#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Craft Time: Exploring with Mod Podge

June 26, 2012 · Narrative

mod podge project
Mod Podge and I go way back. Like waaaay back. I vividly remember many projects while in grade school where Mod Podge was a go-to. Any time you’re doing decoupage, it’s your glue, your sealer, and your super shiny finisher all in one handy little bottle. You can’t go wrong.

What I didn’t know, however, is that these days Mod Podge is more than that one tiny bottle.

Mod Podge stash

Collage papers.

Scrapers, rollers, and all sorts of other tools.

Podgeable Acrylic shapes. Yes, I said podgeable.

The folks at Plaid (the makers of Mod Podge) recently sent over a stuffed box of goodies, and as soon as I saw the contents, I knew exactly what to do with it.

Soon after I finished doing the kids’ Reading Room, I bought wooden letters from Michaels to spell the word R-E-A-D. I thought it would be perfect above the bookcase, and hello, it IS a reading room after all. I was originally planning on wrapping the letters with yarn (to match the pom poms I made for the window), but when I saw all the new Mod Podge items, that idea went out the window.

First, the outline of the letters was painted in primary colors. Once that dried, we set about doing a different treatment to each letter.

On the letter R, we cut out the pictures from the collage sheets, and then applied a clear Mod Podge to affix them securely.

mod podge close-up

On the letter E, we applied transfer words using one of the line’s rubbing tools, and then used the Antique Matte Mod Podge to give the letter a slightly darker tint to it, which I kind of loved. Until this project, I never even knew that Mod Podge existed in different finishes and colors. It makes me excited about Nick’s future school projects.

Well, that last part isn’t completely true, because his projects tend to be super involved, and I like to be hands off. You can always tell which kids had extra help from their parents, and which didn’t. And that kind of drives me crazy. I do, however, promise to share my Mod Podge stash with him for future projects to work with on his own though.

3d mod podge

Now for the letter A. This was one seriously my favorite. We painted the entire letter in blue, and then applied this Dimensional Magic to it, which gave it a 3D effect. Slightly puffy, but heaps cooler. It takes awhile to dry, and we may or may not have stuck our finger in it once or twice before it was set. We just couldn’t resist.

For the letter D, we again used the collage papers, but then put clear jewels over it. More Mod Podge to set everything.

The biggest thing I learned from this project? This is not the Mod Podge we all grew up with. It’s so much more now (hard to believe they’ve been around for 45 years!). All of the tools and products I mentioned are available at your local Michaels stores.

It was a fun way to spend a chill afternoon at home, and another perfect element to add to the kids’ Reading Room. One area rug, and a comfy chair and I think it’s done.

June 25 and 26, 2012 – Bonus Photos
breakfast
The kids eating breakfast at my office yesterday before The Ex picked them up for the week.

sparkly pens
Sparkly pens at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Five bucks a pop.

more sparkly pens

love these bowl sets
The pens were easy to pass up. These pink ombre bowl sets (at $3.99 a set) were a little harder to pass up (they have match cup and plate sets as well). I do love them, but they stayed in the store. Willpower and adverse to clutter, and all that.

laced up and ready to go
The weather today? Amazing. Nothing short of it. I texted a friend and we quickly formed a plan to go for a run after work. The weather was too gorgeous not to. And yes, I said run. Right before I sprained my ankle last year, I felt I was closerthanthis to starting to run. I’ve been slowly inching my way back there, and today was the first day. We did 3.3 miles total, and ran about a third of it. Which I’m pretty happy about.

Red Faced Runner
If you read other food blogs, or follow food bloggers on Twitter (you can follow me here), you may have caught wind of a Red Faced Runner 5K movement that started yesterday. Everyone is kind of virtually cheering everyone else on in their quest to get (or stay) fit, and is committing to doing a 5K on September 8th. Although everyone is all over the country and won’t be doing the *same* 5K, everyone will be with each other in spirit. I’m already signed up for a 5K in NYC in August, and one in Richmond in September. What’s one more? And my plan is to run one of them. We all have a little over two months to get there. This is a great starting post and very inspirational. You know, if you need that extra swift kick. Come on and join me, we’ll do it together.

*This post was sponsored as part of a paid campaign with Plaid Crafts and Blueprint Social. All the opinions are my own. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Craft Ideas, Michael's, Mod Podge, Red Faced Runners 5K, Twitter

Comments

  1. Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says

    June 26, 2012 at 10:30 pm

    Love that Mod Podge, too. Your READ is too cute! Mostly, I’m so excited about you getting your red face on! Doesn’t it feel good the rest of the day?

    You Go, girl!!!

    Reply
    • Cate says

      June 27, 2012 at 7:56 am

      Robyn – working out always has that wonderful domino effect. You want to eat better, make better choices, and are all-’round happier because of it. Works for me!

      Reply
  2. Joanne says

    June 27, 2012 at 6:20 am

    I love that puffy “A” also. I’m thinking maybe I should mod podge my new room when I move in a few weeks…

    Yay for your 5Ks and starting to run! I absolutely know you can do it. I assume the 5K in NYC is The Color Run…which day did you sign up for??

    Reply
    • Cate says

      June 27, 2012 at 7:56 am

      Yes, the Color Run. Saturday. Did you sign up?

      Reply
  3. patsy says

    June 27, 2012 at 8:49 am

    I’m starting back to running again… this time I want to run a whole 5k at some point! Just have to pick my 5k for that weekend! So glad to hear you are jumping into it as well!

    Reply
  4. Ramona says

    June 28, 2012 at 10:04 am

    Cute project.

    Reply
  5. Cookin' Canuck says

    June 30, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    That Mod Podge is so fun! I’m artistically-challenged, but would love to try this.

    I’m so glad you’re joining us in the Red Faced Challenge. You wear a red face well!
    Cookin’ Canuck recently posted..Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies by Savory Sweet Life {Giveaway}

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

Pinterest

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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