Guest Blogger - Mod Podge Rocks

Thursday night is the last night to enter the giveaway for Baby Blvd and Accessory Avenue. Go HERE to enter.

Hi and happy Autumn! This is Amy from Mod Podge Rocks!, a blog about everything decoupage and . . you guessed it . . . Mod Podge. If you aren't busy, please swing by and see me - I feature my own projects and the projects of others - all of the projects use Mod Podge in some way.
I'm so glad that the fall weather is coming so that I can stop sweating my socks off. I don't know where you live, but here in the ATL it's still a little too warm for my tastes - so to get the weather ball rolling, I made this frame. I'm hoping someone up above is listening to me! Let's do this thing.

Supplies & Tools:
FolkArt® Acrylic Paint
Coffee Bean
Turner's Yellow
Mod Podge® Gloss (I accented the wood letters with Mod Podge Glitter Gold - it's up to you)
Wood frame
Autumn scrapbook paper - 1 sheet (I used Making Memories Autumn Splendor)
Scrapbook paper - 1 sheet or scrap for a thin strip (I used orange)
Wood letters - spell whatever you want
Embellishments - I used yellow ribbon and one large orange button
1” Flat Paint Brush and Foam Brush
Craft Glue
Pencil or Pen
Scissors

I always like to just jump in. Kind of like I'm diving head first into a leaf pile. Remove the glass and hardware from your frame, and get to painting! Grab your brush and Turner's Yellow and go for it. You are probably going to need 2 - 3 coats, and don't forget the picture stand. Allow to dry.

My scrapbook paper turned out to be 12" x 12" - just like my frame. Oh joy! No cutting around the edges. I simply traced where the window would be and then cut it out of the paper with scissors.
I was feeling completely sassy on this particular day, so I grabbed a foam brush to apply the Mod Podge to the frame. I know, I know - what's going on? Sometimes when you want something to happen (ie., weather to get colder) you really have to get crazy.

Coat the entire front of the frame with a medium-ish coat of Mod Podge. Make sure you get the corners well.
Carefully place your paper down on the frame and either smooth with your fingers or roll with a brayer. I ALWAYS use a brayer. I don't want to ruin my fingies.

Smooth, smooth, smooth! Keep smoothing until the paper is flat - don't be afraid if Mod Podge comes out the side. Simply wipe it away. Allow to dry for 15 - 20 minutes (KEY to not having wrinkles).
Once the frame has dried, coat the front with Mod Podge. Allow to dry for 15 - 20 minutes and then give another coat. Allow to dry and then do the back of the frame. Don't forget to seal the stand as well! Completely cover your frame with Mod Podge and allow to dry.
While you are waiting for the frame itself to dry, cut a strip. Again, my scrap paper was 12" long - perfect for going down one side of the frame. I cut a 2" wide strip to put down the middle of the LEFT side of my frame. When I felt like it, I Mod Podged this strip to the frame. Smooth, let it dry like you've done before and then Mod Podge over.
Place a bead of glue down the middle of the paper strip and add your ribbon. What a pleasant little accent, don't you think? Wrap the ribbon around to the back and glue down.
While you are waiting for the ribbon to dry, paint your wood letters. I spelled "fall" and then also painted an accent circle. I did it with FolkArt Coffee Bean. Once the letters dried, I coated them with Glitter Gold Mod Podge. You don't have to do this - you can obviously use Gloss - I just wanted a little festive touch.
After the letters are dry, glue the embellishments down to the front of the frame. I added an orange button to the brown circle I painted. Allow the frame to dry for 24 hours before replacing the hardware and adding a picture. Voila!

Thanks to Michelle and her readers for having me here today. Putting together this project was a blast! In case you are wondering, those are my two pugs in the photo. They don't love Mod Podge quite as much as I do. Anyway, come see me any time at Mod Podge Rocks! - there are new projects every day for your decoupaging pleasure. Have a great fall and holiday season.

**Thanks Amy! Makes me want to break out the Mod Podge today!**