Did you know that November 12th was Young Readers Day? One of my favorite books growing up was The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Who could resist the fun way Eric Carle illustrated his story?
It’s also one of the first books I purchased for my daughter, along with other favorites like the Little Critters, The Velveteen Rabbit (perfect for the holiday season) and The Giving Tree. Obviously one of the best ways to encourage young readers is by actually reading, but it’s also great when you can bring a book to life through fun artwork.
In honor of Young Reader’s Day, KLS Crafts designed this DIY art for a kids room. It’s based on the The Very Hungry Caterpillar, but it can be done with any book!
What is Mod Podge?
It’s a clear, water-based product that you can use to adhere items together. You mix it with your glue of choice and apply the mixture onto surfaces such as wood or paper. Once dry, these products are easy to remove from most materials. They come in many different colors, making them perfect for creating unique projects.
Why is it called Mod Podge?
The name “Mod Podge” comes from its creator: Martha Stewart! She created this product when she was looking for an alternative way to seal her craft supplies after they were damaged by moisture.
Today, there are hundreds of brands available on Amazon that sell their own versions of Mod Podge. Popular uses include using it to create gift wrap, make custom magnets, and decorate mason jars. If you want to learn more about how to use Mod Podge, keep reading below!
How do I use Mod Podge?
You may be wondering what all those strange ingredients mean at first glance. But once you start mixing up some Mod Podge, you will see why this stuff really works so well. Let’s take a look at each ingredient individually before we talk about how to combine everything into one cohesive solution.
Mod Podge Ingredients
Let’s break down the main components of Mod Podge in order to understand better what makes it work. Here are some key things to know about each component if you plan to try out any DIY crafts with this amazing product:
Polyvinyl Alcohol – This substance has been used since the early 1900s because it dries quickly while still maintaining flexibility. When mixed with other substances like acrylic resin, it creates a strong bond between two objects without leaving residue behind. This means that whatever surface you choose to cover with Mod Podge won’t leave sticky residue afterwards.
Acrylic Resin – Acrylic resins have long been known for being able to hold paint applied to surfaces. These same properties allow it to stick tightly to anything else placed over top of it. In addition, acrylic resins don’t shrink or crack when exposed to heat, which makes them ideal for crafting projects where high temperatures might occur.
Dibutyl Phthalate – DBP is another important chemical found within Mod Podge. It helps prevent mold growth after exposure to wet conditions, allowing you to store your project safely until ready to finish. Because of this property, you should always let dried Mod Podge sit overnight before applying additional coats.
Silica Gel – Silica gel is also present in Mod Podge. While not essential, silica gel allows Mod Podge to stay flexible even after it has been stored for extended periods of time. Without it, the adhesive would become stiff and brittle.
Sodium Benzoate – Sodium benzoate acts as an antimicrobial agent against bacteria and fungi that could harm your finished item. However, while sodium benzoate can help protect your project from bacterial contamination, it isn’t necessary for every type of application. For example, you wouldn’t need to add sodium benzoate to your glue gun since you’re already sealing the object with glue itself.
When Do You Use Mod Podge?
There are several types of situations where you’ll find yourself needing to apply Mod Podge. Keep these tips handy as you go through your next project!
Decorating Items
Another great place to incorporate Mod Podge is on decorative items such as picture frames, vases, bowls, and candle holders. By covering these items in layers of Mod Podge, you can achieve stunning results. Since most paints aren’t water-based, they tend to run when you put too much pressure on a frame. With Mod Podge, however, you can easily remove the extra coating without damaging the original design.
Repurposing Old Objects
One thing that often gets thrown away in our homes is old furniture. If you’ve got some leftover wooden chairs lying around, why not repurpose those into something new by painting them with Mod Podge? The process takes just minutes, so it’s easy enough to do once a week throughout spring cleaning season. Just be sure to use a good quality wood stain if you plan to keep your chair for more than one year.
Crafting Projects
If you enjoy working with paper crafts, then you definitely need to get familiar with Mod Podge. Paper crafts require no special skills or materials beyond scissors and a pair of tweezers. Simply cut out shapes, fold pieces together, adhere items to cardstock, and then seal off excess edges with Mod Podge. Once dry, simply peel away the backing and admire your handiwork!
Today, we’ll be using Mod Podge to make these cute letters for kids rooms.
How to Make Book Covered Letters for Kids Rooms
In honor of Young Reader’s Day, KLS Crafts designed this DIY art for a kids room. It’s based on the The Very Hungry Caterpillar, but it can be done with any book!
Photocopy images from the pages of your favorite book at an office supply store or with your home printer. (Reduce/enlarge images until they fit the letters.)
Paint plain craft block letters with 2-3 coats of white paint. Let dry
Cut out your images and arrange them on the letters.
TIP: You can use the images to tell the story, apply only the cover art, just the text, or any combination!
Apply the Mod Podge to the back of each image with a foam brush and apply to the letters.
Wrap paper ends along the letters and even onto the back so the entire image is flush with the letter.
After images have been placed apply Mod Podge over the entire top and sides of each letter.
Allow to dry and hang!
Supply:
- Craft block letters (available at Joann Fabrics, Amazon or Hobby Lobby)
- Mod Podge
- White craft paint
Tools:
- Scissors
- Foam brush
Materials: Photocopied pages from your favorite book
You can check out the Step By Step photos at KLS Crafts.
You can also watch favorite childhood story books come to life with these 13 Great Titles on Netflix.
Big Kids
- Hugo
- Escape to Witch Mountain NEW!
- James and the Giant Peach
- The Baby-Sitters Club
- Goosebumps
- A Wrinkle in Time