A Roundup of How To's Using Mod Podge

Mod Podge seems to be one of those crafting tools that is handed out in the "Welcome to Crafting" goody bag along with an X-acto knife and a cutting board. We love it for the endless amount of decoupage projects we can do around the house, but we also love its retro label. Here's a roundup of some projects using Mod Podge that we featured on Apartment Therapy.

Mod Podge, invented in a garage in the 60s, comes from the term "Modern Decoupage." Beyond the Classic Mod Podge, there are now versions of the all-in-one glue/sealer/finish that glow in the dark, shimmer and have glitter. Here are just a few ways to use it in your home:

How To: Make Your Own Magnetic Matchbooks
Turn ordinary matchbooks that sit in a drawer into magnets that not only look good, but will be readily accessible next time your pilot light goes out.

How To: Cover Your Switchplates With Fabric Scraps
Add a little style to your boring switchplates with fabric that compliments your decor.

Inger's Paper-Covered Clipboard Grocery List Holder
Why settle for a boring clipboard? Make your home office more fun by adding pretty paper to your clipboards.

How To: Make Coasters from Cocktail Napkins
Dress up plain coasters using inexpensive paper cocktail napkins.

How To: Refresh a Boring Drawer Unit
Turn a ho-hum drawer unit into something display worthy.

What are your favorite Mod Podge projects? What are your favorite sources for pretty paper?

(Top image credit: Jessica Watson)

Comments (20)

thanks!! saw these at craft store and wasnt sure how or when to use....really appreciate the post.

FYI, Amy at ModgePodgeRocks.com is a wonderful resource if people have questions about Modge Podge Projects. She's my go to girl and is very generous with her knowledge and time!

Also check out the fridge covered with London maps at:

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2007/03/sneak-peekhenry-road.html

I love modpodge but find it gets sticky (even something that's been dry for months) in high humidity (I live in the south) and sometimes paper gets stuck to whatever I've modpodged. Any ideas for avoiding that?

Great! I was a mod podging fool in my childhood. Will find my bottle and do a project with the grandkids on this snowy day. Just as soon as they tire of the drum set...

Aleishacd, it's true that Mod Podge projects can get tacky in certain environments and temperatures. The key is to seal the project with an acrylic sealer. ModPodgeRocks.com recommends this one: http://www.plaidonline.com/productDetail.asp?itemID=CS200304

I personally prefer to use home-made wheat paste glue. I use pastry flour and not only does it hold well and not get sticky, but to remove it you just need to soak it in water and scrub. Book restorers and book binders commonly use it. And it's cheap!

Amazing! thanks so much I have a bottle of modge podge and a day off! wooohooo.

Diluted white glue works, too & it's cheaper. Though I've just purchased my first bottle & will be working with it this weekend.

There are very many different Mod Podges out there. Difficult to choose! Maybe ModPodgeRocks.com has input.

I think I would be lost without Mod Podge. I have bottles of it in what seems like every nook and cranny of my house!

i got a sorority paddle in '91 that is still tacky to this day. it has stuck to the wall, garments, purses. it has bits of lint, paint and whatnot all over it.

and my big sis worked so hard on it.

I heard years ago that mod podge is just watered down white glue, so I never really tried using it. Could someone please enlighten me as to what, exactly, it is and what it does (that is different from white glue)?

Hey Baba! Mod Podge is a decoupage medium - so it actually has a glue base but then a varnish component as well. It can glue and seal projects - making it great for decoupaging stuff (and more expensive than white glue).

Hard Coat Mod Podge or Satin are non-tacky, just FYI for everyone. For the regular gloss and matte formulas, clear acrylic spray works really well. Here's Mod Podge formula guide.

In terms of my favorite project, I'll pick one of my own just so I don't have to choose from the ones I've posted from others on Mod Podge Rocks - there are too many good ones! Anyway, it was definitely my screenprinted t-shirt.

I found a 1952 US map in poor condition at a closing school in my district. My sister-in-law and I used Modge Podge to apply the map to the outside of a cabinet in my classroom. I love it, and so do my students.

I used it to glue old ticket stubs around a frame with pictures from the shows in it. It turned out really cool and this held even the thickest tickets down when folded over the corners.

a couple years ago, I redid an old Raggedy Ann treasure box that i had when i was a kid. I found a conductor's score at a garage sale and made it into a collagey exterior of the treasure box using mod podge. I use it now as storage beside my piano and love it. It was possibly the best diy i have ever made.

Mod Podge: the most addictive substance known to humankind.

y'all are the best for posting your ideas and recommendations! big up's!

First time using Mod Podge, but ready . . . been planning for two years - have an old desk - re-doing with newspaper articles/pictures of our president, Mr. Obama. I really have more than I will ever need, but decided to go ahead with the project, since snowed in n Okla City. Praying that all will be well, a little scared. Have taken a before picture, will update you with an after picture.

I love using Mod Podge to transfer images. It works better than any of the other things I've tried (gel medium, packing tape etc.) and it's relatively cheap. Here's an example:

http://madebynicole.blogspot.com/2011/09/art-journal-fight-club.html