Lunch bag Album

Last year I visited my Aunt Carolyn & Uncle Ken (AC/UK) that live in Fl and I wanted to make them a gift for every day I was there. Yes, a bit overachieving but it gave me so much joy to have something waiting at the breakfast table for them every morning when they got up.

The last day was my big gift - a Lunch bag album. Making the album wasn't hard, but tracking down each family member to write AC/UK a message was a bit of a task. But here is what you do:

4 white lunch bags. Fold them in half and hole punch 2 holes. Add ribbon. On each page glue coordinating paper. Now what I did was put a pic on one side and had that person write a message to AC/UK on the following page. Also there are pockets (from the bag openings) in the album where I inserted an extra page so that someone could write a favorite memory they have of AC/UK.

This ended up turning out better than I ever thought it would. And I hope it becomes a keepsake for them so that they are always reminded of how much they are loved.

Mod Podge a Canvas

Here is a cute mod-podge craft for you. Just take a pic, enlarge it, and make a color copy of it. Even if the image is b/w it must be color copied (don't aske me - I didn't make the rules, just follow them). Mod-podge the canvas 4 times...use a blow dryer to help quicken the process. On the last time attach the photo to the canvas. Again let me remind you that there WILL be bubbles. If you want to antique the edges take a wet paper towel to the ends of it. This pic was antiqued however it didn't show thru that well in the photograph.

Wait til morning and give a final coat of mod-podge. Bubbles will rise again. By later that day the bubbles should be gone. Then just add ribbon and whatever embellishments you like!

Mod Podge "family"

Ok, so it's been what...2 or 3 months since I last posted? Does absence make the heart grow fonder? Or is it like when I went off to college and I asked my parents if they were going to miss me and they replied "out of sight, out of mind". Either way - I'm back.

I had found these letters cheap at Kinko's of all places. So for those who don't know the wonders of deco-podge let me fill you in. Find whatever coordinating paper you like and cut out the letters. Just put one layer of podge on the (cardboard)letters and then put your paper on it...the podge acts as glue. Let me warn you now - there WILL be bubbles. No matter how smoothly I put the podge on, there is always bubbles. But don't try to scrunch them down because when it drys the bubbles will be gone - I PROMISE.

Once the podge is dry (give it about 4 hours) then put another layer of podge on top of the paper...now the podge acts as a sealant. Again, you will see bubbles reappear. And I'm telling you, have no fear because by morning it will be perfect again. Then you can add whatever embellishments you like. I intended for "family" to hang straight across but I just wasn't feeling it, dawg (whatup randy). So over the dresser it went. So hope this spells it out enough so you will want to go mod podge it up this weekend. I'll also try to put another mod podge craft up by the end of the week to give you ideas. Enjoy.