Decoupage Backgrounds for Cards

Recently, I've shared how to make flowers, a dolphin, and a cross using decoupage. You can use the same techniques to make backgrounds for cards. Affiliate links below. 

Decoupage Backgrounds for Cards

Materials:

• Neenah Bristol vellum
• paper trimmer
• tissue paper
• Mod Podge*
• decoupage brush
• craft glue
• stickers *

Steps: 

For each card, cut a piece of Bristol vellum in half to make two pieces that are 8.5" x 5.5".  Fold one of the halves in half in order to make a 4.25" x 5.5" card base. You'll use the other piece for the decoupage. 

You can decoupage with sheets, strips, or torn pieces tissue paper. You can mix colors or use just one color. If you are going to use strips or pieces, tear those before moving on to the next step. 

Pour some Mod Podge into a cup and dilute it with a little bit of water (about 3 parts Mod Podge to 1 part water). If you're using an intact piece of tissue paper, paint a coat of the watered-down Mod Podge onto a half-sheet of paper. Carefully lay the tissue paper onto the moist paper. Load the brush with more Mod Podge and paint a coat over the top of the tissue paper. Use the brush to smooth any wrinkles as best you can. Don't worry about any overhanging tissue paper. If you are using strips or torn pieces, work on one area at a time. Paint a coat of Mod Podge onto the bottom inch of the paper, lay down a strip or piece of tissue paper, then paint over that to seal it. Add Mod Podge to the next section of the paper, then add the tissue paper, slightly overlapping the previous piece. Seal it. Repeat until you've covered the entire half-sheet. 

When the decoupage is completely dry, trim the decoupaged sheet to make a 4" x 5.25" piece. Adhere it to the card base. Decorate with stickers. 

* For the Happy x 3 card, I used Gloss Mod Podge and stickers from Happy Planner - Celebrate. 

* For the unicorn card, I used Matte Mod Podge and stickers from Echo Park's Birthday Girl. 

* For the make a wish card, I used Sparkle Mod Podge and stickers from Echo Park's Happy Birthday Boy. 

Tissue Paper Flower Bouquet

I've shared dozens (and dozens) of flower crafts over the years and I never get tired of making them. I've made so many flower crafts that I actually had enough to put together a round-up of just my favorite edible flower crafts! Today's project isn't edible, but I'm happy to add it to my collection of flower crafts. It's so pretty. (And did you notice the colors I used?) Affiliate links below. 

 

Decoupage Tissue Paper Flower Bouquet 

Materials:

• Neenah Bristol vellum
• 1/2 sheet for the vase
• 1/2 sheet for each of the flowers
• 1/4 sheet for the leaves
• 1/4 sheet for the flower centers
• tissue paper
• Mod Podge
• decoupage brush
• microtip scissors
• hot glue

Steps: 

Choose the colors of tissue paper you want to use for your bouquet. Tear the tissue paper you're using for the vase into irregular pieces. Pour some Mod Podge into a cup and dilute it with a little bit of water (about 3 parts Mod Podge to 1 part water). Working on one area at a time, paint some of the Mod Podge onto the paper, then place a piece of tissue paper onto the moist area. Paint over the top to seal it. Repeat the process, overlapping the pieces as much (or as little) as you want. 

Cut or tear the remaining colors of tissue paper so that they are slightly larger than the paper they'll be covering. Working with one color at a time, spread a coat of the watered-down Mod Podge onto the paper. Carefully lay tissue paper onto the moist paper. Load the brush with more Mod Podge and paint a coat over the top of the tissue paper. Use the brush to smooth any wrinkles as best you can. Don't worry about any overhanging tissue paper. Repeat the process until you have prepped the papers for the three flowers, the leaves, and the flower centers. 

When everything is completely dry, cut out a vase, two flowers from each color (total of six), three flower centers, and three leaves. It is easiest to draw the shapes you want on the back of the paper before cutting. 

Arrange the two layers of flowers so the petals are off-set and glue them together. Glue the flower centers in place. Adhere the flowers to the vase, starting with the one in the center back. Finally, add the leaves. 

You might have noticed that my purple flower is sparkly. I experimented with Sparkle Mod Podge, which gives the flowers some extra dazzle. The choice is totally up to you and the look that you want!

Decoupage Tissue Paper Cross

Easter crafts are some of my very favorites. Over the years, I've shared 60+ ideas for crafts related to bunnies, chicks, and eggs, as well as dozens more crafts featuring flowers, butterflies, and rainbows. I've been making an effort over the past few years to add more religious Easter crafts to my blog. Last year's Palm Sunday project and kid-friendly Crown of Thorns were popular; today I'm adding another classic cross to the collection of Easter projects. It's made with tissue paper and Mod Podge. Affiliate links below. 

Decoupage Tissue Paper Cross

Materials:

• Neenah Bristol vellum
• tissue paper (light blue, light green, brown)
• Mod Podge
• decoupage brush
• scissors
• craft glue

Steps: 

Cut a piece of Bristol vellum into a 8.5" square. This will be the background. The 8.5" x 2.5" piece is for the cross. Tear thin strips of light blue and light green tissue paper. Remember - tissue paper has a grain! Cut a piece of brown tissue paper that is slightly larger than the small piece of paper. 

Pour Mod Podge into a cup and dilute it with a small amount of water (approximately 3 parts Mod Podge to 1 part water). Spread a coat of the watered-down Mod Podge onto the smaller paper - you want it to be moist but not puddly. Carefully place the brown tissue paper onto the moist paper. Load the brush with more Mod Podge and paint a coat over the top of the tissue paper. With the brush, smooth any wrinkles as best you can. Set it aside to dry. 

To make the background, work on one area at a time. Add a coat of Mod Podge to the bottom inch of the paper, lay down a strip of light green tissue paper, then paint over that to seal it. Add Mod Podge to the next section of the paper, then add the tissue paper, slightly overlapping the previous piece. Seal it. Repeat until you've covered half of the paper, then switch to light blue tissue paper. When the whole sheet is covered, set it aside to dry.  

Use scissors to trim the excess tissue paper from the background paper. Cut two 1" strips from the brown paper, one longer than the other, to form the cross. Glue the cross to the background.

Decoupage Tissue Paper Dolphin

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you like dolphins. Everyone likes dolphins, right? Three states like dolphins enough to have named them as their official State Saltwater Mammal (Florida), State Water Mammal (Mississippi), and State Marine Mammal (South Carolina). Read on for how to make a cool dolphin craft using tissue paper. Affiliate links below. 

Tissue Paper Dolphin

Materials:

• Neenah Bristol vellum
• tissue paper (light blue, dark blue, and silver)
• Mod Podge
• decoupage brush
• microtip scissors
• craft glue
• ultra-fine black Sharpie
• foam mounting squares

Steps: 

Prepare the Bristol vellum. You will need a total of two sheets: a full sheet for the light blue and a half-sheet each for the dark blue and silver. 

Cut or tear a piece of light blue tissue paper so that it is slightly larger than the full sheet. Set it aside. Tear thin strips of dark blue tissue paper. Don't cut them; you want them to be irregular to mimic the movement of the ocean. (Remember - tissue paper has a grain!) Cut a piece of silver tissue paper that is slightly larger than the half-sheet of paper. 

Pour some Mod Podge into a cup and dilute it with a little bit of water (about 3 parts Mod Podge to 1 part water). Spread a coat of the watered-down Mod Podge onto a half-sheet of paper. You want it to be moist but not puddly. It is important that it is completely covered. Carefully lay the silver tissue paper onto the moist paper. Load the brush with more Mod Podge and paint a coat over the top of the tissue paper. Use the brush to smooth any wrinkles as best you can. Don't worry about any overhanging tissue paper. 

Use the same technique to apply the light blue tissue paper to the full sheet of paper. Wrinkles are probably going to happen; gently smooth them out if possible. Don't overwork the tissue paper or you'll risk tearing it. 

To make the water, it is easiest to work on one area at a time. Paint a coat of Mod Podge onto the bottom inch of the paper, lay down a strip of tissue paper, then paint over that to seal it. Again, don't worry about overhanging tissue paper. Add Mod Podge to the next section of the paper, then add the tissue paper, slightly overlapping the previous piece. Seal it. Repeat until you've covered the entire half-sheet. 

When all three colors are completely dry, use scissors to trim the excess tissue paper from all four sides of the light blue and from three of the four sides of the dark blue. Tear or cut the fourth side in the shape of waves. Glue the dark blue paper onto the light blue. (I trimmed mine down to a square because I like squares, but you don't have to do that.)

Draw or trace a dolphin on the back of the silver paper, then carefully cut it out. Make a dot for its eye. Apply foam mounting squares to the back of the dolphin, then position it onto the paper. 

Standing Snowboarder Craft

Did you know that Colorado has named three official state sports? Colorado's state summer sport is pack burro racing (!) and its winter sports are skiing and snowboarding. This standing snowboarder craft may look familiar, as it's based on an Olympic snowboarding craft I did awhile back. I used the drawing I made last time as the template for this one, but I changed up some of the materials. I'm happier with this version. Affiliate links below. 

Standing Snowboarder Craft

Materials: 

• Bristol vellum paper 
• Ohuhu alcohol markers
• microtip scissors
• Mod Podge

Steps: 

Sketch a snowboarder and a snowboard onto a piece of Bristol vellum. Draw the arms and hands in any position you want, but make sure the feet are slanted slightly in the same direction. You can substitute a heavier weight paper, but don't go any lighter or your snowboarder might slump instead of standing. 

Color the snowboard and snowboarder with the alcohol markers, then cut out the pieces using microtip scissors. I'm not sure if my snowboarder customized his board to match his favorite scarf, or if he made the scarf to match his favorite board. 

Bend the feet upward so they are at a 90° angle to the rest of the body. Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the snowboard, then position the snowboarder onto the wet Mod Podge. When the Mod Podge dries, the board will be shiny and the snowboarder will be permanently connected to the board. 

 

I love how versatile Mod Podge is. And I'm really happy with my snowboarder. 

Rainbow Heart Sun Catcher

Check out my latest tissue paper project! This sun catcher really brightens a room and it makes me smile with all the little patterned hearts sprinkled on the larger heart. And because I used Mod Podge Gloss, it has a delightful shine when it catches the light. Affiliate links below. 

Rainbow Heart Sun Catcher

Materials: 

• 12"x12" white cardstock (65 lb. is best so sunlight shines through)
• tissue paper
• ruler
• Mod Podge
• flat brush
• scissors
• patterned paper
• 5/8" heart punch

Steps: 

Cut a large heart from scratch paper, then use it as a tracer to draw a heart on a piece of 12x12 cardstock. Set it aside. 

Choose your colors of tissue paper, then tear a small corner of each piece. Tissue paper has a grain, so you'll notice that one direction tears cleanly and one direction tears with lots of jagged bits. 

Use a ruler to help you tear straight pieces of tissue paper, making sure the grain is going the correct direction. The edges will be a bit ragged, but that's not a problem. . 

When all the strips are ready, apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the cardstock and lay the strips in place. I chose to overlap them slightly. When all the strips are in place, paint another coat of Mod Podge over the top to seal them. 

When the Mod Podge is dry, it will look like this. 

Punch tiny hearts from the patterned paper. Add another coat of Mod Podge to the base heart and arrange the tiny hearts on top. Place them strategically to cover any particularly jagged edges, or scatter them randomly. Seal the hearts with a final coat of Mod Podge. 

Hang your sun catcher in the window and enjoy the beautiful color and patterns of the rainbow heart.

State Seal Glass Magnets

Today's project is a state-themed twist on a classic Mod Podge craft: glass magnets. Instead of using photos, magazine images, or ephemera for the design, use your state seal. Affiliate links below.  

State Seal Glass Magnets

Materials: 

• unfinished wood circles
• Folk Art acrylic paint - black
• flat-backed glass gems*
• state seal stickers
• Mod Podge
• self-adhesive magnets

Steps: 

Paint the wood circles black, then set them aside to dry. Center the sticker on the wood circle. Add a coat of Mod Podge to the back of a glass gem, then position it onto the sticker. Let the Mod Podge dry completely. Adhere a magnet to the back. 

When you use the magnet, pull it by the wooden part and not by the glass gem. 

*Learn from my mistake: Use slightly more expensive glass gems that are specifically made for crafting. I used the cheap ones I had on hand. Not only were they very irregular, but many of them were not crystal-clear. I tried to pick out the best ones for the project, but it's easier to use the better-quality gems to begin with. 

It's really interesting to me what each state has on their seal. Other than those states who have put their seal on their flag (ugh), I wasn't really aware of the details on most state seals. I don't think I have it in me to color all 50 state seals like I did with the state quarters, but I might pick a few of the more interesting ones and color those. 

Summer Creative Retreat: Mini Journal From a Single Sheet of Paper

The second project I completed from Summer Creative Retreat was making an 8-page mini booklet from a single sheet of paper. I used to make these little booklets with my students back in the day, but it's been a long time since I've made one. The instructor, Jules of Jules' Art Bender, had some really fun ideas for dressing them up using paint and other art materials. I especially liked her idea of taking apart a napkin and adhering the printed ply to the front and back covers. I tweaked her idea a bit and decorated my mini book with tissue paper and stickers. I picture kids filling these little booklets with wallet-sized photos of their best friends. 

Here is Jules' book that inspired my project, decorated with a napkin: 

To make your own mini book, start with a single sheet of paper. I used Bristol Vellum (affiliate links here and below). There's no need for me to duplicate the thousand tutorials out there; instead, check out Savannah Storm's outstanding illustrated step-by-step guide to making a Zine Booklet. 

Open up the booklet so that the front and back covers are facing up. Working on one section at a time, paint a very thin coat of Mod Podge onto the paper, then add colorful tissue paper confetti. Allow the circles to hang off the edge so that the entire area is covered. 

Carefully paint a thin coat of Mod Podge over the top of the confetti to seal it in place. I used matte, but there are some fun glitter options. 

When the Mod Podge is dry, apply gold letter stickers and a dimensional star sticker to make the title. Then fill it with pictures, autographs, journaling, memories, or anything else!

Minnesota and North Carolina Craft Stick Flag Coasters

As promised, here are two more coasters featuring state flags. Today I'm sharing coasters featuring the flags of Minnesota and North Carolina. I'm especially happy to share the Minnesota project, since it is the most recently adopted of the 50 state flags. (Maine, I'm still disappointed.) Affiliate links below.   

 

Minnesota and North Carolina Flag Coasters

Materials: 

• 7 standard size (4.5") craft sticks
• painter's tape
• acrylic paint (Minnesota: navy, light blue / North Carolina: navy, red, white)
• colored pencils
• Apple Barrel Paint Pens (Minnesota: white / North Carolina: yellow, white)
• Outdoor Mod Podge
• tacky glue
• 3 mini (2.5") craft sticks

Steps (Minnesota): 

Arrange seven standard size craft sticks on a piece of painter's tape. Use a ruler and pencil to draw lines to mark the Minnesota-shaped dark blue field. Paint the field navy and the rest of the area light blue. When the paint is dry, remove the sticks from the tape and paint the edges. They will show through in your finished coaster. The back won't show, so painting that is optional. Let the paint dry. Return the sticks to the painter's tape. 

I used a white colored pencil to freehand the 8-pointed star, but it would have been infinitely easier to print and cut a template, then trace that. Use a white paint pen to fill in the star. 

When the paint is dry, seal the sticks with Outdoor Mod Podge and let that dry completely. 

Arrange three mini craft sticks vertically on your work surface and add glue. One by one, transfer the painted craft sticks onto this base. 

Steps (North Carolina): 

Arrange seven standard size craft sticks on a piece of painter's tape. Paint the left third of the sticks navy blue. Paint the right two-thirds of the top three sticks red and the bottom three sticks white. The middle stick is split, half red and half white. I recommend labeling the sections in pencil to help you. 

Remove the sticks from the painter's tape and paint the edges, as these will show. When the paint is dry, return the sticks to the painter's tape. 

It took quite a bit of trial and error to figure out the best way to do the details on this flag. I suggested starting with the N☆C, using yellow and white paint pens. Use the yellow paint pen to draw the banners above and below. When the paint is 100% completely dry, add the text using a ballpoint pen. 

Seal the sticks with Outdoor Mod Podge and let that dry completely. 

Arrange three mini craft sticks vertically on your work surface and add glue. One by one, transfer the painted craft sticks onto this base. 

You may have noticed that I didn't make coasters from amongst the Excellent state flags for crafting but instead chose flags from the Acceptable group. They were more challenging than I'd expected, so I'd steer clear of anything in the Terrible group. I have high hopes that at least some of them will update their flags eventually, like Minnesota did. 

Georgia and Indiana Craft Stick Flag Coasters

I'm trying to diversify the set of crafts I have made inspired by each state, so that people who visit each individual state's page have a wider variety of projects to choose from. I decided to make four more craft stick coasters, similar to the United States flag coaster and California's Bear Flag Coaster that I've previously posted. Today I'm sharing coasters featuring the flags of Georgia and Indiana. Affiliate links below.   

 

Georgia and Indiana Flag Coasters

Materials: 

• 7 standard size (4.5") craft sticks
• painter's tape
• acrylic paint (Georgia: navy, red, white / Indiana: navy)
• colored pencils
• Apple Barrel Paint Pens (Georgia: yellow, white / Indiana: yellow)
• Outdoor Mod Podge
• tacky glue
• 3 mini (2.5") craft sticks

Steps (Georgia): 

Arrange seven standard size craft sticks on a piece of painter's tape. Paint the sticks with a blue field and red, white, and red stripes. I recommend using a ruler and pencil to draw the lines and label the sections before painting. 

When the paint is dry, remove the sticks from the tape and paint the edges. They will show through in your finished coaster. The back won't show, so painting that is optional. Let the paint dry. 

Return the sticks to the painter's tape. Use a white colored pencil to draw where the stars will go and a yellow colored pencil to draw a simplified version of the coat of arms. Trace over each with paint pens. 

When the paint is dry, seal the sticks with Outdoor Mod Podge and let that dry completely. 

Arrange three mini craft sticks vertically on your work surface and add glue. One by one, transfer the painted craft sticks onto this base. 

Steps (Indiana): 

Paint seven standard size craft sticks navy blue. Be sure to paint the edges, as these will show. When the paint is dry, line up the sticks on a piece of painter's tape. 

Print a copy of the Indiana flag, sized to 4.5" x 3" (the approximate size of the finished coaster. Scribble on the back of the design with a white colored pencil. Place the printed flag, correct side up, on the taped craft sticks. Trace the basic lines of the design and put a dot where each star goes. This will transfer white guide lines to the navy-painted sticks. 

Trace over each of the lines with a yellow paint pen, then draw stars over each dot. Use a very sharp yellow colored pencil to write INDIANA near the top. 

When the paint is dry, seal the sticks with Outdoor Mod Podge and let that dry completely. 

Arrange three mini craft sticks vertically on your work surface and add glue. One by one, transfer the painted craft sticks onto this base. 

Tomorrow I'll share the other two coasters I made. 

Recycled Jeans Artist Roll

Artist rolls are fabric containers used to organize and transport pencils, pens, and other art materials. You can buy them in many different sizes and styles, but you can also make your own. This simple version for kids is made with a recycled jeans pocket and is easy enough for beginners to sew. Affiliate links above and below. 

Here's what it looks like when you untie it.  

While this project is intended for kids, I recommend using adult-sized jeans so that you can fit more into your artist roll. Kids' jeans pockets can be really small. 

Recycled Jeans Artist Roll

Materials:

• old jeans
• fabric scissors
• dressmaker's pencil
• sewing machine
• Mod Podge (Fabric)

Steps: 

Remove the pocket from a pair of jeans by cutting as closely to the seams as you can without actually cutting the seams themselves. All seams need to be intact for this project. Cut a strip of denim from one of the legs that is approximately 10" x 2". 

Use a ruler and the dressmaker's pencil to draw a vertical line in the center of the pocket. Draw two more vertical lines to the right and the left, dividing the pocket into four sections. Sew along the marked lines. 

Fold the strip of denim in half lengthwise, with the right sides facing in. Sew along the edge to make a tube. Turn the tube right-side out. I used the safety pin method, but there are other even easier methods you might want to try. 

You can sew the edges of the tube, but I chose to seal mine with Mod Podge.  

Now fill your artist roll and tie it closed. 

You're ready to take your pens and pencils with you wherever you go!

Denim Monogram Ornament

I had to retire a pair of jeans that were too threadbare to wear anymore, so I salvaged what denim I could and made a monogram ornament. I had a wooden T on hand, but have completely run out of C's. So this ornament is for Trevor. Since he doesn't read my blog, I can save it for Christmas and surprise him. Affiliate links below.  

Denim Monogram Ornament

Materials: 

• 4" unfinished wooden monogram
• Folk Art paint (Navy Blue)
• fabric scissors
• denim
• Mod Podge (Fabric)
• jute twine
• holly leaves and berries

Steps: 

Paint the monogram letter navy blue. 

Cut out a piece of denim about a half inch larger than the monogram in all directions. Cut a second piece of denim that is about a quarter inch smaller than the monogram in all directions. Set that second piece aside. 

Place the first piece of fabric upside down on a piece of wax paper. Add a coat of Mod Podge to the monogram, then place it sticky-side-down on the fabric. Press it firmly in place and let it dry for a few minutes. 

Starting with a straight edge (if your letter has one), spread Mod Podge on the edge, then pull the fabric tightly over that space. Use more Mod Podge to secure it to the back. When you get to a curved area, snip the fabric so that you can round the curves without it looking bulky from the front. 

Cut a length of twine for the ornament hanger. Glue it to the back of the ornament. Add a coat of Mod Podge to the back of the ornament and glue the second piece of fabric to it. Not only will it make the back look a bit more finished, but it will help hold the hanger in place. Let the glue dry completely. Then decorate with holly berries and leaves. 

One pair of jeans has enough fabric for a lot of monograms, so go ahead and make a bunch! I only made the one ornament, but I did use another part of the jeans for a different project. I'll show you that tomorrow. 

Decoupaged State Flag Heart Magnets

I still have a lot more National Scrapbook Day projects to share, but I wanted to show you a Mod Podge project first. Mod Podge is celebrating its 57th birthday this Friday, May 17. The Plaid Ambassadors are celebrating by using our favorite varieties of Mod Podge on a craft. I used Mod Podge Ultra (affiliate link here and throughout the post) to make state flag heart magnets for Washington, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Nebraska. Each of these states' flags features a design that would be way too difficult to paint like I did with the previous batch of flag magnets. Mod Podge to the rescue!

 

Decoupaged State Flag Heart Magnets

Materials: 

• salt dough hearts
• Folk Art paint
• images of state flags, printed small and trimmed to size
• Mod Podge Ultra
• magnet tape

Steps: 

Follow the instructions to make salt dough hearts. When they are completely dry, paint them to match the background color of the flag. If the flag you want to make has a white background (like Massachusetts does), be sure to paint it too, even though the salt dough is white. 

To make the images that you'll be decoupaging onto the hearts, find an image of the flag you're making and copy it. Shrink it to the desired size, then print and cut. 

When the paint is completely dry, protect your work surface (I used newspapers and a box I use for spraying). Place each heart onto a plastic lid or small container so that it is raised off the bottom surface. Follow the directions on the bottle to shake the Mod Podge and spray it onto the hearts. 

Place each cut-out onto the heart while the Mod Podge is still wet. Let it dry, then add another coat over the top. Add an extra coat when that one is dry. 

When the Mod Podge is completely dry, turn over each heart and add a strip of magnet tape. Now your magnets are ready to hang on the fridge.