Thursday, May 22, 2014

Mad for the Mod

A few weeks ago, I invited a few girlfriends to join me for a Pinterest party that was hosted by some very creative ladies at my church. 

We oohed and aahed over the Pinterest inspired craft projects that were on display. We gobbled up tasty treats made from Pinterest inspired recipes. Okay, maybe I was the only one who actually gobbled. We also made a very cool Pinterest inspired, Mod Podge craft. It was such a fun evening! I left that night full, inspired, aching from laughing so much, and absolutely mad for Mod Podge!!

I began searching for Mod Podge crafts as soon as I could get to the computer!

My first project was inspired by this French Pot DIY from Climer Photography.

While my project was inspired by the post, I didn't use a terra cotta pot. What I used was this crock that I had purchase for seventy-five cents at a garage sale. Can I get a Whoop Whoop for garage sale finds?!



Pretty plain, but perfect for holding my kitchen utensils, and full of potential in the eyes of a person now mad for the Mod!

So began my hunt for an image to fancy up my poor plain crock. 

Hello Graphics Fairy! The Graphics Fairy has some great graphics for this kind of project, and each of the graphics can be printed out in reverse for print transfer. Exactly what I needed for this project.

With my graphic chosen and cut to size,



and my crock just begging to be beautified,



I got to work coating the printed side of my reversed graphic with gloss Mod Podge.



I chose gloss because my crock has a glossy finish.

Then I carefully laid my graphic, printed side down, on the crock, gently smoothing out any creases and bubbles.



Now this is important! Wait at least 6 hours before moving on to the next step! I did not. And I had to start over. I know it can be painful to wait. But DO IT!! If you have to start over, you end up waiting even longer to get the project finished. -bummer- 

After waiting 6 hours!! (the second time around) I dampened the image with a spray bottle full of water, and gently began to rub away the paper. Gently! Do not remove the image with the paper! Which easily happens if you do not wait at least 6 hours. Eh hem.



Once the majority of paper was removed, I used a fine grit sand paper to gently sand the image.



Following the Mod Podge instructions to build-up the finish, I applied 5 coats of Mod Podge, waiting 15 minutes in between coats, covering the image now transferred to the crock. I'm sad to say that in my excitement, I didn't get a single photo of this step. 
-oops!-

I allowed the 5 coats of Mod Podge to dry overnight. I wet sanded it with #400 sand paper, then gave it a nice polish with #0000 steel wool.



And VOILA!



Fancy crock!



How cool is that??

This, my friends, is why I am mad for the MOD!!!

Christine

Monday, May 19, 2014

For the First Time Ever

My dear, 



my darling, 



my sweet Emma Bean!



She's something special that one!

She's been the ballerina.



The hula dancer.



She's been the free spirit!



The soccer star!



The superhero!



The pirate!!



She's been the Rock Star!



The fashionista!



She's been the baker.



The pizza connoisseur!



She's been the dog whisperer.



The turtle racer!!



She's been the happy crafter!



And the volleyball player!



Now today, for the first time EVER!! Miss Emma Bean is the TEEN!!!!!



Happy 13th Birthday my sweet Emma Bean!!!




Christine (aka Mom)

P.S. I'm pretty sure she takes after me!!



Yep, that's my girl!!