I've been pinning a lot lately on Pinterest (oh my goodness it is addictive) and saw a super cute idea where you print a photo on to tissue paper and then mod podge it on to a canvas.
Here is a link to the steps. EPIC FAILURE! It did print on to the tissue paper which was cool - but the mod podging sucked big time. I instantly tore the tissue paper while trying to smooth it out and then it went down hill from there. It was so bad I couldn't even stop to take a photo because I was busy peeling the tissue off so at least the canvas could be saved. I tried it again with just printing the photo on to regular paper and then mod podging it. That actually did work. My one mistake was that with the mod podge top coat I started on the green side (left) and worked to the white side (right) and the glue got a little discolored so I felt like the photo did too. Next time I will start light and work my way dark. Here is the result.
I used the gloss mod podge - perhaps matte would have been better?
I also did a letter for my niece. Talk about simple! The letter was pre-shaped (clearance for 50 cents - woo hoo). I bought a sheet of scrapbook paper (25 cents) and painted it with paint that was 1/2 off. (I love bargains!!) I painted the back and sides of the letter first and let that dry. I figured it would be easiest to paint and then podge. I traced the letter on to the scrapbook paper and cut it out with an exacto knife (more precise than scissors) and mod podged it on. (I actually used the back of the letter - not the front with the bevelled edges because it would be easy to put the paper on.) One layer down first and then one layer on top. I am super excited by how it turned out and hope she likes it!! I actually have a little bit of guilt at how easy it was! That will quickly go away though because the next letter to try is a M - which will require more than 1 sheet of paper. Yikes!
The other project I did successfully was re-purposing a book by turning it in to a pumpkin for my fall decorations.
I got the idea from here. I lucked out and got the old book for free, found a twig, and so the only expense to this project was the $5 exacto knife and some ribbon. I was thrilled to find my glue gun from when I was a child - and it still works!!! Talk about a happy dance!!!
I only did a few things differently - I didn't do the tea stain (to lazy) and I left the cover on the book - it was a paperback and I figured it would help it stand up better. I think I made a good choice!
Here it is:
I just asked my kids what it was and they said pumpkin - YES - it even passes the kid test!!
The rest of my weekend consisted of seeing the movie The Help (a MUST SEE - I highly recommend the book too!!!) and stopping by Real Deals so I share the experience of shopping there with a friend who has never been. She liked it a lot - but I was the only one who couldn't resist buying more treasures for my house.
I already had the bowl/tray/thingiemcbobber that I have never used so at least now it has a purpose. The idea all started with the globe - so I could use it as an educational tool for my kids - and progressed from there. I like the final result - although my son things the red ball is an onion. Hubby isn't too excited about it - and I know once I dust it I'll be annoyed - but for now - in the honeymoon stage - I can't take my eyes off of it and keep trying new placements for everything.
I had also picked up this little box for our remotes. The hubby actually likes this idea (bonus). Hopefully now we can spend less time searching for lost remotes. I also bought the box in black and hope to find a purpose for it too.
