Tuesday, May 3, 2011

First, Read the Directions

Do you ever get so excited about a new project that you just dive right in? That's what I did on Sunday, much to my current crafter's dismay. After dragging home bags and bags of collage findings from flea markets we visited over school vacation, I couldn't wait to try my hand at collage. After all, how hard could it be?



I carefully measured scrapbook paper to fit in the four old drawers I brought back from Renninger's in Pennsylvania...

...got out the Modge Podge...

and slapped it on...lots of it...on both sides of the paper for good measure.

And the hour of cutting and fitting the paper? Wasted! There were big bubbles everywhere. I poked at them with an exacto knife as if I was swatting flies...but to no avail.

It was then that I remembered Amy's bog, Modge Podge Rocks.

So it was down to the computer to look for tips on "bubble removal". And what do you know...the second video on Amy's "Tips and Tricks" page is entitled "Tips and Tricks for No Wrinkles".

It seems that you are supposed to paint the Modge Podge onto only one side of the paper, the bottom, first, wait 20 minutes, and then Modge Podge over the top.  Oops!

You are also supposed to use a brayer to smooth out the wrinkles. Second Oops!
So yesterday on my way home from work, I went to A.C. Moore with my 40% off coupon and bought my first brayer.

Tonight's project will be getting out my scraper and removing all of the beautiful paper from the drawers so that I can start over. (Or...I could just artistically arrange my objets d'art right over the bubbles...hmm?)

In any case, here's my blogger craft tip of the day...no matter how excited you are to start a project...
Read the Directions First!

Yours in ugly bubbles,

This post is linked to:
Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple
Tutorials & Tips Tuesday at The Stories of A to Z
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm

6 comments:

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

It's so hard not to just dive right in when you have a new project. Thanks for reminding us to take a deep breath and read those directions...BTW, I probably would have done the same thing!!!

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Like I always say, you learn something new everyday!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Great reminder! I am so timid with crafts that I often take toooooo long reading directions!

Betty said...

Could you do me a favor and remind my husband to read the directions first? He's the worst offender when it comes to putting something together.

Good luck with the rest of your project.

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

Hi Cheryl...it's so nice to meet you! Sorry for the delay, in reply to your kind comments, but I've been preparing for & attending a fabulous art retreat. I'm just now coming up for air!

I visited your posts about both your's & Nancy's wall of crosses & I love the collactions! I particularly like your's hung all the way to the ceiling...it looks incredible! I'm really touched by your love & obvious longing for your sister...what a wonderful woman she must have been to inspire such devotion!

*crossing my fingers you don't run into any more issues w/ your project*

OH & BTW your cottage is beautiful...loved the snowy photographs of it!

Jane said...

Bubble trouble!! Thanks for filling us in on the tips for using Mod Podge. I love the old drawers you are using for your collages. I have a thing for old wood drawers and buy them whenever I see them (at a good price). The drawers are piling up so I need to start using them...I may just have to try a collage.
Have a great day!
Jane