Mod Podge

After painting a piece, I love lining the drawers with some decorative paper.  I think it just adds a sweetness to the overall finished look.  I have used scrapbook paper and wrapping paper to do this.  Soon, I would like to try fabric, but I haven't yet! 

*I use the Matte finish, rather than the glossy.  I've read the glossy can be a bit sticky even after drying. (If the paper does feel tacky after the MP has had a chance to cure, spraying it with a clear acrylic sealer should help.)

Mod Podging can be a bit tricky, and working somewhat quickly is essential, since the MP dries pretty fast. Following these basic steps have given me good results!

Materials:  Measured and cut decorative paper, Mod Podge, sponge brush, and a large or small popsicle stick.

1.  Of course the drawer needs to be wiped clean.
2.  Using a sponge brush, put a thin layer of MP directly onto the bottom of the drawer. I always coat the outside edges first, inside area next and then hit the outside edges a second time. 

                                                            Here is the drawer with a coat of MP.

3.  Next, brush a fairly thin layer of MP onto the back of the paper.  I think doing a thin rather than really thick layer is what keeps my stuff from bubbling too much.  Just my theory, I don't know for sure.  I start at the outside edges again, coat the center part and then go over the outside edges a second time just before I start to place the paper into the drawer.

It's a good idea to put something underneath the paper while MP-ing, otherwise it gets on your counter and it does have to be scrubbed a bit to get off once it dries!  (I usually end up scrubbing).

4.  Position the front edge of the paper at the front of the drawer.  I start at the front and make sure it looks good there, so if I misplace the paper a bit, the mess up will be at the back of the drawer.  :)

My photographer for this picture was Zach, my 7 year old. :)  He's probably going to want to get paid for the rights to this photo!  Seriously.



5.  Don't lay the paper down all at once!  Hold up the paper from the back and work your way from the front to the back.  Use a large or small popsicle stick layed down flat, along with your fingers, and smooth the bubbles and paper out toward the sides and back as you go. 

It almost feels like I'm scrapping the drawer when I do this.  Just be careful and try not to rip the paper.  If that happens, just unwrinkle the rip as best as you can and smooth it out.  Brush over that area with the MP to seal it down.  It will most likely end up being unnoticeable.

I'm holding a popsicle stick in the above pic.  A large or small one would work.  I prefer a large one, but that's just me!

5.  Once I get done adhering the paper to the drawer, I make sure the edges are stuck down really well.  Sometimes I need to add a bit more MP to the edges at this point if they have dried out. Then I take my popsicle stick and run it along all 4 sides, pressing the edges down securly.   

6.  Now it's time to put a thin layer of MP over the top of the paper.  I do it the same way as I do the first coat.  Start at the edges, cover the middle, and go back over the edges again a second time. 

I don't worry about bubbles at this point, because there is really nothing that can be done about them now that the paper is stuck nice and tight to the drawer. 

8.  Ater this top coat has been applied, even if my paper looked nice and smooth before I brushed this coat on, I usually see many bubbles in my paper.  I've even been tempted to rip it off at this point and start over.  DON'T!  If the paper looked relatively smooth before the topcoat was applied, the bubbles that seem to pop up afterwards will most likely flatten out on their own after the MP dries.

9.  Let the drawers dry.  The directions say 15-20 min. between coats, but I usually let them dry overnight. 

10.  Cover the paper with a second coat of MP just like in step #6.

11.  Allow the beautiful drawers to dry!