Bench Project

Last week I showed you a list of projects I was going to start working on.

Well I never did get around to the boys' bulletin board, but I did decoupage the bench!!

I had never decoupaged anything, but figured it couldn't be that hard so I decided to do the top of the bench.  You may remember me saying I was bored with the green color of the bench.  After looking at the distressed finish I had created I was so afraid I may not be able to get the same look again if I painted it shabby white.

So I decided to leave it green and decoupage the top.

Here is the bench before.

And here is the bench now.

What do you think?  I love the new look!!!

It sits in a long dark hallway so this was just enough to brighten up the area.  And add that whimsical look I so love!

So here is what I used and how I did it.  I am sure many of you have used Mod Podge before so bare with me for all those that have not.  And I would love helpful hints if you have any!

Besides a drop clothe this is all I used.  And the cost was great!  Mod Podge was $4.49 and the scrapbook paper was half off(reguralry 59 cents)both at Hobby Lobby.  I already had the sponge brushes and of course the bench!

I started by wiping the bench down and drying it off.  I then cut my scrap book paper in all different sizes.

Then I started applying a thin layer of Mod Podge to the bench.  I started on the outside and corners of the bench carefully laying my paper out to the edge.......I did overlap the paper.

As I layed a piece down I made sure to get out any little air bubbles by smoothing the paper out.  From one side to the other.

 This was harder than I thought. Next time I will be sure to take more time to do this process.  I was just SO excited about seeing the end result.  Because of my excitement I totally forgot to take more pictures of the progrees as I went along.  But I feel confident you can see how this was done.

After I layed all the paper to the edges of the bench I then got crazy with more overlapping.  I think this is where the FUN begins.  There is no ryhme or reason to the way I did this. I simply put a piece down, stepped back to see if that worked and glued it(Mod Podge).

After I had the bench to the desired look I then went over the entire bench with Mod Podge again.  This bench is really not used to sit on.....more like a funky piece to add something to our hall.  If I used it more for seating I would probably put a top coat over all this.  Something to protect it.

Everytime I walked past this bench in the hallway I smile.  I love the way it came out!!  And it was so easy to do.  Now I am walking around looking for more things to decoupage.

**On a different subject.....my followers are growing!!!!  Thank you so much for reading my blog. And following our story!!  I love to write and share all that I do.  And I love reading your comments too!  Keep them coming!  Maybe a new month will bring me more followers.  If you read my blog I would love for you to join in that list of followers!!  **