Fancy Mod Podge glitter flats.

Glitter doesn't always have to be bold and crazy (like me) - sometimes glitter is nice when it's a bit subtle . . . and sophisticated.  That way you can Mod Podge shoes and wear them to a ball without looking like a Las Vegas showgirl.  You know, for all those balls you go to.  Katie from Sew Woodsy decorated these flats, and she used my favorite glitter color (black!).  Katie finished the project one afternoon and wore them out that night.  They have a slight shimmer, and aren't they fancy?  I think I  need a pair, and you do too.  For the tutorial, go here.

For more Mod Podged shoes, visit these awesome projects:

• Mod Podged flats
• Halloween glitter shoes
• Mod Podge shoe love
• Plain to pretty shoe makeover
• Fall boot overhaul
• Brand name glitter pumps

Revamp a salvaged telephone table.

Do you love re-dos as much as I do?  My favorite part is honestly the before pictures - because 90% of the time I'm shocked at the transformation.  This refurbished telephone table by Natalie at A Turtle's Life For Me is one of those transformations.  What was once dumpy and old is now bright and pretty with some paint, fabric, wrapping paper and Mod Podge.  The total cost to renovate wasn't much at all.  Want to see the before pics?  Take a peek here, and then give Natalie kudos for all her hard work.

Talking about tampon crafts.

Hahaha!  You are going to love this.  I recently posted about tampon crafts in the International Delights CoffeeTalk community.  Please come by and share your thoughts.  Disgusting . . . or intriguing?  You be the judge!

Photo credit: Bedazzled Finger Puppet by Staceyrebecca

Wine bottles turned vases.

Sara from Creative Jewish Mom enjoys bright color as much as I do, which is great for me because I'm always excited to see her next project.  The vases above are a great example - love the colors, love the pompoms on sticks.  I'm always looking for great table display ideas, and these wine bottles turned vases are a perfect example.  They are a very versatile project as well.  Kids can get involved because they are so easy, and you can use them as a display piece on a window rather than a vase.  Get the full tutorial here.

Want to see some of Sara's other projects? Of course you do:

• Recycled paper doily tray
• DIY baby blocks
• Recycled magazine page nesting bowls
• Unique room signs
• Styrofoam tray craft
• Polymer clay tree collage art

Halloween cupcake candy pedestal.

The life of a Man Podger is not easy - you have to come up with cute projects all day and then craft all night.  Meanwhile, Mod Podge Amy is breathing over your shoulder, telling you to work faster . . .   Hahaha!  Just kidding guys.  I don't know if you've seen all of the projects from Man Podgers Walter and David, but they are so unique - there hasn't been one I haven't loved.  Just like this cupcake candy pedestal from Walter.  Anything Halloween-related is fine by me, but I especially love Halloween party goods.  Walter does too, and I'll let him tell you exactly how to make this cupcake stand.

Pimp your sewing machine.

Do you have an old school sewing machine?  I'm pleased to say that I have an Elna from 1977.  It was my grandmother's, and it looks like this.  She passed away and it's the only memory I have of her.  Not to mention that it's also a perfect defense weapon for house break-ins.  I can't explain to you how heavy it is.  If I started swinging it around I could break down a brick wall.  They did not make sewing machines light back then!

I spotted this sewing machine revamp on Dee Construction and I really love it.  It's subtle and you could do it with fabric OR paper.  You just need a few scraps to make your sewing machine stylin'.  Visit Dee here to see more pictures and other awesome DIY projects.

Before I go I wanted to tell you about one more thing.  Did you ever read Mary Englebreit's Home Companion?  It was one of my FAVE magazines for inspiration.  It hasn't been in publication in three years, but they are thinking about bringing it back.  If you want it (and I'm telling you that you do), please sign the petition!

Ottlite giveaway.

 

Do you know about OttLite? I’ve been a fan of this company for years – so I’m going to rave about them for a second. OttLite makes full-spectrum lighting that essentially brings high definitely natural lighting indoors. If you are a crafter, DIYer, home decor enthusiast or really anyone who does detail work under a lamp, then you NEED an OttLite.

The key to an OttLite being so amazing is the 508 Technology. Ordinary household lighting can be harsh on your eyes – it can cause headaches and eye fatigue from squinting. OttLites emit light at the perfect frequency for close-up work, combining contrast and brightness in just the right balance. This makes seeing easier and more comfortable, and color matching is a breeze. Want to win an OttLite worth $60?

Pretty vintage lampshade re-do.

I have to first address the name of the blog that did this fun lampshade above - Pitter and Glink.  I like it.  A lot.  It's funny.  I also really like the lampshade I found there, refurbished using a little more Glink than Pitter.  What I really love about this lampshade is the punch she used to cut the paper that covers the shade - it's really pretty.  I need that punch and I need to re-do a lampshade after seeing this.  If you do too, visit here.

Great idea for acorns.

For those of you who were around last year, do you remember my painted and Podged acorns?  They were bright, which I like, but this year I'm looking for something a bit more subtle.  These acorns from Mega Crafty are just the ticket - no bright colors but just as much of a statement.  I love the mini acorn punch and really just everything about them.  They are perfect, so I'll be making them soon. Thank Meg for her great idea right here.

Latest craft posts on Babble.com.

As I continue to blog on Babble.com's The New Home Ec, I have more and more fun.  I'm quite sure it's because it's fall and I'm in full crafty swing.  Plus, as I told you, I get to talk about more than just Mod Podge.  I can't believe I just said that, but even a Mod Podged obsessed gal like myself needs to visit other inspiration every now and again.  Trust me, I'm always thinking "can I Mod Podge it?"  Check out the latest from Babble.com and see what inspires you.

• 25 Forest Woodland Craft Ideas (shown above)
• OttLite Review and Giveaway (still open!)
• 24 Halloween Craft Projects That Inspire Me
• 25 Spooky and Fun Skeleton Halloween DIY Projects
• 25 Great Ghost Craft Ideas for Halloween

Teacher appreciation bouquet and Happy Birthday Mom.

It's a party today here at MPR!  Why?  You'll find out in a minute.  Until then, I want you to get acquainted with this beautiful cupcake liner bouquet from Creative Jewish Mom (Sara).  Sara always knows the right project to make for every occasion because she is the perfect Mod Podger.  You have to read her blog entry to know that these pots actually resulted from a craftfail!  Some of the best projects do.  See the tutorial here.

So what is the party all about?

It's my mom Karen's birthday today!  This is Mod Podge mom and dad.  Can you believe she is only 30 today?  Please wish her a happy birthday my friends, as turning 30 is stressful.

Thanks mom, for being a good mom.  And for loving me even though I'm weird and sometimes neurotic.  Love you!

New feature on StumbleUpon.

 

Do you remember how much I love StumbleUpon?  I'm not a paid advertiser for them, but I love the site so much and spend hours on there searching for inspiration . . . unfortunately I'm just an addict!  They recently released a new Explore Box and I had to share.

It makes finding content even more user friendly before.  And yes, I'm aware that I sound like an infommercial.  But without StumbleUpon, I never would have found this site.  Can you blame me for loving it?  Take a peek at Explore when you have a chance.

Craft a paper collage binder.

If you aren't sure what this is, it's a binder - and I'm excited to show you because I think it's very pretty.  If you (or your children) have gotten over the shock of going back to school (it's like jumping into glacier water naked), you may be ready to decorate your supplies.  This binder by Michelle of Sparky and Marie is great because you can use up those paper scraps from another project.  Visit here to see the binder and more fun pictures.  This totally knocks the socks off a Trapper Keeper, don't you think?

DIY Mod Podged Halloween blocks.

Hello Podgers!  It's time for Halloween - and in a big way.  I'm ashamed that it's almost the end of September and I have barely started Halloween crafting.  I gotta get on the stick this weekend.  Black glitter isn't going to sprinkle itself!

Luckily Man Podger David has begun Halloween crafting, so he is totally saving my butt this week.  These Mod Podged blocks will make a great addition to your home decor, especially to those decorative mantles that so many of you do.  Here is the complete tutorial, straight from David.

Hip girl glitter clips.

I have to admit that in certain circumstances, I am a glitter addict.  What a lot of you may not know that I have issues with loose glitter because it gets everywhere - this might be TMI, but I've seen glitter in my underwear before after a big project.  How did it get there?  I'll never know.

For some projects, glitter is not only appropriate but totally required.  These glitter clips by Sara of Craft Snob are exactly what I'm talking about.  I'm not sure which is cuter - the clips or that face that her baby Peaches is making while holding one of the clips.  I'll let you decide (definitely the baby!).  Visit the tutorial here.

Vase from toothbrush holder.

I'm always looking for sweet and simple home decor - and I know all of you are too.  Lesley from Fabulously Flawed has come up with an idea that only costs $1.  And what is it made from?  A toothbrush holder.  I'm typically grossed out by these plastic toothbrush holders because they hold "soup" at the bottom . . . but in this case, holding flower water is okay.  In fact, I think all of the plastic toothbrush holders in the world should be changed into vases!  See how Lesley did it right here.

Autumn lunch bag trees.

Katie from Matsutake is one of my heroes.  She is creative in a way that I dream to be one day, and nothing is too far out there to be a craft supply.  Katie's most recent creation is the pom-pom tree series above - made from lunch bags, pom-poms and Mod Podge.  They are such a fun addition to a seasonal mantle, and kids can tackle this project.  In fact, even my pug Roxie can crumple a lunch bag.  Seriously.  I've watched her do it.

If you want to visit Katie's tree tutorial, go here.  Also don't forget to visit other projects of hers that I've featured (and love): faux vintage hangers, a Stiffy fox lamp and her tutorial on how to transfer inkjet images to wood.

PS - If you want Mod Podge and need a coupon, click on the Michaels box in the right column at the top.  You can print out a 50% off coupon (one item).  That is a big YAY.

Ways to get involved with your community.

Thanks to Walgreens for sponsoring my writing. Help Walgreens help others! Visit their Facebook page here to learn about their charitable partners and decide which cause Walgreens will donate to with a quick vote.

Hey Mod Podgers! If you read this blog on a regular basis, you know that I am passionate about my dogs - affectionately called "the piggies."  I have three of them, and they are all rescues.  Roxie is the one I've had the longest, and she is pictured above (she's 9).

Crafty mojo at Babble.com.

Yay! It's getting to be fall - I'm so excited!  If you've been around here for awhile then you know I love Halloween.  I love all of the project ideas . . . I want to make everything I see . . . and I use Pinterest for a lot of my inspiration.  How about you?  Here are a few articles I've posted recently at Babble.com on The New Home Ec.  I think you will like!

• 24 Owl Crafts for Fall (shown above)
• 25 DIY Pumpkin Decorating Projects
• 22 Fall Wood Crafts: Twigs and Branches
• 25 DIY Scarf Tutorials (No Knit)
• 25 Star Wars Craft Projects - May the Force Be With You
• 24 Projects to Make With Sharpies

Sewn and Podged baby monogram.

Smitha, a designer for Fiskars, is so right about this project - it's super easy to make this beautiful decorative canvas for your home.  It's so dainty, so petite and so pretty.  It also uses paper embroidery, which I love and haven't done enough of.  There must be someone in your life that needs a canvas just like this one (baby or adult).  Find the complete tutorial here.

Guest Blogger: Emily from Blu Babes Create.

 

Hi I'm Emily from BluBabesCreate, and I'm excited to be guest posting over here at Mod Podge Rocks. I'm a little bit wreath obsessed. You can go check out some of my wreaths here, here and here!  And that's just three of them!  Recently we moved from Oregon to Utah and my husband said, "There's no way we're hauling all of those wreaths to Utah!"  I had to agree, I mean there were 12 of them.  So I came up with something that was a lot more compact but still just as seasonable and enjoyable!  Come take a looksy and find out more!

 

Fun DIY Halloween magnets.

Yay!  I've been waiting for Halloween crafting to officially-or-not-so-officially get into swing.  Who am I kidding?  I love Halloween all year round!  Man Podger Walter has come up with some cute little punkin magnets that you can quickly make as small gifts for Halloween lovin' friends.  He's going to list them (and more) in his Etsy shop later today if you'd rather buy than make.  In the meantime, check out the tutorial below, straight from Walter.

Krylon Glitter Blast Halloween plaque and giveaway.

It's Halloween, and I can't tell you how excited I am!  If you have been around this blog for awhile, you already know it's my favorite holiday.  What you may not know is that one of the biggest reasons I love Halloween is because I get to use black glitter.  I love black glitter.  Who am I kidding - I love everything about Halloween.

I'm participating in a blog hop today where all of us are using Krylon Glitter Blast, and the result is this Halloween plaque that I love so much.  I also got to use orange pom pom trim, my favorite Sizzix Big Shot die Award Ribbon and Mod Podge.  It's a total win-win.  Do you want to see more about my project and find out how to win Glitter Blast of your own?  Continue on, my Halloween lovin' friends.

I will tell you before I start that this tutorial isn't short - so if you want to skip it to learn how to win the goods, scroll to the bottom.  But If you really love me then you won't skip it.  Kidding.  Sort of.  Here's how to make a Halloween plaque just like mine.

We remember.

Please join me in a day of posting silence on this blog as we remember those who lives were lost and whose families were deeply affected by the tragedy ten years ago.  We will never forget.

DIY a custom Mod Podge tray.

You would think that because I'm a bright color person that I can't appreciate a darker or even more traditional look.  But I can.  Not that I'm saying this tray from Maggie Rose Interiors is traditional - it's just that with my crazy stripe and polka dot styling, you might not think it fits into my life.  I'm telling you that I LOVE this tray and I need one for my kitchen.  The dark wood stain with the blue pattern makes it beautiful, yet still vibrant.  If you want instructions to make one too, visit Maggie Rose here.

PS - if you have second or two, please stop by The New Home Ec at Babble.com.  I write there about all kinds of crafts, and I'm having a Mixed Bag Designs gift card giveaway.  I'd love to see you!

Make some framed ferns.

Does anyone know the fern and stinging nettle trick?  I grew up in Seattle, and we had plenty of stinging nettles - and Western Sword ferns.  If you get stung by the nettles and rub the fern on the sting, it goes away.  I spent a lot of time in the woods when I was young, and a lot of time getting stung.  The ferns saved me.

And I've liked ferns ever since.

I spotted this fern art at Centsational Girl, and I love the beautiful simplicity of these framed pieces.  Kate has a stunning setup featuring the art, but that's how she rolls (love the greens and blues).  You won't believe how easy these are to create, and you also won't have to worry about stinging nettles - so the project should be fun.  Get the full tutorial here.

More crafty posts from Babble.com

A lot of you don't know that I'm a knitter - in fact, I've been doing that longer than I've been Podging.  I've actually been knitting for longer than I haven't been.  Nineteen years to be exact. Due to the nature of my blog, I don't get to post about knitting, but that's okay - I get to post about it on Babble.com at The New Home Ec!  I've got recent several posts for your enjoyment, so take a peek:

• 22 Yarnbombing Examples (pictured above)
• 22 Craft Ideas for Argyle
• 21 Rug Craft Tutorials
• 25 Back to School Inspired Crafts
• 22 Fabulous Fall Craft Tutorials

Guest Blogger: Anna from My Life and Kids.

Hi, I'm Anna from My Life and Kids, and I'm thrilled to be guest posting at Mod Podge Rocks!

I had three kids in three years, and whew has my life changed. Just a few years ago I had a great job, a social life, and I lived in the city with my hubby and my dog. Then we had our three kids, I turned 30, we moved to the suburbs, we bought a minivan, and I quit my job. Can I get some mom jeans to go with my new life?

Forty Martha Stewart paint projects for your crafty enjoyment.

Plaid recently released the new Martha Stewart decorative paint line at Michaels stores.  Did you happen to see my ombre applique tee?

I wanted to share a few things for those of you who asked - one, there are giveaways going on where you can get the product and two, there are 39 other bloggers that did projects you should see as well.

Mod Podge suitcase.

Have you tired of Mod Podge suitcases yet?  Good, because neither have I.  I spotted this one at Sew Can Do as a guest posting by Jean of the Quilted Cupcake.  She uses it for yarn storage (my yarn storage container is here).  It's really perfect - and only cost $4.  I could Mod Podge some suitcases for storage but then I fear my apartment would look like Delta's baggage claim with all that I need to store.  I guess it's time to pare down!  Do you want a Mod Podged suitcase?  Visit the tutorial here.

Looking for stellar Halloween projects.

Howdy Mod Podgers!  I'm looking for cool Mod Podge projects for Halloween to feature - you know, cool like the Star Wars pumpkins above.  Send them my way via e-mail (modpodgerocks at gmail) or leave a link to them in the comments.  They don't have to be new.  As long as they are lovable, like all of you.  Thank you!

DIY comic book geek coasters.

You may be like me and have a brother who loves comic books - in which case, geeky coasters are the perfect gift for said brother.  And trust me, I'm not throwing stones.  I'm a Star Wars fanatic.  I even have a t-shirt (I wear it) that says "Be Nice to Nerds."  Haha!

I'm quite pleased with Man Podger David's project because I know a lot of you are looking for gifts and project ideas for the men in your life.  David is great with coasters, so you'll want to pay attention (especially if you're a beginner); and he used an unusual surface for the base.  Here's the tutorial straight from David.

Playing with magnetic quilts.

Playing with magnets on a fridge is intriguing when you are a kid.  Aw, who am I kidding?  It's intriguing as an adult!  It's fun making new shapes no matter what age you are.  Regina from Chalk in My Pocket came up with these magnetic "quilts" as a way to entertain her daughter, and I particularly love her color choices.  Yep, I could move these triangles around for hours.  What can I say - I'm easily entertained.  Visit the tutorial here.

Upromise to Dream 10th anniversary contest.

This post brought to you by UPromise. All opinions are 100% mine.

Upromise is celebrating their 10th anniversary!  If you don't know what Upromise is, a percentage of your everyday spending goes into an account, helping you pay for either your or your children's college.  As someone who paid for college themselves (and is still paying off student loans), this is a super cool idea. To this date, Upromise users have received $600 million in college savings.  Yay!

Black and Decker steam mop giveaway.

Are you a fan of cleaning?  Um, me neither.  But I recently was sent a tool by Black and Decker known as the Steam Mop with Smartselect™ Technology . . . and it actually made cleaning my kitchen floor a bit easier.  I absolutely can't stand mopping my kitchen floor because it's huge pain in the bum, and also the sink is close to the middle of the kitchen.  So how is one supposed to mop the entire floor without stepping in wet?  And then the water gets cold, so it doesn't kill germs.  And it's sloppy.  What a yucky mess!

I gave the steam mop a go and I have to say - a very pleasant experience.  So pleasant that I'm reviewing and giving one away.