A Mod Podging Lesson

If there is any one craft that I love the most, it would definitely be Mod Podging.  I have been doing it for at least 10 plus years.  In college, I used to Mod Podge picture frames with words and pictures for all my pictures of friends and family. That's how it all got started.  Now, I mostly alter wooden letters for myself or for others.  This past week, I Mod Podged a set of letters for a friend who is having a baby boy named Tanner very soon.  I decided to document the process this time and post it on Scissors and Hot Glue.  Mod Podging is not a quick process...just a warning.  It can take several days because everything does have to dry thoroughly.  So, don't expect Mod Podging to be a quick project.  Ok, here we go...

Materials List:

Wooden  Letters (smooth front)

Mod Podge

Cardstock

Pencil

Scissors

Paintbrush or Spongebrush

Acrylic paint

Sandpaper (optional)

First you need to cover your work surface (newspaper is not a good idea since the paint will stick to it as well as the Mod Podge).  I used some freezer paper that I had...shiny side up and it was perfect.   So, lay out your letters on your work surface and let's get started.

Step one is to trace the FRONT side of each of your letters.  To make sure that you keep everything in order, it's a good idea to mark the back sides of all your wooden letters and the cardstock that you have just traced and then cut out.  That should help you know which side is which.

Now that all our cardstock is traced and cut out, we can now get the backs and sides of the letters painted.  This step is optional is you want to keep the natural color or if your letters come painted.  I wanted to go with a tan color for my letters though since the front will be done in chocolate brown.  You may be fine with just one coat of paint or you may end up having to do 3 coats like I did.

Now that the paint on the back and sides have dried overnight, it's time to do some Mod Podging.  Now you may notice in the picture below that I do have paint around the edges of the front.  It's not totally required, but I bring the paint around to the front just so that if there is a place where the letter shows through, it will blend with the rest of it.  Just my personal preference.  Ok, back to the actual Mod Podging.  Take a clean paintbrush and brush a thin coat of Mod Podge onto the entire front of your letter.  Then once you have it all covered, place your cardstock cutout letter onto the wooden letter and smooth it down until it's all stuck down. Let all of the letters dry for an hour or two.

Next, is where the real Mod Podging starts.  You will brush the Mod Podge all over the surface.  I try to keep all my brush marks going in the same direction, but that could just be my perfectionism...ha ha!   I typically put about 3 coats of Mod Podge on everything I do.  You will need to allow drying time between each coat.  Like I said, this is not a fast process.  I typically just let each coat dry overnight before I attempt another one.

As you are applying the Mod Podge, there will be drips down the sides.  Take q-tips to clean that up.  I buy the cheap ones for crafting purposes.

Here are the finished letters!

I put together a little collage of different things I have Mod Podged over the past several years.  Some were gifts, some were requested, and some are hanging in my own house.

Thanks for sticking with this one.  I know it was pretty picture heavy, but I know that I can better understand something if I can see it too.  I hope that you all go out and get all your supplies for your first Mod Podge project.  I am sure that you'll get hooked too!

Alicia