Modge Podge - 101

So what do you with old artwork that is so sad it's begging to be retired??? When it's Christmas, you cover it in wrapping paper and ribbon and hang it back up on the wall. But when February rolls around and the wrapping paper 'artwork' begins to mock you, it's time for a craft project: adult style! This isn't your elementary school Modge Podge lesson - but it IS just as simple. I promise!

BEFORE: OLD ARTWORK

SUPPLIES:  PAINT, SPONGE BRUSH, SCRAPBOOK PAPER, RULER, PAPER CUTTER, and MODGE PODGE

I chose the outdoor paint because it says it is 'water resistant'. My art will be hanging in my dining room, thus immune to the outside elements, however I wasn't sure how the regular non-water resistant paint would hold up against the Modge Podge application, so I wanted to safe. It needs to dry for 72 hours.

During this time I designed the way I wanted my papers to lay on the boards and chose my bible verse and printed it out. The paint was truly dry to the touch even though the required time hadn't fully passed yet, so I was able to lay everything out flat on the boards and move it around until I was satisfied with my design.

For those who haven't used Modge Podge before, it's very similar to glue, just a bit more watered down.  It comes in a variety of finishes - glossy, matte, or  if you're feeling particulary bold, you can choose one with glitter sprinkled in.  I poured out my Modge Podge into a throw-away take out container and a simple painters/crafters sponge-on-a-stick worked great for application.  It washes out with soap and water, too!  (This excites me the most because I am a messy crafter and cook.  The bigger mess I make, the better my project (food) turns out.  I've proven it to be a scientific fact.) 

Brush on your Modge Podge pretty thick, and this is key - BOTH SIDES!!  But not to the point of weighing your paper down too heavily.  You should "SEE" it on your project.  Smooth out all air bubbles.  Wait for it to dry.  Apply more Modge Podge on top.  Dry and repeat.  I was able to make three applications in one evening between folding loads of laundry. 

The next day it was hung and ready to be admired!  I LOVE IT!  For a couple of bucks I revived some tired, old artwork!

AFTER: NEW ARTWORK

Eight is Great

Eight is great - eight is fine - the only thing grander - would be to be nine!

Okay, so Owen didn't really say that, but he is already thinking he should be nine.  Why do children rush growing up so much?  Why did I?  I did wish it, but cannot answer it... but I often find my mother falling out of my mouth when I hear myself say things such as "Don't wish your life away..."

I have discovered that I am now in a group of parents who cannot fathom where time has gone.  I fully realize that I am not alone in wondering where time passes - wondering where it goes.  It is not a feeling that I solely appreciate.  Parents all over the world have this unique feeling dedicated to parenthood.  Days are long... but years are short.  Really short. 

So Owen turned eight on Saturday - and a Star Wars party with a few close friends was the wish to be granted.    There was thematic named food (Yoda Soda, Hans Rolos, Skywalker Sausages, Maul's Mess, Jar Jar Cakes, Wookie Cookies, Boba Fruit, etc).    A super-galactic light saber battle ensued on the front lawn; dads and kids alike.  Even a married couple had some fun getting some frustration out... this could be a good marital tool, no?  Thanks to my new love of Pinterest (aka: biggest-time-waster-since-Facebook) I came across this blog and was able to make 18 light sabers  to send home with all our fellow Jedi-loving friends (with some leftover for us).  Mine were not as detailed as hers were, but it wasn't necessary.  The kids knew exactly what they were upon first glance.  I regretted even doing these for a few moments.  I began their construction at 11 at night the very night before the celebration - first mistake.  I grumbled all the way upstairs at 1230am the next morning.  But upon hearing my birthday boy's exclamation "THANK YOU, MOMMY FOR MAKING LIGHT SABERS!" my fatigue became worth it.  To quote a Jedi-in-training, "Best. Party. EVER!"    Simply because of a pool noodle and some tape. (And some unseasonably warm spring weather).

I agree.  Best. Ever.

Practicing

Since I'm so new to this blog-o-sphere thing, I thought I would try to post a photo AND a link.  I know, right?!   You're thinking, "Wow, she IS ambitious!"  (Okay, if you're not really thinking that, please don't disappoint me.  I can be sensitive).  

Here goes... 

This photo is a year old now - that seems hard to believe.  But it is.  I promise there will be more current ones in the future.  This is our first "family" photo since Donn's home-going.  If I didn't "need" to have a photo of the kids and I taken for our church directory I probably still would not have had a family photo done.  It's painful to see this - someone is missing.  It still feels that way.   I imagine it will always feel that way because we DO miss him.  Dreadfully.  (And a rabbit trail here... I really LOATHE when people tell me we "lost" him in lieu of saying he "died, passed, etc" - as if he's been misplaced like a common garden tool - and personally, I prefer "promotion", but that's another post...  I don't want to hear the word "lost" in reference to his death because he is NOT lost.  We KNOW where he is - he's in the presence of the full glory of our heavenly Father and in better health and spirits than we can even fathom.  He is far from "lost". )   Back to the current topic at hand...  here is the first attempt at posting a photo to a blog.  MY blog.  How crazy is that?!?! 

WHOA!  SUCCESS!!!  

Now, a link.  This is a link to one of Donn's favorite songs.  "Changed" by Phil Joel.   My favorite part of the song is near the end (complete lyrics here) that read as follows: 

You have changed the way I see everything
You have changed the way I wear my wedding ring
You have changed the way I treat my family
You have changed the way I see all my friends
You have changed the way that I spend my time
You have changed the way that I use my mind
You have changed the things that I spend my money on
You have changed everything I ever thought was mine
You have changed my emotions
You have steadied me
You have changed my eyes and what I let them see
You have changed the course of my history
Thank God You're still changing me! 

I love these lyrics because they truly represent my late husband's faith - changing and growing.  I have a vivid memory of him learning the chords on his guitar and singing the lyrics, but then he stopped playing and held out his left hand to show me his wedding band while he sang "wear my wedding ring" and pointed to our children and I while singing "treat my family"...  he was devoted to us with his whole heart (as we were to him).  I hadn't heard this song in a while and as I was tucking Evie into bed tonight this song was playing on her bedtime CD of choice (naturally, a mix Daddy made for her).  I am so thankful for the memories this song brought to mind - and to heart - tonight.  Thank you, Lord, for sweet memories and blessings.

What's The Word?

Funny story... My kids earn "tokens" at their school for going above and beyond expectations in behavior, attitude, and helping others. Today Evie was able to visit the "Rocket Shop" to redeem her tokens. She chose a dictionary.
 

She really didn't know what it was - she thought it was a reading book. Every book excites her these days because she FINALLY knows how to read. I'm talking "uber" excited - the "Momma, I-will-risk-interrupting-you-even-though-I-know-I-shouldn't-so-I-can-read-you-the-new-word-I-learned-today" excited.  Confession:  Momma's pretty excited, too!  So when I explained to her what a dictionary was used for (check spelling, definitions, etc) she wanted to look up a word. So she chose the word "television".
 

I show her how the dictionary is set up (conveniently, in alphabetical order) and we get to the "T" section. T... E... Telegraph... Telescope... Tell. WHAT?!?! NO "TELEVISION"! I pray the lesson wasn't lost on her. (And what a horrible dictionary)! 

Look out, home school... here I come!!!