Revamped camera cover-up.

I'm sprinkling in CHA coverage with projects since I have a lot of catching up to do.  There has been so much to see in Los Angeles - wowzers.  In the meantime, here's a fantastic project from Sophie at Roubidou.  It looks like a bicycle seat with a strap but is actually something very cool.  Sophie revamped an old (falling apart) camera case with fabric scraps and Mod Podge.  I want you to understand the power of simply gluing fabric to something, and what a huge difference it can make.  Visit Sophie and see before pictures right here.

Never take yourself too seriously. And a giveaway.

Day two at CHA.  I danced like a fool at the Provo Craft party last night - but that's how I roll for a five-year celebration of the Cricut.  Who am I kidding, actually.  That's how I roll all the time.  I only wish that you had seen me do the running man in a dance circle, because then you might think that my philosophy is to make a fool of yourself in front of people you don't know.  My friends, I haven't even shared pictures from the trade show booths yet.  I've had too much fun hanging out with people!  Here are some more photos of my adventures.

Not-so-early morning with Mark Montano.  Is it sad that we just woke up and are ready to go to bed again?  But seriously, you know how much I love Mark.

Here I am at CHA.

Hi everyone! I'm here at the CHA trade show in Los Angeles.  I had to do the full-length pose for you.

Am I working hard . . . or hardly working?

There's been a lot happening that I have to tell you about - pictures to edit and such.  I'll get to that, but I just wanted to say hello and let you know I'll have a show report tomorrow!  I'll post a project today in the meantime while I'm getting everything cleaned up.  xo

Easy peasy vintage holders.

Helloooooo beginners!  I have a project for you.  If you are trying your hand at Mod Podge for the first time, this is a good place to start.  Spotted at Parsimonia, these cans-turned-vintage-holders caught my eye due to the old (1908 replica) Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog used to cover them.  They are great for craft room storage and the newsprint goes with anything, really.  Find the complete tutorial here.

Flip-Pal™ Mobile Scanner Blog Hop Week #4 - Decoupage dress art.

 Being part of the Flip-Pal™ mobile scanner blog hop has encouraged me to try new things.  I'm searching high and low for things to scan because I love it.  The canvas I Podged above is a great example.  I've never done a knock-off before, and then I saw something so outrageously priced in the Ballard Designs catalog that I had to give it a go.  My problem was that I needed a pattern because I could tell that if I winged it, the whole project was going to go terribly wrong.  I needed to do some enlarging.  An easy job for my buddy the Flip-Pal:

DIY chalkboard purse from The Idea Room.

I'm always pleased to feature "other Amys" here.  Most Amys I've met have something special to bring to the table, and Amy from The Idea Room is no exception.  She has put together a lovely tutorial for you today, and it's perfect for young ones.  Although I might like to carry a chalkboard purse sometimes.  So that at times when I had to wait (over an hour this past Tuesday at the DMV) I would have something to do.  Amy and her blog are wonderful, so I know you'll enjoy her project.  Here she is.

My name is Amy and you can normally find me blogging over at The Idea Room. I am so excited to be sharing a project here at Mod Podge Rocks . . . I love Amy and her product of choice . . . Mod Podge. I had a hard time coming up with a project that I have not seen Amy already feature here. But in the end came up with a fun way to make a chalkboard purse.

The cutest play kitchen.

I really love play kitchens, and the fun details that parents add to make them perfect.  Check out this fun example by Taylor at Taylor Made, made out of a nightstand.  Are you kidding?  It's amazing!  From the little round burners (sealed with Mod Podge) to the backsplash of the sink.  I was howling with happy laughter.  When I have a kid, he or she will have one of these.  I'll make my husband install granite countertops and Kohler faucets on it.  It still won't be as cute as Taylor's, though.  See more pictures here.

DIY luggage tags.

It's so apropos that Melissa from A Hundred Billion Stars posted her customized luggage tags, as I'm leaving this Thursday for Los Angeles.  It's CHA trade show time again, my friends!  I'll be reporting live, bringing you the best of what's new in the craft industry.  I look forward to it.  I wish I would have had time to make one of Melissa's luggage tags, because they are super cute.  My large floral suitcase needs just such a tag so I can be extra-specially cute, don't you think?  See her blog entry here.

I think there's something else you should know about today.  Thirty-four years ago, the world (more specifically, my mother) spit forth a baby with a pug nose and a red face.  That baby is me.  Who could have predicted at that time that I would eventually start a Mod Podge blog and one day be writing to all of you?  The only thing I want to do on my birthday is thank my mother.  Mom, thanks not only for having me, but for your great taste in couches. I could pretend to be younger, but I think that pattern gives away my age.  Love you mom.  Thanks for bringing me into the world.

The Big-Ass Book of Home Decor book review and giveaway.

When I say that Mark Montano is a crafty genius and that you NEED this book, I really mean it.  I have a few crafty idols, and he's one of them - and what a stellar resume he possesses.  He's been on TLC's While You Were Out and 10 Years Younger, We's She's Moving In and Style Network's My Celebrity Home.  Are you kidding?  I'd be doing the hamster dance if I had even one of those TV shows under my belt.  That's not even mentioning all of the books he's done (see his website).  Not only is Mark one of the most talented DIYers I've ever known, he's also the nicest.  I've had the pleasure of meeting Mark and he's kind, hilarious . . . everything a crafty star should be.  I really could go on and on, but I need to get to the topic at hand.

Here are my five favorite things about Big-Ass Book of Home Decor.

DIY paper wall decor.

It is a person that is truly brilliant who uses letters as a decoupage background.  And that person is Katie from Belles Lettres Designs.  She's got some very cute canvas wall art for her son Elijah going on, and her color and paper choices are great.  I think you will like them too.  Visit here for her canvas making strategy and to see pics of the other cute canvas she came up with.

Table collage revamp.

I love it when some of my featured crafters inspire other crafters, and that is the case with this table by Kristi of The Yorktown Owens.  She saw this table by Kristi of Addicted 2 Decorating and wanted to make one of her very own.  Kristi and Kristi, is there something you two aren't telling me?  Something about your identical name spellings and table collages?? Hmm?  I'm kidding.  What they do have in common is that they are both great Mod Podgers, and Kristi of Yorktown took it a step further with some glitter Mod Podge.  I love her table so.  See more project shots here.

One more thing - if you are a craft blogger, you need to visit my other pet project Crafterminds.  The group consists of me, Heather from Dollar Store Crafts, Beckie from Infarrantly Creative and Jen from Tatertots and Jello  We are completely devoted to serving craft bloggers, passing along the info and tips we've learned along the way.  We hold Twitter chats every Monday, and we write articles at the Crafterminds site on a regular basis.  Check out the latest from Heather discussing how to talk to your family about your blogging.

Flip-Pal™ Mobile Scanner Blog Hop Week #3 - Fun face glass magnets.

I have a confession.  I've never made glass marble magnets with Mod Podge.  Eek!  Don't be mad.  I'm doing the Flip-Pal™ mobile scanner blog hop again this week, and I thought it would be the perfect time to try a project I never have.  The analogy is living in Seattle and never going to the Space Needle.  It's always seemed too obvious, so I've never done it.  I hope you will forgive me, because I think the picture I'm about to show you of myself will make up for everything.  Before I begin, here's the little guy I'll be using in today's post:

DIY Bangles dress up your wrists.

Do you ever start a project and then realize how much FUN you are having doing it?  I may have found a new career decorating bangle bracelets - that is how much I love it.  It started with an order of DIY Bangles and went crazy from there.  Now I'm making bangles like there's no tomorrow, so I'm sharing a few of my recent creations with you.  I warn you though, I can't be responsible for time spent away from your children, husband and work duties to make these.  Right now I have ring-around-the-bathtub and I don't even care.  I have such cute bangle bracelets!  Here's how I made these.

Sewing machine upcycle.

I have an old Elna that was my Grandma Helen's before she passed away in 1995.  I think it's actually a year older than I am!  I'll tell you what - I love that thing, but it is heavier than a person.  I could keep it near the bed and swing it at an intruder, and they wouldn't survive the blow.  I think there lead, lead and something even heavier than lead in the center of it.  Yet I love it.  I wouldn't trade my Elna for anything, including one of those fancy electronic jobbies.  I learned on an Elna, and it's very special to me.

Anyhoo, I love that Cynthia revamped her old(er) sewing machine and told us about it on her blog.  I also love that she toned it down and added some character with gesso and then walnut ink.  Her machine is the same age as mine, and just needed a sprucing.  This definitely fits the fun bill, and I think you'll like it too.  Visit her tutorial here.

Shabby chic altered tin.

January is National Organization month, and I'm annoying myself because I feel like I've said that 100 times.  You know the truth is, I think it's because I need some serious organization here at Mod Podge Command Central.  I actually think I've found the solution and I've got an upcoming post about that, so stay tuned.

Jen from My Crafty Friend Jen has been doing some organizing herself, and what she's come up with is a little box for odds and ends.  I definitely have some odds and ends around MPCC, so I think this is a great idea.  I have blue pom-poms, a few Scrabble tiles, some velvet brads - those are odds and ends.  They don't need a bin on their own, so a found items box is perfect.  Visit her blog entry about her found items tin here.

PS - Jen is also blogging at Crafts Unleashed with my friend Jenny at Craft Test Dummies.  They are crafty powerhouses, so you'll definitely want to visit them ASAP.

Makia Creations announcement and giveaway.

I just love Alison and Missy from HowDoesShe, and so I'm very excited to share with you their latest venture - Makia Creations.  They started Makia because they realized that so many women love craft groups, yet hosting a group crafting event is very different than crafting for yourself.  Rather than running around to collect a boatload of different supplies so that you can invite ten women over, these moms have created fun and trendy kits to make crafting parties stress free.  There's a lot more to it, so I encourage you to visit their site here.  In the meantime, they want to give you a little introduction and are offering a generous giveaway.  Aren't they sweet?  Take a peek. 

Making. Creating. Simple.
 

It's time to find a seriously easy way to create.

Less Mess

Less Stress

Less Craziness

Craft Kits... Simplified

Lost Socks Craft Kit

Sweet kits that include everything needed to complete your craft. Really...everything. Taking the hassle out of crafting one creation at a time.
 

Fancy Flowers Kit
 

Love Board Kit

Oh and we only have 34 of these kits left! They are one of our hot kits!

Get your projects done!

3 ways to become part of Makia Creations Craft Groups

1. Create on your own
2. Get your friends together and Host a Craft Group!
3. Become a Craft Group Leader

Fresh new craft kits are added each month!

Making. Creating. Simple.

www.makiacreations.com

A seriously easy way to create.

Get together with your friends and have fun doing something you love: making things!

The goils from Makia are offering a $75 gift certificate to their store to one of you.  Aren't they generous?  The rules are pretty simple.  Here they are.

1. Comment on THIS blog entry. Say anything you like about Makia!

2. Become a fan of their Facebook page here.
3. Only one entry per person, must be in the continental US to enter.

4. Contest will close this Friday, January 21st at midnight (EST).
5. PLEASE leave your e-mail address if it's not attached in Blogger - I need some way to reach you.

Full contest disclosure here.

Starter pack and t-shirt giveaway.

Hey everyone!  It's the first time I've given away Mod Podge in awhile, since I've been doing book reviews.  I hope you've enjoyed those, by the way.  I do love craft books and I love giving them away.  I do want to give away Mod Podge too, so I'm back at it.  Leave a comment to win a starter pack AND a fabulous Mod Podge t-shirt.  I'm giving away FIVE prizes, and you don't have to jump through a flaming hoop.  Just leave a comment.


Here are some other things to know for today's giveaway:
1. Comment on THIS blog entry. Say anything you like!
2. Only one entry per person.  Five winners will be chosen.
3. Contest will close this Wednesday, January 19th at midnight (EST).
4. PLEASE leave your e-mail address if it's not attached in Blogger - I need some way to reach you.

Full contest disclosure here.
Last week's winner of Handmade Living was Pattie Cordova.

January Flickr group roundup.

If you are on Flickr, I would love for you to join the Mod Podge Rocks Flickr pool.  I do roundups on a regular basis (okay, sometimes not so regularly, but I try) - and I would love to include your photos in the collection of goodness.  Here are some awesome finds while I was browsing today.  All of you are so talented.  It continues to blow my mind.

Circle wreath by pulp and paisley

Mini art picture hanger.

I did a double take when I saw this Manhattan poster on Abbie's site Little Family in the Big City.  I know that Ork poster!  I don't remember where I first heard of these posters, but I have the Seattle one (my hometown).  The Mod Podge part of this whole thing is the way it hangs - more fun than a frame, and definitely lower cost.  You may already have all of the supplies on hand.  This idea is great for posters that aren't standard size, because who wants to sell their firstborn child for wall art?  Find the complete blog entry here.

Valentine's suncatchers.

I'm trying to focus on fun projects and not the fact that I've been stuck in Mod Podge Command Central for three days because of ice on the roads.  Don't get me wrong, I love this place, but I'm going stir crazy at this point.  So let's talk about Valentine's Day!

Amanda from Crafts By Amanda created these suncatchers for Craftown, and the project is fun for adults and children as well.  I'm not a big Valentine's Day person, but I would love to make these and put them in the window.  They are very cute, and I need a project to take my mind off day three of my captivity.  Find the complete tutorial here.

Upcoming Charity Wings event benefits Crops of Luv.

At the end of the month I'm going to the Craft and Hobby Association Winter Trade Show in Los Angeles.  What is the CHA Trade Show, you ask?  It's where nearly every craft company in the world debuts their new goodies for the year.  I'll be there reporting, networking and demo-ing.  I'm so excited!


Charity Wings is giving you the opportunity to be there via your computer with an event called "Live at CHA." You get to experience on the fun of CHA from the convenience of your own home.  The best part is that your ticket price benefits Crops of Luv - an organization designed to make scrapbooks for the families of children with terminal illnesses.  Go here to register.

PS - Someone you know just may be demo-ing Mod Podge during the Live at CHA show.  Date and time to come.

Collage charms with family photos.

Valentine's Day - it's not just for sweethearts anymore!  I like that all holidays are becoming a great opportunity to make decorative goodies for yourself and for your friends.  Valentine's Day is a perfect example.  Why not make yourself, your mom or your friend a sweet bracelet because you love her?  I love Cathie Filian's blog, and I particularly love her ideas for Mod Podge Dimensional Magic, these bracelets being a great example.  You can whip up several of them at a time.  Visit the full tutorial here.

Soul Restoration and an awesome video.

Many of you know that I went to Brave Girls Camp this past July.  You also know what a wonderful, amazing experience it was - and many of you let me know you would love to do it too.  Many of you also mentioned that you don't have the time, money or other things in place to be able to attend.  I have a solution - Soul Restoration.  It's a six-week online course that starts today; basically Brave Girls at home.  It's the same kind of life-changing curriculum, and you can participate on your terms.  I will tell you that registration is closed for this session, but there are going to be MANY more online sessions, and I want you to consider attending the next one.  Then we can talk all about it together, and won't that be fun?  To get e-mail updates so you know when it's time to sign up for the next session, go here (top right to sign up).  You have enough time to get everything in order to be a part of the next session!

 

As an added treat, I wanted to share a video with you from a fellow Brave Girl, Maria Simpson. She is in love with Mod Podge (as you can plainly see), and she also has an AMAZING Etsy shop called Chickadee Bead Art.  I'm trying to decide whether to get the happy day leather bracelet, the Ella leather cuff or the love leather bracelet.  Which one do you think would be right for me?  Need your help.  Enjoy the video.

DIY image transfer to canvas.

When I happened upon this image transfer tutorial by Melissa at Bursts of Creativity, I wanted to do a backflip.  Then I reconsidered, because I can't even do a cartwheel, and I don't want to hurt myself.  Melissa shows us in her tutorial how to transfer an image to sticky back canvas, which I'd never heard of before.  It adds great texture to craft projects.  And to comment on Melissa's sentiment in the finished project, I totally agree.  Visit her complete tutorial here.

Dimensional Magic gift tags.

If I were to create a Justice League of Mod Podge crafters, my friend Jen from Tatertots and Jello would be on it.  She's a very talented Podger, and she's even great with Dimensional Magic.  Jen recently put together these magnetic gift tags, and they are cute as a bottlecap - and also useful after the gift is given.  Who knew sheet metal could look so fab?  Jen is just one of those amazing people that can visit the roofing department of a home improvement store and find craft supplies.  See how she assembled her gift tags here.

Handmade Living with Lotta Jansdotter review and giveaway.

My review of Handmade Living by Lotta Jansdotter is going to be a little bit different than my other book reviews - simply because this is a lifestyle book rather than a project book.  When I figured that out, I'm going to be honest.  I was worried that this book was going to be a big snooze.  The good news is that it's quite the contrary - after cracking open the binding, I didn't get up for at least an hour.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Lotta's life, her design, her work space and her entertaining.

Ikea hack - photo negative lamp.

I happened upon this Grönö lamp (from Ikea) hack at Poopscape, and after I was laughing at the name of the blog, I decided I really like it.  The hack is funky and easy and pretty much wonderful.  I love it even more than Claire named her blog Poopscape, and so I'm going to say it again.  Poopscape.  Hee-hee.  Visit the entire project tutorial here.

Announcing the Crafterminds Twitter chat on Monday!  Please come, it's all about goal setting and expectations - great for newbie and seasoned craft bloggers alike.  Visit here for the details, but just so you know, it starts at 4pm EST.

Make collage postcards from your travels.

I am a road tripper.  I like to travel outside of the country as well, although I will tell you that I am terrified to fly.  I do it anyway, but I don't like it.  That's why road trips are so fun for me; no pressure, just the open road.  If you are like me, then you might like this site: the Guide to Uniquely Odd Tourist Attractions.  I've referred to it many a time.

Speaking of traveling, I was more-than-pleased to find these fun postcards from Marty and Kelly from The Pan American Dream.  In 2010 they traveled 10,000 miles in Alaska over three months, and collected a lot of goodies on their trip.  What did they do?  They made postcard collages to commemorate their journey using Mod Podge.  Looking at these makes me happy, and some of the make me laugh.  What a great idea.  See the complete collection here.

Flip-Pal™ Mobile Scanner Blog Hop Week #1 - Charley Harper wall decor.

I've got two things to accomplish today.  First of all, I'm participating in the Flip-Pal™ mobile scanner blog hop, and that means I had to use this darling little piece of equipment to do my project:

I love scanning things and making them into projects, and when this little guy arrived I got excited.  Decoupage, after all, is a great craft for scanned, personalized items.  Aw yeah!  The other item of business was to create a beginner Mod Podge project - I mean *really* beginner.  For those of you who have done decoupage before, you may roll your eyes at this one . . . but just bear with me, because there are a few newbies out there who have never used the Podge before, and this is about the easiest place to begin.  EVER.

Revamped highchair.

What to do when your highchair has been through a few kids and the finish is wearing off?  Re-do it with some paper and Mod Podge like Bobbie from Clumsy Crafter did.  Bobbie did a totally Mod Podge Amy color combo, and she had me at the polka dots.  If I could wedge my butt into that seat, I would want to sit in it at my kitchen table.  Did you just get a funny visual?  Visit her blog entry here.

PS - Mod Podge is acrylic and waterbased, so yes, it is child safe for a project such as this.  I recommend always using a plate on top of the tray for your child's food.

Peace canvas as a handmade gift.

I totally get Dana from House*Tweaking.  She has two sons, so it's exciting when she gets to make a girl gift (she has nieces).  I have four brothers, so I too get excited when I get to make girl gifts for family members.  Dana made this peace canvas for her niece, and it's completely my style.  Simple. Modern.  Incorporates fabric.  If I can get all three of those things into one project, I'm happy.  I think this is a perfect room decoration, especially for those type of girls that like feminine but not "cutesy."  Great job Dana.  Visit here tutorial here.

My favorite website: Stumble Upon.

I don't typically talk about social bookmarking, my favorite websites or anything along those lines on this blog - it is, after all, about Mod Podge.  And all the wonderful projects that are made with it.  But I have to talk about StumbleUpon, because I just love it.

The premise is simple.  You sign up for an account and start browsing websites according to the categories you specify (crafts is one).  For each website you "stumble upon," you thumbs up or thumbs down that page.  The more you thumbs up and thumbs down, the better suited the following websites are toward your interests.  StumbleUpon is basically a filter to get you to the sites you'll love.  My friends, I do it every night and I find the coolest things in the whole world.  I'm so wonderfully lame that I even have the toolbar installed.

Okay, that's the end of my plug.  It's an unpaid plug, by the way.  But hey, if StumbleUpon wants to throw a few bucks my way, I won't complain.  I also won't say no to Cheez-Its or Target, two of my other favorite things in the world.  If you want to join me in the fun world of stumbles, my profile is here.  Let's be friends, and you can see how crazy I really am when you view my favorites.  See you soon!

Baby food jar spice rack.

When I say the project of the week is a spice rack, I mean that Lauren from Dav.i.son has come up with a fabulous way to recycle her baby food jars.  You can only use so many of them to hold paperclips, right?  Many of you are mothers and have these jars out the wha-zootie; I thought this would be helpful.  You also won't have to deal with those regular racks that have the names of completely useless spices.  Hello, I need my label for Italian Seasoning!  Visit the complete blog entry here.

Paper + Craft book review and giveaway.

Since I work daily with paper (it just goes so well with Mod Podge), I was excited at the opportunity of reviewing Paper + Craft, published by Chronicle Books.  It was written by Minhee and Truman Cho of Paper + Cup, a unique stationary company you should visit if you haven't already.  Not only do I love their goodies, I love their cute little baby Jr.  You can see him on their blog. 

As papercrafting experts, the Chos bring a different perspective to the crafting world - they even admit in the introduction that their initial impression of the world of crafting was "yarn-spun doilies and Grandma's needlepoint."  Crafts didn't equal art.  Their impression changed as they realized how deeply meaningful and heartfelt the process of crafting really is.  I like the Chos, and I like their book.  Here are my five favorite things about it.

Happy New Year - it's your turn.

Happy New Year 2011!  A new year is always a great time for a change, so this blog needs to hop on the bandwagon and do it too. My first order of business is to revamp the FAQs so that it's easier for all of you to get the information you need.  So here's what I need you to do in the comments - answer this (please):

What is your most burning Mod Podge question?

It can be anything: a specific problem or issue, general knowledge about Podge, project related, etc.  As a reward for being a good blog helper, I will give ten random questioneers a Mod Podge starter pack.  I'm going to accept questions until this coming Tuesday, January 4th at midnight EST.  The most asked questions will receive a special place in the FAQ hall of fame.

Thanks for your help, and welcome to the new year.  Let's make it a great one.