Monday, August 8, 2011

Mod Podge Therapy

It's a busy,  busy, week around this place, folks.

On Thursday, Miss Whimsy leaves to begin the new year at Mercer University, and we're just not ready. Not that I'm ever ready to pack up a daughter, of course, but this year we've taken procrastination to a whole new level. Where in the world did the summer go?

I'm trying not to panic.

You see, her digs will be a lot more sprawling this year. She's done her time in the dinky dorm room and is movin' on up to an on campus apartment. She's sharing with three friends, and they're pretty excited. The texts are flying back and forth as they scrounge together the necessities.

I have a list a mile long in the pocketbook, and a pile a mile high in the living room.  Going a little crazy here, folks...

That's why I've been playing with this stuff. 


Really, it wasn't a waste of time. 
Around here, Crafting for Dummies is creative therapy, 
and nothing fits the bill any better than decoupage.
 I mean, really, is there anything any more relaxing
than gluing random pieces of paper onto unsuspecting hardware?
I think not.

That's why I offered to help her with a little project.   

She wanted to make some picture frames out of these cheap little wooden ones
and photo copies of a favorite pattern. 



Don't tell Lilly Pulitzer, but she's hanging out with the thrifters. 

So she painted,
and I went to therapy.


And after an hour or so, I was rejuvenated 
and ready to tackle the ever growing lists
and piles.



Mod Podge: The key to my  happy place. 


What's yours? 

48 comments:

southerninspiration said...

I know just what you mean....my youngest headed back and going into a dept. I am making pillows and such for her new digs!
Can't wait to get there and help her set it up!
Suzanne

Barbara F. said...

Can you believe I've never mod podged? Well, maybe once back in the 80's when I dabbled a little (okay, a lot) with crafts. I need to find a happy place that doesn't include shopping, food, or Pinterest! I am so addicted to that. xo,

Tami said...

I am so glad I just saw your post. I was just about to email you to check up with you and see how you were :) So beautiful-I haven't mod podged (is that a word?), but my happy place is cleaing with music on, raining outside, and a candle burning. Also, dinner or lunch by myself with a great book and some diet coke-never fails.

Christine said...

Well if that isn't the cat's meow!
Swell, and really cool.
(Just reminiscing my school days.)

Great idea. I love Mod Podge.

Alexandrea said...

The key to my happiness is hanging on the key rack (it's a key to our sailboat), but my close second is my sewing machine. I love to create!!
On the Mod Podge note....isn't it such great stuff?? I've been thinking of a whole lot of Christmas items that are about to 'podged' here soon.
Thank you for visiting my 'Days for Girls' Garden Party article on my new blog and for leaving such kind comments!! I appreciate it sooo much!!
Happy Summer!!
Alexandrea

Canadagirl said...

Ohhh knitting of course! And sometimes beading or candle making. [o= You gals did a amazing job!!! I loved getting to see end result. So cool.

Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary

Amy Kinser said...

I bet you are not ready for summer to be over. I pray peace for you as the girls get ready to leave.

Love the frames, by the way.

Thanks for being my prayer friend.

Unknown said...

SO cute. Your girl will have the BEST apartment ever. Mine is leaving on the 21st. and is also moving into an on-campus apartment. Alas, she is sharing with 4 (!) other girls. She is in a room with 2 others....I haven't decoupaged anything, but I did buy her a new pillow. It's a nice gesture, since I don't want her to go. Too bad she's beyond excited!! I'm rambling, cause I'm so sleepy, I think the key to my happy place about now is MY pillow!
xoxo
lynn

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
I got an iTouch for my birthday and I'm so addicted to the little electronic widgit that I hardly have time for anything else. I have to check it constantly to see if anyone sent me an email or Facebooked me...and at my age too. But for right now it is the key to my happy place. :)

~Jean

Kathleen said...

Coincidentally I've been in the same happy place recently! I discovered Mod Podge a few months ago via a couple of crafty blogs and I had my sister bring some over from USA this year. I've been rejuvenating coasters etc. and will be sharing when I've done a few more. It's wonderful stuff isn't it? Your frames look very happy and trendy.

Good luck with the rest of the stuff on your lists.

Lynn said...

The frames really turned out cute Debbie! I'll bet the girls are excited for a new year to be starting:@)

Miss Char said...

Love the frames Debbie, it will make a real statement on the walls for the girls. I have a brand new large bottle of Mod Podge sitting in my craft room just waiting to be cracked open and used for a project or two. You are not alone in the world of MP uses.

Joan Hall said...

With anything that involves crafts, I'm all thumbs.

It's hard to believe it's time to pack her up for school. Seems like you were just bringing her home for the summer. Time flies!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

You are such a mom of girls...we have been in the garage with a jig saw...my son is making a gun handle!!

These are great...my creative soul right now is still painting...how many walls can any one girl paint...well a whole house full...now I want to get to the fun part and decorate.

Blessings to all on this new season...yes, my daughter moved also to a new apartment, four girls and they are all wanting to fix it up...oh my! That is about as girly as it gets around here.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Mod podge is way way up on my list on must have's! The frames and letters look fantastic. Isn't it fun to just let your imagination go crazy! There are no rules with decorating, and that's how I love it. Her room is going to be precious!

xo

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Mod Podge is one of the fastest route to my Happy Place, too! I'm a little jealous you got there this week and I didn't, but I'm going to hope you enjoyed it enough for both of us. The frames look great! If I didn't know before that the girl's name was Miss Whimsy, I'd know it now. I pray she has a wonderful year ahead. Good luck with "the list" before Thursday's deadline!

Tricia said...

These frames are darling! You'll have to take a pic of how she displays them in her new apartment!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Those are absolutely ADORABLE Debbie. You did a super job. Will you go to therapy on my house next??? Oh, sugar, if you only knew what has transpired between posts. No, you don't want to know. I don't even want to know. LOL!

I have missed you so much. I plan to try to play catch up this week as I can, but some work that was done on the SA property was not to my exacting standards AKA I could have done a better job myself, and I don't do power tools. So, I am going to have to ride herd on the workmen at some point. Men with tools = danger, Will Robinson, danger! It's minor, but it's the first thing I see when I pull in the driveway which means it does not play well with others. Hopefully, I can wash those men right out of my hair this week.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Renée said...

Your Lilly fabric is so bright and pretty and using it around the frames is so effective. My therapy is pinning and I like to do it when my guy turns on a movie at night. Summer is slipping away and we are at a crossroads for our kids. I am constantly cooking, cleaning and washing after their visits and I'm so glad. I love it!!!!

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Growing up. Something pretty from home for home away from home.

Crickit said...

What cute frames you all created! I hope your daughters enjoy this next year back at college.

I can't believe that summer is almost over either. I do though, look very forward to Fall, it is my favorite season of all! :)

At The Picket Fence said...

Those look so great Debbie!! Definitely some good therapy! :-)
Vanessa

no spring chicken said...

The frames are fabulous! I've never heard of Mod Podge therapy but it sounds very satisfying. Around here it is definitely still sit and stare... It isn't helpful at all. Nothing gets done. Not even a set of cute picture frames to send to campus... Maybe I'm ready for Mod Podge. I'd ask my therapist but I think he would vote for Meal Therapy...

Blessings, Debbie

Red Couch Recipes said...

I will NOT be ready for my kids to leave. What a great mother you are to do a project to help spiff up her apartment-- such cute bright colors and I love the monagrams. My key to my happy place would be to have my laundry caught up. So , since that never happens my key to my happy place, my key to may happy place, my key to my happy place...I need to find it. Joni

bj said...

Ahhh, these frames are so cute..you just paint them, cut cute fabric to fit and mod podge them? Really cute...
xo bj

Sharon said...

You know, I'm a little in awe of your craft talents! This is so much fun. I see that Miss Whimsy is sticking with the pink and green color scheme - it's really just so cheerful, isn't it? (No *hunting* roommates this year, hmmm?)

I used to find that painting (not artistic, just painting) was relaxing - but after a major remodel of the house two years ago, painting is more a chore now. So, the key to my happy place? I suppose reading is number one - there is nothing quite like escaping into a good book that distracts me from worries and cares. I also like doing crossword puzzles - ala Goldilocks fashion - not too hard, not too easy, but just right.

I will praying for the imminent good-bye. It's a little easier the 2nd year of college - but it's never easy. Should we tell them that they're ALWAYS our *babies* in our hearts?? No, probably not...

Be happy Mrs. Mod Podge - even if it's just on the outside!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I love these frames...my dgt would really love them. And congrats to you dgt for moving up to better quarters....you're a great mom...you sound like so much fun.

Denise said...

Well, I'm feeling a bit lost myself. No one to send back to school this year. Sniff. At least both of my girls have places of their own that I can occasionally help decorate.

I'll be sure to tell Miss Whimsy how cute her frames turned out. I know you had tons of fun crafting together. And don't worry, we promise not to let Lily know she's popular with the thrifty crowd.

My therapy would be either reading or digging in the dirt. It's a bit hot right now for much dirt digging. Reading seems to win out often these days.

Always Nesting said...

Oh my goodness, how many ways can you say ADORABLE??? Love the creativity and wow is this the perfect quick gratification project. I've got to give this a try.

Patti said...

Well, since pink, green, and white is my favorite color combination, I am quite enamored of your creations.

With the exception of using Modge Podge to glue a puzzle together, one time, I have little experience with that concoction. Looks like it is for far more than just puzzles.

Not sure where Mercer University is. Hope it's nearby enough that you can visit with your sweet girl periodically through the school year.

Have a lovely evening.

Love,
Patti

Chatty Crone said...

Now how can you show us something so wonderful and not tell us how to do it - they were awesome! How wonderful you and your daughter are so close and able to make things together.

PS The apartment is a little harder - they pay for the whole year and they don't want to come home in the summer anymore!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Those frames and letters are adorable! I haven't used Mod Podge in a long time, but love it!

My grandson, Tanner, is going to Mercer in Macon too! It's his first year. His brother, Taylor, graduated Mercer two years ago! We all love it there, it was a good experience for Taylor and we're praying the same for Tanner. I had Tanner's picture with me on my blog not too long ago if your daughter wants to see him! (hint, hint! LOL!) He'll be doing the dorms this year, he'll have two roommates.

Katherine

Maryann said...

Mine is going to be going soon as well, house will be quiet again. I haven't done Mod Podge in years, like the eighties. My therapy is dirt, give me a garden to dig in and I am as happy as can be...not been a good summer for that with all the heat, ten minutes and I am wilted. Frames are cute as can be

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

I've not used Modge Podge in awhile, but boy do I enjoy it whenever I do. I may just have to go buy a fresh new bottle whenever I return to home sweet home. Your frames are adorable!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

And apparently I need to read the title on the bottle again. LOL!

xinex said...

These look so awesome! Good luck to your daughter on her new apartment....Christine

The Tablescaper said...

Oh the things we do when we're stressed. I feel like my summer is flying by and I don't have a child going off to school (or at least off to school away from me). The frames are magnificent.

- The Tablescaper

elizabeth said...

Love your frames! I remember when Modge Podge first came out, my daughter was a baby, and I decoupaged all kinds of little things for her nursery.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Those frames are really cute! I love that paper. I find crafting relaxing also and will do a quick project when I'm in the midst of "crazy". It's fun and as long as it's not too complicated a project the results are quick!

Kelli said...

A magnificent transformation! Mod Podge is so fun. Summer left us too quickly but this year promises to be exciting for Miss Whimsy since she's upgrading!!

Marlis said...

We've been empty nesters for 5 years now.. wow. I love it, just don't share with my boys! But I do know what you mean. It's always the last little bit of time that requires so much strength on our part.. Good luck. love the frames!! xo marlis

Anonymous said...

Oh my, going off again. Been there, done that, and never ever fun. Glad you're taking it out on the modge podge. ;) LOVE what you did with the frames. Too cute.

Key to my happy place? A pretty notebook and pen with loads of quiet. Oh yeah, and a movie escape too. Love movies.

Blessings for the college preppy.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Okay, I see either mod or modge works so I scratched the last comment. hehehe Can you tell I don't craft that often?

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Debbie, how cute those are! laurie

Decor To Adore said...

Beyond cute! Enjoy your time together.

Tanna said...

Okay, you two are dynamos!! Love the frames and I can't wait to see the apartment after you two get finished with it! Time does fly... seems faster and faster every year! blessings ~ tanna

Angel said...

Wow! You have been busy. By contrast, I have felt pretty unproductive. With my computer on the fritz, I was a little lost. Hopefully the duct tape fix will work :) otherwise we may need a new computer soon. Wish I could create one with a little mod podge to save us a few dollars. :) I love all your creations by the way!

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