Mod Podge Rocks!

DIY doily wedges.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

There is nothing more to say about these shoes than they are crazy! Whether you like them or hate them, they are absolutely wild. If you are looking for a unique pair of footwear, these are for you. A pair of shoes could even be covered in pink doilies for Valentine's Day. Yes, that's kind of a dare.

Visit the link to find a tutorial video, and also consider what else you could cover in old doilies besides shoes.

DIY doily shoes at CRAFT

Care Bear altered mirrors with sparkle action.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:26:00 +0000

Are you a child of the 80s? A child of the 80s who remembers Care Bears?? I was born in '77, but when the dolls came out in 1983, I received Cheer Bear as a gift. There was just one problem. I was the only girl in the world who didn't really like pink. I wanted Wish Bear (pictured above on the right) . . . Wish Bear was a greeny-blue, which is still my favorite color. Did that ever happen to you when you were a kid - you got the right doll but not the "right" one?

Anyhoo, I love Amy's homage to the Care Bears with three altered mirrors, one you see above. She was inspired by a movie design challenge, and decorated the mirrors using her artistic talent and graphics from The Octopode Factory. Visit Amy to see the rest of the mirrors. They are all so fun.

Care Bear altered mirrors at Plucking Daisies

Altered Valentine's Day candy box.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Target and the Dollar Tree have those cute little chocolate boxes for sale, but oh, are some of the pictures tacky. Who wants to give their husband a weird teddy bear on a box? Instead, use the paper in your stash and some Mod Podge to personalize it. Check out the transformation by Cathie Filian for her hubs Eddie (above). Much cuter than the original - pop over to Cathie's blog to see.

Altered valentine candy box at Make Something

20 FREE Valentine's Day printables.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:21:00 +0000

Are you a big fan of printables? Me too. And funny enough, printables can be used quite well with Mod Podge. You can attach valentines to paper with Mod Podge, or you can add glitter with Mod Podge . . . but you don't have to do anything if you don't want to. You can just enjoy them as they are! I've put together a collection of 20 free Valentine's Day printables that I like and I hope you will, too. Let's start with these cup wrappers - I love. That's just the beginning. Click through to see so many more. Happy Valentine's Day (well . . . soon)!

Wood You Be Mine? at mmmcrafts

Love cards and coupons at Love vs. Design

Apple pie wrapper (and recipe) at Twig & Thistle

"Be mine" bunting and party printables at Catch My Party

Bunny party favor bag at Mr. Printables

Class valentines at One Charming Party

Vintage V-Day tags at Flickr by fpgirl

Vintage Valentine's Day card with envelope at Ruffled

Gift tags at Hello, Good Gravy

Vintage kids valentines cards at Vintage Holiday Crafts

Tweet valentine card at Oliebollen

Valentine's Day goodie bags printable at Twig and Thistle

Vintage Victorian valentine card at Vintage Fan Girl

Pride and Prejudice quote (my favorite book!!) at A Lemon Squeezy Home

Hershey's kiss stickers and bag toppers at Shindig Parties to Go!

Be mine valentines at The Black Apple

Valentine's Tweet party printables at Party Box Design

Love is all you need class valentines at Bunny Cakes

Teeny envelope and wee valentines at Cottage Industrialist

Sweetheart candy dangle earrings.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:21:00 +0000

I didn't make a craft with conversation hearts this year, but I really like them. Not so much the taste (although have you had the Sweet Tart ones?), but the cute little messages on them. Carolina from always expect moore made some earrings with them, which I think is genius. I never thought of them as jewelry, but what cute jewelry they make. You definitely need to visit Carolina's tutorial, because there are some tricks to getting the holes just right.

Sweetheart candy dangly earrings at always expect moore

Craftsy daily deals.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0000

For those of you who love sales on crafting supplies, I want to share a site with you: Craftsy. Craftsy is the fastest growing online community for crafters - with over 500,000 monthly unique visitors, having just launched in May 2011.

To sign up for Craftsy crafting daily deals, click on one of the deals - after signing up you get the full information about the deals offered. Craftsy users love:
1) Over 20,000 projects in their crafting library.
2) Terrific online classes from amazing instructors for beginning, intermediate and advanced quilters, knitters, crocheters, sewists, jewelry makers, and other crafters.
3) Astonishingly good deals on crafting supplies: organic yarn, lovely fabrics and fat quarters from top designers, high quality needles, etc . . .

Right now Craftsy is offering a FREE class: Block of the Month, a year-long online class instructed by expert quilter, Amy Gibson. There are 12 installments, each one posted on the first day of every month. At the end of the class, our students will have full-size and one-of-a-kind quilts. Like all of our classes, students can view it whenever it’s convenient for them, and can watch them however many times they’d like. It’s filmed in high-definition, and it’s fully interactive---students can ask Amy questions as they go.

Full post disclosure here.

LOVE Valentine's Day keyholder.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:14:00 +0000

Have you ever thought about turning a frame into a key holder? I think it's a great idea. Especially when you can do it on a budget, and make it as cute as Man Podger Walter did. There are heart frames like you see above available at Michaels for $1, and think of how many gifts you can make with Mod Podge and supplies from your stash. As someone who can't find their keys on a regular basis, this keyholder is perfect - and the message is universal. I'll let Walter tell you how he made it.

I am a big fan of theses unfinished frames from Michaels; how can you beat them? A buck for a hardwood frame is not bad. As with most craft store finds, I like to think about what can I do to transform it. I am thinking, organization . . . key holder? I LOVE the way this came out!

Step 1: Gather Supplies

• Unfinished $1 heart frame
• Paint (FolkArt, Engine Red)
• 4 small wooden hearts
• 4 wood screws

• 4 cup hooks

• Rubber Stamps (Type)
• Black Pigmented Stamp Pad
• Sawtooth Hanger
• Mod Podge Gloss and Sparkle
• Awl
• Drill
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Two rubber bumpers or raised stickers

Step 2: Paint the whole frame and four wooden hearts (shown bare above), let dry for 15 minutes. Then I lightly sanded the edges of the hearts. Wipe sanding dust off of each heart for the next step.

Trace the frame onto the paper, cut out and then Mod Podge (with Gloss) to the front of the frame. Let dry for 15 minutes before putting on a top coat.

Step 3: I love TYPE rubber stamps with black pigmented ink. Add each letter of "L-O-V-E" to the wood hearts. Let dry before touching or it will smear . . . I used my heat embossing gun to accelerate the drying time (optional).

Step 4: I used an awl to make a pilot hole on the bottom of the heart. And, then I attached one cup hooks to the bottom of each heart.

Step 5: Drill four countersink holes on the bottom back. Attach the hearts by inserting a wood screw through the back, and tighten while holding the heart with your hand. Repeat till completed. Seal with Mod Podge Sparkle on the hearts and sides and back of frame.

Step 6: Attach a sawtooth hanger to the TOP of the back of the frame. Attach rubber bumpers/raised stickers to the back (bottom) of the frame so that when you put on and take off your keys, the wall doesn't get scratched. Insert a favorite photo and hang on a wall! And, of course, hang your keys.

Thanks Walter - hey, that's me and the piggies inside your picture frame key holder!

Aqua and gold Valentine's Day window clings.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

One of the first projects I made for My Aqua Valentine is window clings - perfect for children, but absolutely awesome fun for adults as well. Can you believe that you can make window clings out of acrylic paint and Mod Podge? I've done it before, and I couldn't resist doing it again with some new colors. This time it was turquoise and gold, perfectly appropriate for my Valentine's Day series. Are you interested in keeping your children busy for hours, making and then playing with clings? Take a peek at the tutorial below.

Gather These Supplies

Paint in colors of your choice - I used FolkArt and Martha Stewart Paint
Gallery Glass Leading Blanks - not sure what these are made of, but they are a very smooth plastic
Spreading tool - I have a palette knife pictured above
Mod Podge
Sharpie - light color
Scissors

I squeezed Mod Podge directly onto the leading blank. Just make a big puddle.

Squeeze some paint directly into the Mod Podge. You only need a little. The less paint you add, the more translucent the clings will be. I love being able to use up leftover paint!

Mix it up with the palette knife. Kids can definitely do this part - Mod Podge is non-toxic and made in the USA (so is the paint).

Spread it out onto the leading blank. Look at that awesome color! Let dry overnight.

Peel the Mod Podge off of the surface in one peel. I turned the Mod Podge patty over and started drawing hearts on the back with a silver Sharpie. The more translucent the Mod Podge patty, the lighter the Sharpie you'll want to use, so that you can't see the draw lines when you put them in the window.

OR maybe you can cut hearts out with out drawing them first. I cannot. As you can see above, I can barely draw a heart freehand, much less cut one. What is my problem?

Cut your hearts out of the Mod Podge patty.

Here are some of the finished hearts on the Leading Blank. You won't want to stack the clings on top of each other because they will definitely stick together. Leave them like this until you want to cling them to the window.

Have fun sticking! If it's a bit colder and you want them to stick, just warm them up in your hands or blow your hot breath on the back. They will stick well.

When you aren't using the clings, store them on the leading blank so that they don't stick together (you can put them in a gallon Ziploc). Have fun sticking - and use tons of paint colors (but mostly aqua).

Cell phone holder from lotion bottle.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

My friend Ashley from Make It Love It is a genius - she used a lotion bottle to make a cell phone holder. And it's not ugly! With a little Mod Podge and fabric, she got her devices up off the floor . . . while the rest of us trip over cords or suck them into the vacuum (I don't know anyone who has done that, ahem). It's really cute, and coordinates smashingly with her white iPhone. Make a visit to her blog to see the step-by-step tutorial.

Holder for charging cell phone at Make It Love It

Hello!Lucky stationery giveaway.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:09:00 +0000

Have you been to Hello!Lucky? They are a specialty letterpress printer and design studio and have been creating wedding invitations, greeting cards and personalized stationery since 2003. Hello!Lucky has over 300 designs and can even do affordable digital printing if you need. Their clients worldwide include Anthropologie, Kate's Paperie and Liberty of London.

To sum it up, their cards are GORGEOUS. I love the look of letterpress, and their cards are truly the prettiest I've seen. My favorite section of their site is the greeting cards, but they also have holiday, wedding, baby cards and more. The site is great, and they even have a blog with (among other things) inspiration and DIY projects. Right now the blog is featuring some super cute free printable Valentine's cards.

Today I am giving away two sets of cards (the Year of Cheer and Year of Love packs, both pictured). Two winners will get one of the card packs (HL will decide which one you get). Again, that's TWO winners total. Here's how to enter:

Visit the Hello!Lucky site, choose your favorite card and then let me know what it is in the comments.
For an extra entry, like Hello!Lucky on Facebook.
If you do #2, leave a separate comment.

Giveaway will end January 28th at midnight, EST. Open to US residents only.

Full contest disclosure here.

Last week's winner was Silvermousey.

A catch-all frame.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

My friend Jennifer from Always in Wonder came up with a great way to display her daughter's memories. Jen took a piece of art she didn't want anymore, spray painted the frame and then added chicken wire. There is something Mod Podged on here, but I'll let you figure out what it is. You should also visit Jen to see some amazing recipes and awesome makeovers.

Rian's catch-all frame at Always in Wonder

Clay Valentine's Day necklace for kids or adults.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I've always had a fascination with clay but have never been really sure how to use it. I stumbled upon this cute little clay heart necklace from Muffin Tin Mom and I thought it was a great way to learn how to use this fun material. Plus who doesn't love a little glitter? You can make one for you and your daughter, or you and your husband. And if your husband doesn't wear it, make him feel guilty for not supporting your handmade hobby, and then go spend $50 at Michaels. Kidding (sort of).

How to make a clay heart necklace at Muffin Tin Mom

Aqua rose plaques.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:30:00 +0000

So remember yesterday I said I was going to celebrate My Aqua Valentine? I will be doing some projects too, but I'm also featuring other people. I like Valentine's Day-ish projects that aren't overtly Valentine's, but would work perfectly. A good example are these aqua rose plaques from My Shabby Chateau. I love the curly-q design of the plaques, and the images added were from The Graphics Fairy (so pretty). They are vintage-y awesomeness, don't you think? You need to head over and visit the blog, because there is also a cute coordinating tray you'll want to take a peek at.

More fun with paint and Mod Podge at My Shabby Chateau

Never settle for less.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:53:00 +0000

Me - but not in my office

This post comes at an interesting time. I recently quit my job as a Brand Manager (marketing) after only nine months. It seemed like the perfect job at first, but turned out to very much not be. There were so many things that happened at my job that were just nuts - you wouldn't believe the stories. But you would have agreed it was time to go. That I can say for sure.

I've actually gone out on my own for a time doing freelance and consulting while I figure out what is right for me in my life. I have been working and doing this blog for three years now, and it was time to take a break from everything to figure out ME. You don't realize how easy it is to lose yourself when you are working 24/7. It's definitely my own fault - I burnt myself out - and I accept total responsibility.

I have had to reach out to friends and family during this time of losing (giving up) my job. Friends have helped me find opportunities; my brother and his wife have agreed to let me live with him for a bit while I "get my act together." I'm looking forward to finding a position that is right for me while I tick along, writing this blog and consulting. I'm very thankful, because I don't want to settle when I find a new job. I want to find what is right for me.

Are any of you in this same position? Are you going through a rough period - trying to figure out what to do with your life, without settling? 2012 is going to be our year!

---

When it comes to your tax return, you never have to settle for less with H and R Block. They are having a $100,000 Refund Giveaway! Get started now for your chance at instant cash prizes and the $100,000 refund! There are winners every hour. So file your taxes then let your friends know how rewarding it can be.

Customers who completed their taxes using H and R Block at Home can instantly win one of the hourly drawn cash prizes and be entered to win a $100,000 grand prize refund. Once entered into contest, participants can tell their friends about it via Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. To enter, complete a tax return online via computer or tablet device using H and R Block At Home tax preparation.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by H&R Block® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of H&R Block®”

My aqua Valentine.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:01:00 +0000

I'm a huge, huge fan of blue (as most of you know). I particularly like aqua, turquoise, teal and most green-y blue shades. To celebrate my love of these colors, I'm doing a series this year for Valentine's Day - but everything in aqua (the other shades count too). Pink, red and purple are fine . . . but I am trying a little something different.

It unofficially starts today and officially starts tomorrow, so I hope you'll enjoy them. Happy Aqua Valentine's Day!

100+ craft ideas from Babble.com.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:16:00 +0000

I'm not sure if you are burned out from holiday crafting, but if you aren't, I have a ton of ideas to share with you on Babble.com. My favorite themes of this past month are yardsticks, suitcases, paint and Ryan Gosling. Ha! I hope you enjoy these posts.

DIY junkmail snowflake votives.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I certainly love snowflakes - and the snow on the ground that comes with snowflakes. I don't love the junkmail that I get, so why not make that very junkmail into something I do like? That is what Michele did with her junkmail snowflake votives. I love the colors that make them pretty during the day, as well as the pretty pattern cast with a warm glow at night. And the best part? These can be free if you have Mod Podge and leftover glass jars (because who doesn't have junk mail).

Junkmail snowflake lanterns at michele made me

Do you Pinterest?

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:31:00 +0000

This picture has nothing to do with Pinterest, but I took it today and think it's funny, so I'm sharing. It's my dog Roxie with a little ceramic bowl on her head. She wants to be a circus dog, but I won't let her.

Anyway, here's my question. Do you Pinterest?

Do you love it?
Do you hate it?

I would love to hear your thoughts, and to have to you follow the Mod Podge Rocks Pinterest account. Also, please share your Pinterest account link in the comments so that I can follow you.

Can't wait to hear what you think and follow you!

Love story pallet art for your wall.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

My friend Katie from Sweet Rose Studio made this pallet art as a Christmas gift - and with Valentine's Day coming quickly, I thought it was such a sweet sentiment. Possibly to share with a "lovah?" It's a good example of using Mod Podge as a sealer over paint, though if you want to, you can Mod Podge a sentiment onto the pallet as well. Now I want to paint a pallet blue and put my favorite quote on it!

Pallet love at Sweet Rose Studio

Mod Podge starter pack giveaway.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:53:00 +0000

Want more Mod Podge? Okay. You don't have to jump through a flaming hoop. Just leave a comment.

Here are some other things to know for today's giveaway:
1. Comment on THIS blog entry. Say anything you like!
2. Only one entry per person.
3. Contest will close this Wednesday, January 18th at midnight (EST).
4. PLEASE leave your e-mail address if it's not attached in Blogger - I need some way to reach you.

Full contest disclosure here.

Last week's winner was Leann.

January Flickr roundup part two.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I did a Mod Podge Flickr group roundup earlier this week, but there are so many great projects to share that I had to do another one. All of you did some pretty serious crafting over the holidays . . . or maybe you just had time to finally post the pictures! I'm so thankful that you are sharing with me, either way. One project I really like was this altered shrine by Aimeslee. It's really fun! Take a peek at some of the other projects I spotted this week.

Butterfly coasters by Etcetorize (blogged here)

Decorative winter blocks by 1/2-pint (Etsy shop here)

Hollow book safe by TealStripes

Woven heart ornament by gingerbread_snowflakes (blogged here)

Altered birdhouse by Carrie_Stedt (see another version here)

Evelyn Nesbit purse by pennylrichardsca (Zibbet shop here)

Tiled paper tabletop by mbabound2012

Cute boo-boo box tutorial.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Unfortunately sometimes children fall and scrape their knees. And that is the worst thing. I was a tomboy when I was young, so I picked a lot of gravel out of my knees! Bactine was my best friend. Do you remember how much it HURT to spray that on? It was the kid equivalent of wasabi with the instant burn. Thank goodness for Neosporin.

Kelly from Running with Glitter decorated an old Altoids tin to be a kids' "boo-boo" box, which is a great idea when you need minor medical care on the go. Slip it into your purse and take it to the park just in case. You'll also like the printable she used, which you can add to anything - not just a boo-boo box.

Pretty things boo-boo box tutorial at Running with Glitter

New site alert: Printable Decor.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

My friend Johnnie from Saved By Love Creations has just started a new blog called Printable Decor, and I had to share! Remember her chevron polymer clay pendants? That's just a small sampling of her talent. It's quite exciting that she's moved into the world of printables.

And who doesn't love printables.

They are quick and easy if you want them to be - you can just pop them into a frame. Or you can Mod Podge said frame and then pop a printable in. Either way, there's going to be a lot of popping of printables if you visit Printable Decor.

Johnnie picks her favorite printables to feature, but she also creates her own AND shares tutorials on how to make some for yourself. This subway art tute is a great example. I'm so jealous of those who can use Photoshop.

Go visit Johnnie at Printable Decor today!

Disclosure: This isn't a paid or sponsored post. I just love Johnnie. And her new site!

Are these spoons Mod Podged?

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Most of the time I know whether a project has been Mod Podged or not, but in this case I'm not quite sure. What I do know is that you could Mod Podge them, and it would make a rather lovely and interesting kitchen display. What do you think?

Paper spoons at iiinspired

Choosing color with My Colortopia.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Anderson) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:08:00 +0000

Choosing colors for anything can be a difficult proposition. Choosing the right color is important, especially in your decor and crafting projects - I mean, those are the things you are going to be looking at every single day. You want them to be pleasing and in the right combinations. I definitely do.

Glidden Paint has developed a new community called My Colortopia so that you can select colors with confidence. If you are overwhelmed by interior design decisions, head there immediately to get guidance, advice and inspiration. Several of my blogging friends are on The Colortopia Team (I'm so proud!). Anyhoo, My Colortopia is going to help you select your paint colors and tools as well as get your painting questions answered. It also builds confidence during the painting process. The fancy color tool is what helps you select the paint colors.

The cool part is that you can use your own image! Yay. I like to use my own inspiration to pick color palettes.

I uploaded an image of a really cool crocheted quilt that I like (courtesy of Etsy shop adikeren). Pick a section of the photo and it will give you some colors from the image. Ah! Blues. I likey.

You'll click on one of the colors in the middle, and it will give you a palette on the right. I'm loving that palette with the blue, cream and brown. So pretty.

There's yet another tool for you - the My Life, My Colors widget. You can use this tool to select interior decorating colors based on your personality and style. Go ahead and take the quiz below. It chose bright colors for me! Shocker.
I hope this helps you make more informed and personalized color decisions for your home. Once you get your home colors appropriate, then you can coordinate your craft project colors as well. Enjoy!