When I was a child, I had an older friend named Ethel.  She loved jigsaw puzzles.  She spent endless hours fitting the pieces together to complete some of the most beautiful pictures I’d ever seen.  But when she was done, she didn’t tear them apart like most people.  She coated the top with a healthy coating of a thick, milky white glue called Mod Podge and then fixed the whole thing to a piece of cardboard and framed it.

It wasn’t until I took a job as an art teacher at a conference center that I discovered hundreds of other applications for this versatile decoupage medium.  Decoupage, which is the process of decorating objects such as boxes or furniture with paper cutouts, was popular in 17th century France.  Each layer had to be covered with a layer of clear varnish.  In the 1960’s, Jan Wetstone updated the technique.  She created a medium that could be used as a glue, sealer, and finish and called it Mod Podge, which is short for Modern Decoupage.  She used it on everything- she even decoupaged her VW Beetle with bed sheets! 

Decoupage has been spotted in celebrity mom Kirstie Alley’s home.  A Ms. Magazine reporter picked out a cluster of grapes decoupaged onto Alley’s son’s high chair.  “I’m very crafty. I love decoupage, “ says Allison Mack, who plays Chloe Sullivan on the WB’s Smallville.

Mod Podge can be used on wood, plastic, fabric, paper mache, tin, terra cotta, glass, and anything else you can think up.  Unlike varnish, Mod Podge is non-toxic so it can be used for children’s projects.  Clean up spills with just water and a damp cloth.  But never let it dry on your cloths because it’s permanent.  A finished project using Mod Podge is deceptive.  Pictures that have been cut out of wrapping paper or magazines, then glued and sealed onto a surface take on the look of something hand painted.

Never done decoupage?  Don’t worry, it’s simple.  Everything you need can be found at any craft supply store.  Any store with a craft section usually carries at least Mod Podge Matte and Gloss.  Look in craft stores like AC Moore and Michael’s for a wider selection. 

I suggest decoupage projects for children 5 years and older.  Here are three projects I’ve created that will have you and your child on your way to creating beautiful decoupage art together.

Spring Candle
Tired of giving grandma bath salts and slippers for her birthday?  This elegant candle will be even more special to her because you and your child decorated it just for her.

Materials:
Gloss Finish Mod Podge
Square or Cylindrical Pillar Candle (any color)
Pressed Flowers (done yourself or bought at craft store)
Foam Brush

Directions:
1)  Wipe candle with a damp cloth to remove dirt and dust.
2)  With the foam brush, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the sides of the candle.
3)  Carefully apply pressed flowers in random formations or other desired pattern.  Allow this layer to dry for 15 minutes.
4)  Apply 2 or 3 coats of Mod Podge over the sides of the candles, waiting 15 minutes between each coat.  On the last layer, pay attention to your brush strokes.  Brush all in one direction for a clean, neat look.  Brush in different directions in small strokes for a painted look.
5)  Wrap it up and give it to grandma.  Make sure to tell her that the candle is for display only.  Burning it will ruin its beautiful design.

Easter Bunny Box

Fill these with candy for a perfect Easter present for any family and friends.  With a different color of tissue paper and wood cutouts, this project can be adapted for any holiday!

Materials:
Paper Mod Podge (Gloss or Matte)
Paper Mache or Wood Chip Box
Bunny Shaped Wood Cutout (pre-painted or do it yourself with acrylic paint)
Foam Brush
Green Tissue Paper

Directions:
1)  Tear the tissue paper into one inch pieces (don’t worry about being neat).
2)  Coat a small section of the box with Mod Podge.  Randomly place several pieces of tissue paper on the box and smooth them out.
3)  Brush another layer of Mod Podge over the tissue paper and layer more pieces onto the box, making sure to overlap.  Repeat the process all over the box until desired effect is produced.
4)  Tissue paper can be folded over the edges to give a sharp look.
5)  When tissue paper is dry, glue the wood bunny to the cover of the box.  Apply a coat of Mod Podge over the bunny and let dry.  Now it looks like an Easter Bunny in grass.
6)  Fill with Easter candy and give it to someone you care about.

Whimsical Walls

Let your child make their room their own.  Wall Mod Podge allows paper items to be removed, so when your son or daughter grows up, they can change the look in any way they want.

Materials:
Wall Mod Podge
Children’s Magazines or Old Books
Large Foam Brush
Acrylic Paint
Old Sheets

Directions:
1)  Help your child cut our their favorite pictures from magazines or books.
2)  Wipe your wall down with a sponge and let dry.  Cover the floor with your old sheets so your floors don’t get ruined. 
3)  Paint the wall with a rough mural of clouds or trees.  Let dry overnight.
4)  Glue the cutout pictures all over the wall with the Wall Mod Podge and allow to dry for 30 minutes.
5)  Cover the whole wall with a layer of Mod Podge.  Make small, random brush strokes to give the wall a hand-painted look.
6)  When you want to change the look of the room, use a damp sponge to wet the paper cutouts on the wall and peel them off.

This is not the limit of Mod Podge’s abilities.  Be creative.  Think small- make cards and collages.  Or think big and Mod Podge furniture and walls!  There are thousands of applications.  Buy instruction books and magazines and do those projects.  It’s even more fun to create your own project because you’re making something nobody has ever made before.  I promise that after one project, you and your child will be hooked on decoupage!

Mod Podge comes in various forms depending on what you’re using it for.
Gloss:  Gives your work a glossy, shiny finish.
Matte:  Gives a natural, flat look.
Sparkle:  Adds a touch of sparkle to your finished project.
Paper:  Not tacky so paper pieces can be moved around before drying.  Formulated to minimize wrinkles and bubbles.  Also acid free so it won’t destroy your precious family photos.
Fabric:  Use Mod Podge to adhere patterns to your favorite shirt.  Item is machine washable on the gentle cycle after 72 hours of drying.
Wall:  Comes in a concentrated powder.  Use over eggshell or semi-gloss paint.  When you want to change your room’s look, simply wet with a damp sponge and remove items adhered to the wall.
Outdoor:  Specially formulated for outdoor use on terra cotta, tin, slate, wood, and more.

Check out these websites for more decoupage ideas:
National Guild of Decoupagers:  http://www.decoupage.org/
Do It Yourself Network:  www.diynet.com
Home and Garden TV:  www.hgtv.com
Great Kid’s Crafts:  www.makingfriends.com
A great beginner’s guide:  http://familycrafts.about.com/od/decoupage/
Lots of projects and links:  http://www.decoupage-online.com/
A huge resource for project ideas:  http://www.durwinrice.com/

Kids gone to sleep?  Looking for a more grown-up decoupage project just for yourself?  Try this Heirloom Table that will preserve your family’s images for generations.

Materials:
Outdoor Mod Podge
Wooden End Table
Foam Brush
Acrylic Paint
Photographs of your family
Letter Stickers, Appliqués, or Stamps

Directions:
1)  Paint your wooden table with whatever color you want.  Coat it as many times as you like.  Less coats produces a soft, streaky, distressed look.  More produces a solid, bold look.  Let dry for 24 hours.
2)  Cut out pictures of yourself, your family, and your friends.  Arrange them on the table top.  Make sure you like the arrangement before you glue.
3)  Glue each picture to the table with a generous amount of Mod Podge.  Let dry 30 minutes.
4)  Apply name stickers, appliqués, or stamps so everyone will know who is who.
5)  For good protection apply 5 or 6 thick layers of Mod Podge over the entire table, letting each dry for 30 minutes between coats.
6)  On the last layer, use short random brush strokes to give it a hand painted look.
7) For extra protection, seal with a spray-on acrylic sealant.  This will not change the look of your table.