Fun with Mod Podge {Part One}

Once again, thank you Pinterest for inspiring me to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new...this time with Mod Podge!  Now, I have to admit, when I first started using the stuff I kinda hated it.  But now I think it's safe to say that I'm seriously addicted.

I think there's a definitely learning curve to it and I would recommend doing a couple "practice runs" before tackling something that you actually want to...ya know...turn out presentable?

Not that I (ever) listen to my own advice...my first attempt was a definite learning experience...and I was "learning" on Mother's Day presents!

My first project was fairly simple...I had seen an idea for these on Pinterest and thought they were the COOLEST thing!   A perfect idea for a present.  I printed out the images that I wanted on 3 1/2 x 5 sizes and cut up a 2 x 4 into 3 1/2" chunks.  I wanted them perfectly square and a 2 x 4 is really only 3 1/2" wide...interesting tidbit, huh?  I had to do some trimming on the photos to get them to fit of course...I just cut a little off the top and a little off the bottom.  Now, for those who are really savvy (not me) I think you could probably make the image 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 in Photoshop and then order it on a 3 1/2 x 5 and it would just have extra white space that would need to be trimmed off.  Someday I will probably try this...but for this project I had to get my photo order in STAT!  No time for lollygaggin'.

These actually didn't take a whole lot of Mod Podging...I really just used it to attach the photos...and then, you can't see it here, but I also Mod Podged black & white scrapbook paper on the backs of these.  Other than all that, the only other step was painting the edges of the wood blocks black (which I did before attaching the photos or paper)...pretty easy project!  I'm really excited to keep experimenting with different jazzed up ideas for these - they make the perfect present and they are also way cool for a "take to the office" kinda thang.

My next project was a little more involved.  For this one, I was inspired by these particular photo boards that are available through one of the sources that I print photos with.

I had taken some photos of my nieces and nephews, along with Hunter to surprise my MIL with for Mother's Day - all of her grandkids together!  It was a lot of fun taking the photos and I knew I wanted to do something more with them than just put them in a standard frame.  So I started brainstorming ways to do a version of the photo boards I had seen.  

I had two perfectly square (8 x 8) photos to work with and try as i might I could not find the right size wood at any store.  So we picked up this 1/4" thick wood at Lowe's and my hubby cut the pieces up in a way that I could glue them together in order to get the right size.  So here I am gluing! :)

I absolutely LOVE this type of crafter's glue...so far, I've only been able to find it at WalMart.  It goes on super easily, dries clear, forms a super strong bond...yada yada yada...it's just really nice to work with!

Here is my assembled piece...I then cut a piece of cardstock to size and attached it using spray adhesive and mounted my photo on it the same way - spraying adhesive on the back of the photo and then placing it on the cardstock.

Here's a shot of my mad scientist table..shipping tape, toddler clothes, craft stuff everywhere...yikes.

This photo really has nothing to do with this post, but I think any moms of toddlers can appreciate it.  On the night I was working on this project I was looking everywhere for my keys, convinced I had locked them in the car.  But when I went to check the car with a flashlight through the window, no keys.  I was completely stumped.  Usually I put them back in the exact same spot on the counter...I'm totally a creature of habit.  I knew I wasn't going to have time for looking for them in the morning so "drying time" on the projects was filled with a massive key hunt.  

Then, suddenly I had a lightbulb moment.  "Hmm"...I thought to myself..."I wonder if they could be in the pantry" (which I call the 'treasure trove').  Hunter loves to play in there...take things out, put things in, etc. etc.  The day before I had found the remote in there.  Sure enough, I opened the door, moved a couple things aside and viola!  Little stinker! 

Ok, back to the project...aside from the thin pieces of wood that I used for mounting the photos to I had also bought a 3/4" thick piece of wood that I had my hubby cut down to about 36".  I then painted the edges super dark brown to give it a finished look.  The next step is where the major Mod Podging (and learning) came in.  With my first attempt, I had used glue stick to lightly attach scrapbook paper to the thick piece of wood and thought that by Mod Podging over it I'd be good.  WRONG!  I got horrible bubbles and the next day the paper completely lifted off the wood and I had to start all over again!  So definitely use the Mod Podge for both attaching and finishing.  

Thankfully, I didn't have to redo the photo mounts...and it was super easy to take them off for redoing the big piece because they were only attached with two of those awesome 3M Velcro strips.  I TOTALLY love these strips...not just for picture hanging, but for crafts too!  The other fun thing is that we could always change out the photos at a later date - just get new velcro strips!

So here's my finished product...it definitely didn't turn out perfect, but overall I was pleased with it. And I'm excited to attempt something like it again...it's just fun to think about all the possibilities for displaying photos!

Alrightly then...stay tuned for part II of "Fun with Mod Podge"...'cause like I said...I'm totally addicted now and I think the only cure is to suck others in with me!! ;)