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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Tried It Tuesday (Mod Podge mistake!)

Wahoo!!  Now that I am officially on summer vacation, I am getting to work on my summer to-do list!  Of course, I am relaxing a little more and my to-do items are mostly "fun" anyway:)
For my Tried It Tuesday, I want to share with you a project I tried last summer using
Mod Podge.    It is on my to-do list to "fix" and I hope you don't make the same mistake I did!

If you are new to Tried It Tuesday, read more about it here.


My Tried It:
Mod Podge Stool Project
Here is part of my original post from last summer:
So, I am extremely embarrassed to say that this is what my stool looked like for 12 years:

I started with my supplies (scrapbook paper, acrylic paint, mod podge, spray glitter, and foam brushes):
First, I lightly sanded the stool with 220 sandpaper.  Then, I painted the stool's legs and seat.  The legs took FOUR coats.  I didn't prime first though and I hope that doesn't come back to haunt me.
I used my Cricut Expression to cut a scalloped circled for the stool top, a center circle in a coordinating paper, and a black monogram "S".  My last name begins with S but I am also going to call this the Sharing Stool where students can share book reviews and adventures with Lilly, the classroom pet.  
I glue the S on the red circle and then mod podged each piece in place.  I mod podged the whole seat and as other people had stated in directions I read, the mod podge dries clear!  I had never used mod podge before and this stuff is amazing!
I sprayed the legs with glitter and then starting cutting scrapbook paper to wrap around the 8 rungs on the sides.  I made sure the seam was on the under side and held each piece in place tightly for 20-40 seconds.  It held firm!  Then I mod podged the whole stool 2x and the seat a total of 4x.  I also bought a clear varnish because I thought the mod podge might be tacky, but it really isn't!  I may still add it anyway.  Here is the finished project:


I love how the one piece of scrapbook paper says, "4th Grade". It makes me happy.  Can you see the glitter on the legs?

UPDATE AND WHAT I LEARNED FOR TRIED IT TUESDAY:
Do you see the part where I said, "I may want to add the varnish anyway?"
Yep, you definitely want to add the varnish!!
I don't know where I missed that little piece of advice when researching how to make the stool but the mod podge is so amazing that it seems you don't need the varnish when it is finished.  WRONG!

I had added a couple coats to the seats and some on the rungs with the paper last summer anyway though.  However, I didn't add any to the four main legs and the mod podge is starting to peel!  I need to lightly sand the legs and varnish them this summer.
Otherwise, the stool has held up beautifully where I applied the varnish.
The students absolutely LOVED the stool and it was a favorite spot in the room!  I had to limit when they would use it though because some would try to sit on the stool while working with a partner who was sitting in a chair and that did not work!
I used varnish like this from the craft store:

Reminder:  There is only ONE Tried It Tuesday for July!!  It is the second Tuesday of the month on July 9th.  In August, it will go back to weekly Tried Its!  Thanks:)

12 comments:

  1. I can't follow directions, as I didn't put the name of my topic! But, thank you for this...I have a stool that looks exactly like that from Target. I got in January and didn't have time to do anything to it, but I was hoping to this summer. Pinned this post!

    Jessica
    Literacy Spark

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  2. "You cannot go wrong with glitter" is a phrase I'm hearing more and more in my house these days thanks to my kids.
    Also I've reached that point in my life where I've quit sanding things down. It is just annoying and makes a mess and I've found that most things really don't need to be sanded.

    The Chair looks great and now you'll probably have other teachers asking if you can help them out.
    Great link-up
    matt
    Digital: Divide & Conquer

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  3. Oh my goodness- that stool looks amazing! It seriously is so cute...now I want one! :) You are so very crafty!
    Aylin
    Learning to the Core

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  4. Your stool looks awesome! I love it. Mod-podge is great. I use it to glue the giant puzzle my students work on every year. It makes it much easier to frame that way.

    Hunter's Tales from Teaching

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  5. I love your stool. Thanks for the directions and need to varnish - I would have for sure skipped that step. I can see why you students would love to sit on that stool!

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  6. Sadly, I have a stool as plain as your original but I am not too handy with the mod podge. Your post makes me want to give it a try. Also, I am your newest follower!

    :) Nicole Corbitt
    Tadpole Tidbits
    www.mrscorbitt.blogspot.com

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  7. Your stool is gorgeous! I have never used Mod Podge so your varnish tip will come in handy! Thanks for hosting. I linked up this week! :)

    Jennifer
    Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

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  8. Love your stool...guess I can ADD another thing to my to do list! :O) Thanks for hosting!
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

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  9. LOVE your stool! Where can I get a plain one to test this out on! :) Thanks for the directions!
    Theresa
    Pinkadots Elementary

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  10. How cute is that stool??? Love it! What a neat piece to add to your room! I think you are much more patient than me!

    I meant to link up this week but my boys are running me rampant! I couldn't get everything done I needed to in order to write my post. :O(

    Amanda
    Collaboration Cuties

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  11. This is super cute! I love the rungs on the chairs. So vivid and bright! :)
    ~Brandee
    Creating Lifelong Learners

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  12. Your stool is fabulous! Thanks for sharing your learning. I have pinned the stool in case I get motivated this summer to tackle my own boring stool. Glad I found your blog. :)

    Amanda

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