Mod Podge

Mixed media art intrigues me. That's about as far as it has gotten...the intrigue. Actually, I have made a few cards this fall, using some ribbon, some stickers, sewing a few seed beads on... they turned out well, and I enjoyed the minorly artistic endeavor.

Recently Emily, our college sophomore, sent me this card, proudly sharing that it is made of almost all recycled materials. I'm impressed. The card itself is made from a grocery bag, and the leaves on the tree are individually cut from colorful magazine ads...she herself called it a major bit of "study procrastination." Works of art do take time you know!

The glitter is held in place by...you guessed it...Mod Podge.


I remember Mod Podge from junior high. My friend Karla and I would decoupage pictures onto small wooden plaques. Do you remember that fad? Who knew that Mod Podge still existed?

Today I bought two jars - one plain matte and one in hologram gold glitter. (we didn't have that in junior high!!) Tonight, while watching an old movie, I cut up a magazine to create two cards: photo collages of autumn flowers, pumpkins, and gourds, all compliments of Better Homes & Gardens. Both are glittered Mod Podge style, and I'm feeling quite accomplished...

At Borders Bookstore earlier I was perusing magazines on mixed media art. It's simply amazing what people think to do. One article detailed the process one artist goes through starting with a photocopy of an old family photo. She adds layers of paints, pencil, fabrics, tulle, blush, crayon, feathers, whatever...until there is a work of collage art rather than the photo. Such creativity. I do, however, wonder who might buy this type of art. With the time involved I can certainly understand the phrase, "starving artist." I've written before about "The Artful Blogger" magazine which touts some fabulous pages from artist's blogs. A whole blog world is out there, an online gallery. Is mixed media art relatively new? Crazy quilts preceded it - were there other forms of mixed media?

Creativity is good for my spirits, and I hope that the card recipients feel special for having received a one of a kind message from me. Recycled contents. That's good too. Rather than buy alphabet stickers I can cut and paste podge. The possibilities are endless!