Tuesday, March 31, 2009

I've an obsession with deer heads. Fake ones.



Luckily, I'm not the only one. Cathe from Just Something I Made also likes them. Please refer to her post here about the bottom deer head, which she purchased for nothing and then decoupaged. You know what I would do? Glitter the horns. With Extreme Glitter! What do you think?

Monday, March 30, 2009

Alter a locket.


My friend Cathie of Cathie & Steve sure knows how to make a necklace!  She revamped this old locket from her vintage collection.  If I had to guess - you too have something in your jewelry collection that could use a facelift.  I know I do, and Mod Podge can be used on jewelry (and it wears well)!  Find the supply lists and the instructions for this project here. 

Friday, March 27, 2009

Just Something She Made - vintage dress form.

I found this project at Just Something I Made, a crafting blog by Cathe Holden.  Reading her blog is very inspiring (I wish I could come up with a better word), but I just love the way she uses found materials and surfaces to make the coolest schtuff!  

Check out her explanation of this project process here.  It's simply the dress form, an old German horticulture guide and Mod Podge.  Cathe then dressed it up with a few of her own creations.  Pop over to her blog - you will love it!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Samantha's chair is the greatest chair.

Hector the Collector is my favorite poem by Shel Silverstein.  Why do I mention that?  Well, Laura Hartrich has decoupaged a Shel Silverstein poem to this cutesy little children's chair - Hug O' War!  A chair like this is very easy to find at the Goodwill, and even easier to Mod Podge!

First you'll need to paint it.  As usual, I recommend FolkArt paint.  As far as craft paints go, I find it to have the best consistency for a great price.  Basecoat the entire chair in one color first.  Another other painting should be done with painter's tape (unless you have a really steady hand, which I do not).  Stripes on the seat MUST be done with painter's tape (unless you have a robot hand, which I also do not).

Allow the paint to dry completely before decoupaging.  When you apply the Mod Podge to your paper design, do it to the paper side first.  Several thin coats are best - turn the paper down and smooth completely.  Allow to dry and THEN Mod Podge over the paper for best results.

Once you are done - Mod Podge the entire chair to seal.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

The coolest birdbrained dresser.

Oh dear. I'm in love.  I found this dresser on Flickr and begged for Sugarswirl's permission to post it!  She was kind enough to let me.

It was quite simple, she says.  Painted front, and she freehand cut the design out of newspaper.  One coat of Mod Podge, allow to dry and then apply a second coat.  That's it.
Tip:  Apply several thin coats rather than a few thick.  Try it, you'll find it works much better.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Before and after frames. A great an inexpensive gift idea!

I'm going to start posting some of my projects on this blog. And what you are saying is - it's about time, right? I'm actually constantly working on projects of some sort, but all are in various stages of completion, and between knitting, taking care of dogs and maintaining this blog. . . well. . .

you know.

So here is the before and after!


Let me emphasize how easy this frame transformation was - so easy, you don't even need to see the steps! Here's what to do:
1) Paint the frame with FolkArt Azure Blue and allow to dry
2) Using the end of the same paintbrush, make random Calypso Sky dots all over the frame and allow to dry (practice dotting first on a paper towel so you get the hang of it)
3) Coat entire frame with Mod Podge (I used Gloss)
4) Apply Colorbok's Friendly Forest accents using craft glue! The whole line of Friendly Forest stuff is currently available at Michaels. It's very fun and colorful!

I didn't use an old frame - the one I used is from the wood section of a local craft store. It was relatively cheap. Add the paint and the accents and you aren't too bad for cash out of pocket. But here's a tip: If you have several old frames laying around, use one of them, even if it's plastic! Just be sure to spray primer before painting. Cheers!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Mod Podge fabric coffee table.

There are so many things I like about sillie.smile's table.
1) You would NOT believe how easy this is.
2) The fabric is from IKEA and reminds me very much of Orla Kiely, whom I love.
3) This table is so easy to make.

So?  How do you do it?  First of all, you need a table.  IKEA as some great ones, cheap, but so does your local Goodwill if you are not located near the great IKEA or just want to recycle.  Secondly, you obviously need a piece of fabric.  You may have a great local fabric shop or live near a JoAnn.  If you want to go completely outside of the box, I recommend Reprot Depot.  The fabrics are a delight!
All you are going to do - and yes, it is this easy - is cut the fabric to fit the table and then Mod Podge it down.  My recommendation to you is that you cut the fabric just slightly smaller than the table, because during your smoothing operation the fabric will expand.

I would work from the middle out - applying Mod Podge to the table as well as to the fabric, and then smoothing outward to the corners.  DO NOT put Mod Podge all over the table at one time, as it will dry before you even have a chance to work your way out.   Good smoothers include squeegees, rulers, even a rolling pin.  Be careful that the edge of your smoother is not too sharp as you run the risk of tearing the fabric.  Smooth gently but consistently and you shouldn't have any problems.

Finally, I recommend Hard Coat Mod Podge to seal any furniture piece, for added durability above and beyond the regular stuff.  Now you can wear and tear your finished project!