I am known to try a new "hobby" and then a few months later, never talk about it again. Let me list them for you.
- Vegetarian - yes, I considered this to be a hobby. In high school, for a short time, I lived off of white rice until I crumpled at Wendy's for a cheeseburger.
- Guitar - I did this for a few months after college. I had to get a guitar for Christmas. The only thing I learned during my short days of playing was how to play a random string of notes that had my cat hiding underneath the couch.
- Witches and Witchcraft - This was interesting. I also read a lot about psychics and mediums. I read so many books on the topic I thought I could predict my own future.
- Cupcakes - Still a hobby that I love to do, but boy did I dedicate a lot of time and money into this one.
- Running - So I might not have ever been a marathon runner, but I have many cute Nike running shorts to show that this was once a hobby.
- Clean Eating - This was a fad just this summer. I was eating only raw food. I once again couldn't hold out and treated myself to some Rita's Italian Ice.
- Photography - Still love taking pictures. My camera is always at my side. However, there was a time that I was entering photo contests and taking picture of random trees and calling it "art".
- Painting - I have no business being a painter, but I do have tons of paint and paint brushes stored at my apartment.
Ok, so maybe these aren't all hobbies. Maybe the more appropriate term for these tasks are fads. I once thought my parents weren't supportive of the new hobbies I had taken on. I saw the eye rolls. But, as an adult I now completely understand. They knew, just as I do now, that it will be my interest for a few months at most before I move onto the next thing. And just in case they are reading this, my parents always supported my crazy hobbies. I know that one day when I have children, I will be repaid.
The new hobby that I have recently taken on is one that I saw on Pinterest. It's called Mod Podging. Have you ever used mod podge? It's by far, the best tool a crafter could have in their toolbox. It's AMAZING!
I have two of those Sterling drawer storage bins that I keep in my classroom and store all of my stickers, markers, and other random items. It was pretty beat up after seven years. I saw on Pinterest you can use mod podge to attach scrapbook paper to it and make it look pretty.
I also have a box that was given as a gift. The box wasn't the gift. That would be silly. The gift was the four bottles of wine in the box. After the wine was gone, I couldn't decide what to do with the box. So, just as I do with shoe boxes, I stored it in my closet in case I would ever need it. Along came mod podge, and the box turned into a fantastic, stylish box that I can store my fancy, shiny bracelets in. I'm currently using an old perfume box to store them in so this is a major upgrade.
What do you think of the before and after photos?
If you are like me, then you are a messy crafter. I'm the teacher that leaves school every day with her hands covered in magic marker. I wear a lot of black dress clothes which is great for showing chalk dust handprints. I am not any neater when it comes to mod podging either. I was covered in the sticky glue. To keep you cleaner and more patient, here are some tips:
- Cut all of the pieces you will need from the scrapbook paper first.
- You will need a credit card to smooth out the bubbles once you apply the mod podge. Use an old gift card that has expired. Mine was ruined from the glue.
- Have a paper towel handy to wipe your hands of mod podge. Don't worry, it peels off of your skin once dry.
- Cover your work area with wax paper. If your item gets glued to it, it easily peels off.
- Don't worry about making mistakes. Mod podge dries clear.
- If it's your first time using the product, be patient and take your time. Both of my projects took a lot of time. However, it's getting easier and quicker with each project.
- Foam brushes work really well for applying mod podge. Bonus: they're inexpensive.
All three projects cost a total that was less than $10. The Mod Podge can be bought at any craft store. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby for $4.99. The entire jar lasted through all projects. The cheapest scrapbook paper I have found was also at Hobby Lobby for $0.59 per sheet. Buy the large pieces of paper, and not the standard size. Hobby Lobby also runs great sales that will help you save money.
The only real hobby I have ever stuck with is teaching. I guess I'm pretty lucky to have turned a hobby into a career. Teaching: My hobby, My Career, My Passion!
Happy Mod Podging!
I love the Bolla box transformation! You are so talented!
ReplyDeletePeace~
Marci