Sometimes I see a new crafty project and fall in love immediately, but then I get turned away because of the cost of materials. Also, what if I never get around to the project? I hate to have a bunch of stuff just lying around - that's why I always finish my projects quickly. It's not because I'm especially motivated, just that I like a lot of open floor space in my home, and boxes and bins of stuff (including WIPs) take up a lot of room.
One crafty project that wooed me immediately was decoupage.
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| via HGTV |
But decoupage seemed to require ModPodge, which was $15 a bottle, and the bottle was huge. Why, oh why, didn't they sell small samples of this product, so I could give it a try and see if I really was in love, or if this was just a crush that would fade quickly once we were actually cohabiting?
Then I found this recipe for DIY decoupage glue on do it yourself divas:
Empty one container of Elmer's glue into a storage jar. Fill the Elmer's container with water and add to the glue. Shake.
How simple is that? And just imagine the possibilities. And speaking of possibilities, the Elmer's site also offers other crafty uses for their glue. In fact, they have a whole forum set aside just for crafters, so check out that link if you need a little inspiration, or inspiration for little ones. Note: Elmer's suggests a 3:1 glue ratio instead of 1:1, so you might want to experiment a little to see which you like best.
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| via Apartment Therapy |
Speaking of glue, there's a similar recipe on eHow for making your own fabric stiffener. The author uses it for a felt hat, but I imagine it could be used for any kind of fabric. And best of all, the only ingredients are corn starch and water.
I have a project in the works using Elmer's decoupage that I'll share when it's done. It's something I've been working on for a while, and I'm happy that I can finally add the finishing touch, without buying a whole tub of 'maybe I'll love it' glue.
