Craft Time: Exploring with Mod Podge

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.

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.

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.

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

The kids eating breakfast at my office yesterday before The Ex picked them up for the week.

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

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.

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.

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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