Mod Podge Teacher Gift

Get ready to celebrate…Mod Podge is celebrating its 50th Anniversary! Mod Podge, short for “Modern Decoupage” was developed by Jan Whetstone, an interior designer in the Atlanta area, in 1967. For fifty years now, crafters of all kinds have loved it because of how easy it is to use for a huge variety of project types. Not only is it perfect for home decor, Mod Podge is a wonderful supply for schools and teachers too. Today, I want to share a quick and easy project you can create that would be useful in any classroom. Take a look…

You’ll need:

unfinished wooden crate
Mod Podge 
Mod Podge Brush Applicator, 4″
Mod Podge Professional Tool Set: Brayer and Squeegee
patterned paper
chalky finish paint
clear wax {optional}
paintbrushes
FolkArt Stencil & Stencil Brush

Step 1: Paint your crate.

I chose a Rhubarb colored chalk paint because I wanted something bright that coordinated with my patterned paper. Using a large paintbrush, I covered the entire inner and outer surface of the crate, except for the areas I planned to cover with paper. One coat gave me great coverage, but depending on the specific paint you use, you may want two coats instead. Let the paint dry completely before moving on.

Step 2: Cut your patterned paper so that you have strips that are exactly the size of the slats on the crate’s sides.

Step 3: Apply a generous coat of Mod Podge to the surface of one of the wooden slats.

There are so many formulas to choose from, including some that are perfect for school projects like Gloss, Matte, and even Mod Podge Wash Out for Kids! I applied mine with a large brush for a smooth application. The 4″ brush is a great size for medium to large projects.

Step 4: Place your paper on top of the Mod Podge.

Step 5: Roll the brayer across the paper to smooth it down and squeeze out any excess Mod Podge.

This will flatten the paper and help it adhere to the surface.

Step 6: Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge on top of the paper using a large brush.

Step 7: Use the brayer and/or squeegee tool to remove any bubbles and flatten the paper.

Repeat steps 3-7 until all four slats are covered with your patterned paper. Let the Mod Podge dry completely.

Step 8: Use a FolkArt stencil to paint a label shape on the ends of the crate.

I used charcoal gray chalk paint and a stencil brush. When stenciling, remember that less paint is better; loading too much on the brush is what causes paint to “bleed” under the stencil and create an image that isn’t clean and sharp.

Step 9 {optional}: Write on the label.

This is a perfect place to letter a teacher’s name, a classroom number, a subject, or whatever the crate is going to hold. You can do this freehand or use some of the many FolkArt alphabet stencils.

If you like, you can apply a coat of clear wax to the painted areas to seal the chalk paint, but it’s not necessary if you like the finish as is.

I can’t wait to see how Little Crafter’s teacher puts this crate to use. It would be a great place to store supplies, snacks, or anything else she might need to organize in the classroom. Not only is Mod Podge useful for creating classroom decor and organization like this project, it’s also fun for use in art class! Mod Podge Matte and Gloss formulas are available in gallon size containers so the whole class can get creative!

If you happen to be {or know} a teacher, Plaid has created a new educator’s content hub that has everything you need to incorporate Mod Podge into your classroom, including:
• Lesson plans
• Free Monthly downloads
• Project inspiration
• Instructional videos
• Printable project calendar …and more!

Be sure to check out these brand new resources and share them with the teachers in your life. Also, don’t miss out on National Mod Podge Day, May 19th. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or just someone who loves Mod Podge, we invite you to join the celebration! Learn more at plaidonline.com and be sure to follow Plaid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also find more Mod Podge inspiration in these posts from the other Plaid Creators…take a look!


Mod Podge Teacher Gift

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