those blades?". He thought I was crazy, but couldn't think of a reason why it should mess anything up. So, I delayed him from finishing his installation so I could snazzy-up those fan blades. Here's what I did:

Materials needed: paper (I used scrapbook paper and needed one 12"x12" piece for each fan blade), mod podge (I used Matte finish), hole punch, sponge brush (the cheap-o ones at Michael's Craft store)

1.) If you are using scrapbook paper (12"x12") cut in in half and tape it together end to end to make it long enough. Make sure whatever the print on the paper is, that you are able to match it up pretty good so you can't see the line. Wrapping paper may work well b/c you won't have to piece it together.

2.) Lay fan blade face-down on back of paper.

3.) Trace around fan blade and also trace inside the holes where it will be attached to the rest of the fan later.

4.) Cut out fan blade shape from paper. Check your fan and see if the edge is curved a little, if so, cut out shape a bit inside the lines.

5.) With paper punch, punch out holes that will be used to screw blades onto fan. I used this scrapbooking punch:

6.) Wipe down surface of fan blade and spread on a thin layer of Mod Podge or watered down white glue.

7.) Lay down paper on fan blade making sure to line up all edges and punched holes just right. Smooth out all bubbles or wrinkles (I did not do this well, you can learn from my mistake :) Let dry 20-30 mins.

8.) If needed, trim excess paper from around fan blade with Xacto knife.

9.) Coat the top of the blade with the paper on it with Mod Podge. Make sure to do the edges and holes too.

10.) Let dry.

11.) Do a few more coats of Mod Podge, making sure to let dry thoroughly in between coats.

12.) Once they're all dry, go attach the blades to your ceiling fan and see how it livens up the room...so fun!

I can only imagine how fun this could be to tie in your ceiling fan with the room decor! It could be spunky or subdued, sparkly or subtle....so many possibilities!

Sometimes art things have wings.

The blogosphere is so awesome, and Things With Wings is one reason why I love it so. Laura, Jill, Connie and Emily - they are a family of Mod Podgers. Here's the description of this fantastic crew in Jill's words:

"We are a unique family of artists - a creative mom and her creative daughters with families of our own. We love to laugh, create, and have good times together. Our mixed media artwork is full of hope, humor and whimsy. We use a variety of materials in our work, including acrylics, vintage and new paper, found objects and embellishments, and of course, Mod Podge (satin finish!) We have a real knack for recycling old frames to showcase our work – sometimes the frame is as much a part of the art as what’s in it. We recognize that our talents are gifts from God, and are thankful every day that we get to share what we love to do with others."

I don't think I could have said it better. Visit this fantastic four here to see some of the projects above, or take a peek at Jill's Paper Prayers Etsy shop right here.

My very first giveaway.

I'm so pleased. Tickled, really. Today is the beginning of my first giveaway, and you have all week to enter for the Mod Podge Starter Pack above. This pack contains Gloss, Matte, Sparkle, Outdoor and Paper in 2 oz. trial size bottles. The rules are pretty simple.

1. Be a follower of Mod Podge Rocks. If you are already, move to step 2.
2. Leave a comment sometime this week.

Contest closes at midnight, this Saturday the 26th (doesn't that sound official?). FIVE - yes FIVE winners will be chosen at random to receive a starter pack, so you have a great chance of winning.

If you have questions, let me know. Otherwise, look forward to seeing you at MPR this week!

PS's:
-Only one entry per person. This is my first giveaway, but I'm gearing up for MANY more. Yay!!!
-Comment does not have to be on this post, it can be anywhere in the blog. Just has to be sometime from Sunday - Saturday this week.
-Yes, Canadians are eligible. As well as stalkers.
-If you having problems with Google Follower or whatever it is then just follow my feed . . . you are technically following me that way too.

Decoupage from across the ocean.

Mod Podge has quite a few friends across the pond, and I would like to introduce you to Daniela from Bathina's Blog today. She is German, and so is her blog - so you might not to able to read, but you can definitely browse the beautiful photos.

I'd like to share two of her projects with you. The first is a puzzle made from an old Domino game. She scanned in an illustration, sized it to fit a layout of several of the pieces, printed it out and then Mod Podged it on. What a great gift for a child.

The second project shown is a necklace board. She purchased (quite inexpensively) a simple board, some knobs and screws, wrapping paper and something to hang the entire project. As you can see, she Mod Podged the wrapping paper to the board and then attached the knobs as hangers. Voila!

Visit her right here to see more photos of these projects. Maybe even leave her a kommentar on the kommentarformular springen! Did I say that right?

My first guest blogger - with a puzzle.

Meet Stephanie. She is your host for the day, which I sit on the beach drinking Mai Tais.

Kidding! I only wish. Stephanie is a fantastic blogger, but I'll let her tell you about herself below. We swapped today, so come to her blog to see the project I did. Happy Friday Podgers!

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Hey there Mod Podge-ers! My name is Stephanie, and I am the creative mind and creator of somewhat simple.

I am so excited to be taking over this blog today! When Amy emailed me weeks ago, I was like, "What?!? That Mod Podge Lady is famous! What does she want with little ole' me?!?" It is truly an awesome honor to be posting here today!

A little bit about me:

I am a stay at home mom of 3 fantastic kids, and a wife to my very best friend. We are OC transplants living in sunny (and HOT) Arizona. We have been here for just over 4 years now and we LOVE IT!

I started somewhat simple this past summer- it is my little corner of the universe where I share yummy recipes, craft tutorials and all things creative!

All 3 of my kids have been sick this week (go ahead, feel sorry for me!) so in between cuddling the sickos and disinfecting my house over and over again, I put together this fun tutorial for anyone who wants a cute, easy project their kids can enjoy (when they aren't sick, of course!)

I call it "A Family Puzzle" (so original, I know!)

Each step of the tutorial has a picture, for those of you "visual learners" like me!

Materials Needed:
-Picture (I just copied and pasted one into a Word doc. then sized it and printed it off my computer)
-Scissors
-X-acto Knife
-Scrapbook Paper
-Chipboard (aka a cereal box)
-Mod Podge & sponge brush (of course!)

*You may also want a Ziploc baggie and a shipping label (those are not pictured, but I will show you what I did with them later in the tutorial)

Directions:
Step 1. Cut one side of your cereal box.
Step 2. Save your Box Top for Education! Send it to school with your kids (so this isn't relevant in the tutorial steps, but I had to throw it in there!)
Step 3. Apply your picture to one side of the cereal box with Mod Podge, brushing a thin layer under and on top of the picture. Allow to dry completely.

Step 4. Turn your cardboard over and apply your scrapbook paper to the backside with more Mod Podge. Allow to dry completely.
Step 5. Cut off excess cardboard and scrapbook paper.

Step 6. Using a Sharpie or something you can see, trace an outline of puzzle pieces on your picture.
Step 7. Cut out each piece with an X-acto knife. Scissors are easier, but not as accurate--so if you're lazy like me, you'll start with the X-acto knife and end up using scissors and care less about exactness.
Step 8. Print out a smaller sized print of the same picture onto a shipping label and apply it to the front of a Ziploc bag.
Step 9. Place all pieces into the Ziploc bag for safe storage. I have a box of these homemade puzzles my kids love to pull out. Each puzzle is in their own bag and it makes for a quiet game!

Variations:
-Cut the pieces bigger or smaller depending on the age of your children. For my 3 year old, I have puzzles that are only 3-4 pieces.
-Instead of scrapbook paper, you can keep the back of the cereal box uncovered--my kids like re-creating the cereal box too.
-Cover the back with felt and use this puzzle on a flannel board.

************
So there you have it! Super simple, hardly worthy to be in company with the other great projects Amy has here! If you want to see what I can do when I am not juggling sick kids, hop on over to somewhat simple. I post something different every weekday, so there is always something new and exciting! Giveaways, contests, monthly challenges, and of course craft ideas and yummy recipes. (Speaking of which, I need to go plan dinner for tonight! Ugh!)

Anyway, come join in the fun and get inspired!

I hope to see each of you soon! Thanks again Amy for swapping with me today! You (and your Mod Podge) Rock!

Have a great weekend!!!

I think filing cabinets are pretty much the bomb.

I completely relate to Briana, creator of the blog I do all my own stunts and this project, in many ways. We're both from Seattle, she likes Marc Jacobs and organization doesn't come naturally to her. She also likes Mod Podge.

Briana was inspired to create said filing cabinet by several she had seen on the internet, including this one posted here on Mod Podge Rocks (also see another one here). She features her own on her blog right here. I think she did a beautiful job, and I'm proud to share another decoupage success story. If you are new to the Podge, think about trying an old filing cabinet. It's easier than it looks.

Inspiration magnet board that you need for your craft room.

I've told you that one day I will have a large craft room. Besides the umpteen million other things I've mentioned, I also want a magnetic inspiration board in it. On my desk. Which will certainly be neat and organized, much unlike my current desk.

Anyhoo, I found this project on The Gal Blog, a cute little scrappy blog with very fun projects. Designer Erin from It's a Red Red World is the creator, and she did a fantabulous job layering and gluing. Isn't it delightful? Please visit here for the post on this project. Erin mentions that she pulled it out of her "to alter" pile. So I ask you this fine Wednesday: what do you have hanging around that you have been meaning to Podge? Do it - and send me the pictures!

Plain wood stool gets a sweet makeover.

I haven't been to IKEA in awhile and I need to head down there. I am scared though, because a trip to my favorite Swedish furniture store means my paycheck goes away. Quickly. Instead of this stool I decoupaged here, now I want the stool above done by Carla at The Gale Family in Deutschland. It's so delightful, and Carla even sealed it with clear coat, which does my heart good. Read more about her stool project right here.

I also want to mention that this is a great gift idea, especially for a housewarming. If someone gave one to me, I'd be so tickled that I think I would actually turn pink.

Birds' nest boxes.

I'm so pleased to have become acquainted with Genevieve Gail and her delightful blog. She makes me want to go back to school to become a graphic designer. I would probably get support from everyone in my life but my dogs, who would only think of how giving up my day job would affect their treat consumption. Aren't they selfish?

Genevieve decoupaged these absolutely beautiful bird nest boxes, which would look fabulous as home decorations or storage in a craft room - you could even give someone a gift in them. Who doesn't love gift boxes that are a present themselves? Please visit her here to get step-by-step instructions and to browse her very lovely blog space. She's very talented and I know you will enjoy.

Desk transformation with (what else but) the Podge.

What was once old and institutional. . .

has been turned into something fabulous!

Cupkateer originally sent me a question asking if she could Podge on formica, because she wanted to refurbish the desk in the first picture (the answer is yes, with scuff sanding). Her goal: a new craft/sewing desk, non-wobbly and with drawers, very much unlike her current card table. I was impressed with her fervor, because not long after she wrote me she finished her brand new craft/sewing desk. It looks pretty fabulous.

She's a relatively new blogger, so check her entry out here and give her some support. You can also see how well she did this project - and how little it cost her.

Delightful toy containers made from recycled formula cans.

I think some of the most ingenious people in the world are mothers. I say that not only because my own mom is a smart cookie, but because I'm constantly impressed by the decoupage projects I find done by moms. They really have an eye for taking a throw-away item and making it into something fabulous. And you know how much I enjoy trash to treasure.

I was so excited to find these formula-cans-turned-baby-toy-containers from Jen at Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth. Great for toys, awesome for craft items and perfect for organizing. Check out her blog entry about them right here.

Oh, and do you need some further ideas for containing things? Find some other projects here, here and here.

Guest blogging on Make it and Love It.

Hello Mod Podge friends! Today I am over at Make It and Love It - a very wonderfully crafty blog featuring every kind of thing homemade. I'm a regular visitor, and Ashley was kind enough to let me post a tutorial today. Visit here to learn how to make the above gift chest. It only cost me $10 to make, so I consider it to be the perfect gift - inexpensive AND one of a kind. Now come see me!

There's something posh about a wallpapered filing cabinet.

You thought I was done with filing cabinets, didn't you? Um . . . no. When I said I really liked them, I meant it, and I'm constantly looking for different ways of refurbishing them. This one, found on Design*Sponge, is yet another. I keep saying I'm going to decoupage with wallpaper, and I haven't done it yet. Shame on me. I think that I will keep posting Mod Podge wallpaper projects to remind myself that I am a slacker. Or am I being too hard on myself?

Visit here for the tutorial on how to achieve this cabinet, and see even more filing cabinets here and here.

Recycle your paper scraps, with Mod Podge!

Do you have paper scraps that you can't throw away? I do. Most crafters and artists are collectors; we save everything for the perfect project that we know is coming. Design*Sponge does it again with a guest blogging post that uses paper scraps, along with Mod Podge and a little ingenuity, to create the jar covers above. Visit here to find the tutorial that shows you how to do it, and make yourself some pencils as well.

Vintage train case.

I LOVE vintage train cases, but I don't have one. I went onto Ebay and apparently everyone else wants one too, because the cool ones have bids. I wish I had a friend who would give me one like Suzy from Georgia Peachez. She was given this train case, and used a little wallpaper and Mod Podge to fix it up. Which brings me to another thing I have mentioned before: wanting to try wallpaper on a Mod Podge project. Suzy has inspired me to finally get my wallpaper on! Look for something from me very soon.

Please visit Suzy here to see the entry for her train case and to enjoy the rest of her blog; it's very creative. She has all kinds of things from sewing to recipes to organizing tips, all of which benefit me. I know they will benefit you too.

Mod Podge goes green with magazines.

I'm quite fond of this project for many reasons. One of the biggest ones is that EVERYONE has the supplies to make it. Maybe even as you read this, a very kind postal worker is stuffing your mailbox full of catalogs. Some you might read (Boden!!), and some you might wonder why you received (Newport News which I've never ordered from?). Good news readers: you are going to finally have a use for your junk mail.

Cate submitted this cute little mosaic to Project Nursery, and she even got her kids to participate. Another good option for paper is scrapbooking sheet extras you may have laying around. Also consider painting a canvas with a color of acrylic paint, making a mosaic and then Mod Podging over the top of it. Whatever you do, visit here first to read more about how this mosaic was created.

Not so much precious as pretty trendy baby blocks.

Before I begin, has anyone else noticed that the favicon (little icon next to the blog address) on Martha Stewart's website is her face? I'm not going to favicon my face, but you can right here. Okay, done with boring computer stuff.

I was drawn in by the colors and shapes of these baby blocks, courtesy of Martha Stewart. This is an absolutely GREAT gift for a new or expectant mom. If you can coordinate them with her baby's decor, all the better, because she can make a little display on the baby's dresser or shelves. To attempt this project, visit the Martha Stewart website right here. Also check out the video featuring crafter Ashley Steele from Hiccup Inc. Because nothing is better than demonstration, right?

A Japanese origami frame and mini-sandals.

I have to admit, I like minis. Mini ponies, mini figurines, mini everything. Is it just me, or are things way cuter when they are mini?

That brings me to the above mini-sandals and origami frame. They were done by Valerie, who runs a blog called The Crafty Classroom. Possibly the only thing better about her projects than their use of Mod Podge is that they are educational. This is more than I can say for anything that I come up with! If you didn't already guess, she had taught her children about the Japanese culture, and then she and the kiddies did these projects to reinforce their learning.

Valerie provides complete tutorials, one for the frame here and one for the sandals here. Okay, now I'm going to go pretend that I'm not embarassed that her children know what a sumi-e drawing is. . . and I don't. . .

Cigar band spools done with lots of stash stuff.

Cathe of Just Something I Made is one of my heroes, and I hope she knows that. Cathe is a fantabulous graphic designer, a talented Mod Podger and a very effective budget crafter. She's a triple threat! One of her latest decoupage projects impressed me, and you can find the tutorial here. Using cigar labels, spools and an old box, she developed a visually-pleasing display designed to tickle. And tickle it does.

So I ask you - what do you have laying around that you can Podge? Try pairing items together that you typically wouldn't. Etsy and Ebay are great places for vintage postcards, labels and more cheap goodies needing a little glue and a home. Then when you are done, send me your pictures. I love to get them!

Oh, and Cathe - your package contents are getting photographed next week and will be on their way. . . finally!

I wasn't lying when I said I *really* like storage bins.

When I one day have the craft room of my dreams, there will be so many organizational bins that it will look like the warehouse at the end Raiders of the Lost Arc. I'd love everything to have its place, and if it did I'm completely convinced that I would be able to be more effective in my crafting . . . the creativity would churn out more quickly because I would know exactly what I have. A girl can dream, can't she? Here are the instructions for bin #328.

Supplies & Tools:

FolkArt® Acrylic Paint
Bright Baby Pink
Turquoise
Yellow Citron
Mod Podge® Satin

Wood Storage Bin
2” Wood Balls - 4
My Mind’s Eye Scrapbook Paper – 4 sheets, 2 each of 2 designs
Turquoise Ribbon – 1 roll
Paper Flowers – 4 coordinating (I used Prima)
Pink Buttons - 2
1” Flat Paint Brush
Craft Glue
Craft Knife and Mat
Pencil
Scissors

1. I always trace the shapes for my finished project first. Why? Because if pencil marks get on my surface, then I can paint over them. Start by tracing one side of the bin on the four sheets of paper. Set those sheets aside –you’ll cut them while the paint is drying on your project.
2. If you haven’t noticed, I fancy colorblocking. On the storage bin, paint the inside Turquoise, two sides Yellow Citron and two sides Bright Baby Pink. Paint the bottom whatever color you want – I painted it Turquoise. You will have to paint several coats of all colors. Allow to dry.
3. While the bin is drying, paint the wood balls Turquoise. Allow to dry.
4. You are now going to cut the paper. Measure approximately 1/8” inside your trace line on all four pieces from step 1 and trim them down using the craft knife.
5. When your bin is dry, adhere these four pieces to the sides using the Mod Podge. Work one side at a time. Completely smooth out all air bubbles and allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes.
6. Coat the entire bin with at least two coats of Mod Podge. Coat the inside and the wood balls as well. Allow to dry completely.
7. Glue the wood balls to the four corners of the bottom with the craft glue. Allow to dry.
8. Cut the ribbon to fit two opposite sides as you see in the photo. Start with one side and glue the pieces down with craft glue about 1/2" apart. Glue some paper flowers down in the center and then add a button to finish. Allow this side to dry before turning bin over and doing the same to the other side.
9. Allow the storage bin to dry for at least 24 hours before using.